Both sitting on the floor - or in Charity's case - bouncing, I sit and listen to Charity counting to 70 with her big brother Jacob. I'd like to say this is a heartwarming event, but...
For some reason, she does not like to count. She CAN do it, recognizes the numbers fairly easily, recalls which ones come after the other, but.... getting her quickly through this task is excruciating.
They've been working since 9:30 this morning. It's now 11:13. Her goal is to take the index cards with the numbers 1-70 written on them and put them in order - while counting aloud.
Not saying she doesn't get distracted and meander off task, but still.... this should not take the whole morning. The remainder of her school will be done in a flash.
So, why oh why, the challenge with counting?
Guess that's my cue to find more creative ways to get her counting. A friend recently posted pictures of her son counting teddy grahams - maybe that'll work? She can eat one after every ten she counts.
Maybe she could bounce as she counts - one bounce per number. After all, she bounces all day long.
Count the number of steps to the bathroom - since she spends a lot of time in there when she should be, well.. counting.
The ideas are endless. Just one of the many wonderful blessings of homeschooling. We can alter what we do to meet the needs of our kiddos at any given point in time.
Counting the number of bites it takes her to finish her breakfast. Hmmmm... that section of math could be done before we even start the lesson.
Tomorrow's plan already in motion.
PS. Since writing this a few days ago, we have implemented giving Charity a Reece Pieces candy for every 10 she counts -- she readily, easily, and happily counted to 90 this morning in just a few minutes -- only as long as it took her to place the index cards in order. Excitedly, she then announced that next school day she would be counting to 100. Go figure.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
5 Nice Things
Much about smaller surroundings and less belongings is tremendous. However, it seems a smaller house has also created contention when it comes to the littles. Mostly due to the constant contact they have all day. In the words of my techno-genius hubby , "there's no where to escape."
Tis true - they are together ALL the time now. Not that they didn't spend most of their time together before, but now it's not always by choice. The only break they get is church and a couple hours a day when all but the youngest are doing school.
Fewer toys has been a blessing.... and a curse. A relative term, fewer, as it seems we still have a plethora of My Little Ponies and Legos. One has to ask - when you have multiples of similar toys (like said ponies) why, oh why, do children fight over ONE particular pony? It's the "prettiest, best, smallest." UUGH!
I have come to the conclusion that "no escape" and "fewer options" are - in part - the culprit for some of the spats that erupt from time to time.
Solutions to this issue have been challenging. Sharing - you would think it a given in a large family - has proven difficult without intervention; taking turns helps - a little; taking the items in question away solves the problem - until that toy is returned to play; having everyone take turns picking toys till all the toys are gone, helps - until they start to play again.
What to do, what to do.... One day, as the spats escalated, out of desperation I started to take the toys away and separate the 2 perpetrators.
Something in my heart hesitated.
Separating them isn't going to solve the hurtful feelings and words they are sharing. Instead, I told them both to sit together in the rocking chair, look at each other, and share 5 nice things about their sibling.
At first they just looked at each other, but that alone caused giggles. Giggles I like - squabbles I dislike.
I encouraged them to compliment one another. "I love you." Said one. "I love you, too." Came the reply. "I like your shirt," I like your hair." "You're so pretty." "Your eyes sparkle." More chuckles and all out laughter by the time "5 nice things" are shared.
Suddenly, the spat over ponies doesn't seem so urgent and sisterly love is restored. I can't say they never spat, but most end with hugs and laughter as they share "5 nice things" about one another.
Tis true - they are together ALL the time now. Not that they didn't spend most of their time together before, but now it's not always by choice. The only break they get is church and a couple hours a day when all but the youngest are doing school.
Fewer toys has been a blessing.... and a curse. A relative term, fewer, as it seems we still have a plethora of My Little Ponies and Legos. One has to ask - when you have multiples of similar toys (like said ponies) why, oh why, do children fight over ONE particular pony? It's the "prettiest, best, smallest." UUGH!
I have come to the conclusion that "no escape" and "fewer options" are - in part - the culprit for some of the spats that erupt from time to time.
