Gold Stars

We have a Family Expectations Chart which lists each of the kiddos' weekly responsibilities....from morning routine (which must be completed and checked off by 8 a.m.) to tasks to be completed during the day (they rotate being the "server" at each meal) and there are boxes that you mark off if you miss a responsibility.  If you do mark a box, it is your responsibility to ask, "What can I do to help?"  This gives them a chance to focus on how to improve next time.  And let's face it, it also helps me get my work done!  Ron develped the Family Expectations Chart and I have to say, he's rather brilliant.  


One portion of the chart is the "gold star" area where you have an opportunity to earn a gold star for doing something extraordinary for the family.  Basically, this is where we catch them doing really cool stuff for each other, or for us.  It can be a variety of things and varies by age.  If you earn 3 gold stars during the week, you get to pick a prize from the prize bin.....a random basket of assorted toys, stickers, earrings (my older girls are demanding more than stickers these days :)) and the like.

So when I came down Saturday morning for breakfast and found that one of the GLAM clan had rounded up all of the soccer gear -- bags, balls, shin guards, cleats, socks and jerseys -- they most certainly earned a gold star!

Cannonball!

Pretending the couch is a swimming pool and doing cannonballs "canon bomb" =  All. Boy.
Almost completely missing couch = Hilarious.

Introducing......

.....Oreo & Cotton Ball

I mean if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.  So yes, we have 2 bunnies.  And here are 2 of the proud GLLAM members returning home at 7:45 a.m. yesterday from retrieving our newest additions.  I'm pretty much the craziest coolest mom ever.....

Bunny What?!

This is the letter I received from my daughter this week.

Things I have done to show I am responsible to have a bunny:

1. I have been made responsible with walking other people's dogs.

2. I have watched Kate and Paige's dogs.

3. I have helped Kate feed, water, set-up the cage and play with Coconut -- Kate's bunny.

4. I can take care of my siblings by myself and I have many times.  (many?)
Is it necessary to call your parents out on their occasional lie in/nap in the middle of your letter?

5. I have been and can be trusted with lots of things including, strangers, dogs, sibs, friend's kids and  friend's dogs.

Things I will do if I get a bunny:

1. I will pay for any pet bills.

2. I will share my pet with my sibs (with permission).

3. I will spend at least 30 min/day with it. Every day.

4. I will clean the cage every week.

5. I will change its water and food every day.

6. I will make sure it gets exercise.

7. I will protect it.

How could you not reward that?

Rotate Your Greens!

We are busy rotating greens in our smoothie world.  Plants have traces of alkaloids and too much of any one green (over many weeks) can actually produce symptoms of poison in your body.  Plants, and our bodies, were created this way so that greens would last and not become extinct.  What an Intelligent Design!
  
Incidentally, fruits do no contain these alkaloids so eat away, your apple a day!

This smoothie contains red leaf lettuce, beet & carrot tops, and some cilantro.  I threw in an orange and lemon  so my kids would actually drink it  for good measure.

Soccer Saturdays

.....are the best.

Cos Family Vacation 2011

All 27 of us.

Thanks Mom & Dad!  We had a fabulous time!

Edible Columbus

To read Madeline's article, see page 16.

Cousins!

13 total (so far!) Ages 8 weeks to 10 years.

(Hunter not pictured as he was snoozing)

And that's just 1 side of the family...

My Papa is the Coolest!

Soaring!

Gabe 2010

Lincoln 2011

My Baby

I heart this picture.

(minus my hair, wt?!)

GLLAM in OBX

 Building sand castles

Swimming

Hanging with Daddy

Flying kites

Boogie boarding

Hurricane Irene kept us away until Tuesday (although we loved Raleigh and plan to return) but we maximized every minute after that and had a full vacation!

Green Smoothie To Go

Brittney snapped this picture of Lincoln chugging his green smoothie in the car one morning.


Of course I packed the Blendtec.  In fact, Madeline was stopped going through security and TSA had to verify that the blade is not removable.  Indeed it is not. (thanks Green Smoothie Girl for the heads up on that)

Home Again, Home Again

We survived Hurricane Irene and spent the past 9 days enjoying 3 mini vacations.....Williamsburg (to hide from her), Raleigh (need to go further inland!) and finally, OBX.  Lots of fun memories and many wonderful pictures but one of my favorite highlights was during the plane ride home when one of the GLLAM clan handed me the following (they found it in a magazine) and said, "This is for you, Mom."

You are the cheese to my macaroni 

You are the horizon to my sky

You are the bacon to my eggs

You are the laces to my sneakers

You are the jelly to my peanut butter

You are the smile to my face

You are the gravy to my mashed potatoes

You are the bubbles to my bath

You are the milk to my cookie

You are the ink to my pen

You are the ketchup to my french fries

You are the water to my ocean

You are the icing on my cupcake

Nothing like ending vacation with a few tears.