Afternoons are our time to focus on read-alouds, unit studies, and nature study. While the little ones nap, I read aloud to the younger ones from picture books, work on their alphabet art, lapbook or craft with them. Quinn has quiet reading time from his current reading list book or a living history book. Then we switch and I read aloud to Quinn while Gabriel and Brendan set about their current favorite task--construction. To the set of wooden blocks we already had, I have added wooden clothespins of all sorts, small wooden "men" sold in the craft section of Hobby Lobby, balls of wool yarn, and new blocks gathered from the dumpster of the mill work company just across the street from our house. While I read to Quinn, they take over the living room coffee table and create everything from airplanes to, and I quote, "an ancient temple where warriors prayed before battle." Usually Quinn joins in and listens too, then has time to create a notebook page, work on a lapbooking activity, or narration while Gabriel and I work on Math and phonics. I usually keep Brendan and Evan, who is waking from a nap, entertained with a Signing Time dvd or Little Einsteins. If time permits, we may look at art, draw or paint, or read some science together to end this afternoon time.
The kids do a quick pick up of all the items that are still out and unload the dishwasher while I tend to the little ones. Then there is an afternoon tea time. This takes shape in varied ways. Once a week we all gather around a nicely set table for tea and snacks and crafts highlighting a liturgical celebration. Sometimes we just sit together and drink tea. Sometimes the kids move on to other quiet activities and I sit in my rocking chair with a cup of tea. However it takes shape, it is a time of respite, recollection, and quiet joy as day transitions to evening and the focus switches from learning time to family time. Once everyone's needs for snacks, changes, and nursing have been met, I fold clothes and send the kids to put them away, while I go put the kitchen in order for supper preparation. During this time, Then I send them outside to look for things to store in their nature bags or draw in their notebooks, or put in a jar, or point to a shout with glee...you get the idea.
The one to-do I really hate is having to leave the house for errands or activities. It pains me to be drawn away from our little sanctuary, but outside activities, especially physical ones, are good for the boys, and I have to go to the bank and grocery shop some time. The one thing that has made it a bit more tolerable is making it a part of the daily rhythm. I schedule errand time, trips to the library or park, shopping trips, all between 3pm and 6:30pm, roughly the same times fencing classes and soccer practices are scheduled. That way, even though I don't love it, it is a part of the daily rhythm and stays predictable and tolerable. Before I leave, I make sure I am as prepared for dinner as possible. I usually cook in the crock pot all day. If I need to put together a side dish, make a dessert or a salad, or cook rice, I do it before I head out. Sometimes Greg agrees to take over supper preparation and keep some or all kids at home. This is an incredible blessing for which I am always grateful. (Note to self: Show that gratitude in kind and unexpected ways.) While we are out and about, we listen to books on tape or our composer of the month.
When we return from afternoon outings, we wash up and set the table for dinner. We eat, and all do kitchen clean up together so that we can all enjoy the evening. I would like there to be a weekly rhythm to evening activities, board games one night, puzzles another. I have not gotten this part of the day as naturally as I have the others and it is an area we need work in. I am usually quite worn out, the kids tend to be a bit rambunctious in their tired states, the baby is most needy of my attention at this time, and the toddler is tired and cranky. I find it hard to dig in and play with the kids at this point, and Dad would really rather lounge in front of TV even though he knows it is not the best way to spend the evening. Our goals in this area are a nightly family rosary and a family activity or movie. Monday nights are for Monday night geography, shelled peanuts, and root beer (maybe a real beer for Mom and Dad). This I can't wimp out on, because my boys would not have it. It has become a favorite part of the week. The other nights I would like to spend our time playing cards, board games (like some of the things mentioned here), working jigsaw puzzles, quietly reading or playing, taking a walk, or watching a carefully chosen TV show or movie. Quite honestly, there are a lot of evenings that look more like kids jumping on sofas while the History or Discovery channel chatters in the background and I hide in the living room with little ones, desperate for bath and bed time to arrive. But again, the nice part about establishing rhythm is that even the parts of the day that aren't perfectly worked out yet soon enough flow into other parts, parts we look forward to, and so we make it through those more-crazy-than-we'd-like evening hours because we know soon there will be warm water, sweet pea soap, and cozy jammies beckoning.
Bath and bedtime used to be more of a burden than a joy to me. A lump would rise in my throat as I felt the hour coming. I was tired. I didn't want to bathe kids and put forth the effort to really put them to bed. I was frustrated that Greg didn't just sense my need and jump in to take over this part of the day. But after listening to Mrs. Sharp's Traditions on audio and really striving for gentle rhythm in our day, I realized the children are as tired and worn out as I am by this time, and without some guidance and reliable rhythm, attention and affection, they will end up irritable, disruptive and disobedient--and it will be my fault, not theirs. So I decided to be a big girl and get it in gear. I purposely try to relax during the hour or so before to fire up my energy reserves. Then the rhythm starts with baths and lotion massages for Kolbe and Evan, nursing for Kolbe, board books for Evan, and soft lullabies. Then they are down to bed, sweetly and comfortably. Greg sends Quinn to shower and runs bath water for Gabriel and Brendan during this time (all it took was my outlining the specific task I needed him to do--go figure, all that huffing and pouting for nothing!). I drop in to make sure they have actually put soap and wash cloth to body and to tell them when it's time to finish up. Then they all head upstairs for jammies and a short play time while I tidy up the bathrooms and check e-mail. That play usually this includes some tickles, wrestling, and cuddling with Dad. I join them in bed and we finish the day with a family read-aloud. Then they each head to their own beds and one of us lays with them, holding hands, talking, singing, praying, until they fall asleep.
Aaaaah, the joy of quiet, slumbering kids, a glass of wine, and some adult conversation. If my body will keep going which I usually force it do, there are crafts to be done, writing, blogging, reading blogs and the like to satisfy my mother culture needs. Then some sweet smelling lotion, comfy pjs, and a bit of reading until my eyes decide the day is done (usually way before my brain does.)
This pondering Waldorf-inspired ideas has changed our lives in many subtle but nonetheless good ways. I will continue to post a bit more about that over the next few days, and hopefully, I'll find the camera AND the new batteries at the same time and actually be able to take some photos.