Solutions to this issue have been challenging. Sharing - you would think it a given in a large family - has proven difficult without intervention; taking turns helps - a little; taking the items in question away solves the problem - until that toy is returned to play; having everyone take turns picking toys till all the toys are gone, helps - until they start to play again.
What to do, what to do.... One day, as the spats escalated, out of desperation I started to take the toys away and separate the 2 perpetrators.
Something in my heart hesitated.
Separating them isn't going to solve the hurtful feelings and words they are sharing. Instead, I told them both to sit together in the rocking chair, look at each other, and share 5 nice things about their sibling.
At first they just looked at each other, but that alone caused giggles. Giggles I like - squabbles I dislike.
I encouraged them to compliment one another. "I love you." Said one. "I love you, too." Came the reply. "I like your shirt," I like your hair." "You're so pretty." "Your eyes sparkle." More chuckles and all out laughter by the time "5 nice things" are shared.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sighing or Singing
As I read a blog this morning - Club 31 Woman - on embracing motherhood, first I found myself applauding what she said, nodding my head in agreement. Loving the fact she was lifting up motherhood and it's calling. Feeling content that I do, in fact, try to salute this proud profession of stay-at-home mom. Then.... I read further.
Not saying I disagreed w/what she said, but it did prick my heart. Brought to my attention some of my own downfalls.
The biggest one was "sighs". Seems minor, inconsequential, but... oh how they hurt our witness to our children; discourage our own mission of drawing close to this task of "raising up children in the way they should go".
Quickly, my own sighs came to mind. I've been doing that a lot. More laundry, sigh. The closet collapsed, sigh. The microwave needs cleaned - again, sigh. The toys are all over the floor, sigh, sigh, sigh.
What am I conveying to my precious bundles of joy? That their existence, the jobs I must perform BECAUSE I am a mom, the day to day living of life is draining and un-joyful? Is that what I want them to learn, to think, to feel? Is that how God reacts to me? NO!
I want them to feel loved and cherished. As God loves and cherishes me. He gave His son for ME, for THEM. If I portray a lack of joy in this wonderful gift God has given to me; in this imperative task of teaching and admonishing HIS little children, I have failed.
The writer of this blog mentioned, instead, humming or singing a tune as you go through the day. Today - I'm doing that.
Amazing! Not only is MY mood improved, but the kids are happier - there's been little to no squabbles.
Selah - full of life - is attached to my side, complimenting my singing and dancing along to my tunes.
My own attitude is much improved. Cleaning the splattered butter all over the microwave -- again -- wasn't a "chore", it was simply a necessary part of my day that I enjoyed b/c my heart was focused on right things.
Today, as an experiment, I will continue singing songs as I go through my daily tasks. As I cook, I'll sing; as I hang laundry, I'll sing; as I wipe the counters and sweep the floors, I'll sing. What a blessing - songs of praise to encourage my children rather than sighs of discontent to discourage them.
Tomorrow - I'll try to do it all over again.
Not saying I disagreed w/what she said, but it did prick my heart. Brought to my attention some of my own downfalls.
The biggest one was "sighs". Seems minor, inconsequential, but... oh how they hurt our witness to our children; discourage our own mission of drawing close to this task of "raising up children in the way they should go".
Quickly, my own sighs came to mind. I've been doing that a lot. More laundry, sigh. The closet collapsed, sigh. The microwave needs cleaned - again, sigh. The toys are all over the floor, sigh, sigh, sigh.
What am I conveying to my precious bundles of joy? That their existence, the jobs I must perform BECAUSE I am a mom, the day to day living of life is draining and un-joyful? Is that what I want them to learn, to think, to feel? Is that how God reacts to me? NO!
I want them to feel loved and cherished. As God loves and cherishes me. He gave His son for ME, for THEM. If I portray a lack of joy in this wonderful gift God has given to me; in this imperative task of teaching and admonishing HIS little children, I have failed.
The writer of this blog mentioned, instead, humming or singing a tune as you go through the day. Today - I'm doing that.
Amazing! Not only is MY mood improved, but the kids are happier - there's been little to no squabbles.
