It worked for me!

After seeing an episode of Jon & Kate plus 8 where the sextuplets stated to do simple household chores. I figured it was a good time to have my daughter start to help out around the house too. I DVR'd the episode and we watched it over and over until she got the hang out of chores. Thanx Gosselin's!

I searched E-bay for a chore chart and this single little creation has changed my life and made everyday arguments with her disappear.

Everyday when my little one completes her chores she gets a flower magnet for whatever task she completed. This past week she had a great week and got all flowers! Yay!

To go along with her chore chart we made 3 special boxes with reward/activity cards.

After she brushes her hair in the morning she gets to pick from the first box. There are 10 cards in this box full of our favorite things to eat for dinner. My daughter loves this because she gets to pick what we are having for dinner every night.

She gets to pick from the 2nd box after dinner only if she sits in her chair during dinner without wandering off to the bathroom 10 times, to check on the dogs, or to do some other ridiculous non-sense that keeps her from sitting at the table. The second box has special fun stuff for her & I to do after dinner together. Like blow bubbles, ride bikes, go for a walk in the woods, paint our nails, play board games...etc.

The 3rd box is full of fun family activities to do on Sunday. She only gets to pick a card from this box if she has been good all week(or so she thinks...we would do some kind of family activity regardless she just thinks she is in control of if we do something. It is working so.. shhh!). Activities include...visit the ponies, go to the zoo, ride bikes, go swimming...etc.

Before the chore chart I would chase her around the house trying to brush and style her hair. It was really frustrating. The whole routine that should have taken 5 minutes would take 15 minutes. Now with the chore chart we are down to a happy 5 minute style and go.... I sound like an infomercial but, it really has made life so much easier.
To purchase you very own Chore Chart or personalized calendar click here Please mention that you were referred by Chester County Moms!
FYI...My little ones chores are: brush hair every morning, put toys away, sit in chair when eating, no whining, and be a nice friend.

Catch up...

• Summer is not even here and the craziness has already started. *snicker* I'm not a fan of bullets but here goes.
  

• We spent Memorial Day weekend in the Shennandoah mountains at the Mcghayville Resort with Jeff's dad, step-mom and extended family who all drove in from Florida. Our version of the Brady Bunch. "His, hers and theirs". His step brother and his wife were there with their two children, Matthew (6 years old) and Molly (same age as Katie and Abbey). The kids all got along as if they'd known one another forever even though it was there first time meeting. And as a bonus we got to celebrate Jeff's brother's 20th birthday at a really cute Italian restaurant in town. We had such a great time. Made me miss Florida that much more. Note to self: must force sweet thing to see things my way....miss the ocean.....
  
  

• We all had scheduled doctor appointments this past Tuesday. Eye check ups for the hurricanes, physical for daddy, and me, well I got to see my "ladee doctor". My most dreaded doctor visit of all! I don't know why I haven't had a complete hysterectomy with my gynecological history. I really thought at one point she was extracting the one ovary I have left! AND I could have squashed her head with my thighs when she whispered "this is going to be a little uncomfortable"! I swear to g-d I had tears in my eyes. Gads talk about painful. Anyway, although we've always known it was a possibility that little miss Abbey would eventually be wearing glasses, it appears as if it could be much sooner than planned. We have a follow-up visit in 6-months and at that time they will determine if she needs to be wearing glasses. Fun. Fun.
  






• Sweet thing and I celebrated yet another anniversary. Number 8. The bronze year. This after all of us spent the day at the doctor being pocked and prodded. However, much to our surprise Miss Mai offered to watch the girls so that we could spend a quiet evening out celebrating alone. Apparently even my strong protesting couldn't shake her stubborn plan. I was concerned that she would be missing school. But after she reminded me she only had two weeks left AND she had never missed a day of school I agreed reluctantly. I had already planned on preparing a special dinner for the family, but a quiet dinner out with sweet thing, well it was awesome. She is a gem! Sweet thing and I milked it for all it was worth with drinks, dinner, dessert, and cappuccino. AND the best part. No interruptions!



