Hunger-Hint Leads to Spontaneity

spon·ta·ne·i·ty (noun)

1.the state, quality, or fact of being spontaneous.

2.spontaneous activity.

3.spontaneities, spontaneous impulses, movements, or actions.

(www.dictionary.com) 

Spontaneous Moments. You just have to throw one into the mix once in a while. The children love them, and they really do become a permanent memory.

Saturday night we were watching the usual....LHO(t)P. It was 10:45 PM and we had 15 more minutes of an episode. Teenaged son is hungry so he brings it up to Dad. Dad probably wouldn't have "been hungry" too if it wasn't for the hunger-hint.  Dad suggests a frozen pizza in the freezer. Son can't eat pizza due to gluten intolerance. Son suggests a protein-burger (ie hamburger wrapped in lettuce) from In 'n Out. So what do you know? The whole family finishes the episode and drives to In 'n Out at 11PM. I was tired and ghetto-looking so don't judge...

I have never heard so many hoots and hollers of excitement. They acted as if we've never been to a burger place before. Taking no thought that everyone's attire was PJ pants and slippers, we loaded up for a late-night burger/fries/shake snack, along with some arm-wrestling and stimulating conversation. I just thought we were going to go through the drive-through. But NOOOOO, we had to go inside for a true experience. So we did...

 

What made it different than any other time we stopped somewhere for something to eat? It was the spontaneous, out of the blue, unexpected moment. So, mix it up....be spontaneous. Create a forever memory!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Want Productivity? CYT!

Match Socks

Clean Under the Couches

Organize the Book Shelf

Clean out the Toaster

Wipe off the Ceiling Fans

Clean under Mom's Bed

...Just some of the "Extra Jobs"

HAVE FUN!!!! :)

It's Spring Break this week and my kids would probably declare that they're deprived because EVERYONE else they know is in some warm, exotic place like Disneyland, Mexico, Florida, Hawaii, St. George, or on a cruise somewhere. (If EVERYONE is having the time of their life, why are all of their friends around to do things with???) So, instead of soaking up the sun, they're soaking up the dirt, dust, and clutter in our home that has long been neglected. Actually, they're earning money to pay off their debts they've incurred for all the excitement they're preparing for this summer. No, they're not happy about it, but I keep reminding them that they have money to earn if they want to enjoy the plans they've already made. 

I've waited for three days for my children to say, "Mom, what can I do to earn money." Well, it hasn't happened. It's one thing for Mom to say, "You really need to do some extra chores to earn some money." Yah, in one ear, out the other. So, I've resorted to this: "You're doing two hours of extra chores today after your regular chores are done and before you can do any fun stuff. And, here's the list of chores that need doin'." It's Called "CYT" or "Change Your Tactic". If it's not working, you need to change your tactic and try something else.

It's amazing when you put a list in front of them, the action that takes place. 

I ran out of room on the first list..had to make a second!

They fought over who could look at the list first and "claim" the coveted extra jobs like organizing the DVD's or replacing light bulbs, not matching socks or organizing the bathroom closet. I had to resort to a rotation: "You choose two jobs, mark your initials, then pass it on." We rotated through all the kids several times until most of the jobs were claimed. Then, they went to town cleaning. Wow, we haven't been that productive in a long time.

This guy surprised me the most! He completely cleaned under both couches AND vacuumed.

A job I've been wanting to get to for years...Organize all the File Folder Games

Hooray - Cleaning out the cupboards!! Yah, we won't mention what we found in there!

Cleaning and wiping out drawers. No more crumbs mixed in with the measuring cups! I hope you can relate!

Cleaning all the grody stuff off the washing machine!

She partnered with "zebra" and they kicked!

Finally got the buckets put back and organized after Christmas!

Oh, the blessings of an organized pantry!

Organizing the toys...seems like somebody's always doing this.

More organizing, more cleaning.

He put himself in time out. Wow!

Now, I've already given them fair warning that the same plan is in place for tomorrow. Hopefully we can get the rest of the list marked off! Create a list and some parameters. Once the task is met, reward and let them play. They deserve it!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The 10 Minute Game

A Game a Day Keeps the Grumps Away...

As long as it's a 10 Minute Game!

