Chores...

I really believe that the role of the mother is not to do all the house work, but to nurture and shape. For that reason, and because we want our kids to love work, we are encouraging chores.

Instead of doing an allowance, we are giving out rewards.

• 10 Chore Slips: Visit to the Ice Cream Truck
• 20 Chore Slips: Trip to the Bug Museum, purchase of ladybugs or butterflies
• 30 Chore Slips: Playtime at Pump It Up or The Wild (Inflatable Fun Place)

Zoe is 7. She is doing really well with her chores, though she is very pokey! Here is her chore list:

Before school: 

• Make bed & jammies away 
• Get dressed with shoes on
• Brush teeth & hair 
• Eat breakfast 

After school: 

• Put backpack, lunchbox & coat away

Daily: 

• Homework 
• Feed the cat
• Empty Clean Silverwear 
• Pick up toys & projects 

Bedtime: 

• Jammies on, clothes away

Different Days: 

• Monday: Fold and put away clothes 
• Tuesday: Recycling 
• Wednesday: Clean bathroom sink 
• Thursday: Empty wastebasket 
• Friday: Recycling 
• Saturday: Vacuum Room 

Sophia is 3 (in a few weeks). We are very much in the teaching process with her right now, but she is enjoying helping out. Here is what she does:


Morning: 

• Make bed & jammies away 
• Get dressed 
• Brush teeth & hair 

Mealtime: 

• Clear the table at breakfast 
• Set the table at dinner 

Nighttime:

• Pick up toys downstairs 
• Pick up toys upstairs 
• Jammies on, clothes away 
• Brush teeth

You don't write, you don't call...

We are so tired

... but are doing really good. Thankfully life have been so crazy busy that we haven't had time to stop and think ... or we might just cry, haha. We have had many very crazy moments. One evening, we had one preschooler with a poop AND pee accident, then she slipped in her pee, knocked her head, required an emergency bath, Maddie was screaming and supper was getting cold. It was interesting. :)

There are many times where I literally am juggling children while getting stuff done. Last night I started frying hamburgers, the baby woke up, girls both hit one another, a co-worker called and needed my help ordering something... SHEW! One step at a time and I fried those hamburgers, disciplined, helped with the order, got dinner on the table, then nursed the baby while eating dinner. That is just a typical moment. :)

I can so relate to people in this stage of life feeling like they live in a bubble and don't really know the outside world. Our world is so much about our home world right now. We don't get "out"... EVER. And that's okay. Of course, we always need others, but try to find other ways to connect with people (facebook, texts, church, the occasional social gathering). We try to treasure every day of this season... and keep the end in mind with things like sleepless nights, potty training, chore-teaching, etc.

It really takes a lot of love grace from our beloved friends and family. We can't always return calls or emails. Heck when we do see people we are often tired and sort of off. We know many people have been in this place before and understand. So we are so thankful for the love and grace we receive as we navigate this world, this stage of life. And hopefully nobody is keeping track of our lack.

We are getting more and more in a routine and a schedule every day. We are sleep training Maddie right now. She is doing really good. The better she sleeps, the better we are all doing, so it helps a lot! Zoe & Sophia are both doing chores. Matt is stepping in roles he hasn't had before and making a huge difference. I am trying to have a balance between work and rest. Yesterday after a nap, I was able to clean all three bathrooms... the toilets, mirrors, counters and swept & mopped the floors. Maddie was still sleeping after all that, I even snuck in cleaning the kitchen floor. I was only able to do that because i rested... it's so important right now!

They are worth it... every moment, they are worth it!!

Of course, the little things help... Maddie's pure smiles, Sophia's "thanks mama" and Zoe's "you're the best mom in the world!"

It's the good stuff, baby! It's our life.

Super Phia... to the Rescue!

This girl is almost 3 years old!! She will be in just 2 weeks! Wow. They really do grow fast.

The other day, when we found Zoe's superman cape, she excitedly begged "OH MOM, can I be Super Fia... to the RESCUE??"

She has been having so much fun with that cape. Precious girl. We have been setting up fake scenes for her to rescue and help. She is enjoying it.



We are also enjoying her. During the day, she gets lots of quiet time with dad (before he heads to work) and with mom. We do puzzles and matching games. Sophia is really smart!

She loves to do pretty much whatever Zoe does! So squinkies, stuffies, cartoons, etc. Her favorite cartoon is Sponge Bob Square Pants (in which she always says the full title).

I love saying to her... "where's my pretty girl?" in which she always responds "right here" and points to herself. I hope she realizes she is beautiful inside and out!

We are looking forward to celebrating with her in a few weeks in her Playdough-themed party!

Maddie's First Smiles

It has been a delight to catch Maddie's first smiles the last few weeks.

It was an extra treat today, after a hard day yesterday, to get oodles of sweet ones!! They were a little hard to catch on camera, though! Here's the best one :)

 

Exchanging Pleasantries

It was a beautiful day & our girls looked lovely! So we had some fun with a hat, an umbrella and some blooms! :)

 

 

 

Z Rock & J Scrilla drop some knowledge

Our daughters, Z Rock & J Scrilla, remind us in their latest song that sometimes, you gotta be real.  No, YOU gotta be real.  No, YOU.

SOPHIA – Dad, give us a slow beat

ZOE- Yeah.

You know, sometimes in life, you feel like Elmo in Grouchland.  All these grouches hatin on your game, but you’re just trying to get your blanket back. 

SOPHIA – I love my blanket

ZOE – ah yeah. We aint playin.  That’s real talk, son.  Me the Z, and my sister J Scrilla about to drop some knowledge on yall

SOPHIA –  you know it sister.  Kick it for the real fans.  check it out

ZOE -When I hit the beat, you know I spit deep

Haters gonna hate and creepers gonna creep

While other kids nap, I’m gonna kick a rap

I tweak the EQ to bring the boom bap (boom bap)

If hip hop is the mob, you can call me Al Capone

But in this rap game you know I’m not alone,

I just roughed it up, get police on the phone

cuz my sisters about to kill this microphone

SOPHIA – I LOVE TO RAP I LOVE TO RAP I LOVE TO RAP I LOVE TO RAP I LOVE TO RAP

ZOE- yeah.  And that’s the way it is.  We like to have fun , build forts, and play littlest pet shop, but sometimes, you gotta be real.

SOPHIA – you keep it real Zoe

ZOE – no you

YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU

Sophia's Naughty Face

Typical Sophia



Mom: "Smile for the photo"


..."a nice face"...


Sophia: "no, a naughty face."



:P