Gardens, Dresses & Menus....

It is very uncommon for me to make more than one post in a day... or even in a week or lately, month. However, my youngest daughter is asleep and my husband is working late in his shop, so here I am... posting again. (Besides I just baked a loaf of bread and it does have to cool before I put it into a bag ;O).)

GARDENING UPDATE...


I still have gardening fever, unfortunately I have not much energy to do the physical work that is involved due to my pregnancy (I've made it to my 3rd trimester!!!).

But, I did plant seeds in the little jiffy peat pellet green houses that we purchased from Wal*Mart, and I have seedlings!!! YEAH!!! I have already planted 6 little greenhouses that house 72 peat pellets... now that's a lot of plants, but I have planted flowers for my flower gardens, as well. Next will be marigolds, as I have 2 more jiffy peat pellet greenhouses to plant.

I read just the other day that tomatoes also like growing with marigolds, it said to put about 2-3 marigold plants right next to your tomatoes. Marigolds are supposed to keep away certain bugs, also. So I am growing a wide variety of tomatoes, peppers (from hot to sweet), several kinds of deer resistant flowers, herbs, and some heirloom "fruits" like garden huckleberries, the wonder egg plant, and also ground cherries (or husk tomatoes... tastes like pineapple?). I am still waiting on my lavendar to sprout, but I read on the label that it can take up to a month to sprout so, I still have a few days to wait and see.

DRESSES...

In the first picture (with my four silly daughters), I made the dresses that the girls with the pigtail braids are wearing. The one that is all in one print is simply a T-shirt dress (I made the T-shirt) with a gathered skirt at the bottom. That dress took me 1 1/2 hours to make last Saturday (her birthday), so that dress is the "official" birthday dress this year.

My other daughter (the tallest one) is wearing a re-made skirt, changed into a jumper dress... if you understand that. I had made the 4-tier skirt for her several months back and it wouldn't stay up even with a tie around the waist (which had to be tied so tight that it hurt). So I cut a bodice out of a short ladies denim jumper that I got for free at church (no one wanted the jumper because it was way too short, so one day I looked closely at it and thought that it could be made into something that one of my girls could wear). Then I sewed up the bodice, and used bias tape around the arm holes and neck, and finished off by sewing the bodice to the skirt. It took me 30 minutes!!! So, within one day, I had made (& re-made) two dresses. After going so long without sewing, I was elated because frankly, I LOVE TO SEW!!!

Then, when we arrived home on Sunday after church, my other daughter came to me with big puppy-dog eyes and asked me for something to wear... So, again, I thought... I can make her a dress, too!!! So I searched through my fabric scraps, found several pieces that coordinated well together, and asked my daughter what she liked. She picked out the primary color animal prints and I whipped up another dress for her. I think it took about an hour and a half also.

However, a few things to know about my dresses are:
1) They are usually quick and easy.
2) They are not elaborate.
3) The T-shirt top is made out of knit fabric and is only 2 pieces.
4) I sew the seams 2-3 times to ensure a long-life for the dress.
5) Most of the dresses I make are play dresses (or they usually end up that way).
6) I use oxy-clean in just about every load of laundry!!!

For any who are interested in the T-shirt top, I would be glad to share my secret. I will even try to get some pictures of the top before if it is sewn...it is super easy!!! However, you probably won't find the pattern in a store as i usually make my own. I seek simplicity and ease, though I can make a "real" dress but those are usually for me. CO;

MEAL PLANNING...
I have developed a system or formula that may work for anyone who tries it, just as long as you eat like we do!!! Ha ha!! But it does seem to work for me, so here goes:


Sundays: Meals vary as we have fellowship meals the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month, so I plan what items I am going to take each week (usually the same thing), 1 hot dish, 1 cold dish, & 1 dessert. On off weeks, we eat sandwiches at church before going home (1 1/2 hour trip home), or if we stay home something easy.

Mondays: Roast, ham, or chicken, with potato or mac & cheese, veggie or salad, rolls.

Tuesdays: Italian or Mexican every other week.

