Photo Routine Chart

I have three kids.
So I need routine.
Without routine, I have three kids and a whole lot of chaos.
As a result I am a bit of a drill sargent in the morning.  And that isn't fun for anyone.  I found myself constantly reminding, over and over.  Frustrated.  Yelling.  Talking to walls, for what they heard from me. 

Alexis, having ASD, means she requires a lot of direction, reminding and assistance in completing tasks.  Directions must be simple, one thing at a time, broken down bit-by-bit.  Despite doing the same thing every day since the beginning of last year, she still required me to prompt her to go and get dressed, or brush teeth, or put on shoes.  So it was time for a routine board - as recommended by her psychologist.

I lived on Pinterest for a few days, mulling over what would be an affective system for Lexi and came across this awesome post: DIY Chore Chart (My Sisters Suitcase)

Lexi is a visual child, and so doing a photo chore chart, where she featured was going to work best.  I made one for Zavian also, where he features in his photos.  I thought this would be more fun for them, seeing pictures of themselves that they could really relate to, instead of just using random cartoon pics from the internet.  It also made it easier to include things like "Feed Saffron" using a picture of her, or for Zavian turning off his special star light.

I purchased a great magnetic board that had a little box at the bottom, that would become the 'finished' box.  These were on sale for $10 (from $20) each at Big W (Oh yeah, I totally went and bought 3...  A normal white board would work as well, which was my original plan.  I decided against gluing picture to magnets and found some magnetic paper from Officeworks for $23.80 (5 sheets).  I printed the pictures at home, using my very basic printer, using 2 sheets.  I took all of the photos on my phone and edited them to add the border and text using the "A Beautiful Mess" app.  I used that because I already had it on my phone.  Any app that adds font will work.  To make printing easier, I used the PDF layout that is in the link from above linked My Sisters Suitcase post.

I took photos of the things they kids do each morning as part of their routine.  Even
though they can't read, they can see very clearly what they need to do.

Magnetic photos are easy to remove for the kids.

The completed charts hang.  These are now hanging in our entry way.

Using a visual reminder is a good way for Lexi to understand what comes next.

The finished box allows them to keep track of what is left to complete.

Lexi enjoys removing the tasks she has completed.

Our reward system is simple - 1 gem for each finished morning routine.
A chosen amount of gems will equal a reward.

So far, with implementing the chart, mornings are a much quieter affair.  Less yelling, nagging and frustration from me.  The kids are finding it to be a bit of a game, especially to see who finishes first.  Lexi will follow the chart one task at a time in the order that they are on there.  Zavian puts more thought in to it and will do whatever is easiest to what he is doing.  Eg once he is dressed and his pjs are off, he puts them straight under his pillow and makes his bed, then will remove all 4 of those tasks.

The reward system at the moment is that they will receive a reward after 5 gems are earned.  These will be something basic, like an ice cream or a chocolate.  Nothing too big.  Once they are used to that, we will then move on to allowing them to cash in 5, or to save (for example) 15 to cash in for a bigger prize.  I purchased the gems from the garden section of our local cheapy shop, as well as the glass jars.  The jars are only little, and Lexi also uses one at school as a rewards system (she receives a "prize" for filling the jar).  

I strongly recommend every one puts something like this in place!  It is a godsend on a school morning!!  The next step is to implement our afternoon/evening routine in to the chart as well.  Whilst that is no where near as chaotic as our mornings, it would certainly have its place!

101 in 1001 - Take 2!

The new - 101 in 1001.

I completed only a percentage of my last one - I still need to work out WHAT percentage.  However I have transferred the incomplete items I still want to do and have started a new list!

This list will begin 15th July 2015 and end 11 April 2018.

And so we begin.

