Reflections on our family year 2010

The year 2010 was filled with a whirlwind of activity and travel.  We began the year with a trip to Florida last January and it seems that we have been "traveling" since.  When I say travel, I don't mean out of town.  We just seem to be in the van constantly traveling from one activity to another.  From co-op to art class to homeschool choir, to religion classes, to American Heritage Girls and on...and on....  You get the picture.

So what's wrong with that?  Well, nothing really.  If it weren't for the fact that I still haven't had the time to train the girls in many ways that I need to, to prepare them for life.  Right now they enjoy being at home and learning new things.  Things like cooking, sewing, baking, knitting, scrapbooking, card marking.  The list goes on.  I am passing up the opportunity to bond with my girls through teaching them to sew and do these other activities in order to provide them with the wonderful activities that are offered in our homeschool community.  At the ages of 7 and 11, I need to concentrate more on training at home and less on "social" activities around town.

This does not mean that I "intend" to withdraw from all outside activity.  This means that my new motto for the year of 2011 is "Living Intentional".  I should be doing all things with intention.  I need to map out what my true intentions are for my family and home school for the new year.  If something does not fit in with that plan, then it doesn't go on the schedule.

I will be reflecting over the next week.....stay tuned.  What are you planning to change up next year?

A Christmas to Remember.....

We had a delightful Christmas after a December full of flu and colds around here.  The sickness brought online shopping and very little time to shop for cookie and candy ingredients.  Oh how I wish I had followed Flylady's advice and had all my shopping and planning done by Thanksgiving.  Even with the delays, I was able to finish the shopping in time and get gifts to distant relatives.  Thanks Amazon.com!

We went to my parents house here in Georgia for Christmas.  There was a total of 19 of us running around for the four days we were there.  Always something to do or someone to talk with.  Lots of game playing, movie watching and just plan fun!  And the day after Christmas - It Snowed!  

 Here are a few pics.  Happy Christmastide!

C-Sunshine and K-Doodle who is holding a book C-Sunshine gave her that Mommy wouldn't buy for her a few days before Christmas.  Aren't sisters great?

K-Doodle with her big sis Amber who is sporting her new "Indiana Jones" hat.

C-Sunshine on the Stilts she wanted so bad for Christmas.  Thanks Nanny!

And here is my beautiful mother being the silly mommy I love so much.

Hope your Christmas was beautiful.

Flu Fighting Advice

We have been busy fighting the flu with C-Sunshine for the past couple of weeks.  She is finally better and back to doing some activities outside of the house, but just doesn't have her energy back.  I thought I would put down a few thoughts I had while she was at battle.  Things that helped this 40 something year old brain keep track of things and made life easier.


First let me say that it was a nasty strain of flu.  Came on quick as they normally do, with a high fever.  Then came the nausea and vomiting for a day or two along with the high fever.  At one point, her fever spiked to 104.7.  Very scary.  Fever stayed for about 8 days.  During those days, C-Sunshine dropped nine pounds!  To someone who is only 79 pounds to begin with, that is huge!


Anyway here are my thoughts......
Prepare now.  Have on hand, lots of tissues, Tylenol, Advil, Lysol and Clorox wipes.  Also stock up on soft foods for those days following such as apple sauce, mild soups and maybe some Pillsbury rolls.  C-Sunshine only drank minute maid lemonade for two weeks during and after her bout.  Seemed to keep her hydrated.  She didn't want anything carbonated.  Whole fruit lime Popsicles were also a favorite during her re-hydrate time.  Also, I used Thieves essential oils on wrists each day.  I am still using this along with our daily dose of vitamins with a bump up on vitamin C.


So far, no one else has gotten sick.  I Lysoled everything (even C-Sunshine, not really - kidding) each day.  I washed C-Sunshines sheets every other day if she wasn't in them.  On HOT.  Very HOT.  I used the Clorox wipes on all stair railings, light switches, door knobs and bathroom fixtures.  Anywhere that C-Sunshine had been.  Eventually when she was able to be out and about, I followed her with Lysol and wipes and made sure to get keyboards, remotes and refrigerator door handles.  I also washed towells everyday to try and keep the germies at bay.  Mind you, my hubby had a bad cold at the same time, so I was really fighting hard here.  Unfortunately, I think I got his cold.  Couldn't Lysol his breathing at night.  :)


When I was in the thick of it, doing battle with a high fever, one of my saving graces was a plastic basket that I set up to hold all of the meds, thermometer, probe covers and a notepad and pencil.  When I had to get up in the middle of the night, I could just grab the basket, take her temp, give meds and write down what the temp was and what time she took meds.  I kept a pretty detailed list of temp, time and meds.  This made it very easy to give her doctor information over the phone.  I opted not to take her to the doctor until after 7 days and only after she developed a cough I could not control.  She got zero sleep, so I took her in to get a stronger cough med.  Which she hated.  And only took once.


