New (Old) Routines

We are enjoying this season of new beginnings and re-starts.  

Last year, we lost a lot of our bedtime routines with Evan and Corrie.  I was pumping and with Ben, so Emmett managed baths and bedtime on his own.  He did a stellar job, but we got out of the habit of reading the Bible at bedtime - Evan and Corrie listen differently, so it was hard to do it with both of them together.  We tried reading as a family at dinner - and that worked sometimes, but we weren't great at having regular mealtimes.

So ... for back to school, we had a family dinner on Sunday night, talked about being compassionate at school, and presented each of the kids with a new Bible.  (I didn't think to take pictures till after baths).

 

They were both excited to read at bedtime again, and I'm glad to be more involved. Ben is going to sleep around 7:30 now, and the big kids' bedtime is between 8:00 - 8:30, so I can read and snuggle with Corrie while Emmett and Evan read together.  

Another new/old thing is my time with Corrie.  I've missed having one on one time with her over the summer.  Now that Evan is back in school, Corrie and I definitely get to hang out during Ben's naps.  For the first day of school, we made chocolate chip cookies.  Corrie put on her apron - and tied it - washed her hands and came to the kitchen all ready to cook.  Do you see the spoon sticking out of her pocket?

It's an adjustment to get back in the school routine, but I'm thankful for it.  

I think this will be a great year!