Wednesdays: Use up the roast from Monday's meal (usually BBQ sandwich on homemade roll, stir fry, or fried rice w/leftover meat), potato salad or chips (w/BBQ) & veggie

Thurdays: Alternate Breakfast, quick pasta dish w/marinara & salad, & chicken patties or grilled chicken w/salad & potato.

Fridays: Pizza or Stromboli w/salad, soda, & movie night

Saturdays: Crockpot meal or Oven casserole w/veggie
Here is my menu for an entire month... beware this will be a long post!!

Menu Plan: April, Week 1
SUNDAY (March 29):
B: French breakfast puffs, popcorn
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips
D: Leftovers from Saturday night

MONDAY (March 30):
B: French breakfast puffs, birthday cake
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips & dip, rigatoni (for mom)
D: Chicken patties, chips

TUESDAY (March 31):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips & dip, potato salad
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, potato salad, lettuce salad, mac & cheese

WEDNESDAY (1):
B: Banana Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Sausage & Noodles w/marinara sauce, salad & breadsticks
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

THURSDAY (2):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Sandwiches, chips
D: Pigs-in-a-blanket chili dogs, chips

FRIDAY (3):
B: Crunchy Oat bar (cereal), milk, eggs
L: Leftover pigs-in-a-blanket & chili
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (4):
B: Coffee Cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled Deer Steak, baked potato, salad, homemade rolls


Menu Plan: April, Week 2
SUNDAY (5):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies (church meal)
D: Chicken patties, baked beans, chips (or popcorn)

MONDAY (6):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or Leftover chicken patties
D: Chicken, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (7):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Meatball sandwiches, chips, salad

WEDNESDAY (8):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Meatball sandwiches
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, macaroni salad, veggie

THURSDAY (9):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover BBQ Sandwiches, macaroni salad
D: Breakfast w/scrapple

FRIDAY (10):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (11):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled or Broiled Chicken, mac & cheese, salad, homemade rolls


Menu Plan: April, Week 3
SUNDAY (12):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Dinner at the Church Family's home
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (13):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Chicken Patty Sandwiches & chips
D: Pork Roast, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (14):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

WEDNESDAY (15):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches w/mac & cheese
D: Pork Fried Rice, veggie

THURSDAY (16):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftovers or sandwiches
D: Noodles, Rigatoni, tortellini & sauce, salad, breadsticks

FRIDAY (17):
B: Old-fashioned oatmeal & eggs (or bread pudding)
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (18):
B: Leftover oatmeal cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, tamale pie, salad, chips, salsa

Menu Plan: April, Week 4
SUNDAY (19):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (20):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or chicken patties
D: Ham Steak, mac & cheese, veggie

TUESDAY (21):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Spaghetti & Meatballs, breadsticks, salad

WEDNESDAY (22):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball or Meatball sandwiches
D: Stuffed ham & cheese triangles, baked home fries, veggie

THURSDAY (23):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover ham & cheese triangles, chips or homefries
D: Chicken patty sandwiches, salad, veggie

FRIDAY (24):
B: Old fashioned Oatmeal & bread pudding
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or chicken salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (25) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, veggie


Menu Plan: April, Week 5
SUNDAY (26) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn (church meal)
L: Sandwiches at church
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (27):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, salad, breadsticks
D: Baked Chicken, sliced garlic potatoes, veggie, homemade rolls

TUESDAY (28):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, chips, salsa, salad

WEDNESDAY (29):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches w/chips
D: BBQ chicken on homemade rolls, baked home fries, cole slaw

THURSDAY (30):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Peanut Butter & Jelly w/mac & cheese
D: Breakfast w/sausage scrapple

FRIDAY (May 1):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or egg salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (May 2):
B: French Breakfast puffs or coffee cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, refried beans w/chips, salad, salsa

SUNDAY (May 3):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: baked bean, deviled eggs, brownies (church meal)
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

There it is! I basically print out a large 2 page calendar and fill it out with the planned meals. My husband requested that I print up a copy to post on the refrigerator, so now I also type it up to post so that everyone knows what is planned. This has saved me so much time and headaches that I actually look forward to planning our meals now! Amazing!

