Maybe I’m nosey, but I love to read about other people’s daily routines. I almost always gain ideas that help me be more efficient and sometimes I just end up feeling better about myself because I realize that my day to day is about the same as others (when I start to feel like I don’t measure up). So, today, I’m giving you a peek into our daily after school routine.
Our After School Routine
My son just started Kindergarten a few weeks ago, so this is brand new to me! I’m sure this routine will change, but so far, it’s working well for us. I’m not one of those Pinterest moms by nature – but I sure do try. So, the first thing I do when I get home is pack his lunch for the next day.
1. Pack Lunch For The Next Day
It all started when my Kindergarten teacher of a friend posted a picture of her son’s lunchbox on Facebook. It was animal shaped canteloupe and a spider-man shaped sandwich, amongst other well balanced things. I knew I had to step up my game. So, I ordered a couple sandwich cutters and started making his lunch “fun” every day. I’ve honestly started to enjoy this – seeing how far I can take my creativity.
2. Snack & Homework
Once the lunch is packed I like to take a little time with my big guy – we go through his book bag and check for notes from his teacher and any homework. We talk about his day over a snack. Three weeks in and he’s already reading from a daily reader – I’m like, what, back in my day we learned the alphabet in Kindergarten and sang a lot. I’m pretty impressed. Our snacks vary, sometimes it’s something simple like fruit and carrots (because lets be honest, the only raw veggie he’ll eat is carrots) or if I’m feeling like super mom, something freshly baked. Let’s be honest here – that freshly baked thing was once.
The other day at Giant, I picked up a box of Outshine Fruit bars for our afternoon snack.
They look like a treat and taste like a treat to him, but what I know is that they’re made with real fruit and fruit juice and all non GMO ingredients. I’m always trying (key word trying) to live a healthy and active lifestyle and these Outshine fruit bars fit into that. So I join in with them too! Our snacks shine a little brighter.Be sure to grab this $.75 off of one box of Outshine Fruit Bars at Giant here.
3. Relax & Play
Before dinner we relax and play together. When he first started school, I had a really hard time going from being with him all of the time, to just a few hours every evening. So, I’ve been making it a point to spend time with him each afternoon. Sometimes it’s just going for a walk or watching him and his bro ride bikes outside. Other times we watch a movie together or read a few books. Whatever he wants to do, we just spend uninterrupted time together. I know it won’t be long, he’ll be asking to spend that afternoon time with his friends instead, so I’m soaking it all in while I can!
4. Dinner & Bedtime
I’m also mastering the art of cooking every night. I don’t know why, you would think after ten years of marriage and two kids, I would be more domestic, but I just don’t love cooking. I would much rather go out to eat, but with the need for a strict bedtime, since he’s out of bed early for school, we don’t have the time to go out to eat as often. Plus, it’s hard on the budget to eat out so much! So, I’ve been trying to cook more and sometimes forcing my husband to cook for me, haha! We eat dinner as a family every night and then get ready to wind down for bed. Our bedtime routine is pretty traditional, we read, brush our teeth and cuddle a little bit before both boys are off to slumber land. Then mom and dad watch TV until we fall asleep!
Being so structured is totally new for me, so I’m adjusting, but focusing on spending time together over good food and good books is key for us! Fall t-ball is about to start and we recently started boyscouts too, so this routine is getting ready to adjust a little, but all in good fun! What’s involved in your after school routine? Have you ever tried Outshine Fruit Bars?
-Brooke
