Three Amigos

The kids have had so much fun on the trampoline this summer on a daily basis that I just had to add another picture of them playing happily together on it. They don't even sweep the pine needles off before using it, anymore. They also play a game with the balls. Not sure which one of my little leaders developed it but do know that they all had fun giving their input on the rules.

"Bolles Bucks" reborn

When Jason was a child, his mom made up what were called "Bolles Bucks" to encourage the kids to work around the house and for them to learn to save for things they wanted. Why not use real money? We found that the kids just left their money lying around. If we hid it up high, they would ask for it so they could "count" it and then somehow it never got put back in it's proper place. Computer time/game time has become a big issue in our home so Jason suggested we use the Bolles Bucks idea. Here is our current list of prices:

To earn money-

Clean up toys-$5

Clear dishes from the table-$2

Put clothes in the dirty clothes hamper-$2

Get dressed by your self-$2

Homework-$5

Wash window for 20 minutes-$5

Clean up yard toys-$5

Take out trash-$5

Eat dinner-$2

Be good at Church-$10

Say prayers-$2

Brush teeth-$2

Read Scriptures-$5

To spend money-

Computer/Game time (20 minutes)-$10

$50 Bolles Bucks = $1 cash (they are always asking for toys, candy, gum...)

It is so nice. "Mom, can I play on the computer?" "How many Bolles Bucks do you have?" If they don't have it, they don't get to play. They usually get busy trying to earn Bucks so they can play.

This is our starting point and I'm sure it will evolve. I don't want to be paying a 10-yr-old to say their prayers. The goal is to establish a good habit, then add another one later. So far, the boys have been really good about brushing their teeth twice daily, putting their dishes in the sink and getting dressed on their own. When reminded that they earn Bolles Bucks for putting their dirty clothes in the hamper, they quickly respond. I am happy with the progress because before, it was like pulling teeth to get them to take care of their clothes. Do I like that we resorted to paying them for simple things? Not really. However, I do like the results it has generated thus far and I do like that the value of a Bolles Buck does not equate one dollar in the real world.

To blog, or not to blog?

I've been mulling this one over for a week now, wondering if I'm brave enough to document the occurrence and finally decided I needed to because some day I will stop being grossed out and think it is rather funny to remember. So, here goes:

Last Sunday BriAnn was suppose to be taking a nap when I heard an unusual sound in her room. Upon further investigation, I found a happy little girl with no diaper and painted walls. I had heard of this happening and thought smugly to myself that it would never happen to me or my children. Much to my chagrin, my little GIRL was the one who did it! I decided it was a one time offense and not to worry about it after talking to her about how gross it is. Not so. The same thing happened on Monday. Needless to say, she is now amongst the group of children who run around with duct tape on their diaper to keep them from creating master pieces with their own bodily wastes. (Aren't you glad I didn't post pictures!?)

Follow-up on Trevor: He went to school on Friday and called home about 9:30 am with a tummy ache. Jason told him he was fine and to go back to class, which he did. After he got home from school I asked him how his spelling test went. He replied, "It didn't. That's when I went to the office." Any suggestions on how to calm a nervous test-taking tummy?

Eye Doctor Visits

BriAnn had her first eye doc visit last Friday. Her pediatrician felt it was time to get the "freckle/wedge" checked out to make sure it wasn't anything serious. It wasn't. Just a birth mark. She did really well at her exam.

I went to the eye doc yesterday as it has been several years since my last one and my glasses have a chip in them and just needed some TLC. While there, I asked the doc to do a Lasik surgery assessment, as well. No surprise to me I am NOT a good candidate for the surgery. My prescription is too far gone (I'm farsighted with astigmatisms in both eyes) to have a successful surgery. In fact, he has seen patients with similar prescriptions come out of surgery worse than when they went in. So, we talked about contacts. Acuvue has a new one out for astigmatisms that are way better than anything I've tried in the past. I wore them for three hours yesterday and get to wear them for four hours today, gradually working up to a full day. I'm kind of excited. Not that I want to have to wear corrective lenses the rest of my life, but since I'm going to have to, I'm glad contact lenses have improved enough that I can wear them again. The other bad news (besides not being able to have Lasik surgery): my right eye is getting worse. I am well over 30 and have officially recognized my body starting to fall apart! Why can't my body stay the same age I feel my mind is at? Say, 20 would be nice!

"School is Cool" Party

Trevor came home from school yesterday planning a "School is Cool" party complete with a cake and candles, games, banner and something yummy for dinner. Well, life is a bit busy around here so we only accomplished the cake while the kids "practiced playing games" on the trampoline. The cake is actually zucchini bread muffins with candles and sprinkles. The boys didn't care because they love zucchini bread and I didn't care because it got a veggie in them! This may become tradition. We will see what next year brings.

I was very grateful he wanted to have such a party because he was having tummy problems on Friday. He was anxious about how school was going. This week, however, has gone really well. We will see what happens on Friday as that is the day Trevor goes to school, but Jason does not go to work. Trevor somehow thinks Daddy and Tyson play computer or Sega games all day and wants to be home with them.

Side note: I promise that I do clean my kitchen. Jason cleans the kitchen, too. It just seems to always be messy when the perfect photo shoot opportunity arises. :}

Kent & Kids

My brother Kent and his kids spent Friday night and part of Saturday with us while my sister-in-law went to see Wicked. It was a crazy, fun filled few short hours. This is the only picture I got. We went to the park for a picnic lunch and to the Old Cannery Furniture Store and Fudge Factory in Sumner to see the trains. We ended up getting a free ride on in the parking lots on a small John-deer-powered little train. The kids had a blast! Kory was here, too, for his Army Reserves weekend. We can't wait to see everyone again. Hopefully soon...at Conference time?

First Day of School

Technically, this is his second day at school because his first day lasted all of 15 minutes and consisted of filling out paperwork, meeting his teacher, seeing where his desk is. I'm just glad I remembered the camera after school because I forgot it before. Of course, it wouldn't be a complete photo shoot if the other two didn't get pics taken, as well. I'm glad they love each other!

Marianne's Make-A-Wish

The 10-12 mile climb to Mt. Baldy and back

Fireside and Testimony Meeting
Photo Shoot

We had such a great time at the cabin with the siblings, parents and spouses. Games, hiking, horseback riding, games, stories. Just having fun!

Just us at the Cabin

Disclaimer: The following pictures are not in order of events.

Smores by the campfire

Horseback riding

Somewhere in the dark, you can see Trevor riding and steering the horse all by himself. He did really well and was grinning from ear to ear when he told me. He even kept the horse under control and didn't fall off when a loud jet flew overhead and spooked River Dance.

Union Falls
Boulder Cave-Ooh, Scary bats. Not really.
Soda Springs
The Lake -frogs, kites, water
Flying kites-the lake and the breeze flew one of the kites across the lake when BriAnn decided she was done. It was quite fun to watch it dip and almost crash, then a gust of wind would make it soar again! Lots of fun!

"The miracle isn't that I finished. It's that I had the courage to start!" John Bingham

This quote is on one of my friend's blogs and really like it. That is how I feel about climbing Mt. Baldy because of such an awful reaction to Mt. Aix 6 years ago. But, I did it and I conquered and self-esteem with regards to hiking has been restored. When's the next hike?

New Family Pics-Thanks Melissa!

Here are some new family pics we had taken the weekend of the Teddy Bear Picnic. Tyson wouldn't sit still long enough to get his picture taken. Maybe another time. Thank you, Melissa!