While the summer sizzles away, I am beginning to cross things off of our summer bucket list.  Last week, I did a science experiment with our kids.  I had so many people tell me to try making ice cream in a ziplock bag.  So I took to Pinterest and went for it.  Preparation was shockingly simple.  I already had every ingredient in my fridge and kitchen…sugar, heavy cream and vanilla.  I was ready to be the best Pinterest mom in history!  

The kids started tossing around their bags.  The sun was setting, the kids were laughing, getting along and running in the backyard.  When the timer went off, we gathered around and opened up the bags.  There in the ziplock bag was a picture perfect, creamy vanilla ice cream.  I had hit a home run in the Pinterest mom department and I felt borderline cocky.  Mia dove into her bag with a spoon and I watched as her face went from excitement to disgusted grimace.  “It tastes like salt!”  

That isn’t what I was expecting.  Everyone tried their ice cream and had the same reaction.  Apparently we were a little too rough with our bags and little holes had ripped into the ice cream bags and the salt from the ice had seeped in.  Talk about “FAIL”.  I really wasn’t too disappointed but I figured I should stop trying Pinterest because I obviously suck at it.  But then, I looked over and my kids were laughing and playing still.  In fact, the next day, Wes asked if we could make ice cream again!  What?!! As it turns out, it wasn’t about the activity or the outcome of the activity!  My kids loved it and appreciated it.

It got me thinking about motherhood in general.  I feel like a failure often, and I probably actually do fail a lot!   But all that matters is that they recognize that I try.  Hoping that when they look back on their childhood, they know I tried.  So, here is to hundreds more “Pinterest Fails”!  Here is to salty homemade ice cream and here is to my kids having a happy childhood!

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