I'm Bald - New Family Photo

I was holding my youngest near the family photo on the wall. 

She pointed to herself and declared, "Look, I'm a baby and I'm bald." 

Time for an updated family photo!

Every few years that time rolls around. I tend to stress about it 'cause I want it to be just right. We don't update our family pics every six months or every year. So, when the 2 year mark hits, I start imagining the locale, the clothes, the formations, the color scheme, etc. Thanks to my amazing friend and photographer, she makes it easy and comfortable and casual. She even finds the right place! However, I still have to decide on what everybody wears and with ten people, that's not an easy task.

I usually start out by looking at the wardrobe of each person in the family (our wardrobes are not that extensive!). What colors do the majority of the people have so I don't need to go out and purchase a new outfit for everyone. That gets pricey in a hurry! Next, I think, "If I do need to purchase, what items is so and so low on that she could really use?" I hit the clearance and sale racks to find inexpensive adds, searching for little accessories or extras to give the right touch. 

Help, I just can't find this or that. Solution: Borrow! This time around, I could not find something to wear for yours truly. I thought of a good friend of mine who has a dress that would match perfectly for the photo session. She was most gracious (pneumonia and all) when I called her (interrupting her son's birthday party) to beg for the use of her dress for an afternoon. Luckily, we're about the same size (well, I don't know that either of us would say it's lucky...we'd rather be a size 6!).  Oh, good friends...always there when you need them!

Once the clothes are found and the outfits coordinated, Mom can relax until the day of. Once that day comes, be sure there is enough time to get everyone ready without stress. Stress is a mood killer and an interrupter of quality family time. I was proud of myself! I put everything else aside two hours before we needed to leave. I assigned the little girls to the big girls for hair and primping. The little boy was assigned to a big boy for hair and last minute needs. I got ready in plenty of time and even prepared snacks to bring along to distract the grumps. 

On the way to the photo shoot, Mom gives her usual lecture about cheerfulness and cooperation. "If everyone quickly smiles, stands where they're told, puts their hands and feet in position, tilts their head, and is happy, the experience will be much faster...and, if we're fast, we'll have enough time to stop for ice cream afterward." It worked! Our youngest had one little fuss, but I whipped out the snacks and she was immediately happy. Note that all of our children can be reasoned with (or bribed) as we don't have any under two anymore. In less than two hours, we were finished, including my son's senior picture shoot. And the photographer was still smiling! So was I. And yes, we stopped for ice cream (and burgers, and cheese fries)!

Because of preparation and amazing talent from Cioco, here's the end result....

Reminds me of a Pride and Prejudice Background

Nice and Cozy

Eight and Eager!!

Fifteen and Fantastic!

Nineteen and Independent!

Seventeen and Ready for the World!

Ten and Excited about life!

Yes, you do love each other!

I love the ATTITUDE in this pic. Especially, little guy!

20 Years

Three and Precious!

Five and Full of it!

LOVE this!! She finally got up...with help!

My Beauties!

Thirteen and Terrific!

A Lewis and Clark Moment

Little Sis looking up to Big Sis - in so many ways

Nobody will ever know the reason for this snapshot!

My Cool Dudes

My Treasures!!

Yes, I'm happy....I do LOVE the photo results, but that's not my true happiness. Ultimately, happiness comes from having family to love and being loved right back. I love my crew!

Make family photos an important part of your family traditions...'cause you can never go back!

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

Lose Teeth and Master Money

The note was written on the computer.

This same note was printed and put under her pillow.

The next morning, she excitedly found and read the note.

I forgot to close down the program on my computer.

Of course, she saw the same note on my computer screen.
"It's you!!!", she delightedly exclaimed.

Yes, I am my kids' tooth fairy! The above vignet really did happen several months ago. I can't believe I didn't close down Print Shop where I had written a cute little note to my daughter from the Tooth Fairy. 

