The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

December 31, 2012

Outside my window...

Chilly but Sunny…

 

I am thinking...

Wow, can you believe tomorrow will be the

first day of 2013!!!!

Where has the year gone?

I am thankful for...

The opportunities that have come to me in the last year..

The new friends I have made over the year..

 

From the learning rooms...

We are finally getting back on track..

Much needed..

Can’t wait to get back in the swing of things..

Want to see what else we are up to, stop by our blog here.

 

 

From the kitchen...

Today we will be having…

Sloppy Joes, and some snacky foods thru out the day!

 

I am wearing...

My comfy clothes..

Since I don’t plan on going anywhere today.

 

I am creating...

Less clutter, and more organization

As well as prepping for the kids rooms to finally be painted!

 

I am going...

To enjoy another day home with my family today..

games, laughter and food

 

I am reading...

some really good blog posts this week..

Love the year in review things!

 

I am hoping...

That this new year brings some

peace with some things we have been struggling with..

More happiness, laughter, and family time!

 

I am hearing...

My kids quietly playing in their rooms.

 

Around the house...

I have laundry to fold, dishes to wash, floors to wash,

but it will have to wait til tomorrow!

 

One of my favorite things...

My children’s smiles..

They make my whole day!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Library, School, Doctor Appt, and more playing… You?

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

A look back at last Christmas…
Boy, have they changed!

 

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

We rocked Christmas,

Enjoyed our time together,

and prepped for the upcoming week..

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We took most of the week off,

did our reading, and

some science..

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Change it up once and awhile..

then they don’t get as bored.. as well as you!

 

• I am inspired by…

The amazing people I know!

 

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week we get back to normal for the most part..

We have a couple of appts,

Co-op, Library, Piano Lessons..

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Watching the looks on my kids faces when,

they opened their Christmas Presents!

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Co-op is working awesome for us!
So worth looking into one in your area!

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

Do you teach a foreign Language?

If so which one?

 

• Things I’m working on…

This week, I’m working on organization

and clean up, purging, and getting back on track!

 

 

• I’m reading…

Nothing!

 

• I’m cooking…

Spaghetti I think..

 

• I’m grateful for…

My family and AMAZING Friends!

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
  
  Kids in their new Christmas Eve Pj’s!!!

Christmas

 

Now that the crazy aftermath of Christmas is done.. I can blog about it! Lol.. It was probably one of the best Christmas’s we have had in awhile (except that I just wasn’t feeling the greatest).

 

For the first time in 5 yrs hubby was off for Christmas Eve.. That made an incredible difference. The day was filled with laughing, playing, eating, and just plain enjoying each others company. We played some board games, toys, and watched a few movies. With true Monkey Tradition we opened our Christmas Eve gift of Pj’s.. and put them on before reading our Christmas Story. We have been doing this tradition since Monkey man was a baby. This year we read “The Christmas Train” by Thomas Monson. It was good, and gave the kids a good thing to think about.

 

Hubby and I had some last minute presents to wrap, that we had lost and then found again! (Does that ever happen to you?)

On Christmas Morning the monkey’s were up way earlier than normal. I usually have to wake them up, I guess this year they were super excited! So we got up at 6am, popped in the French toast bake, I had made the night before into the oven. While it was baking we opened presents..

 

 

I couldn’t wait for Middle Monkey to see her Santa present. She has been asking for it for 3 yrs now. Can you believe she was SPEACHLESS? Oh, and her other favorite gift was the matching outfit for her and her doll. Aren’t they cute?

 

 

 

 

Next up was Little Monkey… She wanted nothing more than Lala Loopsy’s for Christmas this year. I had never heard of them, until a month ago when she started asking for them for Christmas. She got a big one, a Lala Loopsy Little, and a few tiny ones. She was so EXCITED!

 

 

 

 

 

Monkey Man didn’t really know what to ask for this year. His list was very light, so he got some Lego’s, a Lego Game, Lego Wii game (are you sensing a pattern here) and the newest book in the series he was reading. (Books are always at the top of his list)

 

 

 

 

Mommy and Daddy don’t usually have a lot of money left over to get presents for each other… so we just get a small gift from the kids. Then in a month or so when we can save up some money we get something big for each other.

 

 

 

As tradition that we started a few years ago.. (None of us liked being stuck in the kitchen all day to cook and clean… so we couldn’t enjoy Christmas.. That we started having Ham Italians for Christmas Lunch/Dinner) We enjoyed lunch, and played a few games. Then we headed to hubby’s brothers for Christmas Dinner this year. That was nice to catch up with everyone, and enjoy each others company. The kids showed off a few of their presents and had a great time.

