Our ever-changing reward system!

Finding the right order and reward system for my family is a constant progress.  Every year there seems to be a different set of problems that make staying with one system not ideal.  My two and half year old twin boys are just learning the concept of rewards, but it will be awhile before I have to pull anything definitive together.  It is my almost double digit twin girls that have needed more than a gentle reminder about how to behave and how to follow the rules! 

What works right now is a combination of values, expectations, gentle reminders, chores, and time rewards.  With a laminated 5x7 card and our expectations and values glued onto clothespins, we can check-off or write specific reminders next to each clothespin.  They earn beads, not cash right now, as we feel they receive many extras and little things here and there that they don't need a lot of cash.  There rewards center around this list of 50 inexpensive Ideas to Reward Children!  The girls were completely excited about these ideas for rewards and talk about them constantly.  We've changed and added some to suit our family and our hobbies.

I can imagine that I will need to revamp, redo, or tweak this reward system in the future.  But for now, for our family, it is working beautifully!  ---For now :)

Happy Day,

Michelle

Quiet Toddler Activity



Match the shapes!

Pin It



Match cut shapes to shapes sewn on fabric.

So excited to tell you about this handmade embroidery hoop shapes activity for toddlers.  I have been searching for a quiet activity I can do with my boys during our one hour and fifteen minute church service.  While our church lasts longer than this, it's the time in which everyone gathers together and it's very quiet (except for my boys!)  This particular activity I put together using my felt, material, and an embroidery hoop I already had at my home.

I cut the material and fastened in the hoop.  I used pinking shears to cut the extra fabric.  The rest was about cutting out the shapes and sewing one square, one circle, and one triangle onto the hoop.  Posting more toddler activities next week!

What is your favorite activity with your toddler?

Romney Rally: Showing kids the importance of a Presidential Election.

 What's in this post:

How our family handled the Republican Primary election in NH,

photos, autograph from Mitt Romney, sample ballot

for our children so they can make their vote.

********************************************

Cici's "pretend" text while we wait for the rally to start.

Our girls have been very fascinated by all the election and Primary talk around our state. They’ve asked questions, and made bold statements about the candidates they like or don’t like. It has been a joy see both of them become opinionated and more curious.  Last week, we had the opportunity to take them to a Mitt Romney rally.  We felt that this would be a great way to put learning into real experience. 

 



Don't look at me - not a good photo - check out those excited faces on Cici and Nini!



We talked all the way to the rally, letting there opinions fly.  We enjoyed looking at all the TV vans and feeling the excitement of the whole event.  The atmosphere inside the town hall was easy going, yet highly organized.  We tried setting our sights on several locations to get our view of Romney, but were finally given a perfect view by a lovely gentlemen working at the rally. 

The Papparazzi!

One of my favorite things to do was look at all the cameras and people working the news stations.  It was really enjoyable to watch and alot of fun to watch the news later to see if we were on TV (we weren't!)



McCain came to endorse Mitt.



We weren't expecting anyone other than Mitt to speak, so it was a nice surprise to see McCain come on into the rally endorsing Mitt (we hadn't watched the news yet that day!)  The girls took in, perhaps not what he said, but the whole event.  They listened, looked around, and stood still (who new) for the entire time.  We were all set to go home, when one of our favorite babysitters (who had come with her dad) asked if we could help take a photo for her with Romney. The crowds had already swarmed around Romney and we weren't sure if we could get up to the stage area before Mitt left.  We made our way up and were thinking that we weren't going to get a chance to get the photo, when Romney turned and almost like Moses parting the red sea (or so it seemed!), put his hand through the crowd to shake the girl's hands!  It was too awkward an angle to get a good photo... 

 

Romney giving the girl's his autograph (they are at the bottom of the photo)

  

Romney handing his autograph to them!



Ms. C (fav babysitter) with Romney!



They weren't shy, answering yes,smiling, and being very well mannered. He smiled and handed back a card he had taken and signed for the girls.  Right after, our favorite babysitter got her photo op (that's me behind the lens!)  AND Nini and Cici (nini pictured below) got her autograph for the candidate she would vote for if she could.   



Nini and Romney's autograph!



 I've printed off a sample ballot I found by just googling "sample ballot January 10 NH" and will give it to the girls tomorrow so that they can place their vote for the candidate they want - it's only fair, they get a voice!  I'm excited to see what they've decided!

Are you voting soon?

Are your children excited?

Have different opinions on the primary, than you?

Kids Photo Album Routine and printable cards.

morning and evening photo album routine and printable cards.

Chaos, is the word I would describe many mornings and evenings in the Alley home. Four kids, two adults, and a MIL is not a recipe for calm. The girls are so helpful, yet still only 9; and following through can be more than difficult with two little brothers who are great at side-tracking their sisters. I have been researching tips and pointers at how to make both our morning and afternoon/evening routines flow more smoothly. I've added links to a couple helpful articles at the bottom of this post. The biggest and most helpful thing that came out of my research is the simple fact that I need to prepare more the night before and get up before everyone else in the morning. In other words:  who needs sleep?  This fun and simple way to manage the girl's routine was inspired by Amy Locurto.  She's got a lot of great printables including this ideas about routine cards.

