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The Summer Routine

Well, the summer is off to a rollicking-good start!  We are all settling into our new routine with minimal trauma. 

My 7-y/o son has realized that his video games will be here when he wakes up at eight just as they are when he wakes at seven.  But I’m still holding out for nine.  There’s always next week! 

The girls, now, they are perfectly happy to snooze until nine.  Which is one of many reasons why Chicks Rule!

I am happy because my newly discovered inner early bird can still have its cake and eat it too.  (Is that what they call "mixing metaphors"??)  I am still getting up at 5:30 AM to grab some sustenance before my walking partner arrives to crack the whip over my weary back at six.  We are up to three miles, and we are walking four times a week.  YAY US!

It is getting harder and harder to put my feet on the floor when that alarm goes off, but I can already feel the benefits of regular exercise, and I know we are going to stick to it, at least until daylight savings time ends and we need earmuffs and parkas.  At that point, all bets are off!

When I get back from our morning torture walk, I do some belly flab busters while the coffee brews, and then I hunker down on the couch with my delightfully simple white mug of coffee and my oh-so-cute little pink Bible to spend a few moments in communion with the Lord.  I am reading through Romans.

Which leads me to my next tangent.  I was inspired last week by this post over at Clemntine’s What’s Up Buttercup? to get back into the Word.  I was beginning to feel dissatisfied with the book of prayers that I was using, and I realized that was because some days the assigned prayer was just not working for me.  But the Bible, it always works for me.  I guess that’s because it’s supposed to work that way, huh?  It inspires me to much deeper and more meaningful prayers, and I’m really seeing the value of going straight to the Word for inspiration and instruction.

As for the rest of my day, I am trying to develop some habits so that the household runs smoothly.  Things like cleaning the house up before we leave to go anywhere and assigning some simple chores to the kids.  Nothing earth-shattering or original.  Just stuff I’m usually too lazy to enforce. 

I am trying to make the most of R’s naptimes to play games with D, even though it’s tempting to do housework blog, but she is such a menace to society these days that we can only play games when she’s not around. 

I’ve set up some "ground rules" regarding the video games, and so far that’s working well.  I’ve learned that parenting D is all about managing his expectations.  He is allowed to earn 30 minutes of video game playing time each weekday by reading chapter books or helping me around the house.  Then he gets an hour free on Saturday mornings.

I, on the other hand, am suffering from Severe TV Deprivation Syndrome.  With my early mornings and the kids’ late nights, my TV nights are a thing of the past, which is a shame since we just got our very first flat screen TV with "high def".  I’m not entirely sure what "high def" is all about.  All I know is, it’s very exciting to the Husband.  As for me, I’m just all wow, what a great picture, I didn’t know you were actually supposed to be able to make out people’s facial expressions on the TV screen!  Anyway, the TV is compliments of my dad.  Our old TV was really pathetic, and between you and me, I think he was sick of having to watch it when he comes to visit.  Seriously, though, it was a very generous gift, thanks dad!

Well, you should know that I jinxed myself.  I started this post last night, and I knew I was tempting the fates to declare that the kids have been sleeping till 8AM.  Two tousled bedheads have just joined me in the family room, and it’s only 7:15.  ARGH.  I guess I need to get off my duff and get some breakfast going. 

And, oh no, is that a baby voice I hear?  Please tell me my monitor is picking up the house next door.  I’m afraid my glorious early morning peace and quiet has just been hijacked by three little hooligans.  I’m off to be a mom.  Have a great day!

Join The Conversation

11 Responses

  1. Um. You got $1000 you can contribute to a worthy cause??? And what about my walking partner? We’ll need 2 treadmills, so we can visit and walk side-by-side.

  2. Awesome on the walking. I’m still slacking in that department. I seem to have lost al motivation after Easter for some reason. By the way, you could probably score a treamdill in a garage sale or something. People are always getting rid of them when they move or upgrade to a new exercise machine they will never use.
    Romans is my favorite book in the Bible. It never fails me.

  3. I and a few friends just started walking and we have been faithful for about 2 months or so. For the days when we can’t walk together I dusted off my treadmill and put it right in my living room!! Yes it’s an eye sore – but hey it reminds me to get on in!!

  4. I just checked and you’re going to have to copy/paste that link, because only part of it highlighted.

  5. YAY YOU on the walking! That is one great way to use the summer season to your benefit! I think I too need to get a system down for this vacation nonsense 😉 Right now we just seem to be floating through the days, getting adjusted I suppose. The chore thing is great though! I actually like that part of having them home all day, laundry gets done WAY faster 😀

    Keep up the great work!

  6. Like your summer routine. I’m sure it’s a challenge to manage between the different ages/interests/attention span, etc. of your kids. So, a Kudo bar for you!
    Hooray for your walking too, that’s super! I have to take a girly moment to say that I have a little pink Bible too! (Did you hear the change to a higher frequency near the end of that statement?)It’s small enough to carry in my purse, love that.

  7. I love the summer routine! I am praying my kids will start sleeping in a little more though. They are still getting up at school time and going to bed later…what is that about?!?!

  8. I just read that same post by Clementine today, it was really good!

    Great job on the walking! Having a few minutes to myself before the kids get up, always makes me feel like I got a head start.

  9. I just came across your blog from Making Home, and I wanted to thank you for the great candor of your posts that I’ve read so far. Makes me feel normal to experience similar things. I like that you show yourself in the journey…not already being at a destination.