December Goals

December!  It's here!  I kinda feel like our year is just beginning but . . well, it's ending.  2014 is winding down and so are my goals for the year!  I don't usually make a huge goal list for this last month because I really like to focus on family - hanging out, having fun and doing fun activities.  But, I do actually have some things I'd really like to wrap up before starting the new year so goals I will write!  If you would like to see what I accomplished in November, just click HERE.

The Home
1. The Kitchen - The projects continue.  I'm not sure if it will all get done prior to the end of the year but I plan to make sure that as much of it is done as possible.  Just not sure if all of the painting/cupboards will get done.  I do want to pick out the new wall decor from some photos I took this fall and have them ready to order/frame in January.

2. The Basement - I'm getting a little bit of a head start on my theme word for 2015 (which I won't share until later!) but I would like to spend about 1 1/2 hours a week (15 minutes a day) in the basement working on a whole list of projects I have - everything from cleaning to organizing to cleaning out.

3. The Play Room and the Boys Room - This is that carry over project from November - toys clean out and organization.  I want to break it down into bite size "pieces" so if I can take just 30 minutes a day and clean it should get done fairly quickly.  This is a key time to wipe down baseboards, wash windows, clean under things and just make sure the rooms are neat and tiday.

Scrapbooking
1.  Find a Blog Company and work on getting a blog book 2011, 2012, 2013. - This is one of those projects that I just need to work on in the evenings while watching TV.  I just never remember!

2. Finish 2013 (Dec). - this is almost done - just a few pages left :-)

3. Put together the Christmas Ornament book - I just need to get albums and make sure that the pages are printed.
4. Update the family album - I try to do this once a year to make sure that any professional photos are in the correct album.

5. Scrapbook Jan-March 2014 - I plan to attend a scrapbooking crop in a few weeks and hope to get this done at that crop.  I didn't take a whole lot of photos those three months since we were kinda snowed in the whole time HA!

School 
1. Plan activities/themes to work on in January.  Specifically, I want to have supplemental worksheets to use with what they are learning but are more winter themed and also have at 4-8 crafts/special activities to do with them as well.

2.  A carry over item - go through all of the books and clean out the ones they don't like or don't read.

3. Find some recipes to make with the boys - they really want to cook but well, I tend to like to cook by myself.  Therefore, I need to find a balance and allow them to help with some things.

  Christmas
1. "Friends" Gifts - I have a few people that I want to give gifts to from our family such as our pastors and the boys Sunday School Teacher.  I need to get the few items made that I want to make and put their gifts together.
2. Family Gifts - Finish purchasing any gifts AND get them wrapped.  I need to figure out what "Santa" is getting the boys (because the boys are sure he brings them gifts) and wrap those in special paper that they don't see!

Misc.
1. Nate's birthday things are almost all set - just need to pick up his last two gifts.  I ordered his t-shirt early to make sure I didn't have to "worry" if it would be here in time!
2. Continue to grow my Bible Study ideas.  I've recently "pinned" some ideas that I want to take time to look at and incorporate.

That's about it I think!  More than enough to keep me busy. 

What we are Eating - Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pumpkin Cookies
adapted from Cooking Classy

(Photo Source)

Another great holiday cookie that was new to me this year!  Darryl said that these are his favorite cookies ever so I guess that says more than enough about this cookie!  

 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups packed light-brown sugar
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger for 30 seconds, set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy (occasionally stop and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl throughout entire mixing process). Blend in egg then blend in vanilla extract and pumpkin puree. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Mix in chocolate chips and pecans (if you want some chocolate to show through set some aside to press into tops before baking). Let batter rest 5 - 10 minutes (this just gives the oats some time to absorb the liquids so batter isn't so sticky and cookies don't spread so much).
• Scoop dough out 2 Tbsp at a time (I used a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop, which I recommend using for evenly shaped cookies and fill it heaping), and drop onto Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 12 - 14 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

 

 

Teaching Tuesdays - Week 14

This photo speaks volumes!  There is so much to learn just about living daily life.  This past week, Josh did do some regular school work but Nate did not.  I really didn't have much planned for Thanksgiving week but Josh so loves doing his school work that he just chose to do it anyway.  We talked alot about Thanksgiving and what we are thankful for; we packed and cleaned to get ready to go away for Thanksgiving; and we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving time with Family. 

