Wow, busy day! House is picked up, but laundry keeps me hopping. And with the drama over our washer this last week, I feel like I’m so behind on it anyway.
Oh, yeah, my three year old front load washing machine died last week. I am so not happy over it! We bought the set when we moved in here, thinking to get the best we could so that it would last longer. Evidently, that was a bad idea. I had no clue that front loaders had issues with nasty smells in them because the water never fully drains out. After finally getting that figured out, I noticed that some of the stains weren’t coming out of the clothing. I thought “Oh, well, must be really stained.” Guess what? It was my washer. At least that’s what I think, because my brand new not nearly so expensive top load washer is getting stuff out of the kids clothes that had been there for a while, through several washes! I’m sorry, but that is NASTY! So, a word to the wise, don’t buy a front loader, they aren’t worth the money. Now, I am rewashing everything in the house just so I know it’s clean.
On top of laundry and house cleaning, I’m working on Christmas presents. Along with everyone else in the world! I’m trying my hand at making doll clothes for both of the girls. It’s interesting because I’m trying to make the girls and their doll outfits match. So, I am cutting pants out for BunnyBop, then doll pants out for BunnyBop’s doll. Same thing goes for Princess. At least within reason. I am not about to make the girls historical dresses. I am, however, making some of them for their dolls. My hope is to have each girl have one to two outfits that match (or closely match) their dolls, and maybe a pair of pajamas. I also am making Christmas ornaments. I do an ornament exchange every year with my sister in laws, and this year, I’m making them. No, they’re not nearly Hallmark quality, but it’s what I can do. Poor Goob was kinda feeling left out because I wasn’t making anything for him, so today he sat down at the craft store and looked through pattern books so he could show me what he wanted. He wants a pair of pajamas made, so add that to the list!
Goob makes me think sometimes. He is the child who loves things that are made for him. Don’t get me wrong, he loves to play Transformers, Cars, and Lego’s, but stuff that is made for him he truly treasures. His Grandma made him an alligator pillowcase once a few years ago, and he really appreciated it. It’s funny to see the different ways that kids feel loved. It also reminds me that I need to make sure that each child is getting the kind of love and attention they need, because what works for one doesn’t always work for the other. Goob loves homemade gifts and playing with you. Princess loves to make crafts with you. BunnyBop is most happy when she is sitting on your lap with her blanket and her bunny. And sometimes I lose track of those things in the business of life.
Well, I need to get back to it.
Have a great one everyone!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Overdue...
Wow, I just realized it’s been a six weeks since I posted last. How awful am I?? Sorry about that! Life keeps getting away from me, and I am trying desperately to keep up.
Things, like always, are constantly changing in my life. November 1st, we quit K12. Although I feel it’s a good curriculum, it wasn’t working for my two. So, we are going back to Abeka for now. Next year, we may do something different, who knows? I think in many ways, the kids are glad we are not doing it anymore. This way, they are able to dig more deeply into concepts they find interesting, and we are not so focused on getting all the “lessons” done.
Goob’s reading level was tested right before we pulled out of K12, and he’s reading at a high 3rd to a low 4th grade level. I am so excited for him, but it’s difficult to find books that challenge his reading level but do not expose him to ideas that are above his maturity level. We are looking into getting YWAM’s “Hero’s of History” series. He is in love with the history of our country, and I definitely want to encourage that interest.
Princess is still working on her reading. She can read simple “a” words, and has recently discovered how to sound out words to spell. None of the words are longer than 3 letters, but I am happy she is trying. We need to work on math. She also wants to learn how to sew. She sees me doing it and is constantly asking, “Mom, can I have this scrap?” The two problems with this are: Her standing right there is making it hard for me (who doesn’t sew that well to begin with) make Christmas presents, and 2) a yard of fabric is NOT a scrap…no matter what she thinks! I am thinking about teaching her basic quilting. That way she will learn how to sew a straight line, and still feel a bit of accomplishment because she is making something.
BunnyBop recently proved to me she is learning by listening to her brother and sister. She can count to 10, and knows most of her colors. Her brother helps her with her AWANA, and I am amazed how quickly she can memorize thins. She is in that challenging stage of wanting to do more “school” but not quite ready for the structure.
I’ll post more later, I promise…Have to get busy on my day!
Things, like always, are constantly changing in my life. November 1st, we quit K12. Although I feel it’s a good curriculum, it wasn’t working for my two. So, we are going back to Abeka for now. Next year, we may do something different, who knows? I think in many ways, the kids are glad we are not doing it anymore. This way, they are able to dig more deeply into concepts they find interesting, and we are not so focused on getting all the “lessons” done.
Goob’s reading level was tested right before we pulled out of K12, and he’s reading at a high 3rd to a low 4th grade level. I am so excited for him, but it’s difficult to find books that challenge his reading level but do not expose him to ideas that are above his maturity level. We are looking into getting YWAM’s “Hero’s of History” series. He is in love with the history of our country, and I definitely want to encourage that interest.
