Many of our summer activities usually go from 9-12, plus we have a 20 min drive home from town. By the time we get here everyone is hot. tired, sweaty, and of course starving. Usually Emelia is ready to be fed also as soon as we walk in the door. In order to help maintain my sanity, I try to plan ahead and have some ideas for quick and easy lunches in addition to traditional cold sandwiches. If I have something ready to throw in the oven when we get home, I can put it in, feed Emelia, and by the time she is done nursing lunch is ready. We also keep plenty of fruit to go along with whatever we are eating. Here are some of my favorite quick and easy lunches:
English Muffin Pizzas (make ahead and leave on a tray in the fridge. Put in a 425 oven and take out when cheese is melted)
Cheese Quesadillas (same idea as pizzas)
Chicken Nuggets
Fish Sticks (hate to put that one down but my kids love it!)
Sandwich Wraps (using tortillas for bread)
Cracker Sandwiches (use lunch meat, cheese, and crackers to "build" your own sandwiches)
Bagels and Cream Cheese or Bagel Sandwiches
Pigs in a Blanket (same idea as pizzas)
Taco Salad
Mac N Cheese
I would love to hear your ideas for quick and easy lunches to add to my list this summer!
Our Family
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Our Summer Schedule
We do not school year round. We take off June and July so we have some time to catch up on a few things that get neglected during the school year. We start back with a light schedule beginning in August and build up to a full schedule by September. August is so hot here anyway the children might as well have something worthwhile to do when it's too hot to go outside. We do have a little school work to do now and then and some things (like reading) we still do everyday. I also take time during the summer to prepare new curriculum and a schedule for next year. Summer also means there are lots of fun and educational opportunities. Here it is barely June, and my calendar is already full of activities from now until the first week of August! Some of the things we will be doing this summer:
VBS- this week
Youth weekend retreat
4 H
District Competitions
Quad County Camp
Soil Sammies Workshop
Dog Days of Summer Workshop (making homemade dog treats to donate)
Little Rock Tour
Sewing Workshop (3 days long)
Chef School (3 days long)
Robots Workshop
Rockets Workshop
Plus Choir practice for Chelsea, whatever 4 H meetings are scheduled for the evenings, and a visit to my mom and dad's for a few days. It is definitely going to be a busy summer!
VBS- this week
Youth weekend retreat
4 H
District Competitions
Quad County Camp
Soil Sammies Workshop
Dog Days of Summer Workshop (making homemade dog treats to donate)
Little Rock Tour
Sewing Workshop (3 days long)
Chef School (3 days long)
Robots Workshop
Rockets Workshop
Plus Choir practice for Chelsea, whatever 4 H meetings are scheduled for the evenings, and a visit to my mom and dad's for a few days. It is definitely going to be a busy summer!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Audiobooks
I had never thought much about audiobooks before. I can remember when I was a little girl and had one of those books with the cassette tape that beeped when you were supposed to turn the page (It was 101 Dalmations.) My children have had a few experiences with audiobooks; a borrowed one when I needed to run errands and had no DVDs with me and a book we listened to when I couldn't find it in any other format. Then, I bought a series of Johnathan Park on CD to listen to when we travel after we decided to no longer have a TV in the van (trust me it is much easier without it.)
Recently, we have started using audiobooks on a regular basis. Every night when I send the children to bed they are allowed to read or play quietly until they fall asleep. Nick and Chelsea read their books, but Alex who cannot read well simply pretends to read. I started thinking about how to help a child who's comprehension far exceeds his ability to read in addition to me reading to him. I read a suggestion on how to help children who are dyslexic and/or struggling readers by using audiobooks.
Why use audiobooks? Most young children can understand and enjoy books that are above their reading level. Reading such books will also greatly increase their vocabulary. Reading aloud is a great way to share and enjoy books with your children, but there may be times (like at night when others are sleeping) that it is not possible to read aloud. Plus, some children are auditory learners and understand things much better when they hear them.
I went looking for an inexpensive mp3 player and found one at www.walmart.com for $17. Then, I found this great website www.booksshouldbefree.com which has a ton of classic audiobooks that you can download for free in either mp3 format or for your Ipod. So far we have downloaded Peter Pan, The Velveteen Rabbit, Pinocchio, Brare Rabbit, and Robinson Crusoe. Many libraries have audiobooks (ours does not) and those libraries that are online are starting to have ebooks and audiobooks you can check out online and download to your computer. Project Gutenberg which is a fabulous source for free ebooks also has several audiobooks available for download. This website has several different free resources for homeschoolers including favorite audio book websites.
I think the audiobooks are already beginning to make a difference for Alex and he loves his mp3 player. It can be beneficial in other ways too. The other day during quiet time, I found Nick and Alex in Alex's bed each with one ear bud listening to an audiobook (being very quiet by the way.) My mom gave me a mp3 player she wasn't using and I think I am going to pick up one or two more. Quiet time may just become even quieter, and the next time we travel it would be very useful.
