Weekly Challenge - Creating a Chore Chart

A Bowl Full of Lemons is hosting a weekly challenge once again!  It's been a little while since she hosted one (or I participated - I think I missed a few).   This weeks challenge is to create a chore chart for your children.  She invited Becky from Organizing Made Fun to share her ideas this week.  One of the things I liked that Becky shared is an "age appropriate list" for chore ideas.  I think it is easy to think that your children are either not able to do certain things OR expect too much out of them and her lists really help put that into perspective. 

I just recently finished reading a book (which I'll talk about in a later post about the what I'm reading) that shared a concept about creating a chore chart and the concept of jurisdictions as well as an easy reward system.  One of the things I was intrigued by with this system is the fact that it is set up by routines - creating a wall chart and using sticky notes to assign tasks to each child.  These could be individual tasks such as making a bed, putting away PJ's, or putting away toys.  Than, instead of "chores" a child is assigned a Jurisdiction such as helping with laundry, vacuuming, etc.  The reward?  A penny for each task completed.  Simple, huh? 

Yes, I'm being a little vague because I have to read the book first, understand the concept more, and than make my plan and implement it.  I already see how my kids are starting to help.  My 2 year old loves to throw things away - he knows where the trashcans are and is more than willing to help in that area.  He is also learning to feed the dog and we are working on picking up toys when we are done playing.  The 1 year old likes to wipe off his place with a wet wipe. 

If you already use a chore chart - what do you use?  How do you get your children to help with chores?

Interrupted Service

Just an FYI - Blogger went down on Wednesday and just came back up at about noon today, Friday.  You were able to look at things, I think, but I couldn't access anything  .... I even had to repost a "post" that disappered because they had to take it back to a certain time in order to do the fix they needed to do.  So, with that said, my normal posts I do on Thursday did not happen and I'm not sure if I'll get my normal recipe up today!  I usually try to write posts at least 2-3 days in advance but that's hard to do when you can't access the system :-)  So . .. even my normal posts this weekend may not get up as tonight I have to work on finishing up a couple of grad gifts and we have various committments this weekend.  We'll see how it all goes - maybe I'll get a chance to post before Sunday but, if not, enjoy your weekend!

What I'm Reading (and other misc. topics)

I just finished reading The Rocky Mountain Legacy Series by Kristen Heitzmann.  This is a series of 5 books that begin with the book shown above, Honor's Pledge.  The story takes place in Colorado Rockies and are based upon the life of Abigail Martin.  She is a strong willed young woman who seeks adventure and goes after what she knows is truly in her heart.  Each of the 5 books follow her life has she walks through happiness, heartbreak, and joy once again. 

These are books that I had on my shelf and have read several times.  They are easy reads but are also very interesting and realistic.  As you read each story, you are drawn into the lives of the people involved; share they successes and feel their losses.  I often found myself not wanting to put the books down just so I could find out what was going to happen. 

I would recommend these books as enjoyable reads - especially on a rainy day or for reading by the pool (if only I had one ha!). 

I also just finished reading this book, The Forgiving Hour, by Robin Lee Hatcher.  This is a powerful book that talks about adultery. Not just the hurt that it causes but the long lasting ramifications.  It does not focus on the act but rather the process of healing in all of the lives that are impacted and the truths that are taught could be applied to any area of bitterness or hurt. 

This book is a great read; it very quickly brings you into the lives of the characters and keeps you there to the end.  There is a moment when the reader will wonder if there really is hope and forgiveness, which is often hard to see in a book.  I would recommend this book to anyone; don't let the topic scare you, it is  the story that will touch you.

I'm in the midst of reading a few other books as well

1.  The Power of a Positive Mom - I slowed down on this one as I felt that I was really flying through it and not learning what I needed to learn.

2. Falling Forward by Sandi Patty - I thought I would have this one finished but, I had been reading it before bed; with my husbands new job, he is in bed by 8:00 so, when I go to bed, it is kinda hard to read;-)  I need to bring that out to my desk and read it in the evenings when all is quiet. 

3.  I just reading the book on the Duggar family and I'm looking forward to reading about how they "survive" with their large family.

I'm trying to learn to use the library and not spend money on books.  I've done this recently with getting books for the kids and I also ordered a book that I'll be using with my Good Morning Girls group for the summer. I wanted to see if I really liked the book before I spent any money on one of my own.  This is breaking a habit for me - I tend to think that I "need" every book that goes with any lesson or any theme we are studying and that really isn't the case.  If I find a book that I love or my kids love . . . than I'll add it to a list and pick them up along the way :-)

My husband recently asked me if I would like a Kindle or a Nook - I'm indifferent on that item for the time being.  I think that if I was on the go all the time, I might really like one so I could just carry it in my purse but, since I'm home 99% of the time, I don't see it as a need right now.  Plus, then I would have to spend money on e-books :-)

Do you and on Kindle or Nook?  If so - do you love it?

and

What are you reading?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . that I can have the windows open.  It clears out the house from all of those winter smells (you know we all have them!) and I just love feeling that breeze through the house.

I'm loving . . . that my boys make little accomplishments!  Today, Josh learned to blow bubbles on his own and loved doing it and Nate learned how to climb down the stairs.  Maybe he could help grandma practice? (hahaha)

I'm loving . . . . the treadmill.  Nope, still doesn't work HA! 

I'm loving . . . being able to stay home.  Not for the reasons you think but, sadly, because I've really enjoyed reading in the recliner more lately ;-)  I really need to get back to that to do list!

I'm loving . . . . our weekends.  We haven't had weekends in a year and half.  The work hours for my husband are REALLY long and weary but, we are getting to have Saturday and Sunday off for now. 

