Why You Should Teach Your Kids Their Way Around the Kitchen

It will pay off, y'all.

Last night I went to bed not feeling so great.  I woke up in the middle of the night feeling even worse.  I woke up feeling ROUGH.  My husband doesn't get to just call in. . . he has to go in and see about things and get things situated if something comes up and he needs to be home.  Turns out, even though he planned to be home right after lunch, it was closer to 5pm.    God was good and gracious though, and the baby took a really long nap and everyone got along well.

My 3 year old woke up "tick" too.  She and I lay in the bed all day together watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and resting.  I sat up while the baby was awake until his nap, then I put him in his crib and I went to bed with my sweet girl.  My big girls did their school and their chores plus my oldest spent the afternoon baking banana bread and she made supper for us.  She's 11.  We had a roast, green beans, and homemade mashed potatoes.  She'd never fixed any of those things before, but she's cooked several other things.  I gave her directions and she followed them.

I strongly encourage all mamas to teach their kids some basic cooking skills.

Teaching them easy things builds their confidence to try harder things and may be even get a little creative on their own!  My older two kids can make grilled cheese, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a few other dishes.  My oldest child can also make her specialty, pineapple casserole along with some other more complicated things.    It will serve them well when they are on their own, or when you need a night off from the kitchen!

Check out our delicious meal on our not so fancy every day dishes!

Themes in Life

It seems when I'm consistently in God's Word, I find themes come up in my study time over and over - not only in my personal quiet time, but in podcasts I listen to, teachings in church and Sunday school. . . all over the same theme can come up over and over.

Currently the theme for me is prayer.  I've been convicted of my prayer life not being all that it could be or should be.  During the last few months as we've been trying to think through building or buying a house, I've tried to stay open to God's plan for us.  I've prayed over and over that God would guide our decisions and keep me from being stressed trying to decide for myself what's best.  I know He has a plan for us.  I want whatever happens in our life to ultimately bring glory to God.

One radio broadcast I listened to one day last week, a man was being interviewed about prayer.  He was saying that we should just ask God for what we want.  Sometimes He will say no, but He knows our hearts and what we want anyway, so we should be bold in asking.  So that day, I prayed boldly...I wanted that house for sale that we'd been looking at and had made an offer on.  I didn't want to make a foolish decision, but I wanted this to be the house for us.  The next day (Thursday) we found out that the counter offer came back and we'd decided that we couldn't justify paying anymore than our last offer, so we walked away.  I was disappointed, but I knew that there was a reason.  I figured I may never know the reason, but I want to bring God glory, and I knew that I had to trust.

Thursday night Joel and I discussed all of the different things we could plan and do. . . what builders to talk to, places to possibly build. . . We went to sleep much later than normal and unsure of the future, but knowing Who held it for us.

Friday morning we woke up to find out that our realtor had agreed to reduce her commission and because of that the bank accepted our offer.  I am so humbled that this woman, who prayed with us over the contract, would make this sacrifice for us.

Speaking of prayer, the new Kendrick's brother movie, War Room, is out, and Joel and I are looking forward to seeing it Tuesday night.  It should fit right in with the prayer theme in my life!

Here is a picture of the 3 big kids in the "secret hideout" in our new house.

When God Says "No"

Our little family has now grown to 7.  Elijah, our 5th child, was born in February 2014.  3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms is plenty, but we'd like more.  We would like to have a house large enough for all of our kids to come back home with their families and plenty of room for our grandkids to come and stay (I'm counting on that as my reward for not killing these kids some days!).

So, we've been  praying.  We drew up house plans, we have talked to a builder, we've pinned hundreds of ideas.  Then there was a house in our town, just a stones throw out of the city limits actually, came available for sale.  It was foreclosed on, so the bank owns it.  It has everything we need.  5 kid rooms, school room, play rooms, beautiful yard, lots of closets. . . it's perfect.  Well, the 90s counter tops and brass fixtures everywhere aren't so perfect, but that's an easy fix.  We've been through a process - making an offer, countering, etc. all while praying that God would guide our steps.

Well meaning folks have prayed for us and encouraged us and oooohed and ahhhhed over how perfect it is for us.  I've asked God boldly for Him to let us have this house.

Today, we learned that the door is shut.  Prices were just more than we were willing to pay for a 20 year old house that needs some work.  He answered our prayer.  He said no.  I've confessed to God and to Joel that I really, really wanted this house.  I've mentally decorated and filled the closets.  I've set bird feeders in strategic locations, set up my sewing area, and planned my sitting area in the fabulous bay window in the master bedroom.  I've reminded myself all along that God knows what I don't know.  He sees things that I can't see.  My prayer has been that wherever He puts us, it will be a place that will be used for His glory.

