Claire the Afena Mom Blog

Being aware of my spending habits has made travel plans somewhat tricky in the past. Because me and the hubby decided to prioritize saving over spending, we’ve yet to take the kids to Disneyworld or even Florida. Part of that is due to financial concerns, but we’ve also agreed that we won’t be making that first big family trip before our little man is old enough to appreciate it.

I love Marion. Being part of this community has been a blessing. With a philharmonic, a theatre, and so many community events and organizations, I’ve rarely found myself needing to drive to a larger city for entertainment. That’s why I’m so looking forward to this coming up Friday, as me and the kids will be enjoying the Go Arts Go Karts race that CSA puts on every year.

It’s Mother’s Day, and the older I get, the more I appreciate my mom, both the mom I have today and the mom she was while I was growing up. You know how your mom would always tell you “one day you’ll understand if you have kids”? It’s true! This is why I’m terrified of the approaching teenage years, because my mom is always right, and I have some serious karma waiting for me just around the corner.

I remember growing up that we always talked about the importance of voting in school. It’s funny how we stress that when you’re too young to actually vote, but once you hit the magic age, it’s almost glossed over. This week, I encourage everyone to go out and use their voice. And I wonder why it’s something that has become a chore for so many people, one that we decide too often not to do. I think that it’s because of a problem that many of us face when it comes to looking at our current and future finances as well: apathy.

It’s baseball season in the Claire household, and our middle child has started t-ball this year. Games won’t start until May, but watching her and her teammates at practice gives me and the rest of the parents a small glimpse into the future. My husband is coaching the team, and while I can sympathize with his struggles of rounding up and teaching 4 and 5 year olds the basics of the sport, I can’t help but laugh at their antics on the field. My daughter hit the ball and then ran after it, throwing it to the little girl on first, and effectively getting herself out. Now that’s commitment!

This year, my husband and I got a later start than usual on our taxes, so our refund didn’t come into the bank until a couple of weeks ago. We have plans for what we’d like to do with the money, from adding to our outdoor space (I think I want an outdoor playset MORE than my children), to giving some of the rooms in our house a fresh look. I think it speaks to the basic lack of financial literacy in my generation, but also in this area in general, that we didn’t even consider a CD. In fact, when I mentioned it to my husband last week, he thought I was talking about music.

The Easter bunny visited our house last night. With three little ones, we tend to make a big deal out of every holiday, and today is no exception. Childhood is a magical time, and I love creating memories for my children. I love the way their eyes light up when they see something unexpected. I am so grateful that my husband and I have the resources and the time to build these traditions.

I’m not much of a prankster. Maybe I just have an underdeveloped sense of humor, or maybe I’m too kindhearted to target my friends and family for practical jokes. Maybe I’m just lacking in imagination. Whatever the reason, before I met my husband, April 1st was just another day to me, and would often pass without any reference to April Fool’s Day. But they say opposites attract, and when it comes to practical jokes, my husband and I definitely fit that bill. And our children seem to be taking after their father in this regard, so by March 31st, I’m jumpier than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.