EAA AirVenture Museum

Click here to view our EAA AirVenture Museum Photo Album

Click where it says EAA AirVenture Museum and you will be taken to my Facebook photo album and you can see about 67 photos from our trip.  It was a wonderful day!  It was just me and my boys and all three of them got along well, stayed relatively close by, and took time to read, see, and understand (probably because I've taken them to so many museums in the past 14 years).  We were there for about 4 1/2 hours, but gone for 7. 

The day was beautiful, for starters.  The sun was shining and we left around 10am.  I had to stop and get gas, some sodas for us (and a fun treat - donuts) since it was an hour long drive.  We checked in at 11:05, the kids were eager to ride the flight simulator.  One of my favorite exhibits was one in which they showed how a lot of training was done - comics!  Cartoon-type posters that point out vital reminders and without scaring the pants off the pilots, explain how you could die.  I especially love the book, "Don't Kill Your Friends."  Of course, it was in a case and I couldn't actually see it (the title was catchy!).  EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association.  Another of my favorite exhibits was a plane built by a Racine man a very, very long time ago.  It had a boat attached to the bottom of it - you'd have to see it, there's a pic in the album - and he flew all over the world in it.  The 9 minute video we watched in the boat portion showed his son on a flight his father took.  The Amazon is beautiful and the man made a lasting contribution to Brazil by sending down some cows so they could have milk (descendants of those cows are there still today!) and he built a school (also still there today).

Justin enjoyed the whole museum.  But, Tyler and Joshua mostly enjoyed being able to get into the cockpit's of several WWII type planes.  Even at 12 Tyler is so cute as he sits in there and will push buttons, flip switches, turn knobs, buckle up, and aim the joystick as if he were really flying.  He wants to be an astrobiologist so he says he needs to learn to fly anyway.  (Walked out of there with him telling me the importance of getting him flying lessons!!)

One thing I learned, though I took the kids often enough to museums when they were little (the last time we were at the EAA, though, Joshua was 13 months old) it makes a difference to go when they are older and can remember the items on display, remember reading about particular planes and remember what a fantastic time they had. 

At any rate, we broke for lunch around 1pm and I took the kids over to Subway (nicest Subway I've ever been in - fireplace, 2 computers with wifi).  We had a great lunch then went back for more!  We ended our tour around the museum about 1 1/2 hours later in the KidVenture area - a lot of hands on stuff!  We concluded in the gift shop where Tyler and Justin got an EAA mug, pens, and Tyler got a set of wings.  Joshua got a build it yourself Navy plane - and I - got the family a puzzle of WWII planes!  I'll have to post a pic when it's done.

On our way home we stopped for Starbucks and the 'Thank you's' continued on until bed time!

This is one of the best days I can remember with my kids!  I hope they'll always remember it, too!

More Snow

March 18, 2013. 3-4 more inches!

The only Chore Routine that has worked for me. . .

How many chore charts and creative ways to track or assign chores have you used?  Well, I've used them all (I'm pretty sure).  I started one about 2 years ago that worked out very well.  I stopped it out of laziness, or probably because we just got so darn busy.  Well, I'm reinstituting it because it did work very well.  I've also added something new that we tried last night - and it was a complete success! 

I have three boys.  So, each boy has a folder and a pen which are kept on a stool at the island for easy access.  I have written the rules on the folder, for example, they get .10 per chore completed and done correctly (I am the judge of that).  I will minus one cent for spelling errors (it's about more than just the chores - responsibility and doing things right in all areas of life - so, I won't tolerate mispelled words.  It's something easy to incorporate and spelling is a huge deal in the real world).  Now, I have one kid who loves to read and two who like to read - but it doesn't come quite as easy to them.  So, I've also added that they can read a book and do a book report (and have gone over what I expect in a book report and have left an example in their folders) for what I feel is an appropriate amount of 'reward.'  But, on to the chores. . .

Here is the simplest chore chart - ever.  I got tired of the idea that they do the same chores over and over each week, or rotate chores with siblings - they are still the same chores.  Truth of the matter is - how often do we have something extra they could totally help with - but it's not a part of their chore chart??  So, I tell my kids, if you see something that needs to be picked up or cleaned up - and you have the ability to do it - then do it.  Write it down and for everything you do completely and correctly, I'll pay you ten cents.  Ten CENTS!?  Who would even find that worthwhile? 

Well, first of all, I really don't believe in paying my kids to do chores.  I don't get paid to do chores.  So, why should they?  But, they would like to earn money to spend on a pack of gum or to spend at the theater on food or drink, etc.  But, I'm not hard and firm on the ten cent limit, either.  For example, Tyler and Justin shoveled snow yesterday.  It was a big job.  Tyler knew he did a lousy job and Justin worked pretty darn hard.  So, I asked Tyler how much he thought he deserved for the work he did.  He said .40 cents worth, but that Justin probably did about $1.60 worth of work compared to him - totaled $2 and I thought that seemed fair.  I asked Justin about it and he agreed so - that's what I will pay them for the shoveling job.  (Now, if I were very well-off, I might consider working in quater, or dollar, increments).  Today, Joshua washed dishes - but they included pots and pans.  He did great and I took the time to stand there to teach and watch - so, I equated that to a .20 cent job.  Either they or I will write what they've done down in a column for that day.  At the end of the evening before I go to bed - I will look at what they've done and fill in the total they have earned (assuming they've done the chores they said they did - to my standards, which is a concept they are very familiar with).  See an example below:

 

 

 

 

Now, for the 'something new' I've encorporated. . .I have added three slips to a jar and every week each kid will draw a slip.  They will do what they've drawn.  What's on the slips?  Dust  *  Windex  *  Vacuum.  Just to be clear, this is a once a week job - not a job they do every day for a week.

