Recent Projects

Project #1: Revamping the Job Jars

I decided that this summer was a good time to change up the job jars. This is how we're doing things now-

Each kid has their own jar and their own color of bead/marble/whatever you want.

We have a list of jobs posted. No one is assigned a specific job. Instead, they can look at the job list and decide what they want to do. They can also earn beads for jobs that I think of that are not on the list. For each job they do, they get to put a bead {or beads} into their jar {after I've approved their work, of course}. I cannot believe how well this is working!

As soon as they fill up their jar they earn a reward {going out to lunch at their favorite restaurant, a new toy, etc.}. The kids love putting the beads in their jar, and their competitive natures are working to my advantage. If one sees that another has earned a bead they hurry off to look at the list to see what they can do- heaven forbid they have less beads than a sibling! The result is that some days my toilets get cleaned more than once {which can never be a bad thing, right?!}.



Project #2: The plethora of burritos

Many things inspired this project- Quick lunch ideas for Matt, my constantly ravenous boys, my desire to have a fast meal ready on days when we've been out and about and I haven't had time to make dinner....

Here's what I did:

1. Made a big ol' batch of burrito filling. I used dehydrated refried beans from the cannery {which are the best ever, by the way!}, black beans, and rice. You could also add meat or whatever else you like.

2. Got a metric ton of flour tortillas. Filled said tortillas with bean mixture, topped with cheese, rolled, and wrapped in plastic wrap.

3. Stored the mother load of burritos in the freezer. Now when Matt hasn't had time to make a lunch, or the kids are itching for something filling, or I'm not in the mood to cook, we can just pop a burrito in the microwave for a minute {unwrap first, then roll burrito in a paper towel}, top with salsa and sour cream and VOILA! Instant yum.

I can envision a day when my entire freezer is stocked with these beauties to meet the demand of teenage boys and their friends......