Big Energy-Little Learners...Can I do it all?

I recently wrote a post about after school activities for my elementary aged kids. I wasn't sure what would work best for the kids or myself.  It has been almost a month now since the kids started school.  A month of after school bags all over the floor. A month of loud stir crazy kiddos.  A month of everyone wanting it their way.  A month of chaos.  I need change and I think the kids need change.  Before I start planning activities I tested the waters with the kids.  I pulled out some coloring books and crayons, colored pencils. Alice in wonderland and Harry Potter for the older kids and a race car book for the younger.  I sat down on the floor with the supplies and asked the kids to come and color with me.  They all came running. They were all excited to color together. We listened to some soft music and chatted while coloring. We admired each other's work. It was quiet relaxing.  The next day I asked if t...

Man has time flied.  I started this blog when my dragons were both home doing preschool with me.  Now both of them are in school the first half of the day.  I am excited about what this means for my future days but I miss them both now.  My house is still clean from this morning.  My house is so quiet that the tv cracking makes me jump.  Now that things are so different I am debating where to go from here. I want to still engage my children in learning but I also want them to play.  Both of my kids love when we do activities and games it also makes the after school chaos settle a bit.  I can forgo the planning and just let the kids play.  Have kid time.  Or I can plan things for us to do together or for them to do with their friends when they get home.  I am not sure what the future looks like right now. Decisions need to be made on my part.   Decision post to come later...