Kids – Page 13 – Life is a Journey

A trip to the beach

Posted on October 5, 2010 by Libby Withnall

Finally today we had warmth and sunshine. So we promptly headed to the beach – the dog beach so we could take the pups.

The dogs had lots of fun chasing balls, and other dogs. Rosie managed to take on a pit-bull and survive (just).

We love it here because we always have the place to ourselves, with the occasional dog being walked. The steel works are right behind but you wouldn’t know it when facing the ocean.

There was plenty of digging – both the kids and Rosie (Bailey just tries to catch the sand being thrown up)

Rosie is obsessed with reflections given from my watch.

Bailey was most appreciative when Christy spread out her towel…. he didn’t waste any time making himself comfortable.

Christy’s room remodel

Posted on October 2, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

We spent part of Friday re-arranging Christy’s bedroom (at her request) and tiding (at my request). We got it finished this morning and we’re very happy with the result.

Before…

After….

Before…

After…..

After…the chest of drawers at the end of her bed is full of lego.

The ticket system

Posted on October 1, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

After mentioning the ticket system yesterday I realized I’d never actually mentioned it on the blog before. I’m sure I borrowed the idea from somewhere else but I’m not sure where now.

Basically we have a bucket with tickets – cut up cardstock the girls stamped with smiley faces. Christy is purple and Amy is blue.

Whenever they do something nice, say something nice, etc, they are given a ticket. It can be as simple as doing something without being asked or doing something for someone else. They can also earn tickets by doing physical games (like wii), reading, and extra jobs around the house.

The current job list is as follows :

One Ticket (daily jobs)

Sweep kitchen floor
Clean toilet (one toilet, one ticket)
Feed and water all animals (in morning)
Sweep outside front door
Sweep outside back door
Empty laundry basket (placing clothings in each bedroom)
Bring in clothes from clothes line/ fold & sort
Washing up any dishes in sink
Empty dishwasher
Water pot plants and veggie garden (when required)

Two Tickets (weekly jobs)

Clean out car of rubbish/things that don’t belong

Any Time (tickets based on time)
Ironing
Help prepare a meal or snack

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They can then use their tickets to earn extra screen time. During school holidays there is no screen time (TV, computers, etc) between 9am and 5pm – unless they have tickets. One ticket is equal to 10mins TV.

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The catch is that they lose tickets for bad behaviour, speaking back, not doing as they are asked, being mean to their sister, etc. Amy doesn’t lose many tickets but once Christy gets going she tends to lose quite a few in one go.

This system has definitely worked for my girls and I’m glad I found a way to limit screen time and encourage good behaviour at the same time.

School holidays so far….

Posted on September 30, 2010October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

First things first….the girls have actually been along rather well. Here is Amy showing Christy how to correctly water the garden. This is one of the jobs they can earn tickets for, which they can use to watch TV or use the computer.

We made our Halloween invitations.

Christy has been attending tennis camp the last few mornings. It’s the first time she’s done it and she’d really enjoyed it.

Amy and I had a day out to see the Scorcerer’s Appentice (which we both loved), have lunch and do some shopping. Christy had fun with Nan – swimming and playing schools.

And there have been plenty of girls over to play. Yesterday there were 5 as Amy’s best friend Sarah had slept over. They go out for walks, swim in the pool or spa and do plenty of playing on the computer.

Me… I’ve been doing my normal jobs, trying to tidy the scrapbook room (when it’s not been over-run with kids) and attending to the girls. Also got to catch up with Leanne yesterday when we took Sarah back home.