chores

chores are a tricky thing.

i haven't quite figured out how to fully incorporate them. i know what i want, but getting there has been a struggle.

i think a lot of it has had to do with us figuring out how to work with taylor. due to his pdd it was very hard to get him to help out. we have tried so many things... singing songs, setting a timer, taking away toys, shoes, clothes, fun things, letting him choose his chores, helping him with his chores... you name it, we've probably tried it.

our chore history has been messy. and full of frustration and anger and yelling and crying.

the other boys were quick to pick up on taylor's "fits" regarding chores. don't you love that? how kids pick up on the negative behaviors of other kids?

my quest for the perfect chore system may be never-ending.

in the meantime i am using this:



i saw a chore chart just like this posted on another blog. notice that it only includes dinner related chores.  so simple and very specific. and it gets my kids helping out on a regular basis.

no negotiating. no begging. no bribing.

i know that despite all of the stresses we've been through with chores, that my kids are learning how to be responsible and contributing members of our family. i love that.

what do chores look like at your home?

mac n cheese... a kid's favorite food

macaroni and cheese was my favorite food. and not just when i was a little kid (right karin?) it had to be kraft. after all, it's the cheesiest.

i thought all kids liked mac n cheese.

i was so excited for ben to have his first meal of cheesey deliciousness. i even took pictures!


first bite of mac n cheese ever!!!


hmmm....

it wasn't the hit i thought it would be. bummer. or not, because that means more for me (when i can eat dairy again)!!!

and in case it went over your head, we have introduced dairy to ben's diet. just a bit here and there. so far so good.

macaroni and cheese--do you love it or hate it?

just a reminder...

tomorrow is the final day of the dreamBIG fundraiser. i can't wait to hear about the day sergey comes home!

i hope you are having a blessed easter.

good afternoon, my name is russell

do you know what movie that is from? ben used to say that little phrase and then bust up laughing. such a comedian!

the title of this post is just as random as the contents. enjoy! :)



pie tins = baby fun (thanks to alissa and baby e for letting us in on this little known fact)


and i was worried because it was quiet


a rainbow for someone special


nat loves books just like her brothers


she also loves to eat... do you see her single tooth in there? love it!


climbing the ladder of a maybe someday tree house


i can't believe he is going to be 10 this year!


needing some shades
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dreamBIG!!! 

did you check out the farley's website? did you see all those prizes? maybe YOU will win something by donating just $10. for every $10 you donate, you earn a chance to win. be sure you leave a comment on the farley's website entering yourself into the drawing. one comment for every $10.  winning something would be cool.

but bringing sergey home to a family who wants to love on him and care for him... that would be the best.

so if you haven't made a donation yet, go do that. if you have, think about doing it again.  
for sergey.


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back to randomness...

today ben gave the pest control guy "the cheese touch" and i think it made him mad.  ha!

also, this morning zach said he knows the easter bunny isn't real... "it's just a man in a suit."
what man you ask? "santa... or an elf." ha! ha!

i love my kids.

now tell me something random about your day.