Princess is still working on her reading. She can read simple “a” words, and has recently discovered how to sound out words to spell. None of the words are longer than 3 letters, but I am happy she is trying. We need to work on math. She also wants to learn how to sew. She sees me doing it and is constantly asking, “Mom, can I have this scrap?” The two problems with this are: Her standing right there is making it hard for me (who doesn’t sew that well to begin with) make Christmas presents, and 2) a yard of fabric is NOT a scrap…no matter what she thinks! I am thinking about teaching her basic quilting. That way she will learn how to sew a straight line, and still feel a bit of accomplishment because she is making something.
BunnyBop recently proved to me she is learning by listening to her brother and sister. She can count to 10, and knows most of her colors. Her brother helps her with her AWANA, and I am amazed how quickly she can memorize thins. She is in that challenging stage of wanting to do more “school” but not quite ready for the structure.
I’ll post more later, I promise…Have to get busy on my day!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saving the Almighty Dollar!
So, in the pursuit of saving money, I have been trying different homemade soaps over the last few days. Actually, if I am honest, I have been reading about it and the process fastinates me, so that’s really why I am doing it! So far, I have made two different soaps. A laundry soap and a dish soap. It’s been fun, and quite interesting!
I did the Basic Soap recipe from this site. It was quite easy to make, and I got a kick out of grating and melting the soap! I used a bit of lemon juice as water for this recipe as I love that the lemon juice cuts grease. However, the next day, I noticed it wasn’t “gelling” at all. The day after, it was one huge lump of soap! You couldn’t even squeeze it out of the bottle it was so solid. Also, I noticed that when I am around this soap, my asthma kicks up. I used grated Ivory as the bar soap, so that may be why. I seem to remember, way back in my childhood feeling kinda “funny” after I used Ivory. I remember feeling like it was hard to breath. I didn’t know I had asthma at the time. So, it may be the Ivory…but I have no actual “scientific” proof of it. So, I am still looking around for a new recipe.
The laundry soap I got from somewhere in internet world and forgot to bookmark it. I used liquid Castile soap, water (duh) borax, and washing soda. No, I don’t remember the measurements! The soap didn’t gel at all, but maybe it will soon? I am thinking the fact that I didn’t let it set overnight might be one of the problems. Anyway, it seems to be doing a good job on my clothes. They are coming out clean, and smell like clean clothes. I put vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser so the clothes are softer. I did this for a long time, but had to stop when I switched to a laundry soap that had color safe bleach in it. I noticed that the mildewey smell that my front load washer has been plagued with came back quickly after I quit using the vinegar.
I’m having fun with this. It may take some time before I find exactly what I want, but hey, why not right?
I’ll see if I can find the laundry recipe I used…it may be lost forever!
I did the Basic Soap recipe from this site. It was quite easy to make, and I got a kick out of grating and melting the soap! I used a bit of lemon juice as water for this recipe as I love that the lemon juice cuts grease. However, the next day, I noticed it wasn’t “gelling” at all. The day after, it was one huge lump of soap! You couldn’t even squeeze it out of the bottle it was so solid. Also, I noticed that when I am around this soap, my asthma kicks up. I used grated Ivory as the bar soap, so that may be why. I seem to remember, way back in my childhood feeling kinda “funny” after I used Ivory. I remember feeling like it was hard to breath. I didn’t know I had asthma at the time. So, it may be the Ivory…but I have no actual “scientific” proof of it. So, I am still looking around for a new recipe.
The laundry soap I got from somewhere in internet world and forgot to bookmark it. I used liquid Castile soap, water (duh) borax, and washing soda. No, I don’t remember the measurements! The soap didn’t gel at all, but maybe it will soon? I am thinking the fact that I didn’t let it set overnight might be one of the problems. Anyway, it seems to be doing a good job on my clothes. They are coming out clean, and smell like clean clothes. I put vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser so the clothes are softer. I did this for a long time, but had to stop when I switched to a laundry soap that had color safe bleach in it. I noticed that the mildewey smell that my front load washer has been plagued with came back quickly after I quit using the vinegar.
I’m having fun with this. It may take some time before I find exactly what I want, but hey, why not right?
I’ll see if I can find the laundry recipe I used…it may be lost forever!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Experiments
In the spirit of cutting back like everyone else in our great country, I have decided to try to make my own cleaning products. So, I started with researching Laundry soap. I have found some awesome sounding recipes, and I got all excited to try it. One problem…I cannot seem to find anyone who carries washing soda. I looked all over online at our local stores and no one seems to have it. I am going to one store tomorrow, and I am hoping they will (a little birdie said they might) I am looking forward to trying it. I kind of figure even if it doesn’t work out, I haven’t really lost anything, and it can be a science experiment for the kids.
I know this ones short, but it’s late and I am tired….see ya all later!
I know this ones short, but it’s late and I am tired….see ya all later!
Monday, October 11, 2010
And the party is over
Sigh…what a day. The party went off without a hitch, but man, I am tired and my hands are hurting from doing the cake. Yes, I am whining. Why? I donno…maybe because I want to?
I am sitting on my couch trying to figure out the whole business of coupons. The idea of coupons fascinates me. I use coupons at the grocery store and am happy when I save $14.00 off of my lovely 250 food bill. But how in the world do people walk away with all of these free or .01 deals? Do they sit in front of their computer with the newspaper ads sitting next to them scanning through stuff…or do they just get “lucky”? I so don’t get it! And why do some stores accepts double coupons but some don’t, and what in the heck are double coupons anyway? Are they accepting two of the same coupons for one item or are they doubling the savings of ONE coupon? Ahh…the questions that boggle my mind. It’s probably a good thing I am not like a doctor or something. I’m pretty sure being able to understand using coupons might be a prerequisite to being a doctor. How else would they eat through medical school? See? I make sense sometimes! So, this is my mission…to understand coupons. I might be posting different sites that I find helpful…we shall see what we shall see, huh?
