With our second week of school finished and soccer in full swing, we are back into the rhythm of fall. This includes our afternoon snack the kids look forward to each day before they begin homework and projects. A little fuel for the remainder of the day.
Since starting this ritual back in the spring, it has made for a much better and less chaotic time of day. They eat, talk and rest while I start to set up for dinner. When they’re finished eating, homework begins followed by an hour or so of play. The flow of the evening is amazing and I encourage anyone to try this with their own family. A true quality of life improvement happened around here from that simple routine shift.
I have noticed over the past week the nights are coming quicker and cooler with less time for bike riding and jackets being pulled out of closets. The time seems to fly by before it’s lights out and Mark and I can sit down for the day. Although it seems to take me longer with dishes to finish and lunches to set up for morning. Not every night, but most. One thing I have learned with three kids in school is to try my best to prepare ahead.
How about you? Has your school routine settled in or are you still figuring out where you need to be on each day and when you need to be there? Later this month there could be an added activity so I may be having to pack our gouter in to go containers.
We are hoping to enjoy some beautiful fall weather over the weekend and celebrate a friend’s birthday too! What are your plans? Apple picking? Farmer’s markets? Sports with the kids?
Whatever you have planned, enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here on Monday.
Until then…
Live Well
nice blog.. simple, and easy.. but are you hanging from the chandelier taking this pic? xo
Ha! NO! Standing on the table because of the light coming in the big window. I couldn’t get a nice picture from a side angle. Plus it got all of them in one shot.
I love the first picture of the kids eating their snack! So lovely and warm. Makes me want to have a snack with all of you and those adorable napkins!
I agree with you, when I plan ahead my afternoon is MUCH smoother after school. Athough, this week was kind of nuts and so was our household. But when I have my ducks in a row and have the snack ready to go when they are home–it makes the afternoon. Just as you’ve said.
xoxo!!!
We would love to have you eating our snack with us!
Don’t you find that your kids eat non-stop from after school til supper? The girl has a snack during the 20 minute walk home and then when we get home. Then some veggies per-dinner. And then dinner.
Lots of energy expended growing, learning, and paying!
And we’ve slipped quite easily into the fall routine.
I was in that same exact situation, but times it by three and all staggering – UGH!!
Once I started giving them a more substantial snack when they got home, it filled them enough until dinner was ready. I make sure there is enough protein (cheese, meat, hummus, etc.) offered along with some carbs for energy and fruit for sweet.
I decide what is for snack and serve them all at once and they have never, so far, complained or said they didn’t want it. It allows me to have a one time run through snacks and then move on to the rest of my afternoon/evening with them.
I can sit and help with homework or read to Claire and then start cooking for dinner. Such a great time of day now for us from what it used to be.
Plus, I found it’s OK for them to be a little hungry close to dinner. They are more eager to eat what is served and more of it.
You should read the book, French Kids Eat Everything, if only for the whole snacking issue. It gave me some great ideas for our routine.
Routine is awesome in my world. Although at times sticking to it may be a challenge. What a great blog! I truly enjoyed it. & yes, how on Earth did you take that one pic? Lol
I agree with sticking to it being a challenge on some days. I am learning to go with the flow so much more lately.
Where did you get those cute napkins? I have been looking for some cute ones! Thanks in advance.