Integrity: Doing What's Right Even When No One is Watching

We're pretty big on integrity around our house. Mike and I each (separately and together) have no tolerance for lying, cheating, or stealing. We have drilled into our kids' heads the phrase: "Do what's right even when others don't and even when no one's watching," hoping they will someday choose to live a life of integrity, too. 

But isn't it okay to tell little white lies? Sneak just a tiny bit? Bend the rules that seem ridiculous? 

I didn't used to think so, but apparently I don't live the straight-and-narrow lifestyle that I thought I did. Let me explain…

Most places allow you to bring your own food to save money, right? Museums have lunch areas, airports have food venues between security and the gate, even Disneyland lets you pack some snacks and water bottles. They hope you will buy their over-priced food, but they don't expect you to.

An annoying exception to this is our local water park. You can bring water bottles, but absolutely no food is allowed. They check your bag upon entering and will send you back to your vehicle if they catch you with anything at all. When their concession stand only offers burgers, fries, and pizza, it's hard to stay all day with no decent, gluten-free, healthy-ish options for lunch or snacks. 

For this reason, I completely justify bringing dried fruit, bags of trail mix and other heat-proof snacks in my bag. I am absolutely sneaking them in, don't get me wrong: I fold them into my beach towels so they will not be found upon entry. But I don't feel guilty because I feel like the gluten-filled grease trap of a snack bar doesn't give me any choice.

Last summer, while at the water park, the kids began complaining that they were hungry. I handed them some almonds and raisins to munch on before heading back out to wait in the long lines for the slides. Then I noticed that Kaylin was staring at me, refusing to eat. 

Kaylin: "I thought that we weren't allowed to bring food here?"

Me: "Well, you're not, technically, but they don't have any healthy options for us to buy at the snack bar, so I bring a few things that we can eat until we go home for lunch."

Kaylin: "I'm not breaking the rules. You always tell me to, 'do what's right, even when others don't.' Does that mean even when YOU don't do what's right?"

(*GULP*) Keep in mind, she was SIX YEARS OLD at the time.

Me: "Um, I, well...yes it does."

Kaylin: "Can we leave early so I can have a snack, too? Or can we just go out to the parking lot and eat in the van?"

Me: (dumbfounded)

This has surely come back to bite me in the butt, now hasn't it? But she's right. We were sneaking food in and intentionally breaking the rules. What kind of an example was I setting for my kids? 

So recently, I've been packing snacks with ice packs and leaving them in our 170 degree vehicle when we go to the water park. It's not convenient to pack everything up and head to the van to eat sliced apples and cheese sticks, but I'm willing to do it to appease my honest daughter. And in hopes of re-setting a better example for my boys. 

Thank you, sweet Kaylin, for being so honest. Even if it is pretty annoying and inconvenient! Maybe I AM doing something right after all?

Turning 10 is a Pretty Big Deal

Double digits. The big 1-0. One zero. One oh. I remember turning 10. For some reason, entering the double digits was a big deal for me. Maybe because the next big birthday wasn't until 16? Who knows.

I am a sucker for making a huge stink over ALL of my kids' birthdays, so making this particular day over-the-top for Ryan took some creativity. I saw an idea to put sparklers on his cake, but decided to throw them on his breakfast instead. I highly recommend sparklers instead of candles. Probably a horrible fire hazard to do indoors, but it felt more special than plain old candles.

We began his 10th birthday on Friday morning with a BALLOON AVALANCHE. It was so easy and such a fun way for him to wake up and feel like there was a party in his room, even if his mom was sound asleep!

Then we celebrated his birthday breakfast with a 10 - a Twinkie and a gluten free donut. The GF donut was kind of pointless once I decided that the zero needed a one in front of it and Twinkies were the only quick thing I could think of! So Ryan had his first Twinkie on his birthday. It was the Little Debbie brand and I do not recommend them…drier than I remember, just overall a disgusting waste of calories. But it looked great on the plate!

