~ More Beautiful Snowdrifts and Thursday's List ~

When I woke up yesterday, it was 9* outside. Sounds pretty chilly, but it was actually warmer than the day before!  This morning it's 16* ~ woo hoo!  We didn't do a whole lot yesterday. Really didn't get as much school done as I would have liked either.  Emma was able to get a lot accomplished in school.  I've asked her to stay down on the main floor to help her stay focused better.  It seemed to work yesterday.  She completed her 1st quarter exam study guide for science, 50 minutes of grammar and 50 minutes of math.  Much more than a typical day for her. Sam started his math, but didn't get it finished.  Sarah completed her phonics and spelling. Jonathon completed his math.  His time is improving a little on the subtraction speed drill.  I really need to buckle down in school today and not be so easily distracted!

I headed outside yesterday to start the van so I could go to the bank, as soon as I turned towards the van I saw a very large and beautiful snowdrift that was going to keep me home.  It prompted me to take pictures of some of the other beautiful snowdrifts!

Beautiful!!

Thursday's Thankful To-Do List

*breakfast

*lunch

*exercise

*school with lovelies

*laundry

*clean out dog crate

*clean out guinea crate

*crock pot supper

Time to start another day!  

~ A Beautiful Christmas!! ~

We had an amazing day!

Merry Christmas!!

~ Wednesday ~

My body is healing!!  Woke up this morning with a slight headache (day 3 of this headache), but no stiffness in my ankles!  It seems like whenever I return to eating grains I am miserable with stiffness in my ankles and hips.  I think I'll stay away from the grains for good.  It's nice waking up and being able to walk without limping!

Breakfast this morning was 2 cups of coffee with homemade coconut cinnamon creamer, two fried eggs, small amount of sauteed kale and some delicious homemade "cereal".  It was actually very good, and just what I was craving on Day 5 of my Whole 30 Challenge!  Here is what I did ~

Handful of slivered almonds and sunflower seeds, toasted

1/2 small apple chopped into small cubes

full fat coconut milk w/ cinnamon (Mine was chilled in the fridge. It's also what I use for my morning coffee)

Mix together and ENJOY!!  Yum! :)

Our children have had a good day ~

Minecraft

Playing house
Morestarfall.com
Read about St. Felix of Valois
Read/discussed lesson 2 in The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
Took Unit 1 test on My Catholic Faith Delivered ~ aced it!!
Completed Chapter 5 of Jesus Our Life (on My Catholic Faith Delivered)
Read "Forgive Us Our Trespasses" from the book Today I Made My First Reconciliation.  This is an absolutely AMAZING book.  I highly recommend it!  It is broken up into sections that are the perfect size to read and discuss.  It is great for either a Charlotte Mason or Classical education approach. The story line is great and is holding our children's attention.  They actually stop what they are doing to see what's going to happen next.  They are truly learning about reconciliation.
The boys attended their last Sacramental Prep class with daddy.  The next step is their first reconciliation!
4H meeting
Created habitat pictures :)

~ Monday ~

I got up this morning and enjoyed 2 cups of coffee while reading a book.  Once the children started strolling out of bed I started breakfast.

Today was our day to go to Catechesis of the Good Shepard.  This is an amazing program and every Monday morning all of the children are excited to get going :)

Before heading out though, I wanted to get the house picked back up and vacuumed.  I was able to get the bedroom, school/toy room picked up and vacuumed. I also got the laundry done for the day ~ huge accomplishment that actually took me 2 days!

Today is Day 3 of my Whole 30 challenge and it's a struggle for me today.  I don't really want to eat what's not approved, but I have a horrendous headache and just want to crawl into a hole and sleep it off.

We didn't get any formal school done today, other than CGS.  However, the children enjoyed their day doing other things.

Jumpstart together
Drawing
Played restaurant with each other
We are going to counting it all good.

