Calming Sensory Jar

I decided to jump on the bandwagon & make the kids a calming sensory jar.  Their spats have been getting particularly difficult to diffuse lately.  Maybe because they're both always right HAHA. I grabbed the stuff I needed to make it from Walmart last night & they helped make it.  I chose blue glitter because it is somewhat neutral.  Kade likes Blue and Kyleigh says it looks like Elsa blue.

I didn't take any pictures of the process but it's fairly easy to do.

What You Need:

1/2 Bottle Glitter Glue (we used a no-name brand)

1 vial of glitter from the crafts section (we used a good amount per kids' request)

1 jar (we can, so we keep mason jars on hand)

hot tap water

**Optional: Food Coloring (we didn't use any)

First, put the half bottle of glitter glue in the bottom of your jar. Then put the hot tap water in.  Sometimes the glue won't break up good if the water isn't hot enough, so get it HOT. Then, dump your desired amount of glitter into the jar.  Make sure the lid is secure.  We screwed our lid on tight.  You could also super glue the lid on if you'd feel better.  Shake the jar and try to break up the glue.  Final Step:: ENJOY!! When the kids have a spat or a tantrum, sit them down with this and make them sit and watch until all of the glitter has fallen to the bottom. Can take up to 2-5 minutes.

I'm telling you Moms, this is therapeutic for us as well!! I've enjoyed this one and so have the kids!!

A Homeschool Mama's Lifesaver

Kyleigh has been sitting at the table for three years (the entire time Kade has been doing structured homeschooling lessons.) The first year she had a paci and would absorb everything while coloring. Last year, she did K3 and she had her own time at the table while Kade was between subjects. 

However, this year has had my nerves SHOT. She has been insisting on being at the table while we are doing our lessons. She's picking at Kade constantly while I'm trying to teach. It's been rough. While at soccer camp with Kade last month, a friend of mine asked if I'd heard of distraction boards. A friend of hers bought a trifold project board, pack of crayons & stickers. The youngest then makes the board and has to leave it up to do their work and try to be quiet. 

After searching every dollar store with no luck, I finally found my board at Walmart ($1.97). I have stickers and crayons coming out of my ears at home. Go figure. This was actually FUN for Kyleigh to make. I don't have a finished picture of her board (she's constantly changing and adding things.) 

So far, I will say it's been SO worth it. She finds her board as her hiding space. Of course I got Kade one too. 

Just wanted to throw this out there for any mamas who are clinging tightly to their sanity while trying to school a preschooler and elementary aged child 😉

Back To School 2015-2016 School Year

We started our school year a TAD early. July is never too early to start back, right? Why did I start back so soon? I don't do heat. I don't mind taking the kids outside, really. But when it's 101 and they want to stay outside for an hour or longer. No. Also, sickness hit my house HARD in the spring this year. Taking a week out of my school year due to the flu and major respiratory ailments. I also decided that I want to incorporate more field trips this year. We did like 3 this past year. And we just need some days where we play outside in the 70 degree weather all day. Oh the joys of homeschooling. I wanted to throw in pictures of our first day. Please check out what they want to be when they grow up 😉

Resolutions.

So, I know just off the title alone, that the post is probably expected to be something I won't live up to.  I have made lists of resolutions year after year & given them up within the first week of the year.  This year is different, I have several reasons for wanting to stick to these.  I'll list them with the resolution.  And of course, I plan to blog on it ALL year.  

1) I plan to blog WAY more.  

Maybe daily.  I love interacting with mommies and getting and giving advice.  SO nice to see how we do things alike, and how we do them differently as well.  Also, I HOPE to eventually turn my blogging into writing & hopefully into an income.  My hopes are high but I have faith in myself.

2) I plan to stick to a strict budget.  

My hubby & I are trying to sell our current home & build our dream home.  I hope to be able to make these numbers work and make my Pinterest board for my home a reality!

3) I plan to coupon WAY MORE.  

As in, I hope to blog shortly with a grocery trip that I've saved 75% or more on.  Eventually I would love to ONLY be buying meat and things coupons aren't available on for my household.  Wiping that bill out of our budget or slashing it will make a tremendous difference for this household of 4.

4) I AM getting in shape.

Like right now.  I had surgery, as you know, December 2nd.  I go back to the doctor about my hernia January 7th.  I'm hoping that IF I need surgery, I can bounce back quickly.  I'm ready to be lifting weights and squatting with weight again.  

5) I plan to run my first 5K.

Today, I decided I felt well enough to add the C25K app on my iPhone again.  I started it and my legs feel just a tad like Jell-O.  Taking time off from running was silly, but necessary with all of my health issues.  As soon as I have a release from my doctors, I plan to train & make this a reality before the year is through.

