T Ball

Caiden gets to play T ball this year! He and daddy went to sign up yesterday. Then this afternoon they spent time gathering supplies from around the place. A T ball post (I have no idea what the real name is) baseballs, bats, gloves, etc. They are so excited! I can hardly wait to bundle up with cocoa for the season! Travelling on Saturdays should be fun too! At least there are a couple of moms that I am already friends with, that will make practices much more enjoyable!! yippee!!

Check out that happy smile! What fun we will have.

oh my girly girl!

On the way to dance class...

Mommy, when you were little did you grow up fast?

(context: since I am older, and the mommy, I must have grown up faster, implying that we were all born at the same time. hee hee hee)

On the way home from dance class...
Mommy, what does B-E-N spell?
Mommy: Ben
Ady: Ben! I spelled Ben's name! How smart is me!!!

Ady came home from a slumber party the other day with blue eye shadow...it's not REALLY beginning, is it?

Granola Mama

After reading Alysun's post about being a granola mama and how her perception of this has changed as she's become a mama, I thought that instead of writing a lengthy comment, I would simply respond on my blog. Besides, I needed something to write this weekend!

• To homeschool or not? I did homepreschool Adyson last year and it was a blast. This year both are in school for half a day and it has gone fairly well. I am still debating on bringing them home though, when I think about all the curriculum that we will have to "un-teach" them... then I see the price tag of good curriculum (knowing that if I am actually teaching them, I won't want to surf a whole lot for all the great free stuff.) But, I am considering it. I really am starting to consider this one... Some of you already homeschooling mamas... recommendations for a few reads to help in my decision making?
  

• Sewing...I did sew a couple of window valances and shortened a couple of pillow cases (king to queen) I tend to love hot glue more though. I make bean bags with old socks(the cute ones that the kids have outgrown.) and glue the tops with hot glue, seems to work great!

• My sandal of choice is my croc and I OFTEN wear them with socks..I don't care if that is reminiscent of birks with socks (which DOES happen on occasion as well...just not with a dress or skirt) I have the fuzzy lined crocs and LOVE them, they even go in snow...unless it's truly deep, but a little snow on my way to the burn barrel works okay.

• home birth? not on your life. lovely idea...but frankly after working that hard, having a whole staff devoted to my comfort for a couple of days and no yucky laundry in my washing machine? We're good. but thanks.

• Recycling? did you catch the part about the burn barrel? No garbage service here. 40 minutes from town...not going to add that to the errands or my trunk, sorry. But hubby's a farmer...that should count.

• I cook A LOT from scratch. Again, 40 minutes from town pretty much dictates this. Also good stewardship of money and resources demands this. When I can feed my family for about 6 dollars a meal, versus the 20-30 at a restaurant, there really isn't anything to discuss! Plus I do like when my hubby brags to someone about liking my cooking, that's just a really neat proverbs 31 kind of happy.

• We garden some. I have canned green beans, plums, and applesauce. This year our carrots did really well and so they are in the pump house in large containers of sand, seemingly doing very well. Onions are in the woodshop still hanging on nicely too. Some zucchini shredded in the freezer for soups and bread. I do make broth as well, sometimes from the beef bones, sometimes when I need chicken shredded, I will boil it with yummy spices and freeze the broth in one cup portions.

• Alternative and homeopathy...almost our middle names around here. I have a cupboard full of vitamins and remedies. We do go to the doctor though if what we think will help, doesn't help. We have done the oil in the ear though and neither of our kids has had an ear infection...lovely! I swear by GSE (grapefruit seed extract...a natural antibiotic) It can work great, if the infection is caught early.

• Granola..I have made from scratch. I buy some at a local mill. Our new favorite snack is apple slices (which I soak in salty water to keep them from browning) dipped in yogurt/peanut butter, then dipped in granola...all three food groups in one bite!! gotta love that!

And so...that's how I "measure" up to being a granola mama. Want to play along? consider yourself tagged, let me know so I can laugh with you too!