 

 

 

We really couldn’t have asked for a better day. Did you enjoy your Christmas? What was your favorite gift?

Dial Foaming Hand Soap Review:

 

 

 

Does liquid soap just disappear in your house? It seems like every time I put a new bottle in the kids bathroom within minutes its magical gone? Not sure if it is the fascination of playing with it? Or if it smells so good, they just can’t help themselves.. Or if a magical elf is just coming along and stealing it. However, I’m really tired of it being gone all the time. Unless I want my kids to smell bad, and have gross hands I can’t just stop buying it. RIGHT?!

Bar soap is even worse, they break it into little pieces, and put water in the soap dish so its all nasty and slimy! I just can’t win. For kids who hate to be clean, they sure do love playing with the soap. Maybe it’s the bubbles? LOL

Craziness I say!

 

 

I recently got the chance to try out Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash. I was sent two bottles of Dial in their cute little limited holiday design bottles. We got the Santa, and Holiday scene. Which was nice to spice up our bathroom to look a bit more in the holiday season.

 

The Holiday Collection includes:

• Santa
• Snowman
• Holiday Scene
• Candy Cane

 

 

Did you know that Dial is the #1 doctor recommended antibacterial foaming hand wash? It kills 99.99% of germs. Which is great this time of year. I’m sure all you mom’s can agree. The germs are in high supply right now! We have been lucky so far (knock on wood) and bypassed the Flu, Strep, and the common cold.

Guess that means our Dial Foaming Hand wash must be doing its job!

 

Our Opinion:

 

We loved the scents of our two bottles. Somehow, my kids have not gone to crazy with it either. I think they still use a bit more than they need to, but it seems to have lasted longer. I have found that even with my hands covered in dirt, butter, paint, or what ever I have been into at that time it works very well. My hands are squeaky clean, and smell wonderful! With as many little hands as I have needing to be washed all the time, this is a great addition to our Bathroom!

 

You can find Dial on Facebook, or on their webpage here.

 

 

*Disclosure:  Dial provided a free sample of their Holiday Foaming Hand Soap so I could review them as part of the Purex Insiders. However, all of the opinions are 100% mine or my monkeys.

 

 

 

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

December 24th, 2012

 

Outside my window...

It is very cold, and partially sunny..

 

 

I am thinking...

Is it possible for Christmas Eve to be here already??!

I can’t wait to see what the day holds!

 

I am thankful for...

my hubby having today off for the first time in 5yrs!!!

 

From the learning rooms...

We have been really slacking..

A bit of math, reading, and science here and there..

Lots of Physical Education this week though,

playing in all the snow we got!

 

Want to see what else we are up to, stop by our blog here.

 

From the kitchen...

Tonight we are having left overs.. none of us want to cook!

 

I am wearing...

My Pj’s… Yup, didn’t have to leave the house

so I didn’t get dressed!

 

I am creating...

Nothing today…

 

I am going...

spend the day with my family playing games,

enjoying our time together.. and having fun!

 

I am reading...

Tonight we will read our new Christmas Book

this year’s is
“The Christmas Train” by Thomas Monson

 

I am hoping...

That my kids have a great Christmas and remember the

real meaning and reason for it.

 

I am hearing...

My kids quickly picking up their rooms,

so they are ready for Santa, and they

can play!

 

Around the house...

We are letting it all go today! Have a great Christmas Eve my friends!

 

One of my favorite things...

Watching my kids excitement grow!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Cleaning, Dinner with family, relaxing, playing, a meeting, and 4H

 

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Making a editable Christmas Tree

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

We are finishing up our prepping for Christmas!!

More wrapping to finish…

Cooking to do…

and we threw a Christmas Party yesterday..

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

Not much to be honest..
I have been so busy with getting our cooking, cleaning,

and shopping done..

I let them have most of the week off.

Plus we had snow storms all week.. So,

they got lots of Physical Education in this week I guess!

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Start looking for next years curriculum now..

I am making a list of things we want to use next year,

so we can be looking for good sales on it..

 

 

• I am inspired by…

The few good people we have left in the world..

that have paid off layaways for people,

or left money anonymously for them to make their day brighter!

 

 

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week.. we are not really going anywhere..

Hubby is off for Christmas Eve for the first time in 5 yrs…

so we are not leaving the house!

On Christmas we will join my Hubby’s brothers for Christmas dinner…

I have a meeting and 4H this week..

other than that… home we will be!

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Spending time with my friends at the Christmas Party

I threw… and seeing the faces on the kids when they got presents!

Totally made my Christmas!!!

 

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Getting back on track..

We are having a rough go of it still for some reason.

Time for me to put my foot down with them and myself.

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

How much time are you taking off for Christmas?