Selah - full of life - is attached to my side, complimenting my singing and dancing along to my tunes.
 |
| One of my bundles - I must learn to be THIS joyful |
Today, as an experiment, I will continue singing songs as I go through my daily tasks. As I cook, I'll sing; as I hang laundry, I'll sing; as I wipe the counters and sweep the floors, I'll sing. What a blessing - songs of praise to encourage my children rather than sighs of discontent to discourage them.
Tomorrow - I'll try to do it all over again.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
laundry - duck and cover
Upon moving to our mountain home, I was stoked about our new laundry system. Not only is the washer and dryer on the main floor (well, we have no other floors), but it's at THE juncture of THE two halls. I can't get from the bedroom to the kitchen or the living room to the kids' rooms without passing the laundry room. Which, I have to add, has no door, so it's not like the dirty clothes can be hidden from sight.
The first month, laundry was a breeze. Walk past the washer, see a load, toss it in the wash. Getting ready for bed, toss it in the dryer. So it went - wash, dry, put away -- after all, the large community "kid closet" is literally next to the laundry room. All I had to do was take the clothes from the dryer, toss into a basket, and step into the closet and hang away.
Why then, I must ask, have I fallen behind and have 4 loads to wash in one day and 10 - yes T-E-N - baskets of clean, unhung clothing to put away? I have no answer. But I was determined to get it done - TODAY.
Off I tromped into the kids' closet, lined with clothing racks and overflowing w/many baskets full of clean clothes awaiting to be placed in their proper home. As I started putting the items away, I noticed the bottom of the boys rack was "separating". I knew this would end badly if not dealt with promptly.
Dropping to my knees, I pushed the clothes aside to see what I was doing. Apparently, such movement unleashed the avalanche. Down came the middle bar onto my forehead, bending my glasses and raking them off my face. Startled by the thunk on my head, I look up just in time to witness the rest of the rack falling forward over me and all, yes all, the clothes tumbling to the ground around me.
Addled and a little befumbled - I slowly unearthed myself from amongst the debris of shirts, pants, shorts, and ties; climbed my way over the baskets of clothes waiting to be hung; and emerged, defeatedly, out of the kids' closet.
I will return to tackle that monster, that I mostly created myself, but first -- I'll drink my coffee and gaze at the calming mountain view outside the front window. All-the-while, rubbing my forehead in an attempt to stave off the headache I feel coming on from the bump that documents my defeat.
The first month, laundry was a breeze. Walk past the washer, see a load, toss it in the wash. Getting ready for bed, toss it in the dryer. So it went - wash, dry, put away -- after all, the large community "kid closet" is literally next to the laundry room. All I had to do was take the clothes from the dryer, toss into a basket, and step into the closet and hang away.
Why then, I must ask, have I fallen behind and have 4 loads to wash in one day and 10 - yes T-E-N - baskets of clean, unhung clothing to put away? I have no answer. But I was determined to get it done - TODAY.
Off I tromped into the kids' closet, lined with clothing racks and overflowing w/many baskets full of clean clothes awaiting to be placed in their proper home. As I started putting the items away, I noticed the bottom of the boys rack was "separating". I knew this would end badly if not dealt with promptly.
Dropping to my knees, I pushed the clothes aside to see what I was doing. Apparently, such movement unleashed the avalanche. Down came the middle bar onto my forehead, bending my glasses and raking them off my face. Startled by the thunk on my head, I look up just in time to witness the rest of the rack falling forward over me and all, yes all, the clothes tumbling to the ground around me.
Addled and a little befumbled - I slowly unearthed myself from amongst the debris of shirts, pants, shorts, and ties; climbed my way over the baskets of clothes waiting to be hung; and emerged, defeatedly, out of the kids' closet.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Your singing scared my dog away
Today, Jacob confessed to the fact he likes to sing hymns as he walks the dog in the evenings. Darkness abounds in the Wyoming mountain nights, seeing any distance in front of you is futile.
Lost in his singing, along with the lack of vision in the night, he is startled by a neighbor also walking his dog.
