Weekly Wrap-Up ~ Snow and Colds

From the Heart

I am thinking, thinking, thinking about kindness and helpfulness among siblings. I found out that the Duggar shows can be watched on YouTube (we don't have cable). I have gone a bit "Duggar crazy" this past week. The thing that really stands out to me with the Duggars is the way the siblings help each other and are so kind to each other in words and actions. I look around me and see room for improvement in my own home. I have a few plans to put into action to start us on a better path.

On the Homefront

Hurray, we got to stay home a lot more this week than last. However, illness struck early on and is slowly moving through the family. We have kept the house afloat but not a whole lot more. We got 8 inches of snow last night so the kids are having a blast. I think they were outside for the first time today at around 8 am. And now we have power outages!!  Hurray!

In the Schoolroom

I adapted our lessons mid-week when it became obvious that we were going to be under the weather. We did lots of snuggling and reading of library books and made a good dent in our teatime book, The Railway Children. Tom Sawyer is really hoping that we are on the mend and back to our normal routine by Monday. I think I heard, "I'm bored" or "When is science or art?"  from him at least 50 times on Friday alone. Tom Sawyer has now memorized four little songs on the piano and read his first chapter book! At least they got lots of P.E. in the snow today.

In the Way of Parenting

So back to my obsession with the Duggars and how to bring more kindness and teamwork into my home. I am starting with words. When a child does something for another child, the child who was shown a kindness is to say "thank you" (no matter how small the kindness). The child who received the thank you is to say "my pleasure". We are on day two of this and so far it is almost 100% prompted by me, but I see happiness in their faces over the thank you's. It is always nice to feel appreciated. We will see how this goes.

Secondly, the extra nurturing with Miss Goldilocks seems to be holding her much more steady. She usually goes downhill real quickly when I am sick (even with a simple cold). She does not like to see any weakness in her Mommy, and it make her behavior go out the window. This week she has stayed the course of "pretty good" behavior.  Hurray!!

As a Wife

It was a nice week with hubby getting home from work on time most days. We are looking forward to our once a month date night next week. I need to start thinking about where to go. This time, it's my turn to plan the evening. We so often go out to dinner followed by drooling at the local bookstore. I would like to do something different this time. Maybe bowling or ????? Anyone have any ideas for somewhat cheap and fun dates?

Family Time

Lots of snuggling and watching the Duggars together this week. Do you see a theme here? LOL! We did brave the great outdoors today to have some fun sledding and making ice/snow forts. 



Charades has become an absolute favorite game around here. My kids' creativity is amazing! They really think up some clever things to do. They are also getting so good at UNO that they are beating my husband and myself on a regular basis!

Blessings, Dawn