Behavior Charts

I'm always trying different things to help encourage my kids to be obedient and kind. We too often have problems with both of them. I started a smiley chart with Tyler and then added it for Landon and Abby. We used the actual charts for a while, then eventually just started talking at the end of the day about if they earned all of their smileys or not.

When the kids earn all of their smileys, they get a sticker on a sticker chart. After finishing a row of 10 stickers, they earn a certificate for things like: 30 minutes of extra game time on a non-game day, skip chores for one day, 30 minutes with Mom doing an activity of your choice, sleep in Mom and Dad's room, stay up an extra 30 minutes past bedtime, choose a place to go out to lunch. Landon really likes to stay up late on weekends when Nun is watching a game he wants to watch. Both of the boys love extra game time. All of them like to skip chores. It's been sticking around longer than most of our behavior things have in the past.

Tyler's Five!

Look at this handsome five-year-old!

Tyler's Mario Party

Mario Party? That sounds like a game! For Tyler's fifth birthday, he wanted a Mario party. Landon had one previously, so it didn't take as much time manipulating the clip art I had already created to work for the new games we did for Tyler's party.

We used the same game board to move from one game to another. The games we played were:

Find 8 red coins

Goomba stomp

Yoshi cups

Fire power

Hit bad guys

Defeat Bowser

Abby made the cupcakes, and I loved turning that job over to her. She loves to bake and would bake every day if I let her. They turned out great!

After cake and ice cream came the presents. We gave  him the Imaginext City, which he had been wanting.

I've been playing around with more videography, and I had a lot of fun making Tyler's birthday party video. He loves watching it, too.

Imaginext Toys

Landon and Tyler love the Imaginext Toys. They've been collecting them for a few years now, and they have quite the collection. Landon saved up his money to buy the samurai castle. When they were testing it out, they got out all of their big sets. It's a good addition to their collection.

Last Preschool Field Trip

It was the last preschool field trip our family will ever have. Tyler went to the fire station in May with his class. I was unable to go because Abby and Landon were off track and other siblings weren't able to go because of space, so Kim Rogers took Tyler for me. She commented on his gum showing in the picture. He loves to chew gum and I forgot to have him spit it out before he left.

Blessing and Birthday Party

On May 4th, we went to Joel and Ruthann's church for Declan's blessing. Colin's birthday was right before that, so they had a combined party for Colin and Declan after the blessing. I'm always glad when I can see my Grandpa and Grandma Putnam, and they both came.

Abby was thrilled because Emma was down from Logan. I love watching these two together because it reminds me of playing with my favorite cousin, Mindy.

Lost Teeth

Landon lost three teeth in two weeks. On May 1st, he lost one of his front teeth at school, which he was thrilled about. He had another one loose on the bottom and he was wiggling it like crazy so he could lose two in the same day. We didn't think he would make it, but at bedtime, I was able to pull it out for him. On May 13th, he lost the other front tooth. His uncle Joel said he looks like a hockey player now. I guess he knows what he needs to ask for at Christmas time.