 

• Things I’m working on…

Finishing off the last Christmas Present (painting) …

 

 

• I’m reading…

Nothing at the moment… but

going to start the 13th day of Christmas very soon!

 

 

• I’m cooking…

A Ham dinner, mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrots! YUM!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

Being able to have wonderful traditions with my family!

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

“Live like there is no tomorrow”

Almost a Boy Scout..

 

 

 

 

I haven’t done an update on Monkey Man, and his achievements as a Cub Scout much lately. So, I thought I would do a quick update!

 

He is still officially a Cub Scout, however not for much longer. He is finishing up his Weeblo 2, and should be crossing over to Boy Scouts in February.

 

He has been working hard on getting achievements and at our last pack meeting got 6 pins. Plus he has almost earned his “Arrow of Light”.  This years Blue & Gold will be a great one for him!

 

 

 

Also at our last pack meeting they got their patches for selling popcorn, and the boys who set a goal got to throw a whip cream pie in someone’s face. If they met their goal, they could throw it at any leader. If they didn’t met their goal they could throw it at a parent.

Well… Monkey Man was a few dollars from his goal. So guess what that meant? Yup, he got to throw it at a parent. Which meant he got to choose. Well, he choose me!!! Enjoy the pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

I will update again in February after Blue & Gold!

Christmas is on its way…

 

 

The Holiday’s are in full swing at this house… what about yours?

 

We have been baking up a storm.. we made cinnamon buns, peanut butter fudge, smore’s bark, cookies and cream bark, buck eye bark, and jars of hot cocoa! Now, I need to make my goodie bags up, and send them on their Merry way!

Cooking was kinda stressful this year, not really sure why. I think I’ve just been in this funk lately, and its taking its toll on me. December is a hard month, no matter how excited I get, because of the lack of sun. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

Then there is wrapping! Holy Moly, do we have wrapping! I did all the presents for our friends and family first. The kids helped me out with those. Then the kids wrapped their presents for each other up. That left me a stack of just theirs.. but might I add that took me almost 3 hrs to finish the other night! It is done though! PHEW!!!

 

At our last 4H meeting we made some holiday treats to sale at local bake sale that weekend. The kids had so much fun baking, and did a great job! Check out some of the things we made…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week has been super challenging since it has been snowing almost non-stop for like 4 days! The local schools have missed a few days, and we have been stuck in the house. That certainly takes its toll. The kids played outside for a good chunk of the days though.. sledding, building snowman, shoveling, and I even joined them for a few snowball fights! I must say Monkey Man has one heck of an aim! He got me A LOT! It was fun though!

 

I have certainly drove my family insane with the Christmas Movies.. I love Christmas movies, so as soon as December 1st hits we start watching them. We have a few, and I find lots on Netflix.

 

I was impatiently waiting for one more package to arrive, and was starting to stress. What was it you ask? Well, I can tell you. Since my kids were little we have had a tradition of picking out a new Christmas book every year and reading it on Christmas Eve after they got in their new PJ’s.  This is one of my favorite traditions we have. Then each year, I take out the books we have gotten in past years, and they read them through December. This year, we were a bit late finding that special story, so I was anxiously awaiting our package to arrive. It came yesterday finally! Phew, that was a big sigh of relief. I can’t wait to read it!

 

Let’s see… what else have we been up to? Nothing that I can think of… Other than getting ready to have a party tomorrow. I love to throw parties! I just can’t explain it. It is so much fun for me to come up with new cool things.. and then watch the smiling faces. This year for Christmas my only wish for a present was to have a Christmas party with all my friends and family!

We are going to do a pie exchange instead of a cookie walk (exchange), and we are doing a Yankee swap. I have also planned to make Christmas tree’s instead of gingerbread houses for the kids. I have a Christmas bingo game for the kids to play, and then we are going to of course have lots of yummy food!

I will of course post pictures later about that..

So what fun things have you been up to this Holiday season?

The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

December 17th, 2012

 

Outside my window...

It is snowing and snowing some more…

 

 

I am thinking...

Wow, how many storms can we get in one week..

they are predicted for most of the whole week.

 

 

I am thankful for...

The warmth of our house, and having a roof over

our heads!

 

From the learning rooms...

We have been pretty laid back for the last couple of weeks..

We are schooling, but very light.

Mostly due to lack of getting back into the swing of things..

However, we are doing Science, History, and Co-op which

brings in Art, Creative Writing, and Spanish!

Want to see what else we are up to, stop by our blog here.

 

 

From the kitchen...

Chicken parmesan coming from our kitchen today!

 

I am wearing...

Jeans, t-shirt, and sweatshirt.. Brr!

