Sophie and Sage: April 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Their smiles…

brighten my day!

This was tagged to me the other day, it was taken awhile ago. Thanks D & L, love it. XOXO from Sophie (right) and Sage (left).

This poor plant was given to me awhile back from a nice owner of a specialty Chinese Sh0p, while I was shopping in his store. It’s a Money Tree (a resemblance of our economy wouldn’t you say?) It looks sparse now, but you should’ve seen it when he gave it to me, with just a few braided twigs, it totally looked dead. I don’t claim to have a green thumb, I forget to fertilize, but it’s on its way back to health with some TLC , just like our economy hopefully. It was nice and crowded in Costco the other day, everyone shopping and getting ready for Spring & Summer. It hasn’t been that crowded in a long time. Good signs.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Chores…

When I was a teaching 3rd grade, I could see a big difference from children who had consistent chores at home and those who didn’t. Those who did were usually better, more responsible students. They would use their time wisely, overall more independent, hardworking kids.

Sage watering the plants

Sophie hard at work observing :)

I try to make chores fun, play some good music, reward ourselves afterwards… With a large family, we all have to do our part. When the girls first came home, they certainly knew how to clean, even at 3. They would grab the broom after eating and sweep up every last crumb, they folded clothes better then most women, and they made sure Panzer (our old Boxer) had food. Very attentive and hard workers at such a cute young age. Of course they were great at making messes too.

Well, they aren’t quite as eager now to clean up, but once they start they are very efficient. Our weekly chores consist of keeping your own bedroom clean, separating your clothes once a week and putting them away, I wash and fold. Unloading the dishwasher, the girls do the silverware, then help Trevor with the rest if needed, I like to load, takes mom’s skills to fit them all in ;). We also conquer bathrooms on Saturdays, in between sports & play. The boys are in charge of their own bathrooms, while the girls clean their mirrors & bathtub, at times ending up all wet, and the boys do the garbage & mow the lawn. It’s usually a fun time with all of us working together, then we can play or relax. After all, a clean well organized home makes one happy mom.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Front Porch {Sunday Snapshot}

We love Grandma’s front porch. We’ve had many casual visits, popsicles, laughs, and girl talk here.

The bunny came a week late this year since we were gone. I might do it like this more often, it was nice to stay focused on the Resurrection and the real meaning of Easter, then do all the fun stuff later. Thanks to both Grandmas & Uncle Mike for the yummy treats when we got back. They especially liked holding the baby chicks. And thanks for not getting too mad at us for not being here on Easter:).

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Spring Break wrap up

It was a looong bike ride, 10 + miles. I love the trail systems here and was looking forward to the ride in great weather. The kids were troopers, although Trev and the girls were happy to finally be done (it was longer then expected, and on their little bikes its a lot of pedaling, but they hung in there). We were tired and hungry in the end so Cafe Rio afterwards never tasted so good, just what we needed. That place is starting to grow on Paul, he actually found something he likes, so glad- it’s one of my favorites. Good sport hon.

You never know who you’re going to see on vacation. As we were riding back to the park, someone honked at us from the road, who’d expect to see our next door neighbors :). We had fun playing with them for awhile.

Quite the fun park, even for big boys :)

We enjoyed the local Easter Egg hunt and found some other neighbor/friends, good seeing you Meagan! I was glad we went since the Easter Bunny didn’t know how to find us (I forgot the kids baskets). So we celebrated the basket part the next week, the kids didn’t mind at all prolonging Easter.