The Gold Star - This is given to the child who does all his chores without asking and does even a little more in the morning.  He helps get everything done before school time while keeping a good attitude. By receiving this award, he gets an additional home ticket for a later purchase.

The Arm Pit Award - This is given to the child who shows excellence in his chores and daily routine.  He doesn't complain about the days schedule and encourages his brother to do better.  By receiving this award, he gets to go "first" in everything for the day.  First to be served dinner, First in the car, First to get out, First to take turns...etc.  When creating this reward, I told the boys that I named it The Arm Pit Award because the other person is going to think you stink for getting to go first all day!. 

Home Tickets - These work like Bible Bucks or Awana Bucks.  These are tickets that each child can earn by keeping a good attitude and doing what he is told each day.  Home tickets can be traded in for prizes once a month.

List Of Goodies - This is a display board where I list all the wonderful things that will be available for home tickets.  There are different varieties due to age, price and so forth.  Everything from a bouncy ball to an art pad.

The General Store - This would be "me".  I will open the store once a month or when my pocket book allows... and freely trade those tickets in for some goodies!!! The funnest part of this store is...  you just never know when it will open - so you better be on your best behavior always.

Underwear Camp  - This is in layman terms "the laundry basket" where underwear must go to camp day after day!  You see, we have had a problem getting those little pesky underwear off some bodies around here and into the wash - so, now they are required to go to camp every day! 

The 15 Minute Pick up - This is a set time each day for house cleaning.  Well, for the kids to pile as much laundry as they can into the laundry baskets, to pick up toys from the front room, and to put all the dishes in the sink!  By doing the most work, they can earn some more Home Tickets.

Student Planner Calendar - This is a student calendar system that I have begun that is working for us and for the kids.  Each week the kids gets to choose two activities for the week - each independent from the other.  They are usually quality time activities with one parent.  We have stuff listed such as golf night with dad, desert choice for one night, and trade one chore with mom.

StarBuck Breakfast - This happens once a month.  One child will choose to have breakfast at Starbucks on a Saturday with only dad at 6am.  Each child loves to get up early while it's still cold and dark - and spending a fun time sipping hot coco and eating a fun breakfast is the best reward!

Dry Erase Boards - Yes, I have implemented the dry erase board into our homeschooling once again.  I have found that by giving my children the opportunity to write out their math problems larger on a white board - they get them right!  Why not strive for success!!! 

Night Out On The Floor - This is an activity that my children can choose once a month on their student calendar.  They get to stay up a little later on Friday night and sleep on the blow-up mattress on our front floor.  This is a sacrifice for us adults, too.  The younger child usually doesn't make it through the night and crawls back into his own bed, while the older one desires the whole room to himself with the mattress, blankets and kitties. 

Daily Compliments - This is a morning activity before our studies.  We sit across from one another and say something we like about the other.  We each take turns going around saying things like "I like the way so-and-so shares his candy with me" or "I like the color of so-and-so's eyes"  etc.   The best part about this is watching the smiles come alive when something nice is said.  It's amazing to see how a kind word can change the mood of a whole day.