1. Donate blood/plasma/platelets (whichever they need at time) 20 times. (0/20)
2. Make annual family photobooks covering 2015, 2016, 2017 (0/3)
3. Create an alphabet book for Memphis
4. Make "1st Year" photobook for each child (0/3)
5. Create a Memory jar and write happy memories in it over the course of 1 year
6. Learn to crochet
7. Visit an Australian State or Territory I have never been to
8. Take a Mummy & Lexi only trip
9. Take a Mummy & Zavian only trip
10. Take a Mummy & Memphis only trip
11. Upcycle an item to use a photography prop
12. Create something from a pallet
13. Send 5 care packages (0/5)
14. Complete the 50mm in 50 Day Challenge (Photography)
15. Commit 10 Random Acts of Kindness
16. Buy a new camera lens
17. Update all of my blog with the completed tasks for the previous 101 in 1001 challenge
18. Complete my Diploma in Education Support
19. Enrol in University and start a degree
20. Photograph a birth
21. Self-love project - 100 images that I am in
22. Lose 2 dress sizes
23. Go on a camping trip with friends
24. Take an unplanned road trip
25. Complete an adult colouring in book
26. Go horse riding
27. Take Lexi to the ballet or theatre
28. Take Zavian to a footy game
29. (Experience for Memphis - TBD)
30. Turn the master bedroom balcony in to a usable space
31. Create routine/organisation boards
32. Learn sign language (auslan)
33. Fly a kite
34. Complete an #ikeahack or #kmarthack 
35. Do 1 art project a week for 3 months with the kids (0/12)
36. Play in the snow & build a snowman
37. Meet three online friends (0/3)
38. Get my manual car license
39. Do a first aid course
40. Have a makeover
41. Get my tattoo for the boys
42. Have a pamper day with a friend
43. Throw/host a baby shower for a friend
44. Get a new car
45. Buy a new pair of converse
46. Do something on Danni's bucket list
47. Make macarons
48. Have a girly weekend away
49. Take the kids to Dubbo Zoo
50. Go rock climbing
51. Skydive
52. Have a big 30th birthday
53. See three theatre productions (0/3)
54. Clean out my inbox
55. Roller Skate
56. Read 15 books (0/15)
57. Create a new workspace
58. Have one week off facebook
59. Watch 25 movies I have never seen (0/25)
60. Make a list of the top 5 people who have positively impacted me and write them a letter (0/5)
61. Make profiteroles
62. Play in the snow
63. Become debt free
64. Update my resume
65. Complete another 365 Day Photo Challenge
66. Complete a 1 year Project Life album
67. List 100 things that make me happy
68. Attend an art class
69. Do the ropes course at Mount Tamborine
70. Clean/organise my wardrobe
71. Learn to play a song on the piano
72. Watch a sunrise and sunset on the same day
73. Buy flowers for myself for no reason
74. Send flowers to a friend 
75. Grow a herb garden
76. Create a photo wall
77. Have a girls night out once a month for a year (0/12)
78. Stay up for a New Years countdown with friends
79. Go to Aqua Aerobics once a week for three months (0/12)
80. Organise my jewelry
81. 30 x 30 Challenge (30 mins of exercise for 30 days)
82. 10,000 steps a day for 30 days
83. Make someone a birthday cake
84. Send a stranger a card
85. Make a pie on Pi Day (March 14)
86. Build a sandcastle with the kids
87. Make bread from scratch
88. Tie-dye something!
89. Grow a sunflower
90. Leave a note in the letterbox of my two NZ homes with a memory of my time there (0/2)
91. Make a video of the kids that tracks them over 12 months
92. Take pictures in a photobooth
93. Do 3 "Day In The Life" Challenges (0/3)
94. Do the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind" survey
95. Visit a place that was used as a film set
96. Stop biting my nails
97. Make a fairy garden
98. Participate in a charity event
99. Leave 5 inspirational notes for someone to find (0/5)
100. Maintain a blog for the duration of this journey
101. Save $10 for every completed task

80. Do five random acts of kindness (The Second)

My day started off shit.  A jumble of routine-gone-wrong, children procrastinating and arguing and mucking around and doing anything other than what they were meant to be.  Poorly timed pooing from the baby (oh yeah... he sure knows how to pick his moments!)  No clean school hat.  Forgotten items of clothing.  Zavian taking off out the front door to the car with my phone and wallet but not telling me, cue me frantically looking.  The kids going to the car before I've said.  Skipping breakfast.  Running late.  YAY MORNINGS!

I was in a mood.  I was ready to call off my walk with Mandy and come home from school run and eat an entire block of chocolate.  Possibly two.

I decided to push through, simply because I wanted to put Zavian on his bike and make him ride well away from me instead of getting couped up in the house with him driving me crazy.  I won't lie.  Me and Zavian didn't really see eye-to-eye this morning!  It would be easier to see eye to eye with him if he didn't keep throwing himself on the floor every 5 minutes in a fit of rage or protest or defiance or just plain to get attention.  Oh I wish I was kidding.

