Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday afternoon means tea time here at Clements' Academy (I'm trying that out for our school name).  I started this tradition last year after reading this article.  We try and keep it simple although some days it gets fancy.  There are several reasons I do this:

1. It is something that if we do it consistently it will provide a warm memory of home.  If you think about your family traditions what are they?  They are most often things that you did repeatably and things that were done with love. With four boys, all with different interest, this is the one thing we can do together once a week. 
2. I love tea and would like to pass on the simple pleasure of a good cuppa.
3. It is a good time to teach manners.  Even the little ones know that when they hold that tea cup for the first time, it is not something to be thrown but to cradle.  One day these boys will be men and out in the business world and they might just thank me that they know to not slurp their tea!  I am never harsh in my tone and rather just offer polite reminders to "not try and lick the sugar out of the bottom of your cup" and "no, you cannot lick the plate."  Lots of licking with boys...
4. It is a quiet time.  We listen to our composer selections, occasionally poetry is read aloud, and most often we just sit and enjoy our treat.
5. The boys know how to set a proper table and are careful with the dishes.  There have been broken dishes and the sorrow felt over the shattered pieces has been it's own teacher.  They are more careful now than ever before. 

I am sure that is enough reasons for anyone and I do get burned out sometimes.  Some Tuesdays I want some quiet time to myself but the boys always remember and ask if we are having tea today.  Our menu usually is some cheese (Boursin) and crackers and strawberries and cream.  Although today was just cinnamon toast.  We drink English breakfast tea with sugar and milk. 

I am hoping that soon I can start teaching the big boys to make the treats for Tuesdays.  They already boil the water and set the table.  Our favorite days are when we have visitors for tea.  We have one particular friend who comes about once a month and we just love her visits. 

Cinnamon toast.  My mom taught me how to make this and it is a favorite of mine!