8 Things That Wear Capes This Summer

Capes. I didn't get one. 

But some things in this world wear one. They come from Jesus and they wear capes and they help my life.  And it's summer and all my people are home and I am banking on these heroes.  

8 Things With Capes: 

1. Morning Solitude. Maybe it's just five minutes. No matter if you work full time or sometimes or are home full-time, rising before everyone is up and bustling can save your actual life this summer. The quiet. The coffee. The time without any distractions to fill your tank for the day. I love being in God's word or a devotion or journaling a few thoughts in silence. It's good personal time before my personal space is invaded for hours on end. 

2. Kroger ClickList. This is where you select your groceries online and you go and pick them up and you have NO MORE MELT DOWNS from your Littles. They put every bag in your car for you. You don't ever get out. Your kids don't get out. No one gets out. But what about some other human being choosing my produce, you're asking? This is important. I know. But I am telling you - it is worth it and my produce was just fine. I hardly know what I am doing anyway with the picky melons and their soft spots. I chose my time to come pick up my groceries. It is $5 to have a shopper do this for you. I am never grocery shopping again. Your list is saved, too, for next time. I'm telling you - ClickList wears a red bold flowing cape! So does Amazon Prime Pantry. Because right now, grocery shopping is hard.

3. Popsicles. I keep a ton of these bad boys in my freezer for the neighborhood friends that are in and out of my house in the summer. Everyone cheers when they get one! Kids stay outside a bit longer and they are cooled down a bit and everyone wins. I'm becoming the Popsicle Mom and who doesn't want that title?!

4. Grandparents. We got away for 24 hours and my marriage has never felt better. Where do they get their magical energy? They showed up and their capes could not be more beautiful. I highly recommend finding a way to leave your children for 24 hours once a year or maybe every 6 months. Babysitters and Family Friends wear capes too. 

5. Afternoon Coffee. I'm a mom who happens to have ADHD and why have I not been doing this for the last decade?! It saves my life. It gives me focus. I'm better for it. You're saying "Duh" right now. I know. Me too. 

6. Minimalism. I reduced all the toys in each of my three children's rooms to one bin. Each room gets one bin. All toys fit in there. So our room clean-up is easy:
1. Put your toys away in your bin in your room (scoop and dump a few times and bam!).
2. Do your laundry chore (could be folding or washing or whatever for the day).
3. Make your bed.
Wham! A clean room in minutes! I have given my 6 year old daughter only 12 outfits this Spring and the clothing battle is gone. We have also greatly reduced our basement and living spaces and kitchen. Less to deal with makes Momma (and humans) happy. Yay minimalism and your shiny cape! (So far no one has asked about the edited toys and their whereabouts). The weird thing about Minimalism is that it's actually hard work. It's hard work to keep things from coming in your house and it's hard work to take things out. But I am enjoying the reduction.  

7. Naps. These are not just for babies and toddlers. These are for big people. You can leave any shame about them at the door. Maybe it's a power nap or maybe it's 1.5 hours. You might just need to lay down and recharge. When our bodies are tired, so are our emotions. A nap might be the most spiritual thing you do all day. My toddler's nap wears a cape and so does mine.

8. Summer Schedule. Everyone has a daily chore, daily reading, and daily math. They need to do this before any playing with friends or media. And media is limited each day. This has kept their skills going and helps them appreciate all the play time. If you whine about it? We can add extra math, no sweat. I have started to have the older one read to the littles and the little one practice to the oldest. All the wins. 

Thank you Jesus for Things With Capes.

Maybe you have a Thing With A Cape you'd like to share? Please do. We need all the help.