Here's a thought...

When you're feeling motivated and things are going well getting household tasks and the kiddos seem to be in a groove with you. What happens when, the very next day, the kiddos are NOT in a groove, wake you up at 2 and 5 and 7...leaving you with that I've-just-been-hit-by-a-bus type feeling?! Oh, and I don't drink coffee.

Do you just throw the towel in on the days plans or do you try and pick up the pieces and get on with "regularly scheduled programming"?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?

by Bill Martin, Jr. & illustrated by Eric Carle



This is a true favorite in our house right now. I think we read it about at least 4 times each day and it never seems to get old! I like the repetition because, my toddler caught on pretty quickly. She can "read" this book all by herself by looking at the pictures and it's adorable to watch/listen.

Here is a nice little video of the author, Bill Martin, Jr., reading singing his story:



If you do a search for Brown Bear, Brown Bear, you'll find lots of activities and lessons. Other related books are:

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What do you See?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you See?

Consuming Teens

With out new love of Dave Ramsey...we've been working hard to instill the same ideas about money in our teen. It's hard with all the stuff that they are already dealing with. Let alone fitting in because of what you do/don't wear.

Teen honestly talks about how last year, that really is all she wanted to wear. Brand name clothes from stores with loud music and the overwhelming stench of perfume.

We had a long discussion about this (consuming kids) trailer and the shows/magazines that are out there for teens.

We LOVE this (Discovery Girls) magazines and I'm now researching other magazines to find something similar for her age group. Are her only choices REALLY TeenVogue or Teen Magazine?

Our idea was that we need a REAL teen magazine with teens from local places, who talk about their likes/dislikes, tips on NATURAL health and beauty, self-esteem, teachers, 'rents, etc.

Potty Training Update...

So, there is nothing like a stubborn toddler telling YOU that you did a great job and cheering you on when YOU'VE gone on the potty. How do you get HER to go?

Well, we had pretty much thrown the towel in and, after speaking with the pediatrician...we were going to give it a break for a month and try again in September. However, at church on Sunday...there was some competition for my Mashuga. Another little girl, who IS potty trained, had to go. Well, Mashuga HAD to accompany her to the bathroom, the teachers let her try and...she WENT!

She went today, too! Yippeee! I guess it WILL happen when SHE is ready and, not a moment sooner. As a parent, this can be frustrating but, a lesson in patience (which I already thought I had a lot of)! ;)

What are some tips that you have to keep encouraging the behavior?

Thank you...

Here's something that I want to try...

Each day, I run into random people. They are not people that I know but, of course, they have crossed my path for a reason. However, there is rarely a chance where I interact with them much more than that moment of passing by or brief conversation. I've decided that I want to focus on one person who made positive difference (and maybe the occasional negative...we all need to vent, right?) in my day!

So...

Thank you, power walking lady who mentioned, in passing, "It does get easier."

She said this while I was attempting to take the gals out for a jog. Pubah was screaming and Mashuga was dropping snacks out the side of the stroller and I had to stop, mid-run, to do my Mommy thing...you know, right?! It was a moment, where I was ready to break down and cry, because I just felt the need to get out and do something for myself. While I was having moments of regret, her comment was a nice reminder that, if I'm persistent, it WILL get easier.

Update: I will try and do a "Thankful Thursday" each week on this blog! ;)

Who would you like to thank today?

Cloth Dolls

I love cloth (rag) dolls. I've been wanting to make some for my girls. I know that a lot of posts out there talk about how easy they are to make. However, I haven't really had the time (or courage) to try it out.

What are some of your favorite and SIMPLE cloth doll patters or tutorials?

Hug, Hug

Hug Hug!

by Lorie Ann Grover and Rebecca Malone



I bought Hug Hug!, intending to give it to my daughter when she was almost 2, for Valentine's Day. However, I was pretty excited to give it to her before that, since she had been obsessed with hugs and it seemed like the perfect book for her. Well, I know I hit the jackpot when I read the book, for the first time, and she hugged EVERY page! Her new catch phrase (at the time I gave it to her) was, "Awwww...cuuuuuuute." and that accompanied almost every squeeze.

