We had sooo much fun this week!

Monday was really warm (around 60 degrees) and since we knew the rest of the week would be cold, we decided to head out to the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester, MA.    This was really fun, it was Abby's first time ever going to a zoo, and Noah hasn't been since he was a toddler.   It was pretty much empty and it was just a really nice day:

Originally, we were planning to still do some light homeschooling. We pretty much decided this would be a great time to take off instead. I figure, we don't take vacations during the year like the schools do, so taking extra time at Christmas makes up for it. Abigail misses school and keeps asking if we can do it though lol.

Mostly, we've just been hanging out at home.   Since Kris' normal schedule at work doesn't permit him to be home for dinner, I had to scale back on my cooking since the kids are so picky and there isn't a point in making a big meal for just the three of us. This week, I've been cooking everyday and it's been really nice!  We've spent so much time just sitting around eating LOL!    We've also been playing board games and just enjoying down time together.  Russ came home for Christmas on Wedensday, the kids missed him SO much and were so happy to see him!   

Tomorrow will be busy with celebrating Kris' birthday in the morning and than Abby's recital in the afternoon (weather permitting). She has to be there two hours before going on stage, that's an eternity to a five year old!  She'll be with her friends though and I'm sure she won't mind the waiting.

I've also spent a little bit of time re-evaluating curriculum.  I'm not planning to make any major changes in the new year. Noah will be nine though, so I wasn't sure if I should continue doing some Volume 4 FIAR studies, or move onto Beyond Five in a Row.  I have decided to do a few more units of Volume 4 and than see if I feel he's ready to move on.  Mostly, I only use FIAR with him for the social studies part, since we have seperate subjects for everything else.  I ordered Abigail Volume 3 of FIAR, I can't wait to do that one with her. I really like the book lists for that Volume. She will also start the next set of Bob Books when we start up again!   

That's all for now, I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season as well!  I can't believe it's only six days until Christmas, I can't wait!!

Well, the money has been turned into for the popcorn everyone ordered way back in September or October.  All the December Scout meetings have been cancelled due to bad weather and the holidays, so I should be picking up the orders at the next meeting, which is in January. Sorry it's taking SO long, I know it's crazy!  

Have a great day!

I only have a few minutes as we have plans right after this.

This was a great week of school!   Noah did quite well in all his subjects, even his least favorite -   math.  He sat in with us for FIAR, which is always cool. His favorite thing lately is "teaching" Abigail, he'll sit with her and patiently teach her to read Dr Seuss books, correct her when she gets a word wrong, and help her sound out longer words, it's really, really sweet. It's also a GREAT way for him to re-inforce skills he's learned!  I love that about homeschooling, Noah and Abigail spend so much time together that it forces them to be friends and they have a great relationship!   In Science, we continued learning about force and work. Noah made a wind wheel, this was to see how wind is power and to create a list of five different ways work is being done when the wind blows. After we made it, I told him he could go outside to try it out, he was clever and decided using a fan would be much easier lol!  It worked out great though!

With Abby, we rowed Down Down the Mountain.  We discussed many topics, all of which I'm too lazy to write about.  The story revolves around two kids trying to earn enough money to buy shoes by growing turnips.  The kids both want to try turnips now, it's always funny to see them try new foods like that!  I'll probably go to the store to get some turnips tomorrow since we are busy today, I'll have to do a Google search to learn how to prepare fresh turnips.  She read Bob Book #12, the last in the set...yay!  Her math assignments are becoming quite long, but she does them cheerfully...for the most part.  She actually started crying on Monday because "her math was too easy".

Something fun we did was make 3-D snowflakes. Instructions can be found here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

They were really easy and fun to make, the kids enjoyed it a lot!  Kris said he thinks they look like stars and he wouldn't have known they were snowflakes unless I told him, but I disagree lol!

Speaking of Kris, he will be on vacation for the rest of December!   He gets three weeks of vacation a year and when he took time off this year, it was always comp days. He hasn't taken an actual vacation all year.   This is a great time of year for him to take time off, all the clients are on vacation and it's always slow.  He actually loses his third week of vacation because of not taking it.  He's very excited because now we get to celebrate the "four days of Kris" with him home the whole time...oh boy.   We are planning to do light homeschooling, keeping up with reading and math, and also to take several field trips. We have a lot to catch up on around the house to, like cleaning the basement which is complete and total chaos right now.   Even though we'll be busy, I'm REALLY looking forward to some down time during the day. 

