Ashley’s Corner: Going Rogue What if We All Just Stopped the Summer Camp Madness?
As we head into spring and the busiest weeks of tax season, Toph and I are like ships passing in the night.
My current goal is to figure out how we fit in time to do family activities and relax, and not just be running from one thing to the next. (Toph is clearly thinking about the same thing, as his Cover article shows.) We used to do a special night for each
Summer camp registrations overlap with tax season, plunging us both into a black hole of activity. Mac is playing baseball and basketball, plus taking Ninja Warrior classes. Rex, Tess, and Kip are doing soccer. Roz is in dance. Some days, I get more than 10 text messages and a slew of emails about summer camps so I can figure out which of the kids’ friends is doing what and how we can coordinate sign-ups and car pools. And parents have to plan three steps ahead because the camps all sell out.
kid, when Toph or I would take one child out for an evening. I think they each enjoyed having time dedicated just to them. We need to reboot that.
We had a couple of snow days, and it was kind of nice. The kids played with their toys, and I played games with them and taught them new games. We need to find more quality time together. So, that’s my goal: how to create more time dedicated to being together — less screen time, less phone time, and more time to just live in the moment and enjoy time together.
As I stare at my phone, I’m thinking, this is just madness! Maybe we don’t do any camps. Maybe we just go rogue. Sometimes, less is more.
Of course, I love the camaraderie of the sports and having the kids do different activities. I’m glad they have a lot of interests. But this is summer camp madness. The kids complain, too. They like the camps when they are doing them, but they also say they want time for the family to go to the pool together, where they can see their friends from school. But, of course, all their friends from school are in camp, too.
I don’t know exactly what that looks like or how to get there. But if I figure it out, I will update you here!
Take a Break
NOT YOUR MOM’S CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
Ingredients
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
• 1 (4 lb) corned beef brisket with spice packet • 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks
•
3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt • 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
Directions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve.
Solution on Page 4
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