Ten Things Tuesday

Ten Things I'm Thankful for...
1. My dad loves God
2. My dad loves my mom
3. My dad loves his kids
4. My dad loves his grandkids
5. My dad was always around to ask questions and visit with
6. My dad can fix almost anything
7. My dad encouraged me to get a good education
8. My dad let me cry and yell and then talk when I was ready
9. My dad could always make me laugh when I was feeling sick (think Tim Conway)
10 . My dad's birthday is today and I am very thankful for him.

Menu Plan Monday

To see edits from last week, click here

Dinners:
Schwans Pizza
Chicken enchilada, peas (Tues. make 1, freeze 1)
Burgers, Sweet potato fries (sat.)
slow cooked ribs in bbq, homemade mash potatoes, yummy bread from Walmart (Fri.)
Terriyaki stirfry with chicken (2nd half of bag from last week)
Chinese Hamburger(Wed. enough for leftovers on Thurs.)

Breakfasts:
applebread, Kevin's smoothie (Fri.)
yeasty belgium waffles, Schwans sausage links (Thurs.)
scrambled egg with ground sausage, english muffins (Wed. and sat.)
cereal, grapefruit
baked oatmeal

To see more menu plans click the button below, enjoy!

Valentine's Celebrations

The kids have Valentines parties today. Thankfully the teachers have scheduled for AFTER lunch. Unfortunately they are at the same time, so perhaps hubby will join me in the celebrations. They are only a half hour, also a good thing. We are taking homemade lemonade to Caiden's party. They are both excited to finally see inside their goody bags.

I have pretty fond memories of valentine's parties in school. Except for that one boy that tried to kiss me each year. He always got a sound kick in the shin for it too! Other than that, I loved the day of exchanging cute cards and getting heart candies, not to mention all the pink and red everywhere.

Hubby has already spoiled me this year. I got two live flowering plants and a new coffee maker! Then we'll try for a movie in a couple of days while we visit my parents. Hopefully Pink Panther 2. If you have kiddos in school, I hope they enjoy their class parties, and that this weekend is a nice time for the family.

I picked up an Adventure Bible for our kiddos to give them tomorrow. A youth bible with a safari theme with lots of questions and applications. Hopefully this will encourage us to be better at reading and teaching through the Bible so we can more consistently teach about the love of God and how it affects our whole lives.

I also printed a bunch of valentines activities from here I printed mazes, and cryptograms and a book to make and read. (I even splurged and used the color printer) I think that will make for a fun Valentines morning tomorrow.

I've been tagged!

Thanks Queen B for tagging me. Let's see what's in my 6th folder, 6th picture.

I didn't actually have 6 photos, so here's one of the two in the folder. My grandpa reading to Adyson. One book lover encouraging the love of reading to the 3rd generation. It doesn't get much better!

6 people I'm tagging.
Andrea
Andrea
Erika
Sab Mad
Brian and Kim
Gottfredsen

Can you name the item in her hand? hmmm...
Have fun!

boys and girls

First, All three kids see a "cliff" to climb. They squeal and run toward it.

Second, the boys start climbing the "cliff" it is their "first big climb" according to them. They're pulling on roots and scrambling and making appropriate grunting sounds.



Third, Adyson doesn't even attempt, she spies an easier route, runs up and around and beats the boys to the top. That's my girl!!

Wounds

Bandaid rule #1: there HAS to be blood to qualify for a band-aid.



Bandaid rule #2: If they forget to ask later, Don't remind them!


Kids can offer GREAT compassion for one another, especially when the wounds match!

a little fun

Our Sunday morning walk had lots of scenery and great kids shots. I'll spend the next few days sharing some of it with you. A few of my favorites first.

Isn't she such a cute elf?

Menu plan

I needed a little inspiration for menu creating this week. So why not use my favorite hobby of blogging! Then, I get a post up, and you have something "new" to read about life in the wright house. Apparently, Mondays are the days to post menus...so, even though we have no school today and I am probably already into this plan and shopping for the remainder, For the purposes of "matching" I'll schedule this for Monday!