The book is short and sweet with simply adorable illustrations of a variety of animals, big and small. The other charming thing about this book is the variety of ways that the animals hug...with noses, in the trees, in a row, with our rears (adorable bear hug). It opens up some ideas for fun traditions when reading the story or in your daily hugging rituals!

Maybe this book was inspired by this guy:



Love this video...go hug someone! OOO

Book Nook!

We love books in our house and, as a teacher/lover of books, it's important for our family to have the spaces to read!

I was doing some research for posting about setting up a classroom for reading and came across this giveaway! What PERFECT motivation for me to take pictures of our reading spaces! Of course, this puts my classroom setup post on hold! *giggle* Here is a picture of a few of our "Book Nooks"!

In Baby's Room:

The basket and oversized animal pillows are there for the Toddler, when I need to get stuff done in Baby's room. I wasn't able to capture a shot of her reading to her sister...she was having a day! ;)

In Toddler's Room:

On her bed...

Her bookcase...

Her box for the overflow and easy pick-up...

In our "orange room":

Even in the bathroom:

;)

Saving Money on Groceries & still eating healthy!

Here's an email that I wrote to two of my sister-in-laws about groceries. Two of us are followers of Dave Ramsey and we're trying to get the other on board. Like I mention below...I know that this is not the BEST way to save money, however, it is a HUGE (and realistic/baby step) improvement for our family. You may be doing better or worse than us...either way. I hope it'll help SOMEONE! ;)

Keep in mind that I was spending $200+ a WEEK on groceries even when we were in Quincy and probably before (we just never kept track!). Now, I'm down to below $100-$110! I still think I could do better but, I'm still buying about 75% of our fruits/veggies organic (if they don't come from our CSA). I go by this list. I also try to buy veggie-fed/non-hormone meat (also uncured/no preservative deli meat), too. We do a few vegetarian meals during the week, that saves a little money AND better for cholesterol! ;) I learned a TON about organic vs. "non-organic" from our CSA farm. Interesting stuff. It's just that even though it has the organic label...it doesn't mean what you would think! The CSA does save us money...it's $350 for a half share, over 20 weeks. That's $17 per week in veggies. If I bought all those veggies at Shaw's, it'd DEFINITELY go over. At MB, I'm not sure...maybe I'll add up all the veggies that we get today and then see how much they'd cost at the supermarket and report back!

That being said...I go to Market Basket for all the big items and I go to Trader Joe's for what I can't get at MB. Also, I learned that you absolutely should not buy anything other than food at the grocery store. NO toilet paper, no shampoo, soap, etc. Save that for a Walmart, BJs or Target run. Unless those things happen to be on sale and/or are less than at where you would normally buy them.

While we've only been doing Dave Ramsey since February, I've been doing a meal plan since last September. It's the single most VALUABLE thing in saving me moolah at the grocery store. I've used SEVERAL different ones and I even made one final switch this past week. I've attached a PDF of what I use. If you want me to make up one for you to edit in Pages, let me know and I will! ;)

The easiest way (for me) is to plan only 7 dinners. I wasn't planning meals for when Bryan was working late, at the beginning. However, it dawned on me...just pack what we had for dinner for him to take to work the next day! We got a Mr. Bento. Deli meat is super expensive/super salty/processed and packing him these meals is healthier! :)

Of course, you can use whatever works. We got this BR (before Ramsey!) but, if it's in the budget...you can do it! It's a manly lunch box, it holds a lot of food AND it's reusable...no plastic baggies, wraps etc.

We usually eat the same thing for breakfast (oatmeal, toast and/or eggs with fruit and/or yogurt/cottage cheese). For lunch, I decided we would always eat leftovers or a standby (chicken nuggets, mac n' cheese, soup, grilled cheese, pbj, etc.). That way, we're not wasting food AND we can use the stuff that I keep a few of on-hand, just in case we didn't have time to prepare/think ahead! We all get busy..it happens.

