This would be the prize jars....explained below...
Well let's see, about June 18th we went to Indiana to get the kiddos. I have been moving 90 mph ever since, I can't believe I have found a minute to blog! Something I rarely do. Cause let's face it what is the point? No one is even seeing this.
But anyway...Some of the things going on in our busy lives are well, normal day to day Cleaning, cleaning, laundry, cooking, cleaning, cooking, laundry, vacuum, cooking, dusting, cleaning... I'm sorry does that seem repetitive to anyone besides me?
Also, I have begun a new reward system, thanks to my sister in law Mindy and her good idea. We fill up a jar with cotton balls every time they do something good the kids get a cotton ball, bad: it gets taken away. When it is full they get to go get a prize!
Poor Trevor's jar was half full, then he threw a ball threw the window and broke it. So his jar was emptied. =(
We try to do what I call centers everyday. It lets them do different activities by themselves and not have to worry about sharing or having someone in their way. Also they get one on one time. (cuts down on the fighting! Big plus for mommy)
Center #1: Sensory (play dough, moon sand etc.)
Center #2: Arts/Crafts (projects of the like)
Center #3: Brain Builder (reading, writing, flashcards, etc.)
Center #4: Bonus Reward Chore (some sort of chore, and when they are done they get to roll a dice and receive that many cotton balls in their jar)
Center #4: Bonus Reward Chore (some sort of chore, and when they are done they get to roll a dice and receive that many cotton balls in their jar)
Liz has been a great help with these centers, she usually gets stuck over-seeing the chores so I can help with "brain building". She doesn't have a jar though, her "jar" is a cell phone we got her when she came. Its great in the way of incentives. Though she is awesome anyway! She hardly needs to be reprimanded for anything.
We just got some Family pictures done they are really good my friend Lacey Banks Larsen did them. It was so sunny and hot when we did them but all the kids did really well and we got it done pretty fast. Except we only got one of Nathan smiling. He just can't fake a smile. LOL.
Summer has gone by way too fast! in one month we will be taking Trevor and Ryleigh to their mom. I'm so sad to see them go. But such as life.
Aiden will turn 6 in 6 days! Were did my baby go? Soon it will be time for school and he'll be a 1st grader in school all day! What am I going to do with myself? Probably cry!
Also I have lost a total of 21 lbs since I started my "lifestyle change" I wish it was more, and probably could have been but I have just been so busy their has been no time to exercise. I wish i looked like I lost that much too, but looking at our recent pictures I told Troy I would have hated to see what I looked like 3 months ago! I still have a long way to go to get to my goal but I'm going in the right direction and hopefully I can stay on track.
Troy has been working so much 5, 12 hour days... Its been hard, especially since I was used to having him for 3 days a week and not 2. But, the paychecks are a big help. But we miss him when he is at work. I'm so thankful for him. He makes it possible for me to be home most of the time to care for our children. And so I don't have to miss out on anything. He is an amazing man. And for all the ladies that had him and lost him, sucks to be you! I don't think anyone, anywhere at anytime has loved each other like we do. Its wonderful to have your perfect match and best friend to spend your life with. LOVE YOU HONEY!
