Life After Internet and Entertainment

Chaz and Ivy

I can't say it enough.... :D  I'm loving no internet at home!  I'm loving that we are all playing together and learning together.  If we want to learn something that we don't know about we just find it in a book or go find it in a library.  My kids are really getting along and have been working through issues more.  The only videos we allow in the house are educational, The Duggar Family, and anything about Organizing (Clean House).  Since watching some of the Clean House episodes, which I did on purpose, they have been going through their own stuff to toss.  We've made a pretty big donation pile and we're not nearly done.  I hope to get rid of lots more.

Kids homeschooling at community center



Ashley working on her Kindergarten workbook

I added a new chore for Chaz and Ryan.  As much as I love the idea that I can do it all, I just can't.  I've tried and tried and I really need them to pitch in more.  I don't ever want to be the mom that gives orders from the couch.  Do this, do that, get me this, do the chores.... blah, blah, yet not being a good example myself.  I didn't have kids to have someone do chores for me even though they make messes of their own. A supervising mommy is someone who has training in mind.  Chaz HATES to get dirty so his job is to unload a clean dishwasher at least once a day. Ryan's job is to load the dishwasher of dirty dishes once a day and start it.  I'm hoping this will also make them aware of how many dishes they are dirtying in the day.  I have been having to show them how to do it right.  I don't just hope they are doing their work right, often I have to be right alongside each one of them and walk them through it.  After awhile they sometimes try to slip through or they just miss stuff because they are kids.  It's just ridiculous of me to think I can handle the work of 9 people living in the home all by myself.  The kids are starting to understand it's not worth keeping the clutter since they are the ones having to keep up on their own stuff.  It's been nice not having any distractions at home so we can be more focused on things that really matter. We still have LOTS of fun but the differences is we play together rather than how it was before, everyone seem to go off to do their own thing. 

 

My poor dog.  The girls really like to pretend that's their baby.  You would think they've spoiled Juliet enough but apparently they haven't.  Last night when I went to drop Juliet off in the church nursery, I told them it's not my fault if she acts spoiled.  The kids pick her up at every whimper or squeak so she's learned to fuss to get some attention.  Little stinker.  I have been doing a lot of decluttering and the bassinet is one of the things I'm donating.  I guess Ivy figured it'd be a good bed for doggy till I finally take it out.