I also keep frozen veggies stocked in the freezer (some are store bought, some are frozen from our CSA or grocery store and I didn't want them to go bad!). This way, I always have something to throw in the microwave, to add to our other basics. I ALWAYS serve a veggie (often TWO) with lunch and dinner. Having the frozen ones, just in case is good for me because then I can't say I don't have 'em. I invested in Corningware microwave/oven safe dishes. You just open a pack of veggies and nuke them for 4-5 minutes!

Then, I choose 7 EASY dinners and then a few snacks to make/bake with Sydney during the week. The seven dinners is SOOOO much easier than trying to plan breakfast, lunch and dinner. At least I know I'm home to make it every day! I got the idea from The Frugal Girl. She plans out only dinners, shares what she bought for groceries, what she spent AND takes a picture of all her wasted food! If you have the time, take a look at some of her posts. There's lots of valuable info in there! That's where I got the homemade granola bars! ;)

This week for dinners we did:

Monday: pasta, sauce (diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, 2 garlic cloves), salad (CSA lettuce, grocery store cukes and tomatoes), garlic toast

Tuesday: hamburgers/hotdogs, salad, watermelon

Wednesday: Chicken with Goat Cheese & Arugula, beets & green beans, wild rice (all the veggies were from our CSA)

Thursday: ham, cheddar & apple "pizzadillas" (that's what Sydney calls quesadillas!), frozen broccoli/corn mixed together with cilantro & lime juice/oil oil (cheap salad dressing!).

Friday: Calzones - I use this recipe but, I fill it with Trader Joe's frozen marinated eggplant/zuchinni instead of broccoli and corn. I have used store bought pizza dough (pretty cheap) but, I like this, too. We'll have salad with them, too!

Snacks to make this week were: Morning Glory Muffins, Kale Smoothies (pina colada style), Nutella/Fluff, Cherry/Carrot slushies (leftovers turned into popsicles), and granola bars.

Okay...I know that was really long. I just hope you get something out of it! ;)

Here a few other websites that I like to stop by for inspiration on food, saving money and life in general:

http://smallnotebook.org/

http://simplyrecipes.com/

http://www.eatingwell.com/

http://simplemom.net/ (she follows Dave Ramsey!)

http://zenhabits.net/

I know that there are a TON of resources out there. However, I find that I get overwhelmed. So, I've limited myself to these sites for the things that I'm looking for. While I don't use EVERYTHING they have to offer, I think that they closely reflect my philosophy on life and so, I get the most out of them.

What SIMPLE tips (don't require a lot of time and energy) do you have for saving money on groceries? Ones that someone could start if they went shopping right this second?!

Art.

I love art. If I were to go back to school and specialize in an area, it would be art. I dream of having my own art studio for kids, similar to thisone. Amazing. There are a few kids' studios in the area but, they're a little bit of a hike and, in my opinion...don't seem to compare! For now, we continue to have our own little explorations with materials here at home! I'm sure that I'll have many more posts of some of the different activities that we do, if there's interest! ;)

I'll leave you with a few fun books to check out! We found all of them at our library!

Growing Artists: This one is a text book so, it's super expensive to purchase. However, it gives a nice philosophy about teaching art. I think it's a great one for anyone because, it teaches you how to have open-ended projects and how to give non-judgmental praise. I think this is crucial to raising a child with no boundaries to their creativity!

first art: Another book that focuses on the PROCESS, not the end product. It has a lot of variety as far as different mediums go. Who knew that there were so many different types of paste!

What Your Preschooler Needs to Know: These books are great. However, I know that some parents can become a little obsessed/overwhelmed with everything that's covered. So, like everything else, if we practice some balance and use it for IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS...it's perfect for that. Just understand that your child is NOT going to FAIL preschool just because you haven't exposed them to EVERYTHING in the book!

The reason I wanted it in this post is because, I like that it has a few artists and their work. Then, it gives suggestions on how you can talk to your children about it. It gets them thinking/interpreting art! Several art museums have programs like this, too! Check out a museum (or museum website!) and see what resources they have for parents!

What books, websites and/or projects can you share?

Photos...

While I love to take pictures...I get overwhelmed trying to partake in the whole process of getting them from the camera to computer, computer to photo site (i.e. Fickr) and photo site to blog. Ah, just too much.