I love playing games, I really do. However, games that last a long time, require a lot of setup, or lots of instruction, are just not my type. I like simple and fun games that are quick to setup, fast to explain, simple to catch on to, and where play time is ten minutes or less. It is tough for me to justify playing Monopoly or Settlers of Catan on a whim. I do have ten minutes to get out a quick one and have a little fun.

Christmas brought us two, new "ten minute" games. The whole family has already mastered them and we have deemed them as "Keepers". 

Tenzi
This was a gift from my sister's family. It is the BEST! This is a one minute game or possibly 30 seconds (depending on how many rounds you play). Each person (up to 4 players), receives ten dice of the same color. However, each player's dice are a different color. I may have blue...she may have red...he may have pink, etc. Everyone rolls their dice at the same time and the object of the game is to roll your own dice until they are all one number. 
Example: I roll my dice and three of them are fives, the rest are random. I set aside my fives and roll the other seven until they are all fives. I yell "Tenzi" when all ten dice are the same. There are may variations that make it fun and fast-paced. Tenzi is the perfect game to play with younger children, too. We have played it at least 50 times, and we tend to play at least 20 rounds each time the game is brought out. Everyone wants to play so I got us another set so 8 people can play at once. BEST GAME EVER!!!!! 

Spot it
I first noticed this game at a lunch date with a friend. She had her five year old with her, and to provide some entertainment, she took this game out of her purse and this cutie went to town with matching fun. The cards are circular, filled with random items such as a four leaf clover or a paint splat or a lightning bolt. Sometimes the items are big, sometimes they are small. Each player is given one card to begin with. The remaining cards are in a deck with one card turned over. The first person to spot a match between their card and the top of the deck (by shouting out the item) gets the deck card. The next card in the deck is turned over and the matching adventure is on again. Sounds easy? Well, it is harder than you think. Sometimes it takes me 15 seconds or more to discover that I actually have a match, because each card has 10 or so items on it and the object is not always the same size as a previous card. My youngest child received Spot it for Christmas. This is another fun one that takes only five minutes to get through, is fast paced, and addictive. However, since you are competing against other people, some tears of frustration may be shed. 
Tip: If you're playing with younger ones, keep the older kids out. They tend to take over and the little people get upset. A four and six year old play well together, but when the fourteen year old is in, he'll find all the matches and then you'll wish the game was never pulled out in the first place. 

A quick, 10 Minute Game is a great motivator...

"Get all ready for bed and we'll have time to play a 10 Minute Game"
"Go tidy your room and we can play a 10 Minute Game"
"Want to play a game after dinner? East your veggies!"
"Get dressed for the day and we can play a game!" (My 4 year old loves to live in her PJs)
"No more grumps! Cheer up and we'll play a game!"
"Get ready for church by 10:15 and we'll play a 10 Minute Game."
"Let's have a 30 minute quiet time and then we'll enjoy a game together." LOVE THIS ONE

...You get the picture.

I'm developing a 10 Minute Game bucket. When it's time for a quick game, get out the bucket and pick one. Or, have two games going - younger kids on one, older children on the other. 

Stay tuned for more ten minute game ideas. February is our Media Fast Month so we'll be doing a lot more game playing for the next 24 days.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

The Birthday Roasting Skit

You make some food, yah. You have a lot, yah.

You add some friends, yah...and you mix them all about.

They put a skit together for the sixteenth birthday girl.

That's what the fun's about!

We don't have a hot tub or a pool. We don't have a fire pit to roast marshmallows. We don't have foosball, ping pong, pool or air hockey. We don't have a volleyball net, tetherball, or a basketball court. We don't have a trampoline. We don't have a theater room or even a fancy entertainment system. However, we do have creative minds and the ability to make good food... and a lot of it. When you put those two things together, you can have a fun and successful party without all the frills that many people think you need.

Now imagine 20-25 boys and girls (ages 14-17) at my daughter's 16th birthday party. What do you do with them? Well, first you feed them. Hawaiian Haystacks - perfect. They didn't even put away half of what we had prepared. Oh well, leftovers for the whole family the next day!! Once everyone is sufficiently stuffed, we need an activity. Here's my favorite activity at a party...the birthday roasting skit. No, not a roasting stick, roasting skit. 

