Monday, March 14, 2011

Family Finer Things Night...



I started collecting "Tea Trios" when we lived in England from 1999 to 2002 (named that because of the three parts--tea cup, saucer and small plate).  




Sometime after we moved back to the States, we instituted our Family Finer Things night.  On many Sundays, we make two teapots--one of herbal tea and one of hot chocolate.  Then we all sit down at the table, stuff our face with a treat, drink our tea/hot chocolate and read some fine literature.



Yes, that is totally my lens cap.  I'm a dork!

Usually, we end up reading from one of our Norton Anthology of English Literature texts (probably the only college textbook we're slowly getting our money's worth from :) ).  Last night, Aaron read some Aesop's fables and I read a chapter from a book the elementary kids' school is reading called A Cricket in Times Square (which I know is well-known, but I've never read it before).

The kids are always really cheerful.

And well-behaved.

Everyone takes it extremely seriously.


We have a great time, and the kids really look forward to it.  Sometimes after a long weekend of watching the house descend into chaos, I'm not in the mood to have to hand-wash a bunch of china (I could let the kids do it, but they are not as careful as I am and I don't like to have wanton breakage :) ).  But I have to remind myself that it really only takes five minutes to wash dishes and the family memories last forever, right?  Right....

Here's one of our kids' favorite poems. They allude to it whenever they have eaten the last of whatever it is that someone else wanted.

This Is Just To Say  
by William Carlos Williams 

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold


What do you do to introduce your family to the finer things? 

I'm linking up to:
 
Weekend Bloggy Reading  
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11 comments:

  1. SaritaMarch 14, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    This is such a sweet idea! I love it! P.S. - I'm only just now about to fold my laundry!

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  2. Erin S.March 14, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Hi Sarita! Thanks for visiting again. What a coincidence--I have more to do as well! Yuck--laundry is so irritating--it literally never ends. It's nice to know others are out there fighting the same fight--we can have laundry solidarity :). Good luck with yours!

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  3. Amanda @ Serenity NowMarch 14, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Ah, I love William Carlos Williams! Such a sweet way to make memories with the family. You're a great mom. :) Thanks for the visit today! :)

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  4. Amanda @ Serenity NowMarch 20, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Just wanted to let you know I featured this post today! :) Thanks for linking it up with me. :)

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  5. Bryan ParmenterMarch 22, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Kalyn says: I love this idea. We've begun reading classic books to the kids and giving them candy to keep them entertained. I love that you are giving them literature and lessons on how to eat with manners all at the same time since they can't get too crazy with the breakables.

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  6. Erin S.March 23, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    hey Bryan--I mean Kalyn :). I'm not sure how well the manners are going, but we do have fun.

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  7. Travel With LuluApril 1, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    What a great family tradition! I love it :) Hilarious photos

    Thank you for joining Post Of The Month Club - I hope you'll link up again in April. XOL

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  8. TexaGermaFinlaNadianApril 2, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    I love this!!! How fun that ya'll can have such a silly and fun time together. Making memories for sure :) Stopped over from the Post of the Month blog hop, have a great weekend!
    http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/

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  9. LindyLouMacApril 2, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Calling by from Happy Homemaker UK as participating in Post of the Month and really enjoying meeting everyone else and reading their favourite posts. Great post on the joys of parenthood.

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  10. TApril 7, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    hi, i was checking some of the other links on happy homemaker uk's last party, and i have to say i love this post. i love tea, i love literature and i definitely love great family time. brilliant idea!

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  11. Erin S.April 7, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Hi T!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. I checked out your blog, and it looks like you are a tea expert :). This is a really fun family tradition for us. I think our kids are mostly just there for the treats, but they always surprise me with how much they remember, too.
    I have enjoyed the links I've visited through happy homemaker uk. We remember our expat days with such fond nostalgia, and hope to do it again in the next few five years or so. Hope the US is treating you well :).

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Please feel free to comment. I love to read what other people think!

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