Whistle While We Work

Now that school is out for the summer, I really want to spend some time getting my family into a routine and good habits.  Chores are just one of the many things I would like to see happen on a daily basis around here. 

I researched several blogs, books, and pins on pinterest.  There are so many different ideas and philosophies on chores.  Many think that kids shouldn’t get paid to work around the house; they work out of obligation to the other members of the household.  I get that.  Many others believe that kids should be given an allowance to teach them that hard work does pay off and to teach kids how to handle money.  I get that too.

For that reason, we have adapted a system combining the two philosophies.  William thrives on routine and loves visual stimulation.  Using a pinterest find, I constructed these 2 chore charts out of a file folder.  I wish I could remember where I got this idea to give them credit, but apparently it’s one of the few things that stuck in my mind because I sure did not pin it.  The graphics I found at http://audreyschilaty.com/blog/.  This is what ours looks like.

William is 4, so he has 4 daily chores that he does not get paid for.  He makes his bed, puts his dirty clothes in the basket, puts his dirty dishes in the sink, and picks up his toys before bed.  He also has 4 chores that he will complete once a week.  He will clean his bathroom, sweep the kitchen and living room, sort the laundry, and put away his clean laundry.  These he will earn an allowance for.  More on that to come.

Today was day 1.  He was very excited and after doing all his daily chores, wanted to “play” chores.  Then he was upset because he was all done.  So I had him start one of his weekly chores and he cleaned the bathroom.  Most of the time I was right there directing him – even putting my hands over his and showing him how to do things. 

The day went well I would say.  I know the key to success is consistency and patience.  I will be updating our journey throughout the summer and I will post more on our allowance/money system as well.  Thanks for following our little journey!!

Train up a child...

It’s a good thing I love to read.  I’m in the middle of 5 books right now and since I find so little free time to sit down to read, it’s been a toss-up as to which book I choose.  Sometimes I choose pleasure reading (the newest Jodi Piccoult, Duck Dynasty, etc.), countless parenting, marriage, or other self-help books, or even a documentary/biography type books. 

Many times I can’t keep my eyes open long enough to finish a full chapter, so I’ll turn on the tv.  We don’t really watch normal tv any longer either.  Between Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime, we haven’t seen regular tv programming except for the news on the rare occasions we watch for the weather!!  Currently, I’m addicted to Super Nanny on Hulu Plus.  The woman is amazing!!  She has great advice and techniques that I’ve often used with success! 

Daniel and I have also been going through James Dobson’s study Bringing Up Boys.  We watch the videos together, and then talk about what we have seen afterwards.  It has been an incredible asset to us as we strive to raise William to be a strong man of God.  

Recently, I feel as though everything I’m reading or watching is centered on the legacy that we’re leaving with our children.  What did our parents instill in us and what are we choosing to instill in our children.  I feel a sense of urgency as I feel I am smack in the middle of the formative years with William and will be there soon with Katelyn too.  What do I want my children to be like?  What values do I want to stick with them through adulthood?  What do I want them to teach my grandchildren?

Last night, Daniel and I discussed the excellent qualities that both our parents made sure that we had.  Both of us have an incredible work ethic.  Our parents taught us to work hard regardless of what everyone else was doing.  When I started my first job, my Dad taught me when there was nothing else to do, pick up a broom and sweep.  This was so ingrained in both of us that we still have a hard time sitting down and relaxing sometimes!! 

Our parents also did their best to make sure that we love and follow Jesus.  We are both aware that the journey is rocky and we make mistakes all the time, but we know that our faith is first and foremost.  Without Him we are nothing and we have nothing.  My Dad still faithfully reads his Bible every morning as he eats breakfast.  I definitely saw this growing up and am pleased that Daniel does the same thing now.  I hope our children will see it and it will mean something to them as it did to me.

One thing neither one of us were never really taught is that it is okay to fail.  We both have memories of our parents constantly pushing us to do our very best.  While there is nothing wrong with the way our parents chose to encourage us, neither Daniel nor myself feel as though we can take risks.  We stay with what’s safe and strive to do our best with what we know.  We don’t want to take risks because we don’t want to fail.  We don’t necessarily like to try new things because of the unknown. 