 

I am creating...

a list of things that we need to finish up for

our goodie bags today…

 

I am going...

to be wrapping and cooking for a few days!

 

I am reading..

Nothing yet!

 

I am hoping...

This snow doesn’t ruin my whole week..

 

 

I am hearing...

The kids outside laughing while slide

 

Around the house...

I really need to catch up on my laundry, sweeping, and dishes..

 

One of my favorite things...

knowing that I get to say goodnight to my kids..

and that I am blessed to be with them so much.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Cooking, wrapping, cooking, more wrapping, Co-op,
delivering presents, library, shopping, and our Christmas Party!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..
The LL Bean Tree this year… isn’t it gorgeous. It stands 60ft Tall..

 

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

What a week it has been..

We have been busy shopping,

making goodies for Christmas,

having Holiday Parties,

Decorating for Christmas,

and just plain having fun!

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We have started back..

but going slowly..

This week, we did some science

History, and Co-op..

as well as Home Economics'!

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Incorporate the fun stuff around the holidays as school..

such as baking, and teaching math, or

why some recipes are traditional..

how they relate to your family and such…

 

 

• I am inspired by…

The amazing ladies in our Homeschool co-op..

we may not have all been doing this for a long time,

but if we have a question it is sure to be answered,

or we all give our ideas.

 

 

 

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This upcoming week we are suppose to go

caroling with our Co-op group..

visit some friends and deliver

Christmas Presents.

However, we have some nasty weather coming in.. so not sure what the week will hold!

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Doing crafts with my kids, and watching Christmas movies!

 

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

We are having a hard time getting back into

the swing of things since our vacation…

I blame it on the lack of sun…

 

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

Do you have special traditions you do for Christmas?

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

Getting some goodies done for some bags we are making!

Wrapping!!

It is never ending!

 

 

 

• I’m reading…

Nothing right now.. who has the time??

Although, I just got the The 13th Day of Christmas, which I am anxious to read..

Sounds really good.

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Today we are having Corn Chowder!!! YUM!!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

Being blessed and having a healthy family!

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share….

A preview of my delish (Pioneer Woman) Cinnamon Buns

 

The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

December 2, 2012

 

Outside my window...

 

It is rainy and warm..

Yup, yesterday it was cold and icy… today it

is suppose to get in the 50’s!!!
What kind of weather is this…???!

 

 

I am thinking...

 

I can’t believe that December is here already!

Where has the time gone?

Having so much fun with all the festivities!

 

I am thankful for...

having such an amazing group of friends,

community and more!

 

From the learning rooms...

We are still on vacation for a few days..

I am pulling together the next 6 wks of lessons..

I’m almost there..

Then we will tackle some more Botany,

Math, English, History, and more!

 

Want to see what else we are up to, stop by our blog here.

 

 

From the kitchen...

 

I’m thinking homemade pizza tonight!

It is one of our favorites!

What are you having?!

 

 

I am wearing...

Jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers..

 

I am creating...

Lesson plans,

Troop plans,

Christmas crafts,

Party plans…

 

I am going...

crazy with my to-do list this week..

 

I am reading...

Nothing right now..

 

I am hoping...

this weather stops being so strange!

 

 

I am hearing...

My kids giggling..

 

Around the house...

I need to get my laundry, dishes, and vacuuming done..

Work on finishing up some organizing.

 

 

One of my favorite things...

Spending time with my family and friends.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Boy Scouts, Library, Co-op, Doctors, Crafts, a trip to Portland,

Piano Lessons, and Girl Scouts..

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Putting up the tree!

 

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

We were pretty laid back this week..

I caught Middle Monkey’s cold and it kicked

my butt!!!

Enjoyed some time at home getting things cleaned up..

Put our tree up..

and decorated!

 

 

 

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We were still on vacation..

So we just did Co-op..

Finished up a few writing assignments..

 

If you would like to see more..
Visit our Blog here..

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t go crazy trying to cram to much in around the holidays,

it doesn’t benefit anyone!

 

• I am inspired by…

The amazing friends I have!

 

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week, we aren’t going much of anywhere..

Our normal Boyscouts…

Co-op…

Piano Lessons..

and Girl Scouts..

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

The Christmas Parade we were in..

the girls were so cute, and we had a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Taking a few extra days off..

is working nicely for us..

We needed the break.

 

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

What is one of your favorite Christmas/Holiday traditions?

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

This week we are working on getting a few more things organized

around here..

 

 

• I’m reading…

Nothing right now..

Unless you count a Cookbook

as reading..

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Not sure what is on the agenda

for tonight.. You?!

 

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

The amazing people I have around me!

 

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

A pic of our pretty tree outside in the community that our Brownie Troop D

Decorated....