The Christmas morning kit

Parents should put one of these together the night before Christmas. Having trash bags, screw drivers, wire cutters, scissors and a box cutter around will keep you from having to repeatedly "pause" the fun while you go rummaging.

Blue and Gold Scout Banquet cake

Dane and I made this cake for the cake competition and tied for first place!

This years Valentines

I love how they turned out. I used clear plastic Christmas ornaments and a inside down paper cup, cut in half. They were a huge it!

Finn's 5th birthday breakfast in bed.

A chore system that really works!

                                                                        

I didn't want to jinks my chore system by posted about how great it was. But now that it's been working successfully for over a year, I have to share.

  

Throughout the week the boys can earn "terrific tickets" these are small replicas of dollar bills with their faces on them. I keep it all in the kitchen where the boys will regularly see it. I made a little pocket with their picture above where the Terrific tickets can be put as the boys earn them. That way they can easily see how much they have so far. They earn the tickets by doing their regular chores and can earn extra with a list of jobs needed around the house.   

 

At the end of the week we have a family movie night. The person who has earned the most tickets that week gets to pick out the movie. Which is a great bonus but the most annticipated part of the movie night is something I call "The Chore Store". This is the place they can spend their hard earned tickets. I sell things like...

a cup of popcorn for 2 tickets, a brownie for 3, fake tattoos for 1. I will also have toys and Target dollar bin items for sale too. They each take turns spending their money at the chore store. After their purchases we sit down to watch the movie and enjoy the prizes of their hard earned money. They boys take so much pride in earning and spending their money. We always like to do a movie night with the kids anyway so this just takes to to another level of fun.

 

In the past I used to have the boys earn real money to buy what they wanted but it didn't work out for several reasons..... 

1. I almost never have cash on me

2. They would lose their cash

3. If they could keep track of their cash I would have to drive them to Target to spend their money every week (it has to be a weekly thing or else they just lose the concept, you can't go to long between work and reward)

4. They would always want something that they didn't have enough money for and would feel disapointed.

5. My presence in Target means accidently spending 300 dollars on a bunch of stuff I didn't know I needed. Things like mustache shaped stickers and neon scarfs. 

So you can see why the conventional allowence and chore method did not work for me and why I'm so happy with our present method.

Happy parenting

Anne

Adam and Steffanie's Wedding

Adam's wedding was such a wonderful experience. I can honestly say that I've never seen him happier. Steffanie is such a warm, kind, hardworking and incredibly genuine person. I know they are going to have such a happy life together and I love having her as a sister. All of the children could not have been more darling. It was so sweet to see all the cousins giggling and playing together all weekend. I loved having the Gillrie clan in force and we're all looking forward to this new happy chapter,

Texas Blue Bells

Texas Blue Bells this last May. I'm in love with this place and these four darlings!

2012 4th of July Fun.

We had a great 3/4th of July this year. All the trappings that say I'm American; cute outfits, bar-B-Q, fireworks, pool side fun and friends. I'm so grateful to live in this great country!

Happy Fathers Day Dads and Grandpas!

Summer swim team

Band of pirates

I sewed a pink bow on Hazel's PJ's so she could match the boys and still be girly.

Bored Jar

Today we made our summer bored jar. Every time the kids say they are bored they have to pull an activity from the jar. Some are fun like "eat ice cream" and some are chores like "sweep the kitchen floor". It's a gamble so you better entertain yourself.

Here is our list in case you want to do the same idea. Happy Summering

1              Draw a Picture of your family

2              Paint a picture

3              run from fence to fence 10 times

4              straiten the books in the bookshelf

5              read a story

6              feed Hazel

7              Play a board game

8              Play in the back yard for 1 hour

9              have a tea party with Hazel

10           Make sure all the shoes are in the show basket

11           Pick up trash outside

12           clean the kids bathroom

13           sweep the front porch

14           pick up 25 things and put them away

15           do a puzzle

16           make all the beds in the house

17           collect 10 cool things from nature

18           make up a contest for you and your brothers

19           sing a primary song

20           make smoothies

21           write a letter to someone and mail it

22           dance party

23           collect sticks

24           catch bugs and make a habitat

25           play Nintendo DS

26           take out the trash

27           collect 10 different leaves put in order of your favorite

28           Make a mini pond

29           eat popcorn

30           brush your teeth

31           empty the dishwasher

32           put laundry away

33           play hide and seek

34           play don't let the balloon touch the ground

35           clean your room

36           paint sidewalk with water

37           make jewelry

38           alphabet tour with camera

39           make a collage

40           make treat for everyone

41           sweep the floor

42           set the table

43           play Pokémon

44           chore of moms choice

45           make a Christmas ornament

46           make a sock puppet

47           stack all the stackable blocks as high as you can

48           plan our next Family Home Evening

49           do a chalk drawing

50           blow bubbles

51           make Jell-O

52           make a mobile

53           plan a date with mom or dad

54           do a workout 20 jumping jacks, 10 summer saults, 5 pushups

55           do mister potatoes head for 20 minutes

56           make a train track for 20 minutes

57           clean out the car

58           vacuum the car

59           wash the car

60           look through recipe books and make your favorite

61           do star fall online for 30 minutes

62           watch living scripture video

63           watch leap frog video

64           water the plants

65           vacuum the house

66           make a cairn

67           water fight with buckets and cups

68           play with toys upstairs for 30 minutes

69           play with mom's hair (Finn's idea)

70           pick flowers for mom (Finn's idea)

71           make a banner for dad (welcome home)

72           draw a picture of mom

73           earn three terrific tickets

74           eat ice cream

75           watch a movie

76           put on a fake tattoo

77           do a crazy hair style

78           make a magic potion outside

79           invent something

80           make some creatures with glue and things you find outside

81           make a crown

82           play dress up

83           eat a fruit or vegetable

84           make a mini boat and float it in the pond

85           call grandma

86           call a cousin

87           make up a dance

88           make up a secret handshake

89           make a homemade birthday card

90           do a photo shoot of someone

91           make a band with our play instruments and perform for mom

92           play tic tac toe

93           dust

94           chore of moms choice

95           write a letter to someone and mail it

96           dance party

97           chore of moms choice

98           write a letter to someone and mail it

99           chore of moms choice

100         kiss everyone in the family and give them a hug

Welcome to summer

I made this sign for a bunch of the other moms and I to hold as our kids got out of school on the last day. We had balloons attached and handed out Popsicles and pixie sticks. We cheered as each of our kids came out the door. The perfect way to kick off summer!

Hazel's "Let them eat cake" 

1st Birthday Tea Party

Hazel's Marie Antoinette "Let them eat cake" Tea Party Birthday was a smashing success! To be totally honest, I've probably been planning this party in my mind for the last 10 years. From the cucumber sandwiches to the individual smash cakes it was an absolute delight. I could not have done it with out my sister Mary's inspiration, Rory's assistance, Melissa's cake skills and Jaime and Jessica's helping hands. Plus all of our darling friends who indulged us in getting all dressed up. Thank you thank you for making all our little girl birthday party dreams come true.

 

The Little Princess herself

The Royal Guest List

Everything tiny and tasty

Each guest was given a handmade crown as a party hat (thank you pinterest)

Thank You Jaime for ALL your help, you are amazing!!!!

Queen Anne's Lace and Tea Roses (how fitting)

Individual smash cakes for all (thanks for all your help icing Melissa and Elise)

 

Let them eat cake

 The incredible gift wrapping

The invitation

The envelope liner

Strawberry picking

While Rory was out of town my gracious friends Jaime and Jessica offered to help me take the kids strawberry picking. It was magical!