Blessings!
Heather

Schedules & Routines & such...

I have been quite busy lately making schedules and routines for my day. Over the course of a week and a half I have not only made my new "Spring, Hectic day Schedule" but I have also made up morning, afternoon and evening routines AND a zone-cleaning list personalized for my home. While I am not going to post my zone cleaning list (since it only applies to my home), I am going to post my new revamped Schedule for Hectic Days (which is EVERY day of spring due to gardening and my sewing projects) and I will also post my routines.

Modified School Schedule for Hectic Days*
(this would be considered my master schedule for spring as it is quite a busy time)

<>Children get up/dressed/beds made (7:15 – 7:45)
<>Morning Chores for children (7:45 – 8:00)
<>Bible/Music/Breakfast (8:00 – 8:45)
<>Breakfast Clean-Up (8:45 – 9:00)
<>Math (9:00 – 9:30)
<>Group Lesson (9:45 – 10:00) Science, History, Art, Music
<>15 minute transition time (10:00 – 10:15)*
<>Spelling, Writing, Or Handwriting (10:15 -10:45)
<>15 minute transition time (10:45 – 11:00)*
<>English Grammar Worksheet (11:00 – 11:30)
---Capitalization, Noun/Verbs, End Marks
<>Reading/Phonics (11:30 – 11:45)
<>P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime)
<>15 minute transition time (12:00 – 12:15)*
<>Lunchtime (12:15 – 12:45)
<>Scripture Reading w/Dad (12:45 – 1:00)
<>Lunch Clean-Up (1:00 - 1:15)
<>15 minute transition time (1:15 – 1:30)*
<>Inside/Outside Work Time (1:30 - 4:00)
<>Dinner Prep (4:00 – 5:00)
<>15 minute transition time (5:15 – 5:30)*
<>Wash up for Dinner (5:30 – 5:45)
<>Set up/Sit down for Dinner (5:45 – 6:30)
<>Dinner Clean-Up Time (6:30 – 6:45)
<>Outside Work/Play Time (6:45 – 7:45)
<>Come in and clean up for bed (7:45 – 8:15)
<>15 minute transition time (8:15 – 8:30)*
<>Lights Out/Bedtime for children (8:30 p.m. – 7:15 a.m.)
<>Quick tidy for Mom (8:30 – 8:45)
<>Get baby down for night (8:45 – 9:30)
<>Computer time, bath time for mom, etc. (9:30)

*If you notice, I have transition times built in to my day so that if we do NOT get started as early as we planned, we can make it up by using the transition times. Transition times can also be used for quick clean-up jobs in between subjects.


Intentional Daily Routine**

Morning Routine
Get up, go to bathroom, scrub toilet & sink
Put on deodorant, get dressed to lace-up shoes.
Grab dirty clothes (to take to basement).
Brush hair.
Get coffee for husband.
Make breakfast, start bread & coffee.
Read scripture & prayer.
Look over school stuff & get things out for homeschooling, check emails.
---Daily lessons: Music, Proverbs, Math, Phonics/Reading, Handwriting, English, Spelling, Group lesson, P.E.
Look at menu plan, lay out meat.
Start laundry.
Get children up, change baby.
Set table for breakfast.
Breakfast.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher while others are clearing table & sweeping floor.
Load breakfast dishes in dishwasher.
Begin homeschooling.
Put laundry in dryer.
Start new load of laundry.
Feed baby lunch.

Afternoon Routine
Put homeschooling stuff away. Avoid the computer.
Set table for lunch.
Prepare food for children.
Change baby’s diaper.
Get baby down for nap.
Eat lunch.
Scripture reading with Dad.
Get laundry from basement.
Start new load of laundry/put laundry in dryer.
Clear table & floor with children.
Put dirty dishes in dishwasher and run dishwasher, if necessary.
Finish up school lessons.
5 minute room clean-up or quick cleaning of cluttered spot.
Clear another cluttered spot (set timer for 5 minutes).
Fold and put away laundry.
Get laundry from basement.
Start a load of laundry.
Start supper.
Declutter time, set timer for 15 minutes.
Finish preparations for supper, clean up as you go.
Spend time on zone cleaning.
Get baby from nap.
Change baby’s diaper.

