Tip Tuesday~ Getting Kids to HELP Around the House!

I know I struggle with this EVERYDAY.  I want the HELP of course but then I always say "no I'll do it" knowing I will do a better job and won't have to go over it.  Now what is that teaching my kids....absolutely NOTHING!  So now when I ask for help...I don't get it, I only have myself to blame (but don't tell them that!). 

I picked up this book from Borders " How To Clean Your Home Fast by Vicki Christian" a while back but I had it out and I was looking at it last night.  I came across a great chapter~ Chapter 3- Recruit Your Kids to Help. 

1. Set a GOOD example for your kids "Monkey see, Monkey do". (sounds reasonable)
2. Ease children into doing chores as they grow.  (don't make your 3 year old do laundry--lol..ok got it)
3. Music- play kid's music/favorite songs and they might just surprise you by helping.  (not sure if that would work with my kids- they would be dancing and singing not cleaning- but I get the idea)
4. Use a egg timer to clock each chore as a game.   Reward the kids with the fastest times (ummmm not sure if I like this one due to if they go fast they won't really do a good job. So maybe I can tweak this one into something else like: I can use the egg timer  to do a 15 minute clean-up,  we turn on the music and clean for 15 minutes.)
5. Initiate a NO FOOD NO DRINK policy in the kids room.  ( I do have that policy but my son seems to FORGET that rule when we are sleeping- he is a night time food sneaker and then leaves the evidence either on kitchen table or in room)
6. Plan your kids cleaning routine and STICK TO IT~! (I need to do that)
7. Ask them to help wash, dry, fold and put away a load each day.  Doing this will cut down on the weekend mountain of laundry.  (simple request- haha)

Rewarding~ now I have my pro's and con's about this!  How I was raised is HELP MOM no matter what- You just do it!  A Happy Mom makes a Happy House- is my motto.  As for rewarding- okay if that is what is going to make them help, fine but it has to be something simple- not $$$! Because if I have to pay my kids to help around the house I might as well pay a housecleaning service and then I know it would get done properly.  But then I wouldn't be teaching them any responsibility!  Fine- chore chart with reward stickers will be a must do this week!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Clean-Your-Home-Fast/Vicki-Christian/p/9780696234330

It's $ .99!

How do you get your kids to help around the house???

ALSO~ I was just entering some giveaways and came across this one that I would LOVE to win:

http://www.random-dealz.com/2011/11/chore-pad-app-review-and-giveaway-8.html   as much I want to keep the numbers down so I could win, as a MOM I have to share this giveaway.  If I don't win I will buy it :)

Market Monday~ Toothy The Tooth Ferry

My kid's school held a Holiday Bazaar this past Saturday and there were some AWESOME vendors there!  Several of them were moms so I wanted to do a little shout about their cool items.

My kid's FAVORITE was the Toothy The Tooth Ferry!  A pillow where you can place the tooth inside a pocket and then the tooth fairy doesn't have to pick up your child's head to find the tooth under their pillow. It's a win win situation- what a cute product!  Want to know more~ check out the FACEBOOK PAGE~ https://www.facebook.com/#!/ToothytheToothFerry and if you like their page can you let them know I sent you! 

Also WONDERFUL story about Tooth The Tooth Ferry~ https://www.facebook.com/#!/ToothytheToothFerry?sk=info

I have to admit I suck at being the tooth fairy- I've forgotten more times than I want to say and it has COST me big time!  I even told lil mama one morning I forgot to email the tooth fairy~ really... what I will say to stay out trouble with lil mama.  She got one of these pillows on Saturday and one of the first things she said was "Now that I have a "Toothy" the Tooth Fairy shouldn't have any problems finding my tooth".  Guess I better step up my game!

Is December Stressful For You Too??

Oh my!!!  My head always spins in many different directions during December- the most stressful month of the year.  My husband's b'day is Dec 6th, mine is Dec 13th and my son's is the Dec 15th.  As a mom and wife I tend to be forgotten during this time- which I will nod my head and say it's OK but deep down I'm thinking "REALLY ANOTHER YEAR!".  Now don't get me wrong I'm not bitching or whining- just stating a fact and probably a fact that a lot of moms go through.  We will sacrifice for our kids and husband and not think twice.  But deep down it hurts a bit!

Hubby is stressing on money right now (I am too) and then Lil Man wanting a b'day party and of course gifts.  I wish I could make it all better for my hubby and give my son everything he wants but guess what NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.  However, we will get through it and on Dec 26th we will remind each other how stressful this month was and make a promise to shop earlier next year, LOL!  And the vicious cycle begins again on Dec 1 2012! 

Don't even get me started on Christmas!  I told my hubby everyone is getting homemade stuff and airbrushed pillowcases.  I love the fact my hubby is an airbrush artist and I can fall back on him for gifts!

Sshhh...don't tell Lil Mama but she is getting a Justin Beiber one and Lil Man is getting Oakland Raiders pillowcase. 

