Hard work pays off

I decided a few months ago to enlist Jacob to help with household chores. I remember at his 4 year well check, his pediatrician talking a lot about including him in household duties. Age 4 apparently is a good age for this help and I would agree!

I decided to give him an "allowance" for his chores and teach him a little about money and responsibility. (or as much as you can to a 4 year old). I encouraged him to save his money until he reached $10 and we would then make a special trip to Target where he could pick out a toy. For the most part, he has been very helpful...

Using our new Shark vacuum to keep the tile and rugs clean in the kitchen


Helping me unload the dishwasher by putting up their plates and cups




And silverware


Collecting the dirty laundry from their room and bringing it to the laundry room


And of course helping me put up his clean laundry


All while Lukie supervises


And clean towels


So, after weeks of hard work, we finally counted out his money from his piggy bank. He had a total of $9.38. I decided it was close enough and I threw in a little extra to cover tax etc.

He traded in his change for dollars


And tucked it away safely in his very own Lighting McQueen wallet


And off to Target we went


He had decided ahead of time he wanted to buy his first Nerf gun. And might I just add that I am really not a fan of guns and kids playing shooting etc. But I also realize that it is somehow ingrained in little boys to play this and a part of who they are. So, Jim and I decided ahead of time to let him go ahead and buy a Nerf gun and felt that he was old enough to understand the do's and dont's of having a "gun".


After showing him the toys that were under $10, he chose this


I heard him tell Luke "Lukie, I can buy you something too with my money." He was so excited so I threw in a few dollars for a little something for Luke. So, Luke got a hot wheel car that Jacob picked out for him.


He was so excited to pay for it all by himself


"How much am I supposed to give her?"


The cashier was great and she made sure I got all the pictures I wanted. So nice!




Seriously with the face, but he loves his new toy!

Office conversion

If you remember, one of our front rooms was meant to be a formal living room.


We were never excited about having a formal living room and didn't think we would utilize the space very efficiently. Plus we don't have furniture for a formal living anyway! So, we decided to convert it to use as an office.

Here's the progress after day 1...


After day 2...messy, messy!


After day 3...after texture and paint


After day 4...




We also decided to have the dining room painted at the same time.

Before


After


We also decided to put down hardwood floors in both of these rooms. We just want to get it all done at the same time so we can check this project off of our list. The floors aren't in yet and it could still take a few weeks. So, things aren't quite back in place but we are glad to be getting this all done before the baby gets here.

More pictures to come when it's all complete.

Our little Scrapper

Our first season of Tball is about to come to an end. We have just a few make-up games left and we are done. Jacob has really enjoyed it, especially as the season has gone on. Two games a week just doesn't seem to be enough for him! :) He has really improved since the first game and it's been fun to watch!















Way to go Scrappers!

Sweet, sweet boys

We have been keeping busy lately with a little of this and a little of that. We've been trying to find our way in our new area, finding new activities, meeting some new friends and preparing for the summer. We've checked out the Frisco library story time recently and the boys love it. While we were there we checked out some new books to read...four out of the five were Clifford, The Big Red Dog. Luke loves watching the show on PBS and I was glad we found the books at the library.

Part of Luke's night time routine includes sitting on the couch, under the green blanket while I read his Clifford books to him. He loves it!


He loves the green blanket


Hot or cold weather, he loves wearing his Elmo slippers that he got for Christmas


Jacob finished his swim lessons today. He did well but still has a lot to learn and fears to overcome. He swims great on top of the water but still doesn't like putting his head under. He says he doesn't like getting his eyes wet. We will probably sign him up for the next session which starts next week.

Floating on his back


He is on the left, swimming on a noodle


Waiting his turn


Proudly holding his completion certificate


On another note, here are a few more recent conversations from Jacob that made me laugh...

He and Luke were playing in my room one morning while I was getting ready. In his best efforts to talk tough to his brother, this is what I heard...
J: "Lukie, do you wanna piece of meat?" (his attempt to say "do you wanna piece of me?")
And again "Lukie, do you wanna piece of meat? Like 3 pieces of meat?"
Then I jump in and of course I'm dying laughing, "Jacob, what I think you are meaning to say is "do you wanna piece of me".
J: "Oh no mom, it's do you wanna piece of MEAT"
I say "Oh ok, where did you learn that?"
J: "I don't know, I just made it up."
That he did!

Jacob and Luke both love playing their guitars and the air guitar. They like playing "rock and roll." Not sure where this comes from but they love doing it. And recently Jacob has been saying to Luke: "Luke, lets rock some roll." :)


The other day we had stopped by Jim's office and when we were leaving and he realized Jim was staying at work he says:
"Since Daddy is still at work, I'm going to take care of Luke, mommy, Sarah and (long pause)... eventually me."
How sweet is he? He includes baby Sarah as if she is already here. And that he used the word 'eventually' appropriately made me laugh.

Oh goodness, what a joy these boys are to us! They make the hard days...easy, the bad days...good and they constantly bring a smile to my face!

Decisions, Decisions

The search has begun...for baby girl's nursery bedding. And boy, is it fun! Mom and I went over the weekend and had a great time looking at all the girlie stuff! It's a different world from all the monkeys, airplanes, cars and sports let me tell ya!

Below are 3 bedding sets that we found that I like. Now deciding on which one is the hard part. That's where I would like your help. Let me know your vote...remember the walls are painted a light green.



This one is a lot cuter in person than how it looks here


Please try to ignore the oh so cute room on this one. Just look at the bedding.

Mother's Day Weekend

I thought I would share this prayer that we got from church today.

Gratitude for My Mother


Dear Lord, today I turn to you to give you thanks for my mother. With your own gift of life, she bore me in her womb and gave me life. She tenderly, patiently cared for me and taught me to walk and talk. She read to me and made me laugh. No one delighted in my successes more; no one could comfort me better in my failures. I am so grateful for how she mothered me and mentored me, and even disciplined me. Please bless her, Lord, and comfort her. Help her loving heart to continue to love and give of herself to others. Strengthen her when she is down and give her hope when she is discouraged. Most of all, Lord, on this Mother's Day, give my mother the graces she most needs and desires today. I ask you this, in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior forever and ever.

Mom, thank you for being such a special mother to me. I love you so very much!


We enjoyed the weekend with my parents. They came up Friday night. After Jacob's T-ball game Saturday morning, Mom and I went shopping for baby girl bedding on Saturday. (another post on this coming soon). Jim, my dad, Jacob and Luke went out to lunch and of course to the Bass Pro Shop. They love looking at all the fish and animals they have on display. They left after church today and we spent the rest of the day with Jim's mom, sister and family. It was a great day and I'm so thankful that I get to partake in the meaning of this day.





Belly at 26 weeks


Happy Mother's Day to you all. I'm blessed to be able to share this journey of motherhood with you girls!