Day 5 Tech Time

I live in a house full of technology: TV, computers, game systems, tablets, and phones. Everywhere you look you will find something. These are common items that are found in most homes. 

Most of the time, technology is useful and beneficial. We use computers for schoolwork, paying bills, emails, and work related stuff. But I feel that most of the time spent on these devices is just for fun. And there is nothing wrong with that, as long as it is in moderation. 

Years ago, when my 2 older boys were younger we had established Tech Time Tokens and No-Tech Tuesdays.  Tech-Time Tokens were poker chips given out at the beginning of the week. Each token equaled 30 minutes of screen time. The boys would "turn in" a token each time they played or watched TV. No-Tech Tuesdays was just as it sounds, no computers or screen time on anything. 

I have been seriously thinking about going back to those two rules. Technology is taking over and I feel that it is getting out of hand, especially with my youngest son and daughter with all my children. It seems that Phillip and Trevor are always on their computers and Annabelle always wants to be watching something on the TV or my phone. 

So I think that No Tech Tuesdays and Tech Time Tokens are going to be making a come back, starting tomorrow! And I think I will add No Tech Thursdays too. 

Day 4 Hey it's Bedtime, Dude!

So I missed yesterday's post because we got new couches that are oh, so comfy and I fell asleep. 

Anyways, let's talk about sleep and bedtime routines, or lack there of. 

An established bedtime routine at our house doesn't really exist. Since we homeschool 3 of our 4 children, bedtime can vary most nights. Most nights, because I watch Z and R, the 3 little ones are usually in bed around 8:30/9pm. Their routine consists of pajamas, brush teeth, and watch 1 JustinTime on Netflix. 

Patrick has a set bedtime at 10pm. He is the only one that goes to public school and wakes up at 6am to get ready. 

Trevor has no set bedtime. Phillip usually goes to bed between 9:30 and 10:30. 

The goal for the month is to establish a bedtime routine for all the kids, including Trevor (he just doesn't know it yet).

Day 3 "Mom, Have you seen my....."

That say is easy to say, but hard to follow. Especially with children. 

It never fails. It is time to go and someone can't find something.  A shoe, a book, their jacket, whatever it is that they need, they can't find. And it always happens when it is time to go; not during the ten minutes before hand when I tell them to get ready. 

Most of our activities take place in the evening, so they do not typically need to get ready the night before.  The morning of works for us, most days. 

One of my goals this month, is to help my kids remember to put things away so they can find them when they need them. And to be ready when it is time to go. 

Day 2 Let Me Check My Calendar

There is something about actually writing events and such down on a calendar instead of solely relying on a calendar app.



My planner book. At the beginning of the year I searched for a pretty planner book. Because I knew that if it was pretty to look at, both inside and out, I would actually use it. And I do.

I try to write down everything in my planner book, Some months are better than others. 

Here's what I write (or try to remember to write)

-when bills are due/paid

-what we had for dinner

-doctor appointments

-school calendar

-anything Tastefully Simple related (parties/events/meetings)

-Family Days

-kids activities

-schedule for Z & R

-important things to remember that happened that day 

-birthdays/anniversaries

-vacations

 I also use the calendar app on both my phone and my tablet. And yes, I was able to sync them together! Which is awesome by the way, because I typically do not carry my planner book with me. 

Day 1 A Clean Table

If your kitchen table is anything like mine, it is always filled with stuff. It's the place where everything goes, or should I say, ends up. School papers get left behind when completed. Laundry gets folded on the table and then sits, waiting to be put away. Everything ends up on the table.

Having a cluttered table when I wake up in the morning is not a great start to my day. I don't like having to find/clear a spot for the kids to eat breakfast. I feel like I spend most of my morning trying to put things away or find something that I know I last saw on the table. It's frustrating!

So I am going to try very hard to make sure that the table to clean and empty before I go to bed every night.

31 Days Out of Chaos and Into Peace

It's that time of year gain. October 1st. The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are beginning to change and it is Day 1 of the 31 Day Blog Challenge.  I have attempted this the last 2 years and have never actually completed it. Hopefully this year will be a success. 

 My plan is it bring my home from Chaos to Peace by organizing it, and keeping it organized. There are times during the week that I can get one area organized and clean, but then another area becomes a disaster.  

Join me this month as I bring my home out of Chaos and into Peace

Day 1 A Clean Table

Day 2 Let Me Check My Calendar

Day 3 "Mom, Have you seen my...."

Day 4 Hey it's bedtime, Dude!

Day 5 Tech Time

Day 6 Meal Planning

Day 7 How Does One Get Paid?

Day 8 Gotta Let the Sillies Out

Day 9 Room to Breathe

Day 10 Homeschooling in the Kitchen

Workbox Wednesday 1st Grade

Here's a look into what is in Phillip's Workboxes for school.

I bought this set of drawers about 3 or 4 years ago when they were on clearance at Walmart.

1st Drawer is Bible. This contains he AWANA book, bag and vest, along with his Jesus Storybook Bible.

2nd Drawer is his Daily Learning Notebook. We also chart the weather and mark what day it is on our bulletin board.  You can get your copy here of the charts and notebook pages.

3rd drawer is Math. Just a basic addition worksheet for today. 

4th Drawer is Reading. We are currently working on 6 new words this week that we will add to our caterpillar on the bulletin board. He also has a notebook to draw a picture in from the book that I read aloud. The current book is The Tale Jolly Robin

5th Drawer is Writing. There are a few worksheets in here for him to complete. 

6th Drawer History   we do these lessons with Trevor

7th Drawer Science   we do these lessons with Trevor

8th Drawer Computer   He does a few things on the computer for school. XtraMath.com, ABCya.com are just a few websites he uses daily. 

9th Drawer is a Math Game.

The LAST drawer, #10. Copywork.  To help him with his penmenship, he will copy what I write on the page. This week we are using his AWANA verse, John 3:16

I'll post soon what the plan is for Annabelle and her preschool work.