The door has been shut, but the story isn't over yet.  I don't know the next chapter.  I don't know what tomorrow will bring in this journey.  I've cried and I've had my pity party.  Then I mowed the grass and sewed a gift for someone.  I've thought about the things in our dream of houses that this one wouldn't have allowed.  Chickens.  Horses.  Goats.  Sunflower patch.

Tonight I won't tell God how disappointed I am.  I'll tell Him thank you.  I'll thank Him for loving me when I'm unlovable (when I'm stomping my feet and whining about not getting my way).  I'll thank him for this room over our heads.  I'll thank Him for blessings that He gives me everyday so that I take them for granted - healthy children, godly husband, friends, food in abundance. . .  and I'll ask Him to continue to direct my paths.

Back to School 2013/14

This year we are beginning 4th grade for Mary Helen and 2nd grade for Anna.  We will be using My Father's World for our Bible, History, Science, and some literature.  We started using MFW last year with Adventures, and this year we are starting Exploring Cultures and Countries.  The focus is on geography, cultures of the countries, missionary heros, and learning the major religions of various people groups while learning how to pray for those groups.

I sat down today and figured up that when the baby we're expecting to arrive in February (#5) graduates in 2032, I will have taught through the 5 year cycle of MFW 3 times.  So, I thought it would be a good idea to keep a record of what we use, what we do, what we enjoy, etc.  Not only will it be priceless for my family to look back on, but it will serve as a great reminder the next couple of times I go through it!

We are in week 4 right now, so I'll try to catch up and keep going with what we're doing each week.

Camping Out

The girls decided last night to spend the night in their playhouse.  They watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the first one, not the one with creepy Johnny Depp), had their dolls in their pajamas watching with them, had some candy, and did a craft.

The best part of all, Mary Helen said this morning, "I had a pajama party with one of my BFFs" and pointed to her sister.  THAT is such a desire of my heart - to see my kids look to each other as best friends.  It so often seems they are fighting with each other and driving each other crazy!  But, now and then, they realize for a bit that they are FRIENDS!  I imagine there will be arguing today, but that's okay.  I'm one blessed mama!

Here they are this morning after coming in.  Daniel was so excited to see them coming that he started cheering when we saw them making their way through the backyard :)

Random Pictures from the last few weeks

I couldn't possibly catch up from the last time I posted. . . nearly 2 years ago!  So here are some pictures from the last few weeks as a way to get started blogging again :)

Anna (6) gets her breakfast in bed one morning

Daniel playing with trains and shows he is turning 3!

Daniel knows how to keep Sarah Beth (8 months) happy - share a sucker!

Some days Daniel decides he needs to "do cool with the guhs" (translates to "do school with the girls") 

Daniel and the sweet neighbor girl playing in the playhouse

Isn't this what everyone looks like when they are getting tucked into bed?

Showing off our science project where we learned that seeds need water  to grow and we need Living Water to grow.

This is what happens when you put big sisters in charge of little sister. . . 

Mary Helen (8) cooks breakfast for our bunch each morning - she's a great cook!

Mary Helen has been learning to sew. . . this is her first quilt, pillow case, and pillow that she made.  We are so grateful for a sweet lady in our church to take time each week to teach her how to sew, crochet, do some hand embroidery, etc.

Happy girl loves her bath time!

. . . and breakfast time!

Little monkeys :)

She thinks just because she is homeschooled she shouldn't have to miss out on sack lunches!

How precious is this?!

Mary Helen got a cute little puppy after months and months of researching and begging. . . 

Well, she's mostly cute!

Sarah Beth hanging out during school time

Sweet sister smooches!

Homeschool Planning

Last year I planned out my school year for the most part for the whole year. Notice I said "for the most part". . . the things that didn't get planned out just didn't get done as well or as often as the things I had planned out ahead. I did the file crate system that I've read about on various blogs, the most popular of which, I believe, is By Sun and Candlelight. She goes all out with hers and takes full advantage of this system for all aspects of her life. I, on the other hand, am only using it for school.

So, I sat down at my dining room table and left all my stuff spread out so I could sit down and work on it whenever I had a small chunk of time. Here's what my dining room table looked like for weeks (there were several day stretches where I couldn't work on it - IDEALLY, I would send the kids off or take all my supplies including my printer to a

hotel and order room service for a couple of days, but you know how that goes. . . ) I actually did most of it on the evenings that the DairyKing was out planting crops and the kids were in bed.

