Playdate Feedback

Hi Mommies

I need your help! I'm looking for some feedback on playdates.

For instance, what day of the week works best for you.

Also, do you prefer to go somewhere and do an activity or would you rather meet in homes? Would you be willing to host a playdate at your home?

Is cost an issue to you? I've been trying to pick places in the past that are free or relatively inexpensive because I want everyone to be able to join in if they want.

I'm hoping to create an atmosphere where we can meet new moms and our kids can have fun together. Please feel free to invite a friend or two to the playdates.

Please, please let me know your feelings on this. I want to make the playdates fun and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for your help!

Jamie :)

Our Schedule

Because Mary asked, I figured I would show you our "schedule". I use that term loosely.

My disclaimer: I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm not a schedule person. You may look at this and think That's ambitious or That's not ambitious enough or That is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. That's ok. This is what I think will work best for our family.

We have yet to follow it exactly. Will we ever? Maybe, one perfect day. Unfortunately, when you involve kids, you never know what to expect next. Some days it takes them two hours to finish breakfast; other days, ten minutes.

This is just a guide to get us through our days and add some structure to our lives. You'll notice I also snuck some chores in there. I picked times when their blood sugar levels were at their best hoping for positive results and not 100 I'm hungry's.

I think I've procrastinated long enough. Without further ado, I give you The Schedule:

7:15   Get up
7:30   Breakfast
          Clean up
8:00   Dress, get ready
          Make bed, chore
8:30   Play

9:30   Snack
          Clean up, chore
10:00 Play

11:00  Walk

11:45  Pick up, get ready for lunch
12:00  Lunch
            Clean up, chore
12:45  Get ready for nap/quiet time
1:00     Nap/quiet time

2:00      If older kids cooperated during quiet time, they can play outside while little ones (hopefully) continue to nap
3:00      Snack
             Clean up, chore
3:30      Story time
4:00      Play

5:00      Pick up, get ready for supper
5:30      Supper
             Clean up


8:00      Get ready for bed, 
             TV or stories 
9:00      BEDTIME

Note that this is our Summer schedule. All of the times labeled Play are basically free time to do what they want. In order to encourage them to do their clean up and chores quickly, Play usually comes right after. If they dilly dally, they are taking away from their free time.
It's not perfect but it'll work.
Hope you are having a fabulous summer vacation so far.

Schedules

Ok, so I'm not much of a schedule person. I'll just say that right away. My kids have never had scheduled feedings or naps or anything really. This has worked rather well for our family simply because my kids go with the flow (of our crazy life) and we're not chained to the house to accomodate their schedules.
With that being said, I also think that schedules can be helpful. I'm starting to see that. So, I've been working on putting together a summer schedule. It's been hard, folks! Not only am I trying to schedule my four kiddos but two days a week I watch 2 other little boys as well.
I'm convinced I can do this (in order to stay sane this summer) but it may take all summer to figure it out.
They all have such different needs and I have certain needs as well (like staying sane - have I mentioned that?). I put together a rough draft today. I know it will change. I also know that I won't stick to it every day because we like to get out of the house as much as we can. But, for those days that we are home, it's good to have a plan in place.
My goal for this summer (besides staying sane) is to get some help from my kids, teach them some responsibility, not waste away our days, and HAVE FUN!! Is that too much to ask?
What about you? Do you have a schedule? What kinds of things do you schedule?

I need help!

As i'm sure most of you know, I love to read! The problem is I haven't found a good book to read in awhile. So, can you help me out by suggesting some good reads? I try to stick to Christian fiction. What book have you read that you loved, loved, loved? Hopefully I haven't already read it. . . ;)

Spring Cleaning

Next week, my boss ;) has given me the week off so I can get some
spring cleaning done. I have some major work to do. I want to
reorganize cupboards and closets and clean out the kids bedrooms.
Cleaning is not my favorite thing to do and I've obviously passed this
down to my kids because they are the messiest little things. Sigh. So,
I'm looking for some good cleaning tips, shortcuts, or moral support.
Help me out and leave a comment. In the meantime, I'll read my Martha
Stewart Housekeeping Handbook - yes, I really do have one - but I'll
have to clean it off first, it's been collecting dust on my
bookshelf! :)