How’s your summer bucket list?  Did you get it all knocked out?

When I saw this prompt from Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, I thought it would fit nicely into this week’s Thankful Thursday post.

What did not get accomplished this summer that you wish you had time for?

This year we put together a summer bucket list using Post-It Notes on our pantry door.  The kids had a blast putting up the colored sheets and thinking up things they’d like to do over the next few months.

This week I’m thankful that we were able to do most of the items on our list.

Several of our items were taken care of during our vacation:  we saw beautiful sunsets and Lightning McQueen, and my daughter and I met some of the Disney Princesses.

We had several picnics and trips to the park, along with a few trips to the zoo.  And the kids were tickled pink when Grandma and Grandpa spent the night one night.

But there is one thing we didn’t get to do that I wish we had….

We didn’t get to go camping.

Growing up we went camping all the time — at least a few times each year.  I remember setting up the tent, or sometimes sleeping in our big van (back then we didn’t have passenger seats, so there was plenty of room for sleeping bags).  I remember all the campfires, and making s’mores and fruit pies over the fire.

I want to start making those memories with my own children.

I want to show them how to set up the tent, tuck them into their own little sleeping bags, and fall asleep listening to the crickets.

So, I’m adding it to our fall to-do list…. After all, the cooler weather is better for those campfire moments anyway.  Right?

What’s something on your summer list that you still want to do?

Leave a comment below, and, if you have your own thankful post, be sure to link it up this week!

I am also linked with Black Tag Diaries, The Fontenot Four, and Reading List

The post Thankful Thursday — Summer Bucket List first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

For months now every time my parents have come up to visit us, my son has asked if they can stay the night.

Last Friday he got his wish.

And not only that, but we had a campfire (okay, bonfire), too!

We spent the evening roasting marshmallows for s’mores, telling campfire stories, catching fireflies, and making memories.

I am thankful for all those memories we were able to make.  I know it is something my kids will remember for a long time!

What are you thankful for this Thankful Thursday?

Leave a comment or link up your own thankful post today.  Be sure to link to your actual post, please, and let your readers know you linked up with us!

Be sure to check out our felt doll giveaway – and thank you to all my followers!

This post may be shared on Black Tag Diaries, The Fontenot Four, Six by the Bay

The post Thankful Thursday — Camp Fire Memories first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

This week I am thankful for the safe arrival of ALL my family when we met up in Georgia with my sister and surprised my parents on our trip to Disney World.

And I am THANKFUL we are not driving any more!  After almost 1,000 miles, I am ready to be out of a car!  (And so are the kids!)

Normally I do a Thankful Thursday link up.

I am sorry, but there will be no link up this week.  It will be back next week!

The post Thankful Thursday – June 13 first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

This week I’m thankful for:

• A few days of cooler temperatures
• Energy to build a lower level to the flower bed
• A Great Memorial Day weekend sale on mulch (and boy, did those 8 bags go fast!)
• Clearance sale plants for less than half their normal prices
• Beautiful weather for a family cookout over the weekend
• Plenty of attention for 2 little ones from both sets of grandparents
• Finally finding a Little Mermaid swimsuit that fits my own little mermaid
• And strawberries galore

Now it’s your turn.

What are you thankful for this week?

As always, you can leave a comment or feel free to link up your own thankful posts!

This week I’m linked with Black Tag Diaries, The Fontenot Four, Divas with a Purpose, and Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Reading List

The post Strawberries and More — Thankful Thursday first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Being a mother changes you, in ways you never thought of.

Your priorities, your routine, your hobbies… It all changes.

Before children I never dreamed I’d be a stay-at-home mom.  Even when I was pregnant, I couldn’t imagine staying home with the kids.  I loved working with my middle school kids, seeing that moment when they finally “got it.”  I’d get up in the morning, go to work, come home and grade papers and think up future projects.

I’d read, a lot.  All kinds of books (ones without pictures) while lounging in the sun.  And on the weekends my husband and I were involved in various pistol shooting competitions.

You know how women ooh and ahh when they see a newborn?  Or how so many women just seem natural when it comes to getting down on the ground and playing with a young child?

I was never that woman.

Little kids?  I just couldn’t connect with them.

New baby?  Yeah, that’s nice.

About the time they got to middle school is when they got interesting to me.

But it all changed when they placed that 5lb. 8oz. squalling little girl on my chest.

I bawled for a week before I had to go back to work after our daughter was born.  Those last few months of the school year were the longest months of my life.  Suddenly, the one thing I never thought I would do was the only thing I prayed for — the chance to stay home with her.

My schedule now a days?  I try to get up before the kids so I can sip my cocoa in peace and think of what fun we will have that day.

Monday?  It’s swim class day.  Tuesday?  Story time at the library.  There are play dates, picnics at the park, and trips to the zoo.

Hobbies?  I can’t remember the last time I went to a pistol competition.  And the only books I seem to read lately have a lot of rhymes and pictures.

And that’s okay.

It’s more than okay.  It’s perfect.

Now when my husband and I go out to dinner I find myself gazing at babies and thinking back to when my own were little.  If I’m out shopping I can’t walk past a child without smiling and waving.

Yes, being a mother changes every single thing in your life.

And I can not imagine my life any other way.

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The post Motherhood Changes You first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

I was staring at a basket of laundry, willing it to put itself away, when I heard, “Mommy, will you take a walk with us?”

Looking at the clock, I saw it was almost lunch time.

“Sure, Sweetie.  You guys wait on the back porch and I’ll make lunch to take with us,” I answered, leaving the basket of laundry for the cleaning fairy to put away.  (She hasn’t been here in a while; anyone know where she’s at?)

I made a few p.b.&j. sandwiches, tossed some grapes and bell pepper slices in a baggie, tossed in an almost empty bag of pretzels and filled a bottle with water.

My picnic partners were ready and waiting on the back porch.

Like so many picnics, we wound up at the pond.

After eating, it was time to play and explore!

Notice the clothing change?  Yep, I actually thought ahead of time for once and grabbed a change of clothes for my daughter and some shorts for the little guy.

By the end of our trip to the pond they were both sandy, very wet, and excited about some tadpoles we had found.

It is simple moments like a picnic with my babies that I am thankful for this week.  I’m looking forward to many more of them this spring and summer.

Leave a comment telling me what simple moments you are thankful for this week.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

If you have a thankful post of your own, be sure to link it up with us.  I’d love it if you let your readers know you linked up here!

The post Thankful Thursday — Simple Moments first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.