Discipline that works!

We've been through many discipline situations from age 1 to 13. We're not pros by any means but we've found an effective approach.

Introducing the Discipline Book: It works it really works!!! Let me share how is works... Each child has a tab in the folder. Look even little Caroline has one although it will be a good couple of years before she starts using it. Madeline at age 3 1/2 has just begun.
Here's how it works:

• We've tried different approaches. With the discipline book the children get labor time for getting in trouble. It replaces grounding, spanking and is more effective. Why, the child is in control of getting the work done in order to do something they want. If they don't finish the labor they don't go. The ball is in their court. It makes them responsible for their actions. They learn self control. Do this then get that. Make sense?

• When a child gets in trouble (talking back, bad report at school, hitting a sibling, not listening, not cleaning up room, etc.. you get the picture) the child gets labor time

• Labor is given in these increments: Age (2 - 5) in 15 minute increments Age (6-8) in 30 minute increments Age (9 and up) 1 hour increments

• We note in their tab the reason and the time given. When the time is worked off a parent signs off on it. My kids have been known to rack up 4 hours at a time...

• How do they work it off? That's the fun part! It gives moms extra helpers around the house.

• Labor time cannot be an item that is their regular chore for example cleaning room or making bed.

Here are some of our labor chores:

1. Clean the room of a sibling not your own room.
2. Pull weeds in the flower beds (great when it's warm)
3. Wash moms car and vacuum
4. Mop the floors or swiffer
5. Do laundry of a sibling (this is for teen)
6. Wipe the baseboard with a washcloth (for the little one's)
7. Clean the kid's bathroom
8. Dust the furniture downstairs
9. Anything else mommy can think of!

I've gotta tell you this works around our house. Our talking back, not listening, etc has cut way back in the house in the last 8 months since we put this into practice. I don't give warnings I just assign labor. I usually get a grunt then they stop. If some one feels extra sassy they rack up time fast.

Christmas break and no labor hours assigned..... now that is proof!

Now I can't imagine this little sweetie would ever do anything wrong. Maybe by the time she's old enough to join in we will have it down to a science.... or maybe we'll be too tired to care.

Menu Monday

I enjoy looking back at photos of past projects. This morning I stumbled across this photo.

Have you ever changed something then you want to kick yourself and undo the change? Well I painted this in the playroom before it was Madeline's room. I got frustrated and painted over it! What was I thinking?

At least I can enjoy the photo right?

On to food....

Monday: The BEST crock pot Chicken Tortilla Soup EVER! I LOVE this stuff!!

Tuesday: Leftover soup (if we have leftovers) with grilled cheese sandwiches. If no leftovers then we have grilled panini's with turkey and provolone cheese.

Wednesday: Mini Meatloaf with a side of Sweet Potato Fries

Thursday: Leftovers and Salad

Friday: Make Your Own Pizza

Journey of a Living Room

I'm pleased to introduce my new living room! Thanks to Cheap Thrills Decor our custom built ins are complete and beautiful!

We've been brainstorming and trying to figure this room out for 3 years. Remember my inspiration photo. Finally I feel at home.

Let's take a journey of the phases...

This is the living room when we first purchased the house.

Bright sunshine yellow and a gold ceiling fan. Not for me. Off balance and weird. Although Madeline enjoyed her extersaucer play spot.

Don't you love the storage space for the pack and play? Notice a theme... baby accessories. Not exactly a relaxing living room with some sort of style.

This phase I was going for an accent wall. It looked good but the dark color made the room seem really dark.

Here is the finished product again. Light and bright! I cannot believe how much different the room looks. I love sitting in this room. I spent many days frustrated on what to do with it. Finally it's done! Well except I need a new rug and coffee table :)

Our huge flat screen is now up away from little hands and has a special place of it's own.

This unit is the corner. Let me tell you.... we have storage galore!

We even have room for our rock band guitar. All the DVD's and old VCR tapes have a place.

The other side is complete with bookshelves accented with bead board. I just loooove it! So much functional storage space. My husband is an avid book collector. We moved an heirloom collection to the living room.


If you live in the DFW area and are looking for a design firm or carpenter for some custom furniture check out Cheap Thrills Decor. They are incredible, professional, and high quality. Thank you Jami and Bob!!

Fabulous Christmas!

Wow, we've been busy around this house! 2 weeks off with the kids at home, never a dull moment.

Let me share some of our activities. The kids together at my parents house on Christmas evening. It was pick your own pose.

