Summer is here

Today is June 1st  WHOOT WHOOT summer is officially here. We are in full swing, on our third day of "chore packs" and it is going great... It is 10:30 am and everyone is done with their chores and "free".
Here is our "star chart"

I have promised them that for every week we have  5 stars on the star chart we will do something  special as a family.
Now, I have to admit we set the bar pretty low, but I am here to tell you..kids don't need extravagant, they only want our time. Really. So, as long as we are doing something TOGETHER and both parents are participating, our kids think that is pretty special. Some or our "special" prizes might be.. a visit to the ice cream shoppe, pizza night, a sleep over in the living room, movie night (always fun) some Uno and popcorn, a day at Ernie Miller, Deanna Rose or perhaps..if I am drunk enough.. Chuck E Cheese.
(Of course I am totally almost joking about the drunk part...sortof...)

Here are some pictures of our chore packs

They aren't hard chores and I don't ask for perfection. What I am doing is trying to teach some responsibility, one step at a time. I am trying to keep it very age appropriate. I think it is working out quite nicely...

Being organized is a great thing. Jim helped me get started with the laundry on Monday and my intention..hckhm... is to do laundry everyday and avoid the great laundry mountain. We will see..

I also have to say the love couch works well, the girls are starting to understand the value of getting along and being helpful and cooperative to their sisters. ( they act like it anyway) Every time someone gets put in the love couch the remaining two start singing.. LOVE couch baby LOVE couch.. to the tune of love shack.. good times.

I am so excited to get the swim passes and visit the zoo.  Dad is going to take some vacation days so he can hang out with us.. This is when all the magic happens..

Hello Summer We LOVE YOU!!