What can happen when the TV is off

Almost two weeks ago, Will made some poor choices that resulted in a loss of all screen time for a week - this includes TV, Wii and computer. A few days into the punishment, he made a few more poor choices that extended the punishment by a week. With the exception of the recent Packers/Vikings game which happened because we had guests over and I wasn't paying attention, there has been no screen time. 
I've heard of families that have made the bold choice not to have these "screen items" in their home at all. I must admit I admire people that have said no to cable or satellite, TV or just limited their viewing in some way. I held off on the video game system as long as possible and even then there are strict rules attached. But I admit it - I don't have the guts. I'm chicken. I'm a little selfish thinking what would I do without American Idol? What about Treehouse, PBS or TVO Kids? 
Well, this punishment of Will's gave a little glimpse into what happens when our kids don't have the TV to zone off on and what I as a parent do when the kids don't have the TV as a default babysitter. 
They read. Will is three quarters way through Lord of the Rings. That's a BIG book! Also, I read to the kids more. And check out his other accomplishment!

He knitted a toque. He made it himself. While listening to books on CD. 


Unfortunately, he had the flu one day during his no screen time. Usually being sick means he can have the little TV/VCR in his room and watch movies all day. Not this time. Zanna to the rescue!

She read to him! Now granted, she didn't actually read the words but rather her own interpretation. Looking out for her brother!
And while Zanna wasn't banned from TV, I made some extra time for her and we made a homemade apple pie based on the book we've been reading.

It was delicious! Good job, Zanna:)
The punishment is over this Friday. So this weekend the Wii privileges resume, the TV is back on (limited time per kid) and my babysitter is back. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it maybe would be. It was wonderful!

Autumn - Again

This morning I was teaching Zanna about the seasons. We were discussing what we like best about each season - the moments and events we looked forward to. It's so predictable, isn't it? It's Autumn and soon it will be Winter followed by Spring and most assuredly, Summer! There is some comfort in the monotony of it all. At least we know what to expect. We know when to bring the kiddie pool out, the rakes, the bikes, the snow blower. We know when to put away the turtlenecks, cozy duvet comforters, the Christmas tree! 


During Fall we look forward to apple picking at an area orchard, our weekly trip to the local Farmers' Market, a hayride in the pumpkin patch. When we see these things as just predictable, that's when the gift of it is lost.  I recall the thoughts of G.K. Chesterton in his book Orthodoxy :


Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged.  They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown - up person does it again until he is nearly dead.  For grown - up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.  But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony.  It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon.  It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them.  It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.  The repetition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical ENCORE. Heaven may ENCORE the bird who laid an egg.

I love the idea of the "theatrical encore" in heaven! That's certainly what the children and I did in our backyard when we discovered our mama bird's eggs - we danced around, hooted and hollered!! Don't we see things worthy of a theatrical encore all around us?!! 


How about the apple tree that looks positively dead and cold in the winter, only to show signs of new life in the spring. Little buds followed by sweet apple blossoms that ... gasp... turn into fruit we can eat? Bravo!!!!

I make an effort to bring this into our home as a centerpiece - may we never get tired of seeing what's before us and loose the miracle.

Our favorite regular outing right now is the weekly trip to the Farmers' Market. To buy our produce right from the growers themselves and enjoy the fresh flavors of the garden - do we just expect that the fertile soil will yield a mouth watering harvest? 

Bravo!!! Encore!!! Happy dance!!! Thank God that he never tires of making them!