Recently, we have started using audiobooks on a regular basis. Every night when I send the children to bed they are allowed to read or play quietly until they fall asleep. Nick and Chelsea read their books, but Alex who cannot read well simply pretends to read. I started thinking about how to help a child who's comprehension far exceeds his ability to read in addition to me reading to him. I read a suggestion on how to help children who are dyslexic and/or struggling readers by using audiobooks.
Why use audiobooks? Most young children can understand and enjoy books that are above their reading level. Reading such books will also greatly increase their vocabulary. Reading aloud is a great way to share and enjoy books with your children, but there may be times (like at night when others are sleeping) that it is not possible to read aloud. Plus, some children are auditory learners and understand things much better when they hear them.
I went looking for an inexpensive mp3 player and found one at www.walmart.com for $17. Then, I found this great website www.booksshouldbefree.com which has a ton of classic audiobooks that you can download for free in either mp3 format or for your Ipod. So far we have downloaded Peter Pan, The Velveteen Rabbit, Pinocchio, Brare Rabbit, and Robinson Crusoe. Many libraries have audiobooks (ours does not) and those libraries that are online are starting to have ebooks and audiobooks you can check out online and download to your computer. Project Gutenberg which is a fabulous source for free ebooks also has several audiobooks available for download. This website has several different free resources for homeschoolers including favorite audio book websites.
I think the audiobooks are already beginning to make a difference for Alex and he loves his mp3 player. It can be beneficial in other ways too. The other day during quiet time, I found Nick and Alex in Alex's bed each with one ear bud listening to an audiobook (being very quiet by the way.) My mom gave me a mp3 player she wasn't using and I think I am going to pick up one or two more. Quiet time may just become even quieter, and the next time we travel it would be very useful.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Breastfeeding and Antibiotics
I have debated all week whether or not I was going to write a blog post about this. Mainly because I don't like to admit when I am not well (maybe it is the supermom complex) but I decided to go ahead for the purpose of hopefully being able to help or encourage someone in a similar situation.
I had an infection. I tried to deal with it on my own in hopes to avoid having to take medicine. Breastfeeding is a big responsibility. Everything that goes in your mouth goes in your baby's too and I want my babies to be as healthy as they can be. I didn't get any better and started getting worse so I decided to go to the doctor mostly because a sick mommy is no good to anybody. So I went. Our doctor by the way is a general practitioner. He decided yes in fact I needed to go on a strong antibiotic. I told him I was nursing (Emelia was there with me) and he said, "Well you are going to have to stop and put her on formula." Excuse me? What did you just say? I was stunned. Even breastfeeding women need medicine from time to time and I know there are antibiotics that are considered safe. I have been on them twice before for a UTI and Mastitis. So I just looked at him and said, "No. I can't do that." My babies never even drink out of a bottle. I take them everywhere with me until they are weaned. I said, "You need to find me another option." I couldn't believe that was my only choice and couldn't imagine having to stop breastfeeding if even only for a few days. I also couldn't imagine what that would do to Emelia. Breastfeeding is so much more than nutrition. It is a warmth, a comfort, a bonding like no other (I mean no disrespect to those women out there who could not/cannot breastfeed.) So, my doctor made a phone call to a pharmacist who recommended 3 different options for antibiotics. Then, the doctors office called a pharmacist at a Women and Children's Hospital to see which one they preferred. A medication was prescribed for me that would be safe for Emelia too with instructions on how to split up the dosage so that the least amount possible would pass through the breast milk.
As a new nursing mom I would have done what the doctor said, no questions asked simply because I didn't know any better. A few children and years later, I know enough to ask questions. I encourage you when faced with these kinds of situations to educate yourself, ask questions, and look at all of the options available. If there truly was no other way, I would have done what the doctor said in order to protect Emelia. Instead, I got the medicine I needed without having to traumatize my baby or myself (I am much better by the way.) A happy ending for all.
I had an infection. I tried to deal with it on my own in hopes to avoid having to take medicine. Breastfeeding is a big responsibility. Everything that goes in your mouth goes in your baby's too and I want my babies to be as healthy as they can be. I didn't get any better and started getting worse so I decided to go to the doctor mostly because a sick mommy is no good to anybody. So I went. Our doctor by the way is a general practitioner. He decided yes in fact I needed to go on a strong antibiotic. I told him I was nursing (Emelia was there with me) and he said, "Well you are going to have to stop and put her on formula." Excuse me? What did you just say? I was stunned. Even breastfeeding women need medicine from time to time and I know there are antibiotics that are considered safe. I have been on them twice before for a UTI and Mastitis. So I just looked at him and said, "No. I can't do that." My babies never even drink out of a bottle. I take them everywhere with me until they are weaned. I said, "You need to find me another option." I couldn't believe that was my only choice and couldn't imagine having to stop breastfeeding if even only for a few days. I also couldn't imagine what that would do to Emelia. Breastfeeding is so much more than nutrition. It is a warmth, a comfort, a bonding like no other (I mean no disrespect to those women out there who could not/cannot breastfeed.) So, my doctor made a phone call to a pharmacist who recommended 3 different options for antibiotics. Then, the doctors office called a pharmacist at a Women and Children's Hospital to see which one they preferred. A medication was prescribed for me that would be safe for Emelia too with instructions on how to split up the dosage so that the least amount possible would pass through the breast milk.
