Back to school feels like a time of renewal.  It is a time to try new things and new schedules.  This year I decided to try a new technique for chores.  Of course there is a story behind this new chore technique!

A friend of mine has been unemployed for a few years now.  She began making herself lists of things she wanted to accomplish each day.  These lists were placed on a clipboard so that she could carry it with her, make adjustments as needed and easily cross items off.  She placed important papers that needed addressing on the back of the clipboard as a reminder of what she needed to deal with.  She kept telling me how fun it was to carry a clipboard.  So, in search of making stay at home life more fun, I tried it.  It really was more fun! So I go to thinking… why wouldn’t this be fun for the kids?  And daddy could try it too…  So, I ventured out to buy clipboards.  I designed a chore list for each of the girls.  I even went as far as adding a morning checklist and a bedtime checklist.  The deal is that when you wake up you get your clipboard.  When you complete all the tasks you hang it back up.   They are expected to do the same thing after school.  Once their chores are completed they have free time to go outside and play, watch TV, play their DSi or play a game.  at 7:30 they are to start on their bedtime list.  If they complete that by 8pm they have 30 minutes to watch tv or read in their room.

So far the kids are loving it!  They wake up each morning and grab their clipboard.  When they come home from school they know right where their clipboard is with their chores on it.  Bedtime is going super smooth as well.  There are many benefits to children doing chores.

• Feeling of accomplishment and pride:  When children accomplish a chore successfully they feel a sence of pride in what they have done.  This is wonderful for your child and will lead to improvements in self esteem and pride.
• Time management:  Many adults have trouble with this concept.  Management of time is important for your child’s success not only now, but also in the future. Chores help children learn how to effectively manage their time.
• Independence:  You child can accomplish cores with no parental guidance.  This gives them a sense of independence and should mean that you are nagging your child less.
• Self-Discipline:  Children learn self-discipline best when there are firm ground rules with attainable goals being set.

I was able to establish chore charts for all of the kids.  Each one has chores that are age appropriate and able to be completed within about 45 minutes total.  This means that there is still plenty of time for fun and games.

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American Idol has lost one of their judges.  As the show is swinging into it’s 9th season something will be missing.  No it will not be Simon Cowell and his obnoxious comments.  No it will not be the auditions where people chose to get up and sing their hearts out even though they have no talent.  It will be Paula Abdul.

On Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009 Paula Abdul said that she will no longer be a judge on the show.  I think that over the years Paula Abdul has grow tired of the gig.  After 8 seasons she is ready to head back out into the world and bring us mew and better things.  I remember loving her as a tween.  She was my Hanna Montana.  The music videos were great and her dancing was awesome.

Paula chose to leave in an odd way though.  She twittered about it!  I guess that it shows that twitter is gaining more and more popularity!  I wish the millions of people who follow Paula Abdul also followed me.  Perhaps all I need is a singing career, the ability to dance like a star and to be a judge on American Idol first!

Paula your fans cannot wit to see what is ahead for you!

Becca

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Swine Flu Facts:

Swine flu is so named swine influenza, hog flu or pig flu.  Although this new mutate strain is not true swine flu it is a variation of influenza.  The origins of this new strain are currently unknown although it has been seen in pigs it is not exclusive to swine.  The current worry started in Mexico and has quickly moved to the US.  Living in New York I have to say that I am a little worried.  Schools in the city have been closed.  Schools here, about an hour outside of the city, are talking about the possibility of closing and my mother in law keeps telling me about an influenza book that she read.  According to her this is what was happening in the early 1900′s when the flu took out a huge portion of the population.  Although I keep telling her that she is worrying for nothing and that medical awareness and treatment is much different then it was in 1909 I have to admit that I am a little worried.  Perhaps the worry comes out of a student of mother whom I am acquainted with died from the flu a month ago.  Either way I feel it necessary to know what we can do and what to look for.

Swine Flu Symptoms:

I think that it is important to know what we are looking for.  If we can identify the symptoms we can make smart decisions as to seeking medical attention.

1. A fever over 100 degrees
2. cough
3. Sore throat
4. Runny nose
5. Stuffy nose
6. Muscle pain
7. Fatigue
8. Vomiting
9. Diarrhea

It ius advised that if you have any of these symptoms you call your Dr.  It is also advised that you keep children who are sick home and not have kids out of the house.

Swine Flu Precautions:

1. Wash you hands often.  Just as we teach kids it is important to wash you hands while you sing happy birthday twice the rule works well for adults as well.  I know I do it… in my head of course!  Frequent hand washing is important.  The amount of time you are washing is just as important.  Make sure that you get in between all of your fingers, under your nails and your wrists also.  DO NOT JUST RINSE!
2. Use hand sanitizers.  The hand sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol.  If you opt for the wipes it is important to assure that you dispose of them properly.
3. Keep your hands away from your face.  This means no playing with your chapped lips, no biting your nails and no picking your nose.  I felt that I should add that last one for the ones who do it.  You know who you are!
4. Cover your sneezes.  It is important to use the inside of your elbow or tissues for this.  I know when I was young we were taught to use our hands but that is not the acceptable way anymore.  That just helps to spread germs!
5. Make sure that you help you kids do the same!