Evening Routine
Set table for supper.
---Food, plates, forks, spoons, knives, napkins, cups, water pitcher, condiments, bread already sliced.
Feed baby & eat supper.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher.
Clean up table & floor from supper.
Put dishes in dishwasher.
Put away any items left out from supper prep.
Wipe counter tops, stove, microwave.
5 minute room clean-up w/children.
Declutter for 15 minutes.
Put last loads of laundry in dryer.
Outside/garden time.
Baths for children.
Pick up bathroom laundry and take to basement.
Children ready for bed (remind children to use toilet and brush teeth).
Children to bed.
Get baby to sleep.
Computer time.
---Prepare for next day’s homeschooling, scan & print necessary worksheets for school, look over next day’s events, menu, check/delete emails, sharpen pencils, get out school things and set them in a special spot.
Zone cleaning in bedroom, sewing if able.
Brush hair.
Bath or bed.

**Also note that I have called this an "Intentional Routine," I do what I can to get things done, I intend to follow the routine, but every routine takes time and there are always interruptions.


I also have been planning a monthly menu, if you are interested in seeing this "Menu Plan" just leave me a comment and I will post it. I have almost typed up the entire menu plan for the month of April, so all I have to do is copy and paste!

Blessings!
Heather

Just thought you'd like to know about these freebies!!!

I get weekly emails for these freebies, this week is especially interesting to me so I thought I would share the link once again:

Here is (most of) the email:

If you've ever been stressed out over your homeschooling and never seem to be able to get everything done that needs doing in a day, you're gonna love this week's resources.

This week on HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay, we're giving you 5 ebooks from our great "Homeschoolers Time Management Toolkit", in which you'll get all the "real life"
advice and encouragement you need to finally get control of your time and make it work for you.

Here's the rundown:

Monday, March 30: Finding Time To Do It All:
Homeschool Moms Share their Time Management
Woes and Solutions

Tuesday, March 31: Calming The Chaotic Life:
How to Get Your Time Under Control

Wednesday, April 1: 97 Motivators to Help You Get Things Done

Thursday, April 2: 77 Time Saving Tips for Busy Parents and Families

Friday, April 3: Great Time Management Tips & Ideas FOR YOUR KIDS!

Each of these resources will be available on their respective days at: http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

Please take a moment to pass along word of this week's "time management"resources with your homeschooling friends and support groups... they'll thank you for it!

------------------------------------

Also this week:

If you enjoy gardens & growing things, don't miss this.
For just seven more days, we have our hugely popular GREEN THUMB FAMILY TOOLKIT available at 75% OFF the normal price - it is just $5.95 (instead of the normal $24) until next Monday.

This toolkit is perfect for
anyone thinking about a garden this spring...
AND/OR incorporating the kids and
homeschooling into the great outdoors. This package is chock full of wonderful resources for you to keep the learning and growing going... all Spring & Summer long.

http://www.greenthumbfamily.com/members/

If you haven't already taken a look at this, do so now.
It is WELL worth your consideration.

Again, it is only available at this price for the next
7 days.

I hope you enjoy these freebies, remember if you subscribe to their newsletter, you will get an exclusive "subscribers only" freebie as well, but I'm not allowed to share that link.

Have a great week in the Lord (that is, if I'm gone again for a while, busy times, busy times).
Heather

Happenings....

Well, things have been busy as usual. Life is very full with everything there is to do, as many of you know and have experienced.

