There are a few weeks during our year that offer a little more down time that other times of the year. Recently, since the garden isn’t producing a huge amount yet, soccer is not in season and we haven’t been traveling…we’ve been blessed to have a bit more time at home. We’re taking advantage of this “down time” to scrape and paint our house, invite people over that we’ve been wanting to get together with, and several nights recently, we’ve taken the time for family game time.
Slowly but surely, we’re getting to the point where all six of us together can play games (that don’t involve Chutes, Ladders or a Candy Cane Forest). I’m loving it. I tend to be so task oriented, focusing on projects that need to be done, dishes that need to be washed, phone calls that need to be made. It’s hard for me to loosen up and really participate in any down time we might have. There’s always so much work to be done.
The work will always be there.
But I’m always so grateful for the times I’ve put aside my “to-do list” and just played with my family. We get silly. We laugh. And every once in a while, I actually win a game. ;)
It’s an honor that my kids want to spend time with me. It’s a privilege that my husband is home in the evenings to hang out with. Quiet evenings at home are rare. In just a few weeks, we’ll have produce taking over our kitchen, soccer season will start, schooling will begin and all thoughts of down time will be buried under muddy soccer cleats and buckets of tomatoes.
For today and maybe even again tomorrow, I will say yes to a rowdy game of Apples to Apples or a lazy game of Traverse. I have yet to regret one moment of board game playing with my family.
What are you thankful for this Gratituesday? Write about it on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for!
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Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
We love Apples to Apples as well!
I am so thankful for turning 40! I am amazed at what I’ve been learning! God is good! Thanks for hosting this party…I’m new with your blog and looking forward to seeing lots of great stuff!
Becky B.
http://www.organizingmadefun.com
Organizing Made Fun
I, too, love board games with my kids! Battleship is our newest love! And, I couldn’t stand the modern version in the stores now, so different from what I remembered from my childhood, so I bought an older one of eBay — it’s awesome! Newer is Not always better!
I know we’re supposed to cherish every moment with our children, but I’m really looking forward to actually being beaten at a board game now and then, and one that doesn’t involve matching or cute animals!
I just can’t bring myself to play those young kid games. We play things like, lets recreate the last Mythbusters show with your hotwheels cars and masking tape.
Stop by my blog and see how God protected us traveling yesterday.
Kara
Made me smile :)
Also SO grateful for kids that are still my shadow and want to hang out with mom and dad.
Grateful for being up since 4:15 with a HAPPY teething baby who didn’t want to go back to bed.So what did I do? Brew a pot of coffee, do the dishes, give Quinn yogurt and fruit(10 mo and no teeth all the way up yet : ), Make 2 batches of home made trail mix,make Liam a sandwich for our hike later(2 1/2 and such a wonderful little boy)Put Quinn to bed at 6:15, ad finally sit down to read my favorite blog!
So a little about us….We are not Christian, but we do believe there is a wonderful spirit who guides us all. We live for the outdoors, hunting, gardening, hiking, you name it.
My husband is 1 of 3 boys all home schooled, we will be doing the same.I am a stay at home mom and wouldn’t change a thing.
I love your Blog! Even tho I don’t follow your religion, I appreciate your views and respect the way you are raising your family.
Lately we have been playing Disney Monopoly and Simply Catan….oh yes and Oogah! Lot of fun for all of us!
Playing games is my kids favorite thing to do as a family. We don’t do it often enough. It really teaches everyone to get along & we have fun on the way!
Although board games are usually played between my husband and daughter (it’s kind of their thing), sometimes they let me join in. :)
I love the phrase “I have yet to regret…” I often think of that when trying to prioritize my life and decide which activities are most important. If there is a possibility I could regret choosing one over another, then my decision is made clear.
“Task oriented” is my middle name. Not really, but it may as well be. I’m with you, Laura! We have no more important task than spending our energies on/with our families. Thanks for sharing and hosting. :) Blessings, ~Lisa
Hi, Laura! Thanks for hosting. I shared two of my family’s favorite healthy frozen popsicle recipes this week. Blessings, Kelly
I’m so thankful for four healthy children and a healthy baby on the way. God has blessed our family through these happy little faces that love the Lord Jesus.
Laura – have you tried the aMAZing Labyrinth game from Discovery Toys? I’m not sure if it’s still in ‘circulation’ through DT, but it’s a great game for boys, especially…. planning, blocking, making your way across a gameboard through an ever-changing maze… ;)
Sumer
Thanks for reminding me today to be thankful for the conveniences that I am able to enjoy every day!
thankful for your blog. When I get your emails I get excited as to what I am going to learn about next. :) Thanks for your hard work :)
Nail on the head! My mantra is not to prioritize my schedule but to schedule my priorities…easier said than done, but I’m working on it. It almost HURTS to sit still and do something that doesn’t produce immediate results – but it’s so important. Thanks for blogging, Laura! I love visiting this little virtual coffee clotch every day!
I’m thankful for learning about Azure Standard here at Heavenly Homemakers! I just got home from picking up our very first order and have to say, it was quite exciting! I finally have some Turbinado to try, and 50 lbs. of wheat berries for grinding into our own flour and……well you don’t want to hear my grocery list but I am so very thankful we are finally able to begin our healthier life style with better, natural foods!
Some of my best memories growing up were spent playing games with my parents and grandparents. Your kids will never forget the time you spend with them. Keep up the good work.
I have such found memories of family game night when I was a child. Even now after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, the table is cleared a rowdy game of Apples to Apples or Speed Scrabble. I look forward to when my son is old enough to learn to play games!
I love family game night! May I recommend Carcasonne and Cathedral. We also enjoy simple games of Crazy 8s or Charades. I’m thankful for those times when I’m able to stop doing dishes and give priorities to my children and a good board game!
I really need to put aside my to do list more often and just enjoy play with my kids more. So glad for the school year being over!
And though I posted about it on Sunday, I am so grateful for God protecting my baby girl in an unbelievable way this weekend and so that is my Gratituesday post! :)
My husband and his sister love to play board games and any other sort of games. It is entertaining just to watch them play!