Chore charts are my new best friend!!!!

In my quest for some order to the chaos that is my life, I thought and thought and tried to find something to get my little buddies to help me around the house!!! It has been SO much fun to have five people making a mess in my house, and only one that really cleans up (that would be me; I realize there could be some confusion as most of you know that cleaning is not my first and foremost talent!!!) So, after years and years of research (at least it felt like it), I finally made a chore chart that can work for a five and seven year old!!! In fact, it can even work for my little 18-month old (but I haven't made her own yet...) I have pictures of each chore they can do ranging from getting dressed correctly (that one's for Ethan) to doing homework, weeding, putting dishes away, etc. I've been having Ceci practice puting her dishes in the dishwasher, and picking up all the food she throws off her high chair into the garbage, so I really might make one for her! Some are easier than others, a lot of them we do on a daily basis anyway, but they have to do at least 6 of them. Then they check that they did it. When they do all their chores for the whole week, they earn a fun outing!! Our first one was last week, and they chose to go bowling. I'm telling you, if you are having trouble getting your kids to help, this has worked wonders. The boys went from throwing a full-on, throw-themselves-onto-the-floor tantrum when I asked them to put their dishes in the sink, to "can I vacuum?" "I know, I'll go weed!!" and, "Let's think of some more chores we can do, like dusting, or cleaning the garage!!!" (I am not even exaggerating!!!!) Now, granted, the newness has worn off a little, and consequently some of the enthusiasm, but they still cooperate with MUCH less of a fight than before. So here's some pictures of the little miracle worker (that would be the chore chart), and our fun outing last week!