Christmas Around the World

It is hard to believe that it is almost Christmas already! It seems like the school year is just flying by.
This year I wanted to do something different with the kids, we have never done a Christmas around the world study, so I figured it was time to try it! We only have a week left so we are only doing five countries, my hope is to continue this next year with five new countries!

Below I am linking all the recipes, blogs, printables, and books we are using with our study.

My biggest inspiration for this week came from this blog. There is a lot of great ideas on it! I recommend checking it out.

We are doing this over the course of five days, studying five countries. Each day will have a recipe, craft, lesson, book, and video.

If you are unable to find books, several of these are available as read alouds on youtube.

AustraliaLesson from - Why Christmas

Recipe - Annettes Pudding

Books ( we will be taking a library trip to find as many of these as we can )
Santa's Aussie Holiday by Maria Farrer
An Aussie Night Before Christmas adapted by Yvonne Morrison
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
Santa Koala by Colin Buchanan
Santa's Secret by Mike Dumbleton

Craft - Color Santa

Video - Christmas in Australia

France Lesson from - Why Christmas
Recipe - Parisian Hot Chocolate Books ( we will be taking a library trip to find as many of these as we can )

Christmas in France by Jack Manning
Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans ( this is an animated show as well )
Babar and Father Christmas by Jean De Bruhnhoff ( this is an animated show as well )

Craft - Yule logVideo - How is French Christmas different?

Russia
Lesson from - Why Christmas
Recipe - Slovak sweet bread

Books ( we will be taking a library trip to find as many of these as we can
Here is a link to one of them to read online - https://familychristmasonline.com/stories_other/baboushka/babouscka.htm )

The Tale of Baboushka by Elena Pasaquali
Baboushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Rollins
The Miraculous Child : A Christmas Folktale from Old Russia by Alvin Aleski Currier
The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers

Craft - Russian bells
Video - Christmas in Russia

Germany Lesson from - Why Christmas

Recipe - Egg nog

Books - ( we will be taking a trip to the library to find as many of these as we can )
The Gingerbread boy by Paul Galdone
Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo
Waiting for Christmas by Kathleen Long Bostrom

Craft - Ginger bread man coloring page

Video - Christmas in Germany

Italy
Lesson from - Why Christmas

Recipe - Italian Ricotta Cookies

Books -  ( we will be taking a trip to the library to find as many of these as we can )
The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePeola
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie de Peaola
Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing by Amy Welborn
Nonna, Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen by Lidia Bastianich

Craft - Book and craft

Video - Christmas in Italy

Teaching Our Children Old Skills - Foraging

Chris and I recently started teaching our children an old skill, something that really isn't taught anymore, foraging. We already have been teaching the kids how important healthy food is, organic gardening skills, and why what we put into our body has a life long influence, so foraging seemed like a natural step to take in their education.

It has been a really great experience so far. I myself have learned a lot, we have been able to connect with nature as a family, and made some really interesting things.

We started doing this in spring, our very first foraging experience was learning what all we could eat from a very common spring flower, the dandelion. We tried it raw first, the kids really were not a fan of them at that. Next we gathered as many as we could find and we made dandelion jelly. They were skeptical at first, once they tasted it ( think of jelly that tastes like honey ) however, they were hooked.

Next on our list of things to try was dandelion bread. Word of warning, this bread is very dense. We tried it fresh from the oven, I did not care for it at all. The next morning though, it made the perfect breakfast

After learning about some other yummy things we could make from dandelion, we moved on to other edibles we had growing  in our yard. Violet syrup was the next adventure! Which we added to sparkling water and made our own sodas, so tasty! We also made violet lemonade.






We made two other flower jellies as well. Lilac jelly and red clover jelly.




Next up in our new learning adventure was plantain. Wild plantain is an amazing plant, and it grows all over our yard. We made some into a medicinal salve and the other we ate in a soup ( it was a lot like eating spinach ).




I really enjoyed doing this class with my kids. We didn't get as much done as I wanted this year but I already have plans in the works for new things next year! Be watching for more posts.

Kairi's Story

Yesterday my nine year old daughter was the victim of what I considering bullying. Some may call this rough play, others may consider this kids will be kids, I do not.

