Around Here
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AROUND HERE we've decided to have a no-TV summer. With the exception of maybe a movie night once a week/every couple of weeks, the TV is going to be off for the duration. Swimming, bikes, toys, running, playing outside, hanging out in the yard, reading books, making up things to play, playing together, more swimming - that's what I want our summer to be about. Most recently the TV has just been creating grouchy kids and I'm done with that...they might be grouchy for other reasons but it won't be because they can't watch another round of stuff on TV.
AROUND HERE I'm feeling really thankful to whoever it was that recently recommend The Family Dinner: Great Ways To Connect With Your Kids, One Meal At A Time. I cracked it open tonight and was inspired from the first few pages. I think it helps that this is really the mind-set I'm in right now (see TV comments above). We eat at the table together most nights (at least the kids and I do - it's been crazy the last six months for Chris while the legislature is in session) but I've been feeling worn down about the process lately and really just needed some inspiration to help me refocus on all the benefits that come from entering the kitchen with a positive attitude, having a plan & sticking to it, involving the kids in the process, and creating these really lovely daily rituals that I hope will have ripple effects throughout their lives. I haven't cooked any of the meals yet and I haven't read the whole thing (there's lots of content beyond the recipes - antidotes, quotes, and other inspiration), but from what I've seen so far and the inspiration I got from just browsing through, I can't wait to really dive in and implement some of the ideas. The Family Dinner also has a blog with recent posts (including recipes and table talk suggestions) here.
AROUND HERE Anna's big girl bed (a twin mattress set) was delivered yesterday and she spent the night in it last night. She'd been napping in a big girl bed at Kim's house and slept on a twin mattress at my parents last weekend. She was so excited to come home and find her new bed in place and all ready for her to climb into (and jump on a couple times of course). I went in to check on her before I went to bed around midnight and as I was re-arranging her so that her legs pointed toward the end of the bed she sat straight up in that wonderful-mid-sleep-state and said, "I got a big girl bed." Then she laid back down, snuggled right in, and went back to sleep.
AROUND HERE all she wants to wear is pink or purple and often both at the same time.
AROUND HERE the Harry Potter Knight Bus lego just arrived and Simon is loving driving it all around. He was playing with it on our back patio and when I told him to come inside he went through a whole routine of getting the guys ready to go just like in the movie, including saying where in our house he was headed. When he was putting it together he asked me how it was going to squish together like it does in the film.
AROUND HERE he has just a few more days of third grade. Seriously.
AROUND HERE the legislature just a few more weeks (hopefully) in the 2011 session.
AROUND HERE I've got lots of projects in progress (such is the creative life). My office is full of stuff I'm in the middle of: a class using my Italy photos from last year, compiling content from Yesterday & Today into an eBook, One Little Word prompts for upcoming months, Designer Digitals product ideas, a layout using the June Studio AE stamps, etc. My mind is full of things I want to do in the garden and around the house: painting, weeding, re-arranging.
AROUND HERE I'm excited about the Your Story Retreat next weekend. I'm looking forward to a new experience.
AROUND HERE my heart is happy for summer.
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91 comments
This all sounds wonderful to me. How precious is sweet Anna on her new big girl bed, love all the crisp white on it. Love her pink/purple outfit. I think it's great about the no tv for the summer, it's much more fun to go play and enjoy the outdoors, good for you. There will be less tv in our house too. Thanks for the idea/link about the family dinners, that's also on my list to do with the kids. We are going to plan days where each kid will get to be my jr. chef and help me in the kitchen for the day and plan one of the meals too. They are excited about this and so am I. Thank you for sharing your sweet little family and ideas with us. Happy Summer to you and your little ones. I'm so excited that today is our first day of vacation.
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I think it was in yesterdays post and you had a photo of Anna by her cot and thought mmm she must be getting ready for a big girls bed soon, and sure enough she is and what a big girl she is becoming :)
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We have no tv period. One of the best parenting decisions we have made
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pidge, I love this story. Good for your parents to know even then to pitch the tv. That's great, glad you have kept with the idea. It's funny my sisters and I grew up with the tv on but as I get older the less tv the better for me. Where as my one sister tapes every show and watches every rerun of older shows and spends all her time off/vacations sitting in front of the tv. My other sister watches it sometimes but loves loves to rent movies a lot and watch them all weekend with her kids. Funny how we all turned out different regarding the tv.
Tami, that's awesome!!
My parents got rid of the TV when I was twelve ... and after the first week I didn't even care. It opened up a whole other world {the real world} of creative things to DO. When parents ask me about why my sisters and I are so creative, I always say, "We got rid of the TV!" :)
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We don't have a tv either and so far I am glad we have made that choice. Love all of Anna's ruffly little clothes! Have you seen the blog - http://www.dinneralovestory.com/ ? You might like that too.
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I have their cookbook too and really like it.
Tina, I have checked out this blog a few times and love it. Thanks for reminding me about it as it's been a few months since I last checked it out. Good for your no tv also.