Print. Paste on manilla folders. cut. laminate.

Taking her inspiring idea, I set out in photoshop to make my own.  I used free available clipart using google images search engine.  While these cards are a great way to easily manage a routine, I was having trouble finding the best way to implement them. 

I tried mini clipboards and then ran across this mini albums @ Michael's. The albums allow me to first; separate the morning from the evening cards and two; interchange cards are switch them around per the schedule that day. 

So far, my girls have managed to use them successfully.  My joy is not having to remind them constantly (I still remind them) but them is something tangible to give them as a reminder.  I can say "What's next in your routine book?"   The clear plastic cover is perfect, since they are carrying the album around as they do their routine protecting it from dirty hands and liquid. 

I keep the albums the yellow for morning and the turquoise for evening up on our homework cabinet right in our kitchen and hallway area.  I can't see this being full proof, and I am not going to be able to sit back put my feet up while they accomplish their routines without my mommy encouragement.  But, it has been very helpful at taking away the pressure of knowing what is next, especially with my two little ones always needing something. 

Click the photo below, save, and enjoy.  Feel free to change them as you need or make your own!

Check these articles out:

Managing Morning Mayhem

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11619
What I learned:
Get up before the kids - not when the kids get up. Be dressed and ready to manage their morning.


Organize your morning routine

http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-back-to-school/article-747228-school-morning-routines-t/
What I learned:
Prepare the night before!

Teaching Piano: Myself vs. a teacher.

I dreamt long ago that I would lovingly sit beside my daughters at my grand piano and teach them the joy of playing. The piano was always my first joy, so passing this to my children was really just a matter of timing. When they were young, they would crawl at my feet when I played and dance when I would play some upbeat piece. They enjoyed this, why not start teaching them?!

Their first lesson was when they were 7…their second lesson was when they were 8. I realize that some students are just not ready. When this second lesson ended in tears, I put this to the test. I hired a piano teacher that was willing to delve into our home during prime busy hours. She sat down with her quiet voice and calm manner and taught a whole month of lessons. She was a fantastic teacher, but they really just weren’t ready for the pressure of piano lessons and all the other stuff they were asked to do. Closer to nine years old, I tried once again to teach them. It went something like this:

“{Daughter} that was really wonderful! How about we go back to this note and play it with your
3rd finger instead of your 4th.”

{Daughter} plays note with her 2nd finger.

“Oh remember {Daughter} that our fingers are numbered your first finger is your thumb…

that’s right…now let’s count all our fingers.”

{Daughter} holds up fingers and counts 1, for her thumb all the way out to her 5th finger.

“OK, now place your 3rd finger on this note (pointing to the right key)”

{Daughter} puts thumb on note.

“You need your 3rd finger on this note…your third….your third…”

Insert a much more frustrate voice.

“That’s it! Now let’s start here and play it again.”

“No, start here…here…”

Insert perhaps the word Really? Or, Come on!

I realized shortly after many incidents like this, that teaching my daughters piano was just one more power struggle with them; one more situation where I was asking them to listen and follow my rules. Perhaps it was just me, however, either way - they weren't learning anything and they simply couldn’t handle mom telling them how to play the piano – who knew? Music is important in our home, I wasn't giving -up! 

I hired the same in-home piano teacher at their now appropriate age.  This allowed me to be the person they come to for pats on the backs – not, you have to play it this way and practice my way. I told the girls that it was completely up to them at how much they had to practice as long as they follow the teacher's times.  Instead of teach them, I ask, “have you practiced yet today?” they say no or yes; sometimes they play and sometimes they don’t.  I sincerely wished I could have been the one to teach them. Perhaps, my role in all of this was simply to put the idea in their heads and an expectation and to support them. 

How were you taught?

Are you teaching your children?

Is it hard to find a balance?



Home, at the Drive'in Theatre!

Who says that when the drive'in theatres close, we can't have our own at home?  We pulled the boy's play cars up in front of the TV, popped popcorn, and handed out little snacks - all for the sake of their own drive-in theatre experience.  .. 

Ms. Nini planned the entire at-home outing. She talked non-stop about it and how she was going to do it for days.  Hawk and Mr. T sat in their cars the entire Phineas and Ferb show - and loved every minute of it!

Thanks Nini!

Happy Birthday Nini and Cici!

Waiting, to blow out their birthday candles while we sing to them!

I can't stop thinking about two fantastic little ladies that graced my life eight years and four months ago.  They were the sweetest babes I had ever seen, they were Ninia and Cici.  We had a pre-milestone birthday this year.  That year that comes right before a child's age becomes a double digit.  Thankfully, my 9-year old sweethearts still have one more year before the tenth birthday. 

Their 9th birthday lasted the weekend!  We had their friend party, a friend who had a birthday party, and our family party - all in three days.  They had a wonderful time at each event and are enjoying their each one of their birthday gifts.  Their favorites included the outfit that Cici has on -the scarf and headband!  A friend gave this to her and she just loves - so much so, she won't let me borrow that scarf!  Nini has been enjoying a couple lego kits she got and her very own cans of sliced olives! 

