Times Have Changed

Last week some interesting conversations were had with our 4th grader. I remember as a 4th grader, who had just moved back to Minnesota from Baltimore, I had heard my first swear words. It was such a different thing and I asked my mom about it. The things Braeden has brought to our attention are not as simple as a swear word. Boy..that would've been nice. Who knew that he would have to deal with such complicating issues as a 4th grader. Shouldn't he be worried about video games, friends and activities? This being a parent thing sure has its challenges. I just wish kids could be kids and we could shelter them from these complicated issues or conversations. Our goal as parents are to keep the lines of communication open. I don't want my kids to fear us no matter what. I hope they learn that choices sometimes have consequences they won't like but its better for us to know about things then to hide them. Does it ever get easier or better? Do you ever stop worrying?

CAR

Who knew such a little, simple word could mean so much to a mom. Today I baked all day so my mother-in-law picked Charlie up from preschool. When I got home she was telling me how amazed she was at what he could say and how much better he is to understand. I told her we had noticed a change as well. He has only been in school for a few weeks and it is amazing what a little speech therapy can do to a child. Mary then proceeded to tell me how she couldn't believe he wasn't saying 'Tar' anymore for Car. I wasn't sure what she was talking about. Charlie said, mom my teacher taught me today...he puts his hand up by his throat and says..'CAR'! I could've cried I was so excited! What a blessing. He has come a long way, It is so great to hear him be able to say the sounds we take for granted. What a great day he had and the smile on his face as he told me was priceless!!

Twins Game

We have never taken the kids to a Twins Game and decided lets just do it. Not sure why we waited so long, maybe because their activities keep us extremely busy ALL the time. Who knows but better late than never. It was so much fun. Of course the day we pick it was really windy and cold. It was extremely hot all summer and most days leading up to that day. Then we get to Saturday for the game and it was cold. We made the most of it. We wanted them to have fun. We walked around to see everything. I thought they would be up and down the entire time but they actually watched the game. It was cute to see them so interested! We were suckers for letting them get pretty much anything they wanted. We bought hot dogs, nachos, pretzels with cheese, slushies, and pop. No one went home hungry that is for sure. It was a late night but the kids still talk about it and can't wait to go again. Here are some pictures from our night:

School

Now that the kids have officially started their 3rd week of school I should probably post some pictures. My life is chaotic to say the least. I can't believe summer is over and the kids are all back to school. My kids love to go so I know it is good for them. The first day of school was really hard for me this year. I just loved having them home and my house was instantly quiet when they were gone. I think it is also just thinking about this being the last year Charlie is home before he starts Kindergarten. Time goes by way too quickly. As a child I never understood that statement and always thought it went slow. As an adult I wish I could bottle up these moments and enjoy them more.

First Day of 4th and 1st Grade

First Day of Preschool

School

Last night we had entrance conferences with the kids. It so surreal that school is starting in a week. I feel like I was just picking the kids up form their last day of school. This mommy is getting kind of weepy knowing the summer is ending. The fights drove me CRAZY. The begging to get my kids out of bed to get to activities was a pain in the butt. BUT...I have completely enjoyed this summer with my kids. We had a lot of time together. We enjoyed the pool and the lake immensely this summer! It was great to meet their teachers. It is going to be a fabulous year with great teachers. Braeden wishes that he could go in a time machine to be able to start school faster. I am so glad that my kids enjoy school. I HOPE they will always enjoy getting up to go to school. Emma's teacher is in Patsy's old classroom. That just means there are good bones in there and she will excel this year!! Braeden got a fabulous teacher that taught Uncle Zak when he was little. Braeden of course brought it up to her immediately. I get one more year of my Charlie home with only preschool. I don't think we talk about Kindergarten for him until the day of. He gets to meet his preschool teacher on Wednesday. Ahhh...we are going to enjoy this weekend with time at the pool with cousins and days at the lake to water ski and go on boat rides.

Chore Chart

This week I finally made chore charts for my kids. It has been a long process of finding the right one and what would work for my kids. I searched the web and put together a few ideas into one amazing chore chart.

First I started with a cookie sheet and glass gems from the dollar store, magnets from Wal-Mart, 1 inch punch, mod podge, foam brush, glue stick, E6000 glue and fun paper

I then printed jobs to punch out and glue on the back of the gems. Here is the website I used here. I cut them out with the 1 inch punch and glued them face up to the back of the gems with the glue stick. I then spread mod podge on the back. I laid them out to dry for an hour.

 

After they dried I glued the magnets on the back with the E6000 glue. I let them dry overnight. While they dried I made up how to distinguish if the jobs need to be done, were done or are jobs that can earn money. I came up with this:

Then instead of gluing the sheet to the cookie sheet I decided to just tape it. I like change and know that I will want to change out the paper based on the time of year or just when I find cute paper I want to use. By gluing it, it makes it harder to change.

I put it all together and then remembered I had to drill holes in the cookie sheet to run ribbon through it.

Then I ran ribbon through it to hang it up on the wall.

 

Here are all the chore charts completed. They turned out better than I thought. The kids enjoy being able to move their jobs around. It has worked well to tell them they have to get them done before they can do other things for the day. The money jobs are great too because they can earn a little bit during the week during jobs that are over and above their normal day to day jobs. We didn't want to pay them for making their bed, brushing their teeth, cleaning their room or the normal jobs they have to do. They get paid to empty the dishwasher, clean the sink, dust, vacuum, etc. It is working great so far but it has only been a week!

Eventful Week

We have had the most fun week of the summer. Monday Braeden learned how to water ski! Hard to believe at 9 he can get up on skis. He looks so little skiing behind the pontoon boat. He doesn't need the speed boat to pull him out of the water because he is only maybe 60lbs soaking wet. My little boy is growing up. He went back to the lake Thursday night and got up without a problem! My kids are such water kids!

Emma had dance tryouts on Thursday. I am proud to say we have now entered a new stage in dance. She made rec team and hip hop team. I am so proud of her!! Her best friend tried out with her and they both made the same hip hop team. Emma is a year younger than her so they are on different rec teams. The girls were pretty bummed because they have danced together for the last 3 years. Her friends mom and I are bummed as well but excited that they can at least dance hip hop together. We will do play dates and it will be perfect!

Charlie has started putting his face under the water! This is HUGE! He has been so hesitant because he hates getting water in his ear. Friday my neighbor, Jen, and I took our kids to the pool to play. Charlie hangs out in the kiddie pool and the other kids get free rain of the pool and diving boards. Maddie, Jen's daughter, was swimming around in the kiddie pool and Charlie started copying her. He even held his breath and swam towards Jen and I kicking his legs! What an accomplishment. I couldn't be more proud.

My kids have had the best week!! Tonight they are staying at the lake for the night and I get a much needed alone night. Nick is in Madison on a golf trip with his brother. I am catching up on uploading pictures, updating my website and all other work related things that can never get done!