The Homeschool Mother’s Journal…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

I have been crazy busy…

Shocking I know…

The girls started dance and loved it!!!

We had a few doctors appts…

enjoyed the company of friends..

laughed, and cried a bit..

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We did really good..

Middle Monkey started some new math..

and enjoyed specials at the local public school.

Little Monkey is enjoying her new handwriting book..

We are having a blast with the new Anatomy book.. and the

new Spanish curriculum we are trying.. (look for reviews soon)

We had fun at Co-op…

Enjoyed some colorful fun at 4H!!!

It was a very full week for us!!!

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Step back and look at the situation before

over thinking it…

Weigh the pros and cons!

Don’t get discouraged!

 

 

• I am inspired by…

The people around me, that remind me everyday that

I can accomplish the impossible..

That I am doing amazing things already!

 

 

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

This next week we are going to

go to the library, dance, cub scouts,

doctor appts, Co-op, and piano!

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

watching my kids enjoy and take in the

anatomy we are doing. They are doing so

good with it!

 

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

challenging ourselves!

 

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

My thoughts this week go back to my

middle child. She has decided to try out public school again..

She hasn’t been to a public school in 3 yrs. She has enjoyed the

special classes she has been in the last few weeks..

Since she struggles with social situations, and making friends..

I think this may be a great thing for her. However, I’m scared this

could be the worse thing for her. I’m worried that it could

set us back with all the work we have done..

So, I’m apprehensive but want to let her try!

Stay tuned to see how it works out!

 

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

Painting Little Monkey’s room, and decorating it

with a LalaLoopsy theme.

 

 

• I’m reading…

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich

I’ve been waiting for this book to come to my library!

 

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Not sure what is going to be for dinner..

Thinking Cheese burgers.. I’ve been craving them.

But of course mine would be without the bun!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

A great mom, that helps me stay on track..

reminds me when I haven’t eaten, or need more protein.

 

 

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

Some pictures from our 4H project we did

 

 

 

 

Art projects…

 

For this year, my 4H group has decided to do art projects for our year. Since there is only three families this year, we have been rotating turns teaching different things.. We have done some really cool projects.

 

I’ll recap the year, before showing you the one we did this year. We started the year with this neat Leaf project. We took clay and cut out around a leaf, and pressed it in to the clay to get the impression. Then after they dried, we painted them.. Here is a picture of our start..

 

 

Unfortunately, while waiting for ours to dry, they got knocked over and broken. After many tears from the 3 monkeys… we agreed to try and remake them in the spring.

Our next project was a fun craft for Thanksgiving, and I didn’t really get any good pictures of that. Next up was a cooking day… We made cookies for our bake sale.

 

 

We missed our next meeting due to illness, since this time of year it is full of that! Blah! We made it up at the next meeting. The next project we tried was this really cool mosaic. The kids used picture frames, glass stones, and tacky glue. It was really neat to see the different ideas they came up with for this. My middle monkey decided to do a letter, while my son did a triton.

 

 

 

The next week was mine.. and let me tell you sometimes getting these projects can be very hard. Sure you can find tons of things to try, but keeping the cost down, and trying to make it friendly for ages 5-16 can be tricky. I am a huge Pinterest fan, so this is where I usually go to find my ideas. I just happened to stumble across a couple of cool projects. The first was turning candle sticks, or in some of our kids cases, vases into sea glass. Or looking like sea glass. Here is what they looked like…

 

 

 

 

We also did another project that day. We made ceramic tile coasters. This was so cool! I tried one at home first to see how it would work. You take a ceramic tile which you can get at Home Depot or Lowes, and you clean it with alcohol. To get the really cool effect, you have to use alcohol ink on them. I had never heard of that before, but after doing some research found that it was carried at AC Moore. They come in some really nice colors too. Then you just drop a small drop on your tile, and watch it spread, if you want to stop it you drop another color. To see the colors the kids picked, and the designs they tried to do was so amazing! Here are a few that we did…

 

 

 

 

There is what we have done so far.. We really do enjoy doing these cool art projects, but sometimes may I say man they are hard to come up with!!!

