Florida Fishing...

Jason had some business meetings while in Florida and one of them was

to take everyone fishing. The kids tagged along and had a blast. They

all caught fish and then went to a restaurant where they cooked the fish and 

ate them.

I think that is one of the only times they will enjoy eating fish!

Florida 2011......

We are back and sadly we had to step right back into our very strict 

routine of carpools, school, sports and homework.

Florida was dreamy.

No schedule except...

sleep in, eat breakfast, walk to the beach, 

read books, play with kids, eat an insane amount of food,

play at beach until we were beached out for the day, go back to our rented house,

grill food while the kids would swim in the pool, talk until dark, 

go to bed late and start this amazing routine all over again.

Savannah was thrilled to find a street named after her...

It was in the 90's and therefore if you bought an ice cream you literally had 1 minute to 

snarf it down until it started melting into ice cream soup.

In Honor of September 11...

We were lucky to be in Florida for an amazing stair climb that took place on September 10. It was to honor the fire fighters who lost their lives on September 11. The stair climb started at 9:11am and we climbed 110 stories in honor of the fire fighters who also climbed 110 stories to help others on September 11 and ultimately lost their lives. It was so amazing, so patriotic and so rewarding. The fire fighters at the charity event climbed in full gear, which is not an easy task, it was like adding an additional 100 pounds. Truly an amazing experience and all proceeds went to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation.

Carson was a trooper and did it with me!

We each climb in honor of a fallen fire fighter which made it much more 

personal and really special.

 We did it!

It's off to Florida...

We are so over do for a relaxing vacation-we headed out to Florida for a nice

little vaca-

My kids were sure wishing they would get first class, but with

a family of 8, that ain't happening! So I made their own little 1st class packets.... seriously who

needs 1st class when you travel with our little family or better known as, Madsen Incorporated?

It was a great flight but we are so glad to be here!

Rewards for Chores....

UPDATE!!!!

UPDATE!!!!

As of February 1, 2013

I have a new blog especially created for these chore charts, click on the button below!

They are new and updated and pretty awesome!

I have been asked by many to show what I do to motivate 

and reward my kiddos when it comes to chores 

(or really anything I feel needs to be rewarded)

Honestly, I have tried dozens of reward systems and some seem to stick more than others.

This is our most current one and seems to be working!

They get points for completing chores, helping each other out, helping mom out, 

going the extra mile, etc.

Once a week we have a cash in day where they can buy certain items I have on little sheets in 

these drawers...

 

I have so many rewards, some of them include:

mom makes your bed for a week, $5.00 for a book, game night, favorite candy and soda, favorite box of cereal, 1 extra hour of screen time, a visit to a yogurt shop, your favorite ice cream, the front seat in our car for a week, one itunes app, etc.

I think motivating and rewarding kids for things is a lifelong task that works for some and not so much for others. My 14 year old is more motivated by me saying, get it done or no friend time- it seems to be different for each kid and with our 6 it takes some serious thinking!

Good luck!

If you want a copy of the rewards I have made, please click on the BUY NOW through PayPal. It is only $1.50, includes the chore charts as well and will make all of the requests I have had for these worth the time it takes to send them out. Just make sure to include your email! I send these asap via email so if you do not get them within two business days PLEASE send me an email at rebeccamadsen@comcast.net! THANK YOU!

Football fun...

Our boys are all playing football this season so that means 3 or more games every week, 

mostly on Saturdays. McKay's games started this week, he is #6.

Our little girls get pretty bored at the games but they had a blast running and hugging each other-

it was so precious!

We love watching our kids play sports, gain confidence and enjoy what they are doing!

My hobby turned business....

Becki Madsen Photography is officially and legally in business!

Here's to capturing life one click at a time-

(cheesy I know)

Savvy's way belated bday photos...

I have been terrible this year about taking my kids bday photos.

Savvy has asked me for months to take hers so we went out on our little mommy date

and took them. She is such a beauty!

He loves me, he loves me not...

Her best friend came over and wanted some pictures with her too...