After worry & taking care of Arlee the night before, I woke yesterday morning asking Danny what time it was. I thought I was going to be late to pick her up from her sleepover!! But then I remembered, Oh yeah...she's HOME...in bed! And the poor girl had been laying there for awhile waiting for someone to walk down the hall so they could help her get out of bed! It's still hard for her to raise herself up with her broken collar bone. Danny helped her, and she headed for the bathroom, got dizzy, called for help, and then went DOWN! Crying and worrying about what was going on with her, she just sat for awhile until it passed. Then she was fine...no more dizzy spells. We're guessing she probably just got up too quickly off her bed.
I had to run back over to her Girl Scout Leader's house to drop off some paperwork, and Liam ended up leaving his shoes their yesterday as well. So I asked if Arlee wanted to go along with me. She did, of course, especially since it was early enough that the majority of the troop was still there at the sleepover! We got there, and Arlee was bombarded with cards from the girls there! It was just so sweet! I was getting tears in my eyes by the show of kindness and caring from these friends of Arlee! She appreciated it so much as well!
We visited for a bit, then had to go drop off Arlee's scripts at Kroger. While we waited for those to be filled, we ran over to Speedway so I could get a cappuccino and she got a chocolate milk. They have butterscotch flavored cappuccino there...and I *LOVE* it LOTS!! Since we were both pretty hungry, we decided to treat ourselves to some other Speedway treats, as well! After finishing eating, we picked Frost up from a friend's house since they live nearby. We were only able to visit for a minute, before we had to go pick up Arlee's script and head home. Arlee was already feeling pretty tired.
Once we got home, Arlee decided she needed one of her Tylenol 3's since she was feeling pain in her shoulder. She called her boyfriend, then another friend, and by then was VERY tired and groggy...but she just couldn't get too comfortable and plus her room was just so bright she couldn't get to sleep. We tried to arrange her blankets better, to cover her eyes, and she finally was able to fall asleep.
I was ready for a nap myself, but worked on lunch for everyone. Frosty, thru a deal we had made, was outside weed eating our back yard. We have a piece of yard enclosed by a chain link fence. It's where the dogs stay. Danny has to cut it with a push mower, but ours quit working back in the Spring...and we haven't been able to get a replacement one yet...so it has NOT been cut all summer long! And it has gotten LOOOONG!! So, for Frost to have his friend over, AND be able to play Xbox while he's here, he needed to cut it all! And he did! This was also the FIRST time he had ever weed eated {should that be "weed ate"??} at all! We are so very proud of him for working so hard! Danny even thru in an extra $5 for his good job!
When lunch was finished, I woke Arlee up. You could easily tell that she really wasn't ready to wake yet, but one of her best friend's was having a get together that evening that she truly wanted to go to. It was another sleepover, but Arlee knew she wouldn't be able to spend the night, but still wanted to hang out for a bit with the other girls. She then found out how tough it is to get ready to go somewhere ONE HANDED! And this girl is NOT one to ask for help! She has always been so very independent...this is going to be tough for her! She never wants to trouble anyone. I've been telling her that this may be a life lesson that she really needed to learn...the ability to ask for help when you need it!
We headed over to our friend's house. I got to see a mom I haven't seen in such a long time...which was WONDERFUL! Then got to sit with a friend and talk for a couple hours...again...WONDERFUL! It didn't take long for Arlee to just get really, really tired. So we headed home...with Frosty's friend along with us!
When we got home, Frosty was sleeping on the couch...guess he wore himself out doing all that weed eating! Poor guy! So his friend played YuGiOh with Zach instead while he waited for Frosty to finish his nap!
Arlee went to relax for a bit while talking to her boyfriend on the phone. I went to check on her, and she said she was hungry. So we got her sitting up, and I made her some food. We got her TV set up so she could watch some shows while she ate. She said the pain was starting back a bit, plus I thought since she was going to bed, we went ahead and gave her another Tylenol to help her sleep that night. While she waited for it to kick in, she came out and sat in the recliner in the living room with the rest of us.
It was another busy day...but such a good day. Visiting with friends always adds something special! We've learned that Arlee REALLY needs to take it easy...she is learning that she REALLY needs to learn to ask for help...and that we could probably get Frosty to do about anything if we bribe him with getting some screen time back! :)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Whew...What a Day!
Wow...yesterday...gee whiz!!
We started off our day behind...I remembered about Arlee's Writing Club at about 10:20am...it starts at 10:30am! So we rushed to get ready...and we hurried over to drop her off. Got her there around 11am. On our way back home, we stopped by The Family Dollar to pick up a couple things we've been needing around the house. Then home to fold some laundry, get the boys dressed for the day, and check my messages before leaving again to go pick Arlee up.
She had a great time, as usual, at Writing Club. When she arrived, they were all excited that she had made it! Arlee listened to the writings of the others, then she was able to read a piece of her own. One of the ladies, she tells me, told her, "Wow. I can REALLY see that." What a great compliment for a writer! She even left with a bag of cherry tomatoes for us to snack on in the car!
Home again, but not for long! Enough time to change my clothes, Arlee to pack up for a sleepover, and Frosty to grab his Scout stuff and bag up some tadpoles for a friend! We headed up to meet up with a fellow homeschooling mom who wanted tadpoles Frosty and the other kids had gotten out of our pool, and I picked up some homeschooling magazines from her. I was very much looking forward to an evening of reading with a yummy cup of coffee! Yeah...best laid plans! Ha Ha.
We were all absolutely STARVING by this time...and with NO time to make anything we could have brought "on the go", and actually with NOthing we could have used to bring "on the go". "REALLY need to hit up the grocery store soon!} So we decided to stop in at McD's. All the kids got McChickens, I had a McDouble...we all had parfaits and large orange drinks...and we left with our food for $15.32!! Not too bad for five of us!
Next we hit up Aldi really quick to pick up some snacks for Arlee's sleepover with her fellow Girl Scouts. Then we headed over to her troop's leader's house. She has twin boys that get along well with my two younger boys...so they played together. We tried our best to keep the girls focused...we tried to have a meeting to talk about a project we are working on...but it was pretty much a lost cause for the most part! They were VERY anxious to just hang out and have some fun together down in the basement!
I had to leave about 2 1/2 hours into it...Frosty had a Boy Scout outing that evening. We picked up a friend on the way to a Firehouse for some first aid training. We were there when Danny was trying to get a hold of me. Thankfully he was able to call Arlee's boyfriend, Zach's, phone because mine had ZERO service out where we were. He let me know that Arlee had gotten hurt really bad, and needed us to come check on her. The boys were almost done, I know Zach was wanting to come with us to check on Arlee since she was hurt. So once they were done...we sent Frosty with one of our friends to be dropped off at another friends house. Then headed to my in-laws to drop off our younger two boys as well.
When we arrived at the sleepover, Arlee was sitting up, but still in a lot of pain. She had attempted to do a cartwheel for the first time, and...well...it just didn't go over well for her. Somehow she fell right on her shoulder. She said she heard a loud CRACK when she landed. She laid on the ground for awhile. Her leader, my friend, took such good care of her. Staying with her, talking with her, trying to keep her mind off the pain. Her friends talked with her and was there for her as well. I'm so very thankful for ALL of them!
While Zach {Arlee's boyfriend} was at the Firehouse, he had asked the EMTs what would they do if they were treating someone who had broken their collar bone. They wrapped HIM up how they would do that...and allowed him to keep the sheet and such. And he put it on her when we got there. She said it did help a lot since it made it so she couldn't move her arm as easily with it on.
We stopped in at Urgent Care first...when we arrived, Arlee said she heard a big POP in her shoulder, and the pain started in again. Not sure what that was. I don't know if she could have popped her shoulder out of place, maybe, before when she fell...and then somehow it popped itself back into place?? I'm not sure. We were talking about it when she got her Xrays done...we were kinda hoping at that point that that would be all it was. But when the ER doctor came in after looking at her Xrays...he confirmed it was definitely broken.
A nurse came in and put a sling on Arlee...let her know she would have to wear it for about 4 to 6 weeks. We also received a couple pain med scripts. They gave her a couple Tylenol 3's for her pain while we were there. On the way home, I believe the combination that the hospital visit was over, she then knew for sure what was wrong, and having her Dad and boyfriend there to make her laugh got her in this giggling fit that lasted almost the whole way back to my in-law's house to pick up the boys! But then while we were updating them on what was going on with Arlee...she about fell asleep laying on Zach's shoulder. She was ready to crash. Poor girl.
We dropped Zach off at home...then headed home ourselves. Arlee pretty much went right to bed. I put the boys to bed. Then Danny & I wasn't far behind them. Yeah...WOW...what a day!!