 

 

 

 

Cold, and colder!

 

 

Any of you in the Northeast know exactly what I’m talking about! The temperatures have dropped like crazy! We have been around 12 degree’s during the day, and more like the –20’s during the night! Then you add wind chill on top of that and BRRR!!!

 

That means crazy cabin fever for us. No one really wants to be outside… Just going to my car takes such effort! I don’t want to turn into an ice cube!

 

What do you do when your family starts to get cabin fever?

 

We have been working on some craft projects, and trying to get some house improvements done! The kids are in full imagination trying to find the perfect selection for what they want me to paint and decorate their rooms.

 

If the temps come up a bit, we would like to get out and go snow shoeing… the kids would like to try out ice skating, and get some sliding in!

 

What are the temps where you are?

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal…

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

A very interesting week…

We have been super busy..

Enjoyed a snow day..

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We did our normal Math, Grammar, Writing,

and History..

Started our new Anatomy Science book from

Apologia.. (there will be a review soon)

Co-op was cancelled due to the snow storm..

Middle Monkey started two classes at Public School..

She will now be taking Music & Art…

Monkey Man & Little Monkey had piano lessons…

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t be afraid to try new things..

I was super nervous about Middle Monkey taking

classes at the Public School, but she

loved it!

 

 

• I am inspired by…

Blogs I read..

I haven’t been reading them as much as I’d like

but I really want to get back to a few of the ones I love!

 

 

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

This next week we will be super busy again!

Girl Scouts, Dance, Library, Co-op,

Middle Monkey has her two classes,

and 4H…

 

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Seeing Middle Monkey’s face when

she got home from her Music class!

They are teaching them the

Recorder.. and she already has

“Hot Cross Buns” down!

 

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Alternating 4H and piano lessons.

We do them on the opposite Friday this year, and it

has worked so much better. I don’t feel so rushed, or

busy on a couple days a week.

 

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

When do you start planning your new years curriculum?

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

Reading some books, and

our next semesters plans.

This is our last semester!

I can’t believe we have almost done

our 175 days!!! We will put in an extra

month of review.. and then we are going to

take a bit of time off, before starting our new Year!!!

 

 

• I’m reading…

Finishing the book City of Women!

 

• I’m cooking…

A stuffed green pepper casserole, minus the rice.. to cut the carbs!

I can’t wait to eat it!

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

How well things seem to be going lately..

My stress has come down a notch..

 

 

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

 

“No one has ever become poor from giving" – Anne Frank

Working on my goals…

 

 

 

So remember at the beginning of the year, when I said instead of resolutions this year I was going to set goals? If not you can see that here. Well we are almost 3 weeks into the New Year, and most people have slacked on their resolutions if not given up on most of them.

Above you can see the most recent picture I have.. (usually you only get my head shot, due to my not liking how I look) I’m sharing it with you, so when I have lost the weight I want… I can show you the difference! Wish me luck!

I am happy to say, that I am still going pretty good, and trying to keep to my goals. Over the last few months, I have been slowly losing weight or maintaining. I haven’t gained any back (so far). Well I’m happy to say that last week I lost 5 more pounds.

Not sure if I mentioned that I was boarder line diabetic. I’m able to control it so far with diet. However, if I don’t improve my eating habits, that will no longer be true. I struggle with exercise, since a lot of my days are spent in my car, or schooling my kids. I’m trying to work on getting myself back in the habit of getting on my treadmill for an hour a day. (Still a work in progress)

I recently went to get my shoulder looked at. It has been bugging me big time. They decided I had a torn tendon. For now, they have given me a Cortisone shot, and hope that helps instead of resorting to surgery. (Like I have time for that) Plus he put me on a anti-inflammatory med. The upside of this medicine? I have to eat before taking it, and I have to take it after breakfast, and after lunch. I am not a breakfast or lunch eater… so this has been a challenge for me. So what is the upside? It is putting me back in the habit of eating three meals a day!