I am sitting on my couch trying to figure out the whole business of coupons. The idea of coupons fascinates me. I use coupons at the grocery store and am happy when I save $14.00 off of my lovely 250 food bill. But how in the world do people walk away with all of these free or .01 deals? Do they sit in front of their computer with the newspaper ads sitting next to them scanning through stuff…or do they just get “lucky”? I so don’t get it! And why do some stores accepts double coupons but some don’t, and what in the heck are double coupons anyway? Are they accepting two of the same coupons for one item or are they doubling the savings of ONE coupon? Ahh…the questions that boggle my mind. It’s probably a good thing I am not like a doctor or something. I’m pretty sure being able to understand using coupons might be a prerequisite to being a doctor. How else would they eat through medical school? See? I make sense sometimes! So, this is my mission…to understand coupons. I might be posting different sites that I find helpful…we shall see what we shall see, huh?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
PARTY
Why is it that they days you have so much to do that you can’t think straight are they days that, no matter what, you cannot concentrate? I am supposed to be getting ready for BunnyBop’s birthday party that’s this afternoon. Instead, what am I doing? Sitting on my butt playing on the computer. Really????
So, I decided to take this opportunity that I have given myself to actually blog again. Believe me, I have missed it, but life has been so crazy, one thing after another, ya know? Hopefully by the end of this week things will slow down and I can get into some sort of actual schedule, instead of running around here, there, and everywhere!
Like I said, BunnyBop’s birthday party is today. Yep, we are having it WAY after her actual birthday. With everything that has gone on, we just haven’t had time to get to it. Luckily she’s only three, so she doesn’t really care. All she knows is that she’s getting birthday presents, and she is having a bunny cake. She is very excited about her bunny cake. I was excited about it, but it came out kinda disastrous last night. The bottom layer totally fell apart in my hands, the filling deflated and squeezed out the sides and the blue frosting, which is the background color for the cake, had chunks of butter that didn’t mix into the frosting. Of course, I didn’t see that until I had started spreading the stuff on the cake. After much frustration, tears, and yes, I will admit, a few not nice words, the stupid thing is done. BunnyBop likes it. I guess that’s what matters…even if Mommy doesn’t!
I need to mop because there’s frosting stuck to the floor. That seems to always happen no matter what I do when I make a cake. The sticky greasy frosting gets everywhere. Luckily I have learned not to mop the floor until after I make the cake. That’s a plus, right? I need to do laundry too, and Hubby just told me he wants the rec room to be used so the kids can play the Wii. Didn’t quite count on that one, so I need to go down there and dust and vacuum. And put the kids toys away. Our rec room is clean, but it isn’t organized yet. That’s going to be the LAST room in the house I do.
Well, off to work I go. I am hoping to be on more, as life slows down a bit….
So, I decided to take this opportunity that I have given myself to actually blog again. Believe me, I have missed it, but life has been so crazy, one thing after another, ya know? Hopefully by the end of this week things will slow down and I can get into some sort of actual schedule, instead of running around here, there, and everywhere!
Like I said, BunnyBop’s birthday party is today. Yep, we are having it WAY after her actual birthday. With everything that has gone on, we just haven’t had time to get to it. Luckily she’s only three, so she doesn’t really care. All she knows is that she’s getting birthday presents, and she is having a bunny cake. She is very excited about her bunny cake. I was excited about it, but it came out kinda disastrous last night. The bottom layer totally fell apart in my hands, the filling deflated and squeezed out the sides and the blue frosting, which is the background color for the cake, had chunks of butter that didn’t mix into the frosting. Of course, I didn’t see that until I had started spreading the stuff on the cake. After much frustration, tears, and yes, I will admit, a few not nice words, the stupid thing is done. BunnyBop likes it. I guess that’s what matters…even if Mommy doesn’t!
I need to mop because there’s frosting stuck to the floor. That seems to always happen no matter what I do when I make a cake. The sticky greasy frosting gets everywhere. Luckily I have learned not to mop the floor until after I make the cake. That’s a plus, right? I need to do laundry too, and Hubby just told me he wants the rec room to be used so the kids can play the Wii. Didn’t quite count on that one, so I need to go down there and dust and vacuum. And put the kids toys away. Our rec room is clean, but it isn’t organized yet. That’s going to be the LAST room in the house I do.
Well, off to work I go. I am hoping to be on more, as life slows down a bit….
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wowza, it’s been a bit since I have had time to blog. And I have missed it terribly! But, now I am back, at least for a second or so!!!
We have been so busy around our house. Every time I turn around, there is something else that needs to be done it seems. Mr. Charming is helping his parents re-roof their house, and with fall approaching, I am trying desperately to get my yard in order so that I don’t lose any of the plants I have worked so hard to save (in other words, my roses :)
School is sure keeping us hoping! Goob is flying through everything, and he’s really loving History and Math this year. He gets the love of history from me, and the love of Math from his dad…I honestly hate math with a passion! He has become obsessed with building a logo design for the fair next year. Evidently, the ones that were at the fair this year didn’t meet his expectations, so he’s out to better the display! And, of course, win a blue ribbon.