As I’m reading the Duck Commander book, I am struck by the fact that they would not have what they have today without the incredible risks they took.  Both Korie & Willie Robertson write that they were raised that the things that they have are just things; if they lost it all tomorrow they would be fine.  In turn, they have raised their children the same way.  

I want my children to have these values.  Some that I will pass on to them that were taught to me by my parents and some that I don’t have that I wish I did.  

But now my question is – how?  I try telling my 3 year old things and model manners, respect, etc. to him, but how do you get them to understand the deeper issues??  Is there a book for that?? 

What values were you raised with?  What and how are you teaching your children now?

The true meaning of Christmas...errr, life.

I’ve just returned from a harrowing trip to Bass Pro in hopes to get another great picture of Will on Santa’s lap.  Unfortunately, we left without seeing Santa and apparently without our Christmas spirit as well.  On our way home I was honked at, cut off, and almost rear-ended (and, no, I’m not THAT bad of a driver).  In my frustration and attempt to fight back tears, it really got me to thinking…

Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays (4^th of July wins because that one is big for my family) and I LOVE all the traditions and family and gifts that come along with it.  Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of facebook posts and hearing a lot of people saying that they’re going to remember the true meaning of Christmas this year and tone things back a bit.  While I understand what they’re going for, I’ve been a little frustrated with it.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the real meaning of Christmas.  Without CHRIST, there would be no reason for celebrating Christmas or anything else for that matter.  Christ is everything to me and I cannot express my thanks for His coming as a baby to give me everlasting life.

However, I feel that in some way, these posts are saying that people like me who love to decorate and buy and wrap presents don't remember the true meaning of Christmas.  And it simply isn't true!!  I believe you can do both: remember the real meaning AND participate in the traditions this time of year brings.  

My love language is gifts.   This time of year, I love to get and to receive gifts…Christmas is the time of year I get to do what I love the most!!  I love buying for other people and waiting with anticipation while they open.  I love when people take the time to think about me and buy gifts they think I’ll love.  It is the very essence of my love language and completely fills my “love tank” so to speak. 

I don’t feel that my desire to buy and open gifts, spend time with my family, and follow old traditions while creating new takes away from the true meaning of Christmas.  I do it all because Christ did for me.  He gave me the most thoughtful gift of all – salvation.  He gave me my family and my love language.  I don’t think He looks down on me at all because I like to participate in Christmas traditions – religious and not.

 

Part of the joy of Christmas for me is that it’s the time of year (generally) when people are nice, thoughtful, and giving towards others.  I always make it a point to say, “Merry Christmas” to all the checkers at the stores I frequent.  I try to have a dollar or some change ready to put in the Salvation Army’s buckets.  I buy gifts for less fortunate than I because God has blessed my family and we aren’t in need this year.  I think the true meaning of Christmas is that we should be doing these things every day, not just during the Christmas season.  

 

At Bass Pro this morning (the last weekday before Christmas), I went in chatting excitedly with Will about the deer and Santa.  We went down to see Santa and immediately I was baffled by the anti-Christmas spirit everywhere.   I went to get our “Bass Pass” (the ridiculous new system Bass Pro has in place to cut down on wait times – basically it just meant we couldn’t see Santa today).  I couldn’t find where they were located and tapped an Elf on the shoulder to ask.  You should have seen the dirty looks I got from the 50 people in line.  I wasn’t trying to cut; just ask a question.  Christmas Spirit, people.  Let’s be nice!

Then, I had to stand in line to get our “Bass Pass.”  By the time I got to the front, Will was mad and the lady behind the gingerbread house wasn’t in the mood to put up with cranky kids.  We were given the next available Bass Pass (5:30pm) and told to move on.  Wow.  Merry Christmas to you, too!

In the parking lot, I couldn’t get out of my space because of the amount of cars filing up and down the parking lot.  When I finally got a chance to get out, the lady in the spot next to me backed out at the same time I did and starting honking at me.  So, I stopped to let her go (Christmas Spirit, Kristen…remember your Christmas spirit) and almost got rear-ended by the huge truck barreling up the parking lot aisle.