From time to time, I will definitely come back to some of my posts and upload photos to enhance my entries at a later date. However, I also like the idea of giving all of you (when I have a following) the chance to show off some of your photo skills.

If you have a photo(s) that you think compliments one of my posts, let me know and I'll post/give you and give your link/credit!

Do you have photos of things that I've suggested on the blog thus far?

Bread Baking

Something I've had on my "to do" list for AGES, is to bake bread.  I tried making pizza dough once and it didn't come out the way I expected.  

Today, I saw a friend post about being a "bread baking fiend" and it made me want to try my hand at it.  So, silly me, started to go and look up MORE bread recipes.  I already have a TON bookmarked and on-hand in my cookbooks.  It would be a perfect waste of time to go and look them up again!  *sigh*  It will still remain on my list of things that I want to do and, now maybe you can add it to yours!  Here are some of the recipes that I've wanted to try...just haven't gotten around to it. 

Homemade Wheat Bread

Amish Soft Honey Wheat Bread

If you try them, I'd like to hear some reviews.  The perfectionist part of me always thinks that I need a bread machine and, while it may be easier, I'd prefer to do things with what I have on hand.  Let's try and come up with tried and true, SIMPLE, non-bread machine recipes to post in comments.  Oooo...even better, post some no knead recipes!  Happy Bread Baking! 

Achieving Goals is not easy for many people in my life.  myself included.  

I've accomplished many goals for myself and I'm proud and blessed to be where I am today.  

I feel like the easiest way to achieve a goal is to think of what you'd like to do TODAY and figure out ONE thing that you can do to achieve that goal...TODAY.  For example, you want to apply to college but, are overwhelmed by the cost, taking classes, failing, etc.  How about signing up for 1 class (or an online class!)?  You could even try something a little less costly by signing up for a community offered class.  Like art?  Sign up for a drawing, sculpting, painting or photo class.  

What are some other suggestions?

Quilting

I love crafty things.  Sewing, painting, scrapbooking, beading, etc.  However, I don't always have the time for it.  There have been a few things produced here and there but, there is a notebook full of ideas that I really WANT to finish someday but, it will happen no time soon.  

One idea that I have is to make a Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland inspired quilt.  Actually, several of my ideas are based off of children's literature.  

I'm not sure how you picture that in your head but, if you have any links or crafting ability and want to try...I'd love to see them! 

Using Your Power for Good not Evil

I enjoy a good celebrity blog as much as the next person.  However, my idea for today is this. 

Someone should start a blog that focuses on the wonderful things that celebrities do for others.  There is Look to the Stars.  It's nice to have all that info in one place.  But, there's not that much out there for daily posts/blogging on the topic.    

For example, I just learned that Mariska Hegarty has this amazing charity called Joyful Heart Foundation.  I thought this was a very cool thing because she based it off of the character that she plays on television.

Or, Bono, who could forget him?  He's EVERYWHERE!

Brad & Angelina?  Yes, they've had their share of tabloid space but, I think that they've done more than enough after the fact and now, you don't always see them in the smut anymore!  

I want to know more about celebrities that are doing honest to goodness real people stuff and being outstanding role models.  Not the ones showing off their underpants or trying to reclaim fame with a silly, only-going-to-last-for-one-season reality series. Who comes to mind for you?  Are there any blogs out there already that I'm missing? 

Cesarean vs. Natural

This is (obviously) a HUGE debate. One that will NEVER be settled (hence why it is ALWAYS a debate!).

Labor and Birth. One of those areas where you can find yourself stuck in one way of thinking. However, I feel like this is one area where I certainly learned that you really CAN'T be that way.

Motherhood, raising a child, birthing a child, etc. it's all the most amazing thing ever, however, it's definitely an area where there are BILLIONS of opinions out there. My best advice is to constantly remind yourself that ANYTHING GOES with all of these delicate areas so, if you're prepared for NOTHING to go your way, you'll be ready!

When I had my first born, I read all the articles and books I could on natural birth. How having a baby wasn't a medical thing, how naturally born babies are smarter/healthier, women have been doing it for ages, blah, blah, blah. Well, women we were also cooking with lard and people tied stones to a person's ankles, throwing them into the water (to see if they would float) as a witch test. I'm CERTAINLY happy that I had the medical help that I did and I'm sure some of those women from way back when would've GLADLY taken that medical help if they had it!

