Tuesday, November 3, 2009

sunday afternoon

I'm always thinking about and reevaluating how to do my Sundays during the schoolyear. Sundays can be so stressful because of having to get ready for the Monday of a busy workweek. There is SO much to do. In the last year or two I think I've erred on the side of getting too much stuff done on Sunday, in hopes of having a smooth week. This year I'm experimenting with doing less. For example, I'll plan the menus for the week and make sure the shopping is done (earlier in the weekend) but I'm no longer trying to do any cooking in advance on Sunday. I'm letting the little veggie packets slide (they're time consuming). I'm still taking the little ones to farmer's market in the morning and this weekend I think I struck a nice balance of playing with them in the afternoon (and still getting some work done). In the scene above we're eating popcorn made by Faith and playing a matching game. I have to say, everyone had such a good time with that! It was a good reminder for me to slow down. Dieter can play the matching game well now--soon he will be beating Faith and me, I'm sure. Rainer still doesn't totally "get it" but was happy to wander around the perimeter. Sweet times.
Some of my early matches--which I'm showing you because I love these tiles so much.
Sunday afternoon/evening also went well. I started dinner early so I would have time to clean up along the way. In the end, Dieter and I had time to play "the fairy game" (which we just made up) and I was surprised at how much he liked it. Rainer got these blocks for his birthday and has little to no interest in them, but Dieter and I have kept the game going for two evenings now.

The working mama lifestyle is busy and I hate not being the one to drop the kids at school and pick them up (because Ken is here local and I have a long commute), but in truth I like my job and my working is pretty essential to our financial wellbeing. So there it is--I move forward and make the best of all of it, constantly tweaking and reevaluating our routines as necessary.

Thanks for all the waffle suggestions yesterday, there is some good stuff in there!

8 comments:

Just Jennifer said...

This is my first time to your site. I just wanted to drop in and say hi. I've read a few of your posts and I like your writing style, so I'm gonna add you to my daily reads. :)

Thanks for having me and hope to see you drop by my blog. I'd love to have you. Have a great week!

Jennifer said...

It sounds like a wonderful, peaceful day. Love those game tiles, where did you get them?

vincent said...

Sounds like you are off to an awesome start! Everyone should slow down a little...

Andrea said...

I'm contemplating a move from part-time to full-time work and these are the things that scare me...fitting it all in on Sat/Sunday!

Cole said...

Just saying Hello as well! I'm also a working momma with a commute. It's hard and wonderful. Love the matching tiles and the blocks! Where are each from ?
I very much identified with your inventory taking of your time. It's so hard to strike a balance btw getting enough done and allowing enough free time to just play. We don't get this time back in our kiddos life- of course the food doesn't make itself either?

Mary Beth said...

Thanks so much for your kind comments everyone. Cole--it's so awesome to hear from another working mama with a commute!

The game tiles are called "Pair Discovery" by Chelona.

The tree blocks are from Imagine Childhood.

Andrea--it's hard, but being very busy also generates more energy, so it's doable. For me, having an awesome, helpful husband who is a total natural at parenting is the key to so much.

Cindy said...

Where did you find the wooden frame for your postcards?

Mary Beth said...

Hi Cindy. The wooden postcard frame is from Nova Naturals.