Fall is such an amazing season but it goes by so quickly! Time to plan out and start tackling some of our fun 2017 Fall Family Goals.
If you have been a Sweet Poppy Seed follower for a while, you know I am a total nerd when it comes to making lists and planning out goals. I think it comes from years and years of goal planning as part of my tennis training growing up. My coach was also obsessed with goal planning. Hence so am I!
FALL IS HERE. Like really really here (at least in Minnesota). Leaves are turning, apple orchards are hopping and delicious pumpkin is everywhere.
Making seasonal family goals is a way for us to try new activities, stay active and avoid the common “what should we do today??”
So as I do for most seasons, I sat down with my trusty notebook (yep I’m old-school), and my trusty husband to jot down what we want to accomplish during this glorious season… you know aside from eating pumpkin everything!
I hope we can get to all of this before the weather gets really cold, but even if we don’t, I know it’s going to be a fabulous Fall!
1.Conquer 2-3 mini-mission a week
House projects, shelf building, organizing, decluttering, everyday cleaning plus caring for 2 tiny kiddos is a lot to handle. And although the hubs and want to take it easy, we also want to feel productive and get projects done without feeling totally overwhelmed. Our solution is to make daily mini-missions in order to slowly cross projects off our list but also be able to enjoy our days.
For us this includes things like reorganizing the living room, hanging up artwork/photos, working on the deck, organizing drawers, decluttering closets, cleaning out cars, and deep cleaning parts of the house we never touch.
2. Soak up the simple moments with the hubs
A practice that the hubs and I are trying to be better at, is slowing down, taking our time and savoring simple moments. Instead of getting caught up in things to do and projects to get done all the time, we are living life a bit slower. No alarm clocks, longer meals, more time just hanging with friends, after dinner strolls, time with our kids cuddling on the couch, making up fun games to play with our toddler and of course date nights (when we can get a sitter).
It’s no wonder people in other countries admit to being happier than us… slow living is pretty awesome.
3. Plan special dates with each kid
Spending quality time doing things each kid loves has been a great way to engage with them and take life slower.
With Poppy this normally involves donuts, play dates, throwing rocks in lakes, making up games in the yard, jumping on the bed in the basement, zoo or museum trips, and popcorn movies nights. For our little Bean who is only a month old, we love taking her for walks in the stroller, cuddling with her on the couch, taking her on coffee/pastry dates (that’s more for us, she just sleeps), and sitting outside to let her watch the trees.
4. Embrace the chilly days
This one is hard for me since I normally start complaining once the weather drops under 40. But in an effort to embrace the cold and start my Hygge early this year, I am going to bundle up in cozy clothes, grab a cookbook, make some tea and embrace the cold.
5. Check out the best bakeries in the Twin Cities
Back in our single kid-less days, we were all about trying new trendy dinner restaurants and going out for cocktails, but ever since having kids, we have become the breakfast bunch! Our new favorite activity now involves scouting out breakfast, donuts, and pastry places with our 2 minions.
This fall, we plan on hitting up as many local family friendly breakfast places, enjoying some good food and sipping on glorious coffee. I’ll report back on our favorites come winter.
6. Visit an apple orchard, a pizza farm and the Minnesota Arboretum
These are 3 places that just scream fall to me! The apple orchard will be way more fun this year than before because Poppy can pick her own and partake in the many orchard activities. And of course the pizza farm because who doesn’t want to go to a cute farm in the height of fall, eat pizza and enjoy the scenery?
Last but not least, the MN Arboretum! An incredible place to take a family stroll and see all the fall colors.
7. Schedule more low-key social activities
To be totally frank guys, as much as I adore cooking, I don’t always feel like cooking for a bunch of people. But let’s be honest, every good social gathering involves food. Our solution is to plan more low-key, minimal work social gatherings without breaking the bank of course. Potluck dinners, donut brunches, coffee and pastry dates, cheese and meat platter soirees, dessert hangouts, brewery picnics, or pizza parties. Seriously…I don’t know why we didn’t do this more often before!
8. Family yoga
After months praising the benefits of yoga and recommending it to the hubs as a solution for his sore muscles, he finally decided to try it! And he actually likes it 👍 So far we have completed a few 20-40 minute YouTube yoga videos and hope to continue this throughout the fall. Our goal is 2-3 times a week.
We try to do our yoga practice during nap/quiet time but every once in a while we have a toddler visitor, making it extra fun and challenging! Nothing like trying to do a chaturanga push-up with a toddler on your back!
9. Get crafty
This is an area I’m terrible at… CRAFTS! But this fall, we are all going to give it a real try. From Poppy’s Halloween costume to Christmas gifts (if they turn out), the hubs, Poppy and I are going to take on some Pinterest inspirations and get crafty.
I’m excited for this goal in particular because it’s a great way for us to bond as a family, develop Poppy’s creativity, and promote the idea of making vs busying.
🍂Happy Fall everyone! 🍂
Do you have fall goals for you or your family? I’d love to hear about them! Drop a message below.
Originally posted 2017-09-23 06:00:00.
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