8 things to change in 2018

Happy New Year!

This year I decided to write down just 8 things I want to change in 2018... & I will also keep a monthly diary to track myself & make sure I stick to my resolutions!

{https://liagriffith.com/printable-new-years-resolution-cards/}

So, here they are:
1. Meditate 8 minutes per day;
2. Follow an 8-min daily beauty routine;
3. Sleep 8 hours per day;
4. Work 8 hours less per week;
5. Exercise 8 times per month;
6. Meet, call & catch up with friends 8 times per month;
7. Cook 8 new recipes or visit 8 new restaurants throughout the year;
and, last but not least,
8. Write 8 posts per month!
Let's see if I make it!!!

{https://liagriffith.com/printable-new-years-resolution-cards/}

the ”you-decide-everything” day!

last year we started a tradition here at home. one day between christmas and new year’s eve (so far has been the 27th of december), our children (at least the big ones) would get to decide E V E R Y T H I N G the whole day; everything: from what they eat to what they wear, to what they play, to what time they go to bed…

we thought that, since there are so many things that adults around them decide on their behalf the whole time, they could and they should have this day where we (the adults) just let go… and the kids just enjoy taking over!

and of course this day has been strategically chosen, since it is between the holidays, so the family’s rhythms are slowed down and we can afford the next day a bit of “too-much-candy” stomach ache and a few pairs of tired eyes from having “too-much-ipad” time ! plus it keeps the excitement going! first they have to wait for christmas day, then for the ”you-decide-everything” day and finally comes the new-year’s eve!

so, yesterday it was the day we have all been waiting for! kids were in pyjamas the whole day, and got dressed in a second (all by themselves) to go across the street for sushi ! they played a looooot of ipad, watched a looooot of tv, ate all kinds of yummy things… the whole day, and most importantly they said a lot of hilarious things like:

* “since we decide everything today, we decide that we will decide everything everyday!”
* us: “would you like dessert here (sushi restaurant) or at home?” – them: “since we decide everything today, we decide that we will have dessert … in both places!
* and late in the evening, the big one: “can i have one more glass chocolate milk?” –me: “you decide!” –the big one: “no mum, i’m done, you can decide for me again… ”

well, it is exhilarating, puzzling, entertaining and tiresome to take decisions the whole day!!!!

(you can find these amazing handmade play wear for children  at Lane's online boutique, LoveLane)

"dad had told me you had to work if you wanted to get on life..."

last night i was reading to my boys a greek version of the book ”little nicholas*”, an all-time-classic by René Goscinny, with the amazing and so simple illustrations by Jean-Jacques Sempé.

it had been a long weekend, with many arrangements, playdates, dinner at friends, spending christmas cozy time with grandma, playing with the inches of snowing that came sunday morning out in the park… and of course, as it happens to all non~kellogg’s~families a lot of everyday frustrations, tidying up, a bit of shouting, “eat-your-food”, “pick-up-your-toys”, etc. etc. etc…

so, it was actually revealing to find myself laughing out loud reading the stories told by little nicholas, with his innocent storytelling and his efforts to understand the way adults behave! i am not sure who René Goscinny’s audience actually was, the parents or the kids… cause the book is highly amusing, and provides a sweet commonground for parents to understand (or remind themselves) how kids think, while the children read a story told from someone …well someone exactly like them! 

and, as you can imagine, although it was sunday evening and i was tired (that means a bit grumpy), my mood became so much better; the stories of "petit nicolas" was the best medicine for sunday blues!

i have to say also that the greek translation, by the award winning Rita Kolaiti, is extremely good, and i had the opportunity to explain to my kids a lot of good greek words, some more childlike, that one feels a bit nostalgic about, cause we don’t use them anymore!

actually, natasa bought this book for us, when our son, our little nikolas, was born.
and my good friend thekla bought us the english version; thank you girls!

*Le petit Nicolas (Little Nicholas) is a series of French children's books and it was first published on March 29, 1959.
The books talk about childhood in 1950s France. The recent years, the books have been also turned into two films and one TV series!

so, if you are looking for an uplifting book to read (yourselves!) or with your kids, pick up any story from the series! trust me, this little guy will make you smile widely, the least!

i love you shared~economy~santa~claus

this year, all my kids (three!) are getting used toys for christmas presents! yes, nice, great quality toys that i have bought from neighbors and families i have never met, in very low prices, but most importantly in very good conscience! 

having three kids in different phases in their lives, one family can quickly be overwhelmed about the amount of toys that can collect. therefore this year i decided to go for the shared~economy approach! i de~cluttered their toys earlier this autumn, and it was so relieving. toys were given for charity, and others were sold or given away to other families and friends! and the process was so fulfilling (...also emotionally: it is such a nice feeling knowing that the toys that your children have enjoyed playing with, will give joy to new kids!).

photo by Hannah Rodrigo on unsplash

and then i searched and found exactly the toys that my children will love, but used ones! and yes, saving the money from buying them new ones, it means i can afford getting them the present they exactly want, without exhausting myself with thinking "well, it is expensive... how many times will she play with it?"

photo by Markus Spiske on unsplash

there are many good sites and sources for buying and selling, especially for children's stuff. i used a great app, built by a danish super~creative team, called reshopper! check it out, and enjoy your shared~economy christmas gift giving!

photo by Daniel Cheung on unsplash

photo by Alphacolor 13 on unsplash

the little prince

have i ever mentioned that the last 3 years i have been living in Zurich? i don't think so... nevertheless, these days Zurich is celebrating its 11th film festival (zff.com). as i was going through the programme this Friday night, i discovered this:

you cannot imagine how happy i was!!! not only because i love watching animated films, but also because i think that "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is one of the best allegories ever written.

the film was first aired at the Cannes film festival this May & its synopsis, as included in the press kit, is the following:
"Rediscover one of the most beloved stories of all time. At the heart of it all is The Little Girl, who’s being prepared by her mother for the very grown-up world in which they live – only to be interrupted by her eccentric, kind-hearted neighbour  The Aviator. The Aviator introduces his new friend to an extraordinary world where anything is possible. A world that he himself was initiated into long ago by The Little Prince. It’s here that The Little Girl’s magical and emotional journey into the universe of The Little Prince begins. And it’s where The Little Girl rediscovers her childhood and learns that ultimately, it’s human connections that matter most, and that it is only with heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye".

i don't have children, but i really look forward to spending 1,5 hours watching such a sweet film.
so, if you do, don't miss the chance to introduce an amazing book to your little ones through its animated adaptation. although animated films for children have been criticised in the past, i still believe that they portray a much better world than the one out there & are full of hidden (or not so hidden) messages that a child can easily pick up. how these messages are to be interpreted is a different story, however. after all, watching a children's movie is nothing if it is not followed by a beautiful & productive talk with your little ones...