Motivators!

ok. this is for the mom's looking to have some new approaches to positive motivation. I borrowed the main idea from a teacher in NC. The kids are all little frogs on the land. Should they follow all the class rules and stay on the land during school time, they will receive 2 blessings. This can be sweet treats, but for us they get to go to PBS kids and pick their very own video or game to play. If they break a school rule, they move to the first of 3 lilly pads, taking them down to only 1 blessing. They get these 3 total pads before they fall in the water. We try to talk the problem area out and remind right behavior and sometimes pray in hopes to help keep that blessing. It can make all the difference to know I am routing for them. Once they are in the water, each offense is noted and is a chore they must do for mom after quiet time and before supper. Big plus is if you stay on the land all week, you get to pick out a toy from the dollar store. My boys really want the random fake body parts, fingers, feet, teeth. Not to forget the fake ketchup spill and whoopee cushion. I have a friend that hands out marbles for good behavior or enduring a tough work assignment, then they tally the marbles up for a reward later. I enjoy that too so I'm gonna try to work tat in my little pond! Maybe the frogs get a fly (jelly bean) for trying hard and sticking with it! Basically good characer traits we can teach and when I see them try I can reinforce it. My kids love this system so much I used it at the grocery store the other day too! I hope this helps any moms out there. I already know most of you are great at this, but I was missing some balance here! would love to hear any other suggestions. Firmly believe in growing from good to better and hopefully best!

The New School Year Begins

And now..... the Reveal

And here we have our Little princess. She is set on starting ballet in September. Her first recital will be December 11th. So fun! There was a small dispute about tights, but once she found out it wasn't optional...she's gonna roll with the punches and wear them :)

Next great memory was getting her ears pierced. We started the morning off at a local bakery called the Jelly Doughnut. I was wearing a blue shirt until she said..."oh, I thought you might wear your pink shirt with the flower in front so we could match." Thrilled mom ran to the bedroom and came out pretty in pink in less than 30 seconds! I loved this day!YUM!
And then we killed ourselves......

On to the main event! She picked out little gold earrings with Minnie Mouse wearing a pink bow. They had planned to go at the same time. A perfect strategy. I couldn't have asked for a kinder ladies to be apart of this. And we were at Walmart: so that is saying something!I think they enjoyed it as much as we did!She was said to be the first child they ever had to not cry or scream . She did so great! And hoped every one could tell she had her ears pierced everywhere else we went. I wish this was a better shot of them. Theyare perfect. They lay flat and sparkle gold and pink too.

Precious moments... Absolutely precious to me.

enjoy :)

#1

She has really blossomed in phonics!

And now a reader!

What!

the nino's

that's my boy!

I caught him totally jamming out to his music video! LOVE BOYS!

ok. I made something new! It's called Turkey and Phyllo Pie. so yummy, it's like your eating a huge crescent role! it came out just like the picture! See! the other day i came down the hallway to find #4 in a time out

just like this...

I couldn't keep a straight face either!

On to our little ballerina girl....

We lost one of the slipper Aunt Jacqui got her, but she refused to take photos with out it! Don't worry, we finally just bought her real ballet slippers. She even went so far as to pick out the "perfect" color of pink ribbon for her hair. She is going to try it all on together tonight for the big reveal. LOVE GIRLS!

to be continued......

just thoughts

So we have been back in the swing of things. J is working a lot again. And I have come to realize; it's been 4 years since we, ok I, have been "single mom" mode. You can give it as many excuses as you want....new town, new church, now we're schooling with 4, plus schooling over the summer because we took 2 months of to move... But when 5:30 comes around I am out of steam. the kids don't get to bed on time and I am too tired to take some time alone after they do go down. the kids are snipping at each other. the only one that seems to have a gentle spirit is J when he is home. it's like total reverse. Last Sunday he went to church with us in the morning, then back to work till 7, then back home in time for a movie on the football field at our church. We were a mess and he was the one smoothing all our nerves so we could enjoy the evening! I could see it on his face,"have I entered the Twilight Zone!"
Then it comes to a head. Yesterday we had a bible time and scriptures. Well, remember how you don't move on to a new daily verse until everyone can say it? (You say a weekly and a monthly too so you're not just bored with one every morning) Anywho- Little E was only missing one word in Colossians 3:12. we started that one in TX. He could say, " Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness humility, .........., and patience." So we all say it together then we would give him a chance to say it by himself at his request and no matter how many visuals we gave, he couldn't get it. We would all sit on the edge of our seats, as it has become a real team effort at this point. Even mommy was ready to move on for sanity's sake. we have never lost patience with him because it's just so cute hearing him try and we all giggle when he says it so boldly and big eyed. Well... Yesterday he got it! All that was missing was "gentleness" He said the whole thing. And we all rejoiced when he said...kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." I thought FINALLY! he got it! He finally remembered GENTLENESS! .................have you ever heard the Lord cough under his breathe? You know; clear his throat and nudge your side. Well I did. He was letting me know ever so gently, that was my problem. I was lacking gentleness in all matters. Now this is not something I can manufacture. This is a real need for Him to fill. What was my verse to pray for today? I'm glad you asked. John 15:16 it's Jesus talking about whatever you need ask in his name and He will gladly give it to you so you can bear spiritual fruit that will last!
Ha ha. I don't even think I asked for it gently. I was like a desperate woman at the end of her rope!
Do I believe He is going to begin this transformation?
Absolutely.
Is it gonna include a lot of work and surrender on my part?
Absolutely.
Will it be worth it at the end of it all?
Absolutely.

I leave you with this incredible verse Psalm 145:18

"It's Friday! Field-trip Day"

OK Here are the pics from Joshua Tree National Park. Some from our field trip, others from a day with daddy. It is so wonderful to have this park 10 minutes away! I was worried about having nature walks we would really enjoy. Not anymore! They could climb all day! God is Good!

Announcing our first Junior Ranger in the Martinez Family! You have to fill out a guide book and go on a guided tour and then pledge to take care of the park to the best of her ability. Very Serious stuff. Then she had a little fun and added a few perks for mom. Like Always obey my parents, get along with my brothers, always finish my schoolwork.... She is so excited she wears her badge even on her pj's! So proud of our Junior Ranger!