Princess’ school is going ok. She is working on understanding the concept of beginning sounds and ending sounds. She is finally getting it, but it’s been the most difficult thing she’s done this far. She has been determined to get through it, and that made me proud of her! She wants to read so very bad, and I know she will get there.
BunnyBop has officially started preschool. She has made things so annoyingly difficult for her brother and sister that I decided it was time. I don’t like her watching too much TV and she was board, so…She was very excited, although she purposely keeps getting the colors wrong and will laugh. That’s ok though, she is pretty young yet.
Myself? Well, along with all the other “stuff” I have to do around the house, I am working on becoming super organized. Not fun, or easy, for someone who is not naturally an organized person. Usually, I am the person who will set my keys down and not find them again for hours. Don’t get me wrong, my house is clean, but I just couldn’t find anything. With having the three kids, it has become a real necessity to be organized. Mr. Charming bought me a label maker, and I have been using it around the house a whole heck of a lot!
One of the greatest things I have done is make myself a notebook that has, well, pretty much my whole life in it. Everything from my daily checklist on housecleaning to my weight loss charts…it’s there. It has seemed to help a lot…especially the housecleaning lists. I went from room to room and wrote down everything I could think of that needs done for that room. The I broke them down into things that need done Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Bi-yearly. It helps me know what I have done and what I still need to do. And I so love to actually put a check mark next to stuff. Yes, I know, I am weird.
Ok, well, it’s 4:30 am and I gotta get my day started (or maybe get my butt back into bed, I haven’t decided!)
Oh, awesome site for homeschoolers…they have weekly free products to download
See ya all!
We have been so busy around our house. Every time I turn around, there is something else that needs to be done it seems. Mr. Charming is helping his parents re-roof their house, and with fall approaching, I am trying desperately to get my yard in order so that I don’t lose any of the plants I have worked so hard to save (in other words, my roses :)
School is sure keeping us hoping! Goob is flying through everything, and he’s really loving History and Math this year. He gets the love of history from me, and the love of Math from his dad…I honestly hate math with a passion! He has become obsessed with building a logo design for the fair next year. Evidently, the ones that were at the fair this year didn’t meet his expectations, so he’s out to better the display! And, of course, win a blue ribbon.
Princess’ school is going ok. She is working on understanding the concept of beginning sounds and ending sounds. She is finally getting it, but it’s been the most difficult thing she’s done this far. She has been determined to get through it, and that made me proud of her! She wants to read so very bad, and I know she will get there.
BunnyBop has officially started preschool. She has made things so annoyingly difficult for her brother and sister that I decided it was time. I don’t like her watching too much TV and she was board, so…She was very excited, although she purposely keeps getting the colors wrong and will laugh. That’s ok though, she is pretty young yet.
Myself? Well, along with all the other “stuff” I have to do around the house, I am working on becoming super organized. Not fun, or easy, for someone who is not naturally an organized person. Usually, I am the person who will set my keys down and not find them again for hours. Don’t get me wrong, my house is clean, but I just couldn’t find anything. With having the three kids, it has become a real necessity to be organized. Mr. Charming bought me a label maker, and I have been using it around the house a whole heck of a lot!
One of the greatest things I have done is make myself a notebook that has, well, pretty much my whole life in it. Everything from my daily checklist on housecleaning to my weight loss charts…it’s there. It has seemed to help a lot…especially the housecleaning lists. I went from room to room and wrote down everything I could think of that needs done for that room. The I broke them down into things that need done Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Bi-yearly. It helps me know what I have done and what I still need to do. And I so love to actually put a check mark next to stuff. Yes, I know, I am weird.
Ok, well, it’s 4:30 am and I gotta get my day started (or maybe get my butt back into bed, I haven’t decided!)
Oh, awesome site for homeschoolers…they have weekly free products to download
See ya all!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Is there anyone out there that actually likes grocery shopping? Honestly, where is the enjoyment in that? Yesterday was payday, so off I went. Stores were crowded, items were bought before I could get to them, and the lines were long. YUCK! Once good thing is, Good was able to practice his math in the produce department. Ahh, the joys of weighing fruit and rounding up the price, just to see how much will cost. He had fun. Prices and BunnyBop tried to help, but they just kept throwing numbers out at him. By the end of the produce department, he was slightly frustrated with them. Do you have any idea how hard it is to count in your head when someone keeps saying different numbers?
It felt good to get home. The grocery store is about 30 minutes from my house, so I actually get to relax a bit in the car as I drive home, before I have to hull the groceries up the stairs. Now, it’s all put away, and my freezer, pantry, and cupboards are stocked! And I saved $14.30 with coupons!
Today, we are going to be making up for things not done yesterday. Another reason I hate grocery shopping is that it throws my whole week of chores and school off. So, today we will make some of that up. Mr. Charming has to work for a bit on Saturday, so I can use that time to finish up whatever isn’t done. I actually have daily and weekly checklists that I make myself go through. Otherwise, I just go in circles and nothing ever gets done. It’s very frustrating!
