Chore Charts Galore!

Chore charts, behavior charts, reading thermometers, jars on the counter half full of colorful pom-poms awarded for “being nice”…. There is a special graveyard in our house where my lame attempts at “consistency” go to die!  The stickers are eventually donated to the art drawer, and the pom-poms have been commandeered and glued to countless works of art. I have a 100% success rate when it comes to failing at these “pinterest worthy” attempts!

My more organized and disciplined mom friends use these tools to their advantage.  In our house,  the kids secretly use them to confuse me and attempt to overthrow the powers that be.

When you have any more than ONE child, behavior  charts are like a bad story problem in math. It goes something like this...

Peter earns 1 pom-pom for helping clear the table.  However on his way to put the pom-pom in the jar, he shoves his sister out of the way, losing 1 pom-pom.  He falls to the floor flailing and kicking where he is threatened with losing all pom-poms forever.  At which point Luke chimes in to bring attention to his own excellent behavior, because he is sweeping the floor…pom-pom awarded. But, while sweeping he discovers that Natalie has thrown all of her chicken and broccoli under the table instead of eating them…pom-pom lost.  At some point I momentarily remember that I took 1 pom-pom away in the car for one of the kids using the word “poop” 761 times, thus cancelling out any recently earned pom-pom.  At this point, I think they have earned 3 pom-poms, and have lost 2,473….just pour the whole damn jar out and start again….never.

I’m not that good at simple math and it’s exhausting to waste half of your parenting brain-power counting colorful pom-poms purchased at the dollar store. 

I've given up on behavior charts, but am taking another shot at the chore chart.

This is NOT to say that our kids don’t do chores.  Oh they DO chores!  And they do them well.   But, I find myself saying, “What were your chores today?  Did you do them?”  And then they say things like, “How much allowance do you owe me?  You haven’t paid me since April.”  (Again with the simple math…geez give it a rest!)

With summer bearing down, I was forced to contemplate how best to achieve my plan of child labor implementing "everyone works, so everyone plays."   In my desperation, I did the unthinkable…I went on to Pinterest and searched “chore chart.”  I immediately ruled out all charts that involved popsicle sticks, painted clothes pins, burlap, old pallets, laminators, and anything requiring me to handwrite chores in beautiful chalk-board style art on a daily basis. That eliminated 99.9% of the ideas.   I ended up combining 2 ideas, and I settled on what's below.  This was my real inspiration.  I simplified a little because there was a bit too much spray paint, and mod podge involved.  I had to crank this baby out!

Here’s how I made the charts....

Chore Tokens:

• I bought flattened bottle caps ($3.50 for 50), and epoxy stickers ($5.50 for 50) from Annie Howes' Etsy Shop (both 1 inch)
• I used an online template from Avery for 1”circles.  Using MS Word I printed our chores onto card stock.
• I used my 1” circle punch to cut out the chores (in hindsight, you could easily buy 1” circle labels from any office supply store and save yourself a whole bunch of time.)
• I attached the chore to the bottle cap using these.
• Then I stuck an epoxy sticker on top.  These things are seriously cool!
• Put a magnet on the back and you’re ready to go.  I bought a strip of adhesive-backed magnet from Joann Fabrics. It looked like this, but it was smaller and only cost $.99.  It was in a basket below all of the hanging packets of magnets.  Don't spend $8.99 on magnets...that's just silly!

Chore Boards:

• I purchased 8”x12” metal shingles from Home Depot (right by the gutters) for $.95/each.  I had to trim them down a bit to fit the frame.  I trimmed them with an old pair of scissors.  It worked just fine...no need for steel cutters.  Be careful, the metal is SHARP!
• I used MS Word to design the "to do" and "done" and printed that on my card stock. If I was doing this again, I'd pick up some pretty patterned paper.  But, I had blue card stock on hand, so that's what I used.
• At this point, I got fancy, and used Mod Podge (a first for me)!  First,  I attached the metal shingle to the paper.  To do this, use a very thin layer of Mod Podge and smooth any air bubble out with a credit card. The paper will be 1/2 inch wider than the metal.  No worries, just center the metal shingle and don't worry about it!   Once that's dry (20 min or so) apply 2 layers of Mod Podge over the entire front of the paper. Letting it dry between layers. The Mod Podge gives you an overlay that will make the paper much more durable. 
• I removed the glass/plastic from the frames I purchased at Ikea ($1.99 each).  The paper fit in perfectly, and the charts were ready!  These frames were a great find because they are cheap and they are made for documents (8 1/2" x 11"). 

