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:)
