Caught Being Good

Caught Being GOOD!

So when I worked for a daycare (SUNSHINE, specifically), we had this creative way to get the kiddos (I worked with kindergarten age kids) to make good choices. What parent doesn't want their child making good choices right? We had a "Caught Being Good Box." It was like a treasure chest and all full of fun handouts for the kids. I decided to try it with my kids since they are getting close to that age and one quick afternoon I came up with this...

I just took an empty box I had hanging out in the garage. Covered it with scrapbook paper and printed out a cute little label which I decorated with some ribbon (of course!)

You can print out my label HERE

I filled it with things I found at the dollar store and of course candy. You can't see all the items, some of the bigger things I took out for a better picture. But I found some small books (my daughters FAVORITE thing in the world), some hot wheels cars (boys' favorite), bubbles, sticker packs, candy, you get the idea.

The key is that you tell them you are going to be an extra careful watcher. And when you see a behavior you want them to repeat, you announce (I make a trumpet sound first) that you found _____ caught being good. You tell all the kids, what they did to get caught being good and then you let them pick their prize out of the box.

I keep ours on top of the bookshelf (so they can't reach it) in the living room, so they see it often and are always reminded. Some days during circle time or throughout the day I remind my kids of the kinds of things you can get caught being good for...

♥ first time listening

♥ sharing

♥ playing quietly together

♥ being quiet during quiet time

♥ etc.

At the beginning you give out a lot of prizes, so they get the idea of how to earn them. And then you wean off a little. They shouldn't get a prize every single time, or its more like bribing. You gotta do it sporadically (CLUELESS word of the day anyone?) and of your (the parents) choosing. Never when they ask. This way they never know when it's coming. It's been harder for my 2 year old to grasp that he doesn't get it every time. But the tantrums for not getting one every time he sits and reads quietly during quiet time are getting fewer and farther between. The best thing is though, that he is doing it much more often because he never knows when I'll pull out that box.

If you have a child you really struggle with, make sure you keep your eyes open for all the GOOD things they do. You don't want to favor one child over the other. EVERY child has good qualities, sometimes we just have to look a little harder. My oldest is SUPER easy to find things I love because she is almost ALWAYS reading quietly. My boys, not so much. BUT Luke sure knows how to share toys and make sure everyone is included in games and Hunter is a great helper always trying to chip in whenever he can. So look for those things individually to each kiddo and everyone will enjoy it! ♥

Guardian Angel Bags

Guardian Angel Bags

So this year, for our first FHE we came up with resolutions as a family that we could accomplish this year to bring us closer to Christ. We made a list of 12 things we could do as a family. On that list Luke (4yo) had added he wanted to do something special for our soldiers overseas. (He sure loves our soldiers!)

So upon searching online I found Operation Angel.

A military wife and mom of 2 started taking her daughters to visit the wounded soldiers in a Germany hospital. Operation Angel was born.

She designed these fun little bags that I knew were perfect for my kiddos to be able to help me with. They don't require too much thinking, or prep work, just email her and she provides the templates for the bags.

The kids had a blast making them.

Such a great idea!

A word to the wise... when sending to an APO, I suggest getting a large priority mail flat rate box and stuffing it as full as humanly possible. Sending 10 bags from Utah was $10 in an envelope. The large 70lb allowable flat rate box is only $12.

They are always looking for donations and help with the bags.

"All give some. Some give all."

During the holidays, they also have organized Project Rudolph which brings Christmas Cheer to our servicemen and servicewomen.

"I am only One, but I am One.

I cannot do everything,

but I can do something.

And I will not allow what I cannot do

to interfere with what I can do."

- Edward Everett Hale

Races for 2011

♥ 2011 Races ♥

This year will be my first race year. I have been pretty busy having babies the last five years, and now since I'm not pregnant, or nursing, or even any kids in diapers, I have no excuse.

I've always loved to run. I've done a few 5k's for charities. But I never really thought about racing until

we went to the St George Marathon in Utah and watched my brother race. I gotta admit, I don't think I could ever do the 26.2 miles and after seeing all the people who could barely walk I don't think I want to. BUT a half marathon, now that's something I can do!

I run an average of 5-6 miles each time I go running, which is usually 3 times a week. So 13.1 miles is do-able!

Then came the decision of which race to run.

There are so many to choose from, and they cost money so I can't just sign up for everything. But I decided, being my first race year, I am going to be doing the following:

This will be my longest race, my only half marathon:

Utah Valley Half Marathon

All the proceeds from this race go to two charities:

Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation and Deseret International.

I have always found the charity runs so much fun so I found 2 10k's:

The 10k Memorial is on Memorial Day (Imagine that) at Orem City Center Park and benefits

Utah Law Enforcement Memorial.

Dear to my heart because of cop hubby.

The 10k Pioneer Classic is on July 23rd (Hubby's Bday - hope he doesn't mind ;) at

Timpview High School and benefits

Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

I found both these from run13.com

My last official race is

the Dirty Girl Run.

It's on July 2nd at Wheeler Farm in SLC and benefits

gynecological cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The reason I say "official" is because someone approached my about joining a team for the Arizona Ragnar. That might be happening as well, we will see!

So until then, I will be training and hopefully getting ready to RACE!