This is something we have not personally had a lot of issues with throughout the years, mostly because we home school, but also because most of the people around us do not let their children behave in such a horrible manner.

My nine year old daughter, Kairi, had her arm broken yesterday because a child could not keep his hands to himself. We went to a pumpkin patch with our home school group. We had been having a great time, picking pumpkins, playing on the play equipment, going through the corn maze, and more.




It was a fun filled day, until Kairi was intentionally shoved down by another child. She had been bouncing on a bouncy pad, another child shoved her from behind, and now both bones in her forearm are broken. The moment I saw her arm, limp, bending in a place it should not bend, will forever be scorched into my memory. My sweet girl had to be sedated, have her bones set, has a cast up to her shoulder, all because someone else was a bully.

I reacted in the moment, and I did not stay to find the parents of the child responsible. My focus was on rushing my girl to the ER. She was in immense pain, and we had about a half an hour drive to get her to a good ER. I wish I would have found the child, and parents responsible, make them answer for hurting my girl.





Bullying does not always  happen by people you know. Sometimes it is a random stranger, at a pumpkin patch. Bullying needs to stop, no child should have to suffer the way my child has.

Feel free to share Kairi's story, put a face to bullying, even if your child has not been a victim to it.

Third Grade Reading List - Part Two

Kairi is breezing through the first part of her reading list, at her current pace she will finish the books we had picked for her by the time we start Christmas break! So here is part two of her reading list.


This year we have decided not to do unit studies with each book that the kids read off their required reading list. Instead they will be filling out this paper. 


Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm
Rasco and the Rats of Nihm
RT, Margaret and the Rats of Nihm
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh ( I bought my copy at half price books )
The Wind in the Willows

Third grade Reading List - part one

This year we have decided not to do unit studies with each book that the kids read off their required reading list. Instead they will be filling out this paper. 

Below is the list of books that Kairi  will be reading for her third grade required reading, I am saying this is part one of her reading because I  need to see how she handles the reading. If she speeds through, more books will be added in a part two.


Frog and Toad Storybook Treasury
Adventures of Little Bear ( I have owned this book for years, I think I bought it half price books a long time ago. I would urge you to check there and ebay, amazon has it for a very high price. )
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter ( I actually bought mine at half price for very little. )
The Giving Tree
The Trumpet of the Swan ( This is the kindle edition, that is all I saw on amazon. I actually bought my copy at half price )

Sixth Grade Reading List

This year we have decided not to do unit studies with each book that the kids read off their required reading list. Instead they will be filling out this paper.

Below is the list of books that Destiny will be reading for her sixth grade required reading.

Pippi Longstocking
Little Women
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
The Wind and the Willows
Anne of Green Gables Series

Seventh Grade Reading List

This year we have decided not to do unit studies with each book that the kids read off their required reading list. Instead they will be filling out this paper.

Below is the list of books that Alexzander will be reading for his seventh grade required reading.
To Build a Fire
The Chronicles of Narnia
Sounder
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 
The Incredible Journey
 Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
Bridge to Terabithia
Tuck Everlasting
My Side of the Mountain Trilogy
Watership Down

Struggles

There are days that I feel like I am crushing this whole mom thing, other days I feel like I am being crushed by it. Parenting is not for the faint of heart people. Trying to raise kids to be the best they can be can be brutal. This is a statement that I think most people would agree with, yet there is still far to many people that are belittling others choices.

It seems like everyone you meet has advice on what you should and should not be doing when it comes to raising kids. It will never matter how you are doing it, someone will always think you are doing it wrong. I have been told some pretty hurtful things over the years when it comes to raising kids. I am going to high light the two I seem to hear the most.

1. Home schooling will make your kids socially weird.

- I have heard this countless times, along with many other variations of it. It is simply not true. My kids were doomed to be weird from the start, I am their mother.

All joking aside, being home schooled does not mean my kids never see the light of day. It is not like they never see, or play other kids. My kids have loads of friends, not just limited to those in their age group. One of the great things about home schooling is that my kids get the chance to socialize with people of all age groups. Being able to relate to people of all ages will come in very handy in their adult lives.

