{Day One Unplugged}

Let me first start with some background information so you understand why we are doing what we are doing.

Anytime we let our boys watch cartoons, a movie, play their DS or play the Xbox it makes them, surprisingly, grumpy. If they play xbox or their DS they get grumpy at each other during the game.  After a movie is over or the cartoon is over they act really tired and grumpy. The behavior, as a result of those things, puzzled me. I didn't get it. I thought they should be happy since they were able to do something they really enjoy. Then I realized that maybe we should take those things away since they aren't bringing the right mood into our house.

Not only that, but i have often felt like we are getting further away from each other, in a sense, because of all these distractions.  We stop communicating and let the technology do the communicating. That's not right. Everyday i pray that i can improve and become a better mom and wife. I want nothing more than to be what my husband needs and what my children need. It's my number one priority, as it is for every mom and wife i'm sure. And sometimes i feel like i am not reaching my goal. And its frustrating. I have high expectations for myself. I don't beat myself up over failures, but i keep working until i finally figure it out. I feel like i should always be progressing, and if i am not a little better than the day or week before then i work on becoming better.  I had a voice whisper to me the other day telling me i can become the wife and mom i want to be. It's all up to me and the only person holding me back is ME. I know this, BUT it really hit me the other day. Sometimes trying to become who you want to be can be a hard and long journey, and sometimes you just don't feel ready for the journey and so you don't start. I think maybe that's where i was at, but not anymore. I feel ready for the journey. I am sure i will have some hills and bumps along the way. What is life without those hills and bumps? And storms, and mountains..... etc.

We are going completely unplugged for a whole month in our house. My MAIN goal is focusing on keeping the boys away from it during the day. No cartoons, movies, video games, nothing.  Soooo, you know what this means for me. I have to actually be a MOM. :) haha...

When we first told the boys our plan they were really upset, but then when i sat down with them and asked them what they want to do during the day, instead of watching something, they perked up and started naming things off. They actually seemed excited. It made me excited.  So, i found a lot of fun activity ideas online, i wrote them down, and we all went to the store today to buy all the things we need for our activities.

So, our first day unplugged went like this....

1. We went to the BX and also to the crafty store and bought all our fun supplies.
2. We went home and ate lunch with daddy.
3. We did a science experiment with ivory soap.
4. They built some fun shapes and designs with clothes pins.
5. We returned a library book, dropped off a gift to two ladies i know, and then went to the park.
6. We returned home and cleaned the house.(with no complaining! shocker! )
7. The boys made their own t-shirts by ironing on their own design that they drew with crayons.(Tanner had a melt down when his didn't turn out the way he hoped)
8. We made two catapults , and made a bet on which one could launch a marshmallow the furthest.
9. I had the boys help me make dinner. (I usually NEVER have them help me because i am OCD in the kitchen. I had them help and it went fine. I didn't spaz.)
10. We ate dinner.
11. The boys did my workout with me.
12. Then we ate popcorn while we played candy land.
13. They got showered up and brushed their teeth.
14. Played a game of war.
15. Lights out.

I must say, it was exhausting. I was very ready for them to hit the sack when 8:00 hit. BUT it was a good day. The mood in our home was a GOOD mood(success), especially Gavin's. He is the one i struggle with the most. I think i have found that he REALLY needs lots of time spent with his parents(one or both). That's his love language. When he gets the time he needs every single day then he is happy and content. When he isn't getting it then he can be fairly grumpy. But overall, today was a good first day. I am happy with the way it went. I hope i can do this for a whole month. I have to.  PLUS, they start school in 6 days. That helps me a bit. :) haha!