Hair Love

I love my new haircut.  I've had it for a bit now (maybe a month, ooh I am bad--more on that later*).  And I just love how versatile it is.

I can do a nice 1970's sweep.

Or I can do the fun up-do's

I can also after swimming (and washing it at the pool) throw some gel in it and have a fun summer do.  Plus I love what the Salt Water Spray does for it.  YUM!
So, there you have it.  I love what my hair is up to these days.  How about you?  How's your summer hair?

*Now, why I am bad: I traded a hair cut and color for a maxi dress.  And I haven't delivered my end of the bargain.  Next week, 2/3 of my kids are gone at camp and I am making that maxi dress.

7 Minute Mix Up (It's a Cleaning Game)

Do you struggle to get your kids to help with the chores?


I do. It seems like whatever solution I come up with, after a few months it fizzles and fades. And I find myself coming up with a new program, game, chart, etc.


So here is the newest one:

The Seven Minute Mix Up!

Basically, you put all the chores that need to be done on individual papers and put them in a bowl (mine being a mini baseball helmet that ice bream comes in). 

(Sorry this pic is flipped. I swear I rotated it when I saved it)

Start with a clutter buster (all the junk is taken to where it needs to be).  Then gather everyone around the bowl.

(Don't you love D's hair?)

Now for the fun (and it is fun and my kids love doing it):

Set your timer for 7 minutes.  Everyone starts. (One of the keys to this success is that I am a team with the littlest one, L)  When the times goes off, if that job isn't finished, leave it.  That job's paper goes back in the bowl.  If the job is finished leave it out. (Originally I said rip it up, but then you couldn't play again without a lot of work)

Keep playing till all the jobs are done.

Now, kids need rewards and incentives.  In my house we use a merit system, each merit worth ten cents.  For each job completed they get 5 merits.  If they finish on the first round, they get a bonus merit.  We've never had a job that hasn't been finished in the first round.  I go and inspect and they have the chance to fix it without penalty if they don't complain. :)  We're able to get the whole house clean in under an hour and the kids love it. 

To me, it is totally worth the money I pay them.  They clean and don't complain.  And we somehow have fun in the middle of it all.

I linked up here:

My House in 2001

Are you like me? Once you got a digital camera all your pics are now just that, digital?

I was going through old pics and found these goodies of our old house as decorated in 2001. So I thought it would be fun to share them with you. I miss my old house cause it had more fun features, but I don't miss the 970 square feet, the one bathroom, or the dirt road behind our house that we were told was a walking trail, but in reality, the adjacent sod farm used it all summer long. (I digress)

Here for your viewing pleasure, my old house:

My cute backyard. (The bench is driftwood)

Now that cute table has the leaf in it.

Sorry for the black and white.  That's how they were saved.  I didn't edit them at all.  Just threw them on here.

Now for one of our little family back then:

Enjoy and have a great 4th of July!