Summer days

Summertime and the livings easy....

New painting! 'Summer Morning' 6"x12" acrylic on canvas $75

Ok. It's not really all that easy but yesterday it was. I usually write here on Tuesdays but it was such a beautiful day and I spent it with the kids outside instead. There are days where I have the constant battle of either 

and even as I write that I debate whether or not to post this because that motherhood guilt takes over and I feel awful for even posting that any time at all should be valued over time with my kids. 'They are only this age once' after all......... The reality it yes, I love love love my days with my kids and yes, I am very fortunate to be able to have a career that I love and that allows me to be with them but that's just it. I have to work on my career in order to be home with them. And there's the loop.

So yesterday I didn't write and I took the kids for a bike ride and had coffee with the neighbors while watching them play. I painted for an hour while Jack was napping and Joni watched a movie. Then we went to the lake for a couple hours and after dinner we went to the park. 

We had a lot of fun and at the end of the day the kids were exhausted (a WIN!!). Consequence? I stayed up until 11pm  so I could finish a new painting, sketch out a commission, write  a couple emails and start writing this blog. Then Jack wakes up at 5:30.

So my question for you out there is this. How do you balance work and life?

Do you work from home with kids? -----> WHAT DO YOU DO!? Fixed schedule or day to day? I would love any tips and pointers.