Erasable Chore Chart

August 31st, 2010

I know these have been done to death, but I needed to find something that would work with my kids and I think this just might be it.The paper charts we were using before would get convienently lost. Then I would hear, “what day do I do the dishes?”, ”I didn’t know I had to empty the garbage”, “no, I don’t do that on tuesday, I do it on wednesday”. Really!

My kids are older (the youngest is almost 7), so I don’t need a cutsie chart any more. I made the chart using different fonts for each child: Modern No. 20, Wingdings, Kristen, Lucida Calligraphy, Bradley Hand, Bookmark Old style, Comic Sans. And different colors for each child too: Red, Lime, Orange, Aqua, Plum, Light Blue, Black.

Before I could put it all together, I sprayed the whole frame black because I didn’t like the gold trim around the inside of the frame. It took 4 coats of paint to make the gold disappear.

While the paint was drying, I cut the scrapbook paper to size, to be used as the mat.

Then I cut the chore chart a little smaller than the scrapbook paper.

Glued the 2 pieces of paper together and then slipped it into the frame.

I used the Command strips to hang the chart where the kids would have to walk past it at least 20 times a day.

And I made sure to use the level while hanging it. The Command strips are very forgiving though. If you’re off a little, it’s easy to adjust by just realigning the hook and loop a little.

It hangs on a wall in the mudroom (nope, I haven’t finished the room yet). The dry erase marker just sits on top of the frame.

As they do their chores for the day, they mark them off the chart. You can use the dry erase marker directly on the glass. It wipes right off and is ready for the next week. Now if I get asked if they can play, I ask them if their boxes are all marked off for that day. It’s that easy! And I hope it works.

I’m linking to:

Get Your Craft On at Today’s Creative Blog

Spotlight Yourself at It’s So Very Cheri

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Hookin’ Up With HOH at House of Hepworths

Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori

Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge

Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Filed under Children, Cleaning, General organizing | Comments (10)

Framed After School Routine

August 28th, 2010

The first thing Ammon wants to do when he comes home from school is have a snack. He’ll walk right through the mudroom and drop his backpack on the living room floor and head for the kitchen. I’m always reminding him to put his shoes in his cubby, get his papers out of his backpack and then put his backpack in his locker. Then I saw this awesome printable at Living Locurto that totally spoke to me and my after school problem. Oh my gosh, how cute is this!

I just printed it off. Framed it with one of my many frames from the basement.

And hung it in his still not finished locker. (I promise I will get around to finishing the lockers one day and they will be awesome when I do). And that backpack will be hanging on a hook then. Anyway he’s excited about his sign and reads it everyday. For now, this is really working. Thanks Amy! And she has many other fun printables you should go check out too.

By the way, hubby built these awesome lockers and when they’re all painted I will be proud to show them to you.

I’m linking to:

Make It 4 Monday at Cottage Instincts

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Filed under Children, General organizing | Comments (3)

His Best Day Ever

August 24th, 2010

Everyday for the last 2 months my little guy has been telling me, at least once a day, that this is his “best day ever”.

When he plays with a friend he hasn’t played with for a while.

When he has a special treat.

When he rides the train to Salt Lake (after looking forward to it for months).

When he looks at the animals at the Zoo in amazement.

When he discovers he’s tall enough to ride the big rides at the amusement park and loves it.

When he runs through the sprinkler.

When he has a date with mommy at McDonald’s (without daddy or brothers and sisters).

When he’s invited to a sleepover at his big sister’s house.

On his first day of 1st Grade.

When he has a science day at school.

When he gets a new best friend to tell all his secrets.

When he’s feeling better after being sick.

When he’s playing at the park.

When he’s hiking, climbing, jumping, hiding, sliding, sitting on big rocks.

When he’s spending time with his dad, going to new places.

When he gets to spend the night in a hotel and eat breakfast the next morning in the lobby.

When he gets to watch the big guys play baseball.

When he’s watching fireworks and staying up way past his bed time.

When he’s been swimming all day and his fingers and toes look like raisins.

When he gets to play with his nephews who live too far away.

When he discovers he can do things on his own.

When he makes an awesome Lego creation or 2 or 3 or 4.

When he does something he’s never done before and feels bigger and stronger.

He’s teaching me to enjoy simple pleasures and live for the moment. And to try every day to have my best day ever. Do you enjoy the little moments? What’s your best day ever?

I’m linking to:

Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky

Small Treasure Tuesdays at My Thoughts and Treasures

Filed under Children, Family | Comments (5)

Creative Wrapping Paper

August 1st, 2010

What do you get when you cross markers,

A long roll of paper

And bored kids waiting for dinner?

Lots of fun pictures

Drawn by kids, ranging in age from 6 to 23.

I definitely have artistic children.

Don’t you think?

This has been such a fun project

And one we will hopefully work on every Sunday.

This will make beautiful wrapping paper. Wouldn’t you love a present wrapped in this paper? I know I would.

I’m linking to these fun parties:

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T.

It’s So Very Creative at It’s So Very Cheri

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Anything Related at All Thingz Related

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori

Frugal Finds at It’s A Blog Party

Look At Me Party at Fun To Craft

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

Filed under Children, Crafts | Comments (8)

Being Held Accountable

July 29th, 2010

Sometimes it’s just easier for me to have my kids help hold me accountable

for things I should be finding the time to do.

As an example, if I write things like this on the chalkboards

You can bet they’re going to be done and marked off.

These are things I should be finding the time to do with my children,

but sometimes they take a back seat.

If I put it out there for all to see,

I get reminded of the things that are really important and I find the time.

