A new approach towards Obedience.

Award Tickets

The kids are starting to act up again. It seems as though it comes in seasons, or a new school year + friends. The kids are getting to the point where our normal punishments were not working at all. Taking away toys didn't matter, because they would just go to another one. Spanking was a joke. We are too busy with football, so there were no special events or outings to cancel. We go to any store whether it is grocery or convenience and it's, "I want this and I want that!!!" We would finally get to sit down and watch TV and they would demand to watch a kids show. (we have another TV connected to the satellite upstairs). Talking back, saying NO when asked to do something. Total Chaos, Disrespect, and Disobedience. For me. . . . . . . added Stress! I had to come up with something new, fun, inexpensive, and rewarding QUICK! 

I figured maybe I could do a chart where if they did certain things they would get points. Then it was hard to figure what to do with the points and what certain things were worth. 

I figured out 11 rewards.

Treat - Kiara loves ice cream, and Jerome loves treats - This is for any kind of treat, special drinks or desserts.

Buddy Pass - kids love hanging out with friends or having them over - This is for either of those

Bike Ride - kids love going to the neighborhood park - This is for a bike ride or a trip to a further park.

Game Night - This is for family game night

Movie - This one is for a movie of their choice - 5 of them = a movie at the theatre.

Game System - This is for 30 minutes of video game time.

Playroom - Kiara always trashes her playroom and cries when it is time to clean up the room - This is a 1 hour pass.

Computer - This is for 1 hour of computer time.

Stay Up Late - we're always fighting bedtime, we stay up late on weekends, the kids want to stay up all night long. This is to give extra time.

Tea Party - This is for a tea party with mom (with berry tea and a treat whether it is baked or bought) 5= a tea party with a friend.

Gold Card- This is for awesome doings, tackles in Football, Big Chores, or volunteering to help the other sibling with something. Actually endless.

The kids get NO money and if they misbehave, tickets get taken away from their collection.

We started this a week ago. So far the Program is Phenomenal. The kids actually want to do chores and extra's. I added the twist a few days ago. * If you are going to disrespect the other and treat them bad, they can pick any ticket (but the Gold) out of your bucket. That was a scary one. They are very nice to eachother being that they are very close to 5 movie tickets.

A Poncho for Kiara

Ballerina Poncho

It's Fall again and time to accessorize. On the hunt for a cute sweater,  I realized the cute "un-ordinary" sweaters are way too expensive! I looked up poncho's and found a few cute ideas. We bought the fabric at Joann's at 50% off. I even bought some in black for myself, lets see if I follow through. The hardest part was sewing on a hood. The result was very cute and Kiara loved it!!

A new discovery. . .

     I discovered something new. . . Pinterest. It is a collection of pictures with links. Love it. I am always on the quest for new ideas; hairdo's, household things, arts and crafts, etc. I was searching through different subjects, and before I knew it an hour had passed. There is even a free iPhone app. I am always in search of cool new apps. 

Raptor Moms

September 10th game in Lakewood

     Here are the majority of the mom's in the team. Susan's store Bell-A-Boutique had these shirts from one of their vendors and we are selling them for our team. Susan and I are in the middle at the bottom.

A New Task. . . .

MacGourmet Deluxe

     So in my constant quest to split myself up between everything, I have also been trying to find ways to save time and be a little more space saving. I have a whole shelf filled with cookbooks that I only use for a few recipes each, binders of favorite family recipes, a recipe box for the sweet stuff and a recipe box for the non-sweet, ultimate favorites, and printed cards. All which take up considerable space and get dirty from cooking ingredients and are virtually un-wipeable. I have been researching recipe programs for some time now. MAC recipe programs that is. I Love My Computer! For my birthday the Vigils gave me an iTunes card and Voila!! I was able to get my program. The program was $49.99 + tax. A little steep but Well worth it. This program allows you to of course type in all your recipes and import from favorite web sites like Food Network and All Recipes.com, etc. I have yet to see if I can copy over stuff from one of my favorite blogs, Closet Cooking. Now of course, I have to type all those favorite recipes which were written on cards. I have a dozen years of accumulation from breads to entrees to desserts to meats to pastas and soups and I could go on and on. It's amazing how many places and events brought me to all my recipes. Of course my ultimate favorites are from New Mexico!! Now to find the time and place to enter all the goodies. Wish me luck and God Speed!!! Aghhh!