Country Life is the one for me

Summer has begun and while my kids great me each day with the sweet words, where are we going today, I am not overjoyed with the pressure of figuring it all out. 80 days of me being home with them is a huge task to fill with a balance of adventures. Of course there is the mere cost of all these adventures to budget as well, especially when there are 4 kids at the minimum. SO, Friday bowling and Sonic happy hour drinks was a cost day. Today, Memorial Day, was a no cost day. We BBQ'd last night and ate with family the night before leaving today, with Daddy on duty, like a regular day. We did some work around the outdoors. We spent a few moments discussing the real purpose for this holiday and then the FUN part. Water games won by a mile!
Who really needs to buy a slip and slide these days? I mean they hardly hold up to repeated use. Around our property tarps are a plenty so I sent the older kiddos on a mission to retrieve the cleanest one they could find. Then they were extremely resourceful on finding ways to attach it the ground.
Would you believe I got in on the fun too? Yep, sure did. While I was very cautious compared to them running, diving and the sort, it was great. After they tired of it, we all moved to the trampoline with the sprinkler under it. Hard to believe it was hot enough to feel pretty great. Also, let it be documented that I WON the last man standing game taking Annabeth out. Course, I imagine she will be smarted and harder to beat next time when she figured out how I was able to win. But I WON!

Oops. you dropped the ball. Pick it up and start again...

First stop is setting goals. In doing so I needed a system to be in place for accountability. This was found on Pinterest. I am certain you may have seen it yourself.
http://www.livinglaughingandlearning.com/2014/11/printable-youre-grounded-chart.html

SO, I downloaded the free document and made it my own. Shhhhh. My kids have no idea it was that easy for me to make :)
Feel free to do so yourself. I am definetly a fan of natural consequences. Yet there are times when it takes hard work and determination to get to the heart of the matter too. This does just that.

UPDATE 1 year after original post: STILL works
At this point I am a bit less rigid with handing out the points. I may need to tighten up a bit more and write down the small increments so they don't get lost in the shuffle. The kids have started to "forget" to complete them right away but now that it is summer I am all over that. Regardless the real truth is that a person must pick a system of accountability with their kids and hold to it. Disciplined individuals only come from a parent guiding them along the way. This is definitely the trickiest time in being a momma. Knowing where to let them step out and fail and cheering them on when the succeed. Good luck and share your favorite resources with me too!