Good Intentions!

Ok I know it is unprecedented for me to post twice in one day but I just couldn't pass this one up. Yesterday Maddie asked me if she could clean the bathtub for me. I said yes of course and let her have at it. My kids love "cleaning" but it's mostly because they enjoy using the squirt bottles! She stayed in the bathtub for quite some time diligently squirting and scrubbing. Later when I went in there to check out her work I was amused to see that the walls and such were really pretty clean but the bottom of the bathtub was full of dirty little footprints. I now wish I had taken a picture because it really was quite cute! I'm not sure how she missed the little mess she left but she certainly did have GOOD INTENTIONS!

Update!

The Chore Chart System is going great, the only problem is that we haven't been around enough to really get in the swing of things. We have been out of town a bunch as well as babysitting my little cousin last week out at her house.

Micah just loves doing his chores and is so motivated, it is really a joy to watch. Last weekend he even said that he wished we did not have to go visit daddy so that we could stay home and do our chores! Now that is something. Micah also loves redeeming his "coins" for fun things. He has used them for games on the computer and special reading time with mommy!

Maddie is not quite as motivated but when she sees Micah doing his chores she jumps right in. Oh and it is really sweet because a lot of the time they will help each other with their chores of their own initiative.

I am really REALLY liking this system. I love not having to remind them to do certain chores, I can just say go check your chore chart and see what you need to do (and most of the time I don't even have to remind them!)

Oh and for those of you who are interested in getting this product if you get a group together the owners might give you a discount!

Chore Chart

I was recently introduced to a wonderful product that while new to me has proved incredibly useful to many families for many years. Thanks to the new homeschool group I have been blessed to be a part of I was able to purchase this product. It is a childrens chore system that makes keeping track of chores simple for mother and child. I have not actually implemented mine yet as I just recieved it last night but my kids are already excited about starting it! One reason they are excited is that they earn tokens and then they can redem the tokens for prizes. And the beauty of the prizes is that they can be simple and cost very little or nothing at all. Some ideas I have for prizes are paint toe nails, read with mommy, play a game together, watch the kids ride their bikes, stay up late and watch a movie, eat a cookie....your list can go on and on.

The chores are all on individual cards that get moved from a hook to an I Did It box. They have some pre-made cards as well as blank ones you can use to make your own. When I get it all set up and going I will post back with an update and let you all know how it is going!

Oh and the package says it is for ages 4-8 but I am using it with my 3 year old Maddie and I know some other people are using it with their older children just to get them in the habit of chores. I encourage you to check this out and let me know if you decide to climb on board!

Lainey Beautiful Lainey

On Sunday our sweet little Lainey turned 1. The kids helped me bake a cake and decorate it. I had been inspired by my friend Kelly and decided to do one in the ONE shape. It was not perfect but it was still really cute.





Here is another shot of it...can you tell I am a little bit proud! I have decided to really cut down on the whole party aspect of birthdays for several reasons but I really want to make my kids a memorable cake every year. I know this goes against the flow...but hey so does most of the other things our family does!



She really liked her cake and repeatedly reached for more. She had a pretty nasty cold that day though so she only got a few small pieces. Normally I would give her her own piece and let her have at it.


Here is the sweet girl herself! She had on a really cute outfit but I took it off before the cake mess began!


Big brother Micah enjoying some cake!
The kids and I each prayed for Lainey and then said something that we really like about her.
I said that I love her happy personality and that she is a really easy going baby.
Micah likes that she takes naps so we can do school!
Maddie likes it when Lainey plays with her.