There's something about a good old fashioned competition to spur a group of kids on.
Being an extremely non-competitive type, I'll admit I don't totally relate to the motivation at hand.
However, if a bit of friendly competition has the power to turn my children into saints, then alright...it's on!
However, if a bit of friendly competition has the power to turn my children into saints, then alright...it's on!
So, tonight with no prompt from me, the kids decided to strike up a game.
The Buddy Competition is in full effect as I type and I must admit there's really something to this!
The Buddy Competition is in full effect as I type and I must admit there's really something to this!
Here's the set up:
An older sibling helps a younger sibling through the bath, tidy up, and get ready for bed process...then reads a book with their buddy until all kids are done. The buddy team who has the most cooperative and orderly younger sibling along with the most encouraging and nurturing older sibling wins. Speed is not a factor. Hearts are! The winner is to be judged by me, Mom, and the reward for the winning duo is a buddy camp out in the lady bug tent in Mom and Dad's room, sleeping bags and the whole thing.
An older sibling helps a younger sibling through the bath, tidy up, and get ready for bed process...then reads a book with their buddy until all kids are done. The buddy team who has the most cooperative and orderly younger sibling along with the most encouraging and nurturing older sibling wins. Speed is not a factor. Hearts are! The winner is to be judged by me, Mom, and the reward for the winning duo is a buddy camp out in the lady bug tent in Mom and Dad's room, sleeping bags and the whole thing.
I've been told that I can offer honorable mentions as well (yay!) and to be honest, I have NO idea how I will be able to pick just one buddy crew as the winner! I really just want them ALL to win, especially since they're all doing so well...so...I'm devising a plan...
Here's to documenting The Buddy Competition:
First, the kids divided themselves into buddy teams.
Some teams bathed and showered while other teams were in tidy up mode...then they switched.
All of the teams chose PJs that matched as best as they could.
(There's really something especially bonding for the kids when they get to be matching. It works!)
Next, as each team finished up their routine, including teeth brushing,
they picked a book and read with their buddy in the loft bed.
(What did I do before the loft bed?!)
Then, they all eagerly awaited the big announcement...
I thought really hard about how to encourage each team, even those who achieved honorable mention, because I was astounded at how our little Buddy Competition had worked wonders! Every single child was joyful and orderly. Olia even instigated some music for tidying up. It was just how I'd hope for the bath and bed routine to feel every night (cuz let's face it, bath and bed with 8 little people can definitely get a bit hectic if we're not intentional)...It's been wonderful!
SO, I went out of my way throughout the competition to verbally praise each child. They beamed of course. AND, a few of the honorable mention children earned Jesus Act Sticks for their particularly deserving, sacrificial, and loving moments.
THEN, I began the awards. There were 3 honorable mentions:
1- Elka and India (who did outstandingly well) earned a camp out in the loft bed together!!
(Disclaimer: Elka had offered along the way to me that she would be fine with not winning the grand prize so to let another team win. This is very Elka-like, and so appreciated. So, of course, I gave her a Jesus Act Stick for her kind heart.)
Yay Elka and India!! You were such a fun and happy team!!
2- Olia and Noble (who were, and always are, such a sweet team) earned a camp out in the Lego loft!!
It was so cute that even though they didn't win the grand prize, they honestly seemed to think they had hit the jackpot!
LOVE them!!
3- Aida and Nova (who were exceptional) won a camp out in Mom and Dad's bed...always a win!
Aida had worked overtime to coordinate the whole thing from the get-go and so she too got a JAS for her helpful, thoughtful heart.
Drum roll.........
And, The Buddy Competition winners of the grand prize lady bug tent camp out in Mom and Dad's room were...
BRODIE & BODEN!!
These 2 had come from behind as they set off with a bit of a rocky start.
Their recovery was so dramatic that I felt they just had to win.
They were thrilled!!
...and look who I found in their tent in the wee hours of the morning.
Bear is one of the crew too...loving life with his family.
Me too.
It was a blessed evening and hopefully one that will encourage our hearts for many bath and bedtime routines to come.
Thanks, Aida, for organizing this!
Thanks, Buddy Competition, for spurring us on tonight!
Thank you, Lord, for my precious children.
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them."
Matthew 7:12
"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord."
Psalm 127:3
Here's to documenting The Buddy Competition:
First, the kids divided themselves into buddy teams.
Some teams bathed and showered while other teams were in tidy up mode...then they switched.
All of the teams chose PJs that matched as best as they could.
(There's really something especially bonding for the kids when they get to be matching. It works!)
they picked a book and read with their buddy in the loft bed.
(What did I do before the loft bed?!)
Then, they all eagerly awaited the big announcement...
I thought really hard about how to encourage each team, even those who achieved honorable mention, because I was astounded at how our little Buddy Competition had worked wonders! Every single child was joyful and orderly. Olia even instigated some music for tidying up. It was just how I'd hope for the bath and bed routine to feel every night (cuz let's face it, bath and bed with 8 little people can definitely get a bit hectic if we're not intentional)...It's been wonderful!
SO, I went out of my way throughout the competition to verbally praise each child. They beamed of course. AND, a few of the honorable mention children earned Jesus Act Sticks for their particularly deserving, sacrificial, and loving moments.
THEN, I began the awards. There were 3 honorable mentions:
1- Elka and India (who did outstandingly well) earned a camp out in the loft bed together!!
(Disclaimer: Elka had offered along the way to me that she would be fine with not winning the grand prize so to let another team win. This is very Elka-like, and so appreciated. So, of course, I gave her a Jesus Act Stick for her kind heart.)
Yay Elka and India!! You were such a fun and happy team!!
2- Olia and Noble (who were, and always are, such a sweet team) earned a camp out in the Lego loft!!
It was so cute that even though they didn't win the grand prize, they honestly seemed to think they had hit the jackpot!
LOVE them!!
3- Aida and Nova (who were exceptional) won a camp out in Mom and Dad's bed...always a win!
Aida had worked overtime to coordinate the whole thing from the get-go and so she too got a JAS for her helpful, thoughtful heart.
Drum roll.........
And, The Buddy Competition winners of the grand prize lady bug tent camp out in Mom and Dad's room were...
BRODIE & BODEN!!
These 2 had come from behind as they set off with a bit of a rocky start.
Their recovery was so dramatic that I felt they just had to win.
They were thrilled!!
...and look who I found in their tent in the wee hours of the morning.
Bear is one of the crew too...loving life with his family.
Me too.
It was a blessed evening and hopefully one that will encourage our hearts for many bath and bedtime routines to come.
Thanks, Aida, for organizing this!
Thanks, Buddy Competition, for spurring us on tonight!
Thank you, Lord, for my precious children.
"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them."
Matthew 7:12
"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord."
Psalm 127:3
