Back to Normal

Scott and Emma returned home from La Verkin on Thursday. I am so happy to have them back! They brighten up my day with endless kisses and cuddling, and I love hearing their laughter and giggles in our home. We missed having them here with us, and I know they missed their daddy and me too. I think they are glad things are back to normal again.

For the past couple of days, I have been trying to break Scott and Emma from the habit of watching TV and playing video games. When they first got back all they wanted to do was sit in front of a TV screen or a monitor all day long. I highly suspect these were their main activities while they were gone for the past four weeks. They are now aware of every single kids show that airs on TV, what times and channels they come on, and Scott keeps talking about video games I've never heard of before (which says a lot, if you know me). I decided that this routine had to end now, so I told Emma and Scott they had to do something else that did not involve electronics. "But what can I do?" asked Emma. I told her should could play board games with Scott, read a book with me, play outside in the sprinklers, play with her friends, draw or color, or play with our pet rats.

On the day after the children came home, Scott and Emma learned something new to keep them occupied: they both discovered that they love to play the board game "Clue." Scott learned how to play several months ago when Brad and I were playing, but this was Emma's first time learning how to play, and she caught on to the game extremely well. She always surprises me how quickly she understands game concepts. She has a very strategic and mathematical mind, and she does well with thinking games.

I am also happy to report that since Scott and Emma have been home they have been watching far less TV and playing video games less often. They have been following all of my suggestions, and have been having a great time. I am glad they are home and things feel back to normal again.