Relaxing summer days are something I wish I could report on....instead I can only mention work, stress, sickness, and laziness. So, I wont bore with all the details just understand my absence has been hard for me and not due to wanted circumstances.
A friend asked why I want to blog and that got me thinking a lot. I do not know a lot of single moms that I can relate to. I do not have many friends that understand how I am living. I have ideas, frustrations, funny moments that I would like to share with someone. Until I have that physical person or group of people writing a blog helps me feel like I am sharing.
So, with ideas already in progress I will try to continue to share my thoughts, projects, and little nothings with anyone who is interested in reading and hopefully I will connect with some moms that share my desire to connect and my hopes of raising healthy, happy, God loving children!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Book Club
Reading is a big part of my life and I want it to always be a big part of my childminders lives. Before the school year was over I spoke with a few mom's and planted the idea to put together a book club. I'm excited to share that the First Book Club "Party" will be held on July 7th. Each kid is reading the book, The Marsh mellow Incident by Judi Barrett with their mothers. We are heading over the afternoon of the "party" and will have snack (marshmallow themed of course) and then we will discuss the book and head for the yard for some water games. How simple of an idea is this; it is a win-win idea. The kids love to see their old classmates and friends and the parents are introducing a fun way to keep their little ones into reading. It is okay to read a book to your child that is above their level...I'm not talking about reading Moby Dick to a five year old but reading above their level is only going to help them grow!
So, after we read the book and enjoy the book club party I will update you on the details and share the crafts, food, and games we enjoyed!
What do you do to keep your little ones reading over the summer?
So, after we read the book and enjoy the book club party I will update you on the details and share the crafts, food, and games we enjoyed!
What do you do to keep your little ones reading over the summer?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Home Alone
So here I am a Tuesday night watching one of my favorite TV shows So You Think You Can Dance and I'm just feeling too good. Why you might ask? I, my friends, am home alone! My kiddos are visiting their grandmother hours a way from here and I am taking it easy. I knew this time was coming and I had a list a mile wide of things I needed to get done during this time alone. Well, I have, um, lost that list and am just taking things one moment at a time.
When we get time its okay to just not use it wisely! Enjoy your self in the way you feel best. If you want to go out, do so. If you want to clean house from top to bottom, do so. If you want to do like me and just do nothing...please do so!
I plan to get some things done but for now I am just smiling and watching So you Think You Can Dance, Dance, Dance!
When we get time its okay to just not use it wisely! Enjoy your self in the way you feel best. If you want to go out, do so. If you want to clean house from top to bottom, do so. If you want to do like me and just do nothing...please do so!
I plan to get some things done but for now I am just smiling and watching So you Think You Can Dance, Dance, Dance!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Here I am...
Okay, can you tell preschool is out for the summer? My little ones and I have been on break for two weeks and well that means I have been extremely busy and worn out. The end of the preschool year was a little rough for me and I have been sick so the blog has been on the back burner. I miss the blog and even though I have only one reader (hi Mom) I am looking forward to getting my thoughts and ideas on paper...um online!
I am excited about some upcoming ideas and hope you will enjoy reading them!
I am excited about some upcoming ideas and hope you will enjoy reading them!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Harriet The Spy
Movie Night
Tonight's Movie: Harriet The Spy. I can say this has been my least favorite movie so far. The movie is not bad it just wasn't age appropriate for our family movie night (I didn't do my homework) and it was a little slow at times.The movie is about an eleven year old girl who writes secretes down in her notebook and all kinds of trouble takes place when her classmates find and read her notebook. My son wanted nothing to do with the movie and went to bed before it was half way through. My little Five Year old (we had a BIG birthday this week!) watched the whole movie and we even talked about some of the mean behaviors we watched in the movie. The language was not okay for my house but wasn't bad. The movie itself is good just not what we are ready for.
Harriet The Spy: 1996, Family, Comedy
Rated: PG
Rated: PG
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Based on a book by Greg Taylor
Girl: "I don't like when they are mean to each other, but the movie has funny parts."
Boy: no quote other than, "Me want to go to sleep!"
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Work in progress
I may be in trouble! I am so excited about organizing things that I can hardly decide what to do next. Day four of our morning check off list and I'm wondering why it took me this long to figure this out. I know it's only day four and tomorrow may be a nightmare but these past four mornings have been wonderful!
So, I'm researching into different ways to organize myself and my family/home life and I think I need to get myself in order before moving on to another family routine. I am starting a notebook with to do lists and other lists that will help me. I am a visual person and I have so much running through my mind all day that having a place to keep all my lists, papers, and forms will be a big help. I'm researching and looking into what other people are doing that works for them...once my notebook is complete I will post a picture along with descriptions of what is in the notebook.