Embarrassed to have been "caught" robustly belting out his tunes, he smiles and says"hello sir". To which the neighbor politely says hi and that he too was walking his dog, but has lost him. Jacob, concerned, replies, "I'm sorry, I hope you find him." Flatly the gentleman states, "Oh, I'm sure he'll return once your gone." Due to his good naturedness, Jacob says goodbye and continues walking home - no longer sharing his musical talents with the world. Once home, he confides in me, "Apparently the neighbor and his dog didn't appreciate my singing." Smiling ear to ear with a hint of pink to his cheeks.
Not sure his singing really scared the dog off, but I'm glad he's confident enough to sing his heart out and comfortable enough sharing his embarrassment with me when he returned home. He won't scare me away with his singing.
Lost in his singing, along with the lack of vision in the night, he is startled by a neighbor also walking his dog.
Embarrassed to have been "caught" robustly belting out his tunes, he smiles and says"hello sir". To which the neighbor politely says hi and that he too was walking his dog, but has lost him. Jacob, concerned, replies, "I'm sorry, I hope you find him." Flatly the gentleman states, "Oh, I'm sure he'll return once your gone." Due to his good naturedness, Jacob says goodbye and continues walking home - no longer sharing his musical talents with the world. Once home, he confides in me, "Apparently the neighbor and his dog didn't appreciate my singing." Smiling ear to ear with a hint of pink to his cheeks.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Confession time - my addiction
Since arriving in our mountain home, I've developed an addiction - well, it started before our move, but the move compounded it. At first it was minor - took little of my time and energy, but as time progressed it's gotten bigger/worse.
There are days this addiction will eat up half my morning while I procrastinate hanging the clean clothes. Other times it fills my evenings as I wait for Doug to tuck in the kiddos. Once in awhile, I find myself walking away from this entrapment, only to return once I've finished the task that called me away.
I justify my actions, I make excuses for the time lost.
What is this horrible addiction that has filled too many of my waking hours? I'm certain that many others out there have this same addiction - particularly women - the internet opened it to our lives. It's useful, sure, but to what end?
Yes, I'm confessing my addiction to.... Pinerest!
It sucks my time, it gives and steals my joy, it fills my head - why?
In search of new storage ideas -- a good thing, but when I can't get to the store to buy those nifty tools or have the skills to build those neat built-ins - my mood sinks.... or rises when I have success - like this >.
Recipes - many wonderful recipes - yet, making them all not only raises the cost of our grocery bill - I'm quite certain it's also going to raise the number on the scale!
Decorating ideas - a plenty. But.... it's snowing outside and cold - I can't hardly go tear apart pallets and turn them into a sofa in THIS!
So, the longing grows - the addiction grows. I look for MORE ideas, MORE recipes, MORE storage tips. What to do? I. must. break. this. addiction.
Problem solved - I started a blog. Now, I have a NEW addiction. Hmmmmm... not quite the answer I should be looking for.
There are days this addiction will eat up half my morning while I procrastinate hanging the clean clothes. Other times it fills my evenings as I wait for Doug to tuck in the kiddos. Once in awhile, I find myself walking away from this entrapment, only to return once I've finished the task that called me away.
I justify my actions, I make excuses for the time lost.
What is this horrible addiction that has filled too many of my waking hours? I'm certain that many others out there have this same addiction - particularly women - the internet opened it to our lives. It's useful, sure, but to what end?
Yes, I'm confessing my addiction to.... Pinerest!
It sucks my time, it gives and steals my joy, it fills my head - why?
In search of new storage ideas -- a good thing, but when I can't get to the store to buy those nifty tools or have the skills to build those neat built-ins - my mood sinks.... or rises when I have success - like this >.
Recipes - many wonderful recipes - yet, making them all not only raises the cost of our grocery bill - I'm quite certain it's also going to raise the number on the scale!
Decorating ideas - a plenty. But.... it's snowing outside and cold - I can't hardly go tear apart pallets and turn them into a sofa in THIS!
So, the longing grows - the addiction grows. I look for MORE ideas, MORE recipes, MORE storage tips. What to do? I. must. break. this. addiction.
Problem solved - I started a blog. Now, I have a NEW addiction. Hmmmmm... not quite the answer I should be looking for.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Fun Family Finger Foods a Plenty
It's Sat night and we got each other.... Oh wait, that's not quite the words.
