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TV and Computer free day!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Friday night as I was going to bed, I decided to make Saturday a "TV free" day. The boys did a pretty shabby job of cleaning up the playroom as I had asked them to do before bed.  So, Dave wrote a note and posted it on the playroom door. It said...

No TV this morning.  Read a book, go back to bed, play quietly or pray and meditate.  If you wake Kate, Mom or me before 8:30 (underlined).  YOU WILL BE IN TROUBLE.

When I got out of the shower, this is the scene I happened upon in the playroom...puzzles, board games, family time:)


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We actually did not hear many grumbles or moans.  But the boys did challenge me to a computer free day too.  I took the challenge and we declared it TV, computer free day for all.  I took the boys to our newly renovated children's museum. It was incredible!!!!  They spent 35 million dollars updating and it is world class. My boys never wanted to leave.  I don't have any photos because I did not even take my camera (can you believe that?)  And there would have been some GREAT photo ops.

I did choose a bad day for us to opt out of TV and computers because it was really stormy all day so we could not partake in any outdoor activities. It was one of those days that would have been perfect to curl up and watch a family movie. Instead, I cooked this delicious soup (recipe here).  



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Dave made a yummy (and very healthy) banana blueberry oat bread that was gluten free no less.  I will post his recipe soon.  The boys played card games and Kate read books.  We even played Yahtzee (I won!).  I did find myself wanting to go turn on my computer a few times  (to check weather, find a recipe, order something on-line) but I resisted.  I think we need to do this more often.  It was a really nice family day.

I hope y'all had a great weekend too!

35 comments:

  1. Sounds like a perfect family day. I need to have a "computer free" day, too! It's amazing how much you can get done without the distraction.

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  2. What a GREAT day..
    Have a Great Week..
    Hugs..

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  3. Great idea. The week we had no power due to the wind storm...we had the best family time! It forces us to really be in the moment with our families...no preoccupation, distractions, etc.

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  4. Sound like a perfect day to reconnect with everyone! I would love to implement something like that with our family- thanks for the inspiration!! Also, the photo you took of the tortilla soup made my mouth water so we will be having that tomorrow for dinner. It is one of our favorites- I love your recipe's!

    Emily

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  5. Some of our BEST family times is when our TV/Computers are off! And, the kids... love it!
    Glad you guys had a fun-filled (no TV/computer) day! ;)
    Soup looks yumm-O!

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  6. What a GREAT day! Some days, I have to tune it all out too. I can imagine with a family it might be more challenging but SO rewarding! The soups looks so yummy. It's a rainy day here in Chicago and I'm loving it!

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  7. Kim -- I think this is a great idea! I have often thought about doing this on Sundays at our house. We may have to join you soon!

    Hope you have a great week!

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  8. So glad you all had a nice day together. Funny, Sometimes we punish our kids and it feels more like a punishment for us. Either the reaction is way over the top or you just wish you could undo the "no TV, no computer" to get some peace and quiet:)

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  9. LOVE the soup recipe!! YUM. It's dreary here today, so I'm heading to the kitchen:). My new kitchen ... inispired by you!!

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  10. Several times a year we have to have "NO ARTIFICIAL STIMULATION " month!
    No TV, No computer, No DS, No Wii, No NOTHIN'.

    Sometimes it is a good thing.

    xox,
    A

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  11. Love it! You can almost taste the soup. Wonderful photo.

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  12. Sounds like a great day! I love to see that our children can entertain themselves with cards, games, and puzzles. Always hard on a rainy day too. I sometimes wonder if I enjoy rainy day snuggles and movies more than my children!

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  13. sounds like an awesome way to spend your saturday!! i love the idea, we spent ours looking at lots and houses!!

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  14. sounds like a great weekend:)
    The soup looks perfect for a stormy stay in kind of day:)
    Have a good week,
    Connie

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  15. It is amazing what happens when the computers, tv, and video games are turned off!! Sounds like you all had a wonderful day....and that soup looks SO GOOD!! Can't wait for the bread recipe:)

    Have a great week!

    Lisa

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  16. Good idea! I like that Dave left a note for the kids. I am betting they took that rather seriously! Beautiful playroom, and your photos are looking very good. I am researching cameras, and so I am trying to learn. I have a canon/lenses, so I am wondering if I should just stick with what I already know? I should try to do this. Technology lures me too often!

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  17. What a great idea! The soup looks so yummy and it sounds like the whole family had a terrific day!!

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  18. Sounds like a great day!

    http://www.eyeballgirl.com

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  19. I love that soup! I made it when you posted the receipe last time,
    and it has become a fav!

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  20. Hi !
    i think it's really important to cut the tv and computer on the week end
    my daughters never watch tv, we and alex only watch news at the evening... It's sometimes hard to find activities when it's raining but in this way we brought our daughters to expositions, museums, long walk and we have so much fun !
    You should instaure this regularly : it's so great !
    Morgane

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  21. Hi Kim!
    T.V. free days are the best! We have done them regularly on weekends for a while now, and we just decided that the t.v. can stay off all together during warm weather!
    Your photos are looking great! Are you loving your Nikon? I am expecting my new Canon any day and I can't WAIT! : )

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  22. Kim,
    You REALLY ARE BLESSED, by such family unity!!! Specially your hubby being supportive and spending such quality time with all of you. Nowadays with all the video games, and ipods etc it's hard to get the kids to appreciate spending quality time. And let me tell you there are NOT many men that would opt to sit in a playroom and play family games as opposed to be either working or hanging out with friends.Good for you guys!!!

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  23. Thank you for visiting my blog. I have admired your blog since I began this journey and I would be tickled if the "Mister" turns out as well-rounded and polite as Will & Harry! Thanks for sharing the yummy recipe!

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  24. Sounds like a perfect day!!!! The soup looks yummy!!! We love soup in our house : )

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  25. That does sound great! It would be VERY hard I admit! I'd love our boys letting us sleep til 8:30am! They are such early risers!!!

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  26. Sounds like an awesome idea :) We need to do that too!


    Jen

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  27. That's a great idea! (of course it helps to do that when daddy is home too)!

    I hope the kiddies are feeling better and am praying for Harry. Much love to you all!

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  28. Hi Kim--

    I've been following your blog for a year and I'm finally leaving a note. I just want to say that your blog was the first that I came across when we began the adoption journey. Our sweet girl shares the same birthday as your sweet girl--June 3. I also could not travel to China--my husband and eldest son traveled to bring home our daughter. Ron, my husband, enjoyed reading about your husbands experience. I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog.

    God Bless-
    Beth

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  29. Good for you! Family day's are the best! I think every family should have a day like you guys did. Your soup looks delicious, I may have to try it. : )

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  30. Sounds like a GREAT day! I read on someone else's blog that this is National Turn off the TV week (april 20-26) so we are attempting that. Obviously, I haven't given up my computer though, but am going to try to only use it while the boys are at school. At first John and I didn't know what to do last night, but we had a blast playing Backgammon (he won.) ;)
    Gabi

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  31. Kudos to you! Good mom! Stand firm! They'll rise up and call you blessed!

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  32. That is AWESOME! Love that and well that soup looks yummmm too!

    I hope all is well in your world. Hope life is smiling on you big!

    xo-k.

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  33. Sounds like a perfect day!! Can't wait for the bread recipe. I am going to try testing the gf waters again. Its entirely a will power (or lack of!)thing for me.

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