Get up! Stand up!

I'm standing as I type this. My butt hurts. I've been sitting to read for class, sitting in class, sitting to work at my computer, sitting to blog.... sitting, sitting, sitting. It's making my ass numb. My kitchen counters are at a good height for me to stand and type. So, that is what I am doing. Blogging from my kitchen. Feminists everywhere are pulling out their hair.

The kids seem to really enjoy their reading practice. They have started viewing it as a game, which I am extremely happy about. Last night's rewards were marshmallows. It's amazing the torture children will endure for those puffy little sweets. I challenged them more than usual for one extra marshmallow and they willingly participated. They are progressing at a impressive rate.

The kids seem extremely comforted by our evening routine these days. I like that they go to sleep so willingly and with smiles on their faces. I hope this contentment continues through out the school year. May I share?

Everyday, I pick them up at 3:15 and we are home by 3:30. We spend 30-45 minutes going through their backpacks and discussing homework or the days events. I prepare them for the next day in any way that I need to; signing forms, sending a snack, responding to a note from the teacher... you get the idea. Ben sometimes throws opposition to the idea of doing homework(he reminds me of someone....), but we are slowly conditioning that away by showing him that getting it done early is so much better than getting it done late or not at all.

I ask them to pick an activity to do while I start dinner. These include, but are not limited to, playing in the hose, painting, coloring, helping me with dinner or, like last night, doing some Math problems to earn a half an hour of iPod games.

We eat dinner when Daddy gets home and then march off to dance class, tennis lessons or just hang out with each other until 7. At 7 we put on pj's and rendezvous on the couch for reading practice. After demonstrating their skills I read a story while they eat their rewards. Then we brush teeth and I visit their separate rooms to tuck them in, sing them a couple songs and kiss them good night. They are typically asleep by 8:30 and up before I have to wake them in the morning. It is extremely harmonious. My only hope is that I can keep it up. At this point, with work and school, I would be the one to slip... So, I'm going to tread carefully.

I know that some will hate me for pointing it out, but nowhere in their schedule do my children watch television. The don't even ask. And let's be honest. Aside from television contributing to autism, obesity and ADHD, it is a waste of time. The more time children sit in front of the tube, the less time they are exercising their brains. I'm not saying that what I do is perfect, by any means. My family is just one example of children enjoying the learning process and not missing the brainless activities in life. Kids can enjoy just about anything. We have a really great time together. And last night I almost cried when Ben finished his math problems in record time and they were correct! He was beaming! Television can't do that.

You know, some day, they might be giants. Why not treat them like it now.