Breakfasts
Schwans Biscuits and homemade sausage Gravy
Baked Oatmeal, grapefruit next week?
Applebread (from freezer) sausage links (used apple coffee cake)
scrambled egg, toast
bagel, smoothie
scrambled egg, bagel

Dinners
augratin potatoes with last of leftover ham (in slow cooker), steamed broccoli, sweet cornbread from yesterday.
Spaghetti, steamed broccoli (took to potluck, no brocc.)
Terriyaki veggies and noodles (from freezer section) with chicken
Burritos tacos instead
Ribs, Rice, Carrots next week?
Ham and Bean Soup with sweet cornbread
mac and cheese, hot dogs, avocado slices

For more menu plan ideas head on over to I'm an organizing Junkie

Red text shows a bit of reality...how it REALLY happened :)

100 days

Today was Caiden's 100th day of Kindergarten. I think medals should have been sent home to the parents...or to the teachers! Instead our teacher got up at 4 am to make cupcakes! woo hoo! I was a good helper though and did not indulge, OR lick the frosting!

Each kiddo brought 100 things to show and tell. Caiden brought 100 photos. He and Ady loved showing the pictures. Ady got to spend a little of the day in the room to celebrate with Caiden's class, then she went back to her class for buddy reading and fun stuff.

It was fun helping out today. I really should go more often, it is a very enjoyable way to spend the day...loving on kids, without having to be in charge! Lovely.

A Bit of drilling

The Well Driller came! It only took 4 months for him to come! They got to the good water yesterday, today the casing will go in and they will widen the hole to 6 inches instead of the 4 that is used to drill.

This is excellent news...because we CANNOT apply for a building permit until this is done! yippeeee!!!

a little of this and that

My camera has not been very busy lately. With Kevin gone most of last week, I guess this single mommy wasn't into snapping pictures!

On Friday we had a sleepover with friends and I really thought I would get some cute pictures, the kids had a great time and I loved it. I guess I was too busy visiting with my friend to document their visit. I loved introducing Marcy to Facebook and watching Fireproof, and having lots of girl/mommy talk, I'm sure we solved a few world problems!

Saturday morning found us enjoying a french toast breakfast and saying farewell to our sleepover company, then off to other friends for a couple of hours. Mommy got to drink more coffee and visit with that mommy for the time...what a lovely way to start the weekend! Both of these dear gals are treasured friends in my world. It is so very nice to have a couple of Christian mommies to "compare notes" with, as well as be able to trust my kiddos with once in awhile.

Saturday afternoon: nap. Kevin comes HOME!!! what a sweet event. Then off to church. we really are very excited about this "new" church body and how the Holy spirit is moving in their midst. I believe God has plans for this basin, and I am excited to see what comes.

Sunday, family time in the morning, then off to Medford to visit with my parents and watch Superbowl. The weather was lovely, company great. And how 'bout that game!! (although we could have lived without the trashy commercials...but that's a whole other can of worms right there!) On the way home, the kids watched two episodes of Bibleman.. what a lovely postive bible teaching show! They were totally into it.

Last evening I went to my women's biblestudy. We have now finished this years study, Experiencing God. What is different about finishing this one is that we feel like we are at a beginning with a bit of foundation under us, instead of feeling like we need to start all over. I did this particular study about 10 years ago when I was a totally different person (you know, before marriage, kids, and lots of sleepless nights serving little ones) I would say that it was a "faith changing" study back then, so I wasn't really sure about how it would be a second time through. However, it was everybit as faith changing all over again. It has been revised and updated, but I don't honestly know if I would notice. I keep thinking I might pull my "old one" off the dusty shelf and compare.

I would HIGHLY recommend this study to an individual or a group looking for their next set of materials. It is very challenging, rewarding, and encouraging. If you've ever wondered just how exactly you're supposed to "hear" from God, or recongize when you're supposed to join Him, this is a great place to start.

Now it is Tuesday morning and I am off to substitute in a Kindergarten class. That should burn a few calories(I usually come home hoarse after teaching kinders.)
I hope your day is blessed and enjoyable