April's happenings

Elise is now three months old and cute as a button! She is doing all the normal stuff, but it is so cute! She slobbers all over, soaking up her cute outfits. She is starting to make raspberry sounds and loves to squawk with joy. She squeals and does funny little laughs--she is SO happy! About two weeks ago I caught her intently watching her hand. I love it when babies reach milestones! She is really trying to turn over--she did once during the night. I adore her. She really is the best baby and makes me happy.
Brennan is crazy and fun. He is talking non stop. He loves asking questions about everything. I love the way he talks--it is very difficult to explain it, but the lilt and the music in his voice is so cute. I love when I ask him to check on the baby and he says: "She is eating her hand." He is getting a bit messy--he threw cashews (at least a pound of them) all over my dining room, kitchen and living room. I am on the verge of potty training him. I am just building up courage to do it...

Aidan is growing up way too fast. I have been debating of whether or not I should put him in Kindergarten next year (because of his height), so I want to find out how smart he really is... :) I found an online Pre-Kindergarten test. He did phenomenol. Something like 92 points out of 100, and being ready for kinder just needs 65 points. But, I am still debating. He is in soccer right now and has really improved since the fall--His coach even noticed and praised him! He has been planning his birthday party (still 39 days away...) and even made invitations for all his friends. They all say, "To ____ frum Aidan. Sno Rod (snot rod)" and then drawings of cars. They are all sitting there waiting to be delivered.

Weston is deep into the first grade life. Girls chasing him, playing soccer, football, and basketball with the boys, being stubborn with the parents, fighting with the brothers, and loving his baby sister. He is doing well in school, and learning a lot--He is learning that I won't budge on a few things.... one day he said he was not feeling well enough to go to school--so I said that if he doesn't go he must stay in his bed ALL day. He agreed and by 10 am was really bored. But, he stayed in bed til dinner! He hasn't had a problem with feeling sick since then. He is in soccer now, too, and doing well. He really likes sports and has some great friends that he plays with. He is very responsible and helpful around the house and with the baby.

We had a marvelous Easter. The boys loved the chocolate. Scott and I stole out the good stuff before they could get to it... Ugh. Too much chocolate. During conference we updated our 72 hour kits. Here are the boys showing off how they can cart them around. They are so proud of their responsibilities.

Scott has planted tons of things and so far--despite the weather--everything is still alive. He is busy with his calling, work, and life, yet he is constantly helping me and supporting me.

I am busy with my calling, being a mom, and life, and sometimes it gets the best of me. But I am hanging in. It is a good thing I have such great kids and a great husband.

Sorry...

It is my fault. Every year I put away winter clothes, etc, and then it snows. Sorry, last week I put away winter things. So you can blame it on me.

Crafty Brittany

Just doesn't have the right ring to it--crafty Brittany... But, I am trying to follow the lead of all my cute friends who make such fun things! BA (who IS crafty, check out her blog) had her birthday (day, week, month....) and I knew I had to actually MAKE something to give her. So, after searching the internet for hours for some ideas, I finally just went to Target, going to give up. But I found some placemats on clearance, and creative juices started flowing. Okay, that is WAY overboard. Maybe a trickle of an idea came slowly oozing to my brain. I found some wooden handles (only two), some bright ribbon, searched through my button collection, and after a few hours I had some CUTE purses! I have two other friends who had their birthdays this past week, so they were lucky enough to get purses, too! These are only two of them, I gave the others away before I could get a photo of them.

Anyway, it was fun to do. Maybe in another few months I'll try another project!

All it took

For two years Weston has been too scared to take off his training wheels. We kept trying to get a time when we would take those puppies off and teach him to ride. Then winter came and the bikes hibernated. Since it has been sunny out (I am writing this as a winter storm approaches.... Utah weather!), we got out the bikes. Weston asked to have the training wheels off. Scott got all prepared to teach Weston how to ride --you know, that thing that all Dad's must do with their kids. Holding on to the back of the bike, watching them fall, etc. Weston jumped right on and took off. Didn't need any "teaching." Scott was a bit disappointed. Weston sure is growing up fast!

Accountable Kids Part 2

So, now that we have been doing this for awhile it seems to be a pretty good system. I think, as with ANY system, the key is being consistent with it. This has taken a lot of discipline on MY part for myself. But, it has made things better.