After your child is born the ONLY way people are going to know if your baby was a section or natural baby, is if you go blabbing it to the world. I think we told people in an email that Mashugs #1 was born section and NO ONE even remembered! Our loving family only cared that she and I were healthy! The way it should be! And I'll tell you something...I'm glad that I had all the medical care necessary to deliver two healthy babes!

Let's keep it civil. I'm NOT asking which is better because, that depends on the mother, her pregnancy and the baby. What is your BEST piece of labor/delivery advice (whether you had a cesarean or vaginal delivery) that would make the next person have a calmer, more successful labor/birth?

Notebooks

This post is unfinished:

I've mentioned my love for notebooks. You'll have no surprise then, when I tell you that I loved to have my students use notebooks for EVERYTHING. (Add some of the things we did?)

Well, when I learned that I was going to have a professional development day based on Social Studies (Yay!) AND notebooks...well, I just about died. It was LITERALLY the only professional development that I could stand because it was actually innovative/productive. Of course, not every teacher agreed. However, it's the teachers that were so stuck in the dark ages of teaching or *ahem* shouldn't be teaching at all *ahem* that didn't like it.

Well, here's why I LOVE the idea of notebooks (organization, teacher lesson [just like readers/writer workshop], student creative space, place to refer back to later on which illustrates tiered learning!]...AMAZING, right?!

Well, I've done some research on different types of notebook teaching. I don't think that there are a lot of things out there, 'cause it does require a little bit more work than a simple worksheet! ;) Here are some links. Plus, if anyone wants to post some links to their notebook samples, I'll gladly add them!

I may even post some of my notebook ideas for toddlers and such as I come along! Ooooo...tutors out there...as I'm thinking of adding myself to this job (awkward sentence) soon, I'm thinking this is an EXCELLENT way to keep all of your client work together! Do you think it could be incorporated?

What is YOUR take on notebooks? What ideas can we get going here?

Potty Training

The most DIFFICULT thing after raising a newborn is potty training.  I'm currently doing BOTH and going a little nutty!  

Any advice or tips?

Cluck, cluck, cluck

Sometimes I have a hard time committing to a certain way of thinking or lifestyle that I think I would want to live.  For example, I was a vegetarian from the end of my sophomore in high school to the beginning of my sophomore year in college.  Now, I did eat fish often (making me a pescevegetarian) and even went back to chicken.  I stayed away from red meat for the whole time.  So, now that I look at it, I never really WAS a true vegetarian (though many will argue otherwise...maybe to justify).  

I became a vegetarian because of a nutty woman, invited by our even nuttier Chemistry teacher, who came to visit our school.  My chemistry teacher made the comment to ultimately move me to my decision not to eat red meat or chicken for some time.  However, this woman was from PETA. Thinking back, this was a horrible way to take advantage of our impressionable and radical, teenage minds!  I remember meeting in our town annex and eating veggie dogs for the first time.  She spoke very passionately about her cause and handed out buttons, brochures, bumper stickers, etc.  Asking us young people to deface government property and get our younger siblings involved and even revolt against our parents at the dinner table!  Hilarious.

She ended up only conducting a few meetings because she was arrested a few weeks later for dressing up as a chicken and protesting at a Perdue conference of some sort.  True story.

Anyway...I just think it was a bit extreme.  Which I understand is there whole mission. What do you think about the fact that they got us involved at such a young age?

Evolution

It is important to me to be an open-minded individual.  For this reason, I know that some ideas that I post about may change over time.  Therefore, I may be inclined to repost about my new ideas when new information is brought to my attention by things that I've read or heard.  Reading and having conversations with others, is something that I do EVERY day to keep my mind going!  I'm sure all of us tend to do this.  This means that, I would hope, our ideas are going to evolve.  The world around us evolves so, how can I afford to be stuck in one way of thinking.  That is the beauty of education, my friends.  

Your thoughts?

