Morning

Here is a snapshot of a typical morning in the Kelly household.

Glorielle is stirring between 5 and 6 but she is happy to cat nap or play in our bed so I can squeeze in a bit more rest time.  I am usually up by 7.  Tea, emails, baby cuddles, and I try to get devotion in here (and truthfully, I need to make sure this happens!!).

Children up between 7:30-8:30.  I start waking everyone up by 8:00 but it can be a long process.  I don't wake up Brighton!

Then, it is "organized chaos".  Breakfast is made and eaten, beds are made, children are dressed, the floor gets vacuumed, play time is squeezed in, Glorielle is fed and put back down to bed (by 9:00), the dishes get unloaded, the laundry is switched, the breakfast mess is cleaned up, toys and clutter are cleaned up, and then it is about 10:30 and Glorielle starts stirring.

We have stopped doing workbook school in the morning.  I wasn't able to devote my attention to instruction, watching letter formation, listening to the children read, etc.. while juggling Brighton and Glorielle (Evi is independent during this time so she doesn't interrupt us).  Phil took over the workbooks in the late afternoon where there are two of us to tag team the Littles!  Instead, we still have our tea time and devotions, and then we do something off the cuff - maybe it is reading a novel, getting out and playing with math manipulatives, some sort of theme activity, craft, etc..  I don't make it formal.  I get a feel for the day and see what inspires me.  This has been working out much better.


Breakfast with helpers.

Almost every morning, at least one child inches out of the bedroom in a sleeping bag.  I call them "Big Fat Caterpillars" (Eric Carle).

The heater vent, a coveted spot!

Breakfast yummies

Sweet baby bliss!

Yes, it does happen!  

Coloring and listening to Mom read On the Banks of Plum Creek.
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