The boys even have done school work with Nana because they begged me to pack their school books so that Nana could do school with them while they stayed at her house.  I'm glad the boys enjoy school so much that they want to do it on vacation HA!

This past week/weekend I laid out my plans for December to add some extra activities and themed worksheets that go along with their current lessons.  I think we'll have a fun time!

Make it Monday - Home Depot Fun

I have waited for a long time for my boys to be old enough to go to The Home Depot Kids workshops.  I remember when my nephews would go and make all kinds of fun crafts and just think it is such a great opportunity for kids.  Well, guess what?  They are FINALLY old enough AND their just happened to be an "extra" workshop on this past Saturday and the boys just "happened" to be staying with Papa and Nana which meant that Papa would get to take them to the workshop!  A friend of mine was also at the workshop and stopped to take some photos for me! 

 The boys and Papa working on their project.

Look at that concentration - yes, his tongue is sticking out just like always!

Here's a little video of Nate - he is very independent and did not want any help because, "I can do it by myself, Papa!"

Things My Kids Say

* The boys were playing with one of their kid chairs that turns around and around . .. Nate was sitting in it while Josh was turning him around in circles.  Nate wanted him to go faster but Josh told him he was too big.  Nate replied, 'But Josh, you are SIX and I am still only FOUR!  I KNOW you can do it!"

* A recent dinner conversation:  The boys had seen a police scene on the news and starting talking about how the police capture bad people.
 Josh pipes up with, "Well, we aren't bad people, we are more stay at home people."
Nate, "Nope, we aren't bandits so we won't go to jail." 
Josh: "We told Papa and Nana that he had better slow down or the police would take him away.  It's a good thing he listened and I hope Nana listened too."
Nate:  "Well, I hope Nana didn't listen, I want to visit her in jail."
Sorry Nana . . .. hahahaha

* While Josh was doing his schoolwork, he told me he had to write a letter twice and he didn't feel like erasing because, after all, he really " isn't an erasing guy, he is much more of a drawing guy"

Weekly Menu

The menu that I posted last week - well, that was thrown out the window.  I kinda forgot to up date it after I changed it last Thursday.  I wanted to use up some things we had here in the house so I changed out the meals than, added to that I ended up with both ham and turkey leftover from the Thanksgiving dinner at church plus a ton of baked potatoes.  I'm going to use those leftovers for meals during the coming weeks! Here's our plan!

Saturday - My husband is bringing home dinner tonight - most likely Popeye Chicken.  There is only one location in town and it is, well, in the ghetto but the food is great so we like to get it sometimes when the kids are gone (Popeye's is Cajun so it is a little spicier than our kids will eat!)

Sunday - With the kids not here, I know I won't want to cook so we'll probably grab something - even just Taco Bell to enjoy while watching football without interruption!

Monday - Our last evening without kids so no cooking!  I'll see what Darryl wants to bring home - most likely either Jet's Pizza or Mexican from the Adobe. 

Tuesday - The kids come home today!  We'll be ships passing though because I have to leave for a Missions committee meeting as soon as Darryl gets home so on these nights I usually do Hot Dogs. 

Wednesday - Tonight is Awana night!  I'm going to use that leftover Turkey to make Turkey and Dumplings.  I'll make Mac and Cheese for the boys :-)

Thursday - Chicken Noodle Soup and Yeast Rolls!!!  I love this meal!

Friday - What else but . . .Tacos!  :-) 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are enjoying a wonderful day with Family

I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family, friends and, well, all of the food!