SparkDad

Progress is sweet! For those that read Operation Organize the House you have to check out the results of the first phase of the garage. It makes a huge to be able to park a car in there. Now granted even if both sides were cleaned out, it would be impossible to park two cars in there. Uncle Pete lives with us and gets home after us usually, but he also leaves after us in the morning. Therefore parking is like musical chairs. It works out best if I park my car in the garage and leave the other side, for now, full of junk : )

Mama and I have been discussing the organizational system that we plan on building out there for a few weeks. We have decided on a plan that utilizes a combination of new shelving and existing cabinetry.

We are going to paint the garage a light gray. Then we are going to paint a red and black racing stripe around the garage mid-way. Next we plan on using a polyurethane interlocking grid flood covering to cover the floor. (The photo beside came from www.floorjunkies.com )

Mama suggested that we paint the new shelving system white with red and gray highlights.

The next steps are as follows:

1. Clear out the large double door cabinet and move away from the wall.
2. Clear the Right Side wall and ready for painting. This includes repairing any holes in the wall.
3. Paint left side main color (gray)

Here are the plans the Mama drew up last night. She is much better at organizational planning than me, so she drew up the plans and I will execute.

More »

Today is going to be a full day again. I worked on the calendar and hourly break down for the family up until dinner.  It is more detailed than last week, so I will let you know what works.

Also Mama and I are starting a program for the kids using the Character Counts program.

Uncle Dee and I made a chart Saturday night and we will use it to track the boys performance in the Seven Pillars of Character, which you can see below.

This morning during breakfast I am going to explain the Pillars. Throughout the day I will use a merit / de-merit system when they interact with others.

At the end of the summer if they have a total of 100 points together then they win a trip to the Lego store with $50 in hand. This is a big reward for them for sure! Also when they get to 50 points we will take a family pizza night to Incredible Pizza.

I am out to make breakfast!

Our Seven Pillars of Character

Honesty

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country

Respect

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices

Fairness

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly

Caring

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment

Bravery

Go places in the dark • Go to the restroom without telling me • Stay in a room alone

What a wonderful Saturday! I woke at 6:30 a.m. and mowed the yard, which the neighbors were not particularly appreciative of! Then at 8 a.m. Mama had a great breakfast ready and we were off to the races! Look at this crazy schedule!

9 am – 10:30am Pork Chop soccer game

11 am – 1 pm  Skeeter Select Baseball practice

4 pm – ? Swimming with Grandma Ada and Grandpa Joe

7 pm – Possible birthday party…

Saturdays go so quick!

I am now however working on home work for my online class : (

So this post it short and sweet!

C YA

It is a great day in the Houston, Texas area! A great summer day. Today I begin the first of a series of posts from the local community playground. It is a nice area to bring the kids. The park is a large green space with a water park and traditional playground. The water park is surrounded by a easy slope with trees planted around it.  I have my fold up chair and am set up in the shade. I have a commanding view of both areas and can see Skeeter and Porkchop while they play.

Unfortunately today the water park is not flowing. The pH balance was off so the technician had to come and adjust the chemical levels. So the boys are playing on the traditional playground.

There are about 50 or so kids here mostly associated with summer camps. Several large woman who are charged with watching over these wonderful kids sit around on coolers under large canopy shades and visit. The amount of supervision that the kids are getting is incredibly slim. I realize that you are probably thinking that I am not watching the boys either, but I can type without looking at the keyboard. I am staring off at the playground as I type this. If I feel that it distracts me too much, then the series will die.

My observations here reinforce the decision and Mama and I made for me to “retire”. Kids need parents. Kids need parents who are interested and engaged. By being home with the boys we hope to accomplish our mission of raising up great kids who will contribute wonderful things to society and accomplish great things.

Time for lunch! I am out!

Now that all of the posts are in I am going to add all of the subscriber data back in. Each of you might get an email when I do this.

Later…

Some great, easy lunch recipes for Dads or Moms.

C YA!