Pulling My Hair Out

This kid is definitely one that I could say 

"Makes me pull my hair out...."

But, he's the one pulling his hair out, not me.

He has this weird habit lately and can't seem to control  himself.

He is constantly grabbing a hair and yanking it out.

This picture shows his little bald spot he has made.

I tried cutting his hair really short yesterday to hide it a bit.

See- he is a little OCD!

He is also obsessed with pulling out his teeth!
They are coming out way faster than normal.
(I think he forces them loose!)

Let Us Gather In a CIRCLE

 Yesterday I was driving home from the elementary school

and I noticed all the cows gathered in a circle to eat their breakfast.

I stopped and took a picture because I have felt so strongly

about our family gathering in a circle for meals.

Donny found me a circle table on KSL this winter 

and we have LOVED IT.

It has greatly improved manners, conversation, and convenience.

Take Out the Papers and the Trash

 I had the funniest moment this morning with Packer and Hunter.  

I was telling Packer to take out the trash (that's his Wednesday chore) 

and I turned to Hunter and told him to re-mop the kitchen floor 

(he had done a sloppy job). 

I burst out laughing and sang the song 

"Take out the papers and the trash" to them. 

 It fit perfectly to our morning chores.

My Own Garden

Last year we turned our garden into box gardens

and everyone got their own box to plant, work, and harvest.

It was a wonderful thing for our in SO many ways.

1- health   2- stewardships   3- higher vegetable yield

This last week we tied our strings, planned our vegetables, 

and planted most of them for this year's garden.

The kids LOVE it- it no longer feels like a chore.

They plant EVERYTHING in their little gardens-

spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce, peas, onions, carrots, beets, beans, basil, etc.

They love to do a whole variety and I love planning it with them  

(It's organizational heaven for me)

Sadie on the Violin

Sadie is getting so good on the violin 

and she is pretty much self taught.

She especially loves playing the hymns.

Two Economies

One Size Fits All?

Not at our house with earnings.

I have tried 2 different systems for work rewards/consequences 

and have found because of my children's age differences, 

just one system doesn't work for everyone.

Using BOTH systems avoids frustration.

These two systems work SO WELL without force and anger,

so I wanted to write it out to share with others 

and also to keep for my memory...in case I forget.

System 1: (3-8 year-olds)

WORK earns FOOD

BREAKFAST= Basic getting ready stuff PLUS a Housework chore 

(4 year old= unloads dishwasher

6 year old= vacuums/mops floors

8 year old= cleans bathrooms)

MORNING SNACK= Clean up Breakfast

(4 year old= loads dishwasher

6 year old= dries dishes

8 year old= clears & wipes the table)

LUNCH= Yardwork or Help Cook

(or School if they are at school)

DINNER= (we eat right after school)= Homework

(or set the table if they are toddlers at home)

DESSERT= Clean up Dinner & Take Bath/Shower

System 2: (8-12 year-olds)

WORK earns MONEY and FOOD

They still cannot eat BREAKFAST without the basics of getting ready 

(make bed, say prayers, tidy room, brush teeth, get dressed)

They have additional responsibilites now that they are older (8+) 

(Reading, Music Practice, Household Stewardship- like cooking or laundry)

But they get more freedom on when they do these things,

since they are also busier with activities, sports, etc.

There is a time for accounting "adding up" each night and

 if they have done about 90% of their duties, they get dessert with us.

Each duty is allotted points which represent money amount 

and also help in calculating the 90%.

Here is a sample chart:

Cookie Economy

Dancing

I LOVE it when Donny takes me dancing.

We have a local place that has lessons and dancing a couple of times a month

and we have been going there for our date nights.

(Well, we went once, but it's in the plans to keep it up!)

Tonight we pulled out the kitchen table and taught 

some steps to our girls.

Isn't there just something wonderful about a father 

dancing with his daughter?