Homeschool Corner - December Plans

This week I just let me kids play.  On Monday they played with playdough from 9:00 am until 4:00 PM.  Seriously.  They got it back on on Tuesday and on Wednesday they just played all day.  Instead of focusing on class this week, I've been working on the beginning plans for December.  When I set up our school schedule this past summer, I plan to leave December "open" so that I could plan some fun things to do and I plan on sticking to that schedule.

1. Daily Books - I tried to do this a few years ago but my kids were just too young.  I tucked the books away and decided to try this again this year.  I picked out 15 (or maybe 16 HA) books that I want to read my kids throughout December.  Why 15?  I know that we will not read one every day so picking 24 books is just crazy.  If we can do 5 a week I'll be happy plus I like to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve.  How does this work?  I will wrap each of the books.  Then each day that we are able, we'll pick out the next book, unwrap it and read it.  Yes, I will be putting them in a certain order that I want them read.  Once we read the book, we'll do a craft or have a special snack to go along with the story.  I'm really looking forward to this because my boys are really getting into reading books (well, being read too!)

2. Advent Study - I'm still up in the air between two studies.  Last year we started Truth in the Tinsel.

I was really impressed with the whole program which includes Scripture to read, crafts to do and more.  We did not finish it . . .why?  I got so unbelievably sick about 2 weeks before Christmas that I spent most of December and January on the couch.  Since we didn't complete the book I'm debating redoing it this year with the boys.  With that said, I also just came across a Free Gospel-Centered Advent ebook from Verge Network

I haven't read through it yet but it sounds pretty simple which is always good ;-)

3. Weekly Studies - I still want to incorporate some learning so I've scrounged Pinterest and my own personal documents that I've been saving as I find them and am pulling otu some Christmas related studies.  I think we are going to start with a unit on the Polar Express and, of course, end the week with watching the Movie.  My kids are NOT big movie watchers so it will take work to get them to watch it :-)

4.  Countdown!! - Last year we did our Grinch Countdown for the first time and I really enjoyed it. 

I'm looking forward to pulling this out, adding some little gifts to each pocket and counting down to Christmas with the Boys.  I'm hoping to watch the Grinch with the boys at the end of the countdown on Christmas Eve.  Again, we only got half way through our countdown last year due to illness so hopefully this year we will all stay healthy!!

That's the plan and I'm working on gathering supplies, little gifts, craft supplies and more over the next week and a half.

Things My Kids Say

* We were visiting my parents and attending my brother's church.  After church, we were sitting in the living room when my sister-in-law walked in; Nate looked at her and said, "Hey, you were at church with me!" .  He hasn't quite made the connection that the "lady" at church is also his aunt!

* Trying to get Nate to eat fruit is not an easy task.  He has told us for months that he only likes Blackberries.  At Sunday dinner with my family, Josh noticed that his Aunt Lynnette had made a fruit salad and said, "Look Nate, it's your favorite, Blackberries!" And gave him one.  To his credit, Nate took a tiny bite but then said, "My teeth are just not ready to eat this yet." HA!  When we got home he told me his teeth will only eat them at home.  That Stinker!

*  We drove through a terrible storm recently.  Josh informed me that what was happening was simply that the clouds had upset tummies and were peeing on us.  Nice.

* Josh also thanked me for driving through the storm, it was something he had always wanted to do.  For real??? Well, until we were still in it 45 minutes later and he informed we should have stayed at the church where there wasn't a storm ;-)

* I was reminded recently that Josh used to call Nate, "Eat".  I'm sad to know that he figured out how to pronounce his brother's name right.  Nate calls Josh, "Dosh" :-)

* Nate wanted me to open a can of play dough; Darryl offered to open it but Nate said, "No, I want mom to open it because she is my favorite."  I will take that any day of the week!!  He then told me that I am his best buddy :-)

* At dinner one night, I said something in passing about the boys eating their dinner; Josh piped up and said, "Did you just say I'm in charge mom?" LOL  (Remember last week - he thinks he gets to be in charge.)  I reminded him that no, he is not in charge, dad is in charge.  That is when Nate piped up and said, "No Mom, YOU are in charge."  Again, I'm not about to argue that one!! HA!