• I barely beat sweet thing home from work the other night, which meant that I needed to walk Mag's. I didn't think anything about the diarrhea she had, but it was after we got back in the house and I realized she had gotten sick all over the house. The worst part about it was that if I did not know about her bad belly I would have thought she shit all over the house. Worse yet, did I mention sweet thing was not home so that meant I had to clean it up. I didn't think anything about my comment of "g-d damn it Maggie" that I must have said 100 times over as I was scrubbing up the mess or the fact that I kept saying "this is total crap", BUT I then heard a little voice behind me chanting "crap damn it Maggie, crap damn it"! I stopped dead in my tracks paralyzed. Uh-oh. I was so busted. Gotta clean up my potty mouth and now! lol. To make matters worse in the middle of cleaning up the mess sweet thing called to ask what I wanted for dinner! Yes, I appreciated the thoughtfulness, but everything around me smelled like shit. To make it even worse it looked like a thick brown gravy that smelled like shit! It took everything I had not to hurl as I cleaned up the gooey mess.

• My little hurricanes are weeks away from turning three. Three. Years. Old. I look at them and don't know where the past two years have gone. I sat and cried the other day looking back at photos of them as babies. I can't believe they are no longer babies. They have such cute personalities. Not to mention their adorable little squeals and giggles. My little sas mouths. lol. They bring me the most joy of all. I can not imagine life without them.
  
  



• Two of my dearest friends are overseas bringing their children home. Both are neighbors, well, Marianne was a neighbor but unfortunately moved.... Out of state. Anyway Marianne is in Albanian meeting her darling boy. I know her heart will be heavy having to leave him until they return. I'm thinking about you girl. I can't wait to meet little Andri. AND my neighbor Christine is in China brining Evie home. G-d we can not wait! I wish you were here now but I know you wanted baby Evie to meet your parent's before returning to the states. We love you all. It has been a good week afterall. :)

Dance Cinderella...

We all want to believe in happily ever after. But for this family there will be little joy and so much sadness. None of us know what the future will bring. We only have today. So before it's too late, grab your angels and dance.

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays without a care in the world. And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders. It's been a long day and there's still work to done. She's pulling at me sayin', "Dad, I need you. There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'Oh, please, Daddy, please."

So I dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms'Cause I know somethin' the prince never knew. Oh, I dance with Cinderella, I don't wanna miss even one song'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone.

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed. She wants to know if I approve of her dress. She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away and I need to practice my dancin. 'Oh, please, Daddy, please".

So I dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms. 'Cause I know somethin' the prince never knew. Oh, I dance with Cinderella, I don't wanna miss even one song. 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone.

She came home today with a ring on her hand. Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned. She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away, but I need to practice my dancin'. Oh, please, Daddy, please."

So I dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms. 'Cause I know somethin' the prince never knew. Oh, I dance with Cinderella, I don't wanna miss even one song. 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone.

"Cinderella" -- Steven Curtis Chapman

Special Note: I've had some people ask about the tutu's. They were made by my dear friend Daleea from Jewels of the heart. I'm sure if you contacted her she would consider making for you too! They were worth every penny. My girls love twirling around like Cinderella!

Marley & Me Filming in West Chester

Jennifer Anniston & Owen Wilson were in town last week shooting sceens from the upcoming film Marley & Me based on the memoir of ''Philadelphia Inquirer'' columnist John Grogan's life with his yellow Lab.

I was totally prepared to pack up the kids and stalk the streets for a glimpse of the celebs but, the rain kept me away. Albeit, a sighting of an "A-lister" was tempting, having to deal with screaming, soggy children beat out my day of playing paparazzi.

The snow in the pictures was fake...gotta love Hollywood magic.

One of Viv's pre-school friends mom sent me these pics.. Enjoy!

Need I say more...

The pictures tell the story. Enjoy.

Two cool for words!

Girls watching as Mag's enjoys a spa day. "Notice the bright orange wall nana"? lol.

"Can we help daddy"?

Still crazy for one another after all these years....

Cuuuuute!

Together. Always.....

"Wom daddy, wom"!

"I need help mommy"......

Two peas in a pod.

Katie and her daddy.

Sweet things and his momma.

I didn't forget. Really!