 

By the time I hit 40 hwy, I was shaking so badly I couldn’t tell if it was my hypoglycemia or my near death experiences.  I had $4 left in the entertainment envelope, so I told Will we’d go get McDonalds for lunch.  As I went to turn into the parking lot, the car in front of me was trying to turn the other way and couldn’t for all the cars coming.  So, I was stuck out in traffic for a little bit.  All was well until a car pulled up behind me to turn and started laying on their horn and flipping me off.  As one would expect, they also turned into McDonalds.  Needless to say, we went through the drive-thru because I didn’t think I wanted to cry in front of them.

Now I’m at home and I remember why I do most of my Christmas shopping online and try to be done before Thanksgiving.  Where is the love for this holiday and what it represents??

There is nothing wrong with having a tree, surrounding it with presents, and baking into the late hours of the night.  Nothing.  However, there is something wrong when we forget that our Christmas spirit comes from Christ.  He commands us to treat others with love.  If we can’t do that…especially at Christmas, then we’ve lost the true meaning of life; not just Christmas. 

Bumblebee Costume Tutorial

I’ve never been big on Halloween.  But, I guess when you have kids a lot of things change!!  This year I was so excited to have Will dress up as a cute little bumblebee and to have a beehive themed trunk for our church’s annual trunk or treat.  

A friend of mine had a CUTE bee costume she allowed me to borrow.  Looking at the costume made my heart melt!  The wings and stripes were on a “backpack” type deal and there was the most adorable knitted bee hat I’ve ever seen.  A couple weeks before Halloween, I got the costume out and put it on Will.  Not only would he not leave the hat on longer than 2 seconds; he screamed every time I put the “backpack” on.  

This wasn’t what I was hoping for.  Plan B.

I looked all over the internet (namely through pinterest) for a Bee costume tutorial that my son would wear.  I didn’t find ANYTHING.  

So I decided that when I found a costume that worked for my finicky toddler, I would put the tutorial online.  Here goes…

I bought a black hooded sweatshirt (and pants, not pictured) and some yellow felt.  Like a glutton for punishment, I bought a cheap black stocking cap from WalMart just in case Will changed his mind about hats (he didn't).   

I cut the felt into 1 inch strips.  I cut WAY too many.  You only need about 5 or 6 depending on how big your kiddo is!

I pinned the stripes onto the sweatshirt to make sure they were where I liked them before I attached them. 

 I made sure the stripes matched up in the front too.

Then I found some yellow embroidery thread I already had stashed away in a box downstairs and began to sew the stripes on.  I started with the hood.  It took me 4 hours to hand stitch 3 rows onto the hood of this jacket. 

Then, my dear husband informed me that bees don’t have stripes on their heads.  It only took me 3 minutes to rip out my 4 hours worth of work.  

 By this point, it was the Friday before Halloween.  I needed to figure something out FAST.  I didn’t have time to stitch all these stripes on this costume and take care of my family and other responsibilities. 

 

Thank God for hot glue!

Finished product on my sweet bumblebee.  Now to add wings & an antennae.  I should also add that when I showed this costume to my dad (a real beekeeper), he informed me that bees don’t have stripes on their arms.  Well…this bee does!

I bought a package of pipe cleaners and some little puff thingys at JoAnns.  I cut 2 holes in the hood and fed the pipe cleaners through.  Then I twisted the end of the pipe cleaners together under the hood and on top of the hood (so they would stay standing).

This is before I twisted them together on the outside as well.  Honestly, that was a last minute effort to get the antennae to stand up!

For the wings, I had my Dad shape a wire hanger into the wings.  I bought tulle at JoAnn’s to cover the wire with, but it didn’t work out for me.  So, I took a sock and stretched it over the wire and sewed it at the end.  Mine ended up ripping and I had to go over it with embroidery thread, but it was completely unnoticeable!!  Then I took a piece of black ribbon and tied it around the middle of the wings so that they would gather.  I sewed the ribbon on with black embroidery thread.  I also used two safety pins to hold the wings close to the costume on both sides of the wings.  

This is the finished product!!  Too Cute!

Our “trunk!”

And…

 My sweet little bumblebee!!