Memory Verse: Matthew 14:19…Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.

Intro:  Finger Lickin’ Good - You can read about Christ feeding the 5,000 in many places in the Bible (Matthew14:19;15:36; Luke 5:6;9:3-17). I am a fairly new Christian and one of the many things I love about reading the accounts of Jesus’ miracles, is that there was not a big drum roll, fireworks, a thousand dollar suit or an agent building up some big preview of what was about to happen.  Jesus would calmly say things such as “have faith”, “believe”, “have them sit and pass out these loaves of bread”, and then the miracles began. 

Assignment: Although I am not able to produce miracles, it sometimes feels like I need to when it comes to meal time.  There are times when money is tight, groceries are few and I have to feed my family.  During the holiday season, you might have so much going on that you need to make a meal quickly with as few ingredients as possible.  This week post your favorite recipes that require six (6) ingredients or less.  Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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I have so many, it's hard to pick just a few.   Since we are talking extremely quick and simple, I will post a few of the easiest and fastest I make on a regular basis:

Crock Pot Chicken or Pork:

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 can Cream of Celery

Boneless Chicken or Pork

White rice

Throw soups and meat in the crock pot, cook on high for at least four hours (the longer the better though so the meat gets all shredded up) sever over white rice.  The kids LOVE this one, it's so yummy!

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This one sounds gross, but you seriously cannot taste the tuna. Even my husband eats this and he is pickier than the children.

Super Easy Tuna Casserole:

1 box mac 'n' cheese.

1 Can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 small can baby peas, drained

1 can tuna

Cook mac n' cheese according to regular instructions. Once done, combine all ingredients and pour into greased casserole dish.    Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Sometimes I'll top this with breadcrumbs and a little bit of cheddar cheese.  I usually only use half the can of baby peas since Abby hates peas.

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This is Kris' absolute favorite:

Cheesy Pork Chop Casserole:

1 can Condensed French Onion soup

1 can Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup

4 potatoes, peeled and sliced paper thin

2 pounds pork chops

1 package shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Line bottom of pan with sliced potatoes. Cover with pork chops.   In a seperate bowl, mix french onion soup and cheddar cheese soup.  Pour over pork chops/potatoes. Cover and bake an hour.  When done, sprinkle cheese on top and serve.

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I had to include the worlds easiest dessert:

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies:

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Cup Sugar

1 egg

Combine ingredients, form into balls and smush with fork to make a criss-cross pattern, and bake at 350.  These taste sooooo good, exactly like Mrs Fields' PB cookies (that store in the mall, I think they are out of business now).    I always add in a little vanilla too, although it's not necessary.

If you're reading this, it means your tagged and must complete the questionairre to.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper, it's a pain but it's fun to see everyone opening their gifts.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. This just started last year when the kids insisted on a white Christmas tree, since a snow covered real tree inside the house isn't feasible, we headed out to Wal Mart.   Unfortunately, when we put it up this year it was all lopsided and weird looking, the base finally broke.  Kris was at Lowe's today (always dangerous) getting roof cement, he saw trees were 50% off and got us a new one...with a metal base that should last a while.  

3. When do you put up the tree?
In the past we waited until a week or two before Christmas. This year we did it the day after Thanksgiving and I think that's a great new tradition!

4. When do you take the tree down?
Noah's birthday is four days after Christmas, that's great motivation to get it down the day after Christmas to get the house out of Christmas mode and into birthday party mode.

5. Do you like eggnog?
No, not at all!

6. Favorite gift received as a child an adult?
I can't pick just one!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My Grandma. She doesn't hide it when she doesn't like what you get her LOL.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
The kids!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
A small one.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail them!  Love doing Christmas cards, I'm that annoying person that sends them out earlier than everyone else lol.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Nope, not going there...

