What I'm Reading

I've started a new Pinterest board.  I saw the idea on another blog I read and I loved it. The new pinterest board is called:

2014 Books I've Read

I plan on posting links to all of the books I read through the rest of the year right on that little board.  Even the bad ones :-)  

For the first time since since the end of June, I read a book.  I know.  That's crazy but true.  It's posted on my new board because I already finished it.  In one day.  It felt good to just ready one day last week I still have my list of non-fiction books I need want to read but I have a hard time finding that motivation lately.  

I'm also searching for some new books for the boys.  I like to get them each 2-3 books for Christmas and I like them to be books they will want to read over and over.  Last years books were pretty successful and I'm hoping to find books as good this year!  

What we are eating - Amish Chicken

Amish Chicken
adapted from Growing Up Gabel

  This was a simple but delicious chicken dinner.  We are not huge chicken fans in this house (we would always pick pork or beef over chicken) so when I find a chicken recipe that makes my husband say, "This is the best chicken I've ever tasted" AND I agree with him - it's a keeper!  I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts that I cut in half (has anyone else noticed how thick some of those chicken breasts are???).  The meat was moist and so flavorful!  

Ingredients

• ½ cup flour
• ½ Tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3 pounds chicken thighs

Instructions

1. Grease a jelly roll pan or other baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour and spices. Whisk well.
3. Dredge chicken in flour mixture and then place in baking dish, skin side down.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Flip chicken once, half-way through cooking.

Teaching Tuesday - Week 7

Things shifted a little bit this week and it was kind of interesting to see.

1) Josh discovered that he loves to do his school/seat work first thing in the morning.  His words to me were, "I don't love school so if I get my work done first thing, I can play the rest of the day."

2) Nate is not loving school.  His words:  "My arms hurt, my feet hurt, my hand is broken, my pencil doesn't work, my mind keeps thinking on other things. .. " and so on.

3) We finished our first "Life of Fred" book and are waiting on the next one to arrive.  The boys actually miss Fred and his adventures!

So, how does this all impact us at school this week and in the coming weeks?

1) I have no problem with Josh (or Nate) doing their seat work anytime during the day.  This work consists of their basic math pages, their handwriting page and, right now, their phonics worksheets.  I'm available to answer any questions but, thanks to routine, they understand the basics of each of the pages.  This is actually the concept of "workboxes" except without the boxes.  Instead I just have their pages stacked together, ready to be done.   As of right now, we still gather most days at the table around 1:00 to do our Life of Fred work, Science and Social Studies readings and to review their AWANA verses.

2) Nate is only four.  I started him with the K-5 material because he and Josh like to do the same stuff.  Last year when he did basic pre-school stuff he gave me the same excuses so, obviously, he just doesn't like doing the work!  I'm not forcing it - especially the handwriting.  I am "making" him do school each day even though he begs not to because I know that he needs to sit down and do something.  With that said, it's ok if he doesn't do everything on every page.  He can do K-5 next year too :-)

3) Because we finished Life of Fred on Monday, the boys had a lighter school load the rest of the week, which is fine.

I keep telling myself I want to add more creative fun activities but, so far, I haven't.  The boys have been playing outside for hours and hours each day.  The weather is perfect - cool but sunny - for outside play and I'd rather them enjoy that right now.  It won't be long and it will be snowy and cold  and they will NEED some fun inside activities, crafts and games to break up the day.  I guess I should plan for THOSE things and be ready.

In science this week we started learning about Ants.  Call me crazy but I'm thinking an ant farm would be something they would enjoy.  They have also been begging for a small fish tank and Glow in the Dark fish.  (yes, they are real).  Both might make some good Christmas Gifts and provide some fun entertainment for the winter HA!

Make It Monday - Birthday Board

I saw an idea several years ago over at Secrets of a Super Mommy for a Birthday Board to celebrate the entire week before a persons birthday.  Now, I love birthdays and really want to make them a fun time for the birthday person so, needless to say, this idea is something I would like to incorporate into our family. 

Here's another example - this one is from How Does She.

