All the cute children...

We had a very busy week this week at the Smart household for all the kiddos. As a family we started a new program called Accountable Kids - the kids have different chores or items they have to complete during the day in order to earn free time/play time/ whatever time they need. I decided that I needed something to help in the mornings because things were getting a little hectic trying to get everyone ready and out the door before 8:00. Our friends told us about this program and it has been great. The kids know exactly what is expected of them in the morning as well as when we get home from school and work. Homework is getting done, the house is staying cleaner, and mom is so much less stressed... it is awesome. It has also been a great help with Thomas and his ADHD. He stays so much more calm in the morning with a schedule and a list of things to accomplish... it is amazing the difference it has made for him.

Next, Thomas passed off all his stuff to get his Bobcat in Cubscouts. He was so excited to get his first badge for his shirt. Unfortunately he would not let me take his picture, so I will have to work at that next time he is in his shirt.

My big girl Mattie is almost Potty Trained. She has worked so hard this week at letting her babysitter and her grandma and mom know when she has to go potty. We have only had a few accidents and I would bet that by the end of next week we will be there. I asked her what she wanted for a prize for going potty and all she wanted was Skittles... the "poopy"kind. Not knowing really what that meant and after some more prodding, I learned that she really wanted the Skittles in the purple package.... hmmm, I think I can accommodate that!

Yes, no need to adjust your screen... what you see is my newly toothless Kate. She came running upstairs last Sunday with her face all flushed. She looks at me and says, "Mom, you better get a paper towel, I am about to lose a tooth!" LOL - she was so excited. I got the paper towel and we let dad do the final honors. She was so pleased that she couldn't stop talking about it for 2 days. She was even more thrilled with the nice little gift the tooth fairy left!

I thought this was sooo funny!! Mattie runs into the kitchen today to tell me that she thinks tickling her self is fun! She proceeds to show me and starts laughing her head off. Silly kid!

Ok - this one is just cute and I couldn't do a post about the other kids without adding this one. She loves the camera and I think she actually poses - though I can't prove it. Anyway, for all those Ella followers out there - she turns 6 months on November 24th and is about ready to crawl... crazy how time flies.

A day of rest...

I love Sundays... I havent always loved Sundays, but over the past several months I have come to appreciate the calm and UNbusyness Sunday's bring. I have to admit, getting 4 kids up and ready in the morning for 9:00am church doesn't always work but once we are there, it is a chance to leave the world behind for a bit and learn more about my Savior and his Gospel. I also enjoy the family time Sunday's allow for. With our busy schedules, we don't get much family time and Sunday's are our day for everyone to be with each other... I love that! I love having my family around, even if it is just watching TV together, at least we are all here spending time with each other. To me, that is what counts in life...the time spent with my family. I want my kids to remember the time we took for them, for them to understand that they are the most important thing in their parents life. We are so busy all the time that I think I often forget about the importance of just being together. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my weekly date nights because everyone needs a break from everyday life- but even that boils down to spending time. I am spending time growing my relationship with my husband -that is so important as well. Anyway, as it seems, Sunday's are also very good for contemplating and deep thinking. LOL - that is all I have for today.

Sadly the time has come...

Hello my friends and family

After monitoring my blog for the last several months, I have decided that it is time to go private. I was trying to avoid doing this but I have had some interesting and shall I say bothersome hits over the last little while that I think maybe it would be for the best to go ahead and just make the blog private. So for all you readers out there (LOL - like there is really that many!!), if you would like to continue to read about Smart Happenings, please comment and leave me your email OR - email me at jennifer.smart@live.com and I will get you added. I plan to do this by January - so let me know!

Tis the season...

Ok - I think it is a given every year - we hit November and we ALL get sick... yes I said ALL!! This has been one of those weekends where every last one of us is fighting some kind of nasty bug - even poor little Ella. Sick little babies are definitely a sad sight, but I must say she is a happy sick baby - between her coughing and runny nose all we get are smiles from this little angel. Anyway, last year at this time we all had H1N1 and this year we all have regular flu, colds, and other various viruses. Maybe next year, I will have learned my lesson and when November hits, I will sequester everyone into the house to wait out the rest of the winter... hmmm, I am not ok with that - can you imagine locking yourself in your house with 4 active children for days on end - uhm, heck no!! Oh well, we will survive this minor set back - it just takes time. Andrew got the worst of everyone officially being diagnosed with walking Pneumonia so he is the only one who is taking any medicine. I am finally back at work today - not very happily mind you because I still don't feel so good myself. But the kids are seeming to all feel better and except for a few coughs and some more runny noses, we had a fairly decent morning getting everyone ready for the day. It does seem that we are at least on the mend so hopefully in the next few days Andrew and I will feel as good as the kids... there is hope!!!

And even more Halloween fun...

Mattie Trying to blow out that darn candle - was not working so well!


Our master carvers

These kids were so proud of their pumpkins!

Last Trick or Treat of the night... Hello Grandmas! (and Meggie)

Serious candy pursuer

Cool shield Andrew made for Sir Thomas

I love this picture because it shows how small Mattie really is... but yet she insists she is a big girl.... I am thinking not so much (at least in size anyway)!

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Another house completed! Wow - I have spooky eyes!

Just having fun!

Her first house!

The best part about Halloween this year was how much fun the kids had. I am not much of a Halloween lover, but I do enjoy the excuse to get together with people and hang out and just spend time with each other. Ok - that is it... for Halloween anyway.

Happy Haunting Everyone!!!!

Some Halloween Fun!!

Right before leaving to go Trick or Treating. We invited the neighbor girl to come along.

Pumpkin Carving on Halloween

Even mom got into the fun!

And of course dad had to participate as well

At Thomas and Kate's school waiting for the parade to start. Isn't she the cutest "Dorcee" you've ever seen??

Sir Thomas!

Rock Star Kate!

Skeleton Ella - too cute!

We had a great time for Halloween this year. We had the grandparents come to our house to man the front door while Andy and I took the kids out. It was fun to see the excitement in their faces as we went around our neighborhood. I think Mattie had the best time. This was the first year that she really understood what was going on. She would march up to each door and knock and yell Trick or Treat as loud as she could. Then when she had her candy in hand she would so politely say, "Oh, Thank you so much!" Like it was the best thing they could have ever given her. Too cut! Anyway, the best part of the evening was when Mattie felt dad was taking way too long in taking pictures and she yelled to her dad, "Dad... You come here right now...1...2..." Mom says, "Mattie - that's not very nice" Mattie says "I sorry mom but I just neeeeeed more candy!!!!" So funny! She was a real trooper - we went out for about an hour and she basically walked the entire way (however, TOTO did not make it and mom ended up taking the basket with the dog). Anyway, surprisingly enough it was a very relaxing evening with the family and both mom and dad as well as the kids had a good time.