Much needed date night!

Tonight Jay and I planned a night for just us because those date nights are much needed!  We seem to not have had alot of time lately to talk and we just needed that mommy and daddy time without having to cut up someone else's meals, clean up messes and filling sippy cups ya know?!  We both know it is so important and so we were determined to make it happen even if it meant we got a babysitter.  But thanks to Lolli for keeping kids (and even overnight) for us to spend time together.

We went to Sharky's Gulf Grill and it was delcious as always.  It makes me feel like we are eating at the beach or something; definitely a different place which is what we were shooting for.  We had sushi for an appetizer.  Jay had the tuna sandwich and I had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken salad and it was yummy!

I have heard so many wonderful things about the movie "The Help."  I have not read the book but did want to see the movie.  We don't see movies very often but we thought this must be one worth seeing!  It was great...I am sure it will win all kinds of awards.  "You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important."  It is worth seeing (despite some language we didn't care for) so go see it if you haven't already!

We also went and picked up my race packet for tomorrow's race.  It is the Forrest Spence 5K and Forrest is a little boy whose blog I have followed for several years.  He lived 55 days and his parents (friends of my friend Candace) set up this 5K to raise money for the families whose kids are in Lebonheur with life-altering medical conditions.

Great date night....already looking forward to the next one!

TGIF!!!

Friday is finally here and I am looking forward to family time this weekend!  Here's to wrapping up our week....

Karis working hard on her chores...

Today Brayden had his 5 year check up and was such a big boy!  Jay took him and he said he was so proud of how big he acted.  He did everything the doctor asked him to and didn't even cry when they pricked his finger.  He did get two shots and cried but it was over before he knew it.  He weighed 38 lbs. (25%) and was 42 inches tall (25%).  His vision and hearing checked out perfect! :)  The only concern was his asthma for the Fall and Winter but we have an asthma action plan to help control it better.

So proud of my big boy!

And here's Miss Priss in action...

 And here are the peeps making a car race!

Looking forward to a great weekend including date night with the hubby, a 5k race and hopefully some relaxation too!

Playdates and more

YAAAAAWN. 

 I am one tired momma today.  I feel like the past few nights I have had a newborn in the house again.  But not because I have any kid sick or wanting a cup, but because I have a potty trained 2 year old who REFUSES to go to the bathroom in her diaper or pull-up at night.  Granted during the day it is a no-no to go to the bathroom in your "big girl panties" but I am ok with having an accident in her sleep.  I mean she is still barely TWO.  However, she has woken up at least 2 times the last 2 nights because she is screaming, "Mommmm!  I have to go poooootty!"  And she does.  And her diaper/pull-up is dry.  I tried to convince her it is ok but apparently she just doesn't want to.  And she is REALLLLLY proud she is dry...even if it means us getting up twice a night to go potty.   So tonight, I am thinking about putting the little potty in her room and seeing how that works for us?!?! 

But this morning she had her 2nd playdate of the week.  Jay, on his way to work, was dropping her off  at her friend Story's house to play for the day.  She was THRILLED.  She had her backpack on an hour before it was time to go and insisted she would be a big girl, use her manners, go potty in the potty and not on the floor (thanks Lucy!), and take a nap when Mrs. Amy said to.  Here she is ready to go...backpack on, baby and cup in hand!

Her backpack was bigger than her ha!

The boys waving at Mr. Joe this morning out our window...

Brayden made me lunch today...wow!

This makes me laugh!

Wii time after lunch...check out Ax's face.  Looks as if he is going to pass out on the couch ha!  Somebody is (yawn) sleeeeepyyyy.  That makes TWO of us.

Brayden also had a surprise (to him) playdate today at Eli's house.  They came to get him after lunch and he was so excited when I told him where he was going.  :)

Ok so a few random things to include here.  First of all I saw this trailer for Pioneer Woman's new cooking show on the Food Network.  I don't hardly watch any TV these days but I think I will set my DVR for this one....

Also I saw this video on a friend's blog this morning.  I hope this is true for the iphone 5's...how cool!

Our new chore charts....

If you are like us, we have been at a loss of how to train our children to appreciate the things they have, be thankful for simple things such as a full closet, home cooked meals or options for snack time, how to have a good work ethic and the value of money.  Our children are just now getting to the age where they truly can comprehend what those mean (6, 5and 2) and we are putting it to good use.  They are at the age where they can really help around the house and learn that money isn't just handed to you, but earned.  Therefore they can appreciate more the things that they have worked for.

