I've started a couple of new things with the kids this week.  The first one being scripture memorization with a purpose.  In the past I've somewhat tried to get them to memorize scriptures but haven't stayed diligent with it so it never worked.  This time I'm teaming up with a couple of friends who have kids in a Christian school who are learning specific scriptures every week.  I figure that will help keep me on track and the kids can practice with one another and spur each other on.  So for the next 4 months we're memorizing all of the scriptures related to the birth of Jesus so that come Christmas time, the kids can recite the entire Christmas story back from scripture!  How cool is that?  After the new year they'll be learning scriptures relating to the death of resurrection of Jesus so that come time for Easter they'll be able to recite back all the scripture about the meaning of Easter.  Anyways, it doesn't sound that exciting the way I'm describing it but I'm actually REALLY excited about it!  I've been wanting to get more of the word in my kids but haven't been successful and I think this is the vehicle that will help me stay diligent.

The second thing I'm incorporating is a treasure box.  How it works is my kids will earn tickets for doing specific things.  I've set out a list of things that I want to see my kids doing or things that I find I'm always on them about and want to stop nagging!  Things like putting the toilet seat down, not asking me for gum, candy, etc. while out shopping, practicing their piano, setting and clearing the table, emptying the dishwasher, etc. 

So they earn a certain amount of tickets depending on what the job is.  For example, practicing the piano is worth one ticket, saying something kind to a family member is worth two tickets, memorizing a bible verse is worth 4 tickets....you get the idea.

The treasure box is full of stuff that I know the kids will like.  Things such as dates with Dad, ice cream, 1 hour worth of computer time, etc.  I've assigned various ticket amounts for each item so the kids can decide whether they want something for only 5 tickets (like 5 candies in a ziploc bag) or if they want to save up their tickets for a big ticket item such as the date with Dad. (Which will cost them 20 tickets)  I think it'll be a great idea for teaching the kids the value of saving as well as help them learn habits that I want to see like the toilet seat getting put down!  Oh, they also lose tickets by fighting with siblings. 

I found the idea from this blog:http://koinoniacommunity.blogspot.com/2007/09/im-bringing-back-treasure-box-hip-hip.html   Check it out.  She does a much better job of explaining it.