DONE!  FINISHED!  BRING ON THE CHORES! WHO'S EXCITED?!?!

We have 4 kids, age 2 yr to 9 yr, so the kind of chores they can do varies.  However, I strongly believe that kids can do much more than you think they can.  Our Natalie has been setting the table for dinner since she was 3 1/2.  It's not perfect, but it's done!

For some chores, I made multiple copies of the same job because I anticipated it being a 2-kid job, or  it's something I want all of them to do on the same day....like "Clean Bedroom" or "Read 20 min."  Here's a list of our chores so far.

• Dust Living Room
• Dust Dining Room
• Chef's Helper
• Kid's Bathroom (This is a quick clean up...use Clorox wipes to wipe down sink, toilet, rehang towel that has been thrown on the ground)
• Dirty Laundry Round Up
• Pick Up Outside Toys
• Dusting
• Vacuum Downstairs
• Vacuum Upstairs
• Empty Dishwasher
• Load Dishwasher
• Set Table (dinner)
• Clear Table (after dinner)
• Clean Bedroom
• Car Clean Out (get garbage out of car)
• Read Bible & Pray
• Water Plants
• Garbage Round Up
• Take Garbage Out
• Take Recycling Out
• Organize Shoe Bins
• Clean Play Room
• 20 Min. Reading
• Surprise Chore (insert evil laugh here...bwahahahahaha)
• Serve Your Neighbor (this is when we think of a way to serve someone in our neighborhood or community)
• Sabbath (No chores on Sunday)

 So there it is!  Our attempt at the chore chart.  I am hoping for big success!  I think you should make your own, and then send me a picture so I can see how you made it even better! 

Gettin' Crafty

I've been gettin' crafty lately!  I know, I'm scared too!  But don't worry, if you know me, then you know that it's nothing too crazy!

Here's what I've been up to:

I needed a Fall wreath for my new door.  So, I made this one.  It's awesome, huh? 

linking up with Beneath My Heart

I think that the best part of this wreath, is that I finished it in about 35 minutes. I made it while I was chatting on the phone with my sister....which should also tell you that it's very easy to make.

I found the directions for how to make it here.  The only thing that I did differently, was that I had to cover my whole wreath (front and back) because it's hanging on a window.

But wait, there's more!  My craftiness didn't end there.  I've been having so much fun decorating Natalie's room.  It's just so girly and fun!  There's still a lot to do...curtains, storage, pictures....but here are few projects I have completed.

I was at Ikea and bought 4 spice racks to hang in my pantry.  Unfortunately, my estimates were way off, and guess what...they didn't fit.  There was no way I was driving all the way back to Ikea to return $4 spice racks, so, I just spray painted 2 of them white and hung them next to Natalie's bed to hold her books.  I thought this was pretty smart...then about a week later I saw the same idea on Pinterest.  Guess I'm not as original as I thought. Ha!   I think I'll paint the other two blue, and put them next to the boys' beds. 
 

 

Speaking of Pinterest...have you seen it?  It's amazing.  You can click here, or click the "P" logo on the side of my page to see what I'm talking about.   I used to bookmark every great idea, design idea, recipe, etc that I wanted to remember.  That got confusing.  Then I found Pinterest and now I can just "pin" my ideas from any website I see them on. 

Anyway, moving on. Here's my next project.  

I recently added Natalie's name above her mirror.

I got the bird house-string/clip-thing from Target on clearance for $5.   So, then I got the idea to use die-cut letters and circles to put Natalie's name over her mirror.    I went to the scrap book store (which terrified me) and I convinced the gal to cut some circles and letters for me.  She thought the project would be even cuter if I added a little fan flower behind each letter.  Now listen carefully...let this be a lesson to us all...if the lady that owns a scrap book store tells you something is easy...she's LYING.  I watched about a million different youtube videos, showing all sorts of ways to make these things.  In the end, there was a lot of folding, a lot of glue, a few bad words, and they look pretty cute.  But still, don't trust the scrap book lady....ever. 