So starting this week, I decided to cut back (out) carbs. I am trying to keep them as low as possible. That is extremely hard, when you’re a bread, pasta, ice coffee chip eater! Yup, that is me in a nut shell! So far I have been doing really well with it. I’m kind of doing this strange Atkins/limited carb diet. What is that right? Well with Atkins, you eat nothing but meats and green veggies. I can’t cut everything at once, so I decided that I was going to cut it pretty drastically.. but not completely. I think my total carb intake for the day most days is around 20-40. For a diabetic they don’t recommend more than 100 a day.

What is the hardest… I have to watch the others in my house eating carbs. I’m doing really good though. For breakfast I have been eating eggs/bacon or sausage, at lunch I am eating either a wrap with turkey and veggies (on a flaxseed wrap that is only 5 carbs), or a slice of turkey, raw veggies, and cottage cheese. Dinner is the hardest.. and at dinner we have been having a meat, veggie. Like tonight, I had shrimp in a butter garlic sauce, and salad. Yummy!

I have to say pinterest has been the best. I can find some really good low carb meals! Love it! Of course that doesn’t mean on my really good day, I will have 2 small scoops of ice cream. (That is one thing I don’t want to completely give up.. LOL)

 

I will do my best to keep you updated with how I am doing, if you want to know..

 

What was one of your goals?

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

It was a bit crazy, since we started back to our crazy schedule..

It started with a trip to the ER,

for Middle Monkey to get stiches..

It was a bit of an overwhelming week,

but we made it through..

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

The kids did pretty good…

We are working right along on our math,

grammar, spelling, and Botany.

Since my reviews are starting back up we will be

adding new stuff soon.

I can’t wait!

We started back to Co-op this week too..

and 4H

Check out the cute things we made..

Monkey Man’s Triton

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Try not to over do your schedule,

however sometimes it can’t be helped.. so the

best advice is organization.

 

• I am inspired by…

Millions of people!

 

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

This next week we have Boy Scouts, the girls start dance,

Library, Co-op, Middle Monkey is going to start

attending public school for Music & Art, and Piano…

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Watching how much my kids remember.. and that

things really do absorb, even when you don’t think they do..

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Being organized, so things are ready to go,

and we just grab them and walk out the door.

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

How many more days til your year is done?

We only have 30 official days left!

(we will probably do review for a month too)

 

• Things I’m working on…

Still mudding!

 

• I’m reading…

City of Women

 

• I’m cooking…

Not sure, we are going back to low carb meals,

so I can get back on track.

 

• I’m grateful for…

My life, and my kids.. they really do teach me so much!

 

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

Another look at our 4H project this week..

 

Middle Monkey’s

 

Other uses for staples…

 

 

Yesterday afternoon, I left my Monkey’s in the capable hands of their father (aka Monkey Dad, as we will start to refer to him on here). I had to be off on my mommy duties, learning about glorious Cookies for Girl Scouts.. but I’m rambling. While I was gone, the Monkeys decided they wanted to go out and play in the snow. Which was good, since it has been so cold, and they have been sick, it was time. They were getting very cooped up in the house, and it was starting to show!

 

Apparently while outside sledding and playing in the fluffy snow, Monkey Man decided to pick up a piece of ice (now mind you, we have spoken to him about this numerous times). I’m thinking his cricket didn’t chime in that he was about to do something bad. He then threw said piece of ice, in the direction of his sister (however, not directly at her HE SWEARS). While wouldn’t you know it hit her square in the head.

Screaming, lots of crying, and some blood later.. Monkey Dad called me (I was on my way home) and told me that I wasn’t getting out of the car when I got home. She had a 1/2 inch gash in her head, and he couldn’t tell but thought that there was something in it.

Upon arriving home 5 minutes after he called me, out the door came a crying monkey with a cloth to the head. I just sighed, got her buckled up and headed back off to the hospital. What a zoo that was!! Oh my! No rooms left, so we got stuck in the hallway with a privacy screen. I didn’t really care, just wanted to make sure that we were seen pretty promptly, I was hungry and wanted to go home! This was also the spot where the ambulances came to, so every time they came (about 6 while we were there) and opened the big door, we got a blast of ice cold air! BRR!

