Girl on a Journey: February Happenings

So we are screen free (sort of) here at the Kriete house. We have had some pretty rotten attitudes from the kids and I could feel myself using the TV and/or electronic devices both as distraction to do what I needed to be doing and a babysitter for my kids. So we have decided to cut out screens (for the purpose of entertainment or escape) until March 1^st. I get to check email/messenger and post blogs on Facebook, but otherwise I’m not on for now. It’s only been a week, and I can already tell a difference in the kid’s attitudes and mine as well.

(Pre-warning… this blogpost might have a LOT of pics because I’m not posting on FB right now.)

I’m not going to lie… there have been times that I miss saying, “go watch ______” so I can get a task finished without interruption or inconvenience. Saturday morning was a wake up call. My kids were lost without the option of veg’ing out in front of screen until everyone was ready to be up and about. There has been a lot more reading, board game playing, lego building, puzzle assembling, and kitchen playing… and not just by the kids.

It has also made me aware of how much I do FOR my kids instead of WITH them. So I have had a lot more help in the kitchen and on projects. This does not always make the task easier or faster, but it is what I feel I should be doing, and I don’t do it well. I’m not saying I want to be screen free forever, but the few times that we have given it up for a period of time as a reset have always been good for our family. We have 8-12 inches of snow coming tonight… so we will see how long this Postive Polly attitude lasts being trapped in doors. ;)

It was an abnormally busy week here, which has probably helped in the not missing screens so much department. We had Aunt Ivy and Uncle Derrick here. They were supposed to head out Monday, but weather delayed them an extra day (which was GREAT for us). Addi got some special one-on-one time while the other kids were at school. And we had a whole extra evening with them!

Tuesday we had a delay start because of weather… which I think is what threw my whole week off! The kids had award ceremonies on Wednesday. They do it a bit different here with K-2 in the morning and 3-5 in the afternoon… kind of eats up your entire day if you have lots of kids. Anyway, I got to school at 11am to realize that I missed the morning ceremony at 10am. :( I was super bummed that I missed Eleni (mostly because I knew she would be watching for me). I tried to make up for it by having lunch with her at school. She said it was WAY better than coming to awards. This way I could, “sit and chat and visit with her friends”. It all worked out. She forgave me, and I stuck around for Brayden’s afternoon assembly.

It was Valentine’s week and the Sock Hop on Friday night, so we (and I do mean WE because we are screen free and doing EVERYTHING together) had lots of prep for parties and the Sock Hop.

All of the kids wanted to make Valentine cards instead of purchase, and Brayden was the only one allowed, so he wanted to build a Valentine box. I would be lying if I said it all ran smoothly, there were zero tears shed, and no voices raised ever… but over all everyone finished and were proud of their end products with minimal casualties. Eric even mustarded up the strength to help Eleni with her Valentines that were covered in glitter (this is a HUGE step for the man that loathes glitter with all of his heart).

The kids also created their teacher gifts (which was a big step for this craft-control mommy) and Eric and I stayed up late and got all the goodies made for parties.

The Sock hop was Friday. I must say… AMAZING! The PSTO here puts on some pretty fabulous events. Addi and I spent Friday morning (and even finishing up after all the parties) making poodles skirts. The kids looked adorable and had a BLAST! Eleni danced from the time she walked in the door until the DJ shut down! It was great see her in her element. She also won the hula hoop contest… which delighted her to death!

I must say, I was very surprised about Landen. He has really struggled this school year and with the move. It took him a bit to warm up, but after he got a root beer float in him… he was showing off his best white boy moves. It was very entertaining (and honestly relieving) to see that he felt so comfortable there with his friends.

We have another family that we swapped childcare with, so Eric and I got to go on a date (PRAISE THE LORD!). We went to dinner and ice skating. I have never been ice skating… Eric on the other had, was apparently a professional ice skater in another life. Needless to say I was a bit mortified when I realized we weren’t going to be struggling through this together. I got to use the “assistance” that was provided. This came in the form of what looked like a walker on ice. My most humbling moment came when two 8-10 year olds came up to me with their “assistance” and asked if I wanted to race (probably know that this would be someone they could beat). So I didn’t have a fantastic attitude in the beginning, but I got the hang of it and was an independent (smiling) skater by the time we left. It was a great date night!