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Ali, I forgot to mention that my kids are signed up at our two local library's for the summer reading program. The read a certain amount of pages and keep track in a little book. We then go every week to get new books and have our book stamped up to that point they've done and earn prizes for every 10 hours of reading. My girls are also signed up to do the reading with buddies at the library too and we signed up for their free craft class for them and for Sam their is a lego class and a Pokemon class. All of these are free and it's something the kids can enjoy and learn from. So maybe check out your library for a reading program, would be great for Simon to keep motivated over the summer.
p.s. about your no tv and less fighting about it. My kids don't fight too much about it but my son will breakdown if they change the show he thought was on isn't. or if none of his shows are on he will be upset for hours so that's why having a no tv rule would be great. I am happy that my Army Wives has their season finale this Sunday then no more tv for me this summer. I only watch 4 shows a week as it is, so I could easily throw the tv out and not worry about it. Also there are no-tv book ideas at our library we check out during the national no tv week in April every year that has a lot of good ideas to play and craft and keep little ones busy. Hope these ideas help.
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I JUST WANT to sit and read this blog ALL day. I'm sneaking a quick peak at work and I LOVE LOVE love this!!!!! Thanks Alli, and Anna what a big girl........oh just love. Thank you for this wonderful inspiring yummy post:)
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Congrats on no TV, loved summer reading programs at the library when my kids were little and I'm SO EXCITED to hear about a Yesterday & Today ebook. Will it be like the BPC class? I was hoping it would someday turn into a self paced class at BPC, but and ebook would work too :) Can't wait to hear more.
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Sure hope your "let my love open the door" gets made into a brush! I was just listening to that song the other day :)
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we love the summer reading program too here in our town...and no TV is usually a big hit around here...only movie night once a week...i do not like TV at all!!
i love how you started with "around here"
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love this! we too are doing a no TV summer.....just think of all the wonderful (& creative) memories your children will have of their summer :)
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We are starting the summer with no tv or computer for 1 week. My goal is to get to them in the habit of finding other things to do. I think kids thrive without TV. My goal is after one week of no TV they will be in the habit of finding other things to do.
Love this post Ali. Sums up what I want for our family this summer too.
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love this. i have to say, i wish i could have a no TV summer, but i don't think it's possible w/ J gone. i need that one show per morning and one per night to keep the bigs busy while i tend to the littles! maybe we'll do this next summer (although he'll probably be gone again!). have a beautiful, beautiful summer!
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I totally get that Stephanie - totally.
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i love this ali!! i think a no-tv summer sounds amazing- only good things can come of it. We got rid of cable a few years ago and i am SO glad. Sometimes i feel like i "miss out" on fun shows my friends are watching but in the end it doesn't really add anything to my life-- except more time with my husband and family. (and PS love Anna's bed!)
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We have limited the tv watching at our house for the Summer as well. Only 2 shows they're allowed to watch with a movie thrown in every weekend. And because of where we live, we don't have a lot of outdoor places for the hooligans to run around outside..which means more trips to the park, friend's houses etc..but ultimately, I've seen my hooligans playing together better and using much more imagination and it's thoroughly entertaining! Even with the older one teaching the younger one how to read..Have a great Summer Edwards Family! oxo
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I think no t.v. is a great rule!
my girls barely EVER watch t.v. maybe
once a week and it's usually me turning on a
Disney show and asking them to come watch with me!
BUT, they ARE on the computer (youtube in particular watching American Girl doll videos and making their own) so they maybe need to limit their computer time, but sometimes I have a hard time making them do that because I think editing photos and making videos is such a creative outlet! how do I limit that? I think I need this book though! tHANKS FOR SHARING
love the photo of Anna on the bed, she's a DOLL!
tara
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Love the photo of Anna lining up her guys on the tub...my 6 yo still does that some nights. Getting pruny. :)
Good job on the no-TV summer. We always do the library summer reading program, too. Trying to prevent that summer backslide. I also get my littles into Jump Start just to keep their minds oiled. :)
Here's to a super fun summer!
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Great post. Love the same journaling prompt idea. So much tumbles out when I use this technique. Can't wait to hear more about the class involving Italy photos!
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I love the idea of a no TV summer, but my DH would hate it! I am very strict, though, on how much time DS is allowed to have in front of it.
Thanks for the info about the family cookbook ~ I'm always looking for inspiration re the evening meal. DS and I always eat together and DH is beginning to join us if he's home. DS loves us being together.
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The family meals have been a struggle since the kids got older(now 20 & 13) but I plan a weekly menu on Sunday before going to the store every body plans one dinner and they are in charge of making it. My 13 year old has a cooking class at school and has become quite adventuress with her meals. Its fun for them and less mundane for me!!
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We just moved cross country and did not bring a tv with us. The kids are happier overall. We had the same whining here regarding wii games and tv shows with our son. Wish we could stick to not owning a tv, but that may be a little too drastic for us. Check out your local movie theater for $1 movies during the summer for the kids. Our theater runs older G / PG movies twice a week for the kids. It's a great, cheap event for some fancy screen time!
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