Lets keep it real - this project has been on my goal list since January.  I finally got to work on my project list mid-September and now, the start of the first family birthday "week" begins on Thursday and my board is not done!  Instead of beating myself up about it or slapping together something last minute, I'm giving myself the freedom to let this idea grow.  What I have accomplished is the following:

1) I search Pinterest for ideas for what I could use each day as something special; complied my favorites; made a project list.
2) The birthday Pillowcase has been ordered and received - ready to go on the birthday persons pillow at some point during the week.
3) Josh's birthday shirt has been ordered.  (Hopefully it arrives in time . .. I was sure I ordered it with plenty of time but was told it won't ship until Wednesday . . Uuugg!!)
4) This time, I've planned the meals but I've picked Josh's favorite things - Tacos, Hot Dogs, Burgers, plus we'll eat out a few times.

I really want to make the true birthday board really awesome - make it out of wood, and add fun things ot it . . .my new goal is to start with the full thing with Darryl's birthday so the boys can "watch and learn" and then look forward to the whole thing next year for their birthdays!  

Things my Kids Say

* The other day I told Nate he needed to take a bath.  His response?  "Mom, I love to stink.  It's my favorite smell and it makes my nose smell fresh."  For the record, he did stink and he did take a bath :-) LOL

* The boys were very excited to get their soccer certificates which include a free pizza from "Pizza Hunt" :-)

Family Fun - A Day at the Park

Back on September 6th, we took off one afternoon to go for a drive.  We figured we would end up at a park somewhere but, well, going for a drive is cheap fun.  We drove through a small town and came upon a great little park.  The boys had a blast, that's for sure!

 This particular park at a lot of the old spring-loaded toys that you ride.  The boys loved them.

 Ok, so this entire summer Josh has worn two different flip flops.  yes, he does have both pairs but, for whatever reason, he just wears them like this.  At one point during the summer we had a "shoe battle" because I wanted him to wear matching shoes.  I then realized that really, in light of eternity, having two different shoes does not matter and I just let him go with it.  I actually find it kind of endearing now and will miss it as Flip-Flop season slowly slips away.

Yes, it was actually pretty warm on this particular day!

 The park at a great baseball field.  Josh is very into the concept of "T-Ball" right now and can't wait until spring when he can play.  He and Darryl played an imaginary game - Darryl would pitch the "ball" to him and Josh would "hit"it and then run around the bases.  They would change places and Darryl would have to "hit" the ball.  It was beyond cute to watch!

There's Josh "pitching" to a fake player since Darryl was stuck on third base HA!

 Nate preferred playing on the spring-loaded toys than playing ball.

 Look at that swing!!! 

The boys after the game was done.  :-)

 Can you guess what the boys  needed to do? LOL  Yep, it was bathroom time for Nate and Josh. 

 We got in some swinging and yes, I did actually get on a swing and went really high . .then got motion sickness and almost lost my cookies.  Sheesh! 

Josh conquered a fear of some Monkey Bars - he managed to crawl all over these bars and, even after slipping through them at one point, held on and lowered himself to the ground.  Yes, it was a HUGE deal!

Once we were all hot and tired, we headed back home to cook dinner on the grill.  It was a true, fun, family day! 

Weekly Menu

My new favorite snack?  Frozen Grapes.  Seriously.  I really worked on having healthier snacks on hand for me to grab and the grapes are perfect! I worked hard this past week to plan my snacks, breakfast and lunch.  It takes extra "work" but when I do that, I tend to eat healthier and also tend to plan things that help keep me full.  It also means a lot of food prep with making sure veggies are cut up for snacking, some ham/pickle wraps are made and that I keep my water cup FILLED in the fridge to grab for a drink.  (If it isn't full, I will grab a soda every single time)

Here's what we are eating this coming week:

Saturday - I'm not sure yet.  How's that?  We have a short list of things to get done on this day and sometimes, by the time the list is done, well, I'm tired and don't feel like cooking.  I'm guessing we'll either get a pizza or something simple like that.

Sunday - Sunday Dinner Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, and Rolls

Monday - One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, Homemade Bread, Layered Jell-o (Josh has been asking for this for weeks!

Tuesday - Beef Drip (This is one of those recipes that should be on my recipe list but . . itsn't!), Baked Beans, and Salad

Wednesday - Ham and Cheese Quiche, Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins, and Fried Potatoes

Thursday - Friday - This is the start of Josh's "7 days of birthday" celebration and part of that is that he gets to pick out what he wants for dinner every night.  I don't want to ask him too early so at this point, I don't have a plan.  My guess?  We'll be eating Tacos, Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese and other simple foods like that!