First off, my dear 8-year-old daughter, who is an animal lover, injured herself a couple weeks back. She was playing with her brothers upstairs in her bedroom and jumped from one of the top bunk beds like a FROG!!! Yes, no kidding, a frog. One of my boys came to get me and told me that she had hurt herself badly and was crying. So, I waddled upstairs (my hubby likes to raz me about the way I walk when I am pregnant)... and checked to see if the emergency was really worth a trip to the hospital. She was crying, a cry that I rarely hear her cry, and complaining that her heel hurt and she could not wiggle her toes or put any weight on her foot. I could not carry her downstairs... so, I went to the freezer, got out an icepack (one of those that is squishly and flat) and wrapped that around her heel stablizing her ankle & foot so that she could at least scoot across the floor. Then, she was able to get downstairs where I could better tend to her.

I, then, called my husband with the wonderful news. I waited until he got home (also making sure that my diagnosis was correct) to take her to the ER. Thankfully she wasn't in a lot of pain and was able to stand waiting a little while. He got home and shortly after we went to the ER.

Unfortunately there was no parking places in the ER parking lot (ugh) and I had to back our 15 passenger van out of the parking lot (because I couldn't turn it around). I, then, dropped her off to the ladies at the ER desk, and had to go find the parking garage for the hospital (which also included a bit of a walk to get back to where I needed to be).

After the x-ray, we were informed that she did indeed break her heel bone, close to the growth plate, and she needed a splint (half cast) until we could get an appointment for the orthopedic doctor. So, after our visit to the ER, we went to see the orthopedic doctor who put a full cast (to the knee) on her leg & foot.

Now the problem is how to keep an active 8-year-old busy with indoor activities that involve sitting. So far, she has learned how to crochet, she has been making bead necklaces, and she has been doing her latch-hook kit (of a golden lab puppy). Of course, there is also school (which has been extremely challenging these last couple weeks) and she also has been doing a lot of drawing. I am not sure how she is going to stand the next 3 weeks with a cast, but only time will tell.

GARDENING

Now for other things going on...

My boys are helping me to garden this year as I am not up to digging and using my garden claw, etc. Interestingly enough, one day I had asked my oldest son to dig a hole for me in the garden to hold all of our coffee grounds, egg shells and plant matter (for compost)... He was thrilled that I asked him to do this. SO... I made the comment, "You know, you can dig up my whole garden if you would like!" and this thrilled him even MORE!!! So, these last several weeks he and his brother have been digging up my garden plot for this year's garden, YEAH!!!

So yesterday, I gave him instructions to get some leaves and put on the garden as well... Leaves are not a problem with us anymore... as you can see in the picture below, we have an abundance of leaf matter where we live now as this whole plot of land is COVERED with trees. I will continue to have them get leaves until I have enough leaves to cover all of my garden plots. They also get the privilege of digging all of those plots up this year as our tiller is in need of repair. And the best thing is, THEY LOVE DOING THIS JOB!!!




Also, in regards to gardening, I have been learning about what plants to plant together as some plants actually benefit from others! This is called companion gardening (or plant pals) and there are several articles on the internet that talk about this. A few things that I learned is that tomatoes like to be planted with basil and carrots, strawberries do NOT like to be planted with cabbage, beans like to be planted with celery and cucumbers, and garlic keeps the aphids away from roses... It also recommends planting herbs around your garden to keep away common garden pests. But, my advice to anyone who is gardening this year for the first time is to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! That is the only way you are going to have any success at all.

I am hoping to have a MUCH better garden this year, than last... though I did enjoy our tomatoes and squash, I would really like to have many more veggies than last year. However, one thing I have learned with all gardening is that you start small and work up to the garden of your dreams.... I don't know if I am starting small enough this year or not, but I have the will and determination to have a better garden than last year. My biggest thing this year is to keep up with those weeds, use the leaves, and lay newpaper down around my plants before the weeds take over.

So far, our expected crops are going to be strawberries (planted last year), blueberries (will plant this year in March), blackberries (growing wild), wineberries (like raspberries, growing wild), peaches (from the peach tree at the edge of the woods), herbs (from my herb garden planted last year) and hopefully many more fruits & veggies... like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, pumpkins, canteloupe, watermelon, onions, beets, several varieties of squash, potatoes, and the list goes on.

