Our Helping Hands I typed out each kitchen chore and pasted them on yellow envelopes that I made into pockets. The chores that I have on the labels are:

• Set Table-Cups
• Set Table-Silverware/Napkins
• Set Table-Dishes
• Dishwasher Duty (this child takes out the clean silverware and cups from the dishwasher and when they are done they put their hand in the back of the envelope so the next child's name is showing)
• Clean Kitchen Table
• Vacuum Kitchen (we have hardwood floors)
• Clean Small Table (besides our family kitchen table we also have a child-sized wooden picnic table in the kitchen)

So each week one of my 3 cupcakes is assigned to a couple of these duties for a full week then we switch the hands by placing the hand in front of each envelope to the back to show the next child's name. (except the dishwasher duty assignment is rotated as often as I run the dishwasher which is alot during the week). I used die-cut handprints that I got from a local teacher supply store and wrote each cupcake's name on the hands as you can see from the photos. This has been a great way to keep track of who is in charge of what chore in our kitchen. Sometimes little hands (ie: cupcake #4) decides to take the helping hands out of their envelopes, however, and my older cupcakes start arguing trying to remember who had what chore. But, for the most part this system is working for us for now. I hope to find/create other effective organization systems that work for our family for other areas in our life. So stay tuned as I hope to keep you posted! Please share your ideas on some ways you stay organized by posting a comment! I love to meet others and learn from them! Thanks!

One of the neat things about blogging that I am discovering is the opportunity to win free stuff as I browse through other fantastic blogs. I came across this giveaway for a chance to win a free digital download of Magnificent Marine Life at Our Worldwide Classroom. Egghead Academics contacted the blog owner of Our Worldwide Classroom with the offer to provide one of her readers the opportunity to win a copy of Magnificent Marine Life: A Lapbook Study. All the details can be found here. Since I am planning on doing the Apologia Zoology 2 (Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day) text this school year with my cupcakes, I would love to win this giveaway because it would be an excellent resource to supplement the Apologia text.

On Sunday, July 4, 2010, we first went to Mass as a family in our patriotic attire. This picture was taken outside our church in the garden. While I was reading our church bulletin, I saw this beautiful quote inside:

I think Pope John Paul II is a wise and holy man indeed. Speaking of Pope John Paul II, I would like you to see this pencil sketch drawing of this great Pope titled, "Portrait of a Saint" drawn by Cameron Smith, a local and very talented artist. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. This portrait may look like a black and white photo, but it is in fact a sketch done by the hands of Cameron Smith. Be sure to check out the rest of his artwork and be blessed!