We are officially moved BACK to Ohio. My husband and I got here Sunday night (the kids were up here with Nana) and we finally finished unloading the Penske today.
Unfortunately, that was the first of 2 moves. We are staying with my father-in-law until we can find a bigger place for all of us (with father-in-law) to live.
Please keep us in your prayers! =)
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28
Wednesday, April 7
Sunday, April 4
Spring Break 2010
My mom lives in CA so it's always a big deal when she visits OH... either we travel north or she travels south for a few days. This year we were very fortunate that we were able to go to OH - we get to spend more time with her that way.
SATURDAY, MARCH 27
We left at 8:20 AM and reached Lexington, KY by about noon. Kitten has a friend there, so we stopped and played for about 1.5 hours.
It was about 4PM when we got to my In-Law's house. We visited, ate dinner, and they sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
7PM - arrival at Memaw's house to visit a bit before heading to the hotel.
SUNDAY, MARCH 28
We went to church with *my* Grandma, and I have to tell you she FELL while holding the baby!! Everybody is OK but she really freaked me out. (Not for the baby's sake, he was fine.) Afterward, we went to Grandma's house for pizza and Birthday Cupcakes. (Do you sense a theme?)
Later that evening, I dropped Mr Krabbs and Turtle off at my In-Laws house so that the rest of us could go to La Comedia, a dinner theatre. We saw Phantom of the Opera, I had forgotten the story line so it was like watching it for the first time! =)
This is a pic of the big kids - my 3 oldest, my brother's boys, and my sister. There was also my mom (Nana), my Memaw, my brother and his girlfriend.
My mom had a Birthday Cake sent out to me.
The kids were excited that they got to meet the cast. Kitten said, "I get to meet a real live super star!" =)
When I picked the little boys up I found that they had been crying the ENTIRE TIME that I was gone.
MONDAY, MARCH 29
The morning was spent at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Awesome, hands on and very kid oriented. My best friend (Michelle) from middle and high school joined us with her son. (My mom was taking the pics.)
Then we went to McDonald's and played for an hour or so. After that we went shopping and Memaw joined us for dinner at Golden Corral. Back at the hotel mom took the kids swimming.
TUESDAY, MARCH 30
My friend Michelle (of www.MichelleLumPhotography.com) took our pictures at Carriage Hill Farm.
Memaw is explaining how her mother used a stove similar to this one.
We had KFC for a late lunch. Mom took my brother and his girlfriend to dinner and Memaw and I watched the kids. My dad came to visit us and so did Gina, another friend of mine.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 - my birthday!
Mr Krabbs had a low grade fever but we decided to head to the Cincinnati Zoo anyway. He started feeling a little better as the day went on.
SPEED RACER!
AFTER the zoo - can you believe we did more? I'm telling you my mom WORE. ME. OUT! - we went to Newport on the Levee.
For my birthday dinner we ate at Mitchell's Fish Market. I had a steak though.
The Ohio River and Cinti as a backdrop. I had a good birthday... definitely one to remember.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
We went back to Newport and spent the morning at the aquarium. Mr Krabbs still wasn't feeling well and he wanted to wear the green shirt again, so I let him. =)
Eating ice cream. It's the only shade they could find.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
Time to go home. We were about 20 miles from TN (in KY) and we hit stand still traffic... you know the kind where people get out of their cars and you see kids playing on the shoulder...
The good news is that with all of the educational activities we can count most of this week as school! (Also posted on my Homeschool Blog.)
SATURDAY, MARCH 27
We left at 8:20 AM and reached Lexington, KY by about noon. Kitten has a friend there, so we stopped and played for about 1.5 hours.
It was about 4PM when we got to my In-Law's house. We visited, ate dinner, and they sang "Happy Birthday" to me.
7PM - arrival at Memaw's house to visit a bit before heading to the hotel.
SUNDAY, MARCH 28
We went to church with *my* Grandma, and I have to tell you she FELL while holding the baby!! Everybody is OK but she really freaked me out. (Not for the baby's sake, he was fine.) Afterward, we went to Grandma's house for pizza and Birthday Cupcakes. (Do you sense a theme?)
Later that evening, I dropped Mr Krabbs and Turtle off at my In-Laws house so that the rest of us could go to La Comedia, a dinner theatre. We saw Phantom of the Opera, I had forgotten the story line so it was like watching it for the first time! =)
This is a pic of the big kids - my 3 oldest, my brother's boys, and my sister. There was also my mom (Nana), my Memaw, my brother and his girlfriend.
My mom had a Birthday Cake sent out to me.
The kids were excited that they got to meet the cast. Kitten said, "I get to meet a real live super star!" =)
When I picked the little boys up I found that they had been crying the ENTIRE TIME that I was gone.
MONDAY, MARCH 29
The morning was spent at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Awesome, hands on and very kid oriented. My best friend (Michelle) from middle and high school joined us with her son. (My mom was taking the pics.)
Then we went to McDonald's and played for an hour or so. After that we went shopping and Memaw joined us for dinner at Golden Corral. Back at the hotel mom took the kids swimming.
TUESDAY, MARCH 30
My friend Michelle (of www.MichelleLumPhotography.com) took our pictures at Carriage Hill Farm.
Memaw is explaining how her mother used a stove similar to this one.
We had KFC for a late lunch. Mom took my brother and his girlfriend to dinner and Memaw and I watched the kids. My dad came to visit us and so did Gina, another friend of mine.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 - my birthday!
Mr Krabbs had a low grade fever but we decided to head to the Cincinnati Zoo anyway. He started feeling a little better as the day went on.
SPEED RACER!
AFTER the zoo - can you believe we did more? I'm telling you my mom WORE. ME. OUT! - we went to Newport on the Levee.