The first thing that I did was to make labels for my folders. Instead of dating them, I numbered them. I have 2 very good reasons for this :) First of all, I can re-use the folders just like they are next year; and secondly, I am not tied to any dates. We never know when we will decide to take a week off, or a couple of days off. This way as long as I keep a pretty steady pace, I will never be behind! If we decide to take a couple of days off we can stretch our week out over 2 weeks, or decide which parts to make up and what to skip (math sheets will probably get skipped because we will be reviewing them in the next lesson anyway, grammar and spelling would just get an extra lesson thrown in for a day or two, I also have a "catch up" week or three scheduled in for good measure)

Then, I went subject by subject and did the whole year's plan for each one. I started with Bible. I pulled worksheets from the student book, printed visuals and other things I needed for each lesson, made anything I needed to make, and made a list of things I needed to gather that either wouldn't fit in the folder or that I would need to buy.

Now, I have my plan for the week written out, and everything I need in the folder. I even tore my math teacher's book apart! I didn't do that with all my teacher books though :)

I did a set of folders for each of the girls, though admittedly I didn't get all of Anna's planned out as well. It does help that she's only in Kindergarten and doesn't have as much ground to cover every day :)

Later I will show you how I organize Mary Helen's daily assignments that she does on her own.

Back to School!

Well, we are back to school! One of the many things I love about homeschooling is being able to set our own schedule. We are doing sort of a year 'round schedule, and we have just begun our new year. We look forward to taking breaks along the way when the weather is nicer, or the Dairy King gets ready for a little mini-vacation. It's hot and humid in Georgia, and we might as well be doing something constructive in the air conditioning!

Mary Helen is starting second grade this year. I can't believe she's gotten so big! She has a sweet spirit, and has matured so much in the past year or so. She loves school and learning, and is enjoying the challenge of learning new things.

Anna is beginning Kindergarten. To know Anna is to love her. She has a personality that makes people smile all the time. She is our dramatic middle child for sure! When she is happy, she is squealing, giggling, dancing with delight; but when things aren't going her way, her head is drooped and it is very, very sad and just awful. She is still working on those letters and sounds, but she is showing such great improvement on them. We can see her starting to soak it all in, and we are so proud of that!

Daniel is almost 16 months old now, and he is my heart! I was so scared when I found out we were having a boy, because I just really don't know what to do with little boys! He is my little snuggler, and is always smiling. He sleeps and naps like a DREAM!

Here are a few more pictures from our first day!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have had a very busy few weeks around here! Two weeks ago, Mary Helen was able to go to Kid University at the college in the "big city" next to us. She had SUCH a great time! There were 3 classes each day. She took Bears: Fact or Fiction, Leonardo Divinci, and What's the Buzz. It was quite exhausting getting everyone out of the house by 7:30 and then having to either stay in the city and shop or keep ourselves busy other ways, or come back home for a couple of hours to make the trip back again. I will say it was well worth it though!


Our Anna Banana turned 4 in the middle of the month, and we had a family party and we took her and one of her little friends to Monkey Joe's and out to a Japanese Steak house. Here is a picture of the birthday girl :)









The week after Kid University, Mary Helen got sick so we missed that whole week worth of school, but we finally got back to the grind last week. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few :)


Here is a picture of the girls during our Morning Meeting time. This is my favorite part of the day! We go over our calendar, read our devotions, and do some other fun little things. It takes about 30 minutes to get through, but I would NOT change it for anything! I am planning to add more and more to it!
Anna with her letter b clothes pin cards (more goodies from Me and Marie!)

Mary Helen playing in the sensory box with Daniel haning out with her!

Mary Helen turned 6 yesterday, so I'll have some pictures of her coming up very soon!

Winner! Winner!

Thanks for everyone who entered the Me and Marie giveaway! Congratulations to Joy at Home who won the giveaway! I'll be emailing you right away :)

Don't Forget to Enter My Current Giveaway!

Go here to check it out! It will end this Friday :)

Love/Hate Relationship with the Library

I LOVE everything our library has to offer - great selection, interlibrary loans, computers, movies, etc.





I HATE how expensive it is! I know. Your books are probably free, but mine rarely are. The Dairy King cringes when he looks at our banking stuff on line and sees how much money we give the library in overdue fines. I try to tell him that I'm just doing my part in keeping the doors open up there, and it is still cheaper than buying all those books!





Here are some things I'm doing to combat that, though. . .





First of all, I let each girl pick 5 books each, so that's an easy number to remember.





