Too Cute Not To Toot!

I'm sitting here on a Monday night after a busy day of prepping for a birthday party for my now 4 year old and realizing that I haven't written a post for Tuesday!  I've also realized that I have not decorated for fall.  I just have not had the desire to drag everything out even though my husband has asked me to do so . . .twice.  Not sure why, I just haven't but, Thanksgiving is now at my house so I guess I better get my fall on pretty soon! 

This first idea isn't just a single craft and it is whole house of halloween decorations.  A Pretty Life gives some great inspiration in her post!

Because it is so late tonight and, well, I'm tired, I'm going to let that by your inspiration for the week!

Homeschool Happenings Week 8

First of all I must say Happy Birthday to my very special 4 year old today!!!  We'll be doing this to celebrate his birthday throughout the week so I'll be sharing a birthday post this weekend :-)  

This past week our learning focused more on things that we were doing each day than book learning.  Here's a look at our week!

Monday - I've figured out that I don't need to do preschool 5 days a week, 2 hours a day.  That's just crazy.  So, we don't normally do preschool on Mondays - instead we go to the grocery store (which is all about learning anyway!).  The boys usually have specific items that they are supposed to remember to get (I Help them remember!).  This week on Monday though, the boys had some building time with Darryl.

My sister-in-law picked up this huge set of Marble Works at a garage sale a few years ago and gave them to us because she remembered her brothers (my husband being one of her brothers) playing with them growing up. Well, the boys are finally hold enough to enjoy playing and building so my THREE boys spent the time before dinner making this fun tower.

Tuesday - The boys love playing games and this See and Spell activity is a favorite.  Don't judge, some days are just pajama days. 

Wednesday - Field Trip!  I've been trying to get us to the park for several weeks but due to rain, high winds, and cold temps (not to mention everyone with runny noses) it just didn't happen.  Well, today was IT!  It was 70 degrees, sunny and dry . . .well at least while we were there (It rained later in the day and rained the rest of the week!).  I'm hoping to get back to the park at least one other time . .. 

Thursday - I have to admit .. .I don't remember what we did today . . . .maybe nothing ;-)

Friday - We went to Friday school in the morning and normally I don't plan a lot on Friday afternoons other than picking up for the weekend.  But I thought I'd share these photos.

 Josh asked me to play blocks with him so how could I resist!  A week ago they went to visit their grandpa up north with Darryl and they had a little birthday party for both boys.  They each got some money so we took them to the store to pick out a gift.  Nate picked out the blocks and Josh picked out a whole bucket of play food.  Those have been the main toys this week! 

There is a story behind this little table :-)  At Friday school there is a huge table of . . ummm .. junk.  At least that is what I see normally.  It is stuff people bring to give away.  Well, this past week Josh spotted a big bag of dishes and play food.  His eyes got huge and he looked up at me and said "Look at that mom".  So I grabbed it and ignored the pretty pick dishes ;-) LOL  Let me tell you, we got home and the boys threw a tea party that lasted all afternoon and they even cleaned their floor before the day was done.  These dishes are such a huge hit.  Between the food he got for his birthday gift and this free bag of kitchen stuff, my kids are cooking up a storm! 

That's our week!

A Few of my Favorites

This week (and maybe in the future - who knows!) I've decided to share some of my favorite blog posts from this past week.  Posts that made me think, smile, or dream a little more.  To me, Sundays are the days to sit back and read something without feeling rushed so, take time and check out the following posts:

1) Rainbow Birthday Cake from Comfy in the Kitchen - Sure she shares an easy recipe but she also is not an over the top birthday party planner and that was great to see.  It often seems that blog land shows incredible parties that many of us can't recreate- this post does not do that :-)

2) Little Writer from Superchikk - I love this blog in general but this particular post shares her sons progress with learning to write and how it ties into the meaning of his name.  Such a great post!

3) Operation Christmas Child; Paper or Plastic from Mama Jenn- This is the first post I read this year about Operation Christmas Child and it reminded me that I wanted to do this with my boys.  My goal this year is one box.  I plan on taking the boys to the store the first week of November, allowing them to pick out toys for the box and then we can actually pay online and then will be able to track our box to see where it goes.  I really loved this post !

