Job Chart

I look around the house right this moment, and things are pretty good. Dishes mostly done, main level pretty clean and uncluttered, table polished, etc. But there is no hope of it staying that way for long. And it is depressing and HARD work some times. In full disclosure, we have a cleaner come to our house once a week who cleans and vacuums from top to bottom, and STILL it is hard to keep up with the clutter. So imagine how happy I was when last week Hilde asked if she could have a Job Chart. She made it herself, and we put 5 things on it:

1) Clean bedroom
2) Clean playroom
3) Wash dishes
4) Wash vegetables
5) Sweep kitchen

Every time she does one of these she can put a sticker on the chart. Once she has 30 stickers, she can get a treat (yet to be determined). Saturday morning Dave came in and said "Guess what your children are doing." It was quiet so I figured they must be watching a show or doing puzzles. To my surprise, Hilde and Enoch were making a job chart for Enoch. His had essentially the same things as Hilde except instead of wash dishes he had clean windows. I know this will be the first of a zillion experiments on how to teach the kids to help clean the house, and to teach them responsibility, but right now it is fun. And although we already have them clear away their dishes after meals, put away their laundry, and clean their rooms, I realize there are many other things we could have them do. Here is a list of some ideas for age appropriate chores.

What do you have your kids do? What age were they when you first started "chores". What do your kids like/dislike doing? What is the one chore you HATE and the one you secretly like?

Recent happenings

Phinn is starting to want to exercise his legs. He loves it when Hilde takes him on a walk like this.
Hilde dressing up as Belle. She is at the age where dressups are harder to find, but she LOVES them.
I think this kid is going to have blue eyes. In person they are beautiful, clear, and slightly lighter than Enoch's.
Phinn wore a cute little three piece suit to his Uncle Matt's wedding. Here he is with Grandpa. Two of my favorite guys. The suit made it through the wedding, but about 20 minutes later Phinn spit up ALL over it. He wore PJs to the reception.
The time difference was killing him. Just look at how tired he is!

6 months and growing

January 20th - Happy 6 months to Phinn. A half year already?? Where has the time gone? It was harder to get the pictures done this time. He is definitely more mobile, rolling around and scooting backwards all over the place. He gets up on his hands and tiptoes and rocks back and forth until his momentum carries him backwards. Unless, of course, it carries him forward, and then he does a faceplant on the floor. He loves to chat and is starting to get interested in food. He and Enoch crack each other up with loud squeals that hurt the ears of everyone else. He sits in his high chair now and joins the family at the table. Bonus for him, but not so great for mom who has to spend most of dinner time either feeding or entertaining him. Luckily he can entertain himself with a spoon just long enough for her to eat.
Hilde constantly asks to hold Phinn or play with him. She really loves being the big sister.

Some action shots: