My Children Are A Blessing

Five?? You have five kids??? You would not believe the number of times I have heard someone ( usually a stranger ) say this to me. I can not even count the number of times a comment has left me feeling kid shamed. Something a mother should never have to feel.

                                        



Some of my other "favorites" include -
Don't you know what causes that. ( I am sure you don't want to have this discussion with me, honestly, this is not appropriate to ask someone at all. )

Boy, you sure have your hands full. ( Hands and heart people, I would not trade it for anything. )

Did you want that many? ( I am not sure how to respond to this question. I can not believe someone would ask me if I wanted my kids....especially when my kids are standing right next me. This is such a rude thing to say to someone. )

Are they all yours? ( No, I take other random children to the store with me as well. It makes my shopping experience more exciting. )

Are you ever going to stop? ( Again, rude! )

This list could go on for a long time, but I don't want to dwell on all the comments. I want to get to the heart of this post.


Kids are a normal part of every day life. The truth of the matter is that kids are our future. So why do so many people look at kids like they are such a burden? Why does it seem like there are so many eye rolls at stores ( yes I do take all five to the store ), restaurants ( yes I take them out to eat too ), and other public places? Why do people feel the need to make rude comments, stare, or act like a larger family is like watching a circus?

You do not have to have kids yourself, that is fine. You get no judgement from me for living a child free life. What you do not get to do is expect other people to live a child free life and keep their children out of public.  My kids have just as much right to be the places they are as you do, and they have the right to be there without your comments, stares, and impolite behavior.

My husband and I work hard to teach our kids to behave. They are kids though, they are not perfect. Will they sometimes misbehave in public? Yes, of course, they are still kids! They have an excuse, adults on the other hand do not. My children are friendly, loving, and kind. They will gladly sit and talk your ear off, they love people, even when people are not so loving to them.

Kids are kids. They are often loud and messy. Kids are kids. They need love and guidance, not just from parents, but from other people around them. My kids love it when other adults actually engage with them. My eight year is a people lover, you make her day when you actually talk to her. Kids are kids. They are not annoying, they are not there to ruin your day, they are not a problem. Kids are kids. They are the living, breathing future of our world. It is time to stop treating them with such little respect, and to start showing them the love they want to show you. 

                                        

K - 2nd Read Aloud Program Part 2

Course Description: This read aloud program  is for  K - 2nd grade students, it can be used for younger or older students, based on their reading level.  Links are included for multiple activities.
It is designed that the teacher or parent reads the stories to the children. If you have a child that is a good reader, they can read the story to you. Personally, we do a mix of both.
You can find some of these stories online for free, check your local library, or buy the books. I have each one linked below.

Supplies : 
Printer
Internet Connection
Crayons/Colored Pencils
Folder to keep projects if you want
Glue
Pencils
Some art supplies if you do all the links and projects

Part one of this blog series can be found here.

Book list -
Aesop's Fables
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Adventures of Little Bear




Aesop's Fables
Since this is a large book with many mini tales we are not using a unit study.
Instead:
Discuss the moral of the story after reading each fable.
You can move through this as quickly or slowly as you like. You can read just one story a day, or multiple.
Search for animated stories on youtube after reading them.
Make copy work sheets with the lessons to be learned at the end of each story.

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Do this art activity.

Adventures of Little Bear
Little Bear - for the first section of this book, we are using this unit study.

Father Bear Comes Home
I could not find a unit study for this part of the book. After each story we are going to do this worksheet.

A Kiss For Little Bear
I could not find a unit study for this part of the book. After each story we are going to do this worksheet.


Extra activity -
Find the animated version of the stories.

Easter Giveaway

How cute are these little bunnies? Just in time for Easter, enter the contest below to win the basket and the bunny that are pictured. Both items are crocheted by me. Be sure to visit my facebook page to see many more adorable items!

These items are also available for purchasing. You pick colors. For more information, check out the facebook page that I have linked above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

March Meal Plan

March 1st - 3rd
Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and apple slices
Dinner - Spaghetti

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Sandwiches, veggies, and chips

Saturday
Gone

Sunday
Gone

March 4th - 10th
Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips and veggies
Dinner - Roasted chicken and veggies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Chicken, veggies, and rice soup
Dinner - Eggs, toast, and fruit

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Mini baked omelettes and veggies
Dinner - Crockpot lasagna and veggies

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Hamburger mac and broccoli
Dinner - Roasted pork roast, potatoes, and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Meatball sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Jonathan's Birthday

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Cream cheese pork burritos, rice, and beans

March 11th - 17th
Monday
Breakfast - Banana oatmeal cookies
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - King ranch casserole, rice and beans