Our annual tradition of mass on Christmas Eve.

We visited Six Flags and had a great time!

We put together a huge puzzle in 4 days! The kids did a great job and had a ton of fun.

BOGO Little Ceasars!

Tired of those Christmas leftovers? Get a Buy One Get One Free Coupon from Little Ceasars.

This is one of our all time frugal favorites. Tonight we get 2 pizzas for $5! Wow.

An Early Merry Christmas

I've been MIA in the blog world a bit. We've had a lot going on.

I wanted to share our Christmas Card family photo. My good friend Adrien at APM Design Photography took our photos. I've known her since we were in 9th grade!

Here's my oldest daughter Kate, she's the baker of the family.

The holidays are busy times for our family of 6. So I'm slacking a bit in the blogging area. I've enjoyed reading so many holiday posts and home tours. Where's mine? Well this year we are doing things a bit different. We waited until last night 2 weeks before Christmas to put the tree and decorations up.

Why? We decided to truly experience the advent season, the preparation for Jesus birthday. We started some new family traditions. Last night we had a blast putting up the tree, jamming to music, and making Christmas cookies.


If I don't get back to my blog until after Christmas.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!

Princess Love

A few weeks ago Madeline went to a friends birthday party.

I've got to tell you the biggest hit.... Tinkerbell.

This little tea shop had a teenager dress up like Tinkerbell. The girls went wild! My Madeline couldn't stop talking about meeting Tinkerbell. It was the best thing ever for her. Look at her little face she was in princess heaven!

I can't wait until we head to Disney World this summer.

Brings me to my point....

Have a friend or teenager you know come to your little princesses party dressed up.

Halloween costumes or even old prom dressed make an instant princess.

Take photos of each girl and the princess and viola, party favors.

Thanks Jenny for a great party!

What Time Is Your Thanksgiving Meal?

Thanksgiving is less than week away! Yippee!

I love, love, love to eat all the yummy comfort foods.
I need your input. We've had much debate around our home about what time the Thanksgiving meal should occur.



Growing up we had it mid-afternoon around 3ish. We pig out. The men would then watch the Dallas Cowboys game then hit some leftovers for later. Us women would head to Garden Ridge for their big 72 sale (back in the 90's).



So tell me what is your family tradition for the Thanksgiving meal. What time do you eat?

Kids Art Wall

When I visit garage sales I always pick up chunky frames. I've had these frames in my closet for umm..... 8 months. Just waiting for a project.

Finally got inspired to get outside and spray paint.

I painted them all ORB (oil rubbed bronze)

Then I hung them up along the stairs to display the kids art work. I'm still looking for a few more chunky empty frames to fill in the gaps.


Madeline and Will just love to check out their art work. This is a great way rotate all those wonderful art projects the kids do at school.

As you can see when I took the photo we were still missing a few pieces of art work.

I'm going to get out some of my glazes I think it looks to black.

Built-In Update:
We've hired Cheap Thrills Decor to do the job. We should be on the schedule in about 3 weeks! Just in time for Christmas!!! So glad were finally moving forward.

Christmas Card Time

Can you believe it's that time of year? I like to get my Christmas cards mailed by the 1st week in December. That means I've got to order the cards... this week!

My favorite place to order cards for any occasion is Shutterfly.

I've picked my 3 favorite cards from their site. They have over 600 designs to choose from. Everyone can find something they like. Check out the cards

We had our family pictures taken today. I can't wait to see them. I'll be writing about those this week.

Option #1 I love the monogram and a spot for a family photo plus an individual shot of the kids.

Option #2 I just love the saying and the black and white photo.
Option #3 It's just beautiful I think it's my favorite!


Which one do you like best? Check them out they are offering 20% off cards right now.



Personalized Gift Tags
Something else I found on the shutterfly site was Christmas gift tags. Who knew you could personalize them.

I'm going to order a set. I'm thinking this will cut down time and really make a cute accessory on the homemade gift we make for family.



Photo Calendars
A very personal and frugal gift, and always a hit with grandparents..... Photo Calendars! We give one every year to our parents. It's affordable and grandparents love it. I like that you can pick out special photos for each month and make each one different. Right now they are offering buy one calender get one 50% off.



If your planning to order photo Christmas cards hurry on over, Shutterfly has my vote for the best Christmas cards! We've ordered them for the last couple years for Christmas cards and birth announcements. Love them!

So help me out which card do you like best?