Kid of the Week (KOTW)

We had four kids in seven years (technically 5 kids, but you know what I mean) which means that we had several very young children all needing attention at the same time.  When we would run to the store, they ALL wanted to come inside with me instead of wait in the van with Daddy since he most often fell asleep.  It also means that we got to the point where we wanted to make sure that our kids each had "special" time with us and not feel like they were just one of the group.  When Abby turned one year old, I had a BRILLIANT idea.  Kid of the Week.  Each week, one child is KOTW.  It goes in order from the youngest to the oldest unless it is a child's birthday week and then they are automatically kid of the week. 

When you are KOTW, this is what you get to do:
-choose a special meal that we make at home
-go out to dinner with the parent of your choice to the restaurant of your choice (if they choose McDonald's, I REALLY try to talk them into choosing Daddy!)
-be in charge of the remote
-set the table for dinner to sit by who you want
-go first with your "Best Things of the Day" (another ritual at our house)
-run to the store with mom
-go to the dump with Dad (I think this may be the most exciting thing of all!  We are high class!)
-sit where you want to sit in the van
and most importantly.... drum roll please...
- get a KOTW treat (which is any candy $1 or under but they think it is da bomb)


This has been the most. awesome. thing. for our family.  It has eased tension about who gets to go where with who.  When the whining starts, they are SHUT DOWN by the phrase, "________ is Kid of the Week."  WE have been doing KOTW for well over 7 years now and it truly is brilliant. 


This is my issue... what do we do about KOTW when we have foster kids or have adopted?  With adoption, I feel like we can just slip our new child in on their week based on their age but what about a child who is only with us for a few days or a few weeks or a few months?  I have no answers, I am just throwing out one of the many thoughts that go along with this process.  One of the other many things that I struggle with... how do you plan for a child not knowing who or what age you are going to get but needing to have everything that you need to take care of said child.  Confusing?  Exactly.  For example... we have a room that will be empty soon just waiting for a foster child.  We don't know if this foster will be a baby, a toddler, or a child.  We have to have an actual CRIB, not pack and play, for them to place a baby with us.  We have to have a twin bed if the child is older.  So do we get both?  But then what if we get a call for two babies?  Or two children?  See my dilemma? 

And clothes.  Oh my good golly, clothes.  Do we get clothes for every single age group in unisex colors from birth to 6?  Do you know how many clothes (and more importantly, how many girls???) we have in this house?  The last thing we need is MORE CLOTHES! 


That said... I can not wait for our first "home study" next week so our worker can tell us what to plan for and what the best course of action is.  Speaking of our home study... another God moment.  I got a call yesterday from her and she informed me that she attends our church and just wanted to make sure we are comfortable with her continuing to do our home study.  I told her absolutely.  That is awesome.  What more could we ask for than a Christian worker who says, "I will be as professional as I can, but I can also help you with some of the tough questions of being a Christian foster home within a secular setting."  I love her already!

Now for a little insight to my daily life....

Tim has a lot of extra skin.  Really.  It is gross.  But these are the fun things he can do with it...

 And then Sophia thought it was too cool so she tried but did not inherit the extra skin.  Sorry Sopher.

 We put all of our computer paper up high so the kids can't get it because we go through it like ca-razy!  Really high so they can't get to it.  It is not working like we had hoped.

 My dear, sweet, husband who is a dead ringer for Ace Ventura!  I LOVE this man!!!

  And more...  LMBO... I LOVE my life...