While I cleaned up from breakfast, Ryan went down to the park to practice hitting golf balls. I sent him out the front door because I wanted to see his response to the paint I put on the van the night before. 

It was all fun and games until the first person honked. I was all excited and waved - everyone in the car waved back - it was a fun mom moment. Until Ryan got completely embarrassed and begged me to go to the car wash. Um, I don't think so! No kid of mine is going to get out of being honked at all day long. Especially knowing we would be in the car for at least 2 hours driving up north for the weekend. I wanted people to honk over and over to remind him that it was his birthday!!! After the first several {apparently humiliating} honks, Ryan started appreciating the acknowledgement. I'll break this kid of being overly sensitive to embarrassment if it kills me!

For dinner, he asked for In-n-Out with a coveted hamburger bun. I was shocked when he got to the counter and ordered a Double Double! A Double Double for my Double Digit boy. He even got mustard on it because, "now that he's older, he needs to start trying new things on his burgers." But not tomatoes. He's not quite ready to go THAT far, yet.

Happy Birthday, my sweet Ryan. I cannot believe you're already 10 years old. I remember holding you for the first time like it was yesterday. (*sniff*)

Is he officially a pre-teen now? Or a tween? I don't know. He just seems so…BIG all of a sudden. Enjoy this year, buddy!

#37 - Cross off everything on my to-do list every day for a week

With Mike and Ryan at camp this week and Kaylin and Jason spending the mornings at Vacation Bible School, I had quite a bit of free time on my hands. I crossed everything off my to-do list every day and MORE! #37 is checked off my 101 in 1001 days list.

Sunday
√ Go to Target
√ Make deposits at the bank
√ Make Ryan's birthday cookie cake for Mike's family celebration
√ Help Ryan and Mike pack for camp

Monday
√ Pick up the house (more than done!)
√ Do a load of laundry (lights)
√ Take down Ryan's birthday party decorations
√ Party City
√ Return library books
√ Exchange at Dollar Tree
√ Update drivers license online for Arizona DMV
√ Shop for Ryan's birthday presents
√ Email upcoming Tastefully Simple party hosts and freezer meal hosts

Tuesday
√ Do a load of laundry (darks)
√ Buy gift card from Starbuck's
√ Get oil changed
√ Get car washed
√ Write and mail 3 handwritten notes
√ Post office
√ Buy plane ticket to KC for 20 year H.S. reunion

Wednesday
√ Grocery shopping
√ Make snacks for freezer meal workshop tonight
√ Prepare and deliver dinner to Leanne's house for new baby
√ Set up tables and snacks for freezer meal workshop
√ Clean up from FMW before going to bed

Thursday
√ Post office (again)
√ Bed Bath & Beyond
√ Return Ali's folding tables
√ Wrap Ryan's birthday gifts
√ Trade phone numbers with Kaylin's new VBS friend's mom
√ Decide FMW menu for July and post on Facebook
√ Check in with host for tonight's Tastefully Simple party

Friday
√ Get completely caught up on laundry (even folding and putting away)
√ Check in with host for tomorrow's Tastefully Simple party
√ Relax with Mike and the kids before my girls night with Kate and Amy

Saturday
√ Change sheets on my bed
√ Wash all sheets and towels
√ Vacuum and mop the kitchen
√ Go swimming
√ Prepare for Father's Day tomorrow

Clean-Eating Coconut Rice Treats (Allergy-Friendly and No-Bake!)

* This recipe is Vegetarian, optionally Vegan, optionally Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free (though they do contain coconut), optionally Soy Free, and optionally refined sugar free.

This afternoon, I was looking for a no-bake treat to make for the kids because I didn't want the oven to heat up the house. I checked my Clean Eating Pinterest board and found this gem. I made some adjustments to use what I had on hand and the results were DELICIOUS!

Whether someone in your house is on a special diet or not, these will be a hit. My kids polished off 1/2 the pan and begged for more.