* Josh's new favorite thing is to say  "actually".  For example, I will say, "Josh please do not hit your brother again."  Josh will say, "I actually did not hit him".  Well, of course, I saw him hit him so I will say, "Yes I saw you hit him".  But he will reply, "No, you actually did not see me hit him, my arm just got in his way.".  Well, son, actually, mom is right. ;-) LOL

* Nate saw me changing the cat litter one day and just wanted to watch.  Then he got all excited because I was going to add more "Cat Lish" to the box.  I tried not to laugh out loud . . . he'll ask me periodically if I need to add more Cat Lish to the Cat box now. . .. I just smile and enjoy mispronunciations for now :-)

* My husband and I have always joked that when the boys are older, Josh will be the "instigator" and dare Nate to do things to ensure that He (Josh) won't get in trouble for doing it first.  Nate, of course, will try anything (well, except fruit HA) and has no fear.  Well, I heard it one morning last week (11.21.13).  I was sitting in the Living Room one Morning when I heard this conversation coming from the boys bedroom.
Josh: Nate, go see if it is daylight out yet.
Nate: What?
Josh: Go on Nate, go look and see if it's daytime.
Nate: Ok, I'll look under the door first.
Josh: No, open the door and look.
Nate: . .. . Ok . .. (and the door opens) HA!

Thankfulness

I was recently contacted by a fellow blogger and asked to help spread awareness about a health battle that she has faced.  Each November, the anniversary of her diagnosis, she works on 30 days of gratefulness and this year, has taken it to blogland asking bloggers to share something they are thankful for and then to help spread the word about Mesothelioma, something the was diagnosed with just three months after the birth of her daughter.  Heather was given a short time frame to live but she has outlived that date by years.  You can read her complete store HERE.

So, what am I thankful for?  I was going to try to be really creative and come up some unique idea but in the end there really is only one thing that I am 100% truly thankful for and that is my family.  I'm thankful for my husband and his great sense of humor, is caring heart, and his ability to keep me grounded (in other words, to talk me off the ledge since I am just a bit high strung sometimes HA).  I'm thankful for Joshua who is quirky and fun; is creative but loves to be in charge and can make me laugh like none other which is pretty amazing considering he is five.  I'm thankful for Nathan who has an imagination the size of New York, who tells me I'm his best buddy and is so tender!  

Thank you Heather for asking me to Share your Story and to take just a moment and remember what is truly important!

Food Friday - Marinated Veggie Salad

Marinated Veggie Salad
adapted from . . .a friend

Are you looking for a super simple yet tasty salad to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner?  This is it!  Even my husband likes it and he is not a fan of raw vegetables.  I make this every few weeks to eat with my lunch or even as a mid-afternoon snack.  It is so much easier than veggies and dip but tastes so good!  This time when I made it, used Greek Dressing (because I did not have any italian dressing in the fridge) and it was just as good!

1 head of cauliflower -cut up
1 head of Broccoli - cut up
1 can of whole Black Olives
Cherry Tomatoes - as many or as few as you want
Feta Cheese (add as much as you want . . .or as little as you want!)
Italian or Greek Dressing (about 3/4 cup)

Just toss it all together and enjoy.  


 

Weekly Menu - The One With Thanksgiving and No Kids.

So, this week we don't have the boys - they are enjoying some fun time with Papa and Nana.  That means I really don't cook much :-)   The week ends with Thanksgiving and the plan, at this moment, is to go spend it with my family!

Friday - Day one without kids :-)  I plan on ordering a pizza and making sure my husband has whatever he wants to eat!

Saturday - I'm going shopping today!  I'll eat out for lunch and then I'm not sure about dinner - I was thinking of bringing home some chinese and figuring out what my husband can eat besides rice ;-)

Sunday - What if I say that I have no idea?  I was thinking of Trying a Pioneer Woman Fajita recipe but leaving some of the chicken unseasoned so Darryl can eat it on a tortilla. 

Monday - I'll get something out - probably Taco Bell.  I'll make Darryl whatever he wants :-)

Tuesday - Lets see, whatever I feel like HA!  Maybe I'll cook something we have on hand.  Again, without kids, I can plan things last minute!

