MONDAY: Madness or Gladness?

The best Monday ever was today!  We never hear how wonderful Mondays are.  In fact, we always dread them because it has become a fad to say "Oh how I dread Monday!".  But, today I decided to change that!

I was up early enough to chat with a friend for thirty minutes before the kids were awake.  After waking up the kids, I went back in time by making chocolate filled biscuits that my aunt Marie always made when I would go to her house as a young girl.  When I pulled the risen bread from the oven my son looked at me as if I was crazy and then he took a bite.  He responded exactly the way I did twenty years ago with a resounding "YUMMM!"

After breakfast, we started our school work with a little research on sharks!  I have found that my school days go smoother if I start the day out with something fun the kids "want to do".  We learned about the top ten most dangerous sharks and where they live.  We learned what their favorite foods were, and how scientist go out and learn more about them.  We learned lots of cool facts about these fierce creatures.  We watched alluring videos of their life under water and then we typed up a review and printed it out for our Annual Yearbook!

Our "Annual Yearbook" is a collection of some of the highlights and things we have learned over the past year.  It's turning out really cute and I love having this on hand for the future as a memory of these precious times with my little ones.  It is priceless!

We jumped into astronomy and learning more about comets, especially Halley's Comet discovered by Edmund Halley.  We watched a twenty minute video about astronauts in space.  The astronauts answered really great questions from students about their job in the NASA spaceship.  Aiden has decided that he wants to be an astronaut.  I told him that it was probably the coolest job ever!

After we finished our schoolwork, I cleaned the house from top to bottom while Isaac and Eli were BOTH asleep!  It was a miracle! I got Isaac to take a nap for two hours and I was able to get a lot done.

I put Salsa Chicken in the crock-pot and dinner was close to ready when my hubby got home.  I had all of the laundry done, the house was sparkling, and I was resting on the couch when he arrived.  After dinner, my husband and I watched our favorite shows and then it was bedtime.  Now, I am the only one awake and I don't want this great day to end.  I believe I am getting this new "family of five" routine down.

The key to a successful day in my home is "don't stop!".  Doesn't that sound overwhelming?  I realized this evening at 6:00 that I had not sat down all day and I had been literally working a full time job since I woke up.  I never watch tv but felt I had a few minutes to spare and thirty minutes of relaxation (nursing the baby while staring at a few commercials) flew by and before I realized what time it was...it was 6:30 and my husband was home from work and hungry.

My days are fuller than ever, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Here are a few tips on how to make your 

Monday A GOOD DAY...

               because you deserve a great start to your week!

Sunday Night: 
1. Lay out your lesson plans for the next day and all of your supplies for a successful school day. Know in her head what you have to get done before the kids wake up (Quiet time, coffee, dishes, etc.). 
PLAN A FUN FIRST ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY.


(For working mommas) LAY OUT EVERYONE'S CLOTHES & HAVE YOUR GEAR PACKED IN THE CAR AND READY TO GO!

2. GO TO BED!!!

Monday:
(Before the kids get up)

1. Get up before everyone else and enjoy your first cup of coffee and EAT BREAKFAST!

2. PRAY for the Lord to take you with Him that day and to give you patience and peace that day.

3. START THE LAUNDRY.  I don't stop the laundry!  It keeps going until it is gone.

4. CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN SINK.  I don't dare get behind on dishes without a dishwasher! (I now soak my dishes, whereas, before I wouldn't do it because I didn't want to stick my hand in the dirty water... but now there is no time to scrub... SO I SOAK!

5. PRAY without ceasing!  Pray all day! Talk to the Lord. He will make your day go so much smoother!


SCHOOL/ WORK HOURS
CLEAN HOUSE


(After school hours)
6. TAKE A SHOWER! Today I took a shower while making macaroni and cheese.  The clock said 5:33 when I got in the shower and 5:36 when I got out of the shower.  Even if it's short, just GET CLEAN!

7. PUT MAKEUP ON before your husband gets home and change your clothes...You need some "you time" in there somewhere.

8. PULL YOUR HAIR BACK nicely before he arrives.

9. MAKE YOUR FAMILY ROOM A PLACE TO RELAX.
Make sure all of the toys are put in the kids' rooms before family time/date night:movie time

10. PLAN DINNER: Start dinner preparations early.  Know what you are going to cook the day before.