Ipad-Free Spring Break

 Our kids can live without their ipads, but sometimes they forget that they can.  Usually one child (*ahem* Tracey) starts the day by asking what she needs to do to get some ipad time.

Then, depending on the day, I will either tell her its not an option that day, or I will give her a list of tasks to accomplish before she can watch her ipad.  She will work very diligently on the list until she gets to watch the ipad (usually around early afternoon when the little boys are napping) and then she puts it away when her time is up.

Meanwhile, the young kiddos, Howard, Caroline, and Lee Lee see Tracey working on the list and then all three of them want to do a list to watch their ipads as well.  These three usually would not have thought about the ipad except for the fact that Tracey's activities are motivated by watching the ipad.

Its not a bad system -- the list the kids have to complete includes physical activity, time outside, chores, homework, and doing something kind.  But, it tends to direct the day -- all the kids activities are motivated by the list, and then they get to watch the tablet for an hour or so, and then afterward, it's hard for them to focus on other play.

So, when I told the kids we were having an "ipad-free spring break", they weren't thrilled, but they had enough time to plan for it, and we have had a great first few days of the break, and they are playing games and coming up with activities that they just never would by following an "ipad list."

Now, today, I have to work all day -- and the kids know the rules about the ipad-free spring break, and Daddy knows the rules as well.  If anything, I'm pretty sure the kids are excited to up-hold the rules because Daddy tends to allow the ipad more than Mama does.

Stay tuned for pictures of our ipad-free spring break fun.

Here's a preview:

Introducing

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family...

Mr. Hawthorne, the robotic vacuum cleaner.

I have informed our children that Mr. Hawthorne is now a member of the family and he commands the utmost respect.  I have also informed them that if I am forced to choose between one of them and Mr. Hawthorne, I will choose the robotic vacuum.  

 

Suddenly

Sometimes I just don't have time to deal with sudden changes.  Sometimes things just break out of the blue and there is no time to actually deal with the broken thing... life just goes on without it.

Such is the case with my phone.

Yesterday, suddenly my phone just stopped charging.  Now, my phone was getting old and it always needed to be charged about halfway through the day depending on how much I used it during the day.  I always charge it when I'm driving because that's the best way to make sure its staying charged.

Well, yesterday, after church, the battery kept getting lower and lower despite the fact that it was plugged into the wall.

Now, thankfully, Hubby ordered me a new phone last Saturday just over 24 hours ago... so that's wonderful timing but it does look like I'll be going two or so days with no phone.

Is it sad that I cannot remember that last time I spent time completely without a phone... and certainly without having time to prep for it.

But, life goes on.

From The Phone

Here I go...

First ever blog post from my phone, not necessarily because I'm trying to better my digital skills... But because my computer may have died... Right now I'm just giving it a little space in the hopes it is just resting. 

Yesterday, Tracey made crowns for all her siblings while they napped --she created and colored pictures, then cut them out, then instructed me on how to create head straps for everyone. 

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Well. I thought I could post a picture showing the fun... But apparently I don't know how to do that at this time. So, I'll leave you to your imagination and I'll post a picture with the real thing in a few days when I can. 

Mothers' Day Review: STORMp3

Life as we head toward our first Mothers' Day where I'm a mother

 My husband is wonderful.  He loves to make me happy, which is such a blessing to us both.  :-D  He loves nothing more than surprising me and seeing me smile.  He truly is the best husband in the world.

That being said, he is a technology man -- he is all about technology and gadgets.  I am NOT all about technology and gadgets.  For that reason, the fact that he gives me technology for every. single. occasion. is a little bit of a sore spot in our marriage.  You name it -- birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Valentine's Day... his gift to me is some form of technology.

This is not to say that they have not been lovely gifts because they have been, and some were things I needed, and some were things I wanted... but some were things that my Hubby thought I needed or wanted.

Cue the ironic music as I now review a potential Mothers' Day gift, which is technology... and is really awesome.

STORMp3

As a new mom pretty much the only time I get to myself each day is when I take a shower.  I haven't taken a bath since my first week home from the hospital, because I cannot justify that much time being spent alone and by myself at the moment.  There is always something to be done... and if there is nothing to be done... then its time I want to spend with Tracey Ann. 

One thing I do enjoy each day, which Hubby spends time with Tracey Ann while I'm enjoying is a hot shower.  When I'm in the shower, I am "off-duty"... and since I'm "off-duty," and I don't need to listen for Tracey Ann crying, a shower stereo system is perfect!
 

The STORMp3 is a shower stereo system with better speakers and sound than our vehicles have.  It plugged into my computer, I transferred my favorite songs over from iTunes, and then, BAM, my STORMp3 was ready for use.

It is water-resistant so that the shower steam and wet hands pushing the buttons does not damage it.  It is not water-proof, so it cannot fall in a bathtub, but the moisture from a shower does not harm it.

If you are a mom with a tech-obsessed husband, you might want to steer him toward the STORMp3 this Mothers' Day for the following reasons:

1. He will be happy with the new gadget in the house
2. It is SO easy, that you don't have to be tech-obsessed to make it work
3. It is a tech gift that really can contribute to a mom's relaxation (making her shower or bath -- already intended to be a relaxing time -- even more relaxing by the addition of music through a great sound system) amidst her busy life as a mom
4. It will last much longer than the flowers you were probably going to get her

Check out the STORMp3 from ToiletTree Products for this and other Mothers' Day ideas... Even my tech-obsessed Hubby thinks its awesome!

*Disclaimer: I was given a free STORMp3 from ToiletTree Products for my honest review of the STORMp3 product.

Treasuring the Present: FaceTime

As most of you know, Hubby and I are a part for most of the summer.  We're getting a few days a week... a few weeks of the summer, but we're mostly a part.

Today, I am so grateful to live in a day and age of facetime.  In the home where I'm staying, my room is in the basement, and there is not great phone reception... there IS a great Internet connection!

Hubby and I soon realized that we can communication much better via facetime than over the phone PLUS, we get to see each other.

It is so nice to see each other, smile at each other, make faces at each other, see the expressions on each others' faces while we're telling a story...

I even get to see Lloydey!!!

I think there is something much simpler about days before the Internet... but this summer, I am very grateful for the day and age of facetime.
 

News From My Field

Many of you know that I work with students who are blind and visually impaired.

There are very rewarding parts of my job, and very challenging parts of my job.

Thus far, the most challenging part of my job has been working with a student who is slowing losing his vision... he doesn't exactly need my services today, but I have to try to prepare him to adjust to the idea that someday he might need my services -- and by that time he might be out of school, and I won't be there.

There are several eye diseases that slowly rob people of their sight, but last night on NBC Nightly News, they announced a tremendous breakthrough for people with one specific eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I have a few students with this disease and know several adults who have lost, or are losing their vision to this disease.  The below news story is an answer to prayer and the biggest breakthrough people with Retinitis Pigmentosa have ever seen.

Wouldn't it be amazing if, in time, eventually, I had to find a new job because people's vision had been restored through the miracle of science and technology?  Please, Lord, let it be!

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