Tuesday's Tip

One way we save money and try to be more healthy is everyday at lunch, without question, we drink water. My kids have gotten use to it and don't mind, in fact some of them will drink water for supper by choice as well. We usually have decaf tea for supper, sweetened though, I am from NC. When my kids want something to drink throughout the day it is always water. They know this and don't even ask for anything else.

So, drink water at lunch and teach your children to drink it also. It's a great habit and you'll be more likely to get the proper amount needed for each child each day by making it a habit.

Meeting with my Midwife

Today I am taking the kids and we are going to meet my new midwife. I'm looking forward to, hopefully, getting to hear the baby's heartbeat.

I love having a midwife and the relationship I get with someone who really takes a interest, one on one, with me and my baby and my family. I love delivering at home in comfortable surroundings and getting to snuggle and cuddle with my new one from the moment it is born and not having to send it away with strangers. I love having my husband and children right there to welcome our new family member and can't wait until I am holding our new one in January.

For now, I am looking forward to getting to know the lady who is going to help me bring this precious child into the world. Praying for a good meeting and safe travel (we have to drive about an hour to get to her place).

School Time

So it is about that time again, and it's time to pull out all the curriculum I have from previous years and find out what I have in my inventory. I usually start back to school with the kids the day after Labor Day, but with a baby coming in January I think I'll start back mid August just to give us a little more time to get school in before baby comes.

I love homeschooling my children and like every year I'm trying to think of ways to make it more fun and interesting. I had planned on switching gears a little this year by doing more of a unit type study with my kids, but unfortunately I will have to wait until later. So I will be doing what we've always done, which is textbook style learning, but looking for ways to spice things up a bit with lapbook lessons and other fun ways to learn.

How about you? Are you ready to start your school year? Are you using the same or switching curriculum? How do you make school fun for your kids? I love hearing what you are doing so feel free to share. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a blessed weekend.

Free Books in the Mail

I heard about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library a couple of months ago, checked it out and signed my kids up right away. I love feeding my kids love of books and having books sent straight to my house for free is the best thing since sliced bread.

Today, my 4 year old received his second book, Take Care, Good Knight.

Of course, there is no wasting time in reading it right away.

I love reading to my children. I love seeing them sit quietly with books surrounding them and picking up one after another after another, like they can't get enough of them.

If you are not familiar with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library you can check it out here http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/. It's easy to sign up and doesn't cost a thing. It is only for children from birth through 4 years of age. So if you have children in that age range why not encourage their love of books by having them delivered straight to your door?

When You Can't Get to a Pool...

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesdays Tip - All Purpose Cleaner

For a cheap, easy, all-purpose cleaner take an empty spray bottle (or you can buy a cheap empty spray bottle at Dollar Tree) add 1/4 cup of Dawn dish soap (it has to be Dawn because of the grease cutting factor) and then finish filling the bottle with white vinegar. As long as you don't mind the smell of vinegar, it's a great cleaner. I have found that it will clean things that some name brand cleaners won't. If you need something a little more abrasive but that doesn't cause damage (like in the bathtub), you can use baking soda then the spray. It works like the scrubbing bubbles you would buy and does a great job.

You will need to shake it up the first couple of times you use it but it usually mixes after that, if not then just shake it before you use it. We use it often enough that after the first couple of times it doesn't sit long enough to separate.

It literally takes just pennies to make. Hope you find this helpful and a great way to save money.

Not Me Monday - Old Teeth, and Snow Angels

I am the proud mother of an adorable, 1.5 year old who is perfect in every way and never manages to get into anything he's not suppose to. So the other day Kaitlyn did NOT come running down stairs with Joshua calling to Jim and I in a frantic voice, only to inform us that he had a mouth full of her old baby teeth, (we keep the kids baby teeth in 35mm canisters labeled with their names so when they are older they can see their baby teeth, weird, I know, but it's what we've always done). Some how he did NOT manage to open the canister and proceed to put them in his mouth like candy. (Don't worry though, we were able to empty his mouth without him swallowing any of them, so all is well.)

My perfect little Sweetheart :)

Since we lived in Vermont for four years our children do NOT miss having a lot of snow. So Jonathan did NOT adorn himself in full winter attire in the middle of summer and pretend to make snow angels on the living room carpet. I did NOT allow him to keep playing while pictures were being taken and Christmas music was playing in the background. It is way too early for Christmas music and dreaming of a white Christmas so I would NEVER let them do that.

Jonathan getting ready to make a snow (carpet) angel