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips, cottage cheese,  and apple sauce
Dinner - BBQ pork sandwiches, potato wedges, and veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Cheeseburger chowder and salad

Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Mini baked omelettes and fruit
Dinner - Meatball parmesan casserole and veggies


Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and veggies
Dinner - Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and apple slices
Dinner - Dad's birthday

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Breakfast tacos and fruit

March 18th - 24th
Monday
Breakfast -Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Chicken strips, cottage cheese and veggies
Dinner - Chicken pasta with squash sauce

Tuesday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Hamburger mac and broccoli
Dinner - Chicken and gnocchi soup

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Eggs toast and fruit
Dinner - Chicken alfredo and broccoli

Thursday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Crock pot sausage, beans, and potatoes

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Roast, potatoes, and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Veggie beef soup

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch -  Chicken nuggets, cottage cheese and veggies
Dinner - Pancakes, eggs and fruit

March 25th - 31st
Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Chicken breasts, creamy corn, and roasted veggies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Ravioli and veggies
Dinner - Ham, potatoes, and roasted veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Banana oatmeal cookies
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Scalloped potatoes and ham with veggies

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, fruit and toast
Dinner - Potato and ham soup

Friday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Chicken broccoli tortellini
Dinner - Ham and cheese breakfast casserole and fruit

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Omelettes, toast and fruit
Dinner - Boiled dinner or cheeseburger chowder

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and fruit or Yogurt and fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and apple slices
Dinner -Ham and cheese mac and veggies

Homeschooling in the Raw - Getting Through the Hard Days

I have not added anything to this series for awhile. We have hit a bit of a hard patch in our schooling lately, I have touched on this subject before but since we are still in this season, I decided it was time to talk about it again.

This week has been a bit rough for all of us. It the last week of our second quarter, so we are rushing to finish up some work that needs to be completed. The last few days we have been doing school until far into the evening.  I will openly admit, this has been draining for me. At the end of the day, I am completely tapped out, my well is empty. I have started doing more through out the day to help with this though.

Something we have started recently has helped me tremendously in getting through these trying days, without losing my mind. We have started a quiet hour. At three o'clock each day, the kids are told they all need to go upstairs, and find something to play together quietly. Some days this goes wonderfully, they spend the whole hour up there, playing nicely. Other days, they come down every other minute to complain about something the other sibling has done. I love the days that I can sit down on the couch, or at my desk, do a devotional, read a book, or write in my blog, while listening to the sweet giggles, and playful banter of all of them upstairs. Not only is the quiet for me, to help me get a small break. but it is helping the kids. It is helping them spend time together, use their imaginations, play together, be nice to each other, and I am hoping it is building lasting memories.

Today during quiet hour, I am sitting here writing this. I have some good music turned on, I am drinking my fourth cup of coffee ( don't judge me ), writing this blog, and grading the stack of papers you see on the printer beside me.
                                        
As I have been grading papers all week long, I have something else that has given me joy. My kids are thriving. Even on the days that I feel like I am failing, the days that math takes hours, on the days my child is telling me it is to hard, they are thriving. The proof is in their grades. They are not just getting by, they are excelling, they are learning. I am not failing, they are not failing, they are thriving. This fills my heart with joy.

So even though this week has been hard, even though I go to bed feeling tapped out, I can take comfort in knowing this is just a season. The days won't always feel this long.

So all you mothers out there that are feeling the same way I have been. Know this, you are not alone. Families go through good and hard times, some days feel like they will never end, you may feel like you are barely scraping by, but you are not alone.

If you find yourself feeling this way, find a way to help refill your tank. Take a quiet hour, do yoga, drink more coffee, do whatever it is that makes you feel like you are getting some much needed you time. You can't take care of your family, unless you take care of yourself.

Feb. Meal Plan

I am running behind on the meal plan for this month. Our month started off busy! Field trips, daddy daughter dances, and just daily life. The new week starts tomorrow, just in time for us to get back on track with the meal plan.


2/5 - 2/11
Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches and apple slices
Dinner - Chili

Tuesday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - Mac and cheese and broccoli
Dinner -Chicken butternut pasta

Wednesday  -
Cassandra's birthday!! She picks meals.