The pictures aren't very good, but you get the idea!

Look at those "simple" little fan flowers.

Here's my final project. 
I took 2 old picture frames, spray painted them white (I like the high gloss white), removed the glass, and added cute paper as the background.  I had 2 extra bird clips (you could use any type of clip), so I attached them.  So now I have an easy way to change out pictures in Natty's room, or show off some of her art work.  I want to do some more (gender neutral) of these for the playroom. 

 

Okay, I'm kind of tired from all this craftiness!  What projects have you been working on?

A great idea...for $1

There's a lot you don't know before becoming a parent.  For example, it took me a couple of years to figure out that "goodie bags" are an essential part of a birthday parties.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around how my children attend some of the coolest birthday parties at pump-it-up, bowling parties, swimming parties, etc and they come home raving about the small plastic bag-o-crap that they were handed as they were leaving....it doesn't make sense.

But, alas, my children have begged me into submission and now I'm always on the look out for "goodie bag" ideas.  Last year I gave out mini-gumball machines...needless to say, the kids LOVED them, but I'm not sure any of the parents are still speaking to me. 

Natalie's birthday is coming up and as I was combing Target for the "perfect" idea, I thought of this.

I saw these cute little buckets of sidewalk chalk...and they were only $1 each....score!  But, they seemed a little boring.  I considered tying a ribbon to them...Peter said that was lame.  I kind of agree.  So I decided to spray paint the lids with my handy-dandy chalk board paint (if you don't have some, you should get some.)  Then I used my chalk pens to personalize each little bucket.

I think they turned out great.  I was also thinking that this would make a great end of the year gift at preschool, or mom's group, or whatever...you could just write, "have a great summer."

So, there you have it!  A great idea for $1 each.

Kids...here's your little bucket-o-crap...have fun!!!

Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub...

It's getting scary...I'm crafting again.  And, I've made another thing that turned out great.  I made a yummy vanilla brown sugar body scrub as a gift for the leaders of our MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group.  


Turned out cute, don't you think?

Here's the recipe if you're interested...

Mix 2 Cups of Brown Sugar and 1 Cup of Granulated Sugar together until there are no lumps. Add in 1 Cup of Sunflower or Safflower Oil and 1 Tablespoon of Pure Vanilla Extract or you could use a small amount of vanilla essential oil.  (this recipe made enough to fill two to three 12oz jars...I made 30+ jars)  Make sure you use a sealable glass jar.  Add a cute tag, ribbon, and there you go!

Yummy and perfect for smoothing out those dry elbows and heels!  I think these will make great hostess gifts, teacher gifts, etc.  So, watch out if you know me...one of these might be coming your way!

Yesterday...I was a finisher!

Yesterday, I was a finisher...I started and FINISHED several projects.   This is a pretty big deal for me, as I have a long history of good ideas that never materialize.  I usually buy the materials needed, and then somewhere along the way of being a wife, mom to 3 small children, working part time, volunteering, etc etc etc.  I lose steam and the projects are long forgotten.   Frames with no pictures, shelves not installed, organization baskets with the tags still attached...you get the picture!

To be honest, I have a long history of failed "crafting" as well.  Let's see, there was candle making (HUGE failure), stamping, beading, card making, sewing, and the list could go on and on and on.  I am not crafty by nature, but have some desire to be creative.  It might just be that I am CHEAP a bargain hunter.  I look at things and think, "I could make that."  That phrase should always be followed with, "but I won't."

So, now that your expectations are rock bottom...look at what I made! A Book Page Wreath.   I saw this on a blog and thought it was so cool.  Seemed easy and cheap to mess up make...I made mine for $4.  I'm officially declaring a crafting success!

Truly, this was easy to make, and I only burned myself with the hot glue gun a few hundred times.  I found directions HERE and HERE...check them out if you want to make one of your own.  There are many things you could do to make it more personal....this would be really cool made with an old hymnal or music sheets if that's your interest.  Or use an old Bible (is that sacrilegious???) or children's stories.

Best of all, this was just one of the many projects I FINISHED...yep, done, completed, accomplished!


 PS...an excellent point made by my sister in her comment....maybe I should start focusing on some projects that involve getting ready for sweet baby #4 to arrive in  10 weeks or LESS.