 

It worked out so well last night!  So well, I'm tickled pink.  I don't expect the job to be done as well as if I were to do it myself but it took so much off my plate, they worked together, and I know, for the most part - my house is clean!  Now, I have a 3 story home - it is only for the main floor, and their rooms.  It works out so well that I can focus on other parts of the house and other chores involved with raising 3 boys, a husband, 2 cats, 3 fish, 4 chickens, and soon - a brand new puppy.  Plus, I do work part-time, sometimes from home and sometimes I travel.  And, let's not forget that mama's should have a life, too, outside of housework.

 

 

Final notes:  The charts start on Saturday and end on Friday - the day I choose to pay them so if they have somewhere to go during the weekend - they can have some cash.  

 

I finally figured out how to organize my scrapbook paper!

Ugh!  I have so much paper! 

Ha!  It's not as if I don't LOVE it!!  I have a paper fetish - no doubt about it.  But, I have always struggled with how to organize it!

I have looked online and I haven't found what I was looking for - I found mostly how to store it.  Different types of racks, etc.  I have found some forums in which people tell what works best for them, and I have taken some suggestions.  But, I'm sure we each have a different 'set up' so, honestly, I think each individual needs to find what works for them.  I will post how I've organized my paper and maybe, someone with a similar set up will find my post useful.

My set-up:  I have 20 paper trays.  So, I had to find 20 or less categories in which to label my trays and separate my paper.  This is what I came up with:

Solids
Family
Kids
School
Sports
Camping
Flowers & Nature
Spring & Summer
Fall & Winter
Circles & Dots
Squares & Plaids
Paisley's & Swirls
Stripes
Themed
Modern
Antiqued & Heritage
Textured
Vellum
Holiday

I have one tray left - I can use if for scraps or very large sticker or punch out sheets - or whatever.

You could certainly take one heading, like 'kids,' and further organize it into subcategories:  Boys, Girls, Baby, or by colors.  You can do that with many headings - if you have a lot of paper storage.

I certainly hope this helps someone.  I FINALLY feel organized.

27 hours since January. . .

That's right - I've put in about 27 hours of PTO work since January.  I haven't blogged about it because I was really so disgusted with it.  As I am now if the term 'disgusted' didn't signify my current feelings well enough.  I want to be a helper and a volunteer - simply because I like it.  But, I constantly feel belittled with, what are most likely insignificant and non-intentional, snyde remarks.  They are little things - but then, that's kind of how be'littling' works.  Proper definition:  To make someone or something seem unimportant.  Yep - there you go.  I definitely feel belittled.  By other PTO members.  So, it kind of makes continuing the job seem like walking in shit.  Of course, I've committed to it for this year so I'll ride it out. 

I'm about to read through our by-laws to see if there is any proper motion to disband the PTO. . . because apparently, no one else wants the job.  And, I'm not doing it again. 

Nemesis

I had a wonderful night out with my sister. We went to Nakashima's where we were thouroughly entertained by Brett (maybe in more ways than one??). LOL! Okay - don't take that statement too far - he was cute and cut up with us - that's all (I swear it!). :) Then we went to B and N where she found this wonderful book called Q and A A Day; 365 Questions * 5 years * 1,824 Answers, a 5 year journal. So, there is a different question for each 365 days with space for you to fill in the year. So, 365 days later you answer the same question, exactly one year later (or would that actually be on day 366??). Anyway, I figure I'll blog about some of my answers. And, that is exactly what I'm doing in this post.

The Question: Who's your nemesis?

Well, I first had to look up the definition because I would've thought it meant who I don't like right now, or who hates me. But, the definition is - the inescapable or implacable agent of someone's or something's downfall. Hmmm. Now, what a perfect question to have only a day after I was so disappointed with myself for my child not bringing home an envelope given to him - to give to me - so I could finish up the PTO newsleter and have it out in time. What was in that envelope was important to finishing the newsletter. I yelled at him and when tossing things out of his book bag and snow bag in haste, searching for anywhere the envelope could've been stuffed, I accidentally hit him in the head with his snow boot. I didn't physically hurt him but I did hurt his feelings and immediately I knew I was wrong. I had to let it go - and apologize to my kid (and he's so darn forgiving - I didn't think I deserved it).

So, my answer: PTO

I do love my work for the PTO but I have a tendency to put it ahead of the things (people) that matter most - and a big reason why I work on the PTO, my child enjoys seeing me at school and by being there - he gets to see me more than if I weren't at his school. I know if must be refreshing and exciting for a 2nd grader to see his mom during the day - that he's the lucky one. I don't want to say I can't wait for it (PTO) to be over, but I do need to keep perspective. I had been blogging my hours working on PTO related activities -but stopped when the pace began to pick up for Family Fun Night. Blogging helped me to keep perspective and keep a balance between school and home. So, I'm just going to have to make the time to continue blogging about PTO - and hopefully, enjoy it again and still be a good mom!