Archives for August 2013

The Three Things Game

August 30, 2013 by Maren 2 Comments

I’m as far from a type A personality as possible. Maybe there is a type Z personality? I tend to be more of a free spirit when it comes to life and keeping my house clean. Tidy, maybe between the hours of 9pm-6am when all the littles are sleeping, but never constantly clean.

My husband and I came up with a game that has been rocking our world in terms of cleaning & productivity and this little free spirit is enjoying all its benefits.

Here’s how our game works. Of course, I play it with Michael, but it could also be played with a friend, too.

Our game lasts 3 months. We set a cash prize for the winner which will motivate both parties to earn points.
Each night before bed or first thing in the morning, we send each other a text with 3 to-dos for the next day. (Most of the items are cleaning related, but some are for personal development too. Example of items that have been chosen: vacuum the basement, hang light in entry way, dust, organize bathroom closet, scrub bathroom floor, fix mailbox, wash counters, organize pantry.)
For each of the three tasks completed, the person gets one point.

The person with the most points wins.

I’m currently in the lead by 4 points. Yeah, me! But since we need to make a way for the score to be even again so Michael can stay motivated, we’ve come up with this plan: The person behind can request an additional ‘task’ to catch them up (The task will require more effort than just the 3 regular daily tasks–i.e. an item on my honey-do list). Once they complete the extra task, the person behind can earn an extra point. Only people trailing can request an ‘additional task’ point from the other person.

I know it’s simple. But, it’s been revolutionary for Michael and me. We’ve been playing this game for almost a month and the results thus far have been enjoyed by both. We are loving the game! Our house, too, is thanking us for all the work that’s being done. Yeah for progress!

We’ve used the game for cleaning/house projects mostly, but it could most definitely be used for life’s to-dos also and holding each other accountable. Have fun playing the Three Things Game!

Mumday Monday

August 26, 2013 by Maren Leave a Comment

Farm Fresh Livin’

August 25, 2013 by Maren 2 Comments

There are very few places in this world as peaceful as my in-law’s farm. I love our visits, even if they’re not as often as we would like. Here are just a few more pictures from around the farm.

Note to self: Comb your hair more frequently. It looks mousy.

This picture was taken shortly after Thatcher let his kite go to the Arborvitae abyss and informed me that he was “done playing the kite game.”

The boys ‘helped’ Michael get Thatcher’s wayward kite down. Don’t worry, Mom- they were harnessed in with invisible safety apparatuses…The same ones Michael used when he hang glided off this roof as a child, with his homemade hang glider (Made from wooden 2×4’s). Safety first, Mom. We’ve got this covered.

Sterling currently loves talking on the phone and putting on clothes. Perhaps, this is a sign we’re in trouble in about 12 years?

Thanks, Bunk and Grandma! We had a wonderful time!

Triscuit’s One

August 22, 2013 by Maren 4 Comments

Last week, we celebrated Sterling’s first birthday. The boys have moved from the former term of endearment ‘Bay Didter‘ to an equally cute name–‘Triscuit’. One day while eating the wafer crackers, they started calling her ‘Triscuit’ and it has stuck. So we celebrated Triscuit turning one with a trip to Michael’s parent’s farm.

One of my parenting mantras is “Start as you mean to go on.” If you don’t want them to jump on your couch when they’re 4, don’t let them jump your couch when they are 1; If you intend for your child to try a bite of each item on their plate, start now; If you want to be a family who reads more than watches television, it’s easier if you start reading to them now. So, I suppose the same holds true for how you plan to celebrate birthdays and holidays (even down to the birthday cakes), but I didn’t think of that on Pierson’s first birthday. He got a Brutus the Buckeye cake that Michael spent hours creating. Thatcher had a lion cake that also took time, but was not nearly as impressive. And well, our little Triscuit, though she knows no different, got a box cake with leftover Fourth of July sprinkles. She still seemed to enjoy it all the same, so I choose not to beat myself up over the lack of fancy. She happily jabbered as she ate the cake wanted to tell us all about it.

A few fun thoughts about where she’s at right now. She will never know life without being adored.

Lucky for her, she’s also got some constant helpers.

She’s currently into standing by herself and then clapping for her job well done.

She’s currently saying ‘uh-oh’ and finding reasons to say it (dropping her cup on the ground over and over). She’s saying “All Done” at the table. She’s got four teeth that have arrived since turning 11 months. She loves attempting to dress herself with any clothes she finds laying around the house. She’s a master peekaboo player and says “phh bhh” to let you know she’s playing. She loves talking on the phone and will hold it to her ear and wait for you to answer with “hello?” But her absolute current favorite thing do to is our afternoon dance parties. She climbs up on Pierson’s bed, gets to her knees and grooves to a tune from the Go Fish Guys. She bops right along with the music and holds her own if the boys decide to go in for a wrestle or two. Then, after tucking the boys in for their naps, most days, she’ll make a beeline right back to the door, push it open once again and jabber at the boys as she makes her way back to their beds. The boys laugh hysterically and try to get her to repeat her stealth moves. If I don’t firmly close the door, my little escape artist would repeat this game all afternoon.

Sterling, one day if you read this, I never knew how much I wanted a girl until God gave me you. Each moment, you light up my life, and I’m so thankful He entrusted you to your Dad and me! Happy Birthday, Triscuit. I love you ‘BIG MUCH.’

Momma