Bed Bugs!

Bed bugs have invaded my bed! Atleast these don't bite, well most of the time.

Can you find all four bed bugs? 

Sleep tight,

DeAnn

Preparing for School

I can not believe summer is coming to an end, especially when our pool is warmer then some states high's.  In our home I can sense the anxiety building, there seems to be a bit more conflict. To ease the butterflies here is what works for us:

I take each child out individually to pick out any needed school items: backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes. They also get to pick out a new outfit for that first day of school. Going out one to one makes it special, and learning is something special.

We start getting books at the library that talk about school and friends to read at night. A couple of books I like are:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

I Love You All Day Long by ?

Now that school is a week away, we are returning to our normal evening routine, plus an hour. The last 3 nights before school starts the plus an hour, is lost to regular bedtime. No more 10:00pm bike rides or swimming under the moon light atleast on school nights. I'm going to miss this freedom. maybe even more then the kids.

I talk positively about school, the field trips I went on as a child, wondering what field trips they'll have this year.

It is my hope my children will become life long learners.

Enjoy the School Year!

Chore Charts

School is starting and instead of late nights, staying in our pj's til noon, we are going to need to return to the basics. I've never used a chore chart, but now they Jellybeans are getting older, its a good time to start. I believe I tend to ask the jellybeans who are easier to get a job done, with little fight more often. That is not fair to anyone. Now it will be more equitable and having it posted will allow me to reference who to ask.  I turned this magnetic board into a chore chart for the chores that cause the most conflict. Happily the conflict is to many people want to help me...I'm sure this season to will pass. 

I have the the categories of:
Errands running with mom
Kitchen help
Vacuum

Dog duty

An empty spot if needed.

Each older is partnered with a younger to assist in getting the job done. To teach the youngers the skill of the job and be a good role model for them. They choose to rotate the jobs each week.

I'll rotate the errand runners, each time I ask, they can either go with or stay home, but their picture in line rotates regardless of their decision.  

We met today to discuss exactly what the expectation is for each category. For example the dog slot includes: feeding/watering the dogs and Windex the back door the dogs get dirty scratching to get in.

I also added a Now Hiring area to post jobs that I'm willing to pay them to do above and beyond the basics of running the family. Though I give basic, bare bones, allowance, I want them to learn that they need to work to earn what they truly desire. They can live on welfare and the little it can bring in, or get a job to better meet their desires.

I wanted it to be simple and colorful, I believe I met my goal. I'd love to know what works for other families.