Wednesday, November 5, 2008

New traditions

Last week we introduced a new activity for our family - "Friday night games". I am very strict about bedtime with my kids so we rarely go out as a family at night. Hence, we don't have much of a social-life. Sometimes I feel a little guilty about this, asking myself if my boys miss out on 'something' by not being allowed to stay up late or go out at night. If there's an activity at nighttime, Elliot and I will usually go and get a babysit to stay with the boys and if an activity runs into bedtime you can wach me start to stress as the clock ticks by. I get a little anxious and usually have to leave early as I can't cope? What is wrong with me???
But I stand firm in my convictions because it works for me and I NEED it and I personally feel my kids need it. There will be plenty of time for night-outings when the kids get a little older and we're all a bit more able to handle them having a late night. Anyway, back to the point in hand: I looove playing games and decided that we could fit in some family fun before the kids go to bed. So Lachlan picked the game for our first "family friday night games". We played Jenga and a fishing game. Saturday morning we went to Southbank to swim. I'm trying to make more use of the time we have together in the morning before Elliot goes to cricket. We had a ball! We tried the new aquativity area and it was fantastic. We will be going many more times this summer. (I know, I'm probably the last person living just 10minutes from it, to have not tried it...)



With Christmas fast approaching I'm trying to think of some family traditions our little family can have. I've tried each year and we've introduced something new each time but it hasn't been consistent - we haven't repeated the same thing every year. I tried to talk Elliot into a new tradition of putting the Christmas tree up at the start of November but he wasn't all that keen. So I'm off to get some inspiration from others. Thanks Bobbie for all your inspiratin so far - I love it. Only wish I was a little better at managing my time so I could get a whole lot more done!


You'll see what I come up with over the next month or so :-)



3 comments:

This Girl loves to Talk said...

oh thanks.. got excited when I saw my name there!! :)

I am ALWAYS trying to find new traditions.. and I think it is very hard when children are young.. we just had an christmas enrichment activity last night on this

We put our tree up on the first FHE in December... I get a bit antsy about it as if the first monday is like the 7th of december i think it is too late.. sometimes on those years I do it the last monday of november if I can convince ken :)

have you checked out the christmas posts i did in July? This one is about traditions..
http://comber-family.blogspot.com/2008/07/christmas-in-july-traditions.html

This year I am going to try the write a gift for Jesus and that is the first present to do on Christmas eve. Have a special box.. I tried this when my kids were small and it didnt work as well as I planned.. but they are bigger now... Last night the lady said to ask children if they would like their mum to give a present to EVERYONE else but not them on their birthday.. this is what happens to Jesus.. I thought this was a good idea

I am thinking of doing thanskgiving trees in november.. spend the month before Christmas writing what we are thankful for on paper and stick it to a branch/tree in the house.

I have plenty more ideas.. but will stop commenting now!!

ps I hate board games so you are a good mum.. I try to avoid them where possible.. Ken does it with them.. I like the games night idea.. the girls go to little athletics on Friday night so we are pooped when we get home from that! (well the parents are.. the older two are hyped up ;)

Kylz said...

ohh that place at southbank looks soo cool... i think i'm going to have to make a special trip on the weekend

Peta said...

This post of yours got me thinking about traditions, and talking to Jase about them last night. We like the tree up 6 weeks before Chrissie. In my home when i grew up it was the first FHE of December like Bobbie wants to do but i hated the fact that it was up and down before you could even blink. Our RS is doing a 12 days of Christmas box hangings (like baubles) you put on the tree with a scripture and treat inside for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. I will put it up when we do it.

But i love your new background by the way.