Middle Monkey was a very good sport about this all though. Of course, having an electronic device with some Lego apps on it, sure did help! We waited about 20 minutes to see the Doctor, which really is not bad at all. She poked around a bit, pushed and pulled, but decided there was nothing in it that she could see. However, middle monkey was going to need 3 staples. Immediately upon hearing that, she was insistent that she was not getting them! They nicely explained to her that they would numb the spot with cream. It was cold, but she didn’t complain. Then after it was completely numb, they numbed her more with a needle in a few places. That stung a bit, so she winced in pain, but did very well. Just to be on the safe side a nurse came in to help hold her head still, so we didn’t fling staples in the wrong places!

Middle Monkey got some music going on the IPod, and I told her to focus on that. The doctor inserted the first staple, and she didn’t even feel it. The second and third was a bit more painful. She cried out that it hurt and whimpered, but held it together very well. I was so proud of her!

After arriving home, and getting ready for bed the numbness started to wear off. So, we had a bit of a long evening. Even with Tylenol she was in pain, my heart broke for her. By midnight she was finally able to fall asleep.

 

Here is a picture of her battle scars! She was an amazingly brave girl! (Anyone who knows her, this was huge)

 

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

January 7th, 2013

Outside my window...

It is not as cold has it has been.. but brr!

We have some flurries coming down, but it looks to be a calm day.

 

 

I am thinking...

What do I want to do today…

So much to get done!

 

I am thankful for...

The time I have to get things done,

if I utilize it.

 

From the learning rooms...

We are back full tilt!

We played a bit of catch up last week.

This week we are starting back in with our normal studies

Math, English, Science, History, Spelling, Piano..

They are not super excited about diving back in, but they are

doing pretty good!

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

 

 

From the kitchen...

We are having taco’s tonight, with homemade Tortilla Shells!
We have been making a lot more of our stuff at home,

instead of buying it.. (such as Tortilla’s, bread, English Muffins, and Rolls)

 

 

I am wearing...

I’m still in my PJ’s…

I’m a bit slow moving this morning.

 

I am creating...

Some math worksheets right now..

 

I am going...

to work on school stuff, prep some things for girl scouts this weekend,

putting insulation up on some walls, and emptying Little Monkey’s room, so

we can finish mudding it! Then we will move on to painting!

 

I am reading...

I have finished two books in the last couple days.

I am starting “City of Women” next..

 

I am hoping...

that our nice organized rooms come together soon..

I really am ready for it to be done after a long YEAR of waiting!

 

 

I am hearing...

My kids doing school work..

Little Monkey counting!

 

Around the house...

We have a bit of laundry, sweeping, and vacuuming to do..

 

One of my favorite things...

is watching the faces of my Monkey’s when they get something!

They are so proud of themselves! I love it!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Crazy week starting tonight.. Cub Scouts, Library, Co-op, Car appt, Doc appt, Meetings, 4-H, Girl Scouts, and a visit back to the ER to get

Middle Monkey’s Staples removed!

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

I thought we needed a reminder that spring will be here soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

Phew..

We made it, but it was a challenge at times.

We had a few appointments…

survived some serious cold weather!!! BRR!

Enjoyed time together..

Deep cleaned some bedrooms.. now to start one room at a time

and paint them. (Little Monkey’s is up first, stay tuned)

 

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We started back to school.. after having a really LONG break.

It was hard to get back in the swing of things, but we managed.

I think the Monkey’s did better than me. (LOL)

This week we worked on some History, Math, English, and

did some reading..

We are anxious to start back up on our TOS Reviews.. (look for some soon)

Overall it was a good week for school. I hope that the

rest of the next few weeks go that smoothly.

If you would like to see more, visit our Homeschool Blog HERE

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Being the New Year, we all are trying to get better with organization.

Its just naturally wired into us, I think?!

My best advice today is to say.. Schedules are important.

