Sweet Rewards

Today was reward day for all of our hard work on Wednesday. While I cleaned and organized our school supplies on Wednesday, I had the kids clean out from under their beds. When I finished my work, I helped the boys rearrange their rooms, which helped me to deep clean them. The boys helped me organize their stuff and pick up. I told them that if they worked in their rooms that day that we would go to our new Build A Bear that just opened in our mall. The entire time I was helping the boys in their rooms, Madison kept me out of hers. She told me that she was rearranging and cleaning it herself. After Jeff got home, she took us both into her room to show us what she had done. We were shocked! Somehow, she had managed to rearrange her room on her own and deep clean it as well as, or better, than I would have done myself. I was so happy and proud of her...I rewarded her well today!
The kids and I met my mother-in-law and youngest niece at the mall this morning. First we went to Build-A-Bear, as I promised. We took the Build-A-Bear animals that the kids made on our vacation in Dallas, Texas last year.

They found out that it's as much fun taking the ones that they already have as it is making new ones. They were given little bracelets to put on their stuffed animals when we got there. They were able to try the new clothes on them as well as take them through the grooming station and everything...just like the new ones. When we checked out, Madison was even given the free bows to match the outfit that she bought for her bear. It was so much fun! The kids said that they never want to build new ones again..they just want to keep buying for the ones that they have.

Next, we ate lunch in the food court, then let the kids all ride the mall's new giant carousal. My kids have been on it a few times, but never get tired of it. This was their cousin, Anna Beth's, first time to ride it. Of course, the Build A Bear animals were along for the ride too :)!

It makes me happy that we can spend a day having fun and doing new things right here in our own town. I love rewarding my kids for their hard work, but mostly, I just love watching them play. They are in no hurry to grow up...just as I wasn't at their age! I don't know what I'll do when they think they are too old to play...It's what I love the most about having children!! Thank you Mimi for bringing Anna Beth to join the fun. We had a great time!