Growing Everyday

Last night, we had a family meeting. We discussed bedtimes, morning and after school routines, and chores. The chores discussion was particularly enlightening. The kids are going to earn an allowance for some chores and other chores they are just expected to do because they are part of the family. Anyway, I was explaining that if they don’t do the chore that is fine, but they won’t earn any money either. Jared was cool with that. It didn’t seem to bother him. Beka on the other hand brightened up immediately.

"So if Jared doesn’t do a chore, can I do it for him?" Beka asked with a gleam in her eye. You just knew she was already counting up the extra money she could earn. Andrew and I both told her it was a very good idea but no. I could just picture the fights that would cause.

Andrew and I did not go on a date, but that is an idea too. About 2 years ago, we started the tradition of Andrew and Beka going on a date while Jared and I do the same. We try to make the time special; Beka and Jared get to pick what they want to do and where they want to eat for the date. Beka was sooo into it this year.

Beka tapped me on the shoulder, "Mom, come here." I followed her into her room and then into the closet.

"I need to wear this dress on my Daddy/Daughter date; the one I got from Grandma Rose and I want you to do my hair with the poofy ponytail"

Andrew treated Beka to dinner at Red Lobster and some alone time at the park. I treated Jared to McDonalds and then a trip to admire toys at Target. Jared was quite the gentleman. I had all the doors held open for me on the date. He even opened the car door for me.

We all had a great time. It really is nice to spend sometime just with one of the children. Some days it gets complicated splitting my time between the two of them. So when I get a chance for one on one time I really enjoy it.

[photopress:2008_07_23_the_ducks.jpg,thumb,pp_image]

[photopress:2008_07_23_Beka_and_Jared_feeding_the_ducks_3.jpg,thumb,pp_image]

The ponds around here are full of ducks and geese. I mean full of. You can’t walk past any of them without seeing/hearing ducks. So the kids were at each other…just sniping at each other so I decided to take them to feed the ducks. There are alot of baby ducks. They are so cute. And now that everyone is feeding them, they have no fear of humans whatsoever.

[photopress:2008_07_23_Beka_and_Jared_feeding_the_ducks_2.jpg,thumb,pp_image]