ping pong chores

kids + house + pets + life =

lots of work for momma

Let's rewind to last week. I was on a treadmill at the "Y" reading good house keeping or something like it and saw this idea, PING PONG CHORES. Write chores on ping pong balls, put them in a bowl, jar or bag and let the kid draw a ball and do the chore.

LET'S TRY IT!

So I invested a whole $12 into 32 ping pong balls and a cookie jar. I wrote out chores like, feed the dog, wipe down bathroom sink + empty dryer, plus I added in some fun ones like do a silly dance, give everyone a HI-FIVE + kiss your mom.

We told the kids that if we emptied the cookie jar we would get a special treat. It took us about 45 min. to do all of our chores. PJ and Ben did a pretty good job on their chore balls. Matt and Ella needed a little more help, as to be expected with littler kids. Since they got all the chores done I let them watch TV for 45 minutes before bed. My goal is to get all the chores done in 30 minutes or less. I know they can't do as good a job as Phil or I would, but any help is wonderful. Plus its good for them to learn how to do these jobs so that someday they can run a clean and orderly home.

xxoo

to sleep

The first thought as I woke up this morning was, When is nap time? Penny has become a terrible bed mate and pretty crapy napper too. However when I look back at why is this way I clearly see its all my fault. I never made he cry herself to sleep and because of that she need me to fall asleep, to stay asleep + needs me to comfort her any time there is a problem. If I had it to do over?... I wouldn't do it any differently. I LOVED cuddling and nursing her as she fell asleep in my arms. I have paid for those precious moment in 20 months of sleepless night and I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Someday I will have a teenage Penny. Will she want to climb into bed and cuddle with me? Probably not. So for now sleep be damned.

Penny passed out in front of the TV. Barney was on.

xxoo

xxoo

digital silhouette

Today I cleaned house, threw a baby shower for my friend Sarah (I'll post some picture soon) and learned how to make a digital silhouette

this was the picture I started with

and with a little photo shop love, I got this.

I found the tutorial here

xxoo

I'm fluffy

at my last yearly check-up, my doctor told me I needed to lose weight. I was hurt and offended by her words. i'm active and able to keep up with five kiddos, in my mind i'm fluffy, not over weight. but i took her advice. i jioned the "Y" and weight watchers. Part of my new year manifesto was to "love my body" i guess that means loving it enought to take better care of it and not just loving the way it looks. so i'v been working really hard this past week to make healthery chooses and hit the gym. i'm happy to let you all know it worked.

I lost 4 lbs. this week. YEAH!

my new breakfast. boiled egg, wheat toast w/ butter, a whole orange and coffee w/ cream and sugar. All of this is 8 point.

over weight or fluffy I love my muffin top, because everyone knows the tastiest part of the muffin is the top.

xxoo

A.

my gals a KORKER!

I'v been on a bow making kick. I love the way my little girls look with bows and korker in their hair. I learned how to make them by watching alot of you-tube videos. I have been finding I'm spending a little to much time on the inter-web lately. Any-who my gals a korker. (yes Korker with a K)

Ella got the mulit layer bow for her big ponty tale. She says its her princess bow.

xxoo

A.

faux chenille blanket

I just got done sewing one of the most time consuming and beautiful blankets. I'v sewed my far share of blanket but this one takes the cake. I tried to keep track of how long I worked on the blanket and I think it was around 8 hrs. I don't like to do projects that take more than an hour or two at the most. However this blanket is

OH SO LOVELY.

It was well worth the time I invested in it. It has a corduroy back, Faux Chenille front made with flannel so it extra soft and satin edging. The down side to the blanket is I made it as a gift for a out of town friend who just had a baby. So shortly I will be shipping out my lovely blanket. I Hope it is loved and appreciated. I really had to think long and hard about keeping it for us and making a different gift to send.

I got the tutorial from Dana at MADE.

I love her tut's. She is just way to crafty.

I think Penny will be sad to see it go to. I have found her on the floor with it a couple of times. She singing one of her favorite Barney songs. "if all the rain drops were lemon drops and gum drops..."

I think I'm going to have to make a couple more of these. I would really like one for me.

xxoo

re-thinking your stuff

What can you do with a $5 tablecloth form Target?

Put it on your Table (this picture was taken last night so I did clean my house).

Or

You can use it as a back drop for valentines photo cards. Some day I would like to have a small in home studio to take picture of my family in but for now a $5 table works.

xxoo

my mess.

I'm going to share this with you because I know ALL of you have had days like this, I'm just brave enough to show you. This was my house this afternoon.

my little helper not taking her afternoon nap.

My dinning room with a tiny open spot on the table.

Oh, my kitchen. So so sad.

Mounds of laundry. Good news it all clean just waiting to be folded.

The living wasn't as bad as the rest of the house but still far from clean.

So this is my mess and I'm not proud of it but I bet you have one too. If you don't feel free to drop by and help me with mine.

xxoo

$.25

My favorite store in the whole world is TARGET. Recently they had their dollar spot stocking stuffers 75% off. Slinkies, jump ropes + yo yos all for just a quarter. It would be safe to say I bought way to many. I couldn't help my self. All I could think about was I could us them in goodie bag and in my gift box. Matt was having an extra rough day so I let him have one to play with. Just a $.25 made all the difference in my little boys day.

Thanks Target

xxoo

New Years Manifesto

Smile at strangers. Eat Breakfast. Turn off the TV. Read the Bible to my kids every night. Drink more water. Bike everywhere I can. Use what I have. Give away stuff I don't need. Have more sex. Have more kids. Spend less of Mr. Tripp's money. Find the best in others. Play more. Spend more time outside. Spend less time on facebook. Wear fun socks. Eat more veggies. Stand up for the little guy. Stop giving a damn what everyone else thinks. Pray. Pray. Pray. Love my body. Share my faith. Sew.

Praise God for all He has given me.

what's yours?

xxoo