Today’s Activity:

Take the kids to the $ store and let them choose one thing to bring home.

Note:

While you are there prepare for Monday’s activity.

Prepare:

Buy some picture frames for your kids.  The size doesn’t matter, it just needs to be something that they could hang in their room.

Evaluate:

Max was so excited when I told him that we were going to the dollar store that he insisted on using his very own dollar for his toy.  He even offered his other dollar for Elese to use but I assured him that I could pay for her.  Elese chose a magic wand with a generic princess on it who she named Alla.  Max chose a watch and told me what time it was every minute on the ride home.  The day was defiantly a success.  Also, I didn’t buy my frames because we had some old ones sitting around so if you have some at home don’t waste your money buying more.

Today’s Activity:

Baking day!  Start some Amish Friendship bread.  I would suggest scrolling down and reading the comment from Baked that was left Nov. 20th, 2007.  Also, it is easiest to store this in a plastic Ziploc bag and just massage the bag rather than stirring the dough.  Once you get to day 10 then go here to learn what to do next.

Note:

If you’ve never done this before it is a lot of fun and it about 10 days you will have some yummy bread!

Evaluate:

OK- let me translate this recipe for you.  I’ve only done this before after someone gave me the start and this was the recipe I found.  While the recipe helped me I would suggest a few differences.  First off save yourself some dishes and just mix the yeast and water in your liquid measuring cup.  Second, put the flour and sugar directly into a Ziplock bag and mix it in there.  Also, read the comment that I mentioned before and when you give this to someone make sure you give them the information included in the comment as well as the baking directions that are in the second link I gave you above.  Hope that helps.  Also, the kids weren’t too disappointed that we didn’t actually bake something today because Max just wanted to go play with friends.

Also, if your little ones are anything like mine they will think that smooching a Ziploc bag is WAY more fun that stirring something with a spoon!

Today’s Activity:

Update your little ones baby books or photo albums.

Note:

Once you’ve worked on the book for a while you may want to sit with each child and let them look at it with you.

Evaluate:

SEVERAL months ago I got caught up on Max’s photo albums and this activity got me to finally work on Elese’s.  As you can tell by the collage above I haven’t gotten too far and I’m still at the beginning.  Working on photo albums is what I refer to as a “Fun Project” because it just makes me love my kids so much when I look back at photos of fun times we had together.  So not only am I accomplishing something good but it’s actually a fun thing to do.

Date night is fast approaching.  Schedule a night out with your husband.

Note:

If you don’t have any ideas of what to do maybe you could check out a movie that recently won an Oscar.

Evaluate:

We are going to go see Alice in Wonderland (Husbands choice) and eat dinner in the theater while watching it (my choice).

Today’s Activity:

Get out a board game and play it with your kids.

Note:

Don’t LET them win but just play the game as you normally would.  If they get used to not always winning at home with mommy then they will be less likely to have a melt down when they lose at a game they play with their friends.

Evaluate:

Max wanted to play a memory game tonight so that’s what we did.  The kids were super hyper because it was closing in on bed time.  Although I would have rather had them in bed, it is still nice to see them so happy with me just making a small effort.

Reminder:

Have you been giving your kids choices?  Not me…I keep forgetting so this is my own personal reminder of this months goal.

Teach your children a favorite song of yours from when you were a kid.

Note:

It doesn’t matter if you can’t carry a tune, they will just be happy being reminded that you too were once a little kid that liked silly songs.

Today’s Activity:

Take a child on a date.  This could be anything from dinner and a movie to going shoe shopping.  Just be sure to do something that they will enjoy.

Note:

Be sure to take a child that you didn’t take last time.

Evaluate:

This is always my favorite thing to do.  The kids appreciate it so much and it helps me focus just on them.  Today I was able to sneak in a “date” with both of them.  First I took Max ice skating all by himself.  He was really getting pretty good…well…at least not so scared to let go of the wall and fall now and then.  I’m pretty sure his favorite part was just laying there while I would put on and take off his skates.  Then I took Elese out to dinner.  She talked the entire time.  To tell you the truth I don’t really know what she was talking about most of the time but I loved just being with her.  After we got home the three of us watched the Tinkerbell movie together.

The weather is warming up so take this opportunity to go for a family walk around the block.

Note:

You could even let your children ride their bike or scooter.

Evaluate:

Today I walked Max too and from school.  That’s a little bit of a cop out though because I do that everyday.   The reason I put this on here for today is because the weather is getting warmer and I LOVE going for nice spring walks with my family.  I think taking the time to go for a walk with your loved ones is a great way to strengthen relationships.  It’s like a mini vacation from responsibilities.  Also, going on a walk with your husband can be a great opportunity to get re-acquainted after a busy week.

Take a trip to the library.

Note:

If time will permit then let them stay there for a while enjoying the time away from home.

Evaluate:

This didn’t really work with my schedule today but we are going to make an effort to go this weekend.