I have already ordered the seeds and they should be arriving any day now. I plan to start my tomatoes and peppers immediately upon receipt and any other veggie that can be started indoors. The secret to that is to have the soil stay at around 65 - 70 degrees, I learned that lesson last year when my seedlings didn't do so well. I also plan on starting several flowers indoors as well... now is the time!!! I probably could have started a bit earlier, but our home doesn't stay as warm because we use wood heat only which means that the only room that really stays warm is the kitchen. This is fine for us as we have learned to layer clothing, but seeds DO NOT like it AT ALL!!!

Okay, that's my spill on gardening...

OTHER HOME MATTERS....

As far as everything else, this week our dishwasher died. That sure was disappointing as I had loaded it, as always, and went to start it and nothing happened.

So this week I have washed dishes 3 to 4 times a day by hand... I do this because I know how many dishes we go through with each meal. If I wait till the end of the day to wash them, I will be there for 1 1/2 hours. So, I basically take 15-20 minutes after each meal to wash up the items we used for that meal and "WOW!" everything is done in about 30-35 minutes (that includes putting food away, clearing the table and washing the dishes). If I included the floor sweeping, too, we are now talking about 10-15 minutes longer as my boys are not as efficient at sweeping as I am yet.

So, the good news is that our dishes pretty much stay clean all the time and the kitchen looks nice most of the day... the bad news is that my arms and hands are covered in a rash that itches and burns due to my sensitivity to Ajax handwashing dish soap. Sorry, haven't gone to homemade soaps yet as that requires a trip to the store and time that I just don't have these days. Maybe someone can offer me a quick solution to making my own soap FAST.... and with what I have on hand, I don't know. I just do what I know and have known for years... you can teach this old dog new tricks, but it has to be dropped in my lap so that I can stop long enough to notice it!

Well, that's my update for now! I think that lunchtime is calling, as are my washers begging to be emptied so they can be filled again... haven't had much time lately to do laundry, wonder why that is??? ;OP

Blessings!
Heather

FREE Ebooks and Audios!!!!

Well, I have known about this site for a while now... just having the time to blog about it sometimes seems overwhelming with everything else I need to do, but they are asking for some advertising on our blogs so that we can get the word out...

Here is what they are offering this week:

Monday, Feb 16th:
Great President's Day Resource Links! (links)
Want to make the most of President's Day? Check out these Lesson Plans, virtual tours, poetry & the actual papers of presidents Washington & Lincoln!

Tuesday, Feb 17th:
A Chinese Wonder Book (PDF ebook)
This fascinating collection of Chinese stories and legends, edited by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press, is a great literature-based introduction to the rich history and culture of China. Includes a read-aloud guide.

Wednesday, Feb 18th:
"Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom" (MP3 audio)
A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of
Harriet Tubman and the activities of
the "underground railroad" during slave years.

Thursday, Feb 19th:
Blessed Is The Man: High School Unit Study Sampler (PDF ebook)
"Blessed is the Man" is a wonderful High School Unit Study
geared to Christian young men, and based on Psalm 1.
Today's resource is this extensive 74 page preview
of the complete four year curriculum - normally $10 on the
publisher's website - but yours to download today!
If you have growing boys in your household, DON'T MISS THIS!

Friday, Feb 20th:
Creatively Simple: How to Make Butter in the Blender (PDF ebook)
Learning to make butter is something everyone should do at least once.
This simple ebook by Penny Raine can teach you how, using items you
probably already have in your kitchen. Detailed instructions and lots of
pictures.
You can get all of these on their respective days at
www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

And if you are a subscriber you may get an extra bonus ebook or audio!!!

Hope you enjoy!
Blessings!
Heather

Yeah!!! They Passed!!!!

I am celebrating today (in my heart) because the portfolios that I turned in to the school district last Monday for my 5 school-age children PASSED!!!!