Sam's picture of heaven that he drew today in CGS

~ Saturday ~

We are slow morning movers.  I'm usually up about the time Mike leaves for work, but I'm not moving very quickly.  I like to sit and enjoy a couple cups of coffee before really getting going.  Gradually, one by one, our children begin to wake up.  Their slow morning routine begins with laying around watching television, or playing on the computer.  Then they all slowing get up for breakfast. Our day today started out the same as usual :)

Reading ~  Pirateology; Fancy Nancy, There's No Day Like a Snow Day; Pirates Most Wanted
Team Umizoomi
Jumpstart  (J & P) ~ They enjoy playing at the same time!  They play on 2 computers and can talk with each other.
Lots of laundry
Drawing

Clown Shows :)

Perfect kitty hiding spots...

 4 player chess game :)

Mass
Michigan Football

It's been an amazing day!!

He's here!!!...

Our grandson C :)








He is so gosh darn handsome!!

Children...

are amazing!!  After 2 days of rain, a portion of our yard literally looked like a pond!  While I was freaking out about all of the water, the kids were also freaking out ~  "LOOK AT ALL OF THE WATER!!" :)



















At one point P said "Ma, we need to build a wooden boat!"

These pictures were taken on Friday.  By Sunday, our yard was dry and hubby mowed the grass :)  Thankfully our home sits high enough on a "hill" that it remained dry!  Phew...

Home Sweet Home...

We finally found it!  For over 5 years we have searched for a home near hubby's family.  We had actually given up, and were making plans to renovate the house we are in.   Then, one afternoon, I was searching on-line for something completely different and decided to check the listings.  This house had just been put on the market 2 days prior!  I showed it to hubby, he said to call the realtor.  We went and looked at it that Saturday (about 4 days later).  One week later the realtor called and said there were 2 offerings going in the next morning, and if we were interested, the listing realtor would submit ours with the other 2.  Hubby was very interested :)  So, the next morning was spent scanning and signing the many pages of the offer.  Then, it was time to wait.

Around supper time the call came in from our realtor.  The seller's had accepted our offer!!  More scanning and signing followed.  We are so excited!!

The fun here at this house has already started.  Purging and packing for a family this size takes a while, so I started early :)  I'm glad I did!  I don't feel rushed, I can pack up all but the bare necessities, clean, fix any thing that needs to be taken care of, etc., on my time schedule.  It's a great plan!!

I already have some things packed and stored.  I've decided to focus my attention on one room at a time until it's completed.    I've gone through the main floor rooms with the eyes of a buyer and made a list of things that need to be done.  Today, I have my list for the main floor bathroom.  I'm starting there... after some gluten free, molasses banana bread :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy...

The yummy cake K made...



Daddy and M laughing at P's grand finale of Happy Birthday...



S's grand finale :)







Daddy opening all of his amazing homemade gifts!

Monday...

No morning meeting.

Looked up "the big one" for P.  He wanted to see a picture of the biggest wave ever!

Lots of Davy Jones and Black Beard playing,

J spent some time on-line independently searching pictures of Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Black Pearl,

P built a ship,



problem solving,





Making wedding clothes for duck and donkey,







P ~ "Mama, why did the captain of the Titanic turn this way towards the iceberg, instead of turning that way?  Maybe this way was a shortcut, and he didn't know the iceberg was there.",



Wild Kratts (earthworms),

lots and lots of "WHY?" questions ~ Why are sails and flags made out of that kind of material?  Why are boats made out of wood?  Why does metal sink?  Does plastic float?  Why is it lighter than water?  Why does this rubber duckie float if rubber sinks?  So... this all led to a little experiment:



Does it sink or does it float?  Everyone got involved!  A few of the things they tried were ~ plastic sucker paper, plastic dish, leaf, rubber duckie, screw, crayon, wood, rubber band and tape, just to name a few :)

Then, while peeling potatoes for supper tonight, I came across this potato:



Hahah.... too funny!  The kids all got a kick out of the potato fish!  It even had an "eye" on the other side :)

The day wrapped up with K going to a Little Women meeting.  S went with us this time, and  played with her friend from Little Flowers!  It's been a wonderful day, and I'm looking forward to tomorrows adventures!