X-Factor Top 7 Performances

Josh- He rocked the house but I was watching the dancers more than him.
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/josh-krajcik-top-7

Astro- Did a great performance!
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/astro-top-7

Drew- I was confused with the chair but vocals right on!
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/drew-top-7

Rachel- Not her best but good- loved her hair!
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/rachel-crow-top-7

Marcus- He did an awesome sexy performance but his signing was just a bit up and down.
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/marcus-canty-top-7

Chris- Well he made it his own!
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/chris-rene-top-7

Melanie- BEST PERFORMANCE of the night!
http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/melanie-amaro-top-7


Who will go home....no idea but Chris and Drew might be the ones on the bottom.  But you never know because these are MY OPINION'S only LOL!  I don't want Chris to go but I think he will be just fine- there is a record deal out there for him!

Day 4- Linen Closet (Completed)

Okay folding sheets is on my Top Ten Household Chores I Don't LIKE!  So my linen closet was so messy and disorganized. 

Before:


After


Wonder why my camera takes such different color pics. 

Anyway, I took out everything out then wiped down shelves (made a mental note I need to get shelf liners).  I folded the sheets nice and placed all my sheets together, the kids sheets on another shelf, then I was able to put my sewing machine/sewing box in there too! I also have my hair styling tools (I use them like 2-3x a year so no point in having them in bathroom, lol). 

Day 3- Tupperware Cupboard (Completed)

Before :                                                                        After:

What I threw away!

Now that felt GREAT!  Many mornings I've gone through that scary cupboard looking for containers and finding no lids or finding lids but no containers!  I threw away every lid that didn't fit something- wow I had a lot too!  I put all lids in a cereal box. Also found my FAVORITE CD that I thought I lost.  Just amazing what 20 minutes will do!  I feel horrible I even let it get that bad.

Day 3 DONE!

Make sure you enter my giveaway: http://pinkmamasplace.blogspot.com/2011/11/win-it-wednesday-my-memories-suite.html

REVIEW: The Truly Awesome Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookie

My kids GOBBLED these cookies up in a heartbeat.  After homework the other night they felt they deserved a TREAT so I just received these cookies to review so I popped a couple in the microwave and poured some milk. WOW what a yummy treat we had! 

Some Facts:
*wholesome ingredients
*free off added preservatives and artificial colors
*almost 2x the size of other cookies
*suggested price $2.79
*exclusively available at Kroger, Fred Meyer, and Ralph stores.
*sure to please the entire family

With the help of moms, Kroger specially developed a collection of products that are sure to delight your family every day.  Keep your family happy and healthy!

Other Products:

• Kroger's The Truly Awesome Low Fat Yogurt Tube
• Kroger's The Truly Awesome Low Fat Yogurt Cups
• Kroger's The Truly Awesome Macaroni and Cheese
• Kroger's The Truly Awesome Frozen Broccoli & 4 cheese
• And many more options on the way

I have 3- $1.00 Coupons and the first 3 to email me at pamallen68@gmail.com I will send you coupon. 

Thanks!  I was able to do this review by being a bzzagent through http://www.bzzagent.com

Day 2 - Computer Desk (21 Day Organizing)

This one isn't too bad since I did it last week.  But there are some things that could be done.  I got a bag of garbage and plus found a couple items I was looking for the other day!
Before:



After:

This is feeling good getting some junk out of my way! 

Meet Me On Monday

Came across this last night at http://nevergrowingold.blogspot.com/   I'm going to give it shot- why not!  Here are the questions she gave us  to answer:

Questions:

1. I really need to clean my _________?
2. What food makes you think of Christmas?
3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
4. What was your first paying job?
5. Have you read the Twilight series?
---------------------------------------------------------------

My Answers:

1. I really need to clean my _________?

My son's room.  It's SCARY in there!  Now when you look in there is doesn't seem so bad but....lil dude has a habit of hiding crap he knows shouldn't be in his room- like food wrappers.  On the side of his bed by the wall- dirty clothes, toys, and garbage.  I've been very stubborn on doing this because HE DID IT and HE SHOULD clean it! 

2. What food makes you think of Christmas?

Ham!  I love ham and the only time we have it Christmas time. 

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

Wow what a question...maybe 30 that's when it really hit me that I need to do adult stuff and get my life in order!  However, I would love to do 21 over again but only that birthday!

4. What was your first paying job?

Does babysitting count?  LOL!  My first paying REAL job was a waitress at my uncles cafe. Can you guess what I'm still doing almost 30 years later...yep I'm a waitress!  I've had other jobs in between but I always go back to that. 

5. Have you read the Twilight series?

HECK YEAH!  Big fan.  I've read and watched the movies plus can't wait for the next movie to come out in November 2012.  ( I wasn't that impressed with Breaking Dawn Part 1 but it was good)

 

Day 1- Junk Drawer (Completed)

Day 1 DONE...woohoo- off to a great start! Junk drawers- I have 3 so I cleaned them ALL!

Drawer 1- misc JUNK so as you can see I got rid of or put away majority of what was in there.
Drawer 2- magazines/cookbooks and more JUNK.  Now nice an organized.
Drawer 3- kid stuff and of course just crap!  Now its pens, pencils and other kid items.

It felt GREAT dumping all the CRAP and the drawers look awesome now!  Plus it only took me 20 minutes.  Love it!  Whats Day 2????

Before:                                                                      After: