- Last week Ricky had to take another day off of work, so we could go to our storage unit and meet the cleaning company. They made it all super easy and quick, deciding what is non-salvageable and what could be cleaned. We moved a few things to our new unit and got to help Teresa, our friend with whom we're sharing the unit, with her stuff. Our kids were passed around by a few good friends and loved it! The rest of the week was normal. Teresa was here, and we had pizza/movie night. For Mother's Day we had a picnic at a park, reclined and read some, talked to my mom, and Ricky took me to the movie theater while Teresa babysat for us, which was fun for all!
- A few weeks ago, we began some new incentives and rewards with the kids. One: when the kids do something that is kind or behavior that we want to encourage, we offer them a little sweet treat bite. Two: if they complete all of their morning chores before Mommy gets to the kitchen and without being reminded by an adult, then they get a token. When they get 14 tokens, they can trade them in for a homemade gingersnap cookie ;) If they get caught lying about doing all their chores, we empty their bag of tokens. Three: if they want to earn money, then they can come tell me, and I will find an "extra" job for them to do and pay accordingly, usually $.50-$1. (These are not the normal chores nor the routine deep cleaning jobs they expect.)
- Over a month ago, I finally constructed their "piggy banking system". They each have their own set of money jars. The general money jar idea came from Randy Alcorn; I remembered reading it in his Money, Possessions, and Eternity book and always wanted to copy his idea. There are three jars, which we glued together in this order from left to right -- spending, saving, and giving. When they get money, 10% goes into giving, 10% into saving, and they can distribute the rest of the money however they wish. But, the caveat is that money can be taken out of the jars and moved to the right but not to the left. So, spending money can go to savings or giving and savings can go to giving, but giving money cannot moved at all. Right now they can get money several ways: gifts (birthday holiday, just because), losing a tooth (give me a tooth, I'll give you a dollar -- borrowed from a friend) or not sucking your thumb (Micaiah) -- totally unsuccessful as of now, and earned from extra jobs.
"Queen Elsa"
Aolani insisted we wear our matching dresses :)
watching the Kentucky Derby
- We have begun memorizing the poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer and rehearsing her kindergarten alphabet verses for a potential musical show for family...
- Verse to memorize this week: 2 Corinthians 4:3 ~ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