Coconut Rice Treats

Ingredients

• 1½  cups +  ¼ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 6 Tbsp honey
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups Rice Chex cereal
• ¾ cup chocolate chips (optional: dairy-free chocolate chips)
• 2 tsp coconut oil

Directions

1. Lightly grease an 8x8 baking pan.
2. Place 1½ cups shredded, unsweetened coconut in a food processor. Keep processing until the coconut clumps and turns into a paste, about 3 minutes.
3. Transfer the coconut paste to a small saucepan and add the honey and vanilla. Whisk over medium-low heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
4. While the mixture is on the stove, add Rice Chex cereal to the food processor and pulse until they form small crumbs, about 20 seconds.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and gently stir in the remaining ¼ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut and the cereal crumbs. 
6. Press the mixture into the greased baking pan, using parchment or plastic wrap between your hands and the mix, if needed. 
7. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl 30 seconds at a time, until melted. Stir until smooth.
8. Pour the chocolate mixture over the rice mixture and spread evenly over the top.
9. Chill 20-30 minutes until chocolate topping is set. Cut into squares. 
10. Yields 16 bite-sized treats.

When You Give a Homeschool Mom a Morning (inspired by If You Give a Mouse a Cookie)

This morning, we waved good-bye as Mike and Ryan went off to church camp. Then I immediately dropped Kaylin and Jason off for a week of Vacation Bible School. I suddenly had three hours all to myself. 

Let me repeat that: THREE HOURS. TO MYSELF. 

Do you know how rare that is in my world? 

Do you know what three hours equals in homeschool mom hours??? Practically a week. 

I intended to run some child-free errands, but decided to head home and cross a few things off my to do list first. It was only 9am, so I had plenty of time to do both.

But before I sat down, I started a load of laundry and cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast. 

Then I sat down at my computer. My eyes wandered over to the cluttered desk around me. Papers, Legos, football trading cards, drawings, lists, receipts…I couldn't concentrate. I decided to spend 30 minutes re-setting my house. Clear surfaces, clean floors, tidy nooks and crannies. 

But I had to go to the bathroom first. Once in the bathroom, my sink counters made me cringe. With Mike gone for a few days, I decided to stick all of his toiletries under his sink. 

But the counter was still gross...toothpaste crusties and stray whiskers everywhere. So I quickly wiped it down. And cleaned the mirror. And while I was at it, I may as well clean the toilet and just call it, "done," right?

It took me all of 11 minutes, so I carted my cleaning supplies over to the kids' bathroom. 

As I walked past the schoolroom, I noticed Jason's bedding all over the floor. I had forgotten that he wouldn't stop talking to Ryan last night, so I separated them. I grabbed his pillow and covers and went into the boys' room to re-make his bed.

While I was in there, I tidied up a bit. Hangers hung up in the closet. Books on the shelf. Clothes in the hamper.

The hamper looked pretty full, so I grabbed the clothes to bring to the laundry room. While I was at it, I emptied Kaylin's hamper, too. And pulled the clothes out of my hamper.

After the clothes were sorted in the laundry room and the towels were moved to the dryer, I decided to clean the hall bathroom. And disinfect the kitchen sink. 

Then the dishwasher was ready to be unloaded. 

Then I noticed Ryan's birthday party decorations all over the house. Time to take those down!

Then I picked up all of the paper and peripherals from the kids playing "hotel" with their friends in the front room yesterday.

I casually looked at the clock. Only 10:15!??!!

Time for a snack. I poured myself some Rice Chex and almonds and gathered some stuff to bring upstairs with me. Like an idiot, I tipped the bowl and spilled Chex everywhere. I figured I should vacuum it up before accidentally stepping on them and made a bigger mess.

And while the vacuum was out…I think you see where this is going...

Then I finally got back to decluttering the surfaces. It is now 11:20am, I have completely picked up my house, cleaned the bathrooms, done a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed the kitchen, disinfected the sink, written this entire blog post, and I still have 30 minutes to spare before I need to go pick up the little kids.

What on EARTH am I going to do with myself for the next four mornings??!?!