Although, not easy to stick to. Do your best, and remember

staying flexible also plays a huge key in being homeschooled.

 

 

• I am inspired by…

Amazing bloggers, that I have never met..

They are a great inspiration when you are struggling sometimes.

 

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

Starting Monday we are back in full swing!

Our schedules get crazy again..

Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Library, Co-op, 4H, and Piano Lessons!

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

Watching my kids get right back to there work, with

rather minimal complaining!

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Like I mentioned up above, schedules play a huge part in our lives..

So we have reviewed ours for the upcoming months.

Made sure everything we were doing was something we truly wanted to do..

(except those pesky appointments you can’t get rid of)

And decided which days to put our heaviest work load on, so we

wouldn’t be to stressed out!

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

I’m on the look for 6th grade curriculum.. Any suggestions?

(I can’t believe its that time of year again)

 

 

• Things I’m working on…

I have been working on my master Household Binder..

Which is all done.. I will try to do a post on it soon.

 

 

• I’m reading…

A new series I found by Robyn Carr called Virgin River..

I finished the first book yesterday.

I thought it was good..

Going to read the next book later today..

 

 

• I’m cooking…

It was suppose to be Teriyaki Chicken, but we decided

the leftovers needed to go.

So we will move it to tomorrow.

 

 

• I’m grateful for…

my life.. as crazy as it may be at times, its mine..

 

 

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

In light of everything that has happened over the last month..

This Quote sums it…

 

You will never

have this day

with your children again.

Today is a gift.

Breathe and Notice.

Study their little faces and feet.

Relish the charms of the present.

 

Enjoy Today Mama,

it will be gone before you

know it.

-Jan Hatmaker

Sad day in our house…

 

 

We got chickens a couple years ago…..

Well, today we lost Monkey Man’s favorite chicken. Yes, he got attached to a cute little chicken. Being the main caretaker of the chickens, he really loved this chicken. He would bring her special treats, such as grasshoppers, and bugs.

 

In the summer we we made sure to get some good pictures.

 

Winter has come in full blast. Yesterday, he went out to take care of the chickens and found “Red Neck” (that is his nickname for her) bleeding and not moving much. He was very upset. We tried to call a few vets, and got no where. Monkey Man was very upset that the vets were not accommodating. After I calmed him down, and we talked.. He tried to find answers in all of our chicken books. Unfortunately he didn’t find anything.

 

This morning when he went out, he found his lovely “Red Neck” passed on..

 

 

 

 

He was very sad.. so he is going to have a small memorial for her.

 

RIP Red Neck…. You will be missed!

 

A New Year has arrived…

 

 

Wow, another year has gone… Is it me or does it seem like this year just flew by? I really just can’t fathom how we have come to yet another year.

 

It is time for all those new resolutions.. Did you make one?! I try every year, and every year within a few months I have given up. So instead of making a resolution this year, I’m going to make a list of goals for this year.

 

I want to keep losing the weight that has been slowly coming off for the last 6 months, and try a bit harder to keep my numbers down and be better about my Diabetes's. Its time to admit, its not going anywhere.. can’t pretend and it will just go away.

My next goal is to be more organized, and efficient. I want to keep all areas of my home, life running a bit more smoothly. Then maybe I wouldn’t be as stressed out. I have already started on this one. I finished my home binder yesterday. I can now find the things I am looking for much easier (now to keep up with using it).

I want to spend more down time with my family. Be less driven to have the cleanest house, or stress about the little things. I am wasting far to much time with them, that I will never get back.

Continue with my learning of neat techniques and mastering the things I know on the camera. It is truly one of my favorite passions. I want to get better about scrapbooking, or preserving those memories though.

 

I think that is my biggest goals that I want to accomplish this year. I’m sure there are many little ones though. However, when you put to much on you at one time is when you fail.

 

Have you come up with your resolution for this year yet? Or do you have a list of goals you want to accomplish?

 

I wish you all the best of luck in keeping them all! I know, I will need to reevaluate every once in awhile myself or I will lose track of the reason I made them in the first place.

 

 

Happy New Year!!!!