I know I should find the time anyway,

but writing things down (and my kids)

help me keep things in perspective and make time

for what really matters.

Time With My Family.

I’m linking to:

Home and Family Friday at Home Is Where My Story Begins

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Filed under Calendars, Children, Family | Comments (2)

Thru Ammon’s Eyes

July 28th, 2010

Ammon likes to borrow the camera and just walk around taking pictures. It’s always interesting to me what he decides to take a picture of.

Since I’m at Girls Camp and unable to post right now, please enjoy pictures taken by my 6 year old.

I’ll be back Friday and have a giveaway on Saturday that you won’t want to miss.

Filed under Children | Comments (2)

Not My Baby Anymore

July 19th, 2010

It’s Wednesday about 5:30pm and I realize I don’t have a baby anymore.

I am fighting to hold back the tears.

Unless you’ve gone through it, there is no possible way to understand the flood of emotions.

I have 8 kids.

Ammon’s my youngest.

He’s 6, 7 in September.

My little caboose.

My back seat buddy.

We were having a fun family day at Lagoon Amusement Park.

Riding rides. Watching the kids ride rides.

Then we cooled off at Lagoon-A-Beach.

Playing in the Kiddie Swim area was fun.

Sliding down the water slides.

Walking under the waterfall.

Swinging on the water swings.

Then, he wanted more.

What about trying that big slide with my big brothers and sisters?

Are you sure? What if you fall off the tube?

I won’t fall.

Okay, if you’re sure.

He goes down, through 5 pool areas and 5 slide areas.

He doesn’t fall and he’s smiling.

He wants to go again.

Mom, will you go with me this time?

Do you want me to carry your tube?

No, I can.

We go up and up and up, many, many, many steps.

Do you want me to help you get on?

No, I can do it.

I watch him leave in front of me.

I see him swoosh into the first pool area.

And, he f a l l s. He’s all the way under the water.

I gasp!

He stands up and looks around.

I yell! Ammon, are you okay?

Yeah mom! I’m getting back on.

I follow him down.

He’s laughing and smiling and is so b i g.

We get to the bottom.

Can we go again mom?

Okay.

Again mom?

Okay.

Just 2 more times mom, please?

Okay, just 2 more.

Were you scared when you fell?

No, it was fun!

He’s my last one. How will I ever let go?

I’m linking to:

Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky

Filed under Children, Family | Comments (5)

Back-to-School Survival Kit

July 19th, 2010

Are you sitting down? My elementary kids (my 2 youngest boys) start school tomorrow. I’m still stewing over it. July 24th is a holiday in Utah, so my thought is that they could at least wait until after the 24th. What makes matters worse for me is that they’re out of school on the 23rd for the holiday and the kids have early out the rest of the week, so they’re actually only attending school 1 1/2 days the first week of school. What a waste! Plus my Jr. High and High School kids (my youngest girls) don’t start school until August. Okay, I think I’m done venting now (but I’m not done stewing).

Anyway, I wanted to make the boys something small for going back to school. I’m not excited, but they actually are. Ammon’s excited to be in 1st grade and meet his new teachers and friends. I think Zach’s ready too, most of his friends at school don’t live in our neighborhood. Here’s a picture of the Survival Kit letter (you can click on it to make it larger). It’s a combination of other letters or tags I’ve seen.

I gathered all the supplies for each kit and placed them in a clear bag. The rubber band is missing from this picture.

Then I trimmed the letter and backed it with cardstock.

Punched a hole in the letter and attached it to the bag with a ribbon. You can see the boys new backpacks in the background. Ammon picked Bakugan and Zach picked a Rock ‘n Roll/Skull one. Whatever.

I took just the boys shopping for school clothes, shoes and backpacks. I don’t buy a lot since it’s still Summer, but they got 2 shirts, shorts, shoes and socks each.

Zachary’s

Ammon’s

Then hubby decided we needed to go out to dinner too. Before our food came we had some fun with the mustache Ammon got out of a machine at one of the stores. I think people thought we were crazy.

Love Zach’s eyebrows.

Amanda’s trying to keep it on with her lips. It wasn’t very sticky anymore.

This is so not a good picture even without the mustache. I blame it on lighting.

I’m not sure what that look is. I’m not sure I want to know.

The kids got shakes too and brought most of it home.

It’s time for school. Ready or not. Not!

I’m linking to:

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Hookin’ Up at HOH

Home and Family Friday at Home Is Where My Story Begins

Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Show Me How at It’s A Blog Party

Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T.

Back to School Categorically Crafting Show at Someday Crafts

Filed under Children, Crafts | Comments (21)

Updating the Summer Fun Banner

July 15th, 2010

As we do an activity on the Summer Fun Banner we take off the generic picture and replace it with a picture of our family. Here’s what we’ve done so far:

S’mores

Croquet:

Trampoline:

Roy Aquatic Pool:

Cedar City:

Chalk Drawing:

Lagoon:

And here’s our banner now:

Do you have a Summer Fun List you’re working on?

I’m linking to:

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog

Filed under Children, Entertainment, Family | Comments (6)

Last Day of School Munchie Bag

July 2nd, 2010

Yay, it’s finally here! The last day of school! (We’re in Year-round School and no I don’t like it) Like I said in the last post, I think I’m more excited than the kids. Even with the Summer days busy, it’s still more relaxed than when school is in session.

We’re leaving for Cedar City to visit with family after school today. The kids always want snacks in the car, even though it’s only about a 4 hour drive. I thought I’d start out our first day of Summer with snacks for the kids.

And a promise for a fun filled Summer. The message has the food items incorporated in it. Kind of like those candy bar messages. (You can click on any of the pictures to make them larger).