our week

:: the weather was just warm enough to be outside for a while ::

 :: dinosaurs and cars + marble tower with friends ::

 :: books are the first place they go at grandma's + she loves her grandma ♥♥

 :: she cuddles her baby while I cuddle with mine + always, always in the pantry ::

:: after school homework and coloring ::

We got a lot accomplished this week. We made some progress on finishing the boys room downstairs. I had Justin change what we originally did in their closet. He is so good to me :) Now the debate goes on whether or not we build some nightstands for the boys or buy them. Then we need to put their hammock back up, build Levi's bed and hang up some pictures. Then after 1 1/2 years this room will be done!

a tip on a thursday - after dinner help

A couple of years ago, we started a system where everyone had a zone in our house to clean up after dinner. Monday would start out great, Tuesday was a busy evening so that was hit or miss, and by Wednesday those zones were not getting done. We were just in survival mode with getting homework done, showers in, and kids into bed. Obviously this system was not working for us. The zones were too big for the kids with everything else that was happening in the evening. (and that is when I am the most exhausted, so nagging is not effective) 

After a rough January, I decided something had to change. Two weeks ago we started a new system, and it has been so incredibly helpful. I have been amazed at what a difference it has made in our home and in my well-being. 

When we are done with dinner, we immediately get each of our little zones done. Little was the key word. We just focus on the kitchen area because that is where the majority of our messes are. 

• One child clears and wipes the table and chairs down, then nicely tucks the chairs in (seriously, what a difference tucked chairs make in how clean the house looks!) 
• The next child clears and wipes the island, and only the island (makes it very doable, and again it is another area that makes a huge difference in how clean the house looks). 
• The other zone is to pick up anything that got dragged into the kitchen and placed onto the floor...mostly by a one year old girl. :) then they sweep the floor. 

While the three older boys are working away at that, I am able to load the dishwasher and quickly wipe down the counters right around the sink. By the time I have finished, I turn around and the kitchen and dining room are clean. (And daddy is there to help out where we need him most...like keeping Adeline from making more messes!) This simple change has removed so much stress and makes me a much happier mom in the evening. A messy house is completely linked to my mood :)  
We have not missed a day for two weeks! (I take that back, Friday night we didn't finish our zones, but to make sure we didn't get out of the habit, first thing Saturday morning that is what they had to do.) 

This is seriously so huge for us! :)

tuesday tidbits

:: corbin ::

1. Growth spurts are starting to happen quite frequently right now. Pants are getting a little shorter and we had to finally go buy some church shoes because his feet were starting to hurt too much. 

2. The other day at school, he slipped on some ice and landed on the corner of his forehead. He got a huge goose egg and was happy he had a sweater that had a hoodie on it. He wasn't wanting everyone to ask what happened.

3. Corbin is getting really excited to plan his 13th birthday party! How is this even possible? He just can't decide between pizza or doing a hot dog roasts.

:: taylor ::

 1. Today Taylor went to JA City where all the kids get to pretend to be grownups and have jobs, earn money, buy food, and live in a cute little city. Taylor was the loan officer and got to sit at a desk with one of the most comfortable chairs in the city. :)
2. He is reading through books like crazy. Even reading two or three at a time...just like his daddy. He finished all the Harry Potter books, Ghostsitter, Hatchet, and right now he is reading The girl with the Silver Eyes and Wonder.
3. The other day, Taylor bought a Pokemon book from the book fair and he, along with all his brothers, pour through that book all the time. It is packed with information about every single pokemon out there. Very exciting. :)

:: levi ::

1. Each week, Levi looks forward to heading to scouts. He has the worlds greatest scout leaders ever. Like, the wife sewed little pouches for each of the boys and filled it up with boy trinkets. She's amazing. And those pouches had their names embroidered on them. Levi earned his bobcat and is on his way to getting his wolf.
2. He lives for shorts season, and as soon as he gets home from school, he changes right into shorts and happily pretends like it's summer inside. These few warm days that we have had this month have been his favorite!
3. I volunteered in his class room this week for the first time this year and will continue to volunteer until the end of the year. It makes my heart so happy that he is so excited about it!

