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....

 

Portable North Pole Review:

 

 

Happy Holidays!!! Yup, they have officially started. With the start of the Holidays, I know that if your anything like me you are telling your kids if you don’t be good Santa will not be coming.. Or you will be on the naughty list! I’m so guilty of doing this!

 

I don’t know if you have heard of Portable North Pole or not, but it is a super cool website. You can visit it, and get a video made and sent to your child via email, or portable device. They just ask a few questions, to make it a bit more authentic. Then within an hour or so they send a link of your video to your email. You can get all of this for FREE!

 

Then there is the PNP Premium Video with this you get a bit more stuff such as Santa riding is sleigh in the video. A personalized Christmas Carol, a peek at Santa’s magical periscope, and more! This one only costs $3.99 and 5% goes to the Children’s Hospital.

 

You can also get a personalized letter from Santa with a sprinkle of Christmas Magic. It comes in Red or Green printed in color on a soft double-sided good quality paper. All this for $19.99.

 

There are a few more options as well. Plus they offer things like a phone call from Santa, a letter from Santa, Bundles with a letter, call, nice list, and video from Santa. So many options its hard to choose. Coming soon they are going to be offering personalized Christmas Carols, and Ringtones. Along with a Mobile App.

 

Bet those elves are very busy right now!

 

Great way to boost the spirit of Christmas in your home!

We got the Premium Video for Middle Monkey. The look on her faces was priceless when she figured out that Santa had sent her a video. It was very authentic looking if you are a child between 0-10… My almost 11yr old, knew it was not the real Santa, but played along for his sisters. Santa did a small introduction with a song specifically for Middle Monkey, and then went into what she needed to work on. Then he took her on a tour of his workshop, and a quick sleigh ride! It was super cute, I would totally recommend it to anyone!

 

The other two monkeys got the regular video, and they to where in shock to get a video from Santa. It was awesome to watch! This is an amazing experience for all three of them! We will definitely be doing this again next year.

 

 

You can find Portable North Pole on Facebook and Twitter too!

 

 

*I was given a code for a free premium video experience in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkey’s!