We are trying to be a little more intentional with our schedule and our time - especially in the evenings with our big kids. If Jason and I are not careful wasted hours turn into wasted days which turn into wasted weeks, wasted months and then wasted years. We could spend each day letting the older kids "do their own thing/take care of themselves" - we take care of and play with the babies and then when they go to bed "check out" and do our own thing for the night. It was a easy habit to get back into because it is what we did the first time around (and rightfully so) when we got our kids to bed at 7 or 8 - that was "our time" - our brain and parenting patience was turned off and we were done. And even though we haven't been in the mind set for years because we have had kids staying up until 9 this last year having 2 babies and a toddler I think we naturally went back to - once the toddler is in bed we are "done" or even nap time - if the babies are napping Jason and I think "this is my free time". But we have had to really work hard to "no... if the babies are asleep then it is time to give to the big kids". It is hard, we are tired, we are done, but this is what we intentionally chose - so we just need to remind ourselves of that everyday (even a few times a day).
We play family games 1 or 2 evenings a week. We have a movie night once a week. Jason does a read aloud for us once a week (and sometimes during naps). We do special time once a month. We do a whole family outing/activity once a month. Hopefully it means something.
scattegories
This picture doesn't fit into my above narrative - but I just love listening to my girls practice the piano.
We had a sleepover under the tree
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