We started off our day behind...I remembered about Arlee's Writing Club at about 10:20am...it starts at 10:30am! So we rushed to get ready...and we hurried over to drop her off. Got her there around 11am. On our way back home, we stopped by The Family Dollar to pick up a couple things we've been needing around the house. Then home to fold some laundry, get the boys dressed for the day, and check my messages before leaving again to go pick Arlee up.
She had a great time, as usual, at Writing Club. When she arrived, they were all excited that she had made it! Arlee listened to the writings of the others, then she was able to read a piece of her own. One of the ladies, she tells me, told her, "Wow. I can REALLY see that." What a great compliment for a writer! She even left with a bag of cherry tomatoes for us to snack on in the car!
Home again, but not for long! Enough time to change my clothes, Arlee to pack up for a sleepover, and Frosty to grab his Scout stuff and bag up some tadpoles for a friend! We headed up to meet up with a fellow homeschooling mom who wanted tadpoles Frosty and the other kids had gotten out of our pool, and I picked up some homeschooling magazines from her. I was very much looking forward to an evening of reading with a yummy cup of coffee! Yeah...best laid plans! Ha Ha.
We were all absolutely STARVING by this time...and with NO time to make anything we could have brought "on the go", and actually with NOthing we could have used to bring "on the go". "REALLY need to hit up the grocery store soon!} So we decided to stop in at McD's. All the kids got McChickens, I had a McDouble...we all had parfaits and large orange drinks...and we left with our food for $15.32!! Not too bad for five of us!
Next we hit up Aldi really quick to pick up some snacks for Arlee's sleepover with her fellow Girl Scouts. Then we headed over to her troop's leader's house. She has twin boys that get along well with my two younger boys...so they played together. We tried our best to keep the girls focused...we tried to have a meeting to talk about a project we are working on...but it was pretty much a lost cause for the most part! They were VERY anxious to just hang out and have some fun together down in the basement!
I had to leave about 2 1/2 hours into it...Frosty had a Boy Scout outing that evening. We picked up a friend on the way to a Firehouse for some first aid training. We were there when Danny was trying to get a hold of me. Thankfully he was able to call Arlee's boyfriend, Zach's, phone because mine had ZERO service out where we were. He let me know that Arlee had gotten hurt really bad, and needed us to come check on her. The boys were almost done, I know Zach was wanting to come with us to check on Arlee since she was hurt. So once they were done...we sent Frosty with one of our friends to be dropped off at another friends house. Then headed to my in-laws to drop off our younger two boys as well.
When we arrived at the sleepover, Arlee was sitting up, but still in a lot of pain. She had attempted to do a cartwheel for the first time, and...well...it just didn't go over well for her. Somehow she fell right on her shoulder. She said she heard a loud CRACK when she landed. She laid on the ground for awhile. Her leader, my friend, took such good care of her. Staying with her, talking with her, trying to keep her mind off the pain. Her friends talked with her and was there for her as well. I'm so very thankful for ALL of them!
While Zach {Arlee's boyfriend} was at the Firehouse, he had asked the EMTs what would they do if they were treating someone who had broken their collar bone. They wrapped HIM up how they would do that...and allowed him to keep the sheet and such. And he put it on her when we got there. She said it did help a lot since it made it so she couldn't move her arm as easily with it on.
We stopped in at Urgent Care first...when we arrived, Arlee said she heard a big POP in her shoulder, and the pain started in again. Not sure what that was. I don't know if she could have popped her shoulder out of place, maybe, before when she fell...and then somehow it popped itself back into place?? I'm not sure. We were talking about it when she got her Xrays done...we were kinda hoping at that point that that would be all it was. But when the ER doctor came in after looking at her Xrays...he confirmed it was definitely broken.
A nurse came in and put a sling on Arlee...let her know she would have to wear it for about 4 to 6 weeks. We also received a couple pain med scripts. They gave her a couple Tylenol 3's for her pain while we were there. On the way home, I believe the combination that the hospital visit was over, she then knew for sure what was wrong, and having her Dad and boyfriend there to make her laugh got her in this giggling fit that lasted almost the whole way back to my in-law's house to pick up the boys! But then while we were updating them on what was going on with Arlee...she about fell asleep laying on Zach's shoulder. She was ready to crash. Poor girl.
We dropped Zach off at home...then headed home ourselves. Arlee pretty much went right to bed. I put the boys to bed. Then Danny & I wasn't far behind them. Yeah...WOW...what a day!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
~*~ Happy August ~*~
Wow...August?? Really?? Already?? How the time flies these days! Can summer really be winding down already?? Is it really time to get serious about thinking "back to school"?? Only 146 more days until Christmas!! Gee whiz!
So here we are at the beginning of a brand new month. I know I've shared before how much I enjoy this small window each month where it seems you can "start over" or "begin again"...whichever you need at the time. The month laying before you is brand new, a clean slate, and totally unwritten {well, other than in my calendar where there is actually already a lot written in August!}. I like having this illusion. I know some people are very good at "beginning" right where they are...not me. For some reason, it just helps me to start at 1...like the 1st of the month, 1st of the week, or 1st of the year. I know...I'm weird like that! And strange thinking comes right along with it!
So what am I beginning this month?? Another round of a Biggest Loser Competition! It "officially" starts next Friday evening for the group, but I went ahead and weighed myself this morning...and it was NOT pleasant!! I have gained back all but like 8 lbs from the last round of the competition. Very, very disheartening. Obviously, it's all my own doing...but still. I really miss the days of long ago when I could eat anything and everything I wanted and remain in that slender state of being. Four children, and a couple decades later...that is just a dream! At this point...I'm really learning, but am NOT happy about it...I really, really, REALLY have to work at it! And THAT is tough!!
With where I am at, as of this morning, my overall weight loss goal would be 60lbs. That would put me back where I was when Danny & I got married, which I was VERY happy at that weight. But, by gosh...that just looks like such a big number sitting there staring at me...and I've been trying to lose these same 60lbs for YEARS now. I know it's possible, and that I can do it...the hard part is to convince my willpower and motivation to jump on board with me!
So here we are at the beginning of a brand new month. I know I've shared before how much I enjoy this small window each month where it seems you can "start over" or "begin again"...whichever you need at the time. The month laying before you is brand new, a clean slate, and totally unwritten {well, other than in my calendar where there is actually already a lot written in August!}. I like having this illusion. I know some people are very good at "beginning" right where they are...not me. For some reason, it just helps me to start at 1...like the 1st of the month, 1st of the week, or 1st of the year. I know...I'm weird like that! And strange thinking comes right along with it!
So what am I beginning this month?? Another round of a Biggest Loser Competition! It "officially" starts next Friday evening for the group, but I went ahead and weighed myself this morning...and it was NOT pleasant!! I have gained back all but like 8 lbs from the last round of the competition. Very, very disheartening. Obviously, it's all my own doing...but still. I really miss the days of long ago when I could eat anything and everything I wanted and remain in that slender state of being. Four children, and a couple decades later...that is just a dream! At this point...I'm really learning, but am NOT happy about it...I really, really, REALLY have to work at it! And THAT is tough!!
With where I am at, as of this morning, my overall weight loss goal would be 60lbs. That would put me back where I was when Danny & I got married, which I was VERY happy at that weight. But, by gosh...that just looks like such a big number sitting there staring at me...and I've been trying to lose these same 60lbs for YEARS now. I know it's possible, and that I can do it...the hard part is to convince my willpower and motivation to jump on board with me!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
It's That Time Again...
I guess it's about time for my typical post about, "Wow...it's been quite some time since I last posted." It always seems to happen. As much as I enjoy updating my blog...it does end up getting shoved to the back burner when life gets hectic. Then, next thing I know, it's been months and months since I last wrote. Seems way to overwhelming to even try and think about how to get "caught up" because there is just always too much stuff going on to really cover it all. So I guess the best route to take would be just beginning again from right here...right now.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Under $100 Food Grocery Trip
So after being inspired by The Peaceful Mom's blog with her $100 weekly menus...
http://thepeacefulmom.com/category/menus/
...thought I would give it a whirl myself for my family! :)
I will set it up like she did hers....Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners grouped together...and " * " means we already had ingredients on hand at home.
Breakfasts...
yogurt*, bananas, scrambled eggs*
French Toast* w/homemade maple flavored syrup*, add strawberries
Pancakes w/homemade maple flavored syrup, add bananas {x2 mornings}
Cheese toast, orange slices*
McMom Sandwiches*
Lunches...
Homemade pizza*, whole corn*, grapes
Mac-n-cheese, plums
PB & J sandwiches, apple slices
Tuna Sandwiches, plums.