I had never done a portfolio before, so I was a bit anxious about the whole idea of having someone "approve" of the school work that my children are doing... Sometimes I just don't feel "qualified" as a teacher. I wasn't a education major in college nor was I one to read on my own, so I finally feel somewhat accomplished at homeschooling. But this Art Major did something right and I am so thankful to my Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

But from this experience, I did learn a few "tricks of the trade." One being that I have to file all school papers away so that I don't have to go searching anymore for the "right one," I mean I dug through everything that we had trying to find what I felt was most appropriate for the portfolio. My 6-year-old daughter was so enamored with the idea of having a "folder" of her own that all the papers from the first part of the year she got into, emptied, and put new papers in... ugh. Thankfully I was able to gather those important papers together and file them away for the "real" portfolio, but if I hadn't been on my toes I would have struggled to find everything.

I can't remember if I explained the system in my last post or not, but now I have a much better system. Instead of filing things away in a 3-ring-binder, I have this paper bin from Sam's Club that I file all the children's papers in. Now I don't lose that "all-important" test that I want to use for the portfolio because it falls out of the binder before the school semester is up... the holes in the paper don't get worn out either.

I think this unit has 12 slots for paper, so I have 6 slots that I am using for each child... even my 3-year-old because she really likes to do school, too! I am hoping to have her writing her letters by next year (or maybe even this year), but I won't rush things as I want her to remain open to the whole schooling thing.

My other daughters ( 5 & 6-year-old) are really starting to "catch on" to letter recognition and phonics, as well. It is so wonderful to see them writing on their own, writing their names, numbers and letters... and for phonics, writing the symbols (letters) for the phonetic sounds.

Unfortunately, trying to stay completely on the schedule that I have created isn't as easy for me as it may be for others... you see, I am a finisher not a "stay on tasker".... I want to be able to let the schedule guide me, but I think, "What if I don't get it done tomorrow? I must do it today!" or "The lesson has to be finished!!!" You see, I have had the unfortunate experience of not being able to finish the book in a year... last year for example... We moved, and so we are just now finishing our math books from last year, ugh!

But I believe that my children need to learn to finish things that they start, else they may never get it done!

Well, again... time is short these days for blogging, for me, it just isn't the right "season" for blogging to long!

Blessings All!
Heather

Have I told you how busy life is?

I'm sure that I have! This school year has been extremely challenging and busy!!!

As far as the pregnancy... things are going well!

I did get to see the baby at 14 weeks by ultrasound due to an unfortunate trip to the ER for bleeding in December, but everything looked good and the doctor really had no clue as to what happened. But our holiday season was extremely busy and I DID overdo it. I made dress-up princess outfits for my 5 little princesses (a "gift" from my MIL...she bought the fabric and I sewed up the outfits).

Just yesterday I delivered our homeschool portfolios to the Public School Superintendent... Boy! I never knew that making a portfolio of school work was so time consuming!!! But I did it and now I just have to wait to see if it is acceptable. I'll tell you what I did learn... ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS file things away so that the children cannot get into their schoolwork. I have a daughter who just loved going into her school folder and snatching things.

But I did come up with a system. I have one of those $20 paper organizers from Sam's Club that I stash the children's school work in now. For now, my daughter hasn't figured out that I have done this, but when she does I will have to put this filing system up higher than she can reach.

She was enamored with the fact that I was making a portfolio of her work and I had to be really firm with her that she was NOT going to get into it. She didn't, thankfully.

I am so thankful for all of your sweet comments lately! They just keep coming in from time to time and they make me smile! For those who are new readers... sorry I haven't dropped by yet, I just don't have the time, but eventually (hopefully) I will get the time.

We just cancelled our Satellite service, partly due to the addiction that our children have to the TV and partly due to the financial burden it places upon our family. I'm fine with it, it just means that I will be making more time for Bible reading, sewing, meal planning, and all those other things that I have intended to get to.

My brain is hurting from thoughts of gardening!!! I want to start tilling the ground NOW!!!! I am so itching to get outside and pull weeds and plan my garden for this year. Last year was sort of a flop, but that was due to my hesistancy to plant not knowing what the deer were going to eat. Now I know where to plant things and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT THERE!!!! But much of the work will have to be done by my boys and hubby as I am not allowed to do the heavy work due to my last pregnancy with the early delivery.

Anywho, my time is up!

TTYL!!!
BLESSINGS!!!!
Heather