Milkshakes

I am a terrible speller. When I was younger I hated spelling tests. When I was a teacher I hated giving spelling tests. I think they are dumb and stupid and do not make someone a good speller. Some kids are naturally good spellers. Mine are not. They have to really study to learn their words and in the process there is much fighting, whining, tantrums, yelling, crying, and arguing. Computer time was taken away and replaced with studying for spelling. Last week I was Mean Mom because I made them study their words over and over and over again. I gave oral quizzes and written quizzes. And then came the bribe. If they passed their test with an A or B they would get to go get a milkshake after school today. And hallelujah they did it! It's the highest grade on a spelling test Trevor has gotten this year. Hopefully now he'll have a little more confidence in himself to pass the rest of his tests. Colin has been doing well the last few weeks, but it's always good to keep that child motivated. When they came home from school today they were happy and smiling and excited. And I was excited to take them for their reward. I was a proud Mom, a nice Mom. Sometimes all they need is a little push, a little something to get their minds in the right place, to give them the incentive they need to work hard for something. And next time they have a test, I hope their incentive will be that they want to study because they liked the feeling they got when they saw their grade; when they saw what came of their hard work.

Subway Art/Prints

I didn't know what subway art was until I was visiting teaching and saw a cute Thanksgiving printable in a frame. Then I started looking up "subway art" online and on pinterest (addicting!!) and discovered it was something I was already doing! There are a few blogs/websites I love looking at for ideas for home decorating and jonesdesigncompany.com is one of my favorites. She has a business where she sells printed art and I have stolen some of her ideas and made things for myself at home. I've also gotten ideas from other places and with my scrapbook software I've made my own. I am not a very crafty person so when I can make something to decorate my home with I get super excited. I have ideas for more thing and hopefully soon I'll be showing off pictures of my re-decorated downstairs bathroom. I love this house and I love doing things to make it "ours". (Top picture - Logan wanted a picture of us. Isn't he so cute? Home Sweet Home was my first print, I got the idea off Jones Design company. Family Rules - I did this on a canvas with blue and yellow, but when we moved I wanted something nicer in a frame. Dave printed it off at work so I could get the bigger size. The quote from The Family: A Proclamation was an idea I got from Sugardoodle...I tried to print theirs off, but couldn't get the color I wanted in the size I wanted so I made my own. I got the monogram idea from Jones Design as well. I needed something red for the boys room. I just need frames and then they can go up.)

Birthdays

Around here, January is the start of our family birthday season. Logan's birthday is first, then mine is 8 days later, after that we have Trevor in March and then Dave and Colin in May. For Logan's birthday this year, he kept telling me he wanted a party with ALL of his friends. We've been doing a playgroup lately so I invited all the moms and kids over on Friday for lunch and playing and cupcakes. Logan had a great time and it's so nice to see him with so many good friends! When we moved into this house I was worried Logan wouldn't have any friends, but he's made some great ones. On Saturday Logan want to go to McDonalds for dinner and then we came back here for cake and gifts. The video of him opening his gifts is so cute! My mom got him the garbage truck he's been wanting since before Christmas. It was a great day for him and he was so excited to be 4. He started Sunbeams in church and do so well in Primary and in his class. Here are some fun facts about Logan * He loves Backyardagins and will sing and dance while he watches the show * When we walk the boys to school he has to carry a lunchbox and backpack like his brothers * He comes in our room every night and sleeps on the floor because he said he gets scared in his room * He loves building things with Legos * He likes doing "homeschool" with mom * He likes hugs, not kisses I love the time I get to be home alone with Logan. He is such a fun kid to be around and always so talkative. He used to be very shy but he is coming out of his shell and really turning into such a great kid.