While all of these precautions are effective there is one that I have heard in completely ineffective.  Wearing surgical masks is not advisable.  One would have to change into a new mask every few hours in order for it to be effective.  It was described in a way that made me feel it was good sound advise.  The mask traps germs.  After a few hours it has trapped all of the germs it can and you begin breathing in those germs.  You also use your hands to remove the germ filled mask spreading it to other parts of your body.

I hope that all of this information helps.  I think that if we all remain calm and follow the above precautions we will all come out of this fine.  Oh and one other thing.  It is completely fine to eat pork.  You will not get swine flu by eating pork!  Good luck!

Becca

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• We went to the park which was great.  Not only did the kids have a great time but they also burned off some of that left over winter cabin fever.
• We had a beauty day where I was able to cut Emma’s hair.  We also did finger nails and toe nails.  The girls had a great time and this gave me great ideas for summer break.  Perhaps we will have theme days this summer.  This will keep the kids interested.
• We had play dates.  The girls have a friend down the street who they played with a lot this break.  I just have one quick question… when did playing become a date?  I remember I used to just go and knock on the door of a friend or two and see who could play.  All of this prearranging is a little stressful!
• We went to our friends house and had dinner and the kids watched movies and played games while the adults had adult time.
• We played Wii for an entire day!  I could not believe how addictive it was.  I think that on a rainy summer day the Wii will come in handy.  We may been have to buy a few more games in order to assure that we can have fun all summer long.
• We got a little more unpacking done.  This was really important.  I am getting tired of all of the clutter.  I just hate living out of boxes.

I think that we could have done more.  I just am not sure that I can sustain all of this entertaining of children all summer long.  How I wish that I could afford camp for the entire summer!  All I have to say to Spring break is “Hit the road jack!”

hit the road jack

Becca

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Last night 15 years of TV watching came to an end for me.  I have followed ER since the beginning.  I watched when George graced us with his presence and when Carter went through life altering changes.  I watched Abby drink again and even yelled at her through my TV.  I watched Sally Field give the performances of her life as Abby’s bipolar mother.  I watched Dr. Green become ill and die.  I cried with Elizabeth.  I watched Neila loose her husband and I watched Luca struggle with the loss of his family as he started a new one.  I watched so many things over the past 15 years.  The characters became friends whom I visited with each Thursday.  I watched all through my JR. and Sr. years of high school, all through college and through kids one, two and three.

With all of that said I was disappointed last night.  I put the kids to bed super early so that I could start watching at 8pm sharp.  I settled down and waited.  I enjoyed a look back and waited with baited breathe for what was to come next.  Then it started.  I sat in the front of my seat anxiously waiting for something to happen!  I waited for it to be the best ER EVER.  Guess what… it certainly did not meet my expectation.

The lives of cast members went on as is.  Didn’t they know that I was looking for some closure?  I needed Neila to marry someone.  I needed Carter to be happy with or without his wife.  I needed it all wrapped up.  I did not need them to continue on about their lives.  Now I have to rely on my imagination to figure out all of the things that could happen from here.  I think that I would have rather had the ER explode and had them all die.   I do not know why they could not have ended it all for me.  Now I have to spend all this time thinking about it.  Being annoyed about it.

Oh and on a side note shame on you George Clooney for not showing up and finishing what you had started.  It launched you into greater things.  How could you turn your nose up at them?  You are a little less hot to me now!

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As I was saying last week I hate stomach bugs.  I had thought that I had escaped its bite but I spoke too soon. Abigail spent all night Tuesday sick, Emma and I woke up sick and Rob is the only one not infected.  So I will not tell you about this horrible experience.  Yeah right you know that I will!

• Abigail did not get sick in 5 places before making it into the bedroom.
• I was not the one who did the laundry that she created.
• I did not sit there and help her while she was throwing up.
• Emma did not wake up the next morning covered in stomach flu remnants.
• I did not throw up all day that morning.
• I did not call my sister in law to take the baby because I could not take care of her.
• I did not sleep all day.
• I did not ignore my older kids all day who were also sick
• I did not wish I would rather be dead!

All in all I hope that this stomach Flu or bug as I like to call it has worked its way through my family.  I hope that it never comes back.  I am not sure when you spend a week cleaning it all up that the bug will not bite you.  I took the bleach idea and washed my hands obsessively and yet the bug still bit me.  I am amazed by its sneaky ability!  I cannot wait for warmer weather when the mosquitoes are the only bugs biting!

Becca

Update:  Rob was bitten last night!  Now we have all had it… Hopefuilly it will GO AWAY!!

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Let me start out by saying that I completely do not understand why it is called a stomach bug.  Is it because it bugs you?  Is it because it comes and flies away quickly?  Is it because someone thought bugs were gross and disgusting and therefore so was a stomach “bug”?   just do not understand how it could have gotten such a name!  Either way I hate it!