Here's a little background...when I was a senior in high school, our church group had an activity called "The Senior Roast".  First, there was a dinner and then the program commenced which consisted of the Juniors getting together a roast of the seniors. It was a planned skit that poked fun at personality traits, emphasized talents, rehashed funny memories, or entertained with inside jokes. It was an activity we all loved and looked forward to. Fast forward 20 years and I'm now using this same idea for my children's parties; just recently, my daughter's 16th.

We split the attendees into 4 or 5 groups, depending on how many people you have to work with. We tried to mix them up into groups from different walks of life...church friends, school friends, life-long friends, neighborhood friends. When you have a group of 4, 5, or 6 kids that know the birthday girl from different angles, you get a fun twist. Plus, people that don't know each other get to know each other and that's always a plus at a birthday party.

Give the groups 15-20 minutes to put together a random skit about the person-of-honor. They are allowed paper if needed and any prop that can be found in the house. Everyone in the group needs to participate. After the prep time, the groups take turns performing the skits in front of everyone. Of course, I record them so my child has this special gift from her friends. The skits are hysterical and fun. They are randomly varied. Some may sing a familiar tune, penned with their own words. Another may be a game show or a newscast. Or, one ends up being just a silly skit full of inside jokes and commentary. Whatever the case, it is a fabulous way to involve everyone, take up a good chunk of time, and provide a feeling of love and support for the birthday girl.

Happy 16th Birthday, Sweetie!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

October Observations

October

Leaves of Orange, Red, and Gold;

Cocoa to fight off the icy cold.

Winds that chill, yet sun that warms;

Beautiful days and those that storm.

Pumpkins a plenty, candy too;

Friends and family for me and you.

Julie Bushman (moi)

October has come and gone. Where did the month go? Frankly, I'm always glad to move into November so we can focus on the true holiday of Autumn - Thanksgiving. However, before I officially say goodbye to October, I must reminisce a bit.

The Abominable Attire Attack
Sadly, this is the only photo I have of this goofy day where he put on twelve pair of pants, and fifteen sweatshirts/jackets - topped off with his fuzzy footy pajamas. I laughed so hard when he waddled out of the bedroom with so much clothing on that it added twenty pounds to his little weight of 65.

Closet Creativity
After sending my son to hang up his Sunday clothes, I decided to verify that it was really accomplished. Here is the new technique I discovered...

Brilliant thinking for a six year old. He didn't even need a stool to hang up his clothes. The technique didn't last (mom vetoed) but I had to take a picture!

Helpful Hairstyles 
Our EE is so helpful to do her younger sister's hair every morning before school...just one of the benefits of a teenaged girl! This month she has learned some new hairstyles.

Fishtail - Taken after school

Not sure what it's called, but it's amazing, isn't it??

Diligent Devotional

I love my children's school devotionals - full of truth, music, faith, and testimony. How special to have two cousins experience it together!
 

Fabulous Friends
Good times with our fellow homeschooling friends! Enjoying our annual children's show at the Scera - Flat Stanley!

Whacky Wisdom-Teeth Week

Two children having their wisdom teeth extracted within one week is no fun! He is the only one who would allow me to take a picture. What a good sport! So happy that part of our life is over. I'm sure they are, too.

Accidental Accuracy
Friend #1 comes to pick up friend #2 for a church dance.  Friend #2 opens the door for Friend #1. They look at each other, scream, and laugh. TWINS! Could they have been more accurate? Friend #1 decides to go home and change.

Illustrious iPhone

Having fun with my new iPhone 5, courtesy of my employer. Some child took a picture of it, so why not include it? Lovin' it but not addicted to it.

Nifty & Necessary Nun

Loved the nuns in the Sound of Music production. Even though she wasn't "thrilled" to be a nun, how necessary they are to the storyline. Even more so, how beautiful were the harmonies! She's the nicest nun a Mama could have, and a natural on the High C!!

Pumpkin Picking

An actual pumpkin patch 1/2 mile from the school was just too good to pass up.

Precise Pumpkin Piercing

What a delightful experience it was this year. I only had to help two children with pumpkin carving. Everyone else could do it on their own. Minimal mess, too!

Costume Creativity
Actually, it was quite mild this year. The only thing I had to buy was blue and white pom poms for $1 from Dollar Tree. Yes, I love no-cost, creative costumes!!

And that's a wrap of our October, 2012. 

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!