Chores

Gannon has been reminding me lately (on his own) that one day he will have to do things like the dishes and the laundry.  I am impressed because we have never really talked about chores with him.  He has come to the realization on his own that as a family, we help each other.  I have to give Bryan most of the credit for this because of the way he helps me with everything.  I love that they, well at least Gannon (for now), notice how much emphasis we put on team work.  Neither of us ever really have to tackle anything alone, and they are watching.

Like I said before, Bryan and I have never really discussed chores.  Not with the kids or with each other.  When Gannon mentioned it again last night, I started to think...He's five, now.  Maybe chores aren't such a bad idea!  And you all know how much Austyn hates to pick up...Well, maybe this could be the answer for her, too!  Now, don't get me wrong, they will not be asked to fold laundry, do dishes, sweep, and take out the trash.  Yet!  But I think I am ready to start baby steps with them, as well as giving them an allowance.

Now, for the fun part!  I have been Searching Pinterest for "Chore Chart Tutorials" and while I couldn't find a tutorial, I found an Etsy shop, Abbie's House, that sells the cutest magnetic chore charts.  My favorite part (which is absolutely necessary for my two kiddos) is that the chores are not written--they are photos.  While Gannon is learning to read, Austyn isn't even close.  I wanted a chart with illustrations of chores rather than words.  How great are these?

Now, in addition to chores, we have to start allowances.  It won't be much, obviously, they are three and five.  But it will hopefully be something to keep them motivated throughout the week.  I also want to start teaching them about the value of money.  I have found several cute ideas on Pinterest, of course, that I can't wait to implement into our lives!

The first is "Save-Spend-Share" mason jars.  Pinterest led me to this blog, which is full of cute ideas and printables.

Every week when they get their allowances, we will divide them into three jars.  One is for saving, one for spending, and one for giving to those who are less fortunate than us.  How we will divide them has not yet been decided, but that part is not important right now.  We let them drop money in the donation buckets at Christmas time, and when we explained what those buckets were for and what they had done to help others, they were so proud.

I also saw this:

I think it is necessary for kids (heck, even me) for everything to be tangible when dealing with money.  This project is so simple, and it will allow them to choose what they are saving for, and show them their progress along the way.

I know most of this will be a long-shot with Austyn, but I really think Gannon is going to enjoy it, as well as benefit from it.  Austyn just loves to do anything her big brother does, so she just may get more out of it all than we expect.  Plus, we have to start somewhere.

Any other ideas are completely welcome, so if you have tips and tricks that have proven successful, please let me know!

Now, all I have to do is convince Bryan to buy me those adorable chore charts!!

What's in a Name?

Okay, so although our names are not a secret, they haven't been officially announced, either.  I know it is still early, but we are both very sure about the names we have chosen for our tiniest little heart.

For a boy, we have chosen Parker Duffy Manuel.

While it is obvious where Duffy comes from, let me explain why we have chosen Parker. 

About a year ago, Gannon started to ask for a little brother.  He wanted to be able to teach him how to play baseball, shoot a BB gun, go fishing, and "toot really stinky ones".  "Little sisters," he said, "are not good at that stuff."  I asked him what his brother's name would be, and he said Parker.  He has been very adamant about it ever since.  I told him if he ever actually got a little brother, then I would probably indulge him with Parker.  Bryan and I both love the name, and I absolutely love that Gannon chose it!

Now, as most of you know, he loves Spiderman, and I know that's where he got the name--Peter Parker.  But hey, at least he doesn't want to name his brother Spidey!!

"The name Parker comes from the English origin. In English, originally a surname, the meaning of the name Parker is: Keeper of the forest; forest ranger." -babyhold.com

***I am still somewhat hoping Bryan changes his mind and let's me use Duffy for a first name.  I really like Duffy Layne Manuel.  What do you think?

All of you know how much Bryan panicked when we found out we were having a girl...

Originally, he said he wanted was two boys, because he wants Gannon to have what he and his brother, Jeremy, have together.  He said if he got his two boys, he was done, but if we had a girl, he would try again for another boy.  When we found out we were expecting Baby Two, I prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  I prayed that if we were really only meant to have two children--that if financially and emotionally that was all we could handle--then this baby would be a boy.  Well, as you know, my princess is very much a girl!  His response to that-- "We can't have another one because it will be another girl!  I can't have two girls!!"

Well, given how all this played out, I figured girl names would be off-limits until we were in the hospital with a no-name baby girl.  To my surprise, he chose a girl name the day after we found out we were expecting! 

I already knew that my next little girl's middle name would either be Kathryn or Kate.  Of course, Bryan shot down every. single. one. of my suggestions for a first name, including Landry, which I absolutely adore.  He suggested Mia, and I fell in love!  So if we welcome another princess, her name will be Mia Kathryn Manuel.

Of course, If he gives in and let's me have Landry Kate, I'll simply be over the moon!

"The name Mia comes from the Italian origin. In Italian The meaning of the name Mia is: My. Also a variant of Maria: Wished for child; rebellion." -babyhold.com

"The name Kathryn comes from the Irish origin. In Irish The meaning of the name Kathryn is: Variant of Katherine: Pure. Clear. Innocent. From the Gaelic form Caitlin." -babyhold.com

So now we just sit back and wait...and what a long wait it is going to be ;)

God is Great...

God is good.  Let us spank Him for our food.  Amen.

*Funny how kids hear things ;p*

Day 17

The Potty

So.  Here I am.  A little boy (boys are supposed to be harder, right?) who was mostly potty trained at 24 months and completely potty trained--even naps-- by thirty months, vs a 29-month-old girl who just. doesn't. care.  What is a mother to do??

Yes, we have tried M&Ms.  Yes, we have tried stickers.  And dancing.  And singing. And princess panties. And, and, and, and!!  When Santa brought her new Tinkerbell panties she said, "Take those back.  I don't need them.  I not a big girl, I da baby."

So what now?  I am just dying to try the 3 Day Potty Training boot camp, but I am slightly wary.  It can't hurt, right?  I guess I am nervous because there isn't a time when we will be home with nothing to do for three full days.  I guess I could take off work one Friday or Monday, stretching the weekend to three days... But what about day care on Tuesday?  Have any of you out there tried this method?  How much does day care interfere?  They are working with her a lot, but I just don't know exactly what this "boot camp" entails.

Any input would be welcome here.

From one Mommy to another, thanks!