Well, hi ho, it’s off to laundry I go.
Have a good day!
It felt good to get home. The grocery store is about 30 minutes from my house, so I actually get to relax a bit in the car as I drive home, before I have to hull the groceries up the stairs. Now, it’s all put away, and my freezer, pantry, and cupboards are stocked! And I saved $14.30 with coupons!
Today, we are going to be making up for things not done yesterday. Another reason I hate grocery shopping is that it throws my whole week of chores and school off. So, today we will make some of that up. Mr. Charming has to work for a bit on Saturday, so I can use that time to finish up whatever isn’t done. I actually have daily and weekly checklists that I make myself go through. Otherwise, I just go in circles and nothing ever gets done. It’s very frustrating!
Well, hi ho, it’s off to laundry I go.
Have a good day!
Monday, September 13, 2010
And....GO
Ok….about 10 minutes until my day will official begins. Meaning about 10 minutes until I have to start chores with the kids. Dang, shoulda gotten a shower earlier…Oh well. Anyway, 10 minutes to…well, blog? So, 10 minutes and I get writers block. Really? Come ON!
Ok, block gone. Wanted to share about a Bible Study I’m doing. “A Mom After God’s Own Heart” By Elizabeth George. I love the books of hers I have read. Well, the parts of the books of hers that I have read. I never seem to actually get through them all, probably because they start convicting me of something! The chapter I am reading now talks about how we, through our attitudes and actions, show God to our children, and how what we do reflects on God. Ouch! So, every breath I take is teaching my children how to view God. No wonder people always have a messed up version of our Heavenly Father. I mean, come on, when was the last time God told you “Just a minute, I’m doing something?” When was the last time you watched God get frustrated because the house wasn’t clean? Honestly, I don’t think He does. God’s always there, ready to listen to you. You can praise, ask, talk, or even complain, and God will listen. He never tells us that He’s too busy because he’s “got stuff that HAS to get done.” And I am supposed to show that to my children. Seems overwhelming, doesn’t it? We, as sinful beings, are supposed to show our Perfect God to our children. Tall order huh?
I will admit, I am guilty of getting in the mode of: I gotta clean, I gotta do laundry, I gotta….you get the point. And yes, all these things have to be done. But our children should come first. Whether it’s because they need to talk, or need to be talked too, or just need a nap. They come first, always. I pray that God will show me and work with me on that, because all too often, I let the “gotta do’s” get in the way of “need to do’s”
If you don’t think your children mimic you in what they see, here’s a quick story from my life. This weekend, I was working on cleaning out my linen closet. I was standing there looking at the best way to go about this with my hand on my hip. BunnyBop comes up to stand next to me. I glanced down to see what she was doing, and sure enough, she was standing there with her hand on her hip, looking at the closet. They only difference is she had pumpkin bread in her other hand. She was promptly sent back to the table where she could eat without crumbs getting from one end of the house to the other. But that little act of hers made me realize, once again, that my children will do what they see. May God grant me the wisdom and the ability to mimic Him, so that they will follow my footsteps.
Ok…five minutes….
Have an awesome day everyone!
Ok, block gone. Wanted to share about a Bible Study I’m doing. “A Mom After God’s Own Heart” By Elizabeth George. I love the books of hers I have read. Well, the parts of the books of hers that I have read. I never seem to actually get through them all, probably because they start convicting me of something! The chapter I am reading now talks about how we, through our attitudes and actions, show God to our children, and how what we do reflects on God. Ouch! So, every breath I take is teaching my children how to view God. No wonder people always have a messed up version of our Heavenly Father. I mean, come on, when was the last time God told you “Just a minute, I’m doing something?” When was the last time you watched God get frustrated because the house wasn’t clean? Honestly, I don’t think He does. God’s always there, ready to listen to you. You can praise, ask, talk, or even complain, and God will listen. He never tells us that He’s too busy because he’s “got stuff that HAS to get done.” And I am supposed to show that to my children. Seems overwhelming, doesn’t it? We, as sinful beings, are supposed to show our Perfect God to our children. Tall order huh?
I will admit, I am guilty of getting in the mode of: I gotta clean, I gotta do laundry, I gotta….you get the point. And yes, all these things have to be done. But our children should come first. Whether it’s because they need to talk, or need to be talked too, or just need a nap. They come first, always. I pray that God will show me and work with me on that, because all too often, I let the “gotta do’s” get in the way of “need to do’s”
If you don’t think your children mimic you in what they see, here’s a quick story from my life. This weekend, I was working on cleaning out my linen closet. I was standing there looking at the best way to go about this with my hand on my hip. BunnyBop comes up to stand next to me. I glanced down to see what she was doing, and sure enough, she was standing there with her hand on her hip, looking at the closet. They only difference is she had pumpkin bread in her other hand. She was promptly sent back to the table where she could eat without crumbs getting from one end of the house to the other. But that little act of hers made me realize, once again, that my children will do what they see. May God grant me the wisdom and the ability to mimic Him, so that they will follow my footsteps.
Ok…five minutes….
Have an awesome day everyone!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
I may need professional help...