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (cartoon version).  I SO love that movie!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I shop mostly online, and try to get it done quite early, but this year I was a little late by finishing up the last of it on Black Friday. Don't you want to slap me?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
If by "recycled" you mean "regifted"...I'm tacky enough to say yes to this.  The only reason I did it was because we got two of the same thing, it was a really cool thing that I passed on to someone to save money  bless them with it.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mother in law's broccoli dip...awwwww yeah. Heaven in a bowl.

16. Lights on the tree?
What about them?

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Travel. Everywhere. Everyday. It. Never. Stops.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Nope

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We have a fiber optic Angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic near the mall. We happen to live near the mall and have to deal with all the traffic whenever we go out.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
We have a hodge podge of ornaments collected over the years and I love it. Our theme is no theme lol.

24. Favorite Christmas stories (besides THE Christmas story)?

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

25. Favorite Christmas tradition?
We don't have many traditions. Church either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, driving to see the lights on Christmas Eve, ummm...we really need to get on the ball with traditions here!






 

This week felt really long. Kris had to go into work early for some training, yet he had to stay just as late to work his cases, so this was definitely a week that dragged on.

In Science, Noah learned about force.  He FINALLY finished James and the Giant Peach, so we went out to rent the movie, only to find that no place had it. We did find it in video format (remember those? LOL) at the library, the only problem is we don't have a VCR. I'm sure it won't be hard to find someone's house to watch it at.  He started The Indian in the Cupboard this week, this I would say is a reading level up from James and the Giant Peach, so I'm interested to see his progress with it.  He did great with his spelling assignments, we started playing Scrabble as a family so that he can get in some extra spelling practice without realizing it. The kids loved this (Abby got help from Kris), so Kris said he'd like it to be a regular weekly thing. Sounds like a great idea to me!  Cursive he seemed to struggle with a bit this week. I'm still going to have him practice at it everyday though.    Scouts has been keeping him super busy, this new pack is really great, very very active, so I'm glad this is the only outside activity he's in right now.

With Abby, we rowed The Giraffe that walked to Paris. Both of the children really enjoyed this one.  She is moving right along in Math, it's pretty spectacular to see!  She's doing SO well with her reading to, this week was more of the consonant/vowel/consonant blends and Bob Book #11.  Next week will be the last in the set before she moves onto the second set.  She's such a fast learner, it's so cool!  The only thing is, she's such a little perfectionist. I think that's good in it's own way, but I don't want her to be afraid to try something new because she's afraid to make mistakes or anything. Her routines are all done in dance, she just has a few more weeks until the recital!

That's really about all for now, not much new.  Have a great weekend!  God Bless!

Memory Verse:  Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Intro:  America’s Favorite Dessert J-E-L-L-O - What we read affects what we believe.  When we feed the Scriptures in our spirit, faith comes alive and becomes a living force within you.

Assignment:  Write about your favorite ‘faith food’.  Tell about the books of the Bible that you read that help to build your faith.  Nurture the seeds of faith inside you.  ex: Acorns become Oak trees.

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The very first book that came to mind is probably the book of Isaiah.  This book convicts me in all sorts of ways. The prophesy of the coming Messiah, the warnings against idolators, God's wrath and redemption. All of it is definitely soul food for me that strengthens my faith, it's a book I read frequently. I find it fascinating, enouraging, profound, and comforting.  My favorite verse from this books is Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles...

The next would be the book of Philippians "the book of joy". This was one of the first Bible studies I did with my ladies' class as a new Christian over three years ago.  It reminds me to keep my faith foremost in my mind. I have a note next to Philippians 4:8 that whatever we think about the most is what will influence our actions and habits the most. It's a reminder that comes to mind when I find myself caught up in the stresses of the world, we have the truth to focus on and that's is what I should be the most focused on.

Saving the best for last, I'd say the Gospel of John.  Probably my favorite of the four Gospel accounts.  John 4:10 and 4:14 (along with John 7:38, obviously) are the name and inspiration for this blog. "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you the living water" and  "...whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life".  The woman at the well might be my favorite section of the Bible. I think there is SO much wisdom in this. I love seeing Jesus preaching in this way, gently exposing the sin of the woman,  reaching out to a Samaritan which was unheard of for a Jew at that time, offering forgiveness and hope, it makes me think about His example and how can I follow it today?