The fact that I had a few meals in the freezer (from Mealing Making with the ladies) came in handy during this time.  If I hadn't, it would have been pizza everynight.  I was getting zero sleep.  Crock pot meals were the bomb during this time.  Although....not during the bout of naseua.  The scent of dinner lofting in the air would NOT be pleasant for someone approaching "the throne" for the fifth time that day.


Well, I hope my rambling will help someone....sometime.  Hopefully no one reading this will have to deal with the flu.  Prayer is also important.  Calling on Him to help you through and care for your precious one.  That is probably the best advice.


I am hoping to enjoy the rest of Advent, sickness free?  Hoping and praying here.


Blessings.....

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

An Early December Daybook Post

Outside my window...
A cooler, very sunny day outside. That sun is deceiving. It was only 21 degrees this morning.
thinking...
about Advent and Christmas. How that this year, I am totally unprepared and not stressing about it. I am busy enjoying the family and doing things together. I am sure the panic will set in, but I am hoping to retain the peace of knowing that all the hub-bub is NOT what Christmas is. Celebrating the birth of Christ is. And he doesn't care about all that other stuff.
I am thankful for...
that C-Sunshine is feeling better today after battling the flu for the past four days, running a 104.7 temp at one point!  All our plans for the week were put on hold.  No busyness.  I have had time to do laundry, read to K-Doodle, make list for future Christmas shopping.  A chance to stop and breathe.  In between caring for the stomach distress that came along with the flu bug.  Yuck.
From the learning room...
Just K-Doodle and Mom in there this week.  We are working with phonics, doing some First Communion notebook work and math.  Oh, and lots of cozy reading and hot chocolate.
I am wearing...PJ's
I am creating...
gifts for the girls for Christmas..  Can't mention here.  They read this blog.
I am going...
to get to go shopping tonight.  Pat is going to stay with the girls and I am going to buy some crafting supplies to make gifts using this idea from Patty over at Reasons for Chocolate.  I am going to make these for several family members and CCD teachers.
I am reading...
recipes
I am hoping...
that no one else gets sick.  My hubby has a bad cold, C-Sunshine has the flu/stomach bug, whatever it is.  K-Doodle and I have washed our hands so much they are cracking.  :)  Today I am boiling the sheets and Lysoling everything, including C-Sunshine and my hubby.  (not really, but I have thought about it.)
I am hearing...
a Christmas movie the girls are watching on Netflix,
Around the house...
Tidying and dragging out more decorations for the Advent season and Christmas.  The tree is up, but that is about it.  I am too sleepy.  I need more coffee.
One of my favorite things...
a day at home with no plans.  My girls like this too.  Hmmmm......what does that tell me.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
If we are well, homeschool choir practice and then performance.  We missed the Little House Christmas play today and tea with friends.  I am not really sad about that.  Why is that.  I plan to "dig in".  Get the fixin's for the season, sip tea, wrap presents, listen to Christmas music, go to Mass and work on lesson plans for next week.
Simple Woman's Daybook.