6) I will attend my first (and hopefully not last) home school convention.

It's in March & it's right here at home.  I'm SO excited.  We have made HUGE progress since August and I'm hoping to continue homeschooling my babies until they reach college.  This year we picked from a few simple curriculums, but i'm hoping to find one I'd like to commit to =) Any suggestions ARE welcome ladies ;)

7) I Plan to be more organized.

Seriously, this is starting with my kids' room.  My cabinet for the kids' school is a mess however.  January 1st is a great time to start.

8) I want to stop hoarding stuff I don't use or won't need.

Craigslist, eBay, FB, yard sales.  It's going down.

These are just a few.  I have a few I'd like to keep to myself and work on without a soul knowing.  I'm just hoping I will stick to a few of these and be able to have something to show for it when December 31st 2014 rolls around ;)

And Another Update On Homeschool...and some new foods in the mix as well...

We are making more progress by the day.  The number of words Kade can read grows each day, as well as his ability to relate & apply them.  He is able to read (most of our books) for me when it's story time.  Another new development, handwriting.  It's gotten so much more legible.  He is so proud of himself for being able to write things out himself when commanded.  We have also been working on a lot of Social Studies & Science activities that are age appropriate as well.  

My proud moment of the week...Kade is eating Chicken Nuggets!! It started out Monday at Bilo when I suggested some Perdue Monsters University chicken nuggets.  He's on a Monsters Inc./Monsters University kick.  He said he promised he would try them if I bought them.  Going to OT has helped TREMENDOUSLY with adding healthier options to his diet.  But chicken suggestions used to bring on this reply: "I'm not going to eat a chicken, Mommy!"  Relating the food to the critter.  Lovely.  Not anymore, Thank Goodness!!  As soon as we got in from the store, I cooked a cookie sheet full of them.  He ate 2 his first attempt!!  And just today he actually asked for chicken nuggets & fries for lunch as soon as we finished school.  Being able to add onto his already expanding diet is a blessing.  His OT will be proud, she's SUCH an amazing woman & LOVES my child.  I love that she doesn't just see him as another picky eater, but she truly cares for him & doesn't push him to objecting point.  

Anywho, just wanted to update.  Thank you for reading! Have a great night ;)

Your Child Will Follow Your Example, Not Your Advice

I saw a quote on Facebook a LONG time ago that read "Your child will follow your example, not your advice".  Of course that is true, but i've never really felt like it was with my children being so small.

Yesterday I've found this to be entirely too true.  Yesterday was a Monday.  On Monday we have story time at the library, our weekly grocery trip, Homeschool & outdoors time.  Busy day, two restless little bodies.  Our morning storytime at the library, the kids were squirmy as usual.  The grocery store adventure made me cringe.  My daughter absolutely insisted on walking alongside me, rather than riding in the racecar buggy with her brother.  I was SO close to being done with my trip and of course the waterworks began and the screaming started.  I got frazzled and let her walk for a few before realizing that checking out with her on foot would be impossible to do with a smile.  I finally scooped her up, put her back in the buggy and before we reached the checkout she was all smiles again.  

My point is, I know being frustrated isn't a positive example to set for my children.  I'm only human, but I want to be more patient.  It's just gotten so much more difficult with my current health issues & upcoming surgery.  I'm sore if i'm breathing.  By the end of the day, I feel nauseated because I hurt so bad.  But I'm a mommy full-time nonetheless & it is my favorite and most rewarding job.  After all of the running for the day was winding down I caught my daughter playing "Mommy".  Her conversations with her baby went a little like this: "Baby, you leave your diaper on!", "Baby, you okay?", "Baby, you need a blanket?", "Baby, you cryin' all day.", "Baby, you want mommy?", and so forth.  And she changed her baby's diaper & clothes.  I see now that my directions such as "Don't bite", "Don't pinch", and so forth aren't as good as the examples I set.  She sees how I tend to her, what it takes to take care of a baby even though hers isn't real.  I see from this simple playtime that she sees and understands more than i thought a nearly 2 year old could.  

I want my examples from here on out to reflect a more patient mommy.  One who will chill out saying "Hurry" as much.  One who appreciates the fact that during homeschool she colors more table than paper because she's learning.  And one who never ceases to find an opportunity to say "I Love You" and let my children both know how proud of them I am.  Appreciate this time mamas, because little sure doesn't keep!!