Lunch meat sandwiches, peaches
Apple Sandwiches, cucumber slices* w/ ranch dressing*
Dinners...
BLT Sandwiches*, pasta*, coleslaw, cantalope
Meatloaf, green beans*, mashed potatoes, baked apples
Beans & Cornbread
Tacos {only needed to get 3lbs meat}
BBQ Crock-pot Chicken, corn on cob, cole slaw
Pizza Pasta {already has pasta, sauce, cheese}, green beans, strawberries
****
We spent $17 a Meijer on some fruit. Oh, and we splurged a little and got Arlee some Girl Scout Cookie Lip Balm...I think that was included in the price. :)
$54 at Aldi's. We were in there, and out of there in right at 10 mins...yep, Danny was timing me!! We got JUST what I had on my list...no more! :)
$21.91 at WalMart on food products....I think you could tell that we were getting pretty hungry by the time we got here!! I got some Atkin's bars, low carb ice cream bars, Danny picked up some Ben & Jerry's for himself, and some Choco Tacos for the kids! :)
Comes to a total of.... almost $93 for the week. :) {this is JUST for food}
http://thepeacefulmom.com/category/menus/
...thought I would give it a whirl myself for my family! :)
I will set it up like she did hers....Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners grouped together...and " * " means we already had ingredients on hand at home.
Breakfasts...
yogurt*, bananas, scrambled eggs*
French Toast* w/homemade maple flavored syrup*, add strawberries
Pancakes w/homemade maple flavored syrup, add bananas {x2 mornings}
Cheese toast, orange slices*
McMom Sandwiches*
Lunches...
Homemade pizza*, whole corn*, grapes
Mac-n-cheese, plums
PB & J sandwiches, apple slices
Tuna Sandwiches, plums.
Lunch meat sandwiches, peaches
Apple Sandwiches, cucumber slices* w/ ranch dressing*
Dinners...
BLT Sandwiches*, pasta*, coleslaw, cantalope
Meatloaf, green beans*, mashed potatoes, baked apples
Beans & Cornbread
Tacos {only needed to get 3lbs meat}
BBQ Crock-pot Chicken, corn on cob, cole slaw
Pizza Pasta {already has pasta, sauce, cheese}, green beans, strawberries
****
We spent $17 a Meijer on some fruit. Oh, and we splurged a little and got Arlee some Girl Scout Cookie Lip Balm...I think that was included in the price. :)
$54 at Aldi's. We were in there, and out of there in right at 10 mins...yep, Danny was timing me!! We got JUST what I had on my list...no more! :)
$21.91 at WalMart on food products....I think you could tell that we were getting pretty hungry by the time we got here!! I got some Atkin's bars, low carb ice cream bars, Danny picked up some Ben & Jerry's for himself, and some Choco Tacos for the kids! :)
Comes to a total of.... almost $93 for the week. :) {this is JUST for food}
The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ 3/10
In my life this week...Very emotional this week hearing all of the devastating stories from the storms that hit last Friday. They were so close to home. One of Danny's uncle's place was in the path of one of the tornadoes...they are fine though! Although, a friend of theirs just a couple doors down did end up passing away because of injuries from the tornado.
Our family's thoughts are with all the families affected by this damaging storm.
In our homeschool this week...
Went really well! I'm happy with how the week went! We were kinda busy this week, but was still at home quite a bit! Which is a good thing!
It was a little touch and go there on Monday with Zachary with his sentences, but Tuesday he wrote them out perfectly and all on his own for me! And he had this HUGE smile on his face when I told him how wonderfully awesome he did! SUCCESS!!! :)
Arlee was working on a report to turn in for a contest, but ended up getting sick the week it was due and was unable to turn it in. She had worked REALLY hard on it...and did go ahead and finish it. {I will be posting it here over the weekend...because I think it was really good, and more than just us should see it!} It was about the Doolittle Raid. I was really happy with all the research and time she put into this paper! She worked on it, on and off, for about 2 months or so. We started it all off by watching "Pearl Harbor"...the one with Ben Affleck. She also had a bunch of books and other documentary dvds to watch as well about Pearl Harbor and The Doolittle Raid. I really enjoyed learning things along with her because she would share with me the things she thought were interesting.
Once she finished her Doolittle paper, we moved on to her next topic...the Holocaust. First off we watched the movie, "The Devil's Arithmetic"...we made it just part of our "school day" by popping some popcorn, and all piling in front of the TV. It really hit her hard. She was crying during the movie...she REALLY felt it. I've been hearing info coming from her for the past few days as she has begun reading thru the books I had picked up for her from the library about the Holocaust.
Frost has done well this week! Last Friday night we found a Salamander outside my in-laws house...the very next day he was looking things up online...all on his own...one how to care for it! What to feed it, how it's habitat should be set up...LOVED IT!! I told him that he should work on a project about Salamanders...but we didn't get to it this week! Would still love to do that with him...with all the boys actually!
For Zach and Liam, I've been really looking into the Ohio State Standards booklets I have to make sure we are covering things.
I think we have a good routine going...well, at least the start of one! You have no idea how happy I am for that!! It's been a LONG time in the making!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
I am inspired by...Frosty has been working REALLY hard on his Merit Badge stuff for Boy Scouts this week!! I'm totally counting these as part of his "learning lessons"!! He worked for 2 hours yesterday cleaning up our yard...yeah, it was THAT bad....plus we've been working on cleaning out our attic, little by little, all part of his Family Life Merit Badge! I'm most proud of him because of for the most part, HE has taken the initiative to start working on what he needs to get done! That is HUGE for him!! One day, he got up before any of the rest of us, and hopped on my computer and was doing some work on one of them! He has REALLY impressed me this week!
Places we're going and people we're seeing...
Saturday... COOKIE BOOTH!! Our amazing Girl Scouts sold 112 boxes at their booth this morning! WAY TO GO GIRLS!! PLUS, because of the tornadoes which ripped thru our county the day before...they collected donations to help those families. I was able to call and donate $150 to Red Cross on their behalf. SO VERY PROUD of those girls!
Sunday... Stayed home for the entire day!! Yippee!!!!
Monday...Boy Scout's Leader/Parents Meeting, Danny was able to go along with me! We got him all registered...he's looking forward to going to Summer Camp with Frosty, and maybe even getting more involved in the troop!
Tuesday...Met a good friend, who turns out to also be the leader of our older Homeschool Girl Scout Troop. She took me to Starbucks...YUM! And we did LOTS of great planning for our troop! REALLY looking forward to whats coming!
Wednesday...Zachary had his piano lessons. Today his teacher filled out his completion certificate and wrote him a little encouraging note at the back of his finished book...and she already had his new books ready to go!! He is VERY excited to be moving ahead with his lessons...as are we! He's been doing such a great job!
Thursday...Arlee went to her Writing Club...said she read one of her stories she wrote for school, which was very sad, and got teared up while reading it, and almost got one of the other ladies attending to cry as well. Shared with them all about the Honorable Mention she received from sending in her poem to a contest thru a Cincinnati newspaper...one of the ladies gave Arlee info on another poem contest that she could enter! :)
Took the boys over to McD's for a Playtime @ the Playland homeschool outing I had set up. There were 4 families including us...ALL BOYS!! Frosty, after about 30 to 45 mins, stepped out of his box and talked with the other 13 year old boy there! They ended up hanging out out in the main part of McD's playing cards! Looked like they were having a great time!
Picked Arlee up and headed home for a couple hours before leaving for another library program right uptown. Took Arlee & Frosty to this one. They made Popcap Art! What fun! And FREE!! Gotta LOVE that!!!
Got my library card updated and such...which I've needed to do for quite some time! Got Arlee & Frost their own cards, too! They were both REALLY excited, and both checked out a few things! :) Now I have to keep up with 4 cards...hmmmm...what exactly was I thinking?? :)
Also picked up our new glasses!! Four out of 6 of us needed them!
Friday...Took Frost to a friend's house to spend the night. Our wonderful friend will will taking him to his Merit Badge Class Saturday morning! Which we are VERY grateful for!! Danny & I went grocery shopping together...counts as a "date night", right?? :)
My favorite thing this week was...This was technically last week, but wanted to share...Arlee winning an Honorable Mention from a writing contest she entered! She got 2 notebooks and 2 pens. She is very excited, and very proud of herself...and we are quite proud of her as well!
What's working...So I think I have found a good set up for organizing lessons. Right to the left of my desk, I have a small shelving unit. On the top shelf, I have this file holder/divider thingy. I have 4 manilla files for the 4 days that we do school each week. I will go in over the weekend, print out any papers that we need for that week...mostly it's just for Zach and Frost.