As a new nursing mom I would have done what the doctor said, no questions asked simply because I didn't know any better. A few children and years later, I know enough to ask questions. I encourage you when faced with these kinds of situations to educate yourself, ask questions, and look at all of the options available. If there truly was no other way, I would have done what the doctor said in order to protect Emelia. Instead, I got the medicine I needed without having to traumatize my baby or myself (I am much better by the way.) A happy ending for all.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
2011 Tos Homeschool Crew Blue Ribbon Awards
The 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew has come to a close. Last week I posted our family's favorites. You can find that post here. Crew members had an opportunity to vote for our favorites in a variety of categories. The winners of these votes would win a Blue Ribbon Award that looks like this:
Here are the winners of this year's Blue Ribbon Awards as taken from the Crew Blog. Congrats to all of the winners!
The following vendors are the recipients of the award this year:
Favorite Language Arts Product = Institute For Excellence in Writing (IEW)
Favorite Social Studies Product =Bright Ideas Press-Wondermaps
Favorite Science Product = Eagle’s Wings-Considering God’s Creation
Favorite Math Product = I See Cards-Pyramath
Favorite Online Math Product = Ten Marks
Favorite Writing Product = Writing Tales
Favorite Reading Instruction Product = Talking Fingers
Favorite Foreign Language Product = Classical Academic Press
Favorite Fine Arts Product (art, music, etc.) = Artistic Pursuits
Favorite Preschool Product = Go Go Kabongo
Favorite Elementary Product = Speekee
Favorite Upper Grade Product = Vocab Ahead
Favorite Special Needs Product = See-N-Read
Favorite Christian Education Product = Apologia
Best Resource I Didn’t Know I Needed = Lanschool Technologies
Best Customer Service = Peterson Directed Handwriting
Best Online Resource = Big IQ Kids
Best e-product = Zeezok Publishing-ZGuide to the Movies
Best Technology Resource = Collectorz
Best Homeschool Resource = Yesterday’s Classics
Best Book, Novel or Magazine = Zoe & Sozo Publishing-Foundlings
Best Children’s Book = Kregel Publications-Circle C Beginnings
Best Hands-On Resource = Corps of Re-Discovery
Most Adaptable Resource = The Write Foundation
Most Unique Resource = GoTrybe
Most Family-Oriented Product = Growing Healthy Homes-Nutrition 101
Kid’s Choice = Schleich Action Figures
All Around Crew Favorite = Institute For Excellence in Writing
Congratulations to our winning vendors! We hope you will sail with us again!
Book Review: Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond
I just had an opportunity to read and review the e-book version of Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond.Description:
When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.
With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.
In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.
But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.
With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.
In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.
But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.
I love Historical Fiction and thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It was wonderful to see Susannah's transformation as she learned and grew, came to have trust in her husband and the Lord. She showed a willingness to do whatever was necessary in order to survive and remained loyal to her husband. I found it an interesting irony that Susannah became a mail order bride because she had no prospects but before too long had too many. I loved the friendships that grew and the willingness to help each other out. I loved Jesse's character; honest, trustworthy, hard working, kind,sincere, proud of his wife, and a true love for the Lord. But even Jesse showed that he was an imperfect human being who gave in to fear and had to deal with the consequences of it. But, the Lord uses all things for good for those who love Him and in the end it all turned out okay.
One thing I did want to mention is that I wasn't happy with the way the book ended. I felt like there were too many strings left hanging and several unanswered questions. That would be okay if there were plans for a sequel....which by the way I would love to read.
I received a complimentary e-book copy of Spring for Susannah from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Which One Is Which?
Do you know which one is Lily and which one is Emelia? No cheating if you already saw it on facebook. Everyone says they don't look alike, bu I think they do. They do have their differences but there are a lot of similarities as well. Emelia was baptized on Sunday in our family's hand-made generations old Christening Gown and I took her picture in the same chair that I took Lily's in when she was baptized. I thought it would be fun to compare the two pictures. If I had a scanner, I would scan in Chelsea's picture in the same gown too. Emelia reminds me a lot of Chelsea as a baby. All three of the girls were baptized right around 3 months old. Just like with the boys, I am going to have to label their pictures or I will forget which baby is which.
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