A Working Day

Today we kind of puttered around. I did lots of laundry. I worked on sorting out clothes bins (when I changed out bins for the fall, I realized they really need some work) and I still have lots more to go. We did some straightening up. Micah did some vacuuming-- YES my seven year old LOVES to vacuum! Am I a blessed woman or what?

We also had times where some people were having "diligence problems." We have tried all manner of punishments, incentives, rewards, consequences, timers and other methods to increase diligence on morning jobs, chores and family work times. We are still working on it! Today, Matt and I decided that we would institute a new plan. If someone isn't working diligently and with a good attitude, when they satisfactorily finish the job they are doing they get an additional job. That way they get extra practice on whatever area is needed: focusing on the work at hand rather than worrying about what others are doing, doing your best, having a good attitude, getting your work done in a timely manner, etc. We figure that if the kids don't learn to work hard with a good attitude, at least we'll have a clean house! ;)

Oh, and lest you think all that we were doing was slave-driving our children today, we also played a game of "Sorry" with Micah and Karissa while Garrett was napping. Our family likes games. We have LOTS of them! Garrett is just starting to get old enough to get in on the fun and the kids do a good job at patiently teaching him how to play. There are some games he's just not quite ready for though and those are a little more fun when he's napping or already in bed for the night.

Another highlight of the day: Rachel listened to Matt reading lots of stories to Garrett and her before bed tonight. This is a rare event. Usually she acts as though she is being tortured when someone is reading to her. In our house of bibliophiles, that is quite distressing! (She has enjoyed looking at board books for quite a while, but listening to stories has been quite another matter.) Let's hope this is the beginning of a whole new era for Rachel!

Oh, and there's more Rachel news! She is toddling around quite a bit. I would say she walks about 1/3 of the time and crawls about 2/3 of the time. It's hard to believe that she will be one year old a week from tomorrow. My baby girl is growing up SO FAST!