We also purchased a the new credit card monoply game.  Who has this?  You'll never go back to the "old" way of dealing out the money and sorting it!  I would have played monopoly a lot more if I had this version as a kid.



As some point during our family party, Cici opened one of those cards with a recorded song.  It was of Ariel's, Part of your World song from  Little Mermaid.   Hawk was so entranced by the music (he and Mr. T watch this all the time - it's their favorite) that he just stood their - like the photo- with his little hand on Cici's shoulder staring at the card.  It was a good five minute episode of pure cuteness!  

  

Treat and trinkets bag for party.

The girl's friend party was at a local movie theatre where they and six of their friends got to see  A Dolphin's Tail.  They also had cupcakes and pizza in the theatres movie room afterwards.  I personally, could not handle an at home party this year, and I am grateful for this option we had.  As a parting gift, I put together these bags with some fun candy and trinkets in it. 

Have you seen a Dophin's Tail?

Have you played the new monopoly?
Do you have like birthday parties away from home?

A stroll in Portsmouth NH.

On the streets of Portsmouth:  the Hawk, Cici, Mr. T, and Nini.

We took a stroll through Portsmouth NH with four kids,

three adults,

two toy cars,

and a binkie. 

 

Cool clock!

We looked around at all the sights, took in the sunny day,

and enjoyed a few peaks to window shop.



Love the Turqoise and growing ivy.

We admired the colors and beautiful buildings,

including this painted turquoise bakery.



Portsmouth side alley.



We walked through alleys and brick streets

looking in windows

and wishing for ice cream.

Mr. T grooving to a Hurdy Gurdy

And then, Mr. T and all the kidlets

wanted to sit and enjoy

something I had never heard

or seen before...



Enjoying the sounds of a Hurdy Gurdy.

...A man, as cozy as could be, took up a nice little section

of a Portsmouth Street and played sweet little tunes on the Hurdy Gurdy. 

If you don't know what a Hurdy Gurdy is or want to know

all the facts check out this sweet little page that explains it all here.

This was our fun little stroll through

the streets of Portsmouth NH! 

Thanks for coming along :)

Have you been to Portsmouth?

Favorite thing?

Have you heard the sounds of a Hurdy Gurdy?

Or, never heard of it like me?!

Window Shopping.





Window Shopping



 The summer hasn't officially ended for me yet, although the girls have now officially started fourth grade.  As I type, I am sitting miles seaside at a hotel in Maine.  We decided this summer that our vacation would be split up into several smaller ones; and nearer to home.  The boys make it hard to really travel anywhere, so we've kept easier.  We hit the beach earlier in June and now again in September.  Despite my inability to do much with twin boys who do not take direction well -yet!  We made our way to a few fun day adventures, like hitting this NH small town. 



Outdoor Music



It wasn't glamorous, as we couldn't really get into any store because of the double stroller.  The town is on a very steep incline (steep, at least, when you're pushing a stroller up it).  If we were stroller-free and toddler free, it would have been a fun to hit the cute boutiques and have some lunch.  In the end, it- it was fun to get out and about, but I will wait a few years to go back.  We looked around, we came- we saw - we window shopped...



Time to go home!



Adventure was over and we were home for naptime.  This was back in July~!  Late blogging ;)

Really big messes.

Part of my existence is to clean, soak, rinse, mop, scrub - you get the picture.  Lately, perhaps with the onset of summer and four children at home, my messes are big.  Here are a few examples:

The Kitchen:

no need to make this photo any larger.

Whenever any part of my life is demanded outside of the home, this is what can happen.  In order to put together a church activity for the women in our church, I had to forgo some of the usual nightly clutter patrol for preparation.  So although this:



Part of the Relief Society Garden Party



...was fun, I still had that darn kitchen to clean-up and all that stuff to put away!  We are also reorganizing and putting up new furniture!!!! in our office.  Which means the big messes are continuing upstairs too.  Completely excited to show you the office soon - it's a work in progress.

Clothing: 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 This nice white polo shirt was worn by Mr. T today as we went to a local outdoor hamburger place to eat - the kitchen was too messy!  After we sat and watched, both Hawk and Mr. T devour their hot dogs and watermelon - I came home and soaked this shirt with OxyClean.  We go through one spray bottle of this a week it seems.  I really need to remember to bring bibs!  Nini and those boys are always the culprits!

Summer Fun:


Nini and Cici at work.




Nini really loved getting into this- the finished work is going in our new office!



Summer Fun, from swimming to art, always brings with it, lots of mess!  One activity we are doing every week is Art on the Lawn.  We go outside and do art on our lawn!  This week was painting a canvas.  Nini opted for a more Pollock approached, while Cici just couldn't keep one thing on the canvas and painted gum drops to lemon heads to pretzels!  It is all fun, but not with the added clean-up factor.  It's been fun finding the balance between when to let go and when to clean-up.  Got to love Summer!

Can you relate?

Have you seen HP7?!!

Any big messes waiting for you?