Psycho's Unite!

A few weeks ago, we had a Kung Pow night with our friend.  B and I used to watch "Kung Pow" every Saturday while eating Chinese food, when we lived in S. Korea.  For our theme night, we watched the movie and ate Kung Pow chicken.  We all had so much fun, that we decided to have another theme night focusing on one of our favorite shows, "Psych".

So, three friends joined us and we all picked our favorite episode to watch.  I tried to make food from each episode.

We had cinnamon pie (in reference to the "Duel Spires" episode), Klondike bars (in reference to the "Dead Bear Walking" episode), and Grapples (in reference to the "Viagra Falls" episode).

  Fries Quatro Queso Dos Fritos

 Monkey Bread, a pineapple, Snyder's of Hanover

 It was hard to think of a main dish since most of the food they eat on the show is snack food.  We decided to go with Hawaiin pizza.  Pineapple for the show, canadian bacon for B's episode choice, "Extradition II..."

 Canadian beer, for B's episode choice

 Everyone took home a white bear soap party favor in reference to the hippie in "Dead Bear Walking" who makes people smell like "plums and sunshine".

Isaiah made this awesome Psych trivia game for the rest of us (two couples) to play.  We got points for each correct points and five points for finding the pineapple in the episode we were watching.  The winners won season six, compliments of Isaiah.  The other couple won by finding the last pineapple, but they didn't want the season because they aren't as into the show as we are, so they gave it to us!

 Everyone wore a name tag with the Gus nickname from their favorite episode.

It was a fun night and I'm looking forward to the next theme night!

Chore Chart...Again

I am continually searching for and trying new chore chart systems to find one that works well for the kids and I.

The last chore chart, here, was nice and probably would have worked, except that the two little ones kept moving the magnets.  It was impossible to keep track of what was done and what was left to do.  So, back to Pinterest I went.

I gathered ideas from a few different sites and came up with this.  I used a manila folder for the main body of the chart.  Magnetic tape holds the individual chore doors closed.  The chore pictures have velcro on the back, so I can change them out if I need to.  The inside of the doors have dry erase stickers on them so that I can write out the chore.  I also used a dry erase sticker to write the day of the week at the top.  For each chore, they earn a ticket (worth 10 cents-I know that doesn't sound like much, but it adds up at the end of the week).  I put the tickets in their "money earned" pocket and then pay up at the end of the week when they add up all their tickets.  So far, paying at the end of the week rather than at the end of each day is much better for me.  I don't forget, like I did when I was paying at the end of each day.  The middle pocket holds extra chores that they are not doing that day.  If they complete all their daily chores, they get to check off a circle.  When all the circles are checked, they will get a prize (like frozen yogurt or a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's - if they say it's okay, of course).  Finally, each day they have the opportunity to earn "Super Bee".  I stuck him on with velcro as well.  If they are well behaved, follow directions, not whining, nice to their siblings, etc., they can redeem "Super Bee" the following day for 30 minutes of an activity they don't always get to do.  For example, F loves video games.  So, now, he has to have a "Super Bee" in order to play and he only gets to play for 30 minutes.  Cb's likes to ride her bike out front and play board games with me.  So, if she picks one of those, I will stand out front so she can ride her bike or take a break and play a board game with her.  So far, I'm really liking this new system.  I hope it lasts awhile.  I put the charts up high enough so that the two little ones can't mess with them.

Here are the sites where I got my inspiration and some of the printables that I used.

Moving On

The end of the year wrapped up a couple of weeks ago and Cb's and F both had milestones.

First, at Cb's school, one student from every grade received a "S.O.A.R." award, but I forgot what each letter stood for.  Anyway, Cb's was the kindergartner who received it!  I was so proud!  It was a strange feeling because it's the first academic recognition she's been awarded.  I can't describe it, but if that's how I felt about a kindergarten award, I am going to be a mess as she gets older and achieves more.

Second, F graduated preschool!  He is excited to be in Cb's school and class next year.  I'm looking forward to teaching them both, as well.

Finally, here are some pictures from our first zoo trip of the summer.

It was a bit hot, so we cooled off by dumping water on our heads.