Then on each day, all I have to do is grab the folder for that day and all I need it right inside. If we don't finish something, I just move it to the next day's folder. If we complete it, it goes right back into the folder. {I will be putting together binders to hold all their papers soon.}
On the front of the folder is a paper clip so I can attach a "schedule" paper...I use that to write down what we have done. At the beginning of this week, I began to start keeping scores of their worksheets, projects, "classes". I just move that over to the next days file folder at the end of the day so it will be ready to go.
It's very simple...I know...and I think that is exactly why it is working for me!
Under the divider thingys...there is a slot that Arlee can use to "turn in work" if she needs me to look it over.
Things I'm working on...Trying so hard to finish up a scarf that I've been working on for way too long! It's one for my niece, and I'm sure she's thinking that I have just forgotten to finish it up! It's been crazy trying to find the time to sit and knit for the past few weeks. Which is sad because I love it so.
I'm reading..."Green Angel" by Alice Hoffman and "Family Feasts for $75 a Week" by Mary Ostyn.
A photo to share...
Sorry, it's a little blurry...but you can definitely see that proud smile he has! :)
*****************************************
Our family's thoughts are with all the families affected by this damaging storm.
In our homeschool this week...
Went really well! I'm happy with how the week went! We were kinda busy this week, but was still at home quite a bit! Which is a good thing!
It was a little touch and go there on Monday with Zachary with his sentences, but Tuesday he wrote them out perfectly and all on his own for me! And he had this HUGE smile on his face when I told him how wonderfully awesome he did! SUCCESS!!! :)
Arlee was working on a report to turn in for a contest, but ended up getting sick the week it was due and was unable to turn it in. She had worked REALLY hard on it...and did go ahead and finish it. {I will be posting it here over the weekend...because I think it was really good, and more than just us should see it!} It was about the Doolittle Raid. I was really happy with all the research and time she put into this paper! She worked on it, on and off, for about 2 months or so. We started it all off by watching "Pearl Harbor"...the one with Ben Affleck. She also had a bunch of books and other documentary dvds to watch as well about Pearl Harbor and The Doolittle Raid. I really enjoyed learning things along with her because she would share with me the things she thought were interesting.
Once she finished her Doolittle paper, we moved on to her next topic...the Holocaust. First off we watched the movie, "The Devil's Arithmetic"...we made it just part of our "school day" by popping some popcorn, and all piling in front of the TV. It really hit her hard. She was crying during the movie...she REALLY felt it. I've been hearing info coming from her for the past few days as she has begun reading thru the books I had picked up for her from the library about the Holocaust.
Frost has done well this week! Last Friday night we found a Salamander outside my in-laws house...the very next day he was looking things up online...all on his own...one how to care for it! What to feed it, how it's habitat should be set up...LOVED IT!! I told him that he should work on a project about Salamanders...but we didn't get to it this week! Would still love to do that with him...with all the boys actually!
For Zach and Liam, I've been really looking into the Ohio State Standards booklets I have to make sure we are covering things.
I think we have a good routine going...well, at least the start of one! You have no idea how happy I am for that!! It's been a LONG time in the making!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
I am inspired by...Frosty has been working REALLY hard on his Merit Badge stuff for Boy Scouts this week!! I'm totally counting these as part of his "learning lessons"!! He worked for 2 hours yesterday cleaning up our yard...yeah, it was THAT bad....plus we've been working on cleaning out our attic, little by little, all part of his Family Life Merit Badge! I'm most proud of him because of for the most part, HE has taken the initiative to start working on what he needs to get done! That is HUGE for him!! One day, he got up before any of the rest of us, and hopped on my computer and was doing some work on one of them! He has REALLY impressed me this week!
Places we're going and people we're seeing...
Saturday... COOKIE BOOTH!! Our amazing Girl Scouts sold 112 boxes at their booth this morning! WAY TO GO GIRLS!! PLUS, because of the tornadoes which ripped thru our county the day before...they collected donations to help those families. I was able to call and donate $150 to Red Cross on their behalf. SO VERY PROUD of those girls!
Sunday... Stayed home for the entire day!! Yippee!!!!
Monday...Boy Scout's Leader/Parents Meeting, Danny was able to go along with me! We got him all registered...he's looking forward to going to Summer Camp with Frosty, and maybe even getting more involved in the troop!
Tuesday...Met a good friend, who turns out to also be the leader of our older Homeschool Girl Scout Troop. She took me to Starbucks...YUM! And we did LOTS of great planning for our troop! REALLY looking forward to whats coming!
Wednesday...Zachary had his piano lessons. Today his teacher filled out his completion certificate and wrote him a little encouraging note at the back of his finished book...and she already had his new books ready to go!! He is VERY excited to be moving ahead with his lessons...as are we! He's been doing such a great job!
Thursday...Arlee went to her Writing Club...said she read one of her stories she wrote for school, which was very sad, and got teared up while reading it, and almost got one of the other ladies attending to cry as well. Shared with them all about the Honorable Mention she received from sending in her poem to a contest thru a Cincinnati newspaper...one of the ladies gave Arlee info on another poem contest that she could enter! :)
Took the boys over to McD's for a Playtime @ the Playland homeschool outing I had set up. There were 4 families including us...ALL BOYS!! Frosty, after about 30 to 45 mins, stepped out of his box and talked with the other 13 year old boy there! They ended up hanging out out in the main part of McD's playing cards! Looked like they were having a great time!
Picked Arlee up and headed home for a couple hours before leaving for another library program right uptown. Took Arlee & Frosty to this one. They made Popcap Art! What fun! And FREE!! Gotta LOVE that!!!
Got my library card updated and such...which I've needed to do for quite some time! Got Arlee & Frost their own cards, too! They were both REALLY excited, and both checked out a few things! :) Now I have to keep up with 4 cards...hmmmm...what exactly was I thinking?? :)
Also picked up our new glasses!! Four out of 6 of us needed them!
Friday...Took Frost to a friend's house to spend the night. Our wonderful friend will will taking him to his Merit Badge Class Saturday morning! Which we are VERY grateful for!! Danny & I went grocery shopping together...counts as a "date night", right?? :)
My favorite thing this week was...This was technically last week, but wanted to share...Arlee winning an Honorable Mention from a writing contest she entered! She got 2 notebooks and 2 pens. She is very excited, and very proud of herself...and we are quite proud of her as well!
What's working...So I think I have found a good set up for organizing lessons. Right to the left of my desk, I have a small shelving unit. On the top shelf, I have this file holder/divider thingy. I have 4 manilla files for the 4 days that we do school each week. I will go in over the weekend, print out any papers that we need for that week...mostly it's just for Zach and Frost.
Then on each day, all I have to do is grab the folder for that day and all I need it right inside. If we don't finish something, I just move it to the next day's folder. If we complete it, it goes right back into the folder. {I will be putting together binders to hold all their papers soon.}
On the front of the folder is a paper clip so I can attach a "schedule" paper...I use that to write down what we have done. At the beginning of this week, I began to start keeping scores of their worksheets, projects, "classes". I just move that over to the next days file folder at the end of the day so it will be ready to go.
It's very simple...I know...and I think that is exactly why it is working for me!
Under the divider thingys...there is a slot that Arlee can use to "turn in work" if she needs me to look it over.
Things I'm working on...Trying so hard to finish up a scarf that I've been working on for way too long! It's one for my niece, and I'm sure she's thinking that I have just forgotten to finish it up! It's been crazy trying to find the time to sit and knit for the past few weeks. Which is sad because I love it so.
I'm reading..."Green Angel" by Alice Hoffman and "Family Feasts for $75 a Week" by Mary Ostyn.
A photo to share...
Sorry, it's a little blurry...but you can definitely see that proud smile he has! :)
*****************************************Friday, March 9, 2012
The Peaceful Mom Blog...
I stumbled upon a link to a blog from a friend on Pinterest...it is called "The Peaceful Mom". What really caught my eye was the name of a new series that she is starting..."Living on Less than 28,000 a Year"...I *HAD* to find out more! Here is the link to part 1...as of today, there are 5 parts to this series so far...
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/02/20/new-series-living-on-less-than-28000-a-year-2/
While reading thru the series...I found that she also post about less than $100 weekly menus. THIS I was interested in as well! I'm hoping to use it for inspiration this week as I'm making our our family's weekly menu to see if I can trip up our grocery budget a little!
http://thepeacefulmom.com/category/menus/
On top of that, I found that she has a FREE ebook as well called, "Save More, Clip Less"! Whoo Hoo! I'm lovin' this site! Here is the info on that...
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/08/19/free-e-book-save-more-clip-less/
If you choose to check it out...ENJOY!! Hope you do...as much as I have been so far!
