I've always found first days to be an uneven mix of fright and fun. Fright because it doesn't take me long to discover all the things I didn't anticipate, and fun when I decide to embrace our imperfections and enjoy the chaos anyway.
Today was one of those special firsts when fun trumped fright and we triumphantly got through our day with smiles all around. I have to attribute our success mostly to having Daddy at home. We chose to start on Labor Day because he would be home to create a diversion for my youngest so I could focus on the older two. I'm happy to report, the plan worked and today was as close to a fairytale as we've ever been.
At around 7:30am I was awakened to shuffling in the kitchen. My oldest (7 years old) was setting out the breakfast utensils for me to cook. It's something he's been doing for a while as an act of service. I've never asked him to do this. He just does because it helps me out and he loves me.
When he was done, I felt him peek into our room, so I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep because I didn't feel like being on duty so early. I'd stayed up past midnight reading through State Standards and working out our calendar. He quietly went off to the playroom to wait.
After I felt him leave the room, I sat up with my lap top and completed the final details of our schedule. I emailed some encouragement to a few fellow mom friends and prayed over our day. I meditated on Proverbs 1:7, 9:10 and Psalm 111:10 - all about the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom and prayed I would teach my children to fear the Lord no matter the subject.
I brushed my teeth and got dressed to start my day. I chuckled when I walked out of my room and saw the counter with all the wrong utensils out and the milk and eggs which had definitely been out longer than they should. Having my husband home to laugh with me, helped me to not over react. I'm really proud of myself for growing in that area. A younger me would've probably been upset. Not this me. Not today. I quickly and quietly switched the small pan for the medium one with the corresponding lid, exchanged the plastic bowl for the the glass one, and grabbed a spatula from the dishwasher.
As soon as they heard me shuffling, the kids rushed to the kitchen like magnets. I kissed them and loved on them as if I hadn't seen them in months and would never see them again. The usual greeting.
Zia hopped to the Keurig to make my coffee, this time without having to fight off her big brother because he knew there were two cups to be made today. Once she completed the much anticipated taste test and my coffee was perfect, Joa went to make a cup for his Daddy. I asked Zia to sweep the dinning room because the crumbs were visible so, it was time. She gladly got the broom and went to town. It was at this point that my ambivalence toward chore charts took a definitive stance: nay. For as long as my kids love to serve and jump to help for the sake of contributing to our family's success I refuse to make chores a requirement. I've intentionally raised these children to be intrinsically motivated. I'm not about to require them to do things they are already happy to do. But, I digress.
Back to the kitchen counter where I barely had enough space to cook, but was now sharing with a barista and a sweeper...The chaos I've come to love. Little people everywhere. So much LIFE!!!
Joa finished with the coffee, so I asked him to make the bacon. He joyfully said yes and seemed relieved to have a new task, which made my heart explode with pride. Miles was calling out from his crib, hoping for someone to rescue him into our madness. At that point, I realized if we wanted to have breakfast today, I would need to call for back up. My husband was still sleeping, because why would he get up before 9am on a day he doesn't have to go to work? He's usually gone to work by the time any of us wake up, so on days off, we respect his shut eye time. My nanny's name is Chromecast. She's fabulous! I just find Youtube videos on my phone and she plays them on the large TV in our livingroom. A real keeper, she is. I queued a playlist of Spanish vocabulary videos that I repeated along with them while I cooked. Perfection.
I'm not sure how five people can require so much food, but 8 eggs, 12 pieces of bacon, a bowl of watermelon, and 7 sausage links later, breakfast was ready. We all sat at the table where we discussed the day's activities and the new "Kindness Jar" we were starting. It was 10:30 before we were ready to 'start' our day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Tomorrow, we might be faster, but we don't rush life at The Walters. We savor every moment.
Today was one of those special firsts when fun trumped fright and we triumphantly got through our day with smiles all around. I have to attribute our success mostly to having Daddy at home. We chose to start on Labor Day because he would be home to create a diversion for my youngest so I could focus on the older two. I'm happy to report, the plan worked and today was as close to a fairytale as we've ever been.
At around 7:30am I was awakened to shuffling in the kitchen. My oldest (7 years old) was setting out the breakfast utensils for me to cook. It's something he's been doing for a while as an act of service. I've never asked him to do this. He just does because it helps me out and he loves me.
When he was done, I felt him peek into our room, so I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep because I didn't feel like being on duty so early. I'd stayed up past midnight reading through State Standards and working out our calendar. He quietly went off to the playroom to wait.
After I felt him leave the room, I sat up with my lap top and completed the final details of our schedule. I emailed some encouragement to a few fellow mom friends and prayed over our day. I meditated on Proverbs 1:7, 9:10 and Psalm 111:10 - all about the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom and prayed I would teach my children to fear the Lord no matter the subject.
I brushed my teeth and got dressed to start my day. I chuckled when I walked out of my room and saw the counter with all the wrong utensils out and the milk and eggs which had definitely been out longer than they should. Having my husband home to laugh with me, helped me to not over react. I'm really proud of myself for growing in that area. A younger me would've probably been upset. Not this me. Not today. I quickly and quietly switched the small pan for the medium one with the corresponding lid, exchanged the plastic bowl for the the glass one, and grabbed a spatula from the dishwasher.