I knew she was already a bit suspicious so I freely told her that I am indeed the Tooth Fairy and she was sworn to secrecy.

Sunday night she bravely pulled out another loose tooth, on her own.

She pulled me aside and whispered, "Can you come tonight?"

Truth be told, I'm not very good at playing Tooth Fairy. She usually doesn't appear for a few days, sometimes a week. I finally get to the point where I have to email myself a reminder. Is it old age or just so many people to manage that my memory can't hold it all? Hopefully, the latter! As far as the reward, the later I am, the more my kids receive to make up for the tardiness. The usual loot is a dollar per tooth plus a candy bar or some gum; this turns a traumatic experience into a delightful one. 

My niece just lost her tooth and her mother explained on Facebook about her "Tooth Fairy" moment, "The tooth fairy left coins for her to count and keep. When she masters counting them she promised to bring another surprise."

I LOVE this! Use every moment to teach. What a great idea to encourage her daughter to learn money counting skills. She's motivated to practice so the Tooth Fairy will bring another surprise. However, there's one flaw in this logic... the Tooth Fairy has to remember TWICE per tooth, not just once.Oh boy, more remembering.

The Tooth Fairy has not visited my sweet girl yet, so, I'm going to use my sister's idea and get the money counting mastered!

Help your child on her way towards mastering money with the Stick-to-it Money Management System. 

 

See how Tooth Fairy coins and dollars can be turned into big savings over time...that is, if the Tooth Fairy gets with it!

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

Show Me: A Mean Mom Moment

Sing me no song, read me no rhyme

Don't waste my time, show me

Please don't implore, beg on the seats

Don't make all the speech, show me...

...Please don't explain, show me, show me

Michael Ball - "Show Me"

I witnessed a "Mean Mom Moment" a few weeks ago. Well, I didn't really witness it; I heard about it. I felt like doing the old Piedmont High cheer - Be Impressive, B-E Impressive. B-E-I-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-V-E! Truly, I was impressed by how she handled the situation!

Her son wanted to go see the new Harry Potter movie for his birthday. They agreed to take him when the time came. Being how many almost-eleven-year-old boys can be, he was giving her fits that week...teasing, arguing, complaining, and disobedient. This is how she responded to the behavior:

"Your behavior tells me you don't want to go see the movie. You need to show me that you want to see the movie. Until then, we're not going."

She then proceeded to tell him that he needed to spend the next week "showing" that he wants to go see Harry Potter...be appreciative, respectful, kind, helpful, and obedient. 

Show Me!

I LOVE that!! Seeing the movie is a privilege, not a right. Until you show me with proper behavior that you want that privilege, it's out the window. Actions determine consequences, positive or negative.

Thanks for "showing me" a new perspective on behaviors and privileges! I eat up those Mean Mom Moments!

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

Creativity = Motivation

Are you ever tired of nagging your children to help with the chores? Are you feeling overwhelmed with a messy home with not-so-helpful children to assist with the cleanup job? You and your children need some creativity to get motivated! Every few months I pull out the "cooperation scavenger hunt" or "scavenger clean-up race" to get the job done with some fun, competition and of course, a reward at the end. Here's how it's done:

Create a list of 10-15 things that each member of the family needs to do based on what jobs need to be accomplished. Example: Pick up 10 pieces of trash, empty a garbage can, fold 20 items of clothing, make a bed, vacuum a room of the house, empty 10 dishes in the dishwasher, .... get the idea? Give everyone their own list and pencil to cross off the task as it's completed.

Make it a race, or not. Pair up some children (maybe two that haven't been getting along) or do it solo. Create a special prize for the winner and then a treat for all those who participated joyfully. Or, have a family reward at the end. Set a time limit for extra motivation. There's nothing like setting the timer to get children moving more quickly! Here's our family's latest list:

Working together is fun and rewarding. It's much better than doing it by yourself! Add some creativity and it's even better!! Do you have an idea for creative motivation? I'd love to hear it!

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