A Mid November Daybook post

Outside my window...
A cooler, damper morning with the sun trying to peek out from below the hill.
thinking...
about our busy week ahead and Thanksgiving plans. Also thinking about our daughter eldest daughter Amber who is going to have to endure a full body scan just to get here next week for Thanksgiving. Bummer for a 23 year old young lady.
I am thankful for...
my calendar and planner and now iPad. I truly don't know how I would survive without my "brain on paper". It is amazing how much information I can no longer store in this brain of mine. I use to remember everything! Now I have to repeat someone's name 3 times out loud to remember it. People must think I am crazy when they hear me do that. :)
From the learning room...
It is finally clean! After becoming the main play area for a bit, I have "unearthed" the floor and tidied up where some real learning can take place. That makes me smile.
I am wearing...night shirt. A REALLY old one that I should probably throw out, but it brings me comfort.
I am creating...
a peaceful home environment. Finding everything a place and a place for everything. And creating a lot of bags to take to the Goodwill in the process. (I am still doing this - this was a cut and past from August!)
I am going...
to spend the weekend making all my online purchases for Christmas.
I am reading...
blogs....
I am hoping...
for enough time with extended family this Thanksgiving. We miss seeing our cousins and grandparents and are really looking forward to seeing everyone.
I am hearing...
Maroon 5 blaring in my ears. SSSHHHHH I just love them! I have my earbuds in and the girls are still sleeping. I really want to get up and dance, but instead I am typing words here.
Around the house...
this week I am concentrating on the master bedroom and K-Doodle's room. I have been following Flylady.net 's routines and I must say it is much easier to keep up with the house these days. The girls also have been pitching in a lot more now that I am re-establishing habit training and daily routines for them to follow.
One of my favorite things...
datenight. We rarely get a night out alone. We will tomorrow night. A business dinner, but still...the drive there and home we will be alone......
A few plans for the rest of the week:
home learning, homeschool choir, CCD, horsemanship class, Art class, Jesse Tree ornament exchange, Fernbank Museum, Middle School Barn dance and K-Doodle has an American Girl birthday party to go to. Whew....and it's already Wednesday!
Have a great week!
Simple Woman's Daybook.

At The Cabin Path...a day of nature

In lieu of another day inside when God is providing such glorious weather, we decided to venture out to a place we have been longing to visit. It is the Cabins Path and we are so glad we went and met Sarah, the owner of this special place.

We started out with an introduction to The Cabin's Path and to a looksee into Sarah's discovery box which was filled with Indian artifacts and other objects found on the property. We were all impressed by the log that had been chewed by the beavers on both ends! Pretty cool.

After receiving our collecting bags, we needed out to the nature trails to find a collection of leaves in all shapes and colors. We were told we would be making a project later in the day with the leaves.

The weather was just perfect. A cool 68 degrees and zero humidity. A welcome change from the hot, humid Georgia summer days.

We stopped for a discussion about the being a pioneers and what we might look for in land to build a house on. What would you use to build your house? What kind of land would you look for?
Then we hit the trails again to look for more leaves, check out the indian graves and the beautiful lake that is part of the Cabin property.
The cabin was actually discovered by accident during a demolision by Sarah's sister's family construction business. When she saw logs underneath the vinyl siding, she knew it was worth saving and called up Sarah and asked if she wanted it. It is SO cool! I wanted to stay the night and play Little House on the Praire with the girls.
Inside the little log cabin.
The girls went shake, shake, shake and made......Butter!
It turned out perfect and was oh so yummy on Miss Sarah's corn bread made in her iron skillet. She also fed us vegetable soup and apples. The soup was cooking on the stove inside the cabin while we were on our hike.
Such a lovely setting for a fall picnic....
Then it was time to make those Indian headbands with all those leaves we collected.


We used folded strips of recycled paper bags with duck tape rolled longways and two holes on each end. The leaves were so easy to just stick on. After they were completed, we just added yarn and presto.....
C-Sunshine in an Indian Headdress
K-Doodle sporting her tribal head gear.
On our hike back......we saw a Fairie Trial!
Back at the classroom building, we got to see a fairy from the fairy workshop the week before. Darn, we missed that one!
We had such a good time with Miss Sarah at the Cabin Path and can not wait to go back. The thing I took away from this special day was written above the door of that cabin........
'nough said!

Reflections on Learning Week 14

Here I am late again with my reflections on our learning last week. I seem to be a bit behind in posting and always a dollar short. I have given up posting in exchange for establishing some order around the house. I have been diggin' in and cleanin' out. I have even signed up for Flylady again - Yeeks - look out!

Any hoo, we did get some learning in there somewhere. Mostly the 3r's.

