It's getting to the point where I can't remember what I've actually written about and what I've just thought about writing. If this is repeat info, just skip ahead!


We have a daily rewards system (based more on getting fun stuff at the end of the day and less on punishments...which don't seem to work that well for my kiddos). Each boy has a card on the fridge with 5 stars on it (attached with small pieces of velcro). If they do something against the house rules....which are also posted on the fridge, they lose a star. I have a little "star parking area" on the fridge too. You have to have 4 of 5 stars by the end of the day to get a reward. If you have 5, you get two rewards. Typical rewards are: a small piece of candy, color bath, 10 extra minutes of TV, pick a game that we play before bed etc. You can earn stars back by doing extra great things or by helping mommy above and beyond your daily chores. I try to call out really nice behavior by giving stars back at random times and I make sure to give them ample opportunities to earn enough stars for a reward.....until today.


Today was a learning experience and someone was forced to, not only lose most of his stars....for the 3rd day in a row, but was also SHOWN that his brother got rewards and he did not. My theory on this callous parental behavior? You don't know what you've got until it's gone. Aiden is hardly phased the past week when I threaten to take his stars away. He has also been on a renewed reign of terror due to some pretty bad napping last week (see post on how he escaped from his crib....which incidentally, has a new tent on it as of last Wednesday!)


So what was the bad thing he did today? He broke the downstairs potty. He had just peed in it (yeah Aiden...starting the potty training....sort of) when he decided to flush it and then play with the lid. Brian had wandered out after helping him finish up when he turned around and all I heard was "Aiden...NO!!!" Aiden was sliding the lid off of the top. Brian didn't make it back into the bathroom in time and the lid crashed to the ground. Somehow the wood floor, Aiden and the lid were fine....but it must have hit the tank because it started leaking and dripping immediately and had a big 'ol crack in it. The whole thing had to be replaced. Emergency run to Home Depot, a call to his dad and 4 hours later, we had a new potty. Oh Aiden.......

Daddy taking out the old potty


There it is in the mud room waiting to be hauled out to the curb.

The shiny new model. It's actually quite nice...for a toilet...I like the fancier square back on it.

Here are the star "holders". I used my cricut to cut out the shapes and the stars. Logan chose a "car" (it's a bus....the closest thing I had) and Aiden chose an ice cream cone. There really should be zero stars on Aiden's, but I gave up near the end of the day and didn't make a production of removing them...since he didn't care. He sure got upset when Logan had a little pack of gummy life savers after dinner. Message received?? Maybe....hopefully! :) Notice that there is a flower with little hearts on it. That's my daily "chart". I figure fair is fair! Sometimes mommies yell when they should be calm!

Couple more things just for you Nana (and Papa!)
The boys opened their Valentine's Day package from Nana and Papa early. Nana said it was OK and I really needed a distraction for them Saturday morning! Brady's present is on the way, but he had fun helping. I took a few videos because they were SO excited. First: some pictures

Look at these angels! They were running around like KA-RAZY when I said I would let them open their Valentine's box (which they begged and begged to open the previous day when it arrived). I said "go sit in the middle of the living room and fold your hands in your lap". If only I had a magic box EVERY day!! :)

Brady chews on Logan's leapster while his brothers wait patiently.
Aiden LOVED his card! It opened up like a shadow box and had these little punch-out fish that you could slip in and create an aquarium.
Logan took my camera and snapped a couple pictures of his gift - a "real" buzz light year. He was SOOOOOO excited when he first saw it.
I wish this one were in focus....I love his pictures!!!


Videos Nana!! Just for you!!! And...I'm going to add a super-fancy blue boarder this time. Oh technology is so much fun. ;)