So, yesterday, I finally decided that fall has come. That means it’s time to start gearing up my yard for winter, and I am sad. I had refused to even consider it for about two weeks, but with the rain and winds we have been having, I knew it was time. I had some roses still blooming, and I nearly cried as I snipped them off, because I knew they would be the last ones of the season. I mean, yes they were going in a vase, but sill…I was arranging them on the porch when I had what I call a “brain fart” Basically, I had an idea. Why not, my unselfish side asked, give them to your new neighbor? They just moved in, so I’m sure they’d love them. Then my selfish side piped up “WHAT? THESE ARE IT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???” I actually thought this over for a few minutes. I knew that if I put them in the vase I’d keep them. All of my vases have significant keepsake value in my mind.
Wait! I’ve gotten ahead of myself a bit. To understand my possessiveness with my roses you have to understand how hard I’ve fought for them! We moved here almost 3 years ago. I didn’t even know that these sorry looking plants were roses. They were THAT messed up. There are four roses. This year was the FIRST year I have been able to get them all to bloom. I have spent hours upon hours looking up stuff to help them. Hours pruning them, weeding them…. They also helped me realize how much I love working with plants and gardening and such. So, this year, I actually got to claim victory over them meanness of the previous residents of this house who didn’t care enough to take care of them. Sadly, I will admit that I had several conversations in my head where I told them off. Hmm…Maybe I need help….. Anywho, I love my roses.
So, maybe now you see my relationship with my beautiful roses. I feel a lot of (God help me) pride when I look at them.
Back to the story…long and short of it is…my neighbors will get cookies at Christmas. My roses are on my table…Call me what you will…as long as you keep your name calling to yourself!
Wait! I’ve gotten ahead of myself a bit. To understand my possessiveness with my roses you have to understand how hard I’ve fought for them! We moved here almost 3 years ago. I didn’t even know that these sorry looking plants were roses. They were THAT messed up. There are four roses. This year was the FIRST year I have been able to get them all to bloom. I have spent hours upon hours looking up stuff to help them. Hours pruning them, weeding them…. They also helped me realize how much I love working with plants and gardening and such. So, this year, I actually got to claim victory over them meanness of the previous residents of this house who didn’t care enough to take care of them. Sadly, I will admit that I had several conversations in my head where I told them off. Hmm…Maybe I need help….. Anywho, I love my roses.
So, maybe now you see my relationship with my beautiful roses. I feel a lot of (God help me) pride when I look at them.
Back to the story…long and short of it is…my neighbors will get cookies at Christmas. My roses are on my table…Call me what you will…as long as you keep your name calling to yourself!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Good Morning!
Hope everyone is having an awesome day! Ours has just started. Late night last night, so late getting up, darn it! I haven’t even gotten my first cup of coffee in me all the way yet!
School is going good for Goob and Princess. We did our new schedule for Goob (Two subjects Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the other two Tuesday, Thursday). He seems to work better with that. Goob is smart, but once he gets going on a subject, he really hates to stop. I’m hoping this will help him. Princess is doing awesome in her math, and working hard on Phonics. She wants to learn to read so badly and keeps asking me when she will be able to.
BunnyBop is having an awesome time making things difficult for her brother and sister. Taking pencils, paper, coloring crayons, and climbing up in their laps. I have been giving her “worksheets” but she’s so little that she scribbles on them for a few minutes and is done! I’m thinking I may have to break the “no toys in the living room” rule and let her bring stuff out to play with while the other two are doing school. She has toys in her room and downstairs in the family room, but I’m thinking she doesn’t want to be alone...
I pulled out my crock-pot yesterday. With the days getting colder, and our family getting busier, I decided it was time to start using it. I also decided it was time to learn how to use it. I’ve used my lovely slow cooker maybe 5 times in 8 years. I am determined to find some good recipes and use it a lot this fall and winter. In my determination to find good recipes, I went looking on the web and found this awesome blog “A Year of Slow Cooking”. Wow, I am impressed! Stephanie really knows what she’s doing! I tried her “Cranberry Pork” recipe yesterday. She has several, so be sure to click on the title for the recipe I used. It came out awesome! I cooked it for 9 hours, but I should have stopped at 7 hours, but that I was me not her! Still, the inside of the pork was a lot moister then I can ever get it! She'll even tell you when the recipe doesn't come out right! I really think everyone should use her blog!
Oh! I made pumpkin bread yesterday too. I had to run an errand after making it. When I came in the house, it smelled like Christmas! Between the smell of the bread and the smell of dinner, it was heavenly! Although, I am nowhere near ready for Christmas!
Ok, gotta get to work…days half over!
Have a good one!
School is going good for Goob and Princess. We did our new schedule for Goob (Two subjects Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the other two Tuesday, Thursday). He seems to work better with that. Goob is smart, but once he gets going on a subject, he really hates to stop. I’m hoping this will help him. Princess is doing awesome in her math, and working hard on Phonics. She wants to learn to read so badly and keeps asking me when she will be able to.
BunnyBop is having an awesome time making things difficult for her brother and sister. Taking pencils, paper, coloring crayons, and climbing up in their laps. I have been giving her “worksheets” but she’s so little that she scribbles on them for a few minutes and is done! I’m thinking I may have to break the “no toys in the living room” rule and let her bring stuff out to play with while the other two are doing school. She has toys in her room and downstairs in the family room, but I’m thinking she doesn’t want to be alone...
