Hard earned!

Early this year we noticed that Claire's bike was getting too small for her. Missing the window to give her a new bike as a Christmas present (and her birthday was too far out) we decided that she needed to earn it. Dave and I came up with few additional chores for her to do, while Claire and I created the chore board. It wasn't pretty but we did it together and she loved it. Explaining to her that each time she finished a chore she could mark it off and when all the boxes were checked she could pick out a brand new bike. Anyone she wanted! It took about 6 weeks and we spent that time looking online and in stores at her options to keep her motivation up. 

Claire's with her finished chore board!

Daddy and his helper

Goofing around while Daddy puts the bike together

The annoyed look I get when I ask him to stop and look up for me :)

TADA!!

She picked one with a seat for her babies to ride. First one to ride... giraffe of course

We are open to suggestions and more ideas to help teach the girls the importance of hard work, earning and saving money. Right now they both have chores, but no allowance, the chores are part of being a member of the Hicks family. Everyone has a part and things to do. If Claire wants to earn money or a toy she can do extra chores. We are teaching them tithe first, save second and spend last. Raising kiddos in an instant gratification, materialist world is challenging, but we are hoping we are on the right track.

Oreos and Milk

We hardly ever have Oreo cookies in the house (mainly because I have zero will power) but on a rare occasion (I gave in to temptation at the store) we do. On this day we sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine with milk's favorite cookie. 

Claire and I had to show Laureli how to "dunk", she was a little unsure but quickly got the hang of it.

Florida Part 5

Beach day!

We drove a few hours to this lovely beach on the gulf side near Treasure Island. The older kiddos had a great time playing in the water and sand. You could walk out really far as it wasn't very deep. It was amazing to be reminded how calm the waves are and how the water is so warm. Definitely not the Pacific. Dave did some snorkeling, although he said there wasn't much to see. I hung out under in more normal spot, under the umbrella. Laureli did not enjoy the sand and refused to touch it. Dawn happily obliged by trading off with me and carrying her around. We enjoyed pina coladas from the local restaurant. Virgin ones for the kiddos. Claire thought we said "smushies", combing smoothy and slushy. We called them that the rest of the week. Love that kid, she cracks me up!

Florida Part 4

Next up Animal Kingdom. As the week went on I took less and less photos. I only have a few from our ride through the "African savanna". It was neat to see the animals so close. Our tour guide drove through the park, stopping briefly to describe the animals or point out where they were. It was also neat to hear what Disney has done both in the park and in Africa to help sustain the wildlife area for these animals. 

sleeping rhino

my zoo :)

wading hippo

I really like this old tree!

baby giraffe

giraffe way up close

our tour guide

elephants!

white flamingos

gazelles

Here we also enjoyed several rides. Claire had a good time on Kali River Rapids (I would say it was her favorite of the week!), but was less impressed with Dinosaur as it was a bit scary for her. Expedition Everest had my stomach a little queasy and that was even after I closed my eyes half way through. I'm just not made for roller coasters. A walking tour through "Asia" where we saw tigers, gibbons, bats and a ton of birds, although no pictures to share. :( A train ride to rest our sore feet and to get out of the heat for a little while, a petting zoo for the older kiddos and a few more shows rounded out our fun day. 

Florida Part 3

Not too many pictures from Universal Studios. Dawn and I had figured out the "Fast Pass" system and planned out the night before what attractions we would do. It worked really well and we were able to see and do lots of things. 

Dave and Laureli waiting in line for Toy Story while we signed up for the Jedi training (He had a lady take this for him. Its too bad its blurry, it looks like it would have been really cute).

Unfortunately the kiddos didn't get a chance to do the Jedi training as it was cancelled due to a thunderstorm. :(

Waiting in line

Face painting!

$35 and one rain storm later. All washed away

Waiting for the Beauty and the Beast Show

4 is the perfect age for Disney! 

All tuckered out

from another fun day!

Dawn and Laureli reading a book before bed