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!

Supervision by A Brain-Dead Mama

"A burger, some fries, a shake to eat;

It will really and truly be a great treat!

So, come and share in all the fun,

But Mom will be there so walk, don't run.

My 14 year old daughter is a delight, a pure joy! 

She is dedicated, responsible, fun, obedient, self-governed, kind, and helpful. I'm confident with her choice of friends and happy with the activities they choose to do. However, that doesn't mean that I'm fine with no supervision, especially when boys are involved!

A few months ago she asked if a group of her friends could go to the local burger 'n shake spot, JCW's. Sure, why not? It's a group of kids, a NICE group of kids...let me know the logistics.

My daughter soon informed me that one of her friends could not go if there was no adult supervision. Of course...why didn't I think of that? "Brain-dead" moment. Brain Dead or B.D. I'm thankful to that mother who took a stand and woke me up a bit. Yes, they're great kids. However, they're still young and especially when the genders are mixed, supervision is best! 

We don't want any of this going on...

 So, I got the privilege of playing supervisor. It really was a fun job...

It's good for our youth to learn about and interact with the opposite gender. Let's just make sure it's at the right time and with the proper supervision. Hopefully, I can avoid more Brain Dead moments in the future...

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

Sabbath Thoughts: Earth Life vs. College Life

 "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things

whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them"

Abraham 3:25

In one week we celebrated our youngest turning three...

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!!

 and sent our oldest off to college. 

Ready to conquer the world!

Quite the contrast! The day came so soon. It seems like she was just little, starting her life of learning and growing. 

1st Birthday - 1994

I've been thinking a lot about the similarities between sending off a child to college, leaving home for the first time, and our Heavenly Father sending us to Earth to gain experience and knowledge. Here it goes...

• We were taught well, prepared to come to Earth, just as she's been prepared for 18 years to leave home.

• We were excited for the adventure....a chance to prove ourselves, use our agency, establish relationships and learn. She is excited for her adventure....a chance to prove to herself that she can do this, a chance to use her agency without Mom and Dad giving their opinions, a chance to gain new relationships, and to learn many new things!!

• I'm sure Heavenly Father was sad to see us go, just as Sam and I are sad to see her go. (Yes, I've texted her several times to tell her she's missed!!) On the contrary, He was happy for our opportunity, just as we are thrilled for her new stage of life.

• Heavenly Father is delighted when we pray, telling Him our joys and sorrows. We are thrilled for any communication we get from our daughter. (She told us she'd call every night...ha ha...we told her she'd be having too much fun to remember her parents)

• When we return home after this life, I'm sure we will be greeted with open arms. When she comes home (even if it's just for the weekend), our arms are wide open, for sure!!!

Oh, if saying goodbye were only as easy on the heart as analyzing similarities between the pre-existence and college life! I guess if it were that easy, it wouldn't matter so much...but it does!

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

Flicka and Maximus: A "NO-Media" Moment

"Go Faster, Maximus."

"No, Flicka faster"

"Maximus is going to beat Flicka."

"No, Flicka beat Maximus."

Can you tell who's four and who's two?

Ahhhhh, simple fun. Who would have thought that a pair of red suitcases with handles could provide an hour of horseback riding fun yesterday for two little people. It never ceases to amaze me how in a world of gimme, gimme, gimme, children can be content with imaginative play. This time, it required nothing more than an empty suitcase and a creative mind. 

Flicka (left) and Maximus (right) with some happy riders.

Ipads, Ipods, Video Game Systems, Computer Games, Handhelds, Movies in your car, Movies at home, Movies on your phone, TV, Cell phones, Texting, Smart Phones...It's too much! 

Have a "No-Media" Moment and let the fun begin!

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

You've Got This! (Even if it is bad grammar)

To my Daughter: 

I drove away thinking, "Did I teach you all you need to know?

Did I fulfill the responsibility to raise you in the way you should go?"

My very first child, so beautiful and capable, has grown...

...you're off to college, independent and free. You're on your own!

- Mom

"Don't worry, Mom. I've got this!"

Yesterday was the day...the day we sent you, our oldest child, out into the real world. Can I say, Mixed Emotions!?! I was so proud of myself for I did not cry when I said goodbye. That doesn't mean I didn't cry on the way home! I have thought a lot about this new stage of life that you and our family is entering. I'm going to save some of my musings for my Sabbath Thoughts post on Sunday, but here are a few...

1. You are never ready to go. No matter how much you prepare, make lists, check off the list, purchase necessities (and not so much), pack, discuss, and plan, you're never really "ready" to jump off. This is just like any other stage in life. You can read all about being a parent, but you'll never be ready to have a child. The EXPERIENCE makes you ready. Jumping in with both feet prepares you. Being your first real day away from home, you are getting more ready every minute! Do you miss me yet?

2. There is no use wondering if I taught you everything you need to know because there's nothing I can do about it anyway! Yes, we did our very best for 18 years to teach, train, and love. Now, it's up to you, kid.

