Short week, made all the better because there was no traveling, no baseball practice, and no extra curricular activities to speak of.
Monday
Mikey had a friend over from school for a 7 hour play date with lunch and dinner! Whenever kids come over I get a little nervous because the boys don’t have a ton of toys. They’re outdoor/creative play kids. This is by choice and also by necessity since I’m a huge fan of Simplicity Parenting, but sometimes when their friends come over there is an initial “Dude, that’s all the toys you have?!” moment that makes me want to go buy all the toys so I don’t feel like such a terrible mom. Luckily, Mikey’s friend had no problem with playing wiffle ball and kick ball in the street, a game of war in the backyard, some Xbox, a pillow fight, and a trip for ice cream. When he heard his mom was coming he told Mikey he didn’t ever want to leave. Whew!
Tuesday
Taco Tuesday! We instituted a family meal guideline so everyone has realistic dinner expectations and I have an easier time figuring out what to make for dinner. Guess what Tuesday is?
Wednesday
Yes, Anne of Green Gables was awesome. But I think my favorite moment was during homework time when Nico all of a sudden jumped up and tossed his pencil in the air like he just remembered something and yelled, “TODAY IS SPAGHETTI WEDNESDAY!!!”
Thursday
I watched Footloose and hand tyed. Then I watched all four episodes of North and South and hand tyed. Side note: most romantic ending to a movie I have ever seen in my entire life.
Only five more rows to go! (With Mikey’s quilt. I’m at point 0 with Nico’s quilt.)
Friday
I want to finish Mikey’s quilt and at least commit to procrastinating on Nico’s. My goal is to get to the point where I walk into the guest bedroom (where I do all the pinning), lay out Nico’s quilt, get ready to pin, and then say…eh. Maybe later. If I get that far, I will consider the day a success!
The Weekend
Mikey might be signing up for a chess club this weekend. We’re going to an informational meeting. I think it’s going to be right up his alley. I told him that chess is a game of strategy, similar to a battle on a small field, where the goal is to overthrow your opponent and achieve total domination using your wits. He thought about it for a few minutes and said, “Mom, I think I’m going to really like chess.”
Mikey will really like chess – but you may also want to start looking at “real” board games – much fun for everyone and teaches the same strategy skills. If you have a chance, check out Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan and also King of Tokyo and Smash Up. These are “gateway games” to more and more complex games that require strategy and wits. Also, look at this flowchart – http://www.unboxedtheboardgameblog.com/2012/02/how-to-choose-perfect-game.html and discount a bit the “if you’re playing with kids” portion – some kids do fine with the more in-depth mechanics of “adult” side of the flow chart – my 8 yo loves most of the “adult” side – and I am sure that your Mikey would, too. So, so much better than Monopoly. :)
Thank you for this! Mikey’s birthday is next week, so the game recommendations are great!
The ending of North and South: absolutely the most romantic ending of all time.
Not gonna lie: I rewound it so I could watch it again. SO GOOD.
the last 5 min of the movie are on you tube. view anytime….
Going to go watch the ending right now on Netflix. Again.
I’ve gotten rid of so many toys, and I’m ready to make another sweep now that summer vacation is starting. My 5-yr-old just spent 9 days at his grandparents’ house where there is only a small collection of toys (but a ton of books and educational games–my mom was an elementary teacher), and he was completely entertained. AND he cleaned up. This week at home he’s been in a Lego phase: hours upon hours of building, all by himself. And the older kids don’t play with very many toys at all. My daughter bought a $2 giant bouncy ball on our last Target trip, and she’s spent hours outside with it, by herself and with friends.
I’ve probably mentioned it before, but our favorite new game is Forbidden Island. I don’t even like board games, especially playing with my kids who aren’t always good winners and losers. But this is a cooperative role playing game, so it’s great for a range of ages to play together because helping each other is the point of the game. It has saved us when we want to play a game with the whole family (and it doesn’t take forever, either).
They really do get used to not having toys, and it’s on my life list to institute a family game night. This post and the replies just might be the ticket to get me to finally commit!
I rarely comment, but I had to today – I always get weirdly excited whenever someone watches North & South for the first time. *sigh* This is period drama perfection!!
It’s been sitting in my Netflix queue–now I’m all geared up to watch it!
Haha…hope you’ll enjoy it! But beware – you might want to watch it again and again… ;-)
Tanja–sigh is right! THAT ENDING.
“Commit to procrastinating”. LOVE! Have a great weekend!
Ok, Tuesday is tacos, Wednesday is spaghetti- what’s the plan for the rest of the week? I’m in a bit of a dinner rut and always looking for new ideas. Seems like Nico is pretty enthusiastic about the plan!
My boys play chess together and I am learning along with them. We also enjoy Rummikub and Bananagrams.
Monday is meatless, Thursdays are burgers, and Friday is pizza. :)
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the end of North & South is the best thing ever! You just sigh with joy.
Sounds like a great week! Hope the weekend is just as relaxing and fun!
I recommend Ticket to Ride. Micky would really love it and Nico would probably be able to play too. My family learned it last Thanksgiving and we played it 2-3/day for a week. We introduced it to more friends last weekend too. They loved it! Just another suggestion . . . have a good weekend, Laura
oh my stars. North and South. I devoted an entire post to it. I have never. I mean EVER! seen an ending like that. I was literally weak in the knees. I have to go watch that show again. And did you see The Hobbit? I’m now convinced that Richard Armitage could stand in a sack, covered by a hedge, and still have more charisma than anyone else in the room.