I pulled out my crock-pot yesterday. With the days getting colder, and our family getting busier, I decided it was time to start using it. I also decided it was time to learn how to use it. I’ve used my lovely slow cooker maybe 5 times in 8 years. I am determined to find some good recipes and use it a lot this fall and winter. In my determination to find good recipes, I went looking on the web and found this awesome blog “A Year of Slow Cooking”. Wow, I am impressed! Stephanie really knows what she’s doing! I tried her “Cranberry Pork” recipe yesterday. She has several, so be sure to click on the title for the recipe I used. It came out awesome! I cooked it for 9 hours, but I should have stopped at 7 hours, but that I was me not her! Still, the inside of the pork was a lot moister then I can ever get it! She'll even tell you when the recipe doesn't come out right! I really think everyone should use her blog!
Oh! I made pumpkin bread yesterday too. I had to run an errand after making it. When I came in the house, it smelled like Christmas! Between the smell of the bread and the smell of dinner, it was heavenly! Although, I am nowhere near ready for Christmas!
Ok, gotta get to work…days half over!
Have a good one!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Mother May I
Go back to bed I even slept in late, and I am still tired. I didn’t get to bed on time last night and it’s killing me now! I think I need a better schedule, but that will come with time!
First day of school went ok...not perfect by any means, but ok. I am learning how to teach two children at one time and it’s a bit of a challenge. I have thought of some ideas to help that out at least, so I am looking forward to trying them out! Princess realized today that school is no longer something she does until she is board of it. Now, it’s something she has to do every day, and I am not too sure she is thrilled with that idea. Goob is doing his typical “I am going to try mom’s patience” routine that he does every year when school starts. He’ll come back around though, and that always makes things go smoother.
Our oversight teacher was changed late yesterday for Princess. Goob had the same teacher last year that he has this year, but Princess was assigned to someone else. Luckily, the school called yesterday and is putting princess into Goob’s class. This is going to make my life so much easier.
Today’s agenda, if followed and accomplished (yeah, right!) is to get school done, do laundry, and try very hard to get my craft area up and running. Mr. Charming made me an awesome place to do my crafts and I need, let me emphasize, I NEED to get it organized! Right now, it is somewhat there, but it looks like the Rubbermaid store blew up. So not pretty. I’m on the lookout for ways to make it look pretty and be organized at the same time.
OH! Speaking of which, I found this awesome idea! We go through a LOT of cereal boxes around here…mainly because I’m never awake enough to make a “real” (as my kids call it) breakfast. Hey, don’t judge, at least its healthy cereal…most of the time….Anyway, back to the cereal boxes. We have a lot of them, and I am all for re-purposing stuff…lots of stuff. So, I was looking around for ways to do that with cereal boxes and found this I made one using scrapbook paper and it came out awesome! I’ll try to get pictures up later.
Well, off to start the day! Have a great one everybody!
First day of school went ok...not perfect by any means, but ok. I am learning how to teach two children at one time and it’s a bit of a challenge. I have thought of some ideas to help that out at least, so I am looking forward to trying them out! Princess realized today that school is no longer something she does until she is board of it. Now, it’s something she has to do every day, and I am not too sure she is thrilled with that idea. Goob is doing his typical “I am going to try mom’s patience” routine that he does every year when school starts. He’ll come back around though, and that always makes things go smoother.
Our oversight teacher was changed late yesterday for Princess. Goob had the same teacher last year that he has this year, but Princess was assigned to someone else. Luckily, the school called yesterday and is putting princess into Goob’s class. This is going to make my life so much easier.
Today’s agenda, if followed and accomplished (yeah, right!) is to get school done, do laundry, and try very hard to get my craft area up and running. Mr. Charming made me an awesome place to do my crafts and I need, let me emphasize, I NEED to get it organized! Right now, it is somewhat there, but it looks like the Rubbermaid store blew up. So not pretty. I’m on the lookout for ways to make it look pretty and be organized at the same time.
OH! Speaking of which, I found this awesome idea! We go through a LOT of cereal boxes around here…mainly because I’m never awake enough to make a “real” (as my kids call it) breakfast. Hey, don’t judge, at least its healthy cereal…most of the time….Anyway, back to the cereal boxes. We have a lot of them, and I am all for re-purposing stuff…lots of stuff. So, I was looking around for ways to do that with cereal boxes and found this I made one using scrapbook paper and it came out awesome! I’ll try to get pictures up later.
Well, off to start the day! Have a great one everybody!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
And so it begins...
Yep, today is the official start of the school year! Part of me is excited, part is a bit apprehensive, and a large part of me just wants to go back to bed! For this family, life doesn’t ever stop, so starting school doesn’t make my days easier. It actually makes them shorter! So, up earlier I go. I get up around 4:30-5:00…and today, I am not ready for it! Coffee, here I come!
Our books came in the middle of August, and we actually started doing some school then. Math especially was review for both Goob and Princess, so we got the first unit done and out of the way. Yay! Now, we are going to start Language, Science and History. Right now, our schedule looks like this: Language and Math, everyday. History is every Tuesday and Thursday. I love history, so I am excited about that! Science is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I hate Science, so I’m not excited about that! However, doing it three times a week will help us spend more time on the experiments and such. Art is Monday and Friday.