I'm loving . . . that festival season is right around the corner.  I'm waiting anxiously for my first elephant ear :-)

What are you loving today? 

Too Cute Not To Toot!

First up this week are some Mother's Day Ideas.  Yes, I know, Mother's Day is done and gone but, these all come up at the end of the week so I thought I would share anyway.  There are other days you can use these gifts for like Birthdays and Christmas and they don't have to be just for mothers - you could also use them for friends, new moms, brides - to - be, or sister (in-laws too).  Or, just save them for next year!

I've seen tin can treats done for other things and never could figure it out (obviously there were no tutorials on the others I saw!) but Our Best Bites gives all the info you need to make this adorably cute gift idea.

Here is a printable coupon book from Tip Junkie that you can also personalize with photos if you chose the correct template. (I just noticed that there were several options available - you chose what you want to do!)

I found an idea for a Shrinky Dink Bracelet from two different sources; two totally different looks so I want to share (Do you remember doing Shrinky Dinks?  They were so much fun!)  First up is, At Second Street

And also at Stories by Me

Craftomaniac created this really adorable "Favorite Things" basket.  If you know someone who has to spend any time in the hospital - this would also make a great gift idea as well - my cousins did something similar for me when I was in for 6 weeks with Josh.  They brought me a bag full of sample perfumes, chapstick, candy, gum, Bath and Body Works stuff and tons of magazines!

Here's a great "simple" garden idea from The Dragons Fairytail  I'm not into tilling up the ground and putting in anything huge - this would take up very little space especially if you only want to grow lettuce :-)  (And it would keep the rabbits out!)

I love these letters from Artsy Fartsy Mama.  I just started a letter series with Josh (we are still on A) and I think these would be really great to use with the lessons.  I think I even have fabric downstairs AND I bet my mom has some quilt batting I could steal borrow when I see her this weekend (she probably has some scrap fabric I could also steal borrow so I wouldn't have to spend any money on this project for awhile! HINT HINT mom! hahaha)

I think that is where I'll stop for now - blogger is giving me a few fits tonight and I have lost a few more items I had posted this week - I'll try again later this week and add them in for next week :-)  I like this time of year because I'm seeing lots of "general" ideas instead of just holiday ideas! 

Enjoy your week :-)

Crafty, Crafty

Are you ready for this?  I finally had a chance to do a craft!  It wasn't even for me :-)  I wanted to make something special for the mom of the munchkin that I babysit for so I went through my Too Cute Not to Toot posts and came across this idea:

Clean and Scentsible

Handprint and Footprint Art

So, here is my version!

 First, I tried doing the handprints on the actual paper I had cut out to fit the frame but, that was not a good idea :-)  So I got a large piece of scrapbook paper and just did a few handprints until I got the two I wanted. (one of each hand, of course).  Then, I just cut them out as close as possible around the actual print. 

Using some very cute paper (of course)  and some awesome Creative Memories letters, I put together the piece of artwork. 

The final piece of art!  I picked up an 8x8 frame (for something different) at Wal-mart for just a few dollars.  I was very happy with the result, if I say so myself (and his mom got teary-eyed so I know it was good!)  I did go back and add his name just below one of the handprints after I took this photo as well as the date. 

One of the great things about crafts is that you can make them your own - you don't have to do an idea exactly.  I thought about doing this on canvas but was a little worried about sticker letters actually adhering to a canvas and staying long term - I felt the frame was a better option plus, for someone that is a scrapbooker, this would also fit into a scrapbook album down the road.  

And I just say, going back through those "too cute" posts makes me want to make so many things!!  I have a few things that I really want to get done this summer that are about the boys (a growth chart!) so . .. more crafts to come?? Hopefully!

Fitblogger Challenge

Here we go with another week of the fit challenge over at Fitblogger.  You can check out my previous posts HERE.

So, this week, I continued on with my semi-Pepsi fast.  I only had two cans this week which is pretty good for me.  The longer I go without it, the less I crave it, which is always a good thing.  With that said, when I REALLY want one, I drink it that way I don't think about it for awhile.

I walked on the treadmill 4 days out of 5.  Ran into one hiccup this week and that was shower wasn't working and I couldn't get it working; I had to wait for my husband to get home Thursday to fix it.  Yes, I could still take baths but trying to squeeze those in also in the morning forced me to push my walk to the evening.  I did fine on Thursday evening but Friday, my husband ended up getting home later than I anticipated so it just did not work!  I learned one important lesson, as much as I detest mornings AND walking in the morning, it really is the best time in our schedule for me to walk right now.  Eventually when I won't have little fingers wanted to play with the moving belt, I will be able to move it to a better time in the day for me.

Finally, snacking.  Lets just say I snacked LOL  Had zero success this week with this one!!! 

So this week, I'm sticking with my same three goals as last week since I did not succeed with #3.

1) Continue the semi-pepsi fast.

2) Walk on the treadmill - my goal is to get all 5 days in this week.

3) Snacking - one thing I have realized is that I enjoy my evening snack.  So, I've found a weight watchers recipe for frozen yogurt sandwhiches using ginger snaps that I"m going to make this week.  My goal will be limit my snacking to healthy, planned snacks and not just eat a bunch of "whatever".  Also, during the day, I need to snack on things like . . fruit, veggies . . and I think I might pick up some of the caramal flavored rice cakes - I really like those and thye are pretty much nothing when it comes to caleries.  So really, my goal this week is to be more prepared with snacks I can eat and not feel quilty about. 

Want to join the challenge?  Just click HERE!