That's all for this week.  In the future, I am going to add these as I read them - I know there were some more great posts this past week but I can't remember them!

Enjoy your Sunday (Today I'll actually be busy prepping for a special party for a little boy turning 4!)

Weekly Menu

So, did I mention last week that I'm in love with my new plan?  Well, I am!  This weeks menu was a huge success and, because I was making things that I know well several nights of the week, it made it easy to cook.  I've also been diligent to save left overs so we can eat those on Sunday night (I hate cooking on Sunday evening!)  plus I also made a double batch of both the root beer pulled pork and shrimp so I have those two meals in the freezer.  I like to use those meals around the holidays when I'm busy cooking other things like pies, cookies and fun food to serve. 

We have a very busy week coming up - we have something going every single day Monday-Sunday.  It isn't often that we get weeks like this so we will just enjoy it!

Monday - Josh turns 4 today and we are having the grandparents over for a little party.  Since he is four and really enjoys certain foods I wanted the meal to be mostly about his likes.  We are having Chili Dogs and I'm going to make homemade Hot Dog Chili to use on the dogs, Plain Hot dogs for those that don't like Chili Dogs, Cole Slaw, Macaroni Salad and Pumpkin Pie Dip with Apples. Then we will have Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate frosting (per Josh's request) and Vanilla Ice Cream.  YUM!!

Tuesday - On this day we get Josh's 4 year photos taken!  Dinner tonight will be Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin, sauteed cabbage and bacon and Thanksgiving Stuffing (both side recipes are new!)

Wednesday - Tonight my husband has practice so it is just the boys and I for dinner. I'm planning Skinny Swedish Meatballs over Noodles. My boys both like meatballs and noodles so hopefully they will eat well :-)  I made this recipe once before but I don't think I ever shared it.  This will be my "test" - if it isn't good, I won't share it HA!

Thursday - Guess what?  I'm done cooking for the week!  YIPPEE!!  Tonight we are going to the Fall Festival in our little town.  They do trick-or-treating down main street with lots of activities and a Chili Dog Contest. We will either get Chili Dogs for Dinner or stop and get a pizza on the way home.  It is usually determined by how cold it is outside!! (Who wants to sit outside freezing eating a hot dog??)

Friday - Our church is having a harvest party tonight and yes, there will be food ;-)  I signed up for dessert so I plan to make a couple of kinds of cookies to take (in a disposable container) so I don't have to worry about bringing anything home!

Saturday - Ok, I lied.  I am cooking brunch today.  I'm going to make biscuits and sausage gravy (I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe either!!) and eggs.  We'll then be heading to the zoo for the Zoo Boo as part one of Josh's birthday weekend.  Dinner will be out - not 100% sure where. The kids just want chicken and Fries so as long as the restaurant serves that we are good ;-)  (We are leaning towards our favorite Mexican place but we'll see!)

Sunday - We will still be celebrating with Josh so lunch will be out, again, not sure where yet.  For Dinner- frozen pizza's will be waiting for us :-) 

WOW!  So busy but so much fun :-)  Looking forward to a great week!

Food Friday - Roasted Zucchini and Carrots

Roasted Zucchini and Carrots
adapted from voracious vander

There is nothing better than fresh vegetables (verses frozen or canned) but trying to find good recipes is hard!  We have become huge fans of roasted veggies and this recipe is fantastic AND easy!  Even my kids, on good days, will eat the carrots because they are soft (verses hard raw carrots). 


Follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way to making some shockingly delightful savory treats that you can feel awesome about.
1. Preheat oven to 220 C/425 F
2. Cut your veg into 8-cm/3-inch sticks, making sure they are even in thickness.
3. Line a baking tray with baking paper and a light layer of olive oil.
4. SEASON – go with the usual salt&pepper and branch out to one or two of the following (Choose Your Own Adventure-style): paprika, cumin, cayenne, crushed red peppers, thyme, rosemary, sage – really, whatever takes your fancy and suits your meal. Using premixed spice blends is a great option too – Italian, Mexican, Old Bay – you know, just not all at once.
(Today I used salt&pepper - that's it and it's what we love!)
Lightly toss your vegetable batons with a tablespoon or so of olive oil (not too much) and the herbs and spices.
5. Spread your seasoned veg over your lined tray and roast, tossing halfway through, for about 20 minutes or until golden and slightly browned at the edges.



