Not What I Was Expecting

The big girls start their second year of school tomorrow.  It's a little surreal.  I feel like I was just at the beginning of summer, and dreading the 3 months that were to follow.  I honestly thought I'd be ready to shove them out the door and send them on their way tomorrow.

Instead I have a mix of emotions.  I'll be glad to have a break from the struggles that come in waves throughout the day, but am feeling a bit sad too.  Maybe some of you are used to this feeling, but I'm not.  I'm a tough-love, independent, task-oriented, minimally relational kind of person. 

It has taken me off guard that's all!  I guess even I had a fun summer with my girls, and in retrospect, have seen them blossom.  Oh my, what will this year hold?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jeremiah 29:11

Simple Impact

My youngest was walking around the flea market with me, and decided to try out every children's rocking chair she saw, saying, "I want that, mama!"  I was not interested in spending $15+  on something she would outgrow in a year, and was sort of ho-hum.

We happened upon a simple rocking chair, fire engine red with a broken seat.  It had been woven, but dried and split.  (I know I should have a before picture.)  We talked the seller down from $5 to $3, and left with it.  I'm into cheap rehabs, although seldom to I get around to completing the projects I have in mind.

This is the result.  I had a can of purple spray paint at home, and I bought some yarn at AC Moore, an did a simple weave on the seat.

She loves it!

^"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets."

~Acts 3:19-21

Streamlined Chore Chart

We've been needing a chore chart at our house.  Or maybe I should say, I'VE been needing one.  I am a bit controlling, and prefer to do things myself, so that I know they get done MY way.  Anyone else have this problem?  The real problem is that my kids have no ownership in cleaning up or caring for our house, and no sense of what I do in a given day or week.

So, I turned to Pinterest...thinking prayer would have been a better starting place.

There are plenty of options out there, and I won't say mine is the best, it just works the best for me, and just maybe will help some of you.  Keeping in mind this is all flexible, materials, layout, etc.  It was important to me to laminate everything, so it could be kept reasonably clean, and a magnetic system, so I could change it weekly.

My Shopping list:

• Magnetic board 12x12 or 12x18
• Small dot magnets (for the checks)
• Mini Popsicle sticks, ~2" long
• A roll of adhesive magnet (for the back of the chore sticks)
• Smiley stickers, or something else small 
• Glue or adhesive

Optional supplies:

• Contact paper or self-adhesive laminate sheets, even packing tape can work
• Printer
• Label paper

Directions:
I created a chart in Excel, and printed it, and then glued it down on my board. Try not to do much overlapping, so your magnets have the best chance of sticking.  I put contact paper over the top, and overlapped onto the magnetic board slightly to seal it in. 

I typed out my chores and included some manners that I wanted to focus on for the week.  I printed mine on label paper so that they have adhesive to adhere to the sticks.  You can simply hand write chores on sticks, or just glue paper on the sticks too.  I added packing tape over top of the chores, so they don't smudge.  Then cut a sliver size magnet to attach to the back of each stick.  This will allow you to assign different chores as needed.

As for the checks, we used smiley face stickers, just stick to the dot magnets, and as the kids complete their chores they can place them on their own.  The manner sticks I award at the end of each day or if a child remembers and does something really amazing!

I keep my extra chores in a baggie, but if you by a larger board, you could keep them to the side.

Each Sunday, I clear the board and mix things up.  There are many other chores that could be added, so just keep your family in mind when creating it.  And don't overload you kids with too many at a time.

I would love to post templates, but not sure I can on this blog.

I secretly want my own checks so I can show off how much of the work that I accomplish, however, I must refrain and keep my pride in check...

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

~PROVERBS 22:6 

Crafting Hacks

Ok, two years is too long!  Yes, that's how long I've procrastinated putting up blog posts.  I've been having fun crafting with my girls, and doing some fun projects for myself or my family, and have failed to put them up.  Time to catch up!