Some things I have seen come from this:

*Oddly, there is much less television watching. It has been good. It may be because they aren't earning enough tickets, but whatever it is, their time in front of the TV (and computer) is limited.
*I hardly ever have to ask my oldest to get all of his stuff done in the morning. He is on top of it!
*Unfortunately, I forget to give them a ticket at times because I am busy with feeding the baby or something, so i get confused on if I have or haven't given the right amount of tickets.
*I wish they had a board for me.... i need to make my own tickets that say: Give out tickets.
*The kids are brushing their teeth daily!!!
*I like that I can add more things as they get in habits of doing their normal stuff.
*It has been a spring board to helping get more incentives going. Such as: We are thinking of getting a Wii (well, it is ordered and on its way) but we want the kids to "earn" the money to buy it. So, all the extra chores they actually earn money towards a Wii, or time towards playing on the Wii. And Weston has to practice his piano (each song three times), but after that, any extra time is earned towards playing the Wii (So, if he practices an extra 15 minutes, he can play on the Wii for 15 minutes). This has been great incentive!
*Our two year old doesn't quite get it yet, but it is getting better. If he sits on the toilet, he gets a ticket! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. (I made my own "Potty" reminder card--they really need to make one of those!)
*Two problems I have encountered: I like taking the tickets as discipline, but I have problems if they have no tickets to take! I can't figure out a good replacement for that.
and, I need Weston to do homework, but somedays he just decides not to do it... And so he doesn't get a ticket... But, I don't think that can be an option. He must do homework. How can I make that a MUST do? With Piano (and going to soccer), I just say, if you don't do it, then you owe me money cause it is costing me to put them in that... Is that bad?
*I really like that they earn stars towards a special date. That has been a great incentive. And it is nice to have a good reason to have one-on-one time with each kid.
*The family forum is easy because we get together every Monday night anyway for Family Home Evening, so we just make it part of our FHE. The first Monday of every month we do our family finances, fathers interviews, and look at our yearly goals, so we have just included in this a more detailed Family Forum where we go over tthe system in more detail. This is good cause it really keeps the boys involved as part of this entire thing.

*The kids are trying hard to earn Best Behavior cards. Unfortunately Aidan still tries “asking” for the card, and he needs to learn to just be caught being good.

*Bonus Bucks are what we use to have them earn extra Wii money/time, etc.

Here is Aidan with his sticker card for a special date he earned--We went to Iceberg for some ice cream and then to the park. He was SOOOO excited all day to use it!

I think this is a great system and can be very useful for many people. I think it is important that if people choose this, they be very READY to implement the program, be COMMITTED, and then be CONSISTENT. 4.5 stars (out of five) for this program!!

So far, I am happy with how things have gone. I believe I still need to work on my part of making sure the ENTIRE program works. But, I am confident that is will continue being a help with our children becoming more accountable and feeling like they take part in the running of the family and home.

Accountable Kids Part 1

One of my friends started a system for her kids called Accountable Kids. I thought it looked like a neat idea, and was in the middle of stressing out about the kids getting things done. Now with four kids, life is a little different. Let's say it is... busier. In the morning when I should be supervising the kids getting ready for school, I am busy feeding the baby. After I pick them up from school, I am usually constantly nagging them to get their "stuff" done before dinner, and trying to feed the baby. I was desperate to get some sort of system in place to help them. Chore charts, incentives, etc. I have tried things before, and although helpful, they usually didn't last long.

I got onto the Accountable Kids website and checked it out. Was it worth the money? Well, we'll see. I bought enough for all of my kids, received it all in the mail and took a week to read the book and study the program. If I was going to spend money on this, I was going to put all my effort into it.

I'll say up front: my two concerns are that it will work for awhile (just like other things I've tried) and then become a thing of the past; and, that it would be used by me, but not my spouse. Since it hasn't been in place long, I don't know about the first concern. But, for the other concern, I think I found a good way to help him implement it, too. I typed up a summary of each step and how we would implement it. I put that up on a board so that we could easily refer to it.

Let me explain the program:

When I first heard of it, I called it a "glorified chore chart." But it really is much more than that. It is a way for kids to know what their chores are and how to get them done BY THEMSELVES. By doing this, it teaches them to be "Accountable" (thus the name). It also give kids a chance to feel empowered by making decisions for themselves and realizing the consequences. They can learn to work to earn money and save it up.

The way these things are learned are by implementing a chore system, using Reminder Cards. The kids see which chores they are supposed to do (in the morning, afternoon, and evening), and once completed, they turn them over and then if chores are completed in each time of the day, they then earn a "ticket". This entitles them to a privilege (some of the privileges we have them earn are tv show, time on computer, play with friends, etc). The tickets can be used to discipline also--if they are asked to stop something, and they continue, I take away a ticket. (I have added that if they fuss about me taking any tickets away, ALL tickets are taken. This has been really helpful.) (PS, all these cards, etc go up on a board--you are supposed to decorate the boards and put their names on it, etc... Our boards are not yet decorated, we are waiting for the vinyl of their names, pictures, etc. That is why they look so boring in the photo. Also, we have the three boys using the boards, but bought a fourth for Elise to use in the future. We stuck them in the upstairs hallway by the bathroom so they easily see it. We use Elise's board for the extra cards.)

Chores can be anything that needs to be done: brush teeth, pick up toys, do homework, etc. I do wish they had an Exercise, Take Medicine, and a second Prayer "Reminder Cards". But, they have blank ones that I can put whatever I want. Otherwise, they really have all the cards needed.