So, goodbye to all the sun (it’s currently raining and cold, with no end in sight). Good-bye to lazy days of playing outside and gardening. Goodbye to all the pretty flowers (ok, that actually makes me a bit sad!) Hello to crisp days. Hello to new leaf colors. Hello to later sunrises! Hello to my kids, who I get to watch as they learn something new every day!
Our books came in the middle of August, and we actually started doing some school then. Math especially was review for both Goob and Princess, so we got the first unit done and out of the way. Yay! Now, we are going to start Language, Science and History. Right now, our schedule looks like this: Language and Math, everyday. History is every Tuesday and Thursday. I love history, so I am excited about that! Science is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I hate Science, so I’m not excited about that! However, doing it three times a week will help us spend more time on the experiments and such. Art is Monday and Friday.
So, goodbye to all the sun (it’s currently raining and cold, with no end in sight). Good-bye to lazy days of playing outside and gardening. Goodbye to all the pretty flowers (ok, that actually makes me a bit sad!) Hello to crisp days. Hello to new leaf colors. Hello to later sunrises! Hello to my kids, who I get to watch as they learn something new every day!
Why??
We have been homeschooling for three years. Goob has actually never seen the inside of the local elementary school. I am ok with that! Yet, even before we had him, we knew we wanted to home school. I am asked why a lot, so I thought I’d get the explanation out of the way before we get too far. :)
Why…well, honestly there are several reasons. No, I am not a “religious freak who brainwashes her children.” Yes, I get told that a lot. Religion does have something to do with it though. I do not agree with what the school system in our area teaches, not only about Science, but also about moral issues that I take opposite stands on. Yes, I teach these stands and beliefs to my children, but I also work very hard to teach them about love and acceptance of others, even if we don’t agree with them. I have learned the hard way, we are ALL sinners, and I am NO better than anyone else! We all have our downfalls, and as children of God, we need to show grace and LOVE to everyone…no matter who they are or what they believe.
Also, I honestly don’t think my kids would get a good education in the school system. Goob is a very active 7 year old, and he would probably drive his poor teacher up the wall. At school, he wouldn’t be able to do his work standing up, which he does here. He wouldn’t be able to read sitting upside down, which he also does. I understand why these actions wouldn’t be possible because the poor teachers have a large amount of students they are trying to teach and there needs to be order, for her sanity as well as the rest of the class! There are a lot more reasons on the education issues, but I am not going to get into them, because I don’t wish to put the school district down. They try their hardest, and I do understand that!
For us, having our children in school was totally opposite of how both my husband and I were raised. I was pulled out of the public school system when I was in third grade; my husband was pulled out in sixth. It’s normal for us to have our kids around.
I will admit there are days it would be nice to send them off to school…we all have those days, but in the end, I love having them here. Seeing the light in their eyes when they finally grasp a topic they were struggling with is worth it to me!
People also ask about socialization, and they ask about it a lot! My kids have a lot of friends. There are kids in the neighborhood they play with, and they do to a Wednesday night program, as well as Sunday school. They also have a very large extended family that we spend a huge amount of time with. This may not seem like a lot, but it works for our family very well. And honestly, when in life are children only going to be around people their age? School is the only time that will happen, and I don’t see that as a good way to prepare them for real life. In real life, you deal with people of all ages, usually at the same time.
Why…well, honestly there are several reasons. No, I am not a “religious freak who brainwashes her children.” Yes, I get told that a lot. Religion does have something to do with it though. I do not agree with what the school system in our area teaches, not only about Science, but also about moral issues that I take opposite stands on. Yes, I teach these stands and beliefs to my children, but I also work very hard to teach them about love and acceptance of others, even if we don’t agree with them. I have learned the hard way, we are ALL sinners, and I am NO better than anyone else! We all have our downfalls, and as children of God, we need to show grace and LOVE to everyone…no matter who they are or what they believe.
Also, I honestly don’t think my kids would get a good education in the school system. Goob is a very active 7 year old, and he would probably drive his poor teacher up the wall. At school, he wouldn’t be able to do his work standing up, which he does here. He wouldn’t be able to read sitting upside down, which he also does. I understand why these actions wouldn’t be possible because the poor teachers have a large amount of students they are trying to teach and there needs to be order, for her sanity as well as the rest of the class! There are a lot more reasons on the education issues, but I am not going to get into them, because I don’t wish to put the school district down. They try their hardest, and I do understand that!
For us, having our children in school was totally opposite of how both my husband and I were raised. I was pulled out of the public school system when I was in third grade; my husband was pulled out in sixth. It’s normal for us to have our kids around.
I will admit there are days it would be nice to send them off to school…we all have those days, but in the end, I love having them here. Seeing the light in their eyes when they finally grasp a topic they were struggling with is worth it to me!
People also ask about socialization, and they ask about it a lot! My kids have a lot of friends. There are kids in the neighborhood they play with, and they do to a Wednesday night program, as well as Sunday school. They also have a very large extended family that we spend a huge amount of time with. This may not seem like a lot, but it works for our family very well. And honestly, when in life are children only going to be around people their age? School is the only time that will happen, and I don’t see that as a good way to prepare them for real life. In real life, you deal with people of all ages, usually at the same time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)