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Gone
Dinner -Tacos, beans, and veggies

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Turkey and rice soup or sandwiches
Dinner - FFY fundraiser dinner

Sunday -
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Sandwiches or salads
Dinner - Cheese burger chowder or Tortellini spinach soup 

2/12 - 2/17
Monday -
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner - Tacos, rice, and beans

Tuesday -
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches and fruit salad
Dinner - Turkey, potatoes, and veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Tuna or ham wraps and veggies
Dinner - Sour cream chicken enchiladas, ( subbing turkey for chicken ) rice and beans

Thursday -
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Turkey and rice soup or sandwiches
Dinner - Turkey pot pie

Friday -
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner - Nacho night

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Breakfast burritos and fruit
Dinner - Meatball subs and veggies

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Gone

2/19 - 2/24
Monday -
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Tuna wraps or ham wraps with fruit salad
Dinner - Bacon cheese burger tater tot casserole and veggies

Tuesday -
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Pizza grilled cheese sandwiches with pizza sauce dipping sauce and veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Tuna wraps or ham wraps with fruit salad
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Mac and cheese and broccoli
Dinner - Roast, potatoes, and veggies

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Left overs
Dinner - Tacos, rice, and beans

Saturday
Breakfast - Breakfast bars
Lunch - Pancakes, eggs, and fruit
Dinner - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn

Sunday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Gone

2/25 - 2/28

Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches and fruit salad
Dinner - Ham, potatoes, and veggies

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - French toast and fruit
Dinner - Ham and potato cheddar soup and salad

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Cheesy potatoes and ham, and side of veggies

10 Charities That Need Your Knit or Crochet Work.

Volunteering and crocheting are two things I love to do. I recently made over a dozen little red hats to donate to the American Heart Association.  I have been doing a lot of searching recently, trying to find more places that I can donate my items to. 

I have found several places, and I wanted to share them with everyone else.

1. Carewear -  Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and/or sew, providing handmade baby items directly  to hospitals. All Care Wear items are distributed by hospital staff  to infants, children and their parents.
There are patterns on their site, along with ideas on what they are needing most.

Link to their site.

2. Warm up America - ( Information copied directly from what they are currently in need of, off their site )

As a Texas-based charity, Warm Up America! feels a special connection to the people of Houston and all the Gulf Coast towns who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Working with local shelters and other relief organizations, we plan to provide afghans to families as the rescue phase shifts to rebuilding.
Our goal is to assemble as many youth and adult afghans as possible and we need your help to realize this goal. If it is possible to crochet or knit an entire afghan, youth or lap robe (see size chart below) and donate to Warm Up America! that would be amazing. However, we always accept 7” by 9” sections, which our wonderful local volunteers will assemble.
We will be collecting afghans and sections plus assembling afghans at the upcoming Stitches Texas show, September 14-17 at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, TX.

Link to their site.

3. Hat Box Foundation - This charity is on a mission to make and distribute hand made hats to people with cancer and others in need.

Link to their site.

4. Red Scarf Project - This charity distributes red scarfs to children the foster care program. They accept crochet scarves in any shade of red, fringe optional, sized between 5″ and 8″ wide and about 60″ long.
( Note that scarves are only accepted during the last four months of every calendar year; they are given to students in a Valentine’s care package. )

Link to their site.

5. Knitting Rays of Hope - A charity that gives hats ( any age, gender, and size ) to cancer patients. They take knit, crocheted, and loom knit items.

Link to their site.

6. Operation Gratitude - This charity sends care packages to our soldiers. They are looking for neutral colored hats and scarves ( They prefer fairly neutral colors, with scarves that are a maximum of 4″ wide and 36″ long and do not include fringe. ) to be sent in these packages.
These items go to  military members including those who are deployed, new members, veterans, wounded members and the family members of these people.

Link to their site.

7. Bridge and Beyond - This charity is a Central Ohio serving program that helps people who are homeless with basic clothing items to help them stay warm. They accept crochet scarves, mittens, hats and slippers for this purpose. They also accept crochet washcloths and afghans.

Link to their site.

8. The Snuggles Project - This charity accepts crochet donations for our furry friends that are currently living in shelters, them feel more comfortable, safe and cozy. The Snuggles Project has a worldwide directory of animal shelters and the donations they are seeking.

Link to their site.

9. Little Hats, Big Hearts - This charity is looking for people to make little red hats to give to babies born in February at participating hospitals. This is to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defects.  You can knit, crochet, or loom knit these hats. They also take donations of yarn.

Link to their site.

10. Save the Children - This international charity collects donated crochet items for kids. These items are given to mothers, and babies.  It's an organization that helps to keep newborns cared for through providing education and supplies to new mothers in need. One thing that the mothers learn is how to keep their babies warm, that is why they are looking for crocheted hats.
Your items will be sent to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Link to their site.

There are many other places that you can send items to! If you have a favorite please link them to me in the comments. I would love to write more posts like this!