Free time

Since we are no longer spending our free time "running errands" (read: shopping) we suddenly have the luxury of spending our time doing really fun, necessary or at the very least, interesting things. No time-sucking trip to target, homey d, or any other store to "pick up a few things." Many of the following activities are ones we would have struggled to find time for, prior to freeing up our weekends and evenings by committing to do the Compact:

• travelled to the Mall of America as a family to ride the merry-go-round. And again, and again. and again. (and no, we didn't buy anything)
• attended a chocolate tasting class
• hung out at the central library--a few times
• eaten--and really appreciated new varieties of dark chocolate (this counts, doesn't it?)
• cleaned the bedroom, finally
• sorted and donated the kids clothes that are too small
• re-did our family budget
• attended a cat show (yes, a cat show. If you know Lucy, you understand the magnitude of this experience)
• visited the children's museum
• spent time writing, reading, and sleeping
• started to "re-task" a couple of rooms in the house (again)

OK, so most of these activities aren't life-changing (except maybe the chocolate), but it's really nice to have time together on the weekends to just...hang out. Do stuff. Be a family.