I hate mornings like that.  I am thankful they are few and far apart.  Honestly our routine is usually pretty easy, pretty straight forward and we run on time.  Maybe I am a bit OTT about the way I run this rather tight ship of a morning, but honestly?  When you have an autistic child, a 4 year old boy with a stubborn streak, and a baby, as well as someone elses child here for the morning... you kind of need a routine!

Anyway.  I was grumpy.  I was teetering on the edge of having a meltdown of my own.  My solution was to eat.  Once Lexi and her friend were in class, me and the boys decided to zip to Coles prior to our walk with Mandy (I decided it was a better option than a sugar high).  I grabbed a water and a yoghurt and Zavian wanted a banana milk.  I decided to zip out to the cafe out front and grab a juice and piece of their absolutely bloody fabulous toasted banana bread... Yep.  Get in mah belleh.

I was still flustered and frustrated and hoping that the baby would not lose his shit in the time it took her to make my goodies.  He was in my lap.  Losing his shit could potentially result in loss of an eye sometimes.

Whilst waiting, an elderly gentleman struck up conversation with Zavian, who happily chatted to him.  He overheard me on the phone talking to Mandy who was getting her daughter sorted after discovering a flat bike tyre.  I must have repeated the words "flat tyre" as he asked me if I was ok and how was I going to deal with my tyre, did I need anything?  He was quite elderly and I think he had come on the bus from the retirement village, so I am not sure what he would have been able to do, but his kindness in asking was certainly lovely.  It was the first time all day someone thought about me and what I needed, despite it being entirely misguided and not my tyre!  I said it was fine and it was actually a friend and it was being sorted.  He was happy and told me it must be the day for mishap, he had forgotten his wallet!  Clearly a regular, they had started to make his breakfast before he paid.  He asked if I had a pen, and then he wrote an IOU on a napkin, with his signature, and gave it to the girls behind the counter.

I decided to make my day good at that point.
So I went up to the counter, gave Zavian some money to hand over and we paid for his breakfast and coffee.
I asked for his IOU note, and wrote You have recieved a random act of kindness.  Have a great day.  :)

The girls didn't speak much English, so I am not sure they really understood what was going on there.  But I asked one of them to wait until I was gone and take the napkin back to the man and tell him his breakfast was paid for.  She didn't quite wait, but I was off before he realised where I had gone.  I didn't want him to say or do anything.

And from then in, my day was good.  Do something positive, and you will feel positive.
These moments present themselves for a reason, I think.

I challenge everyone to commit a random act of kindness this week.

60. For one month get up early and go for a walk

Adjusted - regularly walk for a month

I decided to adjust this one.  Getting up early for one month and going for walk was never going to happen, but walking needed to happen.  Morning schedule here is just so crazy and getting a walk in before Ty goes to work means going in the dark, which isn't ideal around here.

For the last 2 months I have been regularly walking, either with just the boys, or with Mandy.  Zavian loves to ride his bike and we often walk around Tygum Lagoon with Memphis in his pram and Zavian on his bike.  He will happily ride his bike 3 times around the lagoon now (3.6km) which is great.  When I don't have him I tend to go around 5 times as Memmy often falls asleep.

It's working well for us - Zavian uses up his energy, Memphis gets to yell out to people as they walk past, and I get to work on my weight loss with regular exercise.

A little bit of now.

I have deactivated my facebook account in an effort to take more notice of unfinished projects.  Eg.  This.  As well as multiple others.  I removed it from my phone to also minimise the temptation to log in.  It is only for a couple of weeks, but it is needed.  That is the biggest time wasting tool there is.

Life, as I know it, is chugging along. I've not updated here in so long.

I am currently on a weight loss journey.  Ty lost over 20kgs earlier in the year, and once he did that I realised how much I needed to do the same.  My goal is to lose 30kgs, and 2 months in I am about 8kgs down.  PCOS does make it a bit more difficult to lose it, but I'm getting there and aiming to lose it at a rate that I can then maintain it, so it's working well for me.  I am already down 1 dress size, also.  One of my 101 goals is to drop 2 dress sizes.  Considering I went up 2 dress sizes (well, I did have another baby!) in the duration of the time I've been doing this, I am probably better losing 4, but hey, lets stick with the attainable lol.  2 = good.  4 = bonus.
It is definitely a soul searching experience and I have realised that there is so much more to work on than the physical side of things.  I am really grateful though that I feel as though I have so much support and so many people on my side, cheering me on and helping me to realise my goals.  It really does make it so much easier.  I am loving having more energy and more confidence.  I was so miserable with who I was becoming.  I am an extreme comfort eater and chocolate lover.  This is not a great combo... I have made a conscious effort to really change the way I see food and the way I eat.  It's not always easy, and I have my moments when I fall of the wagon.  But I have seen what I have been able to do so far and it's encouraging enough to keep me going.