2. You lead a different ( strange, weird ) lifestyle.

- First off, this is so rude! Why would you say something like this to someone? Second off, my lifestyle choices are exactly that, my choices. Yes, we may be a little different from the main stream, but so what?

We like GMO free, organic foods, it is our choice. I do not try to force it on anyone else.
We believe in natural living/medicine, again I do not try to force it on anyone else.
We lean mostly towards attachment parenting, but we do not try to force it on anyone else.
We home school, but do not try to force it on anyone else.
We are teaching our kids old school survival skills, including forage....yet again....we do not try to force it on anyone else.

It has been said a million times before and I am going to keep saying it. Stop putting your judgements on parents for things you may not personally agree with. As long as their children are cared for and loved, that is what really matters.

Everyone struggles, we need to help lift each other up. If someone comes to your with a struggle, give them helpful non judgemental advice, if you have it. If not, a listening ear is sometimes the only thing people need from you.

We need to start being kind. Your words matter.

Giving up meal planning ( this time for good )

After several months of taking a lot of time to make it, and still not following the meal plan I made,  I have decided to give up on meal planning, this time for good.

With that note, be watching my blog for new posts about what is going on in the kids' education, and several new recipe posts.

May Meal Plan

May 1st  - 5th
Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal and fruit
Lunch - Macaroni and beef with broccoli
Dinner - Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Wednesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or cereal and fruit
Lunch- Egg bake and watermelon
Dinner - Spaghetti and meatballs


Thursday
Breakfast- Oatmeal banana cookies
Lunch- Cheddar dogs and watermelon
Dinner- Chicken, potatoes, and veggies

Friday
Breakfast- Muffins
Lunch - Chicken and rice soup or leftovers
Dinner- Chicken pasta with squash sauce

Saturday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Sausage and cheese egg bake and fruit
Dinner - Chicken tacos and beans

May 6th - 12th
Sunday
Breakfast- Apple muffins
Lunch- Church lunch
Dinner - Baked chicken, potatoes, and veggies

Monday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Cheeseburger macaroni and broccoli
Dinner -

Tuesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Roll ups and veggies with dip
Dinner - Family game night

Wednesday
Breakfast- Breakfast bars
Lunch - French toast and fruit
Dinner - Spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Leftovers
Dinner - Cheese burger chowder and salad

Friday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Homeschool group picnic
Dinner - Loaded potato meatloaf casserole and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast- Muffins
Lunch - Chicken strips, french fries, and veggies with dip
Dinner -  Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and celery with peanut butter

May 13th - 19th
Sunday
Mother's Day

Monday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Ravoli
Dinner - Hot ham and cheese sandwiches and salads

Tuesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- PBJ roll ups and fruit
Dinner - Family game night

Wednesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Pancakes and fruit
Dinner - Ham, potatoes, and veggies

Thursday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Tuna or ham sandwiches and veggies with dip
Dinner - Au grain ham and potatoes and veggies

Friday
Breakfast- Muffins
Lunch - Boiled dinner or leftovers
Dinner - Creamy chicken enchiladas, rice, and beans

Saturday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies with dip
Dinner - Ham and cheese tortellini and veggies

May 20th - 26th
Sunday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Ham and cheese egg bake and fruit
Dinner - Cheesy ham and potato soup and rolls

Monday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Fried eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Breakfast taquitos  ( making mine with ham and not sausage ) and fruit

Tuesday
Breakfast- Muffins
Lunch- Pancakes and fruit
Dinner - Family game night

Wednesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Roll ups and veggies with dip
Dinner - Spaghetti and meatballs with salad

Thursday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Ravoli and salad
Dinner - Biscuits and gravy, eggs, and fruit

Friday
Breakfast- Breakfast bars
Lunch- Leftovers
Dinner - Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Saturday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Meatball sub casserole and veggies

May 27th - 31st
Sunday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies with dip
Dinner - Roast sandwiches, fries, and veggies

Monday
Breakfast- Muffins
Lunch- Chicken strips, fries, and veggies/with dip
Dinner - Beef and noodles and green beans

Tuesday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Egg bake, toast and fruit
Dinner - Family game night

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Fried eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Thursday
Breakfast- Oatmeal or yogurt with fruit
Lunch- Roll ups and veggies with dip
Dinner - Chicken sandwiches, fries, and veggies with dip

Chickpea Salad

I am trying to eat healthier and lose weight right now. So I have been eating a lot of salads and veggies. Eating lettuce salads over and over again was getting really old. I have a bean salad at a local restaurant and I really loved it. This is my attempt to recreate it, and it is delicious!
It is a great dish to make for a gathering, it is simple, cheap, and refreshing!