There are several steps to the system. With the chores, Best Behavior Cards are also introduced. These are given to commend and praise good behavior the kids are "caught" doing, such as honesty, kindness, etc. The cards can be used as a ticket or put in a drawing. We have the kids who earned it choose an activity for the family to do on the weekend--like this weekend, Aidan chose that we dip strawberries in chocolate, and Weston chose the movie we watched as a family (Scooby Doo...).

The next step is when the kids earn ALL their chore tickets in one day, they get a sticker on a chart. Once ten stickers are earned, they get to go on a Special Date with mom or dad. I think this is a really fun part of the program. This helps them make LONG term goals to work toward.

They also can earn Privilege Passes--when kids work on a goal of eliminating a behavior, or getting into habits, they earn the PP. So, I don't want Weston grumbling when he practicing piano or going to his lessons. If each day he doesn't grumble, he earns a PP. He can use the pass for a special thing--last time he chose that I make a treasure hunt for him.

Another part of this system I really like is the Extra Chores. These are chores they can do to earn money. My boys are always wanting to earn money to go buy things, so this gives them a chance, plus it takes care of some of the simpler jobs around the house. With this coming Savings. This is a way of keeping track of what the kids are earning, and then making goals toward earning for something special.

The last step is the Family Forum. This is when we all get together and talk about the program--how it is working, goals to set, things we need to work on, etc. Since we have a family night every Monday night, this is when we do this. The kids can turn in their tickets at this time, and we "start over" for the week. If the kids have extra tickets, Behavior cards, etc at the end of the week, they can turn them in for money that goes toward us going on a Disney trip or getting a Wii. This has been good because they really want these two things, and buy earning and then exchanging cards for money towards these, they are contributing towards family things. We can also talk about things we want to work on--values, virtues, etc. Things that we have noticed need a bit of help.

I'll write some feelings about this in my next post.

A saga

Years ago my eyes were red, watery, and itched. I thought is was my contacts.

For the past few years my face would get this little red raised area that itched near my nose and mouth. I thought I had some acne problem.

Since my pregnancy with Brennan my legs have itched--terribly. I thought it had something to do with pregnancy.

So, I spent quite a bit of money (I will not divulge the amount...) and got eye surgery so I wouldn't have to wear contacts. I got some cream for my face. I have been using Dove soap forever thinking I had sensitive skin (which I do). And I use special mosturizer for my legs.

I finally went to a Dermatologist. I have ALLERGIES! What? Allergies? I NEVER would have thought of having allergies. Never. But, it makes sense. So, the doctor told me to take Zyrtec. I took it for a week and it worked for a bit. But then my legs started itching again... Argh. I called the doctor, she said to up the amount of meds. So now I take two zyrtecs a day. So far, so good. I have a "hyper abundance of histamine" in my skin, so if I start itching my skin, it gets worse and worse. So, I must keep my nails away from my legs!

But this dang Zyrtec makes me... not necessarily sleepy, but tired. Unmotivated. Or at least I keep blaming my unmotivation on the Zyrtec...

Which is better---to have itchy legs or to be lazy?

Love, Love, Love this girl!

She is just a happy wonderful child!!! I am so blessed to have her--she is such a good baby. I may be bragging a bit, but she is sleeping through the night (seriously. she eats and then goes down at 8:30ish and doesn't wake up til 6 or 7. love it!). She is also a great eater. Not taking forever, but not five minute muncher either (like my other kids!). Plus, she is constantly cooing and squawking sweet noises. She makes me smile with my whole heart!

Two months old and her stats are:

Height: 23.7 in

Weight: 10.8 lbs

Cuteness: out of this world

I thoroughly enjoy this child!

Side note: did you know your child doesn't develop tears when they cry for the first little while? Yesterday I wiped away her first tear. So sweet.

I've gone to the dark side...

Something I swore I would never do. Isnt' it interesting all of those promises you make to yourself--you'll never do those things. Ever. Like buying a minivan, saying something your parents said, or BUYING little LEGOS!!!! Well, I caved. Weston had gotten a few legos for birthdays from friends, etc. I swore I would never buy them for him. He used some of his allowance to buy his own. And now with his birthday coming up I have been looking into which Lego set to buy him! Argh. They are going to be ALL over the house!!! I am trying to get him to ONLY use them in his room. We'll see how that goes...

He Lives

He Lives

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter World!

From the Daw kids

Oh, what do you do in the Conference time?

Every six months when conference time comes, I run over to my local Walmart and buy a roll or two of CONTACT paper. And then I get everything ready and for two hours, and then another two hours, and so on, I cover my kids books. When my boys bring home the scholastic stuff I look through for books 2$ or less and buy a bunch. Covering them helps them last longer. This is a pic of my "library" almost a year ago. I am glad to say that two of those (emptier) shelves are completely filled with more books. I had two goals that I wanted to accomplish while my kids were young. 1) Get a piano and learn to play Primary Songs and 2) Get a big library of kids books. Got the piano and I am still working on learning all the primary songs, but my book collection is getting bigger and bigger. Plus, I love having something good to do during conference. My other activity is laminating FHE stuff. Fun, too. (Big fan of my little laminator, I advise everyone to have their own!)