NEW system

Over the years I have seen different people run their homes in different ways.  I have seen those with chore charts where there is something for everyday of the week-except Sunday.  I was always against that method.  I thought that there was no way I wanted to do some chore everyday!  I'd preferred cleaning the whole house in one day.  That one day was usually my Saturday.

Early this summer, we restructured the chores in our home.  And, we went with that very method.  I decided that I was tired of spending my day off cleaning the entire house.  Only to have it wrecked in 2 days and no else cared anyway.
So, we've been using this new system for 2months now----it is so much better!  Everyone in the house has a chore that they are responsible for.  It is clearly written --the chore, the person, and the day of the week.

We chose chores that each girl was physically capable of doing, spent the time teaching them how to do the chores, and explained the chore chart. We reviewed the concept of responsibility and diligence. They understand that the chores get done everyday and they get paid on Friday.  If they don't do their chores with a good attitude and timely fashion, we make them do it without pay.

We place a check on the days that they did their chores--without attitude and early in the day.  We palce an X on the days they didn't do them in a good manner.  That's how we keep track of what they get paid.

In addition, we are teaching them to tithe, save, and spend.  Each payday, they take their savings to the bank and add it to their accounts.  We take their tithing and place it on the piano for church.  Then, they take the rest and put it in their purse for spending at their leisure!

~~Life is good.  The house is clean.  The girls are learning to be responsible. I'm not spending my time cleaning!!

EIGHT!

Well, the day has come!  My baby turned eight---yikes!!  Faith had an eventful birthday:)

First her Gram and Aunt flew out from PA---she was very happy about that.

Then, we took her to have her ears pierced---she was a trooper, not a single tear.

Then, Aunt April took her for her first manicure!  She loved it:)

Faith helped make her cake, as she does every year.

...down to the beater licking!

This year's request: 4 layer funfetti cake with chocolate fudge icing layered in there--topped with funfetti!

She was very happy to recieve an art easel and supplies----she's been asking for a while!

Finally, she rode in the annual bike parade in the neighborhood!

She's all grown up!

(sniff, sniff)

Summer is here.....

I can hardly believe it's July 2!!  WOW:)
~~Summer is in full swing for us.  We are currently hosting two exchange students.  There is one girl from Russia and the other is from Finland.  They attended our annual church 4th of July BBQ last night and had their first s'mores!  They were pleased and full of smiles:)
          Faith and Dalaina are enjoying the students a lot.  They have spent time learning some gymnastics, drawing, playing the piano, and just talking.  Anyway, life got crazy busy--quickly!  I wanted to share simple things that I've done that have simplified life lately. 

PROBLEM:  all mixed up
First, we redistributed our household chore system and payment plan.  The girls now have more responsibility and earn more money.  Included in this, they put their dishes into the dishwasher.  Well, many a days I'd come home to a mixed washer--that is, half dirty and half clean.  Aaarrggghhh....

SOLUTION: magents for the front- dirty and clean. 
Now, I just switch out the magnets as appropriate.  That is the first thing that the girls look for.  VOILA----no more mixed dishes:)

PROBLEM: communication
We lead a pretty busy life.  David and I work full time.  There are dad days, mom days, and sitter days.  Things were getting messed up, missed, forgotten, etc  I was getting frustrated.

SOLUTION: the white board
Now, I write the info onto our school whiteboard in the dining room.  I'll write Happy Monday, remember to feed the fish, chores, swim lessons, etc  This cut down on a lot of stress for the messes and missed things! Now, everyone, including the girls, are on the same page.  And, my husband is using the board to write on too!! VOILA--organized communication

PROBLEM: chatty
Our meal times have been just full of chatty little girls.  They would just chat, about everything and anything.  I prayed about this and hoped for some solution

SOLUTION: purposeful chatting
I bought a Dinner Table Devotional book at the Christian book store.  There is a topic, story, verses, and questions for every day of the year.  It is organized by dates-so there's no planning!  It has been a great tool.  We are learning and discussing things as a family:)

So now, things are organized and life is good:)