Consent is more than the literal


13, 14, 15, 16, 21



Win some, learn some.


14, 17, 21



No need to over communicate. Brief, simple succinct when conveying instructions or important information. Applies across the board personal/professional etc.


14, 17, 21



Two words: Kinetic Sand.


3



Remember when you’re faced with bullies, jerks and people who say bad things , follow advice from the Obama's: "When they go low we go high."


1Infant-14



It’s very difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. It does not translate.


15



Wintergreen snow sledding trip.


6



Caps Game this year.


11



Always wear an undershirt underneath a dress shirt.


13



Golf lessons this year. Your grandpa loved golf. He tried to teach me when he first got sick, and those are some of my best memories of him. Great way to get fresh air and exercise too.


11



The Golden Rule is wrong. At least when it comes to relationships and especially when it comes to parenting. Instead of treating someone how you’d want to be treated, treat them how THEY’D want to be treated.__ Learn what THEY need to feel safe and loved, how THEY express big feelings like fear, anxiety, anger and frustration.___ Instead of assuming the friend/partner/child /coworker wants to be treated how you’d want to be, take the time to learn about them. Then when someone you love is in distress you can respond to them in the way they need. ___(Lesson learned from reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Great book. A little preachy but push past that. )


1, 13, 19



Knowing something is right and application of it are two different things. To apply yourself takes discipline. Practice it.


15



Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach.


10, 15, 17, 19



Paying extra for organic isn’t always worth it but I ALWAYS buy organic apples. They taste better and don’t have the pesticides, etc.


18



Defending yourself from a bear: NEVER run from or turn your back on a bear. Remember the rhyme: “If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown hit the ground, if it’s white like Similac, frozen bear gonna send u back.” - Mamadou Ndiaye


16



Hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)


10, 15, 21



Here’s the thing: some whacky $@!#% is about to go down. The next few years will be interesting, awesome and awful all at once. We will rely on kind and respectful communication, have as much fun as we can, forgive often, learn to let go and trust, and learn to be trustworthy. If necessary we will seek the advice of experts and the counsel of loved ones. Shifts can happen fast, for the better or worse. It seems like the end of the world but it’s not. You’re stronger and braver than you know.


11, 12, 13



Focus on being interesting (and genuinely interested) rather than focusing on being popular.


11, 13, 17, 21



Always remember - cheesecake is the best cake.


21



Fire drills. Practice what to do, where to go if the house is on fire. Have an escape plan.


5-10



Read Admiral William McRaven’s autobiography Sea Stories.


17



Don’t waste big money on little things. Be intentional about what you spend.


16, 21



You can’t ask someone to change who they are before you live or accept them.


12, 15, 21



It’s not fair to resent someone for being who they are. We can all improve ourselves, learn and grow etc. but we should never ask anyone to change who they are in exchange for our love. And that goes both ways - never change who you are to fit someone else’s idea of who you should be. Be open to ways to can improve yourself of course, but surround yourself with people who love you for you and encourage you to be your genuine self and who want the best for you.


12, 15, 18, 21



Practice “going without.” Talk about how nobody gets what they want all the time. We should learn how to just choose to go without something we want. Get them in on the discussion and pick something every day to do without.


5-9



Don’t waste your time with anyone who doesn’t love you for exactly who you are. Move on, because there is someone out there who will!


17



Theme this year: Self Control (Repeat every year until age 99)


6



“The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw Listen to audio or read together


14



If someone doesn’t want your attention or warrant your attention, don’t give it.


15



Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!


Infant-1



1