3. You've got this! You can do hard things!! You have the drive, motivation, and desire to succeed. "You've got the power!" song just came to mind. I know, weird.

4. Even though money is tight and you wonder how you're going to do it, it's for your good. When you're handed something on a silver platter, you don't appreciate it nearly as much as if you worked long and hard to earn it yourself. You're learning a valuable lesson...do your part, do it well and see what happens!

5. We gave you all of the last minute advice yesterday. Thanks for humoring us. You probably wanted to say, "STOP!!!" Well, some last, last minute advice: think of others, pray, always go to church, have fun, take your classes seriously, be flexible, stand for what is right, and remember who loves you!!

"Thanks for making my bed, Mama" (Loved it!)

Just because you're "on your own", doesn't mean you're "on your own." We're always here to encourage, listen, pray, love, and assist. Now go get that job and don't forget to take your vitamins!!

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

A Kudos to Nine

This cake is burnt, the other was picked in. 

The cream cheese did not make it to the fridge.

I pinched my finger and twisted my ankle.

Everyone is coughing; must we make a third cake?

No, this was not meant to rhyme...

After a crazy weekend, a Shout-out to my family is necessary today!

THANK YOU...

Dad: ...for making my life easier, doing errands, taking care of the rowdies at bed time, dealing with all of the things I don't like to do, being involved in all of the family stuff, helping with sick people, involving the children in projects, encouraging hard work and participation, giving hugs and support when people are down, listening and then helping with problem solving, being willing to let go AND hold on.

Bird:  ...for running to get pizza for the party, doing the birthday-girl's hair, searching for little plastic horses, being my errand-girl, getting your room packed up, keeping us entertained with stories and drama, driving Dad to his lunch meeting, offering to help during the cake meltdown and oh, so much more. How we'll miss you when you leave tomorrow for college!

Big-A:  ... for doing pick-up at the school, organizing the garage racks, detailing the Yukon, breaking up the quarrels, cutting the cantaloupe, including your brother in all your jobs, helping little people brush their teeth, being willing to try the oils, being the family driver, and keeping us laughing with funny jokes, stories and voices.

EE: ... for scrubbing the kitchen floor sooooo well, decorating for the birthday, making the cakes (even though it was a bust - not your fault!), willing to help without being asked to, going shopping and doing errands, supporting your sister with all the preparations, looking for shoes, supportive of better eating habits, and everything else that I haven't mentioned.

Bamzini: ... for shipping product, sweeping and rearranging the garage, assembling the bike, playing with the birthday girl while I made the cake, mowing the lawn, counting points, giving little sister kisses just because, setting goals and working towards them, emptying the trash can, creating fun times for the little people, and doing your part.

Shoemaker: ... for picking up apples, cleaning up the toys, being a trooper through this illness, cutting lettuce, helping with the cake, being the assistant bike-assembler, wiping pen and crayon off of the walls, doing your chores so quickly, being willing and excited to go to Scouts, reading, playing Go Fish with sister, and having a better attitude.

Little Mam:... for being so kind to your little sister by helping her open her presents, playing with her new toys, getting her dressed for the day, and helping her ride her new trike; for your desire to always help...make the frosting, decorate the cake, give ideas and encouragement, wrap the presents; for being a peacemaker, doing your school work, and always wanting a tuck-in.

Cheeks:... for giving such great hugs, kisses, and zerberts, cutting cucumbers, stirring anything, helping sister, always smiling, emptying the garbage cans, being patient, watching Diego even though you wanted to watch Sully, cleaning up your messes, listening the first time, making your bed and practicing your letters.

Miss May:... for saying please and thank you all the time, sleeping in, bringing us joy and being lovable, trying new things, snapping the beans, wanting to do the dishes, still putting your shoes on the wrong feet, singing songs over and over again, making me a better mom, apologizing, and loving life!

A Kudos to nine people that not only lighten my load, but bring me true joy and happiness!

Father's Day Program: June, 2011

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

"Snap" up the Opportunity

"Oh who, oh who will help me snap the beans?

Oh who, oh who will it be?"

Look at that smile! Who says working can't be fun?

I took the fresh beans out of the refrigerator to prepare them for dinner. I was going to snap them myself but then thought, "That's ridiculous. There has to be somebody around who can do this for me." The first person I saw was our little lady, sitting at the bar with a snack. "Hmmmm", I thought. "I wonder if she can do this." Of course she can! I asked her if she wanted to snap beans. Of course she did! She tried to snap them by holding each end. That didn't work. I showed her how to snap it from the middle and she went to town.

She took ownership of this project, extremely happy with her ability to fulfill the job that Mom needed accomplished, learning a new skill, and having fun at the same time. She was content to snap for 20 minutes. Now I like that kind of entertainment! The key here is  opportunity. If I didn't give her the opportunity to snap the beans, she wouldn't have had this learning experience. Look for opportunities for your child to shine, learn, improve, assist, grow and develop.

Snapping beans: another terrific toddler-task!

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