Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Ater a loooong 3 week winter breakwe started back to school yesterday.  Things went fairly well considering we had a been off so long.  We use the My Father's World curriculum and this year we are using Exploring Countries and Cultures.  We are currently in Europe, we've "been" to Norway, France and now we are in Germany.  I was excited to get to Germany, my grandmother was from there, my mother was born there and I was able to visit Germany with my grandmother as a little girl.  We are learning a little about German customs, the language and the foods.  Sometime this week I'd like to make something that Germans eat regularly.  I thought about Saurbraten and concidering I can hardly get the kids to eat normal food I am thinking this is definitly out!  I thought about Brautweirst but the thought of all those nitrites, well that's out too!  So, after chatting with my great aunt Mesi this evening, we concluded that homemade potato pancakes with applesauce was the way to go.  I can remember my grandma making these for me as a child.  Hopefully my little ones will like them too!

Games and Girl Time

We finished up our school week today, we only school M-F, and I was ready for a little fun.  To end our week of studying Kenya, we watched "Madagascar." Then, this evening after dinner (Taco Topped Potatoes - yummy!) I wanted to play some games with the kids.  We ended up playing a Thomas the Train board game and then a Blue's Clues game.  We had such a good time. We laughed, played and really enjoyed being together.  I feel sometimes I can be so worried about getting school, laundry and housework done that I forget to enjoy my kids.  So, it was nice to just relax and have a little fun. 

After the games we sent the boys upstairs.  I am trying to purpose to have mother - daughter time with my girls on a regular basis.  So, the girls and I had some mother- daughter reading time.  I decided to start reading "The Care and Keeping of You" book with the girls last week. 

The book is a about the changes a young girls body goes thru at the start of and during puberty.  The book talks specially about your skin, hair and body changes plus healthy ways to care for yourself.  Their are a few pictures that I felt led to sharpie marker out but other than that I think it is a good little book.  Of course, it counts for health, what a bonus! 

Homemade Rainbow Crayons

This is our second time making homemade rainbow crayons.  The first time we did them in the mini muffin pans and they turned out like little crayon discs.  This time we did them in a mini heart pan and they are so cute!  I got the idea from Confessions of a Homeschooler.  The kids love these!  We might put a few in a little cello bag to give out for Valentines.

On the African Safari

We are entering our second week studying Africa, Kenya specifically.  So far we have learned a little about the people, their flag and the world they live in.  We are learning about the savannah and the animals that live there. 

 

Today as I read "On a Road in Africa" and "Here is the African Savannah" my kids put together these really cool 3D Animal Puzzles.  The best part of all is that I found them in the dollar bin at Michaels AND they come in a pack of 2!  What a deal!  What a deal!

 

 

Menu Plan Monday

I am actually very excited to say that I have 2 weeks of menus planned, Yippee! I love making a menu and then not having to think about what am I going to make. Here goes...

Monday
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Mac & Cheese w/ Mandrin Oranges and Sliced Bananas
Dinner: Mexican Chicken Casserole w/ Corn and Apple Sauce
Snack: Celery w/ Cream Cheese and Raisins

Tuesday
Breakfast: Waffles
Lunch: Grilled Cheese and Fruit
Dinner: Breakfast Night - Pancakes and Chicken Apple Sausage and Sauted Apples
Snack: Apple Slices w/ PB

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Turkey and Cheese w/ Orange Slices
Dinner: Hot Dogs, Sw. Potato Fries and Brocolli
Snack: Pretzels

Thursday
Breakfast: Oatmeal w/ Apples and Cinnamon
Lunch: Cheesey Rice and Mixed Veggies
Dinner: Chicken Parmesian over Noodles and Gr. Beans
Snack: Fruit Leathers

Friday
Breakfast: PB on Toast w/ Fruit
Lunch: Egg Salad
Dinner: Baked Potato Soup w/ Veggie and Fresh bread
Snack: Popcorn (for Family Movie Night)

Saturday
Breakfast: Kids Choice
Lunch: Tuna Sammies
Dinner: Tacos w/ Corn and Black Beans
Snack: Celery and PB

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: PB and Honey Sammies w/ fruit
Dinner: BBQ Chicken w/ Rice Pilaf and Gr. Beans
Snack: Pretzels

What an Example

We have been reading about Joseph for Bible and we followed up our reading with the movie Joseph. That movie is a WOW by the way. I am amazed at the grace that the Lord gave to Joseph. He had a very difficult life and thru it all he remained faithful and obedient to his Lord. He didn't murmur against God's plan for him. He saw that God was using all these bad things in his life for good. I am very thankful for the examples that the Lord has given us.  If only I could be half as faithfully.

Better Late Than Never... Menu Plan Monday

Even though I felt terrible, I knew I had to pull it together long enough to plan a menu and write a grocery list.  I am trying to fight some kind of flu/stomach bug BUT we really needed groceries.  Thankfully, my husband was willing to go to Trader Joe's for me.  He has no problem running to Safeway or Giant for a few things but Joe's is where I REALLY do my shopping.  I was a little uneasy handing over the big shop to him, he is famous for saying so I sent my oldest daughter (9yrs old) to help.  They did quite well I must say. 
My menu this week was figured out from the comfort of my sofa and in less then 10 minutes.  Simple would be a great way to describe this weeks menu.

Wed - Crockpot
Brocolli and 3 Cheese Soup (Make it fast & Cook it Slow) w/ Ham sandwiches

Thurs - Breakfast Night
French Toast, Bacon and Orange Slices  (They wanted the French Toast again this week, works for me! I am going to double this for the freezer.)

Friday- Take Out/fake Out in Crockpots! Not sure it gets any better than this!
Lemon Chicken and "Fried" Rice (Make it Fast and Cook it Slow)

Saturday -
Tacos (Meat in the Freezer)

Sunday -
Spaghetti, Salad and Fresh Bread - somehow we never got to this last week??

Monday - Crockpot
Apple Sauce Chicken (Make it fast and Cook it Slow) over Rice w/ Carrots

Ikea!

I decided to get out for a bit today (all by myself) and ended up at Ikea.  Having only been to Ikea once before, I am still in awe when I walk thru the massive, mall size store.  I think one could defininely run a muck in there.  I tried quite hard to refrain from filling my cart and I am happy to report that I got out of there spending only $19.67.  I was actually proud of myself.  I do however want to go back very soon to make up for it.  I did end up buying new pot holders, a stainless steel mixing bowl and some cute ice trays for the kids.  I really wanted a stainless steel roasting pan, it was calling my name, but the only one left was the one on display.  So another time maybe.