New Program...Better Behavior?

So I have decided since it is Monday and I am feeling a little wacky, the kids and I are going to start a new program today...it is a program that I learned about from my fabulous friend in Indianapolis, Kiera Dubach. She explained it to me when I was out there in September and I have been meaning to implement it since then, but just have not had a chance. 

So here is how it works:

• Each kiddo starts out the day with a set amount of "coins."  The example that Kiera gave me was you give the child 4 quarters, but I think I am going to start out with $.50 and then gradually build as responsibilities build.
• Throughout the day, they can either keep all their coins or if they are being crazy(in a bad way), not listening, fighting with each other, or whatever they might be doing that I deem not good behavior, I can take away a coin or all the coins depending on what the instance is.  I also think as this evolves, if they decide to do something nice/outstanding, I can reward an "extra" coin.
• Whatever they are left with at the end of the day, they get to put into their piggy banks (or in Tommy's case, his football helmet bank).
• Then after a period of time (I think I am going to chose 2 weeks for the first little bit and then adjust to what works best), you have a counting party - we count up how much money is in the bank and then separate it into thirds...1) for saving, 2) for spending and 3) for charity of their choice.

Our first day...today!!

I am super excited about this because I think it will give me a parenting tool for better behavior/listening and it also teaches the kiddos about saving, spending and the importance of giving to charity. I think Morgan might be a little young for this program, but then at least she will be into it later - plus I think it would be hard to start it with Tommy and not with Morgan since she wants to do everything her brother does.

So let me know what you think...have you done anything like this?...has it worked?...I would love to hear your opinions.

Cheers to fun new programs that will be beneficial to both me and my kiddos!

It has been a while...

Okay so it has been a while...so much has happened since June:

• Tommy started kindergarten at our local public school (Charles F. Tigard Elementary - CFT for short)
• Tommy started playing soccer with Southside Soccer (3 x a week)
• Morgan started Pre-Ballet class
• We found bridesmaid (or matron in my case) dresses for my sister's wedding
• Morgan is almost potty-trained
• We have been traveling a ton...Seattle, Indiana, etc. (and that does not even include Mike's travel schedule)
• And the biggest news of all, I have almost made my weight loss goal of over 85 lbs and I have become a Health Coach with Take Shape for Life (the fabulous comprehensive program that has allowed me to lose all this weight and what I feel confident will help me keep the weight off for good!)

So let's take these one at a time...

Kindergarten
So far the year has been great!  Tommy really likes his teacher Mrs. Darby and seems to be making some good friends.  I was just able to volunteer in his classroom last week for the first time.  It was so much fun and I loved being around the kids.  I am volunteering in his class at least once a month and then I am also being the Art Literature (a volunteer parent program) teacher.

Was he excited or what?

Southside Soccer
This has been great!  Tommy is on a 6 person co-ed team called the "Purple Hornets" - there are three boys and three girls on the team.  We practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then our games are on Saturday.  Our last game is tomorrow.  We are working with Tommy on sportsmanship and not grabbing onto the other players during practice or games.

Pre-Ballet Class
Morgan started her first ballet class in September.  She loves it and constantly asks if it is ballet day.  She is taking it with her friend Hannah.

Bridesmaid Dress/Diana's Wedding
My sister Diana's wedding is in December and over the summer we found a bridesmaid dress...YAY!  So we are set to go there.  This fall has been busy with a shower and a weekend bachelorette party so the festivities are fully underway.  We are looking forward to her intimate wedding in Whistler in December.

Potty Training
Morgan is mostly potty trained, if mom stays on top of it...not necessarily if I do not remind her, but we are getting there.  I am looking forward to no more diapers in this house!

Travel
We had two weddings in Seattle in August, so that was really busy and then I went to Indiana to surprise some of my best friends from college in September.  It was such a fun weekend and they were so surprised! It was awesome.  I have to give a big shout out to their husbands who helped me pull off the surprise - so THANK YOU Nathan and Josh!  You guys rock!

Me, Krisha and Kiera...LOVE these ladies!

Mike and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary in Seattle because Mike had a Microsoft conference that he was attending and it gave me a reason to spend three days in Seattle.  SO much fun!

Steph and Mike on our anniversary night after dinner at RN74 in Seattle

Health Coaching
Since February I have lost over 85 pounds.  Most of you who know me know I have been exercising my little heart out for the past 5 years; however, the weight that I wanted to lose was not coming off my body.  My friend, health coach and now business mentor, Susan, had done Take Shape for Life and become a coach about 2 1/2 years ago.  I was very interested in doing the program, but it just never seemed to be the right time.  Finally in January of 2012, I pulled the trigger.  It was time to get this weight off!  So I began the program in February and was very committed to it. Because this program has been so successful for me, I decided I wanted to pay this healthy journey forward so I decided to become a Health Coach with Take Shape for Life.  I am having a great time helping people and really look forward to chatting with anyone about what I have done/am currently doing!

I do not have a current before and after photo, but it will be coming soon...stay tuned!

So there is the update on the Leeper family...things are busy and it seems like it is not going to slow down until the New Year.

Drop me a note and let me know what you have been up to!

Cheers to so much happening that I have not had a moment to blog :)