Marching On

This post is just ramblings. I have no pretty thoughts to share or wise sayings to pass along. I am just sitting at my dining room table at 7:46 in the morning, drinking my Spark, and waiting to get motivated to do the daily housework.

Today's Friday. Friday means Maggie's school library book is due back. It means I will keep Cameron from 12:30 to 3:30. It means I will wash all our light clothes and clean the kids' bedrooms. It usually means we have pizza for supper and watch something silly on T.V. (seen the latest Backyardigans? Robin Hood the Clean...). However, we had pizza last night (Kashi...very healthy!) so we'll have spaghetti tonight.

Phoenix is sick. He's been running a fever since Wednesday night. We made him a pallet on our floor last night so I could hear him breathing all night long. Believe me, I count their breaths when they're sick.

Maggie is getting so big. She comes in from school in the afternoons and has chores that actually help me out these days. No more of those baby chores (help Mommy open the door...help Mommy pick up these blocks...help Mommy put your pillows on your bed). Now, she unloads the days' last load of laundry from the drier, folds them, and puts them away. Then, she straightens and vacuums the living room. After dinner, she scrapes the plates and then wipes down the table and chairs. She's a true helper to me. And I pray that I'm rewarding her enough.

We have a gold star system. The children have activities to achieve and rewards to work toward. Maggie's three activities at the moment are Picking up her Toys, Helping Around the House, and Eating her Dinner with a Smile. She's doing a marvelous job (except for the other night when we had beans as part of dinner). Phoenix's two activities are Being a Good Listener and Going to the Potty. He's a champ and is ECSTATIC with each gold star earned. Luke's one activity is to Go to Bed on Time...AND STAY IN BED!!!! He's pretty good about it. :)

When Luke reaches 6 stars, he will get a small prize (to be determined), when Phoenix reaches 8 stars, he gets an extra story at bedtime, and when Maggie gets 12 stars, she will get a special treat (like ice cream or a cupcake). They are working like the wind to earn those prizes...and in the meantime, our house is a much smoother-run household.

Well, I've rambled enough. Love to hear from everyone. Thanks for reading.