But.... it is Sat night and we love our family time. In honor of movie night, but wanting to be a "bit" more healthy - I opted to make corn dog muffins, accompanied by oven baked kale and zucchini chips, along with sliced apples and carmel for desert. Yum! Healthy - er finger foods that are just plain fun.
Here's the recipes for your own "fun family finger food" night!
Corn dog muffins
Several hot dogs cut into thirds - cooked. A corn muffin mix (or make your own) prepared.
Scoop the corn muffin mix into sprayed muffin tins - insert 1 piece of hot dog into center of each muffin.
Bake for 20 min or so until golden brown and center is done.
Serve w/ketchup and mustard if desired.
Kale chips
Cut kale into bite size pieces - place in baking dish or cookie sheet.
Drizzle w/olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper.
Mix w/hands to coat.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20+ min. Watch - you want them to get crispy, but not burn.
Believe me - burning is not good - Just ask Trinity.
Zucchini chips
Cut zucchini into small, thin rounds. (I did 2)
Put 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
In separate bowl combine 1/2 C panko bread crumbs, 4TBS regular bread crumbs, and 4TBS parmesan cheese - mix.
Place zucchini chips in milk then press into bread crumb mixture - coating both sides - then place on greased metal baking rack on top of a cookie sheet.
Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes - till golden brown.
For desert - sliced apples of various kinds
Carmel for dipping - this takes a little pre-planning - take a can (or more if you want extra) of sweetened condensed milk. Place it in a large pan of water. Boil the water and keep it boiling for 8 hours - keep filling the pan to make sure the can(s) are covered throughout the process. After 8 hours - carefully remove. Allow to cool a bit, then open. The best carmel EVER! Transfer to serving bowl and serve as dip for the apples. YUMMY!! OR - just open a jar of store bought carmel sauce if you're short on time. The fun and yum factor are still there.
We rarely have left overs of kale chips; the zucchini chips triumphed tonight - none left even though a remnant of kale chips remained. The carmel and apples, however, stole the trophy for beating out the competition in being eaten up first. Can't even imagine why.
But.... it is Sat night and we love our family time. In honor of movie night, but wanting to be a "bit" more healthy - I opted to make corn dog muffins, accompanied by oven baked kale and zucchini chips, along with sliced apples and carmel for desert. Yum! Healthy - er finger foods that are just plain fun.
Here's the recipes for your own "fun family finger food" night!
Corn dog muffins
Several hot dogs cut into thirds - cooked. A corn muffin mix (or make your own) prepared.
Scoop the corn muffin mix into sprayed muffin tins - insert 1 piece of hot dog into center of each muffin.
Bake for 20 min or so until golden brown and center is done.
 |
| The finished product - Kale chips - This started out as 3 - 9x13 baking pans |
Kale chips
Cut kale into bite size pieces - place in baking dish or cookie sheet.
Drizzle w/olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper.
Mix w/hands to coat.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20+ min. Watch - you want them to get crispy, but not burn.
Believe me - burning is not good - Just ask Trinity.
Zucchini chips
 |
| The assembly line for my zucchini chips |
Put 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl.
In separate bowl combine 1/2 C panko bread crumbs, 4TBS regular bread crumbs, and 4TBS parmesan cheese - mix.
Place zucchini chips in milk then press into bread crumb mixture - coating both sides - then place on greased metal baking rack on top of a cookie sheet.
Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes - till golden brown.
For desert - sliced apples of various kinds
Carmel for dipping - this takes a little pre-planning - take a can (or more if you want extra) of sweetened condensed milk. Place it in a large pan of water. Boil the water and keep it boiling for 8 hours - keep filling the pan to make sure the can(s) are covered throughout the process. After 8 hours - carefully remove. Allow to cool a bit, then open. The best carmel EVER! Transfer to serving bowl and serve as dip for the apples. YUMMY!! OR - just open a jar of store bought carmel sauce if you're short on time. The fun and yum factor are still there.
We rarely have left overs of kale chips; the zucchini chips triumphed tonight - none left even though a remnant of kale chips remained. The carmel and apples, however, stole the trophy for beating out the competition in being eaten up first. Can't even imagine why.
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