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/02/20/new-series-living-on-less-than-28000-a-year-2/
While reading thru the series...I found that she also post
about less than $100 weekly menus. THIS I was interested in as well! I'm hoping to use it for inspiration this week as I'm making our our family's weekly menu to see if I can trip up our grocery budget a little!http://thepeacefulmom.com/category/menus/
On top of that, I found that she has a FREE ebook as well called, "Save More, Clip Less"! Whoo Hoo! I'm lovin' this site! Here is the info on that...
http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/08/19/free-e-book-save-more-clip-less/
If you choose to check it out...ENJOY!! Hope you do...as much as I have been so far!
Monday, March 5, 2012
From Monday...
Didn't get a chance to post this on Monday.
Struggled with Zachary today. Yesterday I sat right next to him to do his 4 sentences using 4 of his spelling words. It took him FOREVER to come up with his sentences, and he kept getting frustrated because I kept correcting him on his handwriting. Today I let him just do it all on his own. He came up with his sentences fairly easily, but he forgot to space between his words. So I made him do them over. Again he didn't space...so again, he did them over. By the end, he wrote these sentences at least 5 times before spacing between the words all the way thru. It was tough, but we got thru it!
Frost...
Math....3 min multiplication math drill, 5 Khan Academy videos.
Spelling/Handwriting...Practice worksheet with writing spelling words, 4 sentences using 4 spelling words.
Scouts 101: Chemistry Merit Badge requirement, did a tasting experiment with onions.
Zach...
Math...3 min addition math drill, Expanded Notion worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting...Practice worksheet with writing spelling words, 4 sentences using 4 spelling words, Spelling City online.
Struggled with Zachary today. Yesterday I sat right next to him to do his 4 sentences using 4 of his spelling words. It took him FOREVER to come up with his sentences, and he kept getting frustrated because I kept correcting him on his handwriting. Today I let him just do it all on his own. He came up with his sentences fairly easily, but he forgot to space between his words. So I made him do them over. Again he didn't space...so again, he did them over. By the end, he wrote these sentences at least 5 times before spacing between the words all the way thru. It was tough, but we got thru it!
Frost...
Math....3 min multiplication math drill, 5 Khan Academy videos.
Spelling/Handwriting...Practice worksheet with writing spelling words, 4 sentences using 4 spelling words.
Scouts 101: Chemistry Merit Badge requirement, did a tasting experiment with onions.
Zach...
Math...3 min addition math drill, Expanded Notion worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting...Practice worksheet with writing spelling words, 4 sentences using 4 spelling words, Spelling City online.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Our Sunday...
We slept in pretty late today. While about 1/2 the kids were still sleeping, I got started on making some homemade syrups...a maple flavored one, and strawberry. Zach doesn't like the strawberry syrup, so I have to make the maple flavored one for him. We also had some from scratch chocolate chip pancakes! OOOOh, it was YUMMY! Not exactly what I should have been eating...not since I'm trying to win the Biggest Loser Competition!! BUT...wow...I just could not resist!!
Speaking of the Biggest Loser Competition...I've lost about 10 lbs since starting. I know I could have done better, but I got sick there for a week, and now just can't seem to keep motivated. This week...will definitely do better this week. {I think I've told myself that every week so far!}
By the time we were able to get started on school lessons today, we didn't have much time to get a lot in. Didn't get to Liam at all today.
Arlee finished up the Doolittle Raid, and I will post that as soon as I can get it to look right on my blog here. She did a really good job with it, I think. And I can't wait to share it! We popped some popcorn, and settled down to watched "The Devil's Arithmetic" today to launch her into her next report...the Holocaust.
After our movie, I did some work on our poor living room. It was still piled with things from our attic. This whole "cleaning out the attic" idea has really turned into quite the job! I'm trying so hard to keep my eye on the prize though...how nice it will feel once it's all done! :)
***
Lessons for today...
Arlee...
Foreign Language ~ Japanese, exam
History ~ Completed "Doolittle Raid" report. Watched "The Devil's Arithmetic"
Frost...
Math ~ 3 min multiplication math drills worksheet, 3 videos on Khan Academy, Greatest Common Factor worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting ~ Wrote spelling words 2x printed, and 1x in cursive tracing them. Wrote 4 sentences with 4 spelling words.
Scouts 101 ~ Worked on Collections Merit Badge Packet, mostly, but did do a little work in Chemistry and Family Life Merit Badge Packets as well.
History ~ Watched The Devil's Arithmetic.
Zach...
Math ~ 3 min addition math drills worksheet, x2 worksheet, expanded form worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting ~ Wrote spelling words 2x printed. Wrote 4 sentences with 5 spelling words. Spelling City, online.
History ~ Watched The Devil's Arithmetic.
Speaking of the Biggest Loser Competition...I've lost about 10 lbs since starting. I know I could have done better, but I got sick there for a week, and now just can't seem to keep motivated. This week...will definitely do better this week. {I think I've told myself that every week so far!}
By the time we were able to get started on school lessons today, we didn't have much time to get a lot in. Didn't get to Liam at all today.
Arlee finished up the Doolittle Raid, and I will post that as soon as I can get it to look right on my blog here. She did a really good job with it, I think. And I can't wait to share it! We popped some popcorn, and settled down to watched "The Devil's Arithmetic" today to launch her into her next report...the Holocaust.
After our movie, I did some work on our poor living room. It was still piled with things from our attic. This whole "cleaning out the attic" idea has really turned into quite the job! I'm trying so hard to keep my eye on the prize though...how nice it will feel once it's all done! :)
***
Lessons for today...
Arlee...
Foreign Language ~ Japanese, exam
History ~ Completed "Doolittle Raid" report. Watched "The Devil's Arithmetic"
Frost...
Math ~ 3 min multiplication math drills worksheet, 3 videos on Khan Academy, Greatest Common Factor worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting ~ Wrote spelling words 2x printed, and 1x in cursive tracing them. Wrote 4 sentences with 4 spelling words.
Scouts 101 ~ Worked on Collections Merit Badge Packet, mostly, but did do a little work in Chemistry and Family Life Merit Badge Packets as well.
History ~ Watched The Devil's Arithmetic.
Zach...
Math ~ 3 min addition math drills worksheet, x2 worksheet, expanded form worksheet
Spelling/Handwriting ~ Wrote spelling words 2x printed. Wrote 4 sentences with 5 spelling words. Spelling City, online.
History ~ Watched The Devil's Arithmetic.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ Weekly Wrap Up 2/3
My overall thoughts of our life this week... it has been a great week! I'm proud of how great my kids worked this week with our school lessons! We've been having a hard time really finding our groove since the beginning of this school year. I think mostly because we've had so much going on. Since I've really cleared our calendar at the beginning of this month, we've been able to start settling into a good routine for school! I'm so happy {and I'm hoping my Husband will be too!}
We've been doing lessons 4 days a week...Sunday thru Wednesday. It seems to be working out really well for us! :) Especially since Danny has been home on Thursdays lately!!
In our homeschool/family life this week...
Friday…..
I made some pancakes and French toast to have on hand this week for breakfast. I'm so NOT a morning person in ANY way at all! So, to have breakfast food ready to basically just pop in the microwave to be able to serve my family hot homemade meals...without having all the prep work and cooking in the wee hours of our day...yes, this is a good thing!
Also tried out making some egg, cheese, sausage sandwiches with English Muffins.
These turned out really yummy!!
Here is the link to the website where I first got the directions on how to make these...
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/mcmombreakfastsandwiches.htm
Next time I think I will...although it will take longer...make the eggs individually in bowls. Microwaved scrambled eggs...so they will be round, and spread out a little more than when I made ALL of them in the casserole dish. Same idea with the sausage. I just cut them off in slices from the package...but they need to be bigger around to fit on the English muffin better. These were still so very good though!
Arlee was asked to go with a friend to a basketball game and after party. It was a friend she hadn’t seen in awhile…and just hasn’t gotten to hang out with much. She was very excited to get the chance to. She had a GREAT time!
Last week I think it was…we started watching The Cape on Netflix. LOVED IT!! We finished up what was available on Netflix…and I don’t think they made anymore. We’re really sad about that!!
Saturday…
Sent my Husband and oldest boy off at 8am this morning to be at a local park all day for the Boy Scout Winter Camporee. They had a good time…even though it was chilly.
They got home, Frosty showered and changed so we could run off to Teen Game Night with some of our homeschool friends. On our way we stopped to pick up a friend of Frosty’s to bring along with us. Arlee was brought earlier by friends so she wouldn’t have had to wait until Frosty got home to hang out with everyone. We all had a great time hanging out with our friends! The ride home was great…I think we laughed the entire way. We got home around 11pm.