Outside activities included Explorer's co-op, our second Little Flowers club meeting, homeschool choir, CCD, Art Class and 4H Horse and Pony Club meeting. Whew....that's a lot. I had to cancel our planned middle school hayride and bon fire on Friday night for C-Sunshine. The girls were having too much fun playing and it was pretty far away. I don't regret that decision one bit. We so needed a home day. For a family that "home" schools, we seem to rarely be here. I need to follow Patty's lead and cut more activities out!

Here is C-Sunshine during art at our Explorer's HS co-op

Around the house.....pulling out Thanksgiving decorations and putting away Halloween. Trying to just locate the Christmas boxes amongst the gazillion boxes in the garage. I am planning to decorate the weekend of Thanksgiving this year. I downloaded my Flylady holiday control journal to keep on top of things this year. Anyone else flying out there?

Upcoming plans.......more of the same. Co-op, American Heritage Girls, choir, CCD, art and a day with nothing planned! Yeah! Oh, K-Doodle is also going in for her polio vaccine. That's another post.

Have a great week everyone.

Reflections on Learning Weeks 12 & 13

I had a LOT of problems loading these pictures. We are about 5 days late in posting. Sorry.....

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. I am late in chiming in with our reflections of the learning week(s). But I do want to take the time to do it. I am finding that I enjoy having notes of what we have accomplished and things that might need some tweaking. Some here goes......

In the learning room....We are marching forward. Chloe is still reading This Country of Ours independently and doing narrations. She is really enjoying this book and is writing 2-3 page narrations. We are still in Colonial Times as a family. I started reading Welcome to Felicity's World with the girls. It is actually a very educational book. I was surprised. It also adds some fun by allowing the girls to bring in their American Girl dolls.

Activities.... The girls enjoyed the weekly Explorers co-op, choir, CCD, American Heritage Girls and art class.

Out in Nature..... last Friday we drove down to Auburn to visit with the cousins. We enjoyed a simply gorgeous day at the park. Playing and catching up on the family. The trip went by way to fast, because we had to return so that C-Sunshine could practice for her 4H Trot or Treat show next weekend. Here she is with her Shareahorse.
On Saturday, Dad took the girls to our parish children's fishing tournament. Both K-Doodle and C-Sunshine participated. K-Doodle caught two fish! C-Sunshine caught nine fishing off the bottom with crickets and won a rod and reel and $20 gift card from Walmart. She loves to fish, especially when prizes are involved. They get it honest. Dad is a fisherman.

This past Friday, we drove into Atlanta to see SlimGoodbody's Bodyology. It was FANTASTIC! If you ever get a chance to go and see this guy, take it. The tickets were only $6.50. The show is very educational and fun! He is very entertaining. Has so much charisma. The girls liked his show better than Disney on Ice! That is saying something.

Yesterday, C-Sunshine competed in her first 4H horse show. She showed a horse named "Sandy". She won first place! We are so proud of her. We stayed at the show all day (and night) and had a great time.


Today we have a Trunk-or-Treat at our parish. We always decorate the back of Dad's pickup and hand out candy to all the little cuties. This year my hubby has created a pumpkin throwing game of some kind. It should be a fun day for all. Hope to catch up with all of you soon. Have a great week!

Join in at Jen's Weekly Wrap Up

They are in Love......

with Buster! On Saturday morning, my friend Robin meet us at her stables and gave the girls an introduction to horses and then took them for a ride. Her horse's name is Buster and he is a 14 year old quarter horse and quite the gentleman. He stands about 14.2 hands. Both C-Sunshine and K-Doodle rode him around the ring, but C-Sunshine actually got to ride him alone, holding the reins and guiding him on her own. Of course, Robin was not too far away.

C-Sunshine has joined the Horse and Pony club this year with our local 4H club. So she is excited about learning more about horses. She LOVES horses and has them all over her room. She reads about horses, fiction and none. I am glad that she is getting the opportunity to be around them, learn to ride and experience life with a horse. I always loved horses too, but never got the opportunity to learn to ride or be around them first hand. One of the joys of learning at home. We get to cater to the child!


K-Doodleehad no fear whatsoever. Both girls were very comfortable around Buster and had a great time. Thanks Robin!

Reflections from Learning Week 11

Weekly Wrap-up from Learning Week 11

3R’s – Just cruising along with language arts. I do need to introduce some kind of writing assignment other than narrations. I think we will write letters to shut-in’s next week and give them to Deacon Jim at church to pass out to those he visits during the week. I also want to do some kind of “seasons” project with Kaylee next week. She is figuring it all out, but I don’t think I have given her the opportunity for all the “cute zee” things that her big sis got to do at her age. We are going to work on that.

