Wednesday, August 26, 2009

IT'S TIME

I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by...is it really almost September? Vacations are finished, fall sports have started, and my kids are READY to get back to school. Or maybe I should say...I am READY for my kids to get back to school! It's not that I don't love being with them every minute of the day. They are always up for an adventure...but I am running out of things to do! Rush City Pool, the Science Museum, Como Zoo, MOA, shopping, bowling, fishing, bike rides... We have done a lot of fun things this summer, but it's time for everyone to get back to a normal schedule.

The one thing that I love about summer is all the free time. The one thing that drives me crazy about summer is all the free time. Those carefree days of summer seem to become an excuse to become very unproductive and lazy. Or so it seems. My biggest struggle these days is to keep a handle on "screen time". Can we watch a movie? Can I be on the computer? Can I play Wii? Can I play Mario Karts? Can we watch TV?? All of these questions come whether it is 50 degrees and raining or a beautiful day! I don't remember all of this "screen time" the first time around with our older kids. For one thing, we didn't even have a computer when Lindsay and Kristin were little. Who ever heard of Wii? For those two and Steph... their hours of "screen time" were spent playing Polly Pockets down in their dark closet (most often on a beautiful sunny day!) Now that I think of it...that drove me crazy too! :) I have to admit that "screen time" has been a life saver for me on many days, but I live with a lot of guilt for not planning fun (and educational) activities every day of the week. I hate the thought of kids sitting in front of the tube or being sucked into a trance with video games, but I'm also guilty of using them to buy a little time.

We have about ten days before school starts. Any suggestions for me as we come around the final bend of summer? This has been a great few months of bonding and learning how to be a family, but I am afraid that it is time for all of us to get back to work. We are in need of structure at my house. It's time.

1 comment:

Lindsay said...

my advice is to take them to the Gibbs Farm, then Como, then Edgerton Elementary and finally, the India Palace. That should keep them entertained for a while. :)