Last night (some would call 1am morning) as I was finally off to bed I went in to check on Emma and Analiese before I was to head down the hall to check on Abigail.  When I opened the door Analiese sprang up out of bed as if I scared her.  I laid her back down sang a song and was ready to move on down the hall.  All of a sudden, as I was kissing Emma, Analiese sounded like she was choking.  It was then that I realized what was happening.  I called for Rob who actually came right away.  She was l throwing up now and all I could do was tell her it was alright.  All of this as it hit the floor, her crib sheet her blanket and the stuffed toys on the floor waiting to be put away.

She then started again and thought that it was a great idea to catch it in her hands.  As I was pulling her hand out of the way I was slimmed!  I have to say that I hate throw up.  Did I forget to mention that part.  I am not sure that I have ever met anyone who likes it but let it be known that I HATE it!  I asked Rob to start the bath and he was confused.  He did not think that she needed a bath?  It was everywhere why would I not give her a bath?  Either way he was nice enough to finish cleaning up her bed, the floor and all of the animals.  I was so happy to be the one giving the bath although that was no picnic either.

So now I am sitting here thinking if I get sick I will be so mad.  Every time I get a stomach “bug” as we call it I flash back.  Not to my fun college years but to my many pregnant years.  Throwing up was what I did.  With the first two girls I had to go into the hospital and be re hydrated.  The flash back of the memories is sometimes just too much.  I am not quite over it.

So now I am just praying that I do not catch this bug.  I want to squash it.  I want to fight it and win.  I so do not want to be sick.  As a side note I would like to thank my sister in law for bring  the stomach bug into our house.  If I find the bug I am going to pack it up and send it right back to your house!

Becca

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Well we have officially moved and we even lived to tell about it.  The first few nights in the new house were great.  The kids are loving the room and VERY excited.  The first night the kids were so DIRTY and the hot water was turned off.  Once we turned it upwe started the water and noticed that it was brown.  I was so grossed out!  We ran all of the water for about an hour and then it was clear.  I am sure that the pipes are just old and sitting made the rust build up.  Even still I wonder if it is safe to drink.  By the time that the water was clear the kids were already sleeping by this point.

The today I was all excited that I was unpacking and being productive.  Not an hour into it the the school nurse calls to tell me that Emma was hurt on the playground.  Someone elbowed her in the eye and she has quite a shiner.  I spent all of this afternoon in the ER making sure that her eye socket was not broken.  Thank God it is not but what a waste of about 5 good hours that I could have been unpacking!  Emma is on the mend and will be fine.  I am sure that we will also be unpacked soon.

Becca

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Tomorrow is the big move.  I feel like it has come so much quicker then I wanted.  I have to agree that I have seriously procrastinated these past three weeks and now that the time has come I am STRESSED.  I have packed a lot but I am sorry to admit that there is still a lot to do today!  I am over motivated today and just hoping that I can get it done in time.

If I cannot get it done by tomorrow I just have to remember that we have both houses until the third.  Here are a few things that I have discovered the past three weeks…

1. While I love my husband and children they are utterly useless int he moving process.  The worst one is Analiese who has unpacked most things that I pack.  As I turn around she is right there removing things.  It all makes me want to scream.
2. We own too much stuff!  I knew this before but now that I have had to pack I really know it.  My garbage bag count is up to 10 and still counting.  This does not include the things that were too big for a garbage bag.
3. Moving companies ROCK.  Yes I said something rocks and I mean it.  The last two times we moved someone else came to our home, packed up all of our things, carried them to the truck, carried them off of the truck, placed them in the rooms they were to be placed in, set up our beds and moved it all around until I was happy.  Oh and they didn’t break anything either!
4. I am not moving again until I have to.  I will be in this house for as long as I can.  I do not want to move again until all of the kids are old enough to pack up their own stuff!!!

Alright here I am procrastinating again!  I am off to accomplish the impossible.  Wish me luck and pray for me.  I will let you all know how the move is going tomorrow.

Becca

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So after all of the flu hype around here recently, Emma is sick.  I just cannot believe it.  She developed a fever last night.  I am just so worried about it!  I know in my head that I am being silly but really I am worried.  I wanted to sit in bed with her all night and make sure that she was OK.  I wanted to tell her I loved her 1000000000 times just in case something terrible happened.

Emma has had a flu shot and I am sure that it is something else like an ear infection.  All I know is when her temperature read 102.4 I was worried.  I was scared.  I prayed.  Yes I know that it seems silly but I guess that I am still shaken a little by the entire thing!  I just want my baby to be alright.  When ever Emma gets sick she does it right.  She gets a high fever and cannot function.  I think that in part this is due to the cerbral palsy.  Her muscles just do not seem to be able to do anything.

I still pray that my baby Emma will be alright with this whole thing.  I cannot bring her to the doctor because it is Sunday.  Poor Emma is missing her first Saint Patrick’s Day parade today.  She was suposed to march in honor of the young girl who died.  Some Girl Scouts have chosen to march in memory of her but I guess we will miss it and stay home sick!

Becca

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