Sunday…
We all slept in pretty late today. School got started around 1:00 to 1:30 pm I think. It went really well though! Arlee started in getting her classes set up on the Universal Class on our local library. Frosty and Zachary did LOTS of Math, handwriting/practicing their spelling words. Since I had to cut today short, I didn’t get to lessons with Liam though.
Since back on June 29th 2002 Danny and I got married…that would make us 10 years together…MARRIED…this year. So we have decided to celebrate ALL year long! On the 29th of each month this year, we will be going out to do something special.
If you'd like to read more about this...you can here...
http://beautifulthingsinhumbleplaces.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-29th.html
Danny found the show Eerie Indiana on Netflix. Anyone else used to watch this?? We watched the first one tonight…the kids really liked it!! We also watched a series called The Event…it has Jason Ritter in it, and we watched the first one…looks pretty good.
Monday…
Today was amazing with school work!! Arlee began another class to add to her others…she’s doing 5 in all when she gets them all set up. Frosty and Zach did Math, Handwriting/Spelling, Math drills on paper and online. I even got to do some handwriting review with Liam today!!
Boy Scouts was tonight for Frosty. Got him there, then got a call from Danny to come pick him up. We have a friend of ours that we pick up loaves of bread and other bread thingys from. So we thought we’d go get that while Frosty was at his meeting.
Had beans in the crock pot cooking while we were gone, and made some sweet cornbread before we left so dinner would be all ready when we got home.
During dinner we watched Planet of the Apes…the newer one by Tim Burton with Mark Walburg in it.
Tuesday…
Our 3rd day of lessons this week! Going pretty well! Frosty and Zach got thru their worksheet and online timed math drills and worksheets. Frosty had a lot of stress over his long division review page. He just REALLY doesn’t like division!! After Danny got home, he helped him finish it up. I’m VERY grateful for his help!! Zach did some typing, and some other online educational games. Frosty did his Khan Academy and a couple worksheets I printed out over exponents. They both did their handwriting/spelling word list. Frosty studied for his Spelling test after the movie, before bed. I gave him the responsibility of preparing for his test…which is tomorrow. This is really the first studying that he’s done all week…other than his spelling list/handwriting page.
Today Liam pretty much just wanted to do work out of his Math workbook. This boy LOVES math!! So we did a few pages, then switched over to working on letters for just a bit.
Spaghetti for dinner tonight with garlic toast.
Watched I,Robot during/after dinner. Danny picked it out the last time we were at the library. He thought Frosty would really like it…and he was right!
Wednesday…
Another late morning getting out of bed. Just enough time to check my messages, try to keep Zach focused enough to get ready and eat breakfast. The goal...to get out the door to his piano lesson. Today our piano teacher’s son, who happens to be the same age as Zachary, had an early release from his school. So after Zachary’s lesson they were able to play together for a little bit before we left.
After getting back home, some of us made some food to eat, I also got my coffee for the day, and started in on some lessons. On the way home the weather was feeling so nice, I really wanted to take all the kids to the park, but I also have been doing so well this week with school lessons, I didn’t want to lose that momentum!! So we opted to stick at home and do lessons. Now that my folders for the week are empty…just about…I’m actually very happy that I did! We only have a little to catch up on over the weekend with Zach. Everything else will just be pushed until next week.
Zach has done so great with his learning Multiplication!! I’ve been giving him 50 problems to work thru everyday. He’s learned how to do all his 1’s then 2’s, then 5’s, then 10’s, and 9’s. Then the few that are left over, he uses manipulatives to figure out, or draws dots on the back of the paper to do so.
Frosty missed 5 on his Spelling Test which gave him an 80%...and Zach got all his words correct!
So far, Arlee has been enjoying her classes that are thru the library.
Having Italian Beans for dinner....YUMMY!!
Thursday…
Homeschool Girl Scouts today! We were working really hard on finishing up what we needed for our Thinking Day tomorrow! We are doing the state of New York! I’ll try to remember to take my camera tomorrow so that I can take pictures of our group’s booth!
While all the kids and me were at the church for the Girl Scout Meeting…Danny went and did some running by himself. Picked up some crickets and such from the pet store. Went and drooled over some big flat screen TVs. And got back in time to help us clean up the church!
We all stopped in at Wal Mart to pick out a birthday present for a friend we will be hanging out with tomorrow at his party! The boys are TOTALLY excited because it is at Chuck E Cheese! It was tough keeping Zach focused long enough to pick out something for our friend…but he finally did with LOTS of help from Danny & me.
It was a “fend for yourself” kinda night for dinner.
Arlee is spending her evening finishing up a project for Thinking Day. It is looking AWESOME!!!
My favorite thing this week was... Was Danny and I going out for out "Happy 29th" date! :) I just love nothing more than being able to connect with my Husband! I love it when we get to do something special just for us...as a couple! :)
Questions/thoughts I have... Been thinking a lot lately about Zach {my 8yo}. For those reading that don't know...he has ADHD and Non-Verbal Learning Disability. He has a tough time with fine motor skills, social skills, distractability, focusing, ect. I'm looking into pulling more therapy like activities into our day for him...where...I'm not sure yet. But I was up really late one night looking into ideas of things we can try. Need to do more research on all of this though. There's just so much out there to read!!
Then I have my 6yo. WOW...I need to figure out some things for him as well. He's very strong willed, and sometimes, just plain mean. Worst times are in the evening...so I need to figure out something that will work counteract those feelings/actions he has then. Try to head them off with something else. He does have other "hot spots" during the day...but I think this is the WORSE time of the day for his attitude and actions!!
I'm grateful for... again...the warm weather!! We are starting off Feb in Ohio in the high 50's!! It's been beautiful! Don't even really need a jacket at all to wear outside!
Linking Up with...
http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/
Happy 29th!!
Way back on June 29th, 2002...I married the man of my dreams! This year, 2012, marks 10 years of total wedded bliss! I love my Husband so very much...more and more each day!
To celebrate our 10th wedded year together...we will be going out for a special "date" on the 29th of each month. This past Sunday was our first! We started wishing each other "Happy 29th" throughout the day! :) I know I was SOOOOO excited!!
Over our time together, one of our favorite places to go when we have the chance {and money} is Applebee's. After dinner once...neither of us could really do a whole dessert ourselves, so we decided to share one. A White Blondie. Since then, every time we get a chance to go, we still split a White Blondie for our dessert. So, Sunday we made the drive to our regular Applebee's JUST to split a White Blondie. :)
Before we went in...I gave Danny a cute little gift I put together for him. It was 10 packs of Extra gum. I put some sweet little notes on them...
Of course using the word EXTRA.....Like "I love your" on the outside, EXTRA....and this on the inside...
Put them all in a gift bag...
And finished it off with some tissue paper....
I know...pretty sappy!! But I love this man so very much!! I want to make sure he know just how much! :)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday Treats ~ Pizza Pasta
LOVE this quick meal! It's a winner with everyone in the family...and to easy to throw together, and get on the table simply!
First off I boil up some Penne Pasta. A whole box of it. I would think you could use just about any kind of pasta, though, yet Penne is the only I have used thus far.
Drain the pasta, mix in 1 can/jar of spaghetti sauce.
Pour into 13 x 9 casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350.
Start putting in the pepperoni...about 1/2 the package. Then a VERY thin layer of mozzarella cheese, shredded. I will then slightly mix this all together right in the casserole dish.
After the mixing, do another layer of pepperoni on top. And the rest of the mozzarella cheese to cover the top.
Pop it into the oven until the cheese on top is nice and melted. Serve some garlic bread or biscuits and a salad!
First off I boil up some Penne Pasta. A whole box of it. I would think you could use just about any kind of pasta, though, yet Penne is the only I have used thus far.
Drain the pasta, mix in 1 can/jar of spaghetti sauce.
Pour into 13 x 9 casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350.
Start putting in the pepperoni...about 1/2 the package. Then a VERY thin layer of mozzarella cheese, shredded. I will then slightly mix this all together right in the casserole dish.
After the mixing, do another layer of pepperoni on top. And the rest of the mozzarella cheese to cover the top.
Pop it into the oven until the cheese on top is nice and melted. Serve some garlic bread or biscuits and a salad!
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ 1/27
In my life this week...been feeling much better than I did last week! Still having some bad headaches though...not sure why or where these are coming from, but I really wish they would just go away!