Alexis is almost 6, she will be in less than a month.  She eagerly counts down the days.  I need to start planning the birthday she is dreaming up in that little head of hers haha.  She was diagnosed recently with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and this has been a bit of a game changer for us.  Alexis has always been on the quirky side, in a completely endearing and lovable way.  None of us really saw the diagnosis coming, we were more on the thought process of ADD or ADHD, but regardless, it is what it is and we embrace her as she is and we are trying to embrace all of the therapies and everything that is required to help her out.  She is starting a cocktail of therapies at the moment - Psychologist, Speech therapist, Occupational Therapist.  She is also now attached to the SEP at school and getting some additional support and in my opinion there's been a bit of a change in the way her behaviours are being managed (a little more understanding, a little less critical).  This is progress.  She is starting to become more happy at school, for the first time this year.  This is such progress for us and for her.  I will probably write about this a lot more, now that her therapies are starting.  We have so much to learn, about autism and about what is available to help her.  And luckily for us, we have this amazing little girl to help guide us through it all.  She is amazing.

Zavian turned 4 in February.  He is still such a 'dude'.  A real little footy loving, boofhead boy.  Bless him.  He is growing up so fast.  He started Kindergarten at the local C&K at the end of January and continues to thrive in his learning environment.  His number and letter recognition develops more and more all day, he writes his name really quite well, and he enjoys all of the fun physical activities that he gets to engage in.  Zavian displays a level of defiance and such a sense of his ownself that we are unused to (Lexi has never been as headstrong as he is) and we sit at a point right now where we are learning a balance in what battles are worth fighting with him.  If anyone tests my parenting and my patience right now, it is easily Zavian!  We are considering putting him in to some form of martial arts, or SOMETHING to curb a bit of his boundless energy.  I will be putting him in to footy next year and also in to musical theatre with Lexi.  That aside though, he is such an awesome kid with this cheeky, quick witted sense of humour and with a real spunk to him.  He is so lovable, and so helpful.  He is such an amazing big brother to Memphis and spends so much time just mucking around with him and laughing.  He is so eager to go to school next year, I will miss having him with me in the day when that happens though, as much as he likes to push my buttons!

Memphis is now 18 months old and I look at him and wonder how he could possibly be that old already.  He is still so tiny, still yet to crack 8kg and still rocking his 00's.  His hair is growing and is soft and fluffy and a darker shade of blonde than the other two.  His big blue eyes dance when he smiles and he is just an easy and cruisy little man.  He is suddenly saying more words.  A couple of weeks ago he would say Dad, and we struggled to get anymore than that out of him.  He now says Mum, Dad, Nonna, Nana, Zavian, banana, meow, Maya, no, ta, 'tank oo' (thank you), hello, ola, bye, see ya, shoes, car, door, out.  So he is having a bit of a word explosion at the moment.  He also has started to tentatively walk by himself in the last few days... we have sure been waiting!  He is still building up his confidence there, but he is making progress and so incredibly adorable when he waddles around.  Memmy is definitely our most feisty bub!  He gets frustrated (I believe it's a communication issue) and he will throw some (adorable) wobblies.  He is our first child to hit/pinch so we are now dealing with how to stop those behaviours.  I do see that he does it when he is extremely frustrated and can't get his point across, so hopefully as his language develops, these little traits will be laid to rest.


So this is where we are at right now!  I have some more updates I will need to add, and that will happen eventually :)

54. Attend a yoga or zumba class

A few weeks ago I was invited along with a couple of friends to come along to a yoga class with them.  So yay for me, I get to tick off this baby from the list!

I chucked on my ol' comfy leggings and had to make a quick stop at Big W to get myself a yoga mat... because you know, I don't have one of those laying around anywhere!  Haha.

The session itself - held at a local wellness centre in Beenleigh - was really cool.  No one told me the class wasn't a beginners class, so here I am rocking and rolling and incredibly un-glamorously flailing around.  Lets just say my balance was a lot better 10 years ago.  Not that I had ever tried yoga before.

Overall though, happy dog (or unhappy dog) pose aside, it was pretty enjoyable.  And the meditation at the end?  Exactly what I needed post yoga workout AND just in general!

A New Mission

Gah.