I used to have the kids get straight into jobs and homework as soon as they got home, but now they come home, put their lunch box on the bench and their bag at the table, then have till 4pm to eat and play or do whatever they want to.
At 4pm they come to the table and do their homework, (which is only ever reading for Leah and a bit of maths for Em) then they do their jobs (dishwasher, pick up their clothes and tidy up the toys outside), then free time again till dinner.
At dinner time one will do the table for the week (set it, clear it, wipe it) while the other tidy's the lounge and pulls the bedroom curtains. I would have the lounge/kitchen one's done too in winter but it seems too early to do them at dinner time during daylight savings.
I only started this on Tuesday but so far so good. The jobs are getting done and the girls are getting to play. It feels like they have way more free time and are actually getting to enjoy their childhood. I'm liking it.
Em doesn't want to go to school. Probably only because her scrape on her neck is still healing and there are some boys who are making fun of her for it. Calling her scabby-neck. Daddy is not impressed and feeling very protective of his girl but what can you do? In one of my parenting classes Lisa said to arm our kids with one-liners. We can't be there with them all through their schooling, and kids will be kids and say hurtful things, so I think this is the best answer for us. It is healing quickly and should be cleared up next week, in the meantime I am encouraging her to come up with something she could say back (not nasty) and laugh it off. She was happy enough to try and do that today, so that is good.
I won't have a computer for a few weeks I think (updating on Mum's today) as we have ordered through Dell and they said 2-3 weeks for delivery. It's a good thing. I spend a lot of time on the computer so it's a good break. I have Nathan's iphone though so can check email and facebook. We have decided to get an all-in-one so no hard drive on the floor and less cords. I didn't realize our computer was 7 years old already, so maybe not surprising it has decided to play up. Thank you to Regan for helping me with all that. I have been able to access all my files by taking the drive out and putting it in an external case. Thanks too to Dad for helping with that.
Congratulations to Shannon and Andre on expecting a GIRL!! Yay. We have so many clothes for you. Mum could bring over a big suitcase just of baby clothes there is that many! Good luck with choosing a name - that was always the hardest part for me.
Emmy was chosen to represent Vardon at the Barnados Big Toddle today along with about a dozen others from her school. They did jump jam to show the toddlers that fitness can be fun. I transported some of the kids and took my boys too. Ammon enjoyed it and got to have a sit in the fire truck, tricycle race, do a obstacle course, play in bubbles, jump on a bouncy castle, practice what to do in a 'burning' house, look in a police car and throw gumboots. It was fun and he got treats and a certificate at the end. He was most stoked with the balloons he got I think. He loves balloons. Caleb slept the entire time.
I have felt a need lately to improve my spirituality, so have begun to do the Young Women's Personal Progress. The first one I did was Divine Nature - read 4 scriptures and list the qualities spoken of that a daughter of God should possess. I listed 34. You're supposed to work on them then, so I've chosen four - knowledge, prayer, virtue and confidence. The first two are for me, I chose the other two for my girls. I want to figure out a way to model virtue and (keeping) confidence so that they will learn it. I've also decided to pick one of the qualities I listed and teach it in family home evening each week. That's 34 weeks sorted. Of course other things will be taught amongst that like last week we covered baptism because we had been to their cousin Cody's baptism, but at least I have a direction. A lady on TV the other day said what you want your kids to know or do in 5 years time, teach them now. In 5 years time Emmy will be hitting high school and boys and puberty. I need her self-esteem strong and her self-worth in place before she gets to all that!
There is no time limit to the Personal Progress but I'm aiming to start one requirement per week. I'm on track (after two weeks :-) ).
What else is going on? Caleb isn't so hungry lately, Nate has a persistent cold, Ammon still thinks he's the boss, Em hates being the oldest and Leah still has the oddest questions. But we're all good.
