My DS actually also has his own alarm clock and we use a timer during our breakfast/reading/chatting time as well. Those are also invaluable to us!

We actually live walking distance to school and lately it has been warm enough to do it. But it is a good 20 minute walk, so sadly it hasn't been happening! We do walk home from school when we can though (which always takes like a hour with playground time, chatting, etc).