Wednesday - Now our tradition is to have lasagna and garlic bread the night before Thanksgiving.  Something 100% NOT Thanksgiving.  I might be cruel and make a pan of it for me (especially since I love leftovers too!) and make some Darryl some plain pasta. 

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day!  I think we will be with my brother and his family and my parents unless my husband's health deems otherwise.  I do have a back up plan and can shop on Wednesday if needed ;-)

Wow, that's an easy week ;-)  The truth is, we'll eat whatever we feel like this week since we don't have kids; yes, I'm sure I'll eat out a few times and will probably cook a few times but no matter what, it will be easy!!

I have nothing extra planned - I really have a lot of tasks to get done so I don't want to spend time cooking!

Plans

For several months, the plan has been in place for the kids to visit Papa and Nana's house starting this coming Friday through Thanksgiving day (My husband and I will join up with them on Thanksgiving day, don't worry!).  Anytime I have a planned timeframe like that, I start thinking about what I want to accomplish without kids around!  Lets face it, it is always easier to accomplish big tasks in less time without "helpers" :-)

After much changing, re-thinking, planning, and changing plans again this is what I'm planning:

1.  Organization - I have big plans for the boys room, the play room, and our school supplies which may or may not include such things as new toy storage shelves, playdough playing tables and shelves to hold the big trucks.  Plus clearing off bookshelves (and taking the books to a used book store) and setting up a storage area for craft and school supplies in the basement. 

2.  Shopping - Saturday is reserved for some shopping!  I have some Christmas Shopping to do for the boys, clothes shopping (thanks to a gift to do so!), and an open house a friend is having for new scrapbooking supplies. 

3. Cleaning - This goes hand in hand with the organizing - those three rooms will get super cleaned while the organizing is happening. 

4. Planning - I want to prep all of our December activities from our Grinch countdown to our books to read to the crafts to do.  To be honest, some of this will happen this week as I need to go through the Christmas books I bought a few years ago and see if I have 15 I really want to use :-)  I might also start looking for and printing craft ideas so I can pick up some supplies at Hobby Lobby. 

5.  Decorating - My kids love to help decorate for Christmas BUT I love to have things up a certain way so I plan to do some decorating for Christmas.  I will leave things for them, don't worry, like their room with their trees, and even a box of decor items that they can put out anywhere they want.  I also want to get our Christmas lights/outdoor decor put up.  For the first time, we aren't cutting down a tree - my husband's health just won't make it happen this time so I picked up a decent fake tree to use this year (it may get moved to the boys room next year if we do a live one at that point again).  I want to have that put together and the lights on that as well.  We'll wait to decorate it until the boys are home :-)

I know that seems like a lot but in reality, I have 5 1/2 days without the boys here and I have 5 things to get done.  Here's the overall plan.

Friday (1/2 day) - Work on that planning - specifically to have a list of anything I might need at Hobby Lobby.  I also want to get all of the books packed up to take to Baker Bookhouse so I can drop them off while in town.

Saturday - Shopping

Sunday - Start with the organizing/cleaning.  My main goal today, inbetween Football watching, is to get stuff put together like the shelving units, storage things etc.  I might try to get the boys room put together/cleaned as well as that is the easiest of the rooms to work on. 

Monday - My husband has a doctor's appointment that I may or may not need to take him to depending on how he is feeling.  Otherwise, I will be working on two things - 45 minutes working on Organizing and Cleaning, (a 15 minute break), then 45 minutes working on that planning and putting everything together for our activities (followed by a 15 minutes break). 

Tuesday - I will finish up everything for the Organization/Cleaning part that is not done (if anything).  Then I'll finish up any planning.  Finally, I will start with the decorating!

Wednesday - Today will be all about Decorating.  :-) 

That's the plan - we'll see how it goes ;-)

I love Christmas Music

I think Christmas Music is some of the most beautiful music around.  Our local Christian Station has been playing Christmas Music on the hour since the beginning of November - so basically at the top of the hour, I get to hear my favorite music!  I thought I would share a link to a song today; a familiar carol but so wonderful - I need to start singing this with my boys again!