Bible Translations vs. Interpretation

In a conversation with some dear family members the other day, the topic of different translations of the bible came up.  One individual felt that when a scripture was different from what she heard growing up, was twisting the Bible to mean what you want it to mean.  She was surprised that a friend had used a different translation of Corinthians 13:4, at her wedding, and that it didn't even sound "right".  

Here's what I think about that...

A translation is converting the words in a way so that it is understandable.  For example, I may read my NIV translation (NOT necessarily my translation of choice but, what I have) and go, "What the...?" and need to find my NLV or go to biblos.com to figure out what on EARTH is being spoken about.  This doesn't happen ALL the time but, there are some occasions where I feel it's necessary for my UNDERSTANDING.

I feel what my family member was trying to say was that she feels that the translations are different INTERPRETATIONS of the Bible.  I'm not able to agree with that, however, I do feel that there are even more INTERPRETATIONS of the Bible than there are TRANSLATIONS!  

I can understand that people can interpret the Bible in different ways religion to religion, culture to culture, denomination to denomination and even individual to individual.  I don't think that I look at as a negative thing either.  We all come from different backgrounds and have different wealths of knowledge based on our experiences and education.  How is it possible for us to have the EXACT same take on EVERY single scripture of a book that is so old?

I'm not a scholar on the Bible and I can't say that I've ever studied the Bible any more than personally and, more recently with small groups of fabulously open-minded individuals.  Therefore, I know that many may view my take as very liberal.  Which is fine with me because that's how I like to think of myself.  Am I saying that is right?  Not at all...but it's what worked to bring me to my relationship with God.

I understand that this may be a sensitive topic so, let's try to keep comments well thought out and fair.  What are your thoughts on translations vs. interpretations of the Bible?

Baby Gear

Do you really need all the gear?

I know with first babies, it's easy to get carried away.  I think of all the things that you THINK you need and the money spent.  Is it all really worth it?  

I'm looking for simplicity here.  Diaper Genie is NOT essential.  I can easily bring all of my diapers to the trash and put the trash out at the end of the day.  All the clothes?  NOT essential.  I want my babies to be comfortable.  Onesies are an essential part of our basic wardrobe.  Sleepers are the other.  Is a list like this (find link) really necessary?  It's shameful for companies to make new parents think that they need all this stuff!

What do you find the most ESSENTIAL baby gear?  

What's the big idea?

Here is my theme song for this post (Video #2)

I am Mommy with lots of ideas.  I am a perfectionist, who can complete the occasional idea but, feels that all of her ideas go wasted or just fill up pages and pages of notebooks!

Well, my Hubby will attest to the fact that I have a rather large notebook "collection"! I always use those notebooks but, I don't complete the ideas that are intended to be completed by writing them down in the notebook.

In a conversation that occurred not so long ago, he helped me to realize that I can use my strengths to work on a blog.  Yes, of COURSE I had that idea and I started several.  They were too focused and required me to be crafty or more organized (with my thoughts) AND daily schedule.  Therefore, I got bored or overwhelmed and stopped.

The other inspiring folks I need to mention are:

my dear friend, Katie...she inspired me to add my parenting "manual" ideas.  

my friend Kerri...in a conversation with her, we came to an interesting discovery that may shock you!  We both attended college and feel that we learned valuable skills there.  I am in NO WAY saying that you should NOT attend college...I strongly ENCOURAGE it.  However, make sure it's something that you can enjoy/is fun!   

She is taking on an incredible undertaking by homeschooling her children.  She was feeling anxious about whether or not she had the skills to be a teacher.  During our conversation, she asked me if she thought that she would have to go to school to be able to be successful with this task.  I immediately responded "no".  I kind of shocked myself!  There are some people who have the instinct and the skills to be a teacher.  It's natural.  She cares for the well-being of her children AND for a quality education for them, that they are not receiving in their hometown.  

The perfectionist part of me knows that this is not a well-written post.  It's raw.  It's killing me that I'm posting it this way.   However, I just got scolded by Hubby for not posting because the whole point was just to post the ideas and see where this blogging adventure takes me.  I guess that I can go back and tweak them later and hoping that my writing gets better!