Devon has really enjoyed his first venture out of homeschooling and we're thankful it's been such a positive experience for him. We're proud of his hard work!
Friday, January 24, 2014
DEVON IS A TOP STUDENT
We got a phone call from Devon's principal on Saturday letting us know that he was the 4th grade boy student of the quarter and inviting us to a celebratory dinner at Los Cabos, which was being given by the school for the families of all the students who won awards. The dinner was on Wednesday night and Devon's teacher, Kevin Walker, presented him with his certificate, sharing some of the things he values in Devon. It was great to see his achievements, both academic and non-academic, publicly acknowledged. Here he is with his certificate and teacher.
Devon has really enjoyed his first venture out of homeschooling and we're thankful it's been such a positive experience for him. We're proud of his hard work!
Devon has really enjoyed his first venture out of homeschooling and we're thankful it's been such a positive experience for him. We're proud of his hard work!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
BABY SHOWER GIFTS FOR FAMILIES WHO DON'T NEED ANYTHING
Before we get started, let me clarify something. There is not a 7th W on the way. This is just a conversation that I think can be helpful for people.
Ok, moving on.
I don't use baby monitors, diaper warmers, changing tables, or some of the other things many families consider essentials. I also have four kids, which means there's not much I needed by the time babies 2, 3, and 4 came along. Additionally, I fall into the "less is more" category and don't want to accumulate a bunch of stuff I don't have a use for and don't want people spending money on things that won't get used.
However, people still like to bless new or expectant mothers (whether pregnant, adopting, or fostering) with gifts. So, what are some gifts that you can give a family with a new baby, but without a need for more baby clothes or toys? After all, gifts that are neither wanted nor needed are not a blessing ... which sorta defeats the purpose.
While we have certainly appreciated and used all the cute clothes, both new and hand-me-down, that we've been given and have put the practical things, like some new crib sheets, to use, we've also had some non-traditional gifts that were great and some practical ones that were consumable time and money savers.
* Four passes to Sky High and a gift card to Baskin Robbins. The intention was for Tim to take the three bigs out for a few hours to burn some energy jumping on trampolines while I rested with the baby in a quiet house, then to go out for ice cream and bring some home for me. This gift was great a few weeks after Teebs was born, giving me a day to relax and for everyone else to have some rowdy fun.
* Handmade blankets. I confess that we have a ridiculous amount of blankets. However, there are few things I love more than wrapping up the little Ws in something that someone took a lot of time to create. Tangible love that our kids use for years and years, first to sleep in, then to snuggle under for a movie, then to build forts with.
* Meals. Some people deliver meals through our church's meals ministry, others do it on their own. Some drop off meals and leave, others bring food over and stay to eat with us, then spend time holding the baby and cleaning up the kitchen. We've had people give us home-cooked meals, had us order take-out and brought it over, bought food from the grocery story deli, or given us a giant fruit platter and a gift certificate to and menu for our favorite pizza place with the delivery number circled. It doesn't matter how fancy or simple, whether it was homemade or not ... a meal that we didn't have to plan, shop for, prepare, or clean up after is a huge blessing! They are magic meals.
* Groceries. Some people have come by for various reasons and brought some groceries with them. Sometimes they've chosen items on their own, other times they've asked what we needed, but both ways it was nice to have a few staples, such as milk and produce, that we didn't have to go out for. Once we were given a pounding during a pregnancy. Although it had more to do with our employment situation at the time than with being pregnant, it was a huge blessing and could definitely be a way to keep the fridge and cupboards full for a family with a new baby, saving them a trip to the grocery store for a while.
* Childcare. Taking the non-baby kids for a few hours or overnight not only gives the mom and baby a chance to rest, but it gives the other kids a chance to do something fun. Whether you take the kids over to your house for a low-key time of movies and snacks or take them out for some big adventure, the kids will enjoy the change of scenery and the mom will appreciate having her load lightened for a while.
* Diapers and/or wipes. I know this isn't a unique idea, but all babies pee and poop, so any way you can help take care of that will help the family out. If the family is using disposable diapers, then giving diapers in a variety of sizes (babies will soon grow into the bigger sizes and you don't want the family to have too many of the first size) is a huge money saver. Same with wipes. If the family is using cloth diapers, then you could give them money or a gift card to buy the brand and designs they like or pay for a diaper cleaning service, if that's something that would appeal to them.
* A nap. A friend once scheduled a time to come over to my house and let me take a nap. She came during a feeding time, then sent me to bed as soon as I was done nursing. She took care of diaper changes and rocked the little W to sleep while I rested.
