More pictures of Alayna's Run

If you want to see more pictures of Alayna's run, click here.

Good evening, all.  Just had some pics and clips from the camera that have been screaming at me to be uploaded and put on the blog!

We've been doing a summer chore routine for the kids so they don't become couch potatoes all summer.  I think it's working out pretty well!  One of their rewards for getting two full weeks done was picking where we go to dinner one evening.  In typical Beck fashion, they chose Chuck-a-rama.  My three little knuckleheads were enjoying their dessert and they were being so cute and I randomly had the camera with me, so I took a few shots.  This one had the best lighting, and the best story.  Notice how Isaac has no dish of ice cream in front of him?  That's because just before I shot the picture his dish fell onto his lap then onto the floor.  There was a bit of crying...thank goodness it's buffet and you're at your leisure to get more dishes of ice cream!

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Ahhh, the story of my life.  Maren's Messes.  This morning I had to be in Boise at 10 a.m. for an appointment.  The morning was going really well.  The kids were eating breakfast and I ran upstairs to finish getting dressed.  Um, did I mention breakfast today was oatmeal?  What was I thinking, leaving my 2-year-old under the mere supervision of her older siblings with oatmeal???  Soon Isaac ran upstairs and said, "Mom!  Maren's getting the oatmeal everywhere!"  I told him to just wipe her up and whatever mess she made with it.  "No, Mom.  It's everywhere!"  I came downstairs and I wish I had the presence of mind the whip out the camera to document the moment to show her evidence of the crime at a later date, but suddenly I had a kitchen and toddler to clean up (have you ever tried to clean up dried oatmeal?  it's cement) and not be late for my appointment.  It was just a bit stressful.

We usually only have one event like that per day.  As soon as I got home from the appointment, Little Miss Mae needed a diaper change.  Promptly after the change she disappeared.  I noticed she was being quiet (too quiet) but I had just gotten home and needed a rest.  When she came downstairs, this was her big reveal:

Ooooooooh, that sly little devil.  Tomorrow's to-do list is to confiscate all her little chairs she pushes around the house to gain access to forbidden things.  Also, after my next shopping trip we'll put an obnoxious little child-proofing safety knob on each and every door in this house!  Not only had she gotten into my mascara and make-up but she also found Derek's Mach 3 Turbo razor.  Fortunately, she hasn't witnessed Daddy shaving often enough to connect that the blades are supposed to connect with the face. 

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Last but not least, a few weeks ago Alayna participated in a children's 1 mile walk/run race in Boise.  I was lucky to get a video of her crossing the finish line.  It was a neat experience for her and I'm glad she got the opportunity to participate in it.

Alayna - Finish Line from Amy Beck on Vimeo.

Baby Names...again...

I know many of you are probably really tired of hearing me whine about names.  I had finally decided we'd take a list to the hospital and sort it out after Baby Girl arrived.  Derek was game with that, so we made a new list--some old, some new.  It ended up have twelve names on it (yikes).  Derek thought we should put up a poll and ask friends to pick their first and second favorite names.  I thought, "Twelve names?  Our friends will never speak to us again!"  But he thinks you're more than up for the challenge.  So, have at it! 

The Sticky Summer -or- Pick-up-Stix

This week I started a new summer chore regimen with Alayna and Isaac.  I decided to write jobs the kids can do on popsicle sticks and they're divided and color-coded by areas of the house.  They have to do 5 sticks each day plus one specific task in their bedroom before they can play outside, watch TV, play computer, or see friends.  If they complete that for a week then they get a reward--this week they'll get to pick out where we go to dinner this weekend (bet you pretty much anything it'll be McD's).  They'll get to help pick a reward for the 2nd and 4th week.  Then we'll start it all over again, probably upping the daily chores a bit and spacing out rewards more.

What I love about this is it's finite--the kids pick the chores and they can chose what areas of the house to work in by the color on the sticks.  When they're done, they replace it upside-down so we don't repeat anything too often.  Seeing five jobs in front of them and counting them down makes them feel good about themselves and it's not overwhelming.  I even have 3 "Maren's Sticks" in the cup so she thinks she's participating.  It's also great because every day I think of a few more sticks I can add to the cup.  They're the little things that get neglected forever but I think about doing everytime I see it; like sanitizing lightswitches, doorknobs, telephones; wiping fingerprints off the dining chairs; wiping off the appliances in the kitchen.

We've only done it three days and I'm sure the thrill will wear off soon.  But it'll be their routine the entire summer, and hopefully in 5-ish weeks when Baby Girl comes it'll be so routine there won't be much resistance since they know what's expected of them.  And it'll make my life so much easier since I know many of the little things will be taken care of even if I'm nursing a baby 24/7. 

So, there you go.  I just felt like sharing my new project.  I also love it because it was really cheap to throw together...some popsicle sticks, Sharpies, a cup, and some spreadsheets to track progress.  What's not to love?

Introducing the Class of 2022

This morning was Alayna's kindergarten graduation.

"It's a Wonderful World!"

Kindy Grad 1 from Amy Beck on Vimeo.

Alayna and Tanner receiving their "diplomas."

Kindy Grad 2 from Amy Beck on Vimeo.

 I was a little disappointed they didn't do any kind of procession of the kids, but there could be worse things.

After all was said and done, there was ice cream served in the cafeteria.  Here is Alayna with her cousin Tanner, who was in her same class with Mrs. Patten.

One last picture of Alayna with Mrs. Patten.

It's so fun going through this for the first time with my oldest child.  She's sad that she won't get to see all her friends every day in class, but I'm hoping the summer's activities will soon distract her.  We're looking forward to 1st grade in August!

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On a completely unrelated note, Maren has gorgeous hair.  I can't ever imagine cutting it as long as these ringlets stay around.  So adorable.

Alayna had to get 2 more teeth pulled last week to make room for those adult teeth.  I think she looks like the epitome of a 6-year-old with a quirky grin like this.

Yesterday I was upstairs folding laundry and I came downs to take a walk with the kids before dinner.  I saw two emptry strawberry containers and I knew Maren was the culprit behind this evidence (the kitchen chair pushed up the counter was a tell-tale sign).  I was mortified...I thought she had EATEN 2 lbs of strawberries.  When I went closer to investigate I found this:

The two pounds of strawberries ended up in my crock pot, which I actually thought was hilarious.  So I took a picture.  It's so Maren--even though she's making my hair turn grayer on a daily basis, I know in the future I'll want to remember moments like this.