Mommy and Me Journals

Sometimes I feel that I am not able to give each one of my kiddos the individual attention that they need - that they deserve.  I, of course, feel super guilty about this.  At the start of this school year I decided to do something about it.  I made these "mommy and me journals."  

It is a simple composition book that I covered with scrapbook paper.  I personalized it with their names (but of course, I'm showing you the back so you don't see their names :)

In the back is a simple ribbon hot glued to the inside cover - it's our bookmark.

My kids write a letter to me and let me know what they are thinking.  They let me know what they wanted to tell me but I was too busy running around to listen.  They write and I take the time to listen.

This is I.'s page telling me what bugs her:

G. is writing:

And then I write back and tell them how wonderful they are.  I just set it on their bed when I'm done.

And they set it on my bed when they are done.  We are averaging about one letter every other week.  But I love it - I hope this reinforces how incredible they are and how much I value our relationship.

It doesn't ease all the guilt I have about not giving them individual attention - but it is one step closer!

Link parties I participate in: 504 Main, A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Simply Sweet Home, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, The Blackberry Vine, The Girls Creative, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Allowance - MacDougall Family Style

Yes, we give our kids allowance.  And we have been doing so for over 2 years.  Before we started, I read a lot about allowance and teaching kiddos about money.  There are a lot of different opinions and thoughts regarding the matter.  It can be quite controversial.  I'm not trying to stir up a pot- this is how we do it and it works for us, so I thought I'd share.

 At the beginning of every month, our kids get allowance.  They do not have to earn it, they are given it.  Chores are an expected part of being in our family, piano practicing is part of being in this family - you do not get paid for it.  Tom and I had different opinions on this at first, but I think you have to figure out the purpose of allowance.  Our purpose is to teach our kids about money.  We use other things to teach about working hard or about responsibilities.  Allowance is about money and I think it's hard for a little one to budget and plan when you don't know how much to prepare for.  That can come later in life.  Right now we are just working on the basics.

Anyways, we give them $1 for every year.  My six year old gets six dollars a month and my nine year old gets nine dollars a month.

I stop by the bank every month and get ones and rolls of dimes.  They have to pay 10% tithing and 10% savings.  Everything left over is theirs to spend.  I use the roll of dimes so they can trade dollars for dimes - it's easier for them to count and make change.

Tithing goes in their tithing jar and savings goes in their piggy banks.

The rest goes in their wallet, aka a pencil pouch.

They are responsible for recording every penny that comes in and comes out.  I like them to be able to see what they are spending their money on.

Because they get their own money, we don't buy things/stuff for them unless it is for some occasion.  If they want books from the book order, they have to use allowance. 

My oldest can not save money - it burns a hole in her pocket!  But, she is learning how long it takes to save up money and how fast it can go.  While we were at a gift shop the other day, she was shocked that it would cost $4 to break open a rock.  She knew that if she wanted to do it, we would tell her to spend her own money.  She has "wasted" a lot of money on little silly things, but I think she is finally getting it and money is becoming more valuable to her.

There is nothing fancy or elaborate about our system.  I even hand write their register!  If it gets too complicated, it isn't long-lasting in our home.  It is simple and it works.

Do you give your kids allowance?

Rainbow Pudding Pops

Ahhh - summer days!  We have had a blast and I've worked really hard to try to keep my kids busy and with plenty to do.  One morning, we whipped up rainbow pudding pops, from Secrets of a Super Mommy.

It was actually my friend's idea to do them together.  After trying to co-ordinate our schedules for a couple of weeks, we gave up and just did them on our own.

It was something all three kiddos really got into!  Plus - gluten, egg, and peanut free makes a happy little M.

The pudding is just mixed up like normal, separated into bowls that you color, and added to the cups in layers.  Lastly, we added a stick and popped them in the freezer.  When they were ready, I ran a little hot water outside the cup and they popped right out.

Truthfully, they were WAY too big, we have been working on eating these for the past week!  But the kids haven't gotten bored of them, or are any less excited to eat them again - bonus!  I'm just saying when we do these again, we will use little dixie cups.

But after a summer day, these hit the spot!  We hung out in our back yard and ate them after dinner!  Yummy!

Arts and Crafts Thursdays - Space Shuttles

We missed last week because I was at Girls Camp with the Young Women that I get to work with. My kiddos were so excited that it was Thursday again.  It worked out to be a great motivator to get their responsibilities done!

These week we made Space Shuttles using a lesson from Deep Space Sparkle.  We went to the Museum of Science and Nature on Monday and spent awhile in the space area.

Every child has their own style and every child does their own thing.

I. is very interested in the details.  G. likes color - but usually the same color.  M. is our free spirit and does not like having to do things a certain way.  Love that girl.

Snacks are always involved!  This week it was pretzels and Pirates Booty.

We drew the space shuttle first, then painted it.  While it was drying we painted vapor on a background paper.  Then cut the shuttle out and glued it on.  I try to get projects that involve a little of everything.



I.'s ship




G's ship



This would be M's ship.

Has anyone else started crafting with their kids?  I'd love to hear about it!

Oh - I finally started twitter AND pinterest!  Love to see you around there!

Arts and Crafts Thursdays - Pirate Ships

This is a blatant copy from Meg at Whatever.  We started doing this last summer and really looked forward to it this year!  I think Meg and Deep Space Sparkle are the best resources, but I always have my eye on the lookout!

Today we made Pirate Ships.  I don't know why my kiddos are in a pirate kick lately.  They are too young to watch any of the pirate movies, but there is still a draw.

We started first by painting the background.  They swirled different colors together.  G. made his with a sunset.

Next it was time to make the ship.  We talked about the hull, the masts, the sails.  Even little M. got to participate.

We used oil pastels to embellish - I love watching their faces concentrate!

Daddy spent a long time on Sunday building a Lego ship with them.  Didn't it turn out awesome?  I. used it as inspiration.

Didn't they turn out great?  G's ship is above.

I'.s ship.  She is very careful about how she embellishes and takes her time.  One of her favorite things about doing this at home is that there is no time limit.

Three year old M.'s ship

This easily eats up an hour - probably more.  I love doing it.  We play music, eat some snacks and paint away!  We've got the entire summer already planned!

Thanks Sabrina

When we were in San Diego this summer, we had a quick family photo shoot.  My sister-in-law, Sabrina, just snapped away.  We are not the most photogenic bunch, and it really helps having someone that everyone is comfortable with and loves behind the camera (M. doesn't seem very impressed though, does she?).  Here are some of my favorites:

#1

 #2

 #3

 #4

 #5

 #6

 #7

There is something I love about each one and I love to look and stare at them - very slowly.
Sabrina is in San Diego if you're looking, and she has come to Colorado to take pictures also.