Chuck E. Cheese

Ok, I hesitate to write this. I know how most people feel about CEC. I feel the same way. Today I took the kids there and I have an awesome tip to make it ALMOST your favorite place. First of all, don't lie and tell me their pizza is not awesome. So buttery and delicious, my favorite is the ham and pineapple. So here's the tip, go at 9am when they open. Today there was literally no one there. Just me and a friend and our 4 kids. It's so quiet and clean in the morning. I hold the tokens at the table and let the kids take one, play a game and then come right back. It's great. Also, they test all the games when they open. Every game has a ton of tickets hanging out. One time we collected over 300 tickets! Did I convince you????

Monkey see Monkey do....

I was just thinking today about how important it is for your kids to see you reading the Bible. It's so easy to wait until they are asleep so you can have a true quiet time but it is definately a skill that your kids have to learn. I've slacked off on this lately, but when I first started Dean would pitch a fit. He either wanted to flip through those delicate pages or he would ask for food, drinks etc. After a while he got used to it and would get his Bible and read with me. Now I never had amazing revelations from God during these times, I hardly would stay focused on what I was reading but it was great for him to see me reading.
So many times I focus on not doing certain things in front of my kids (like road rage, saying "crap") and I need to remember to let them see me doing positive things (reading my Bible, hugging and kissing my husband, helping others, giving money to a person on the street) I want to get back to that. Monkey see, monkey do....

What we did today....

I piled the unfolded laundry on the couch and rinsed the dirty dishes and put them in the sink. My diswasher needs to be emptied. When the kids are asleep hopefully my husband will help me (he usually does) or I will put my MP3 player on and get to work. So what did I do with all that chore time during the day? I chased my kids around the house, scaring them around corners. Played "piano recital" with Dean and then we watched SpongeBob together. I also had some "me" time at the gym doing some cardio kickboxing :)
If you want to see your kids eyes light up, set up your diningroom chairs in a straight line in the living room and play train. Maybe we'll do that tomorrow.
Be blessed!
Erica

Let's get this party started!

I realized sooner than too late that I've been obsessing about thigs that do not matter. I've come to realize that the reason I stay at home is not to wash the dishes, fold the laundry or organize the closets. I am at home to play with my kids. To spend time with them; wrestle on the floor, make cookies (make a mess), dress up, watch SpongeBob..... When I first became a mom, I was consumed by keeping my house clean and I spent hours a week wandering through walmart trying to fill the hours because I just did not know what I was supposed to be doing. I would sit my infant son in his bouncer and I'd clean the house... what a waste of time, because it just got dirty again.

Now, I'm as task-oriented as they come. I make to-do lists about making to-do lists. I love to cross things out and I have even written down a thing or two after completed, just to cross it off (I know, weird).

I've had to let it all go. Maybe the laundry stays on the couch for 2 days, maybe the bathroom mirror has toothpaste on it..... but today I went for a walk with my son.

My house may be messy but I'm having fun with my kids :)

So, now I have a 5 1/2 year old son and a 18 month old daughter. I am working every day to let the chores go and to enjoy the short precious moments I have with my kids.

Keep posted for my blogs of fun things to do with your kids and the chores you can skip. I promise you won't regret it :)