I have a rule that all library books must stay in the school room. They can go in the school room anytime to read them, but no more pulling books from between walls and beds or other random places :)





The next thing is I lay all the books out and take pictures of them so if one does go missing we can figure out which one it is, and look for it with a picture in our minds of what we're looking for!





Here is the picture of our current stash (there are 12 because I got 2 books about ants for them).

Week 2

This week Anna is going to be learning about the letter D, the color green, and triangles.

Mary Helen is keeping on keeping on with her curriculum, and I'm trying to keep things interesting with the workboxes :)

Mary Helen working on fruit loop sorting:

Anna's learning space with green things words, a letter Dd poem, triangle poster, and Dd words (all of these printables came from Me and Marie Learning - be sure to enter the giveaway for Me and Marie here!)

Anna with her Doogie Dog puppet (also from Me and Marie):

Here is the sensory table. Today is the first day we pulled this out, and Mary Helen liked it just as much as Anna. The table didn't last long though, the girls got to playing and knocked it off the table. They got some good practice with their cleaning skills :) Joel plans to build a pvc frame to hold the box, but until then we will have a sensory floor! The box is filled with rice and there is a note on the top telling Anna to dig up 8 dinosaurs.

Look for more highlights through the week!

GIVEAWAY!!

I just noticed that my giveaway post posted on the date that I drafted it instead of when I posted it. . . clear as mud?!

Anyways, check it out here!

Good luck!

Giveaway Alert!

Me and Marie has a great Storytime Felt giveaway going on now! Go check it out!

Speaking of giveways. . . check back later this week for my first giveaway!!

Our School Room 2010-2011 year

Blogger and I are not getting along well today with rearranging pictures, so here is our school room in no particular order!

I have two closets with all of our supplies in them, and on the closet doors I keep all of our morning meeting stuff. In the red pocket chart I have our alphabet exercise cards, that I believe originated on homeschoolshare, but I found them on teachmama (click to go to post). You can get them here.
I plan to add them each week as we go through the letters, and I will mix them up and have fun with them each day.

Next to that, I have a run-down of what Anna is learning for the week. I got these from meandmarie.

On the bottom part of the wall between the closets, I have our weather and birthday graphs and our 100 days of school countdown. On the top part of the wall is a chart that reminds us, "We obey all the way, right away, with a cheerful heart." Oh how I wish it were the case all the time!

This set is mostly geared to Mary Helen, our big first grader! We are counting up the days and putting the cards in place value columns, even though we haven't formally learned this concept, she should be pretty comfortable with the concept by the time we get to it. I have her coins for the daily coin count in the little orange envelopes.

If you enlarge the picture, you can see the bottom pages better - here is where we write our date on the calendar, do our tally chart, number sentence, and coin count for the day.

Here are a couple of links where I got most of my great calendar printables!

Homeschool Creations
1+1+1=1
Here is a shot of the calendar area, Mary Helen's workspace (her workboxes are on that brown shelf next to her desk), to the left of the chalkboard are our weekly Bible verses. Mary Helen's verse is from her Sparks (Awana) book (printed from homeschool creations), and Anna's is from 1+1+1=1.

Moving down a bit, the middle of the room. My work area, storage, etc.

There you see Anna's desk and workboxes, and you can see Anna in the "Listening Center" (at least it was today!).

I will try to link to all the printables I have, but if you see something you're particularly interested in, let me know!

My First Giveaway! Me and Marie Learning

I have found a great site for printables for my preschooler! You may remember seeing on our morning meeting area that I have a place to put the letter, color, and shape that we are learning for the week. I got those from Me and Marie learning. I also have ordered a few other things from the talented Ashley who owns the store.

This week we have been learning about the color red and the shape circle. I ordered learning packs for each of these from Me and Marie, and all I had to do was print and cut for some learning fun! Here are some pictures of these in action. . .

Now, for the giveaway! Ashley is giving one of my readers a $10 gift certificate to her store. That will go a long way in her great store!

Here are all the ways you can get entered in to the drawing:
~go to Me and Marie Learning and decide what all you would get with your $10, and leave a comment here (mandatory)
~follow my blog
~follow the Me and Marie blog
~"like" Me and Marie on facebook

~put my button on your blog

~put Me and Marie's button on your blog (find it on her blog)

*Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

**Right now on Me and Marie, there is a Saturday stock up sale - be sure to take advantage of some great deals!

The winner will be chosen at random on July 16. Please make sure there is a way to contact you either by your profile or providing an email address in the comments section. Good luck!

I am not receiving any compensation for this review or giveaway. I love these products, and contacted Me and Marie Learning about hosting this giveaway. All opinions are mine.