The Twilight Hour

No, I'm not referring to the book. But I am referring to that magical (in a scary sort of way) time of day when everyone & everything rapidly falls apart. You know the drill...everything seems to be going along in such a wonderful sort of way. Kids are usually playing happily, mom might even be getting something done, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it hits.



Dinnertime. Bedtime. Crazytime!



So I just wanted to share this exciting miracle worker that I found a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what made me think of it, maybe the new proximity of the Ipod in the kitchen, but whatever it was, I consider it genius because it has now saved me more than a few times when kids were screaming and in tears, and I pretty much was too.



Books on CD!!!



I mean, it's not like we haven't listened to these before, but usually just in the car or at bedtime. That was just purely for entertainment purposes. Listening to these at dinnertime is miraculous. I turn on the story (Farmer Boy, from The Little House on the Prairie series is our current choice, although we have found great joy from Frog & Toad stories, Nate the Great, Charlotte's Web, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Curious George...to name a few.) and all of a sudden...it's quiet. I can think. I can finish (or start, depending on the day!) making dinner. I can smile.



So, if you have ever encountered the Twilight Hour (which, although I don't really wish it on anyone, I also fervently hope that I am not alone in this situation!), may I suggest you try turning on a lovely story on CD...the library has several options...or download a few to your Ipod...you can find free ones sometimes. I hope you have as much success with it as I have.



Any other ideas for getting through the Crazytime before bed?? I'd love to hear them...who knows how long this latest discovery will last!