 Jay and I did some research the other night on good ways to teach your children some of these things.  We found a good homeschool website that had some cool charts we could use.  The website we found these is http://www.homeschoolcreations.com/. 

We liked this particular one because there are chores they have to do before they can "earn" allowance (or commission).    Each child has a color coded chore chart with three sections: Morning chores, afternoon (or evening) chores, and a spot at the bottom to earn compensation for doing extra chores.  The key is they have to complete all their morning and afternoon chores before they can earn money, even if they complete an "extra" chore. They can choose up to 3 extra chores a day from the extra list to receive a maximum of .75 per day (.25 per chore).  This teaches them that not every responsibility you have will get compensation, some things you just have to do to be a responsible part of family and society.  And of course we will be put age appropriate responsibility and expectations on them considering Lucy is just 2.  

We keep up with what they earn each day and will tally it up on Saturdays (pay days).  BUT they can't spend it right away.  They will put it in their piggy banks and at the end of the month, they can spend their earned money.  We did for several reasons. First, we want them to teach the value of saving and we wanted them to have enough to get a decent toy not a piece of junk from the dollar tree (that they already have had at some point anyway!).  Also, 10% will be given to tithe and the rest they can spend as they want.

We had a family meeting last night and explained it all to them and they were literally cheesing in excitement!  I think they are really excited about it!  Karis couldn't wait to make her bed today (I know that will be short lived but will enjoy it while it lasts).  And Brayden completed 3 chores already with full enthusiasm and a great attitude!  But after all their hard work, it will pay off soon enough and hopefully they will learn a thing or two and start to appreciate hard work and achievements.

Oh and they have a bigger kid version which we could have used for Karis but we decided to do them all the same for obvious reasons.  The older kid version is here and this is the preschool version we used.

Hoping this works and sticks!

How to change a diaper according to Lucy

I caught Lucy changing her baby's diaper the other day and I had to catch the seriousness of her task.  She was working HARD to get the job done.  Let's just say I am glad it was NOT a real baby.  Unless it was a contortionist, it would probably have a few broken bones ha!  Check out the positions she has her baby in...

On and off, hot and cold.

The beginning of the week busy-ness seems to catch me by surprise every week as if I didn't know it was coming!  It gets me behind for a while until I get caught back up and the blog seems to suffer!

Here are our Sunday morning pics but notice a trend with Lucy (you will see more of this throughout this post).  She seems to be a bit of a drama queen lately meaning she can turn on and off the charm VERY quickly when she needs to.  Here it is OFF...

Then it is ON...

Then it is OFF once again, all within a 30 second time period.

Karis getting her Everett loves everyday before school...

I looked outside yesterday and this is the beautiful sight I saw....totally unstaged.  Be still my heart. :)

They had no idea I was photographing them from the window inside until I knocked on it...

Today was garbage day so we can't miss that!

Love this grin....

Boys can make guns out of anything and everything...

"Look mom what I found..."

Remember how I said she can turn it OFF and ON?  Well here it is again....OFF!

...and ON again.  WHEW!  This drama is making me tired...girls!!!!

It was awfully hot and humid today but we toughed it out for a while anyway!

Bribery...works every time.  "Everybody sit and let me get a picture of you and I'll give you a yummy popsiclllllllle."  :)

Crazy faces...

Cold popsicles on a hot day...relief!

SWEET :)

"Mr. Everett" (as Brayden calls him) got to sit there looking cute and watch everyone else eat popsicles...someday sweet boy...one day soon!  And "Miss Hazel" has been sick this week hoping she is back with us soon!  :(

So he blew bubbles for our entertainment of course ha!

Axton playing with balls and cars...what he loves most!

These pictures tell a funny story.  Landon often goes off about something and is letting somebody have it!  But I can't ever understand his babble to know what he is saying.  But he uses his hands and moves them up and down like he is in a real conversation.  It's hilarious!  Today I caught some of it on camera and you can only imagine what was in that little mind of his!

My buddy Trey...

Tonight we had a yummy dinner Wasabi and Ginger Pork Chops, Dirty Rice, Candied Yams and Green Beans!  Then I ran my usual 3 miles but it was SOOOOO hot and humid it was awful!!!  My chest was so tight the entire time...I am so ready for cooler weather!  Hurry up Fall!