Tuesday March 4

Last night, during Family Home Evening, we decided that we would try and go this week without any TV or Kindles.

We wanted to focus on spending more quality time together....as well as just letting the calm of quietness be around us.

I am excited about this.

We watch way more TV around here than I would like to admit.

Today went pretty good.

The girls made a activity jar that you can pick out of if you don't know what to do.

Porter was so excited about it, and wouldn't do anything unless he picked it out of the jar :)

This morning was rough, and I didn't know if I would make it without turning on a movie for the kids.

Elsie woke up at 3.

I thought I had her back to sleep, but no.....and she didn't go back to sleep until 5:00!

I cuddled up back in bed until I heard Porter calling for me 20 minutes later.

I went to his room and laid in bed with him, hoping I could convince him to go back to bed.

It didn't work, and at 6, we came back upstairs.

I got his Legos out for him and he sat on the heater and built stuff while I laid on the couch and tried to get a little sleep before they all woke up.

I think I got about 30 minutes before the day had to start :)

Elsie was up earlier than I would have liked....but she seemed happy and excited about going to school.

So they all got ready for school.

We always have the Today show on in the background, getting the news of the day.

I do enjoy the quietness....not having to compete with who they are listening to.

It was nice.

After they left, dad told me to go lay down.

I think I got about an hour of sleep, and had to get up.

It was such a beautiful day.

Dad and Porter were outside getting stuff done and I decided I would go for a run.

I got back and got Porter ready for Preschool and ran him there.

I got the grocery shopping done and Dad went and bought the wood to start making the sides for his dump truck.

I picked up Porter and we hung out, he helped with chores, and then he hung out with Dad while they worked on the dump truck.

And it turned out so well!

Silly Dad ended up getting a 'sun' burn from welding....getting a jump star on his farmers tan.

Anyway, I love watching my boys together.

It just makes me smile :)

When the girls came home from school, Cassi cleaned her room and then headed outside.

Elsie is a hard one to talk into going outside, but once she does, she doesn't want to come in.

So I finally got her to go out by asking if she would take some eggs to Bubbles and Vern.

She was happy to go and do that with Madi.

They just played outside while I made dinner.

After dinner, Joanne came for speech, and the rest of them all went back outside to play more.

I am sure a rainy day would be a harder one to do without TV :)

So I am glad our first day went this well, maybe we can do it!

*****

Dad is studying to take the captains test.

He doesn't want to take it....but he also wants to.

He really wants to take it to find out what's on the test.

He wants to do well, of course, but doesn't necessarily want to be promoted.

Anyway....it has been a big stress on him lately.

I started helping him with studying.....and man is he smart.

These things have to be read word for word, and he is so good at that!

He works so hard, and I know he will be glad when it is over.....

*****

Oh and Happy Birthday to my Dad!!!!

(oh and Sister Roll :)