In our homeschool this week...found out that our local libraries paid for a subscription to Universal Class. They offer online classes. They are not credited, but still...I'm hoping this is going to be a great resource for us! Arlee has picked out the 5 classes she wants to do: Algebra 101, Drawing, Adobe, Writing Improvement, and Haunted Places. Each class has an instructor that you can communicate with via email...you are given assignments and exams, and are graded! Best of all?? It's all FREE because of our local library!!
I found a great book at the library to use for "creative writing"! Arlee already got started...and I'm also hoping to do it with the boys as well! I will write more about this in a future blog post!
We started working with Zachary learning his multiplication...."officially". We've answered his questions when he would ask..."What is 3 x 1?"...and go on to explain to him anything times 1 is itself. And some other multiplying rules. But this week, the two of us got down on the floor and I showed him what multiplying LOOKS like! :) He is so smart...and picked up on it SOOOOO quick!!
Places we're going and people we're seeing...We very much stayed in our bubble this past week! Last Saturday was icy out...Arlee was suppose to go to a Girl Scout outing; bowling...but it got postponed. Boy Scouts Monday night for Frosty...they had a Webelo come in to visit. They made small sewing kits together. Zach had piano lessons on Wednesday. He did wonderful...as usual! :) Thursday Arlee had Writing Club at the library. She LOVES this!
My favorite thing this week was...Since I didn't get to post last week, I'm going to say my favorite thing was going out with friends last Friday night! Jason is my friend from high school...and thanks to facebook we have reconnected. We went out to celebrate his birthday with is girlfriend, Katrina, and some of their friends. We had a lot of fun...and was very happy to have been able to be there to watch Jason propose to Katrina!! :)
Danny brought home some farm eggs this week from one of his customers!! He says they don't live far from us, and they said they would LOVE for us to bring the kids out to see all the animals! I think this would be WONDERFUL! I'm hoping that we can take them up on their offer. Loved how excited the kids got to see not only white and brown eggs...but also green eggs! :)
Questions/thoughts I have... Saving money has been a HUGE thing on my mind lately. How to try and cut down on our already tight budget?? Always trying to be on the look out of how we can save a few more pennies.
I'm grateful for... for my amazing son Zach! And for all of his "special'ness" that he brings to our life! Most days are "typical"...we almost feel like we live a "normal" life...and then Zach reminds us of how life is like with a special needs child! It is VERY hard! Found myself hiding in my room one afternoon this week...and crying on the phone to my Husband. This boy has shown my that I can be more patient than I ever thought possible...and exactly what "unconditional love" really means. I'm so very grateful to be Zachary's mother! :)
A picture to share... Here is Zachary learning his multiplication. I have him all the GREEN triangles...because green is his FAVORITE color. I gave him the dice, and he had to roll them. Whatever numbers came up...he had to SHOW me the problem. He did SUCH an AMAZING job! I'm so very proud of him!!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Desperately Seeking Savings...
Just the other day, I was talking with Danny on the phone...he was telling me about this customer that he met that day while working. This friendly guy gave Danny some great advice. He said to retire as soon as he possibly can...and spend the kids' inheritance on your own adventures! Looking back on his life now...at 80, and unable to use his legs like he used to...it was the best thing him and his wife ever did!
**I WANT THIS FOR US!!!**
Now to just figure out how to make it happen!!
*********
Desperately Seeking Savings...
I had an awesome opportunity to hang out with some fellow homeschooling moms at my favorite coffee shop. We met up to talk about our upcoming Project Linus get togethers, and Operation: Going Green/Saving Green.
While talking with my friends about what we did to recycle and save our pennies...I shared with them how frustrated I can get when trying to find "new" ways to spend less and save more. I go looking on websites and they give advice like:
**Cut out your DAILY latte {I'm LUCKY if, on average, I make it to my favorite coffee shop once a month, or even Speedway for a 1.29 cappuccino 1x a week}
**Cut back on eating out {Our "eating out" as a family happens MAYBE 1x a month...and it's the $16 chicken special at Wal Mart's Deli...brought home to enjoy}
**Wait longer in between hair cuts {again, I'm LUCKY if I get my own hair cut 1x a YEAR}.
I'm sure this advice would be helpful to some...but not really so much for our family. We've tried our best to be as thrifty as we can be for a long time now. So where does one have to go to find maybe a little more "hard core" thriftiness tips and ideas?
I have learned over time that the words you have to use in Google searches DOES matter. I've had to switch to words like "homesteading" and "self reliant" and "self-sufficient" to come up with some good ideas for spending less. Searching with "frugal" just isn't cutting it anymore.
Here are three GREAT links for some good sites that I would like to share. The first one is Mother Earth News...LOVE this magazine!! Many, many great articles on their website. The second is Path to Freedom...a VERY inspirational website! I would LOVE this lifestyle for MY family! The third is just a list of things to be more self sufficient...
LOVE this magazine and all the online articles it has...
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
Path to Freedom
http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/
One of many lists that you can find on "Things you can do to be more self sufficient..."
http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/DC_ss_thingsyoucando.htm
***************************
So What's Next???
A 12-year plan perhaps?? Liam is 6 now...so in 12 years we have the possibility to be "empty nesters". Where do we want to be at that point in our lives? We will be starting a whole new milestone in our marriage and life together. What do we want that life to look like?
I definitely want Danny to be AT LEAST to the point by then that he does not have to work overtime...or maybe even able to only work part time somewhere just for a little extra spending money. Our DREAM goal would be he would be retired, or soon ready to retire by then. I get just a HUGE smile on my face just thinking about my Husband being able to be at home with me everyday!! I would be so very happy!!
Trying to get Danny retired in 12 years is going to be a HUGE accomplishment...and we are going to have to put a lot of hard work into achieving this goal. First off starting to find new places in our budget to spend less and save more.
We could follow the instructions of Dave Ramsey....
*Build a $1000 Emergency Fund
*Pay off all debt
*3 to 6 months in Savings
*Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRS's & pretax retirement
*Pay home off early
*Build wealth & give
I've always thought this plan was GREAT. They say you should follow it EXACTLY in this order though...and who knows, they may be right...but I believe I will make up a list with these same type of things that we can do, but not in this exact order! You know what a rebel I am! :)
I will be looking into new ways to save on our budget, and hopefully work our way closer and closer to our goals. I will post in future journal entries what we've been doing....what we are trying...what is working...what wasn't working.
I will also be looking to put our 12 year plan down in "black and white". That way I can post it on our fridge so we can look at it EVERYday to help keep us moving forward AND on the right track!
Looking forward to beginning this journey!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday Treats ~ Peanut Butter Pie
Best Peanut Butter Pie I've found...so far! Danny LOVES this stuff...well, we ALL do! It's SUPER easy to make...with sinfully delicious results!
Peanut Butter Pie
8 oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 to cup peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup confectioners sugar
8oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
prepared graham cracker pie crust
1/4 cup chopped peanuts {optional}
1. Combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and milk.
2. Add confectioners sugar and mix well. Fold in 3/4 of the whipped topping {reserve the rest}.
3. Pour into graham cracker crust and freeze until firm.
4. Just before serving, edge the top of the pie with the remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle the peanuts in the center of pie.
Variation:
1. Instead of mild, use 12 oz jar marshmallow cream.
2. Instead of a graham cracker pie crust, use a chocolate graham cracker crust.
3. Spread 1/4 cup hot fudge sundae topping over the bottom of the pie crust before adding the rest of the pie filling.
****************************
My added notes:
Usually this makes more than what can fit into the prepared pie crusts that I buy...no biggie though, leaves plenty for the kids to share out of the bowl! :)
I just slather the Cool Whip all over the top...and I don't use the nuts because Frosty doesn't like nuts. I have taken chocolate syrup and drizzled across the top, and I've add chocolate chips to kinda dress up the top before.
YOU MUST KEEP THIS PIE CHILLED!! Once it starts heating up, it starts sorta getting a little too soft! I keep mine in the freezer until I start making dinner, then move it to the fridge.
ENJOY!
1/2 to cup peanut butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup confectioners sugar
8oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
prepared graham cracker pie crust
1/4 cup chopped peanuts {optional}
1. Combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and milk.
2. Add confectioners sugar and mix well. Fold in 3/4 of the whipped topping {reserve the rest}.
3. Pour into graham cracker crust and freeze until firm.
4. Just before serving, edge the top of the pie with the remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle the peanuts in the center of pie.
Variation:
1. Instead of mild, use 12 oz jar marshmallow cream.
2. Instead of a graham cracker pie crust, use a chocolate graham cracker crust.
3. Spread 1/4 cup hot fudge sundae topping over the bottom of the pie crust before adding the rest of the pie filling.
****************************
My added notes:
Usually this makes more than what can fit into the prepared pie crusts that I buy...no biggie though, leaves plenty for the kids to share out of the bowl! :)
I just slather the Cool Whip all over the top...and I don't use the nuts because Frosty doesn't like nuts. I have taken chocolate syrup and drizzled across the top, and I've add chocolate chips to kinda dress up the top before.
