A Week without Kids - Organization 101

For months, it was in the works for the kids to go to my parent's house the Friday before Thanksgiving for the week.  Those planned breaks are great for the kids to get to spend time with Papa and Nana and also for me to get huge projects done without lots of "help" :-)  A week and a half ago I shared my PLAN for the time without the kids so I wanted to follow up with what really happened.

1. Friday - By the time the kids left, I was tired HA.  So instead of getting books packed up, I worked on doing some cleaning and planning for Saturday.  Darryl and I ordered dinner in and just relaxed.

2.  Saturday - Total shopping day.  I had my list, checked it twice and even convinced Darryl to come with me - his first real outing (other than to doctor appointments) in 2 months.  It was a lot of fun and I got everything done on my list.  We enjoyed lunch at our favorite lunch spot - Grand Traverse Pie Company and got Chinese for dinner.

3.  Sunday - I had planned to do just a few things but by the time the day was done, a vast majority of the boys room and the playroom were done thanks to the help of my husband sorting lots of toys.  We finished up those two rooms on Monday.

 One of my goals in the playroom was to set up a Playdough/art station.  I picked up to 4 foot card tables and put them end to end.  I like them because they are more narrow than a standard table.  Now, the boys can play playdough whenever they want :-)

 This was also a new purchase to help sort toys.  I love that it is open and the boys have already grabbed containers full of things to play with and actually picked stuff up and put it away.

 New art work!  Another goal - to actually complete the room!!  I picked up some great art work pieces at Hobby Lobby for 50% off :-)

 This unit was in my dining room but it is a much needed addition in the play room instead.  I had purchased a different unit but, after an hour of struggling to put it together, I returned it (Amazon has the BEST return policy EVER!)   The tool chest was in the boys room but I made room for it in the playroom.

 A perfect home for the baskets of stuffed animals - under the tables!  Oh, and new art work on the wall :-)

 Just to keep it real - this is the one area that is not completely done.  The bottom shelf in the closet holds the games.  All of the baskets on the floor? I need to get containers - stackables with lids - to put that stuff in so it can be put in the closet neatly.  I will finish that project before Christmas since I know they are getting more of those items as gifts :-) 

 Of course, they must have their kitchen - which they still love :-)

See that big empty space?  Don't worry, Art Work is coming - I have an art project planned for the boys to do this coming week.  I promise to show it once it is done.

 Moving on to the boys room.  I was finally able to do some finishing touches in their room like hanging a few more pieces of artwork (the Car Canvas with the red stripes). The boys each got a framed picture of them with Papa and Nana on their bed plus a basket to hold all of "their" personal stuff.

 The curtains!!  I happened to see some curtains on sale at Walmart that were shorter (the old ones hung to the floor and were always messed up) so they could hang nicely.  I am so much happier with these curtains :-)

 The boys like to hang drawings on their wall so I just rearranged them to be a little neater.

 The book rack is new.  The boys have some favorite books so I put those in this rack to keep in their room.  They can actually see the covers making it easier to read books.This has also led to a new habit of each of the boys picking out a book before bed for Darryl to read.

 This is one of my favorite areas.  The boys love big trucks but I have struggled for several years of how to store them.  I had "light bulb" moment and picked up two bookshelves.  All of their trucks fit on the shelves and there is a little room for growth (which is a good thing!).  It makes their room look so much neater and they will be able to use those shelves for years.

The closet.  This is still not perfect but it will have to do because I am not redoing the closet with a new hanging system right now.  I do have ideas for the future but that is not a necessary project :-)

4) Monday - My main goal today was the dining room AND to get all of those books packed up.

 Now that the 9 cube storage shelf was in the playroom, I had to pick up one more black bookshelf similar to what is in the boys room.  This is my weekly school storage and scrapbooking area.  I love that it is so much neater and self contained.  The "not in use" school stuff is in the basement now.

 I was able to move the marble table back to a more prominent place.  I love it here.

Just to show off my photos :-)

5) Tuesday - Finishing the Basement

 This shelf WAS full of books.  Now it houses school supplies, craft supplies and some extra storage bins. 

 I still have one shelf of books - mostly some favorites, bible study books and lots of kids books for the future.

 The train table use to be in the playroom but I moved it back to the basement.  In the summer the boys can always haul some toys down here to play.  The drawer carts are for over flow scrapbooking supplies

Even the cedar chest was cleared off AND I hung pictures.  Because I put 16x20 photos of the boys in the dining room, I need somewhere to put the "old" ones.  I have decided to put them in the basement so I can always see them :-)  Notice the stacks of boxes - all books to go to the used book store!  There are actually 13 total boxes.

Tuesday evening Darryl and I drove into town to deliver all of those boxes of books and enjoy dinner.

6) Wednesday - On Wednesday I focused a couple of things.  One, I went through the house and put away all of the little things that were still out.  Ending with vacuuming all of the floors.  I put up some Christmas lights outside and also did 90% of the Christmas Decorating.

I was beyond thrilled with what I got done during the week and enjoyed a relaxing holiday after all of that work! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm taking the rest of the week "off" from Blogging :-)  My kids are gone this week so I'm working like a crazy woman on some organizational projects, decorating for Christmas, and getting some paperwork done.  I haven't even thought about a menu for next week nor do I have a recipe to share this week since I haven't done much (exciting) cooking lately.  When we finally sit down at night, I'm enjoying evenings with my husband now that he is starting to feel better - we have watched a lot of football lately which is something we enjoy and are even going out to dinner tonight because, well, we can.

So with that said, Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you have a wonderful week with your family!  I'll be back next week with lots of photos to share of everything from what I organized to how I decorated for Christmas!

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!