I told you this was easy :-)  For the record,quite often, I cook these at 400 degree so I can cook something else at the same time.  They are still perfectly done in about 20 minutes.

September Photo Panels

In the boys room, they each have a photo board that holds either photos or a photo panel.  I thought I would share their September panels!  I print 12x12 photos so that they will fit into the scrapbook album once I take them down each month.

Deep Cleaning Schedule

It's that time of year.  The time of year when I've recovered from the horrid heat of the summer and can actually focus on a cleaning schedule.  I was reading an article recently on the fact that you can keep your house clean by doing one thing a day above your normal cleaning.  I thought to myself, "Self, you know that is true because you used to do that!"  A year or so ago, I created a basic deep cleaning schedule where I assigned rooms to each month and basically did all of the dreaded deep cleaning stuff about three times a year.   I follow Flylady and she assigns zones each week of the month and gives "missions" daily to do in each of those rooms.  I found that if I do those missions each month, the house stays clean - then the added "one thing a day" really gets into the corners; the places only your mother looks HA! When I was cleaning the kitchen recently, I made a list of about 20 things to do in that room, the porch, entryway, and outside.  I've decided to assign October to those areas :-)

I plan to try and accomplish one of the items a day, leaving Saturdays to play catch up as needed.  I left open Josh's birthday because that day will be focused on him and also, anytime there are 31 days - the 31st is a free day :-)

Here is my list:
1. Clean the fridge - Inside, outside, on top and moving it to clean under it.
2. Clean the Dishwasher - outside, and inside!!
3. Clean the Stove - Inside, outside, and under it :-)
4. Clean the Microwave - you get the drift!
5. Clean out the Trash cupboard area - I will scrub out the trash cupboard and trash cans and then organize the "junk" drawer and the cupboard above it.  This will allow me to clean out things I haven't used or don't need anymore.
6. Stove Side Cupboards - same things as above - basically just going through the cupboards and wiping down the shelves and cleaning out stuff I don't need plus basic reorganizing.
7. Sink Side Cupboards - same as above.
8. Fridge Side Cupboards - same as above
9.  Windows - Wash the insides and outsides of the windows and also clean the window sill and Slider Track.
10. Deep Dusting - taking everything down and washing it, wiping down shelves, using the duster to go along the ceiling edges and also dusting down the baseboards.
11. Wash the curtains (an easy day HA!)
12. Counter tops - Cleaning the entire counter top and also wiping down all items on the counter top
13. Floor - Hand mopping the floors - all the nooks and crannies.  Also shaking out or washing the rugs on the floor
14.  The Basement steps - Vacuuming them with the shop vac
15. Walls - wiping down the walls
16. Porch - this is really just making sure it is clean and no junk is laying around
17. Recipe Binder - this thing tends to overflow so I want to make sure everything is filed and pull out recipes we haven't used in a long time.
18. Outside Garbage Can - that gross stinky thing!  It needs to be bleach and then sprayed out.
19.  Return Pop Cans
20. Clean the light fixtures in the kitchen and on the porch
21.  Clean the truck inside and out!!

**All month - outside!  There is weeding that needs done, lights to be replaced, kids toys to be put away before the first snowfall, and the garage needs to be cleaned up.   I'll be able to plug this stuff in on some of the days that have smaller tasks and when the weather cooperates :-)

Also - I'm hoping to be able to buy one replacement item for the house that we need each month - sometimes it is just something simple like a can opener and sometimes it is a deep fryer.  The other thing I want to start doing each month is something I'm calling "Restock $50".  Basically taking $50.00 a month and buying things like Paper towel, Toilet Paper, Batteries, Trash Bags, etc.  Those things that eat up the budget.  I can watch for the best sales and pick stuff up to help build a stock pile of those things.

*** I have to confess - I'm behind already.  I had planned to start strong but life has gotten in the way.  I'm hoping to catch up this weekend since it is supposed to be rainy . . ..