I found a way to keep up with a changing list of goals from a wonderful blog called Cornflower Blue Studio. I made a goal list from her example and put it in my notebook. I use post it notes with my goals written on them. I post the notes to the paper and remove when my goal is complete. This helps me stay moving towards my goals and I like having them in my new Handy Dandy Notebook.
What I'm working on now: summer plan, summer menu, and chore list!
How do you stay organized?
So, I'm researching into different ways to organize myself and my family/home life and I think I need to get myself in order before moving on to another family routine. I am starting a notebook with to do lists and other lists that will help me. I am a visual person and I have so much running through my mind all day that having a place to keep all my lists, papers, and forms will be a big help. I'm researching and looking into what other people are doing that works for them...once my notebook is complete I will post a picture along with descriptions of what is in the notebook.
I found a way to keep up with a changing list of goals from a wonderful blog called Cornflower Blue Studio. I made a goal list from her example and put it in my notebook. I use post it notes with my goals written on them. I post the notes to the paper and remove when my goal is complete. This helps me stay moving towards my goals and I like having them in my new Handy Dandy Notebook.
What I'm working on now: summer plan, summer menu, and chore list!
How do you stay organized?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Organization Here We Come
Okay, so I am quickly learning that the key to my family's calmness is organization! We have been on and off routines...when we are on life is so much more calm than when off. So, to help my family bring calm for good (or at least more consistently) I am trying to become more organized. Now I am a person that likes to jump in the deep end of the pool and try to do everything at once so for this goal I am going to break down our life into categories and focus on one category at a time. To start this process I am creating a list of areas that need routine and more organization.
I will add to this list as needed!
1) Morning Routine
2) Car routines
3) Meal time routines
4) Night-Night routines
5) House work/chores
6) Meals/nutrition
7) Family Activities/ weekly schedule
The first thing we will tackle is the Morning Routine...that will help me start the day on a good note.
First, I made a list of all the things I thought we should do on an average morning, things we might need to do, and things I don't want to happen. Then from that list I made simple steps for all three of us (Yes, I even made a list for myself). Here is what those lists look like:
1) bathroom to potty
2) make bed
3) breakfast (if up early read in bed/play quietly)
4) clean table
5) bathroom -face, teeth, hair
6) get Dressed
7) Grab items needed for day
8) Once bell rings go to door and wait
I didn't want their list to be too detailed or too long so I combined a few things. I made a picture chart and printed on colorful paper and had laminated at our local teachers' supply store. Now, since this is the first project (of many) I have not come up with a plan on how to store these "to do" list but I am researching and we will try one soon! For now, I place their list on their clipboards and give them a dry erase marker...after they complete an item they check it off. If everything is checked off before the timer rings they can either watch a cartoon, or play a game on the computer (more rewards to come once I see what works and doesn't work).
We are working on a morning family Bible study and I am thinking of adding this to our breakfast time...right now I am usually getting me ready, taking care of a pet, or packing lunches but as we become more organized this will change.
So, we are going to try this for a week or so and see what changes we may need to make. If you would like to see what our good morning routine looks like on paper click here. I will keep you updated on our progress!
What ways do you make your mornings run smoothly?
I will add to this list as needed!
1) Morning Routine
2) Car routines
3) Meal time routines
4) Night-Night routines
5) House work/chores
6) Meals/nutrition
7) Family Activities/ weekly schedule
The first thing we will tackle is the Morning Routine...that will help me start the day on a good note.
First, I made a list of all the things I thought we should do on an average morning, things we might need to do, and things I don't want to happen. Then from that list I made simple steps for all three of us (Yes, I even made a list for myself). Here is what those lists look like:
1) bathroom to potty
2) make bed
3) breakfast (if up early read in bed/play quietly)
4) clean table
5) bathroom -face, teeth, hair
6) get Dressed
7) Grab items needed for day
8) Once bell rings go to door and wait
I didn't want their list to be too detailed or too long so I combined a few things. I made a picture chart and printed on colorful paper and had laminated at our local teachers' supply store. Now, since this is the first project (of many) I have not come up with a plan on how to store these "to do" list but I am researching and we will try one soon! For now, I place their list on their clipboards and give them a dry erase marker...after they complete an item they check it off. If everything is checked off before the timer rings they can either watch a cartoon, or play a game on the computer (more rewards to come once I see what works and doesn't work).
We are working on a morning family Bible study and I am thinking of adding this to our breakfast time...right now I am usually getting me ready, taking care of a pet, or packing lunches but as we become more organized this will change.
So, we are going to try this for a week or so and see what changes we may need to make. If you would like to see what our good morning routine looks like on paper click here. I will keep you updated on our progress!
What ways do you make your mornings run smoothly?
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