Our Week

It seems like as the days go by, I see more & more progress with Kade's homeschooling.  Not just being "that mom" who swears she can do this.  It is TOUGH.  At times I've wondered if I was capable of teaching him some of the things efficiently enough for them to sink in.  My baby boy is now reading 96 words.  Words like: yellow, must, why, who, little, funny, pretty, etc.  I have taught him using flash cards, made him spell the words as he goes, mixed up the cards in the deck so it isn't just a sequence memorization & made him read in beginner level books.  My baby can read!  Such an exciting time.  His handwriting is also improving by the day.  He LOVES doing the worksheets & games I pick and print for him.  I plan to write an entire post on all the reasons why I'm thankful to be homeschooling.  Because I'd be here all night if I started now! I'm just feeling very blessed to be this sweet baby's mama and teacher.  

This week at OT my baby & his sissy made bird feeders out of pine cones, suet, peanut butter & bird seeds.  We dug for the pine cones ourselves & only picked out good, firm ones.  They mainly did this because it's a new texture & it was fun.  Super fun activity and he loved to see them hung in the trees at home.  So excited to see the birds eating off of them & make more as we need them.

And a little update on my picky eater....he is now eating beef.  Tacos & hamburgers so far.  Salsa & cheese are a new thing as well.  SO PROUD!! He's come so far in just a few months.  But his OT ROCKS!!

As for me, I am having surgery in just a few weeks.  I've been having some pain, hormonal issues & come to find out I have a fallopian tube swollen up like a football, more ovarian cysts ( SHOCKER...NOT), they plan to check my appendix & do an ablation as well.  It's been a super eventful month with doctor visits galore.  But I am OVER the pain.  Who has time to be in so much pain when they have beautiful babies to raise?? Not this lady.  I'll keep you updated.

And I'm also planning Kyleigh's birthday party as well.  It will be just days before my surgery.  Which also happens to be the day of Christmas pictures with THE best photographers around =) Yes, I'm cramming all things possible in before I go "under the knife".

I just wanted to give some updates on our week ;) Hope you guys enjoy your weekend!!

Our Week Thus Far

The video pretty much speaks for itself.  We added sissy in the mix this past week and she's learning lots.  This was just a video of her goofing off.  Kade is now up to reading 85 words.  He can read level one early reader books with very little assistance whatsoever.  Not too shabby for a four year old if I may say so.  He's coming along very well with his handwriting.  I've been putting a lot of consideration into the homeschool associations in my area, with one I'm certain I'll go with.  And looking into co-ops as well so we can have field trips with other homeschoolers.  It has been SO rewarding to watch him learn.  I see all of his strengths and weaknesses myself and I'm able to correct them before they're ever a problem. 

This past week, we've also went on a playdate with some other homeschoolers for story time at the library.  Needless to say, my kids have to work on etiquette as far as the whole being quiet so others can read and study.  Anyhow, we read Halloween stories & made a spider hat.  And had fun meeting some new friends.

This is Kade's spider hat.  He's still quite hooked on it.

We've also gotten HOOKED on new ways to make pizza at home.  Our hands down favorite thus far is crescent rolls.  I used the Pillsbury Grands flaky layers crescent rolls, some EVOO, sauce, Italian 6 cheese shredded cheese & of course pepperoni.  Quick & easy and pleases even my picky eater. 

We also made homemade bubbles.  This "recipe" was supposed to make the monster, unbreakable bubbles.  NOT so.  These bubbles didn't get big at all.  I think partly because it was too diluted to make a big bubble.  But the kids loved them, that is, until Miss Priss got them in her eyes.  Then she was over it.

This evening I'll be picking up some cane poles for some new activities & projects.  Of course they'll be featured on the blog as soon as I have them done and tested out by my crew. 

Thank you again for reading!! Hope you all have a blessed day =)

An Update on Homeschooling =)

So after a month of homeschooling, we are LOVING it!! 

I've been pretty busy since we started last month so I haven't had a lot of time to update my blog.  But Kade is now reading 58 sight words out of his deck which we just whipped out roughly three weeks ago.  This past week he read his first book to me, then to his speech therapist =) Proud mommy moment!!  And not only reading, but also spelling these words. And he's also spelling words on signs and restaurants.  I love to read & write, so the fact that I've got my child excited about this and his education in general shows me that the sky is the limit!

This time last year, we were waiting to get a spot at therapy to get his speech to take off.  This year I have got him reading one month into homeschool, SUPER encouraging.  I was having doubts about whether he would succeed with me as his teacher.  This was simply due to the fact that I lacked support from so many friends and family.  We have time for school, therapy, drums & LIFE!! 

Thank you so much to my readers and to all my visitors from Bloggy Moms.  Show some love by following, commenting, etc & i'll return the favor.