YOU MUST KEEP THIS PIE CHILLED!! Once it starts heating up, it starts sorta getting a little too soft! I keep mine in the freezer until I start making dinner, then move it to the fridge.
ENJOY!
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Homeschool Mother’s Journal ~ 1/14
In my life this week...has been really nice I must say! I know you all know that I'm trying my best to simplify in my life. Which also includes clearing a lot of our calendar! So far, this past week, I've been home with my family more than we've been out running! And it has been a wonderful change!
In our homeschool this week...we didn't do too much. We did Math drills and Math lessons. We read some. We watched a few DVD's..."Conquest", one about Pearl Harbor, the Pearl Harbor movie's bonus material about unsung heroes, and "A Nightmare at Jamestown". I think that was about it.
Places we're going and people we're seeing...Arlee to spend the night at a friend's house {who happened to also have ANOTHER friend there...bonus!} , Manga Library Program, Boy Scouts, Piano, Anime Club, Writing Club, Self Defense Program with Homeschool Girl Scouts, to InLaws for game night...and that was it!! When I write it out...it looks like a lot, but for our family...this was a VERY light week!!
My favorite thing this week was...finding out that my Husband was taking Thursday off work...which puts him here 3 days this weekend! Unfortunately, he chose to do this because he is not feeling well, and has lost his voice.
What's working/not working for us...Last week we did so well with our schedule...we fell off of it this week. But I *KNOW* it was because I wasn't able to take the time over the weekend to really prepare for the week ahead.
Things I'm working on...finishing up a scarf to donate...then I will begin working on some fingerless gloves that I will be selling! :)
Questions/thoughts I have...trying out doing all my planning on Thursdays for the next week. Planning to do it over the weekend, like on Saturday is just NOT working! It does NOT get done. Then I'm left with NO plan for the following week...and that right there spells out disaster for attempting to get to lessons.
Usually, Danny works on Thursdays...some Thursdays we have Scouts, or Writing Club, so we are in and out, and it makes it hard for a real productive day anyway with lessons. So I'm thinking that the kids can just have a "fun" day...educational videos, play doh, Legos, games, etc. All while I'm working on lessons for the next week. Getting our schedule together, papers printed out, websites together, etc.
I'm reading...no new books at the moment. Haven't had a chance really to read this week.
I'm grateful for...this unusual warm weather! Haven't had to use our heaters as much as we have at this point in winter before! But that all changed this week, too! It was SOOO cold in the last part of the week! Dropped from 50's to TEENS!! In a matter of 1 day!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
A quote to share..."Where you end up isn't the most important thing. It's the road you take to get there. The road you take is what you'll look back on and call your life." Tim Wiley
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
Okay...so...I know this is suppose to be "wordless"...but I just had to add a brief back story so that when you look at this pic...it doesn't really take words to catch the feeling within it. :)
This was Frosty's very first time going to Kings Island this past summer. This was the very first ride they rode...and was Frosty's very first ROLLER COASTER!! It is one that you go on a few loops and backwards and all....NOT one you would EVER catch ME on, that's for SURE!!!
So I snapped this shot right after they got off of it! What did he think of it??
You can for sure see that in the picture...no explanation required!
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Lost Art of Letter Writing
I'm sure we all know that letter writing has become one of the lost arts. We
have made way for more "effective" and "efficient" ways of communicating. Which I do see as a wonderful progress, don't get me wrong...but we do need, I think, to keep this type of communication alive! It is a simple pleasure...one that we should not lose!I stumbled upon this website a few weeks ago...
Wordsmithery ~ http://smallworldathome.blogspot.com/p/wordsmithery.html
LOVED IT!! This wonderful woman has written out what she has done for a Creative Writing class she taught for a homeschool co op. It's all written out, and divided up by weeks. Then ideas for a 4 day week of lessons. I'm excited to implement this into our school days!
While running this all thru my head...I decided before we jumped into the lessons...I wanted to start the kids off writing letters to friends. It's important to know how to compose a friendly letter. So we gathered up notebook paper and I brought up an example on the computer. After they finished writing what they wanted to...the majority of the letters were a little shorter than I had hoped, but my fingers are crossed over time, they may get a little longer...we did the envelopes.
I definitely can see how it is so much quicker and easier to just shoot someone an email. But I still don't think it compares to that feeling when you get something out of the mailbox with your name on it!! Especially when you are a kid and don't usually get stuff coming directly to you. Or, really, as an adult to find something pleasant instead of a bill or the useless junk mail!
It went fairly well this first time sitting down with all of them to work on this. I think the majority of them enjoyed doing this little something for someone else. 3 out of 4 of them drew something extra to put in with their letter for their friend. I'm going to be sure that we keep this up along with following the creative writing lessons!
And I'm not going to let the kids have all the fun! My wonderful brother & sister-in-law gave us these great stationary sets which I'm looking forward to be putting to good use this coming year!
Found this great online article. Made me want to grab a pen right away and start writing with great lines like...
"Because receiving a personal letter is so rare these days, it can feel like a gift. Handwritten letters are especially prized."
“If you write me a letter by hand, I know in a way that cannot be faked, that you put more effort into it...”
“The act of writing—narrowing your thoughts and double-checking them and getting them to say exactly what you want—is a wonderful intellectual exercise, and letter writing promotes that.”
http://indianapublicmedia.org/arts/letter-writing/
And then...let's also touch on good ole fashioned LOVE LETTERS!! If you are married, or have a "special someone"...when was the last time you WROTE down to them how special they are to YOU??
I remember back when Danny & I first reconnected, and first moved in together. While I was at work, when it was slow, I would spend time writing letters to him. Even if we were going home together that evening. I would write the obvious sappy stuff...hopes and dreams I had for us as a couple, or us as a family...things that might have been worrying me or bugging me...and just about "this and that" that was going on that particular day. I know Danny would totally own up to that he LOVED getting those letters! He got them quite frequently!
There for little while, I would pack a lunch for Danny to take to work. I would add it a little note to remind him that I would be thinking about him that day. Or how much I appreciated him working so hard for our family.
It's been way to long since the last time I've done this. How about you??
When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter to a friend or loved one??
How about a love note to your "special someone"??
Sunday, January 8, 2012
You Know You Want a Set of These...
Finished up a really cute pair of fingerless gloves!! Above in the pic is Arlee modeling them for me! She really likes them...and she is the connoisseur of fingerless gloves! :) {Of course she is JUST modeling these...she does NOT like pink herself...and will probably not be happy with me for posting a pic of her actually wearing pink!! :) } These ones have already been donated.
I've also decided to start selling my knitted creations:
Fingerless gloves...$3
Scarf...$3
Set...$5
AND...of whatever is purchased I will buy enough to make a matching set to be donated to Wrapping Clermont Together!
For anyone local...I can deliver them, or we can meet up. If you are more than say about 45 mins from Bethel...I would have to ship them, and charge a shipping charge as well. You would pay what I pay.
I'm very excited about this! I love knitting!! And I think this is going to keep me really busy with it!! The sets will take some time to make...and I will be making them all myself...so please be patient with me on getting them out to you!
Once you order...I will be on the lookout for the perfect color that you are looking for...and will get started making it as soon as I can.
Orders will be made in order that they are placed.
These would make GREAT Christmas presents for next year!!
I'm so excited because I've already had a wonderful response to this!! I'm looking forward to making some really great sets for my friends!! :)
THANK YOU ALL!!!!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Sticky Buns
These Sticky Buns are mouth watering!! They are soooooo yummy...especially right out of the oven!
When I make mine...I make my dough in my bread maker...the same recipe I use when I make my pizza dough and hamburger bun dough. Guess that would make it my all purpose dough! I will have to post that one at another time...so for now, I will post the recipe right out of my cook book...
Sticky Buns
1/2 cup butter, divided
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 loaves frozen bread dough, thawed
1. Melt 1/4 cup of butter on stovetop or in microwave. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until well blended. Pour into a 9 x13 baking pan.
2. Melt remaining half stick {1/4 cup} butter in microwave or on stovetop. Set aside.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
4. Break off golf-ball-sized pieces of bread dough, 12 per loaf. Dip each in melted butter and then roll in sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place coated balls in baking pan.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight.
6. Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes before baking.
7. Bake uncovered at 325 for 35 minutes. Turn out of pan immediately onto serving platter.
{Variation: Add 1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped pecans to mixture in pan (step 1) }
ENJOY!!!
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