Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Winter again??

 We woke up to THIS today:


Eliana was practically in tears! She said, "It was spring and now it's winter again! I don't want winter again!" She has been so into getting out her warmer clothes and wearing them around the house (hence her 3xs a day outfit changes!) and is NOT happy with me that I had to curb the short-sleeves and shorts for a few days and make her put on her winter coat again!

Believe me, no one in the Midwest is happy about that!


The yogurt turned out great!! Or so they tell me:) We have already gone through 1 qt and a pint of it. It is plain yogurt so we have just been mixing in a little honey or a little confectioner's sugar (something B learned in Turkey) and a dash of vanilla. Tonight I made a strawberry chia compote that they can mix in the yogurt. I am really happy they all love it!

They feel very sad for me that I can't eat it:) You know, gag reflex and all....
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Our stick system has continued to go really well!! We had a few "bugs" to work out in the first couple of weeks. We decided to let the boys pick 2 sticks on Friday afternoons that they don't have to do since it is more of a relaxed day and they are extra tired from a long week at school. They usually choose shower as one of them, ha!

We have random bonus days where they can earn something extra for getting all of their sticks. They will never know when those pop up! Zakkai was really struggling for awhile so we talked about some ways for him to be better at managing his time and he is doing awesome with it now! As a matter of fact, he just earned a prize tonight!!

We have to keep on them for not doing shoddy jobs on some of their chores just to get a stick. Sometimes they rush through 5 minute bedroom clean up or things like that. We want them to do a good job, even if no one is watching. Doesn't it say in the Bible to always work like you're doing it for God? A valuable lesson for when they are adults, too!

We have been really good about using the discipline chart, too. Admittedly, it is harder for me. I really, really hate to discourage them from doing a good job (especially Zakkai, who struggles with listening and managing time more) and I am not always good at enforcing the rules. It's like one more detail in an already busy day. But I have been working hard to follow through on what I say and crack down on talking back or not listening, etc. Without too many warnings:)

I'm an old softy, darn it! The chart has been working well though. They are learning that they need to be respectful and won't get away with talking back or not listening to us. And I get some help with extra chores;) I am really glad that we are doing this system and that it's really working and helping all of us!
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My nephew was released from the hospital yesterday, after 5 days and nights. My sister was exhausted from such a long and difficult week. Still praying for a full recovery for J and for the whole family to get rest and peace! Samuel has been anxious about his cousin and really sad about him being so sick. He was so relieved to hear that he got to go home. Such a sweet heart!

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Well, it's that time of night where I must get myself to bed so that it doesn't require a screwdriver to pry my eyes open in the morning! Beauty sleep and all that...:) Good night!



1 comment:

muggalove said...

So glad that Zakkai is doing well again with his sticks! And tell them Papa loves his yogurt too!
Love you all, Mom

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