Lilolu

♫ Music Monday ♫

 

Happy Monday!  Time to share some music so you can start the week with a skip in your step. I hope you play along and link your playlist with a comment below. :)

 

 

Chore Chart & Allowance

Henry, has been showing interest in taking care of his responsibilities.  This is a HUGE step for him.  So when he said to me, "Mommy, I put my shoes away, I made my bed, and I cleaned my room.  What are my other chores?"  I had to think about that for a moment.  We really haven't been following a chart lately.  The old one was outdated and needed some revising.  That was when I realized I needed new chore chart that could be easily changed, as the children grew older.   I started brainstorming with what I have at home and came up with this:

At first, I wrote out each one then I realized, Henry, wouldn't be able to read his chores...yet.  So, I quickly found some images on Clipart and placed them over the handwritten Post-its with some glue dots.  After, Henry, learns to read these words I can easily remove the pictures.

 

I used these simple supplies:

 

• large sheet of paper (I used my kids shiny painting paper)
• sharpies (fine & ultra fine)
• 2x2 Post-it notes
• glue dots
• Clipart images

 

 

Since, my kids will be switching chores every Saturday, I decided to safely keep the extra's on the back of the sheet.

 

 

Though not easy with a family of five, I try to live a minimal lifestyle.   With that said, I am not crazy about sticking anything on my fridge but this is a must for, Henry.  And the lovely calendar was a Christmas gift made by, Bella.

 

 

So, my little lovelies have been quite interested in receiving an allowance.  This is something we've tried to offer in the past but never followed through.  We're thinking of giving them the allowance they so desperately want, at the end of each week...if they complete their chores.  I'm hoping we can use this opportunity to teach them how to save, invest and be charitable.  My biggest struggle with this is figuring how much is enough.  I thought about giving them a dollar per years of age.  My kids are 9, almost 8 and 5.  But doesn't $5 a week seem like too much for a five year old?

 

Do you offer your children an allowance and how much is enough?

 

Right On Time

Source: AllPosters.com

"Your journey had molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be.  Don't think that you've lost time.  There is no short-cutting to life.   It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now.  And now is right on time."

~Asha Tyson

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Source: AllPosters.com

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... more rain and the leaves changing color.  I can't believe it's starting already.

I am thinking... there is much on my To Do list and where do I begin.

I am thankful for... how my husband loves me unconditionally.

From the kitchen... an empty sink (a rarity in this house) and children waiting to make pancakes.

I am wearing...very comfy pajama pants and a sleeveless shirt.

I am creating... not much these days. I've been either too busy and not inspired.  I need a muse.

I am going...to start planning my redecorating process.  It must be painless and affordable...really affordable.

I am reading... Matter by Iain M. Banks.  It's a Sci-Fi culture novel.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love Sci-Fi?  Well, I do.

I am hoping... my children get along better than they have been the last few weeks.  They miss the routine school offers and need it very much.

I am hearing... Silence...It won't last long but I plan on enjoying it while it lasts :)

Around the house... my adorable, year old, cat waiting for my children to play with him and peace.

A few plans for the rest of the week... errands, visiting friends at their vacation home and a sleep over at another friends home.  It's going to be great!

Find more of The Simple Woman's Daybook.

♫ Music Monday ♫

I don't exactly know who started 'Music Monday' but I thought it was great idea when I first read about it.  I love to discover new music!  So, I thought I'd share some of mine with you.  

I really hope you participate by linking your 'Music Monday' in the comments below.  Enjoy!

Backpack Emergency Kit

The kids are playing outside trying to enjoy the last few weeks of their summer break as much as possible.  I'm sure they look forward to the structure the school year brings, just as much I am.  We've gone through the checklist of school supplies, our public school expects them to have on the first day of school.  Everything is ready to go.  

One of the things I add to the backpack is this Backpack Emergency Kit.  The bus ride to and from school isn't too long but my kids usually need something from this kit at some point of the year.  Bella, often gets a bloody nose and Wolfgang usually likes to have lip balm on him, during the winter.  So, last year I made up this Backpack Emergency Kit for them.  This is, Henry's, first year in public school so he was delighted to finally make up his own kit.

Our Backpack Emergency Kit includes:

• 1 pencil pouch (I like the ones with the binder wholes, so they have the option to place it in their binder)
• travel size lotion (I plan on using the refillable tubes when these are used)
• lip balm
• hand sanitizer (here's a great hand sanitizer recipe)
• tissues (Bella, will be completely out by the first month.  Yes, that's how often her nose bleeds.  No worries, it runs in the family.  We're still trying to convince her to get her nose cauterized.)
• first aid kit (it's really just a travel soap box with band-aids and alcohol swabs.  We use to use these adorable kits but they were just too small but they're still so cute.)
• emergency information card (not photographed because I'm a paranoid mom) 

What are some extras you add to your kids backpack?

    

{This Moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.  A single photo.  No words.

 A simple but special moment to savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments. 

Inspired by Amanda Soule 

What Are Your Top 5 Blogs?

There are so many interesting people and subjects in this place we call the blogosphere.  The one thing I've learned, since the beginning of my blogventure, is that I have much in common with not just most moms, but most women around the world.  Whether the person is from Sweden, a city in the UK or even right in the U.S., we all feel emotions the same way.  We all want to experience joy for ourselves and our family and friends.

I was going through my Google Reader and realized there is just not enough time in the day to read the many wonderful blogs I have subscribed to.  Today I had to unsubscribe from many.  I do want to take this moment to share a few of my favorites still on my Google Reader.  So, here it goes and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Crafty & Art Blogs

A Beautiful Mess

Beauty That Moves

Craftaholics Anonymous

The Long Thread

Living with Intention Blogs

Becoming Minimalist

Mama-Om

Obaitori

The Whole Self

Urban Monk

Food/ Recipe blogs

Dandy Sugar

Stone Soup

Your Vegan Mom

Tech Blogs

Blogging With Amy

Mars Dorian

The Social Path

Homekeeping/Organizing Blogs

Keeper of the Home

Organizing Your Way

Helping Me Save Money Blogs

Money Saving Mom 

Saving Naturally

Simply Delightful Blogs

Creating A Natural Life

Earth Mama

Small Things

So Wabi Sabi

Sometimes Sweet

Soul Mama

What are your top 5 blogs.  I know it's difficult to choose when there are so many.  You may just discover a new favorite blog.  This is going to fun!   

Be Open

 

"We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversation with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk."

-- Thomas Moore

Savor The Moment

 It's cloudy and cool here but I'm feeing pretty awesome today.  It's going to be a great day.  Look beyond the smokescreen and savor the moment, everyone.  :)