Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Top Ten (January 7-13)



Most of our snow melted this week
When I took out the garbage on Wednesday in 40 degree temps,
I decided we're ready for Spring and some green grass


1. The boys are both back in gymnastics

2. We can't seem to get enough bubbly (Sparkling Apple Cider)

3. My boys laid in bed with me and watched Maternity ward
Weird? Maybe a little
But I hope they will have some appreciation for their laboring wives in many years

4. Ramona and Beezus = Super Cute Movie

5. The boys think they are going to die
Grandma is in New Orleans on business until next Friday

6. Report cards came home
I'm pretty proud but we have some work to do on not being chatty in class

7. It snowed, I guess winter isn't over

8. This mama really dislikes fundraisers
Every elementary student in Muscatine is selling the same Major Saver Card
What were they thinking? They weren't!

9. On Sunday we went to the Figge Art Museum to view Spencer's art work on display

10. Spencer was picked to attend Young Artists Scholarship Day in June


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Young Artist (Spencer) at the Figge



On Thursday as I was going through the boys yellow folders from school,
I found a note from Spencer's art teacher (Mrs. Sessler)

Spencer's art was picked to be on display at the Figge Museum in Davenport
I was so excited for him but he acted like it was nothing (typical boy)

We received an invitation for this weekend to view his art work
Chip had drill and Grandma was in New Orleans so we invited Grandpa

Grandpa took us to lunch at Golden Corral
He knows the way to my boys hearts (Buffet and Chocolate fondue fountain)

The boys were enjoying their lunch so much we almost missed the award ceremony
We got there just in time

Spencer got his award before we had even seen his art work
Let me say, Mrs. Sessler knows an artist
 When I saw his piece- I WAS SO PROUD

All he had told me was- It's a witch
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this
I think it's beautiful



After the ceremony three names were drawn for Young Artist Scholarship Day
Guess who will be going?
SPENCER

Congratulations Spencer!
Your art work is amazing and we are so proud of you


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Taking responsiblity



My children need to take some responsibility and I need help making them responsible
I am the reason they are irresponsible and I'm going to fix it

I have became overwhelmed with bags, shoes, snow pants and gloves  laying in front of the door
There is NO REASON my children can't put their things away

Things are going to be changing around here!

Here are a  few things that have inspired me-

Printables printables everywhere!




I found this list on Pinterest and laughed hysterically as I read it
and my oldest laughed as I told him that at the age of 3 he should have been washing walls

Here is/was my belief-
I should do everything for my children otherwise I will be labeled a "lazy Mom"
By doing everything for my children, I realize that I am raising "lazy children"

My children have a LONG way to go
We are going to start with the list below on Monday
I'm sure I will hear a whole lot of moaning and groaning but I have to stick to it


Morning
Wake up 
Get dressed
Find/eat breakfast
Brush teeth and put on deodorant
Make sure school bag is packed (Violin and music book on Tuesday and Wednesday)


After School
Hang coat up/Put shoes on the rug
Unpack bag (Lunch box and agendas on the counter)
Put bags on the stools
Do homework (Work on spelling every day)
Practice violin 


Night
Make sure dirty clothes are put in the laundry room
Take baths/shower
Take meds
Brush teeth
Read



After looking at that list, it is a bit crazy
I would NEVER hand my 14 year old a debit card


My goal is to give my boys chores so they become responsible
We will start out by rewarding the boys with a surprise
 (a small allowance, a trip to get ice cream, a video game from FV.....)
I don't believe in always paying children to do chores
Children are part of the family and they should do their part to live under the same roof as their family


Must remember this.
(I hope this is true)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Top Ten (December 31- January 6)



I'm a  little late on posting

Happy New Year

1. We let the boys stay up until 11:00PM on New Years Eve
We watched The Odd Life of Timothy Green
drank bubbly and watched the ball drop in NY

2. New Years Day we did absolutely nothing and it was wonderful

3. On Wednesday, Parker had Jack over to play
(We should have had friends come over every day of Christmas break- it would have saved my sanity)

4. Amelia got a hair cut and was wiped out for 2 days

5. Thursday the boys went back to school
We were all ready to be back in a routine

6. Parker had his Christmas party at school and was happy to give his gift to a new boy in his class

7. Spencer wore his pj's to school on Friday for his winter party/AR celebration

8. Another 100% on a spelling test
(I think we have this figured out)

9.  Parker started a soccer clinic on Saturday and LOVED it

I wasn't able to go but Chip said he had no idea how well he could handle the ball

10. The boys played outside all weekend



2013



Welcome 2013

While I'm glad we have another year under our belts,
I was nervous about ringing in the New Year

As of December 30th, we were heading over the fiscal cliff
Our president and government officials weren't making the financial decisions that needed to be made
While I was hoping for a wonderful 2013,
I was stressed, wondering how our tax situation would come out
I'm sure we aren't the only family that uses their tax money as cushion

On New Year's Eve night a decision had finally been reached
We WILL get some tax money back and milk will not be $8.00 a gallon
On the other hand, there is still a lot of work to be done
Cuts should be made all over the board
We didn't get in debt over night, it's going to take a long time to get out


My New Year's resolution-
I pledge to Stress Less, Enjoy More, Eat Less, Savor More, 
Spend Less, Give More, Slow Down, Ease Up and Embrace the joy in each moment