Remodeling

Back in October...I forgot to take a picture before we started...so this is as we were moving things out of our living room. It had old yellow carpet and yellow 'flat' paint that leaves marks uncleanable! It was also very crowded in here with a couch, TV, computer desk, piano, recliner, bookshelf and endtable...I'm talking wall to wall furniture!
After tearing up the carpet and putting on a fresh coat of 'semi-gloss' paint.

I'm glad we chose to lay the Pergo flooring ourselves. It was fast, easy, cheap and I feel proud everytime I walk in the room. ha ha

We were lucky to have Nolan helping us cut!

And of course Gunny is always a big helper.

Our new room!

Since this picture I have bought new green pillows for the couch and now I'm searching for the right curtains.
The boys were disappointed when I finally found a rug I liked (which took me a few months) because they loved running and sliding on their knees on the bare floor.

(The only problem is I didn't have any room for Larry's blue recliner! So it is stuck in our other living room.)

Larry's first shave??

I didn't ask Larry about the details of this picture. He either looks like he's in a lot of pain or maybe it's just the fear of being nicked...I'm quite sure there wasn't much there to begin with.

I should have mentioned this is Paige his sister-in-law shaving him when I first posted this!

Chores no longer a chore

I have never had a set "Chore List" for my kids besides...pick up your toys, put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket, take your plate to the sink after you eat...and I've always been amazed when my young childrens friends couldn't play until they were done with big jobs such as cleaning the bathroom or laundry.

Well I was inspired and realized I wouldn't be so ornery if I had help and my kids need some discipline if they are ever going to manage on their own as they head off for college or a mission. The longer I wait to teach them these household cleaning necessities, the more stubborn they will have become.


So for FHE last Monday I made a list of ALL the jobs I do around the house, combined some then divided them up and they came out to 4 without me purposely trying to.

So here's the "Chore List" for my 4 kids.
1. Table duty (setting and clearing the table), bring in the mail.
2. Unloading the dishwasher, vacuum, dusting
3. Sweep and mop the floors, clean 2 bathrooms take out the garbage.
4. Loading the dishwasher, laundry

Practicing piano is a must but not something they get paid for. I find some parents think that just providing room and board for their kids and giving them money when they need it is payment enough while others give them an allowance. I like the allowance. It gives them something to pay tithing on and there is a reward to look forward to. They only earn .50 cents a day or per chore but that's $3 a week and they are proud when they earn more than their siblings when dad does payday.

Obviously my little kids need a lot of help and I'm right there doing it with them, so it takes longer than it normally would. But 'some of them' actually enjoy it. We were at Walmart and I reminded Logan that he had to unload the dishwasher when we got home and he raised his arms and shouted "YAH!" He loves standing on the cabinet while I hand him the dishes to put into the cupboards. Eventually they will all be taller, stronger and will catch on to how things are to be done and I'll have some peace of mind.

My kids already seem to behave better because they can't play until chores are done so they get done, no arguments! Hope this lasts.

Happy cleaning!

Preschool fieldtrip

Who could not love Papa Murphy's? They told us the kids could make a "personal pan pizza" for $2.50, which I thought would be the size of my hand...it turned out to be a medium! We also got $3 off any pizza we ordered. Touring the freezer

Dawson wasn't shy...he helped himself to mushrooms and sausage too. :)