:: rudger ::

1. Being in charge of the treat for FHE is a big deal. When I asked Rudger what he wanted to make, without a moments hesitation he said brownies. It was a proud moment for him when we pulled it out of the oven. And the batter was his favorite!
2. Daddy had Rudger clean up his room and was blown away when he saw how good of a job he did. Rudger had his toys just so, not a spot on the floor, and the way he pulled up the sheets on his bed was jsut adorable. 
3. Quote of the week - three different responses when I asked him to clean up.
"My legs are too tired to clean"
"I'm not rather to do that"
"My legs are telling me I'm too tired, they're telling me to play legos instead"

:: adeline ::

1. This girl has THE biggest fascination with the toilet. She grabs a wipe, dips it in the toilet and then gets down and scrubs the floor. We're all a little exhausted, and really grossed out :) 
2. It only took us until our last child, but we are getting in a good routine of getting her to bed at an early hour. And she knows the routine. Her favorite is reading a book or five and singing lots and lots of songs.
3. Speaking of singing. Adeline LOVES to sing. At church she stands on my lap during the song and sings and leads the music as loud as she possibly can. 

super weekend

:: Falling asleep to the Friday night movie (The Finest Hour...wow) + the cutest, most amazing, mermaid birthday party ever and those two totally posed on their own 

 :: Saturday chores never looked so adorable + she was loving helping Taylor clean the bathroom :: 

:: between chores, running kids places all Saturday afternoon, and then errands - daddy and Addy (as they like to call it) spent lots of time together + daddy also got her dressed :) ::

 :: Corbin, Taylor and mommy ran to a few stores, our favorite was the new Winco's that just opened (Taylor's face!) + bright sunny day driving to church (oh the sun and warm 45 degrees) ::

:: they finally got to open their Valentine mailboxes to find gummy hearts in there, Rudger helped Adeline get hers ♥♥♥ :: 

:: Fast Sunday pictures + daddy finally got her to sleep :: 

 :: mom and daughter pictures...right after eating a chocolate ball and those chocolate covered teeth were the best ::

:: Super bowl Sunday! We made lots of food, turned on the game for about 30 minutes, then turned it off and cleaned up and read and had a boxing match instead :: 

This weekend really was a good one. Corbin is growing up so fast and actually chose to have a late nighter with a couple of friends instead of having hamburgers (1st Friday of the month) and watching a movie with us. We missed him, but I know he was having the time of his life! (I also think when he walked in the door at 9:15, he missed us) 

For spending the whole morning cleaning closets, bathrooms, and the kitchen, the house sure didn't look very clean. But we just had to call it quits and let the kids go play in the afternoon. In the end we didn't get our family Saturday adventure in, but when Corbin, Taylor and I were out buying shoes and pants, we bought some gatorade and gummy bears and brought them home to share with everyone. That more than made up for it.

I love that before the football game started Levi went and put on his baseball and basketball shirts to celebrate :) 

This week is already looking up, I finally folded all the clothes from last weeks laundry and the laundry from today is almost all done! Plus, the basement family room is CLEAN! That definitely calls for a celebration of something!

the past week

`

 :: those hearts are much too high for her liking + lots of heart eyes for those two ::

 :: dentist appointments + Levi earned his bobcat ::

 :: kneaders with our sweet neighbor + xbox and cousins ::

 :: birthday picture for a cousin in Texas + "next Thanksmas I want to ask Santa to get this for me for Christmas ::

 :: a little outside time did these two some good + pouring through the new pokemon book ::

 :: i just can't even stand it ♥♥♥ ::

 :: cinnamon bread ::

 :: these oranges were aaaamazing ::

:: Happy February! :: 

:: oh boy, these chicken fajitas made our Wednesday ::

:: best day of the week was lunch at Mandi's house with sisters and cousins! ::

 :: rosemary chicken, bacon, avocado salad + my new favorite dessert that Mandi made, I'm still dreaming of it ::

 :: what a way to end the week!! ::

This week has seriously been the best one so far this year. Obviously the food made me happy this week! I am feeling sooooo much like myself again! Thank you for coming February.