Weekly Review - Finally in a good routine

We have been in the midst of a heat wave this week!  That means not as much outdoor play and some hyper kids indoors...how do I do this in the winter?!  I guess we get used to it.  So right now the three big kids are watching Winnie the Pooh and Mr G is taking a little nap.  I'm thankful for air conditioning and for dvds from the library.
Last weekend was busy with my Grandma's 86th birthday party followed by my sweet cousin Sarah's wedding shower.  It was a fun time with family.  

Happy Birthday Grandma!

On Monday Miss R went to an optometrist and found out she does for sure and certain need glasses!  She picked out the pair she liked and they should be here by the end of next week.  She looks adorable in them and I can't wait to post pictures!
Jared had to work on the 4th of July, so my parents were ever-so-kind to watch the boys while I took the girls to the park for some of our city's celebration.  We watched a ballet, went to a petting zoo, and bought cotton candy! 

Happy 4th of July!

 It was very hot and we only stayed for a little over an hour.  We ended up buying lemonade from some boys on the walk to our car (a few blocks away - but with the heat it felt longer!).  We viewed the fireworks from our house later that night...oh, did I mention I am thankful for air conditioning? 
Today Jared worked 12 hours in this awful heat - I really feel for him.  The kids and I pray for him throughout the day that God would send him some breezes/relief as he works so hard to provide for us.  But, the good news is he has off for three days now!!  So the extra work paid off.  After so many 6-day work weeks, we're looking forward to being together for this extended break!
The rest of the days at home were pretty normal.  We've got a definite routine down, although I wouldn't say it's a schedule yet.  Here's what it looks like:

Wake up - Ideally, I wake before the children.  I read my Bible, journal, pray, exercise, shower, and if time permits, read whatever book I'm in, check email, check facebook.  If the kids wake up before me, I do a shorter Bible/prayer time, and get up, showering later in the day when it fits.  It really is worth getting up early if I can...
Wake up kids - if they aren't up already
Breakfast/Clean up
Bible Time/Circle Time -   This consists of Bible storybook, actual Bible reading, poetry reading, hymns, prayer.  We do this at the kitchen table which helps with squirrel-y kids.  =)  I cannot say how much I have appreciated this time with the children, what a wonderful start it gives our days, and how much they have already learned!  Just tonight they were reciting poetry to Jared.  I will also hear them spontaneously burst into a hymn-sing as they play.  I love that they are getting such a rich feast to think upon ("Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Phil. 4:8)
Children get dressed/teeth/bedroom chores
Morning Chores/Playtime - I try to do housework mostly in the morning after we've had our time together.  The kids sometimes have chores to do with me, sometimes they play together or alone.
Lunch/CleanUp/Laundry
Naps for younger two
School for big two - This means that I work with Miss R for 1-2 hours, then she does any independent work.  Miss O plays, "reads", sings, sleeps, rests, or sometimes asks for school, which I will do if she wants to.  She's not ready for formal school yet - just little bits here and there.
Rest for Mommy - If I finish my time with the girls and the little boys are still asleep, I get some time to rest, read, check email/fb if I haven't already.
Daddy Home/Playtime!
Dinner
Family Time/Playtime
Baths for Children
Boys to Bed/Read Aloud to Girls/Girls to Bed
Jared and I get to spend time together
Bed for Mommy and Daddy

So, I don't have time slots for everything, but things have been running pretty smoothly with this routine in place.  Of course, life doesn't always go as planned, but at least we have something to fall back to as soon as we can.  I'm kind of excited to look back at this routine in five years or so and see how it changes and remember what life was like with a handful of little kids.  =)