My Bundle of Joy (Colorado Springs birth photography)
So I hope you don’t mind another week of posts of my new baby boy. Did I mention that we really like him? He really is my bundle of joy.
xoxo,
My kids
baby in a basket (Glen Eagle newborn photographer)
I’m adding this one a little slow because things are just a lot more slow going with baby #4. I don’t even get ready for the day till around noon but it’s kinda nice to have a reason to s-l-o-w down and just enjoy.
xoxo,
Black and white beauty (Black Forest infant photographer)
I think I want this one to be a canvas. How will I ever decide???
xoxo,
Meet Maximus! (Colorado Springs infant photographer)
Meet Maximus Quade France! It’s such a strong name for our tiny little babe but we think it fits. Max is SUCH a sweet baby! He is super chill and we all ADORE him to pieces! I’m sad he’s already one week old. I wish they could stay newborns forever. I just LOOOOOOVE babies so I’m trying to take in every little noise he makes and expression he gives. My kids are liking him too. They were fighting over whose room he’ll eventually sleep in and right when they get home from school, they run to him so they can be the first to hold him. Oh the JOY! We are so happy and doing well.
Thank you everyone for all your well wishes! For the next few weeks I’ll be posting a newborn image each day of him because this stage doesn’t last that long so I’ll be taking and sharing lots and lots of pics!
Pssst…If you are a photographer and you like this bowl, there is a 10% coupon code for it today on www.chiccritiqueforum.com
xoxo,
Chore Cards for Kids Freebie!
Call me a Chore Nazi (that’s what my kids think I am) but I am a HUGE stickler for making kids do chores. Children have it SO easy nowadays and this is one way for them to learn to be hard workers and realize they can do hard things. Not only does it teach them responsibility but it gives them confidence in learning new skills. In fact, when I taught my daughter how to clean the toilet, I gave her a big pep talk on how, when she went off to college, some of her roommates might not even know how to do that but SHE WILL! Apparently that pep talk was effective because I overheard her giving it to her brother when he was learning how to clean the toilet. Now all three of my kids know how to clean the toilet well, including my 4-year old!
The way that I enforce chores with my kids is through Chore Cards and “The Chore Bag.” Every morning, they have to pick a Chore Card from “The Chore Bag.” “The Chore Bag” is simply a paper lunch bag full of different chore options. Whatever they choose is what they have to do for that day. If they don’t complete their chore that morning, they have to do it after school. If they don’t complete their chore at all that day, they will have double chores the next day. They cannot have “Screen Time” or play with friends until their chores are done. Like I said, I’m a Chore Nazi.
I have been using Chore Cards in a Chore Bag for several years now and it still works like a charm! The reason that my Chore Cards/Bag are so effective is because of one thing: the coveted “Freebie Chore” card! The “Freebie Chore” card is the card that my kids are always wishing and fishing for from The Chore Bag. If they get it, it means they don’t have to do a chore that day. However, they can only get one Freebie per week.
I also have a favorite Chore Card and that’s the “Mom’s Choice” card. If chosen, I get to assign any chore I want. Mwa-ha-ha.
During the summer I take extra time to train my kids on how to do each chore from the Chore Cards well. Then, during the school year, when things are busier, they will already know how to do the majority of chores without a lot of supervision. I do, however, make them come and get me for “inspection” on completed chores to avoid them from slackin’ on the job. The quote below sums up my thoughts on “inspecting” their completed chores.
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The set includes 18 4×6 chore cards + a Chore Checklist + an “inspection” reminder + ideas on how to use them!
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xoxo,