Some favorites this Friday:
1. Music class with my youngest. We ended up going twice this week because we had a makeup class, and she was so cute dancing and singing and imitating the teacher. She also had a checkup and entertained herself while waiting by singing all of the songs from class. I tried and failed to get a good video of this.
2. The bands Plains and Snocaps. They both have Katie Crutchfield in them and a folk sound, and something about her voice feels good for my soul. If you want to check them out, my favorite songs from Plains are No Record of Wrong, Line of Sight, and Abilene. I’ve just started listening to Snocaps (the album only came out last week), but so far I’m really liking Heathcliff.
3. We recently stopped doing TV on weeknights. I’m not against the kids watching TV, but I noticed that they were having a hard time getting immersed in playing when my oldest got home from school because it wouldn’t be that long before they watched their show while I cooked dinner. Then they were cranky transitioning from TV to dinner and my oldest wouldn’t want to eat. I thought this change would feel like a lot of work or like I had less time to myself, but it’s been nice. Dinners have felt more relaxing, the kids play outside more in the limited time before dark, and my six-year-old has been helping me cook dinner here and there. For now this has made evenings feel more relaxing.
Some afternoons lately:
4. Filling out reflection pages in my planner. Many months I skip this, but this month I really enjoyed answering all the prompts. I use a Sprouted Weekly Planner.
5. Making foods that go with the cooler mornings and evenings: lasagna, beef stew, and tomato soup were a few favorites this week.
1. Music class with my youngest. We ended up going twice this week because we had a makeup class, and she was so cute dancing and singing and imitating the teacher. She also had a checkup and entertained herself while waiting by singing all of the songs from class. I tried and failed to get a good video of this.
2. The bands Plains and Snocaps. They both have Katie Crutchfield in them and a folk sound, and something about her voice feels good for my soul. If you want to check them out, my favorite songs from Plains are No Record of Wrong, Line of Sight, and Abilene. I’ve just started listening to Snocaps (the album only came out last week), but so far I’m really liking Heathcliff.
3. We recently stopped doing TV on weeknights. I’m not against the kids watching TV, but I noticed that they were having a hard time getting immersed in playing when my oldest got home from school because it wouldn’t be that long before they watched their show while I cooked dinner. Then they were cranky transitioning from TV to dinner and my oldest wouldn’t want to eat. I thought this change would feel like a lot of work or like I had less time to myself, but it’s been nice. Dinners have felt more relaxing, the kids play outside more in the limited time before dark, and my six-year-old has been helping me cook dinner here and there. For now this has made evenings feel more relaxing.
Some afternoons lately:
4. Filling out reflection pages in my planner. Many months I skip this, but this month I really enjoyed answering all the prompts. I use a Sprouted Weekly Planner.
5. Making foods that go with the cooler mornings and evenings: lasagna, beef stew, and tomato soup were a few favorites this week.
I'm really glad your transition to no TV on week nights worked out well. Have a fantastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the new TV guidelines. Sounds like it was a great idea and everyone is adjusting just fine. I barely remember those days of keeping on task and struggles transitioning, but I do recall them a bit. Love the fun at music class!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I like when the weather cools off is the warm comfort foods! I can't think of any hot weather foods I'd consider "comfort," that just seems more like a sweater!
ReplyDeleteI feel guilty for not taking Minnie to music class. 2 of her dance friends take a class with another friend of hers from kindergarten, and I really want to join, but I am driving other kids around. Poor youngest child!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell, Minnie has some really fun activities herself! I know what you mean though, I think about things we did with my oldest that we don't do with my youngest, and we only have 2 kids!
DeleteWell, good for you- I'm impressed by the no TV, because the easiest thing in the world is to park the kids in front of it while you make dinner! But- sounds like this is a much happier situation for you.
ReplyDeleteThose Sprouted planners look really nice! I know Elisabeth from Optimistic Musings uses one and loves it. They're kind of pricey- but I think you get a lot for your money.
That's really good that you can cut the TV time during the week... I guess your kids are still young enough for you to 'demand' it without too much of a fight? It also shows your commitment to a calm family environment, which I commend!
ReplyDeleteI mean, they definitely complained a bit, but my older daughter understood the change, and she gets to watch for slightly longer chunks on the weekend when there is lots of unstructured downtime at home so it's not competing with limited play and family time. My two-year-old gets upset, but also is easily distracted.
DeleteI love some cool weather meals! I made a pot roast on Friday that was heavenly.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am not opposed to TV on weeknights, but it has never really worked for my daughter. It does tend to pull her away from things and for a long time, watching TV made her behavior kind of awful. Now it has much less of an effect on her (she's twelve), but we have kept up the No TV on School Nights rule and it really works well for our family.
I love that the "no TV on weeknights" transition is going well! It sounds so cozy, helping with dinner and playing outside.
ReplyDeleteBookmarking your planner link to take a look! I need to figure out my 2026 planner.