New Routines

Today we started a new routine with the kids. I have been working at eliminating TV from their daily experience, but to do that I needed to have a schedule they could count on and I could follow. Yesterday during Trevor's nap, Tanner, Caelan and I worked on what their routine should include and made a couple of posters for them to follow throughout the day. They were very excited about it and jumped right into the routine today. I snuck in a quiet time for them during Trevor's nap time and as I type this post they are sitting on separate couches reading books quietly! I love it! Every time we finish an activity today they run to their posters and see what is next. The best part about it is that they helped me come up with the schedule, so they have really taken ownership of it. When Caelan started to protest quiet time today, I just showed her the poster and she quietly chose some books and climbed onto the couch.

I have been working on some new routines myself, as well. Not in the form of New Year's resolutions, just some changes I decided to go ahead and make. I am trying to get up at 6 o'clock each morning for some quiet time before the kids wake up. I have found that I am pretty grumpy though, if I don't get 8 hours of sleep. So, that means I must go to bed by 10! Tony's trying to adjust!! The nights I work (only two nights a week now) I will have to forgo the early morning. My kids don't deserve a grumpy, tired mom. But otherwise, I will be rising a bit earlier than has been my habit lately. Also, I'm trying to get myself back onto a routine for keeping up with the house and life otherwise. Catching up after the holidays has slowed me down a little, but I hope to be into the swing of things by next week.

Finally, we have been wanting to be more intentional with discipleship for our family. This Christmas we were able to find some great scripture memory music cd's put out by Max Lucado for the kids. We also got some devotional books geared for young children. And, my favorite, I found a two-volume set of Hymns for Kids that includes a book with the stories of the hymns and a music cd. The music is very nice and includes children's voices. I heard about the set over at Mommy Life.

I am excited about the changes, and the kids are, too. I'll let you know how we do over the next few weeks!