* A Groupon to Finnegan's, a local toy store. The intention was to get things for the bigs to play with after the baby was born. We took the kids shopping a week or two before my due date and gave them the option of splitting the money to each get their own things or spending it on something larger they could all use together. They opted for individual items and had fun looking around as they chose what they wanted. We took the bag of toys and put it up in a closet at the time, then pulled it down on a day when the little Ws were getting antsy and I was getting irritable. We pulled the bag down and the rest of the day was awesome.
* Cleaning. Having a friend come over to run the vacuum and give the bathroom a quick cleaning is wonderful! Whether for a sleep-deprived mom who only has littles that aren't able to help with housework, who is recovering from a hard labor, or has limits on what she can do because of a c-section, doing a little bit of cleaning will allow the mom to relax in a home that isn't filthy and free up her husband to help in other areas when he gets home from work.
Those are just some of the things that have been done for us, but I'm sure there are other great ideas out there. Traditional gifts are awesome and sometimes we need things that are typically registered for at a store, so don't bail on those entirely, but the goal is to give a gift that will be a blessing, not a burden. So consider things that are consumable or that are something to do, not something to have. Consider things that don't require a tired mom to go out and register for things she doesn't need or want, but that would still be helpful. Remember that what you do for the rest of her family can often be an indirect, but equally meaningful, gift for her.
What are some gifts that were a huge blessing to you, but that weren't something you'd register for, especially when you had multiple children and didn't need more stuff in your house? Please leave a comment and share what people have done for you or that you've done for other people and you know was appreciated. If you answer on Facebook, then I'll copy your answer over here for people to easily access later.
Ok, moving on.
I don't use baby monitors, diaper warmers, changing tables, or some of the other things many families consider essentials. I also have four kids, which means there's not much I needed by the time babies 2, 3, and 4 came along. Additionally, I fall into the "less is more" category and don't want to accumulate a bunch of stuff I don't have a use for and don't want people spending money on things that won't get used.
However, people still like to bless new or expectant mothers (whether pregnant, adopting, or fostering) with gifts. So, what are some gifts that you can give a family with a new baby, but without a need for more baby clothes or toys? After all, gifts that are neither wanted nor needed are not a blessing ... which sorta defeats the purpose.
While we have certainly appreciated and used all the cute clothes, both new and hand-me-down, that we've been given and have put the practical things, like some new crib sheets, to use, we've also had some non-traditional gifts that were great and some practical ones that were consumable time and money savers.
* Four passes to Sky High and a gift card to Baskin Robbins. The intention was for Tim to take the three bigs out for a few hours to burn some energy jumping on trampolines while I rested with the baby in a quiet house, then to go out for ice cream and bring some home for me. This gift was great a few weeks after Teebs was born, giving me a day to relax and for everyone else to have some rowdy fun.
* Handmade blankets. I confess that we have a ridiculous amount of blankets. However, there are few things I love more than wrapping up the little Ws in something that someone took a lot of time to create. Tangible love that our kids use for years and years, first to sleep in, then to snuggle under for a movie, then to build forts with.
* Meals. Some people deliver meals through our church's meals ministry, others do it on their own. Some drop off meals and leave, others bring food over and stay to eat with us, then spend time holding the baby and cleaning up the kitchen. We've had people give us home-cooked meals, had us order take-out and brought it over, bought food from the grocery story deli, or given us a giant fruit platter and a gift certificate to and menu for our favorite pizza place with the delivery number circled. It doesn't matter how fancy or simple, whether it was homemade or not ... a meal that we didn't have to plan, shop for, prepare, or clean up after is a huge blessing! They are magic meals.
* Groceries. Some people have come by for various reasons and brought some groceries with them. Sometimes they've chosen items on their own, other times they've asked what we needed, but both ways it was nice to have a few staples, such as milk and produce, that we didn't have to go out for. Once we were given a pounding during a pregnancy. Although it had more to do with our employment situation at the time than with being pregnant, it was a huge blessing and could definitely be a way to keep the fridge and cupboards full for a family with a new baby, saving them a trip to the grocery store for a while.
* Childcare. Taking the non-baby kids for a few hours or overnight not only gives the mom and baby a chance to rest, but it gives the other kids a chance to do something fun. Whether you take the kids over to your house for a low-key time of movies and snacks or take them out for some big adventure, the kids will enjoy the change of scenery and the mom will appreciate having her load lightened for a while.
* Diapers and/or wipes. I know this isn't a unique idea, but all babies pee and poop, so any way you can help take care of that will help the family out. If the family is using disposable diapers, then giving diapers in a variety of sizes (babies will soon grow into the bigger sizes and you don't want the family to have too many of the first size) is a huge money saver. Same with wipes. If the family is using cloth diapers, then you could give them money or a gift card to buy the brand and designs they like or pay for a diaper cleaning service, if that's something that would appeal to them.
