Like the Louisiana Purchase

(the kids admiring the money and trying to figure out why people put it into this temptingly clear box at the Alamo)


Our kids love money. Really love money! They love eating out and asking for all sorts of toys. They also are sometimes (not frequently, but appropriate for their age) ungrateful. We have heard the "My friends have such and such" and "You just don't want me to be happy" type phrases before. This combined with Fernando's and my desire to teach the importance of money as well as a clean house, brought us our newest parenting technique.

The kids have daily contributions as members of our family. They must make their own beds (even Talia) and get dressed before breakfast. They must fold their own clothes (even Talia) and put them away. They must set/clean up the table settings for each meal and also complete a few rotating responsibilities. The two oldest switch daily between cleaning the upstairs minus my room but including their bathroom and the downstairs minus the office but including the bathroom. Note that words such as contributions (thanks Mama Clara for that idea) and responsibilities are used instead of Chores. If they complete all they are responsible for the week, they get $5. Well sort of. . .they see 10% of those earnings. $4 goes into bank accounts for the children to be used for college. The other 10% goes for Tithing. So, 50 cents is theirs, but it is all theirs. They are free to buy anything* they want. Fernando and I only supply helpful suggestions and then the choice is theirs. Tiago has discovered that somethings are expensive for what they offer. Somehow, two weeks of work isn't worth the 10-15 m&m's that come in a package especially when his parents have such treats for free at home.

Fast forward--one day I over heard a conversation between the two oldest that made me feel the need to intercede. Mia wanted to pay Tiago $1 to clean the upstairs for her and she would clean the downstairs for him. Talk about the deal of a lifetime. Tiago got to clean about the same amount of junk for two weeks worth of pay. Tiago, at one point in the negotiations suggested that he could switch her for free, but Mia insisted. I tried to convince Mia what a bad deal it was. She was adamant and quite livid that I was suggesting that she wasn't aware of the pro's and con's of such a choice. Mia cheerfully cleaned the downstairs and Tiago cleaned the upstairs and made bank. May be Mia is a little French.

Just a Little Silliness

Here is a mini documentation of the adventures and silliness had by all during the first few days my parents came to town. Whether it be lemon sucking contests at delicious restaurants



splashing filthy River Walk water on each other


or reenacting the Alamo Dioramas, it was a riot.
I think my favorite event of that first weekend was the jousting competition my parents competed in via the Wii Resort Sports. (must have game I might add) For those of you who haven't played it, you are missing out. We made Wii characters to look like each person which was funny enough to begin with. Then in the particular game, the goal is to slice in the given direction indicated on the object as many times correctly in order to win. When my mom won, she decided to relish in her victory with her very own victory dance. (as seen below)


I don't blame her. We bowled Wii style just before we trying jousting and my dad only got one spare and the rest were all strikes. Pretty humiliating to be whooped up on by someone who doesn't even like gaming systems.

Here is Talia "helping" at the Alamo with the drink and food backpack. The think weighed almost as much as she did. It was hilarious watching her adore wearing the backpack and then resent it.

Little Princess

Thanks to a friend's insider information, we have been enjoying almost two years of free membership to our nearby YMCA. Many are grimacing at the thought of the YMCA. I am sure that they have conjured up images that might make people wonder why they aren't paying people to work out there. Luckily, our YMCA is amazing plus I have access to Zumba, Body Pump, Body Flow (newest find), Tai Chi (more on that later) and a splash park with a pool and slides. More importantly, the extensive child watch area lacks a television and is divided by age groups. There is a room for kids under 1, an area for kids 1-3, an area for kids 4-6, and then a kids club area for 7 and up. Each room is packed with age appropriate toys and activities. My favorite so far has been this



Who knew you could fashion a dress completely out of plastic table covering material so all the little girls can become the princess of their dreams?

Mao's Last Dancer

Before I delve into the recounting of Grandparents visiting, I thought I would quickly recommend a book. I should say that I haven't finished it yet and one too many times a book has been marvelous up until a certain point so consider yourself disclaimed. Also, we are listening to the book which is often more enjoyable depending on which voice actor they chose to read.

It is a true story of Li Cunxin and his life from poverty in Mainland China under Mao's reign (which is where we are still at in the book) I say we, because my kids are enjoying the read right along with me. They have also made a movie, but I doubt it could be as good as listening to this little boy tell of the happiness he had with little else than dried yams to eat if anything else at all.

I think above all, it helps me realize that this life really is meant to be joyful even when it seems impossible to be described as such. I think it reminds me how delicious choice can be and drinking cold water from my faucet. . . Scratch that, filtered water from my fridge.