Friday, September 2, 2011

It's that WONDERFUL time of year

It's that time of year when the kids go back to school, the weather cools, and we get to enjoy a life of routine.  I do love summer, but it can't be called summer vacation for a mom.  This has been a fantastic summer, but I am ready for Fall.  I hope it continues to be warm for a while, but I like knowing that Caleb is safely learning without me, the person he loves to rebel against.


Cara was so excited to start Kindergarden.  She was especially excited to ride the school bus.  I think she is going to have a wonderful year.


Andy even got to start school this year.  He will have three years of preschool because of his September birthday, but I think he will really enjoy getting out so I decided to do Joy School with him this year.  This is his cute Joy School group.  (He is in the yellow.) He will just be going two days a week for 2.5 hours.

Yesterday we took the annual Joy School Field trip to my parents house.  It is such a fun tradition!  The kids love the garden, collecting eggs, riding horses, and four wheelers.  It is a great way to start the school year and reminds me that it really is fall.



I try lots of management/parenting ideas that don't work, but we are currently doing an idea that I got from a friend early in the summer and it has been working for a while so it might be worth sharing.  We call it "The Big Five."  (If I were to reintroduce it I would call it "The Super Six.")  Each morning the kids have to do The Big Five before school.  (In the summer they had to do The Big Five before they could play.)  I really drilled the list into their heads and then I don't have to remind them of every little thing they need to do in the morning.  I can just say, "Is the big five done?" I think it is working for building good habits and routine.  The big five are: 1) Make Bed, 2) Say Prayers, 3) Get Dressed and Fix Hair (that is where number six comes in) 4) Eat Breakfast, 5) Brush Teeth.  Maybe your kids do those things without having a checklist, but this system has even helped me to be more consistent with saying my prayers and getting organized first thing in the morning.

3 comments:

Erica said...

Hehe, that's what happens when you get ideas from a BOY MOM. We don't need the fix hair part! I'm glad it's working for you, it's been great for us. Isaac is like a little robot on his morning schedule. 3/4 in school, it's a good year!

The Ravsten's said...

Looks like things are going well and that you are having fun. I love some structure too. Good work! Love ya. Em

neil said...

It was fun to have the kids for there ANNUAL garden visit. LUV YA'