As soon as they heard me shuffling, the kids rushed to the kitchen like magnets. I kissed them and loved on them as if I hadn't seen them in months and would never see them again. The usual greeting.
Zia hopped to the Keurig to make my coffee, this time without having to fight off her big brother because he knew there were two cups to be made today. Once she completed the much anticipated taste test and my coffee was perfect, Joa went to make a cup for his Daddy. I asked Zia to sweep the dinning room because the crumbs were visible so, it was time. She gladly got the broom and went to town. It was at this point that my ambivalence toward chore charts took a definitive stance: nay. For as long as my kids love to serve and jump to help for the sake of contributing to our family's success I refuse to make chores a requirement. I've intentionally raised these children to be intrinsically motivated. I'm not about to require them to do things they are already happy to do. But, I digress.
Back to the kitchen counter where I barely had enough space to cook, but was now sharing with a barista and a sweeper...The chaos I've come to love. Little people everywhere. So much LIFE!!!
Joa finished with the coffee, so I asked him to make the bacon. He joyfully said yes and seemed relieved to have a new task, which made my heart explode with pride. Miles was calling out from his crib, hoping for someone to rescue him into our madness. At that point, I realized if we wanted to have breakfast today, I would need to call for back up. My husband was still sleeping, because why would he get up before 9am on a day he doesn't have to go to work? He's usually gone to work by the time any of us wake up, so on days off, we respect his shut eye time. My nanny's name is Chromecast. She's fabulous! I just find Youtube videos on my phone and she plays them on the large TV in our livingroom. A real keeper, she is. I queued a playlist of Spanish vocabulary videos that I repeated along with them while I cooked. Perfection.
I'm not sure how five people can require so much food, but 8 eggs, 12 pieces of bacon, a bowl of watermelon, and 7 sausage links later, breakfast was ready. We all sat at the table where we discussed the day's activities and the new "Kindness Jar" we were starting. It was 10:30 before we were ready to 'start' our day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Tomorrow, we might be faster, but we don't rush life at The Walters. We savor every moment.
Here's a recap of the rest of our day
Family Workout led by Joa
Writing
"All About Me" Information sheet for the kids to set goals and reflect on who they are.
Download a free printable copy here.
Writing
"All About Me" Information sheet for the kids to set goals and reflect on who they are.
Download a free printable copy here.
One-on-One Review
I worked on Language review with one child, while Daddy worked on Math review with the other using flashcards and dry erase boards.
Outside time
Bike riding in the rain
I worked on Language review with one child, while Daddy worked on Math review with the other using flashcards and dry erase boards.
Outside time
Bike riding in the rain
Lunch
Free Play time Art The whole family sat down in front of a mirror and this YouTube video to create Self-Portraits. This was the kids' favorite part of the day. My husband and I also found it very therapeutic. The results couldn't be any cuter. |
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Read aloud
After we finished our drawings, the four of us snuggled together to read a few books. Eric and I took turns reading (mostly to make sure neither of us fell asleep). While reading, lots of questions and ideas for exploration field trips came up.
After we finished our drawings, the four of us snuggled together to read a few books. Eric and I took turns reading (mostly to make sure neither of us fell asleep). While reading, lots of questions and ideas for exploration field trips came up.
Free time
Since Miles was still asleep, The kids went to play quietly in their playroom. They did puzzles, played with dolls and built with Legos. Eric and I may have dozed off for a quick nap then, Eric played Wii with the kids while I blogged.
Dinner
Zia helped me make Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Pesto stuffed Lasagna rolls. While we cooked together, we talked about the concept of distributed vs concentrated. We also laid out the pasta in sets of four and we discussed 4 sets of 4 (multiplication concept). We counted 16 total rolls for 4 people to be consumed over the course of 2 days (division concepts).
Baths and Bed
Daddy handles this part on his own, so I have no idea what goes on. I hear lots of giggles, but this is their Daddy time, and I have no interest in crashing it.
We kept it simple today because I want to ease in to the "school" year as naturally as possible. As the year goes on, realistically I will most likely only have time to post photos with brief captions to our online portfolio, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Off to a great year!
Debra
I'm happy to share resources and pre-made tools free of charge. I may be able to offer customized items for a small fee. Just ask.
Since Miles was still asleep, The kids went to play quietly in their playroom. They did puzzles, played with dolls and built with Legos. Eric and I may have dozed off for a quick nap then, Eric played Wii with the kids while I blogged.
Dinner
Zia helped me make Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Pesto stuffed Lasagna rolls. While we cooked together, we talked about the concept of distributed vs concentrated. We also laid out the pasta in sets of four and we discussed 4 sets of 4 (multiplication concept). We counted 16 total rolls for 4 people to be consumed over the course of 2 days (division concepts).
Baths and Bed
Daddy handles this part on his own, so I have no idea what goes on. I hear lots of giggles, but this is their Daddy time, and I have no interest in crashing it.
We kept it simple today because I want to ease in to the "school" year as naturally as possible. As the year goes on, realistically I will most likely only have time to post photos with brief captions to our online portfolio, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Off to a great year!
Debra
I'm happy to share resources and pre-made tools free of charge. I may be able to offer customized items for a small fee. Just ask.