A few weeks ago we took the kids to Minneapolis' Holidazzle Parade. We decided to head over on a Thursday evening because we thought it wouldn't be as crowded and because it was supposed to be the warmest day all month (high around 30 degrees). The kids were so excited to be able to see a parade during the winter AND at night! (I love living in a city that doesn't shut down when it gets cold out!)
Unless you live under a rock, you probably have heard about the winter storm we got here in Minnesota last weekend. We woke up Saturday morning to find a few inches of snow outside, but it was coming down pretty heavy and every news channel was telling people to stay at home. But do you think we listened? Of course not! (We had tickets that morning to take Wyatt and Sadie, as part of their Christmas gift, to see DIsney on Ice. Since Disney didn't cancel their show, we ventured out as well.)
The next morning we woke up and the snow had finally stopped, but everything was still shut down (our church even cancelled services on both Saturday evening and Sunday morning for the first time ever).
Things are so much fun in our household right now with Blake's new ability to walk and constantly learning new things.....BUT it also makes some things very difficult. So I have resorted to using the ERGO (thanks Steph!) for cleaning my floors, bathrooms, folding laundry, etc. But it is a great workout to carry around an almost 28lb. child while doing this stuff.
We were having a hard time (maybe it was mostly I who was having the hard time) being consistent with chores and giving allowances. So I adopted this idea from a friend of mine and it's been working wonderfully! Each of these tongue depressors has a 'chore' written on it (dust bedroom, clean toilet, vacuum your room, etc) and each morning Wyatt and Sadie each pick two from the large cup and then put them in the small cup when they are done. I have had several people ask me how I keep the cleaning on a schedule....well, I don't. With three little ones, it's nearly impossible. So sometimes the toilet gets cleaned on back-to-back days and sometimes it's a week between cleanings. But the purpose is really to teach the kids how to be a part of a family and help out and also how to do each chore well. I learned to let go of how clean it actually was and focus on what I was trying to teach them. But the kids love it since there is an element of surprise each morning. Once they finish their chores, they get 2 tickets (they love the tickets and I bought them at Walmart on one of those huge rolls of tickets, so they are just like the ones the kids have seen before). They only get their tickets if they don't complain while doing their chores and if they are done to my satisfaction (basically if they tried their best or if they just tried to get it done quickly). They save their tickets and once they get to 10 tickets, they turn them in to me for their allowance. (Their allowance=their age.) They have to be in charge of keeping track of their tickets (since I won't replace lost ones) and then turn them in. It's been really great to also teach them about managing their money, although this concept will obviously grow as they get older. But they have to put 10% aside for church and 10% in their piggy banks for savings (which they say is for college:). So far this is the most effective method we have had yet to date and they are still excited about doing it. I know the excitement will wear off, but the chores are not an option--they have to be done. The only option is whether they will choose to have a good attitude about it and then be rewarded or whether they'll do it begrudgingly. And I'm praying that I can be consistent with this as well!
I have been reading several interior design blogs lately--in all my spare time :)--and was inspired to get some new christmas decor in our house. (not tough to convince my husband of this as he is the one who LOVES decorating and seasonal decor.) I also took on a few DIY (Do It Yourself) projects that actually turned out to be pretty fun......
Just before Blake's birthday, the kids and I made some Christmas cookies. And they were extra excited this year as my mother-in-law had gotten them each their own aprons (and one for Blake too, once he's big enough to help out). I have such great memories of doing this with my mom when I was younger and I am excited that the kids can now do much of it on their own and that they look forward to it each year now.
We had a party for Blake this past weekend and my in-laws as well as my brother-in-law came to help us celebrate. But since my parents and my sister weren't going to make it for the party, they gave Blake his gift while they were here for Thanksgiving.
We had a great birthday for him and are thankful to our families for being a part of it. It is funny how the parties get smaller and smaller as each kid comes along, but I would say its also so much more fun having older siblings to help celebrate. And I WELCOME the smaller parties since I enjoy making their birthdays special but without the hassle (and cost) of a big party. It was great to celebrate his 1st year of life and I am so excited about the next year. He is so much fun right now and walking everywhere! I survived another 1st year of my kids' lives (not my favorite year) and am now entering the 'fun' stage.