History – read in Liberty about minutemen and red coats. The colonist as getting ready to revolt! We actually only got one day of History in this week.

Science – the girls decided to make lap-books this week. Chloe downloaded a ton of stuff from the internet and made copies of things we had at home. She is working on an extensive lap book on ocean animals. Because she is a bit of a perfectionist, it might take a while to complete.  We are currently studying Whales.

Art – Kaylee had art day about every day this week. She just LOVES to create. She has a “formal” art class on Thursday afternoon’s two hours each week. Both of the girls do and absolutely love it. I have always known that my girls were Artsy girls, but I am still blown away by all that they create at home and away.

The Impromptu Masterpiece

Nature - Yeah, we actually got outside this week. We played outside, walked outside and this morning Kaylee and I just sat outside for about two hours. She spent her time making sketches of the trees and drawing pictures. I was actually being bad and typing lesson plans on the computer, but I WAS enjoying the outdoors. Especially since it was only about 62 degrees. I love Autumn!

Outside Activities – we had our first week of our homeschool “Explorers” co-op. They are studying China these six weeks. We also had American Heritage Girls, CCD, homeschool choir and today (Friday) we are at Disney On Ice – Toy Story 3! Picture forthcoming, I am sure.

Around the house – disaster. A good tidy is planned for the weekend along with the dreaded season changing of the guard with the clothes. Why do I DREAD that every season? It really doesn’t take that long, but I still dread it so.
Still struggling to find a rhythm these days. I am still preoccupied with outside activities ( being the Mom who leads, directs, plans). I need to pick ONE thing each year and that’s it. It truly is taking away from the things that I need to be doing for my family and the planning that I need to be doing for our homeschool. Will I ever learn?

Join in at Jen's Weekly Wrap Up

Our Big Fat Almost Free Vacation

This is actually a post that I wrote a couple of weeks ago, but took until now to load up the pictures. Have I complained enough about being too busy lately? I need to go back to this place!


Well we are back from our "almost" free vacation. It was such a fun time together. I think planning it for free was half the fun. Here is a list of what we had to work with to produce a free vacation.


1 - my parents gifted us the use of their timeshare condo on the beach in Ormond Beach

This was the view from our unit...watching the sunrise every morning with my coffee......aaaahhh...

2 - We purchased 95% of our food using the buy one, get one free items from Publix over the past few month. We ate spaghetti, taco's, harvest casserole (meal makers) and had chicken for the grill, but ended up bringing that home. We also had all our breakfast, snacks and lunch stuff. We brought back a LOT of groceries.


3 - We had about 150 dollars in cash from birthdays (Pat and I), a walmart gift card for $10.

4 - Four Disney coupons good for a day at Walt Disney World from their Give A Day, Get A Day campaign. This was a great savings as it turned out. I had NOT idea Disney was so expensive!

We did have expenses that we didn't know how we were going to cover. Such as the food at Disney and any soveniers for the girls. Well on our first day at the condo, they offered us a hundred dollar VISA gift card if we would go and listen to a high pressure vacation sales pitch. We looked at each other and said "sure". After a free breakfast, 90 minutes and a "we don't make any decisions without thinking it over for 24 hours", we had our gift card! (On a side note, the vacation plan sounded really good!) We used that Visa card for our Disney day!


We did well finding resources for miscellaneous spending and the vacation. But knew that we would have to pay $140 for our dog who was with a dog sitter. On our last day on the beach, someone approached us about seeing yet another vacation speal. Well, we all said no. Then the guy said he would give us $120 CASH and a 3-day stay in Gatlinburg, TN. Dad said "that will pay for Lucy" and we are agreed to go. After 2 hours, we had the money for the dog. Well almost, we were 20 bucks shy. Turns out, when we arrive to get Lucy, her sitter said "120" because she was such a good dog. Go Figure! That is exactly what we had earned for our last pushy sales pitch!

So the vacation was a success with minimal out of pocket and loads of fun. We had time to reconnect as a family and just hang out. That is priceless in my book. Can't put a price tag on family.

This.....is pricesless......