May 18, 2017

Hey everyone! It’s been a little bit since I’ve checked in. Life has been crazier and busier than usual and I’m loving everyday!

The kids are growing like weeds right before my eyes. I try to make sure to take a few moments to savor these moments as I know they will be grown up before I know it. Everything is not always great as we have the expected, and unexpected, challenges that go along with kids, large families, special needs kids, and introducing them to new people. We handle each challenge with as much patience and optimism as we can. (Note that I am saying ‘we’ as I have met someone very special. He has been an answer to so many of my prayers and I thank God for bringing him into our lives. God not only answered my prayers but exceeded my expectations in so many ways.)

We are still homeschooling and have 14 days? of school work left to finish out this year. That too has had a few challenges especially with one of my girls. Again we work through the problem and try to find the best possible solution for everyone. Parenting is not easy and you must stay on your toes at all times. The solution for today’s challenge may not be the solution for tomorrow’s challenge and it may not be the solution for the other children so you have to stay open minded and be creative. It really does help to have someone else that I can go to for ideas on occasion.

Monday was my youngest child’s 4th birthday! Where has time gone? He requested a Stegosaurus Pull-Apart-Cake and was so excited when Momma was able to throw one together. We sang to him and had cupcakes for our afternoon snack as Momma had a dance that evening. Yesterday I was able to take him out for his birthday meal. (This is a tradition we started a year or two ago and the kids all look forward to it.) He wanted a cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, french fries, ice cream, and a soda pop! We went to Dairy Queen and got most of his request. He was such a happy camper. He ate half of everything, except the ice cream which he finished, and brought the rest home so he could share.

After eating we went to Walmart so I could grab a few groceries and he was able to pick out a toy and a balloon. He had been so sleepy while we were eating that I was afraid he might not make it through his dinner. He did fall asleep on the way back home though. As soon as we got home he was awake and ready to show off his new treasures. Life is good and I hope this is something that he will remember in the days to come.

Then we have square dancing. I’m not sure if I told you all this before or not but I have been made the Publicity Chairman for the Silver Fox Squares! I am also the caller’s assistant at the Clay Allemanders club.  We have new classes starting up in another location too and upcoming dances and such to plan and organize.

We’ve had so many fun and exciting adventures and so many more to come. I better go for now as I’ve just put the kids down for naps and I have few chores to finish up before getting ready for the Luau tonight….

I pray everyone has a blessed week!

 

April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day is the day to play (harmless) tricks and jokes on our family and friends. Click here to learn more about this holiday.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

April Fools Day Activities on Pinterest

April Fool Day Activities on Enchanted Learning

April Fools’ Day Crafts

April Fools’ Day at Kidspot

Family-Friendly April Fools’ Day Pranks

Foolproof Fun Lesson Activities for April Fool’s Day

April Fools Day for Kids

April Fool’s Day in the Classroom: 8 Resources for TeachersApril Fool’s Day in the Classroom: 8 Resources for Teachers

APRIL FOOLS’ DAY at Preschool Express

Also check out:

Homeschool: April on Pinterest

100th day of school

This will fall in February for us this year. I don’t think we’ve ever had any kind of celebration or anything before but this year I will try to make it a little extra special and maybe it will help to keep us motivated.

Below is a list of activities I have found to help celebrate this special day. Continue reading “100th day of school”

Weenie Roast

What is a Weenie Roast you may wonder? Well, a church that we went to in NC would have a Weenie Roast every Fall. They had a small fire and the men would go find some nice twigs for the kids to use to roast their hot dogs and marshmallows on. It was something we always looked forward to and we love the memories that we have from those times.

My older kids wanted to recreate those memories for the younger ones so we have a Weenie Roast set to repeat on the meal schedule. Of course we also include a Weenie Roast as a camping activity. If the weather is nice I may even let the kids camp in the back yard.

We just plan it like a cookout or BBQ. We will have hot dogs, chips, potato salad, and whatever sides anyone else wants to bring or make. It is not meant to be anything fancy, just a little break to sit and relax around a fire and to make memories. I love the way a wood fire smells and that alone can trigger some wonderful memories for myself.

Those are the kinds of memories that I want my kids to have and I find that I have to be intentional in my planning of some things. If not, life gets in the way and things get so busy and hectic that I don’t feel I have time. By having it on the calendar I can plan for it and be ready for some FUN!

Here are some ideas that I have found online that can help you to make your own Weenie Roast, if you like.

Weenie Roast Party Ideas

How to Host a Weenie Roast

Weenie Roast ideas on Pinterest

weenie roast ideas via google search

S’mores

Who doesn’t love a campfire with and roasting marshmallows? We try to have a ‘Weenie Roast‘ every few months and let the kids roast their hot dogs and marshmallows on a stick. They love it!

We also do this at least one night when we go camping. I am so ready to go right now! S’mores are the best when you take a freshly roasted marshmallow from the campfire but you can also make them in the microwave if you don’t happen to have a campfire handy.

Have you tried S’mores Dip yet? Continue reading “S’mores”