Friday, March 19, 2010

Elephant Experiment







For my Friday Finish, Here is an elephant I did for a challenge on redbubble.com. I didn't actually get to enter it into the challenge because they said it didn't meet the requirements. The group that issued the challenge is for Illustrators and they said this isn't an illustration, it's a collage. I know, however, that an illustration can be made in many ways. I usually use digital means along with sketches to make illustrations, this is hardly any different. Anyway, I love it and you can buy it as a postcard here-


I am also working on a children's book for my kids. I was going to use my usual drawing style for it, but now I am considering using this torn paper/mixed media look instead. Maybe with less muddy colors to make it more child friendly.


I also did this owl today...


I think he is cute. You can get a postcard of him too if you like... Here
Have a great weekend!
Misty


Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Star Chart


Well, we have finally begun with some organization in this house. Along with a more organized bedtime schedule (which is still in an experimental phase) we have instituted what I like to call "The Star Chart" My four year old absolutely LOVES it and it is working wonders with him every day. (He was definitely getting out of control.. or should I say in control- of everything as in 'had Mama wrapped around his little finger')



The basics of the star chart is this- I decided on about 7 things each day that he can earn a star for. At night after our bath, we put a chair in front of the poster in the hall and he climbs up. I have a book of stickers that he gets to choose from to go with each star. He enjoys this, and I draw a star next to the sticker. (originally the stickers were supposed to be stars, but we didn't find any)

The last square is for extra stars earned for spontaneous things that day. (the only thing we have given that for is for him to take his medicine without fighting it and it helped alot!) We also put an extra star here (a really big one) if he gets all of the other stars for that day.


And here is the key for him- for every 20 stars he gets one dollar! We make a big deal of getting a dollar bill (so far we have lucked out finding one in the house each time lol) and we put it in the envelope we have tacked over the poster which says 'Micah's star money'. He usually uses it on a hot wheel, which is like gold for him. We are wondering if he will ever have the will power to wait and save up a few and get a bigger toy. I don't really push it though, after all, he is only 4!

Here is a photo of the chart. We just draw it on the poster and don't worry about perfection (obviously! lol)




Right now he gets stars for: Eating breakfast and or lunch/Being nice to Allie all day/ Being polite to Mommy and Daddy all day/ Helping with cleanup/ Brushing his Teeth/ Taking his nap with no fuss/ Eating all his Supper/ and Other.



He has improved a million times in several areas... he tries to clean his plate at meals now (unheard of before)... he is always nice to his sister (if he isn't, he starts apologizing right away!) ... it took several days before he stopped talking back to us, but he is trying to control himself now. We are seeing much less attitude than we were... thank goodness!!!... Also, naptime is now not a fight for me and him and I look forward to it soooo much more! YAY!



There is soon to be a second chart for me and his daddy too.. I am putting on mine- Didn't lose my patience all day with the kids/ Had prayer time/ Read the Bible/ excercised/ Cleaned kitchen (my most hated chore) and a few other things... For fun, I thought we would give ourselves a song on itunes as a little treat for so many stars. It isn't so much as a motivational tool for us, but a way to see if we are being consistant and to keep each other accountable.

Oh, and we are about to start awarding Micah a dollar for each memory verse he learns.

We have incorporated the 'Star Chart Ceremony' as I call it, into our new nightly bedtime routine. Like I said.. it has done wonders!!! I am so happy with it. Hubby really likes it too. I can't wait until Allie is old enough to participate also. I think they will probably get competitive with it.



As Micah grows we will change the goals he can get stars for. Soon there will be homeschool work and more household chores, as well as more behavioral goals.

I so hope he doesn't get bored with it!!! If you try it, definitely let me know!!!
Oh, here are some recent photos of our crew too....


Baby Noah... being petted by his loving big bro! (Noah is two months old today!)




My baby girl is getting big.. but not to big for the bouncy seat appearantly!




We built this city... (I like singing that when I think of this photo! lol)

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