Kanigan Family: Operation No Screens

I'm tired. Day two is over and it was a long one. I think my first day enthusiasm for this endeavor has pummeled a bit and I am the one having withdrawals. Not that I am considering calling it quits. I still feel like this is exactly what the kids need, but I never realized how much I personally depended on screens to entertain my kids and give myself a little "me" time.

We went out this morning to play at the mall and visit the pet store. We all had a lot of fun. The kids played and wore themselves out and when I had reached my limit of chasing Ellie around, we headed home. In the car, I had a moment of forgetfulness and unwisely got excited about the break I would get when we got home. (The boys usual Wii time and Ellie's nap time.) The moment lasted, well, only a moment and then I remembered our goal and panic set in. I honestly didn't think I had the patience for the energy and rough housing my boys are capable of and I needed a break. Thankfully, Ellie went down easily and Logan decided to visit a friend (pretty sure they had video games over there!) and so Owen and Lincoln were the only two I had to entertain. I told them it was quiet time and that they could read or play in the playroom as long as they were quiet and let me have space for a little while. It lasted about fifteen minutes, but it was just enough to help me regain my sanity. After which Owen spent the following hour trying to talk me into digging a pond in the back yard. (He found instructions for a pond in his science book.)

Logan returned after the hour of quiet time and turned our staircase into a laser obstacle course which was crazy and messy and a lot of fun. I had to slide down the stairs on my belly all afternoon.

To finish off the day, Dan and I decided to splurge and we had a family movie night. A funny way to end a screen-less day, I know, but we felt like it was well deserved because they have been doing really well. Linc whined fifty percent less today than yesterday and everyone played really well, so we all jammed out to High School Musical...the kids were thrilled.

Okay, that is all for today. I am off to bed. Tomorrow is swimming day! Should be an easy one.

At the Mall Playland

Loved this one!

O was a little shy so Logan was helping him.

Nothing helps cheer you up like funny faces!

He also helped keep the roughness away from him.

Next, the pet store!

Pretty Bird

Puppy toys are fun for people too!

Owen's favorite...Linny

Linc making his wish list.

The kids were sympathetic to this little fish because he was all alone in a big tank. Logan said he wanted to buy him himself.

Lonely little guy.

Speaking of fish...and please forgive me if you own one of these, but I had to laugh out loud. As if goldfish weren't the lowest maintenance animal out there, someone has created this machine to make it even easier!

Back at home again...