Whew! Wow. Where to begin. Yes, I've been busy. Busy with my family. AND I've been loving it. Every. Single. Minute. Nana was here a couple of weeks ago(will be back in June for the girls birthday) AND my parent's spent mother's day weekend with us. Now, that was really special for me. To be able to spend mother's day with my mother AND my children was so surreal. It was a holiday for me filled emotion and much love. This was my favorite mother's day. As a bonus my mom brought plants and flowers from HER garden AND planted them for me. I was amazed watching her as she wielded her shovel around as if it were a little hand pick. WE have red hard clay here, and filled with rock! She worked all day in the yard while I occasionally gave the new flowers a cool drink. *sigh* AND she did all this with no gloves. Said she needed to feel the dirt. Me on the other hand had my surgical gloves on so as not to mess up my manicure. After all I was the one preparing all the meals and I can't stand having dirt beneath my nails. Drives me crazy! Anyway, I was tired just watching her. Mean while inside the abode the "boys" were busy transforming the area for my mother's day gift. What I discovered was that my dad had not fully recovered from the accident he had over 16 months ago. The smallest of task left him gasping for breath. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm concerned now that he is not getting proper medical care. It's been too long. He should be on the mend. I know he wants to go back to doing what he loves but he can't do it. Not right now. This for my dad will be tough to accept. We will be heading over to see them in a couple of weeks. Need to keep an eye on things......plus maybe I'll snag some more of my mom's gorgeous flowers!

Here are a few pictures from mother's day. I'll post some other pictures later as well as the continuation of my memoirs. Stay tuned.....

Sisterly love. Warms my heart. Dresses were a treat from Mimi. I call them their little "Sex and the City" dresses. Way to sassy!!

Daddy reading Abbey mother's day card they gave Mimi...

Mimi and the girls.....

Papa....

Mother's Day Gift! Good job daddy.....

Videos

Making Jam

Tanner tasted some homemade jam and whole wheat bread a couple of days ago and has been begging everyday since to make some. Sooooo.....his wish was finally granted. As we made the jam and were dumping in 10 cups of sugar, I realized why he liked the jam so much.

Bangs

I got bangs! I love them. I'm on my way to the gym in these pictures , hence the funny clothes and ponytail, but I really wanted to show my sisters the pics.

I really want to have my hair darker (my natural color) and cut it to my chin, but I've got to get Shad used to the bangs first. One thing at a time. I'm thinking in a couple of weeks I'll cut it.

Lesson of the day...

How To: Post Blog Comments
I keep hearing people say "hey I was just on your blog the other day..." but I had never gotten a comment from that person. I think most bloggers (I know I do) enjoy getting feedback. Especially in the form of comments. There seem to be alot of people who do not realize that you do NOT have to be a blogger or have a blog account or anything like that in order to leave a comment on my blog - ANYONE can do it! It is EASY!
So... today's lesson is: "How to Leave Blog Comments".
At the end of each post there is a line that reads the date & time of the post and comments....Example
Posted by Sarah at 9:50 AM 6 comments
If you were leaving a comment on the example above you would click on 6 comments. You would then be directed to a page that looks like....


As you can see in the above picture there is an area in which you type your message. Then below that is a spot where you are able to choose your identity. This is actually an outdated picture so it probably won't say "other". Instead it should have a choice marked Name/URL. If you are not signed in as a blogger then you simply choose Name/URL and then you type in your name or nickname and/or your website (if you have one). Another option is to choose the Anonymous option. I ask that if you do that you sign your name on the comment itself so that I know who is leaving the message (Gino!) Then just click on the button that says Publish Comment... and Wa-lah you're done! See, wasn't that easy!?!
The reason I am posting about this is because I have a deep love of the comment and I love that I've been getting regular visitors but I would like it if the people stopping by would let me know they were here. So, please take a moment to say "Hi" and let me know what you think.

Little Boys

Do you see Belle? Or at least the bottom of her? Now do you see the top of her head shoved into a whole in our wall? Boys play so differently than girls do. Tanner will take Kate's figurines and have his lions and dinosaurs eat them. Then he be-headed poor Belle.

Tanner decided since our pool was too cold to swim in today, that he would build his own. He took the water hose and filled up the sandbox with water, making a very muddy pool. He and Kate thought it was great fun. These pictures are of him jumping into his homemade pool. Then do you notice in the next picture, he is tasting the water? Yum.

The last picture is of course Kate with her gobs of hair all over her face. She pulls out all of the clips and ponies I put in her hair, so her hair is always in her face. Doesn't she look busy in that picture?

Blurb, Blog to Book

So, I finally did it. I turned my blog into a book on Blurb. I thought I'd show a few photos (because I would've loved to have seen one before I made mine).

Housing Market

This is area is unbelievable right now. Shad, the kids and I, all went on a walk last Sunday and saw so many of these signs. There was one street in our neighborhood, where 8 out of the 10 homes on the street were foreclosures, short-sales, for sale, or for rent (only 1 was for rent). There were only 2 houses occupied. CRAZY!!!