August 13. That was a big day for us. For one, Paul turned eight months old.
Isn't he the cutest?
For another, it was the start of the No-TV-Month in the Ballast household. What prompted this decision, you say? Well, two things. One, we want to see what difference, if any, a month’s non-tv consumption will do. Two, we want to explore other things to do besides watching TV and intentionally do them.
We’re five days into our no-tv-month and so far, I can honestly say that we do not miss watching TV one bit! Very quickly, Paul and I are discovering the sounds that keep our house running – the humming of the refrigerator, the clicking of the thermostat, the clunking of the air vents, and the swooshing of the air from the vents. Every now and then I pop in a CD for a listen and we dance to the strings of a Celtic song or the beats of the African Children’s Choir. Then there’s Ms. Judi Dench narrating for the King’s Singers and we sing along with them about going down to the woods in disguise ’cause every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain because today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic. In the afternoons, we’d wander out to the deck and get some sun while we listen and watch the birds chirping and flying by. Sometimes, we’re lucky to see and hear our neighbors dogs saying hi to us by way of barking. That always amuses Paul! We’re reading more books from the library and his few collection thus far. And at night, after his bath and right before he goes to bed, all three of us sit on the living room floor and Daddy reads from Narnia.
As for Stephen and me, we’re enjoying reading books, surfing the internet, and getting more sleep. It is amazing how much time watching TV can suck out of a day and it’s refreshing to have a little more time to ourselves these days, not to mention the peace and quiet that envelopes our house at night.
We are now considering doing a No-TV-Month every Summer. Actually, we’re thinking of extending one month to two months! Call it crazy but somehow, we both felt it a good thing to do when we were discussing the matter. Think about the endless possibilities of creativity and fun! Already looking forward to next Summer.
But first, Fall and Winter. THAT will be a different story. I don’t think I can give up football, 24, and House quite yet. Ha!
Enjoyed reading your blog, good luck and congrats! I esp. like the part where you all read together at night, how sweet and I very much agree how much we could accomplish without using the tv or internet ( difficult but possible), very addictive though. Anyway, wishing you well always and God bless!