Count your blessings

last lazy day

The girls and I are trying to enjoy our last lazy day of summer today.  Tomorrow will be full of getting everything ready for the first day of school.  I have one more school supply to pick up, some fun snacks planned to make with the girls and a special dinner.  I read on a blog about a fun idea for a back to school dinner.  I am also going to take some pictures tomorrow (maybe) because the first day of school is so hectic for me.  Dusty is long gone before the girls get up for school and so with four kids to get ready, it might be a good idea to take them tomorrow!!  I better go get ready for the day, it is after ten and we are still in our jammies!!  I have more to share later.....

the list goes on

told you i would add some more. 

library trips.  mostly for audrey and gracie but i will make a point to go when sydney can too.  gracie will be learning to read this year!!  i want to take Audrey to the story time at the library.  noticed i did not say colton.  colton will not be allowed.  he is a monster.  a cute monster.

one child, one activity.  with four kids (only three right now that will be doing an activity) each doing one activity plus swimming, we will be busy.  sydney hasn't made up her mind what she wants to do yet (or at least i say that :)  gracie will most likely play a sport/gymnastics, audrey might be doing ballet and all of them are going to start swimming lessons in the fall. 

early morning sunrise.  this is something i read on someone's blog (i can't remember) and thought it was the coolest thing.  the child's parent woke them up on a saturday and made hot cocoa and they watched the sunrise together.  they talked and just had alone special time.  whoever it was said it was an experience they loved.  their parent did it every so often.  i'll fill ya in if this one is successful :) 

allowances.  we are going to officially start this in the fall.  i started a similar system when i was at my mom's but now that we are finally settling we are going to get back into it.  daily chores.  weekly chore.  rewards.

so many things in my mind right now.  it is hard to get them all down :)  jen and i were talking about all the fun things that come with school starting.....planning out fun snacks, notes in their lunch boxes, surprising them....i can't wait!!!

settling in

to the beginning of a new routine.  i actually like this part of the process.  i am definitely one who needs structure to get much done :o)  i dread the part where you have to get to bed early and wake them up in the morning.  but i am hoping to start a few things at the beginning of the school year to make the transition a little easier for all of us, + some.  here is a list of reminders:

date nights once a week with a different child (mom and dad will alternate taking them).  so the first week of the month will be Sydney, second will be Gracie....you get the idea.  i was talking with a lady about this last week and it reminded me to get this written down on the calendar and actually plan for it, or it will never happen :)

family night.  i haven't decided which night yet.  we have these periodically but nothing on a regular basis.  the kids have actually asked for this.  i think it will be great.  the hard part will be saying no to things and not letting life get in the way of the family night!

dinner help.  the girls love to help with dinner but most of the time i am so behind i am in a hurry to get things done.  so i want to really make a huge effort to meal plan and shop ahead so if i need to i can even prep things during the day.  one girl can help with dinner and one can help set the table/clean up.

morning routine.  sometimes the mornings can get hairy around here.  i am on a mission to make them better.  i am thinking of healthy breakfasts that include smoothies, fresh fruit and breakfast burritos :)  this will take some some planning ahead and make ahead time but i think i can get some ideas from my sister in law.  she makes breakfast burritos/sandwiches ahead of time for her kids and it works great.

missions project.  this has been on my mind for a long time now.  i want to get my kids involved in something like this but haven't found the right fit yet.  i know God will lay the perfect thing on my heart.

I am sure I have a ton more ideas, so this was a start.  Why is it that every time you go to document something, your mind goes blank?  I love new ideas, so what are some things you plan on doing?

Come on, help a sister out

My super talented sister Jen entered the Scrapbook Queen contest at Craft Warehouse.  Her layout is amazing and I am rooting her on!!  So go to www.craftwarehouse.com, register and then go to the photo gallery for Yakima.  You will see her awesome layout and you can vote.  Come on, help her showcase her talent, SHE ROCKS!!

ETA:  The site is having problems and often says it is offline.  If you hit refresh and/or keep trying you eventually will be able to get there :)

ETA again:  They are having an overwhelming response and therefore have shut down voting until Friday :(  I will come back and remind you!!