Parents and students across the nation are gearing up for the new school year and the back-to-school season. In Florida schools start
in the month of August and with Joseph starting 8th grade, Jonathan and Jeremy starting preschool, we are preparing for the new school year to begin. Feelings of nerves and excitement take over in anticipation for the new year. As the busy and hurried school days fast approach, its important to remember take some time out to enjoy the little moments throughout the day and most importantly with our families.
in the month of August and with Joseph starting 8th grade, Jonathan and Jeremy starting preschool, we are preparing for the new school year to begin. Feelings of nerves and excitement take over in anticipation for the new year. As the busy and hurried school days fast approach, its important to remember take some time out to enjoy the little moments throughout the day and most importantly with our families.
Hallmarkintroduced a new campaign earlier this year called “Life Is a Special Occasion.”, a call to push the pause button on the blur of daily life, and think about the beauty of unplanned, perfectly imperfect moments.It can be difficult as a wife, mother and a business owner to take the time out to really enjoy precious moments in life. Like most parents I often feel like I am being pulled in many directions while juggling and multi-tasking responsibilities and duties. I am firm supporter in prioritizing and creating quality family time to enjoy together as a family. As much needed and wonderful it is to partake in family friendly outings and events, even the daily routines like eating together, is an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company.
Being a social media and tech gadget family, it is a rule in our home that our family dinners be a tech free zone. We strive for our meal time to be free from distractions to create an environment where we can all speak freely about the day’s occurrences and connect with one another. Eating together as a family does take time to coordinate and plan. With toddlers twins in the family some days dinnertime feels more like a taking a trip to the zoo but the end result of being able to talk each other–uninterrupted–is always well worth the effort.
Hallmarkrecognizes these little ‘us’ moments are what make life truly meaningful. With “Life Is a Special Occasion“, they encourage all to think about those perfectly imperfect moments. It may be something heartfelt, or it may be something hilarious–the beauty of it is, it’s your moment–then complete this sentence: “____ is a special occasion!” For my household, “Eating dinner together as a family is a special occasion!”
For more information about Hallmark’s “Life Is a Special Occasion” campaign, please visit http://www.hallmark.com/life.
What is a special occasion in your life?
Great post! I had seen an ad about this from Hallmark.
Saw this post on Facebook and then saw someone tweet it so had to come read it! 🙂 I so agree about eating together as a family. Families need this time to reconnect together.
Great pictures of your family!
The boys are so cute! I agree with your Occasion! We, “the kids”, in our family are all adults and it is treat to go to Mom’s house for a family dinner, especially when all of us can get there on the same weekend!
I love the back to school feeling!
Starting the school year is a VERY big occasion here! Love your pics!
“Perfectly imperfect moments”…. those are always the best!
great post! back to school just brings about a whole mixture of emotions. but no matter what we are feeling – we need to pause and savor the moment.
My husband’s schedule makes it so our time together as a family unit is rare so the minute we’re all in the house together, all tech must go off. I admit to being a nag b/c he forgets sometimes but it’s such valuable time!
that 2nd picture is just too adorable! and, i love that dinner is just dinner! wonderful. no connectivity. i hope for you that they take that with them when their adults and on their own!
Family dinners are super important to me. We try to make sure we have a traditional at least 4x a week. Even if it’s take out. Just the little things like that are the best.
great post ! I also I love the back to school feeling!
Your family is beautiful!
And seriously, with all the electronics and distractions and corre corre, we really do need to remember that it is the little things that count.
Thanks for the reminder to take it easy and enjoy the little moments. Great pics!
Your post has inspired me to stop and smell the roses!
I remember growing up always eating dinner together with my parents & siblings. I love seeing pictures of us all together around the kitchen table. Those are greet memories your will always have and treasure.
Love your family photograph. Having dinner together, is one of the most cherishable moment for everyone.