routine breaking

I love routines. I think they are very important in not just children's lives, but mine as well. I find routines comforting with their predictability and consistency. I witness children thriving on routines, not only in my home, but in my classroom as well. Children will take charge, knowing exactly what the next step is, what period of the day follows... A daily rhythm helps to bring calmness and reassurance into our lives.

But then, again, a routine wouldn't be a routine if it wasn't for the occassional stepping out. ;) Well, we stepped out today.

Upon waking this morning, my first feeling and thought was that I didn't just want a regular Saturday, where I come downstairs, take care of the children, do my household chores, sit with my computer.... No, today I wanted to step out.

When I came downstairs I found Sophia and Mateo quietly playing with each other. I took a moment to look at them and enjoy the scene. When I asked them if they wanted to go out for breakfast, they seemed just as excited as me about getting out, and so we all got dressed, locked the door behind us, snapped on our helmets and on our bikes we went to Esther's German Bakery.

We ordered a coffee and Apfelpfannkuchen. While we waited the children went into the play area to play and I found a german newspaper to enjoy. I also wrote a little in Sophia and my journal, which she later read while feasting on her pancake.

We stayed nearly an hour

reading (Sophia),

exploring (Mateo)

and coffee drinking/reading/ treasuring (me) in this cozy place.

Sophia found a book that she really liked and wanted to finish it. Off to the library we extended our trip to find the book.

We came home in time for lunch and to continue our predictable, comforting, well known routine. Mateo went to take his nap and I sat down to finish two sewing projects. (More on that in a different entry.)

Only our morning routine was switched up, but I could feel myself fueling on this experience for the rest of the day. I had more patience with the children, cheerfully cleaned up the house, and most of all I appreciated that we have a routine and rhythm in our home.