For my birthday dinner we ate at Mitchell's Fish Market. I had a steak though.
The Ohio River and Cinti as a backdrop. I had a good birthday... definitely one to remember.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
We went back to Newport and spent the morning at the aquarium. Mr Krabbs still wasn't feeling well and he wanted to wear the green shirt again, so I let him. =)
Eating ice cream. It's the only shade they could find.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
Time to go home. We were about 20 miles from TN (in KY) and we hit stand still traffic... you know the kind where people get out of their cars and you see kids playing on the shoulder...
The good news is that with all of the educational activities we can count most of this week as school! (Also posted on my Homeschool Blog.)
Saturday, October 10
Chores, Points, and Money
We don't require many chores, but what we do require is expected to be done. The 3 big kids kitchen chores alternate between dishes, wiping the table, and sweeping the floor. It didn't always get done and no one ever remembered who's turn it was to do what. After a week of our new system, I am in love. Why on earth didn't I try this before?
The Point Chart
(click image to open PDF)
Left column lists chores to be completed, 7 columns for the days of the week, last column is Total Points.
The box at the top lists point values:
0 = did not do
1 = did but had to be reminded
2 = did without being reminded
1/2 a job gets 1/2 the points
The very last row is for behavior. They start each day with 10 points and, as we see fit, points are taken away.
At the end of the week they get "Chore Money" since we can't pay them real money. They can earn a possible 140 points per week, which equals $140 chore money. The first thing they will do is tithe 10%. We believe that God will honor this since their chore money is valuable to them, just as our paper money is valuable to us.
The Chore Money
I printed each denomination on a different color...
...and this is what I used for the back.
Eventually, I'd like to set up a bank and they can learn to write checks.
Privileges
$5 - extra snack (for example, an extra scoop of ice cream)
$10 - 15 minutes alone in the bedroom (the boys share a room)
$15 - extra 15 minutes on the phone and/or computer
$30 - stay up 30 minutes past bedtime
$500 - a real $5 bill
Fines & Penalties
(these are all things we've had major issues with)
$5 per church incident:
- running
- being in the sound room
- going on the stage
- being down by the creek
$1 per home incident:
- running
- going into mom and dad's room
- touching anything that doesn't belong to you
Obviously these will change over time, but for now I think we've got a good start. If you have any more ideas let me know!
The Point Chart
(click image to open PDF)
Left column lists chores to be completed, 7 columns for the days of the week, last column is Total Points.The box at the top lists point values:
0 = did not do
1 = did but had to be reminded
2 = did without being reminded
1/2 a job gets 1/2 the points
The very last row is for behavior. They start each day with 10 points and, as we see fit, points are taken away.
At the end of the week they get "Chore Money" since we can't pay them real money. They can earn a possible 140 points per week, which equals $140 chore money. The first thing they will do is tithe 10%. We believe that God will honor this since their chore money is valuable to them, just as our paper money is valuable to us.
The Chore Money
I printed each denomination on a different color...
...and this is what I used for the back.
Eventually, I'd like to set up a bank and they can learn to write checks.
Privileges
$5 - extra snack (for example, an extra scoop of ice cream)
$10 - 15 minutes alone in the bedroom (the boys share a room)
$15 - extra 15 minutes on the phone and/or computer
$30 - stay up 30 minutes past bedtime
$500 - a real $5 bill
Fines & Penalties
(these are all things we've had major issues with)
$5 per church incident:
- running
- being in the sound room
- going on the stage
- being down by the creek
$1 per home incident:
- running
- going into mom and dad's room
- touching anything that doesn't belong to you
Obviously these will change over time, but for now I think we've got a good start. If you have any more ideas let me know!
Thursday, July 30
Ripley's Aquarium ~ Gatlinburg
My mom and memaw came in town for a visit. They brought my adopted sister (9.5) and 2 nephews (6 & 5). My mom had 2 beanie babies for each kid... even the baby.
Yesterday (July 29) we went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. We had so much fun! And as a side note: Homeschool Admission Price is $7 per person.
Here's the gang! Back row: Me, *L*, Mike, Memaw, Mom (aka Nana)
Front row: *T*, *B*, 5yo nephew, *C*, 6yo nephew, and *O* my little sis.
And some more pictures:
This was so neat, it looks like the US Flag.
They had a moving conveyor belt floor that went through a glass tunnel where you could see all of the fish.
Can you see the scratches? They're from a shark attack!
I was pushing Memaw in the wheelchair, while she was holding *L*.
Awesome pictures that Mike took:
... and a little boy who couldn't make it through his lollipop.
Yesterday (July 29) we went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. We had so much fun! And as a side note: Homeschool Admission Price is $7 per person.
Here's the gang! Back row: Me, *L*, Mike, Memaw, Mom (aka Nana)
Front row: *T*, *B*, 5yo nephew, *C*, 6yo nephew, and *O* my little sis.
And some more pictures:
This was so neat, it looks like the US Flag.
They had a moving conveyor belt floor that went through a glass tunnel where you could see all of the fish.
Can you see the scratches? They're from a shark attack!
I was pushing Memaw in the wheelchair, while she was holding *L*.
Awesome pictures that Mike took:
... and a little boy who couldn't make it through his lollipop.
Monday, July 6
Freedom Festival 2009
Our church sponsors an event every July 4th. We're situated on a pretty busy street in town, so lots of people saw what was going on!
We love Rick Strickland, so we were super excited that he came! He even took the kids on a parade around the yard.
*L* with his "adopted" Mamaw. He loves her so much!
We love Rick Strickland, so we were super excited that he came! He even took the kids on a parade around the yard.
*L* with his "adopted" Mamaw. He loves her so much!
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