Chickpea Salad -
1 large cucumber
1 large tomato
2 celery stalks
Dried parsley
2 cans chickpeas ( well drained )
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Slice your veggies to the desired size. Add beans and veggies to a bowl, toss well. Drizzle one tablespoon of lemon, one tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss well, chill and serve.

April Meal Plan

1st - 7th
Sunday
Breakfast - Easter breakfast at church
Lunch - Gone
Dinner - Chicken and veggies

Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Gone
Dinner - Leftovers

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Egg bake, toast, apple sauce, and hashbrowns

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch -Hot dogs, mac and cheese and veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal banana cookies
Lunch - Ravoli and veggies
Dinner - Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and fruit

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - Chili

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches, fries, and veggies
Dinner - Eggs, toast, and fruit

8th - 14th
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Gone

Monday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches and veggies
Dinner - Cheeseburger chowder or broccoli cheese

Tuesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Pizza
Dinner - Crockpot lasagna and salad

Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Alexander's birthday
Dinner -Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn

Thursday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - French toast and fruit
Dinner - Ham, veggies, and potatoes

Friday
Breakfast - Oatmeal or cereal with fruit
Lunch - Wraps and veggies
Dinner - At gratin potatoes and ham and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Taco bar ( Alex's party )

15th - 21st
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Ham and cheese tortellini
Dinner - Boiled dinner or baked potato soup

Monday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Wraps and veggies
Dinner - Chicken, potatoes and carrots

Tuesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Wednesday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Roast, creamy cheesy corn, salad, and potatoes

Thursday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Tuna sandwiches/wraps, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

Friday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - Chicken sandwiches, cottage cheese, and veggies
Dinner - Hot ham and cheese sandwiches and veggies

Saturday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner - Pork roast, potatoes, and veggies

22nd - 28th
Sunday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Breakfast burritos and fruit

Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Eggs, toast, and fruit
Dinner - Pork enchiladas in sour cream sauce, beans, and rice

Tuesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Ravoli
Dinner - Pork tacos, rice, and beans

Wednesday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Salads
Dinner - BBQ pork sandwiches, potato wedges, and veggies

Thursday
Breakfast - Fruit bars
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Chicken pasta in squash sauce

Friday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Pancakes and fruit
Dinner - Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fruit

Saturday
Breakfast - Cereal or oatmeal with fruit
Lunch - Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Dinner - Spaghetti and salad

29th - 30th
Sunday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Hamburger mac and veggies
Dinner - Shredded roast sandwiches, rosemary potatoes, and veggies

Monday
Breakfast - Muffins
Lunch - Sandwiches/wraps and veggies
Dinner - Beef and noodles and green beans

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!

Survival Skills - Ice Fishing

Alexzander was able to take an ice fishing trip with his Grandpa and his Uncle Buck. His Uncle Buck bought him some ice fishing equipment for Christmas, so Alexzander was pretty excited to use his gear!

We used this opportunity to have his Uncle Buck teach him a "class" about ice fishing. Before he left we watched the following videos about ice fishing safety.

Four Ice Fishing Safety Tips
Safe Ice and Signs of Bad Ice

During his trip, he took notes about his lesson.

Alexzanders notes:

Jigging is moving your line up & down to attract fish.
Line is kept in the middle of the hole.
Tieing line-Wrap the line 8 to 13 times, feed it through hole in line, put it through other hole, tighten, trim access.
Use tipups, jigging rods.
Ice should be 6 inches to walk on & snowmobile.
12 inches to drive on. If ice is dark it is not safe.
Look for open water & springs.
Springs are in constant movement & don't freeze.
We fished for for Northern Pike, Walleyes & pan fish.
Legal limit was 25 fish per person for pan fish.