Star Charts!

 At the start of July I started implementing Star Charts found here http://www.dltk-cards.com/chart/index.html. You can also find some great home school or weekend activities on that site. A lot of Learning and coloring!

 We are trying to teach the kids to be accountable and to help around the home doing chores and other helpful duties that intend for the boys to take care of themselves later in life. I was giving the kids a few bucks at the end of the week for doing their normal duties like taking care of the animals. I had a hard time separating the two sets of chores  like making the bed, cleaning their room and cleaning up toys should be automatic family duties..I felt there must be a system where they can see their progress. I found this chart and thought if they do the things that are asked of them they will get a star.

I  want them to be able to earn their own money so when they ask me for toys, I can tell them to save their own money.   I printed these off of the link listed above. I can tell you the first week was a whopping 17 stars. The enthusiasm died down followed by week two with 14 stars. I will have to admit that some days were my fault. Because the kids are learning and each chore has to be followed through by mom checking their status. This has been a great way to make sure we get the routine down.

I can say the charts are going great! I woke up in a panic 2 times this past week. I fell asleep at 7:00 pm. that means I forgot to check the chicken coop(I also forgot to remind everyone to close the coop) and to my surprise the boys had done it.  I'm making that the one thing they have to do is help me keep up the yard and the animals.  So after  a month of consistent reminders they are doing it. We also lost our latest hen from Mom accidentally forgetting to close the coop  one night. I think not helping to close it leaves room for error and room for all the neighborwood critters!

The coloring looks better the second month. We learned we like to use crayons and color pencils to color these with. The markers made the page rip.

They both are about tied.

The boys need about 3 more stars to earn $5.00( it has taken almost 6 weeks to earn $5) once they learn they can do more chores each day they will learn they can earn money faster by working longer and helping Mom more. 

 

Here is the list of the chores/Behavior that earn a star:
make bed/get dressed
Feed Animals, Coop duties
Set the table/clearing
Folding and putting away laundry
Help Mom in the garden
Pick up trash outside
Bathtime
Bedtime
Pick up Toys
Good Attitude
Being kind to siblings and neighbors

311 Rocked as usual :)

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How do you like my new hot date Jacob!

 It was kind of funny when Zach and I thought of it, 311 was the last concert we went to before we left Cali! I got Zach surprise tickets for his graduation! The header last time was Ziggy Marley and that rocked! This was our first Texas Concert.

311 is so talented each and every last one of them. They are so inspiring because they are so polished on their instruments! Peanut busted out with an 8 string bass. Zach plays the 6 string bass and both Zach and I had never seen a 8 string bass. That was awesome to watch! The fact he could play it like a mad man was pretty impressive too.

I have to give it up for Sublime with Rome! Rome lived up to the infamous Brad Nowell who died in 1996 of a heroin overdose.. Wow, if someone was going to re-live sublime Rome sure does...  I'm giving you fair warning there are a few F-bombs in the song(in the video).. :)  These bands have been our favorite since we were teens!  It was nice hearing some new tunes too. I somehow with the 3 kids don't keep up with the music scene as much as I like!  We had a great date!

Check Out My Cooking Blog!

Okay I finally got a post up on the cooking blog! Fat Flush starters and more recipe's on the way!

http://andersonssoulfood.blogspot.com/