* A nap. A friend once scheduled a time to come over to my house and let me take a nap. She came during a feeding time, then sent me to bed as soon as I was done nursing. She took care of diaper changes and rocked the little W to sleep while I rested.
* A Groupon to Finnegan's, a local toy store. The intention was to get things for the bigs to play with after the baby was born. We took the kids shopping a week or two before my due date and gave them the option of splitting the money to each get their own things or spending it on something larger they could all use together. They opted for individual items and had fun looking around as they chose what they wanted. We took the bag of toys and put it up in a closet at the time, then pulled it down on a day when the little Ws were getting antsy and I was getting irritable. We pulled the bag down and the rest of the day was awesome.
* Cleaning. Having a friend come over to run the vacuum and give the bathroom a quick cleaning is wonderful! Whether for a sleep-deprived mom who only has littles that aren't able to help with housework, who is recovering from a hard labor, or has limits on what she can do because of a c-section, doing a little bit of cleaning will allow the mom to relax in a home that isn't filthy and free up her husband to help in other areas when he gets home from work.
Those are just some of the things that have been done for us, but I'm sure there are other great ideas out there. Traditional gifts are awesome and sometimes we need things that are typically registered for at a store, so don't bail on those entirely, but the goal is to give a gift that will be a blessing, not a burden. So consider things that are consumable or that are something to do, not something to have. Consider things that don't require a tired mom to go out and register for things she doesn't need or want, but that would still be helpful. Remember that what you do for the rest of her family can often be an indirect, but equally meaningful, gift for her.
What are some gifts that were a huge blessing to you, but that weren't something you'd register for, especially when you had multiple children and didn't need more stuff in your house? Please leave a comment and share what people have done for you or that you've done for other people and you know was appreciated. If you answer on Facebook, then I'll copy your answer over here for people to easily access later.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
MENU - SECOND HALF OF JANUARY 2014
We've tried and liked several new recipes over the last couple of weeks. Here they are!
chicken spinach pasta - Zesty chicken is one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken and this pasta dish is just another way we've come up with for eating it.
sour cream pancakes - A friend gave me The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl as a Christmas gift and this was the first recipe we tried from it. These pancakes have very little flour, so the texture is different than most pancakes, but all the Ws thought they tasted great.
rosemary parmesan brussels sprouts - These were our first attempt at roasting brussels sprouts. Actually, it was the first time everyone except me had ever had brussels sprouts at all. They were good, though I liked them better as leftovers.
roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar - Second attempt at brussels sprouts and everyone liked this version a lot more than the other.
egg & shrimp scramble - I was looking for new ways to serve some salad shrimp I got a deal on and all but one shrimp hater liked this dish. In fact, one shrimp hater loved it.
oriental shrimp salad - This is a rice-based salad that's super filling.
With that out of the way, here are the things we'll be eating for the rest of the month.
BREAKFASTS
* doughnuts x2
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, fruit, huh-koe-pee milk, and energy mix as optional toppings
- with cottage cheese and fruit x5
- with yogurt and fruit smoothies x2
* egg & potato scramble (ours are always made with a ton of chopped spinach, often some chopped tomatoes, and always a sprinkling of some type of cheese) x5
* almond coconut granola with milk as cold cereal or over yogurt/kiwi smoothies
* brunch egg bake/applesauce
DINNERS
* leftovers x2
* tacos (meat and crockpot beans from the freezer) x2
* potato soup (from the freezer)/grilled chicken caesar salad
* Thai chicken and coconut rice/spicy Asian zucchini slaw
* turkey sandwiches (turkey, lettuce, cream cheese, cranberry sauce)/fruit salad (banana, kiwi, pineapple, grapefruit, grapes)
* salmon chowder (Tim's catch, from the freezer)/no-knead bread
* rice, kale, & eggs
* turkey pot pie/apple & cranberry green salad
* burgers/potato wedges/pears
* cracked wheat & rice pilaf/veggie stir fry
* Italian sausage with rice/roasted brussels sprouts
* orange lentil soup/peppery cheese bread
* steak salad (but we'll use pork chops)
SNACKS & DESSERTS
chicken spinach pasta - Zesty chicken is one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken and this pasta dish is just another way we've come up with for eating it.
sour cream pancakes - A friend gave me The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl as a Christmas gift and this was the first recipe we tried from it. These pancakes have very little flour, so the texture is different than most pancakes, but all the Ws thought they tasted great.
rosemary parmesan brussels sprouts - These were our first attempt at roasting brussels sprouts. Actually, it was the first time everyone except me had ever had brussels sprouts at all. They were good, though I liked them better as leftovers.
roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar - Second attempt at brussels sprouts and everyone liked this version a lot more than the other.
egg & shrimp scramble - I was looking for new ways to serve some salad shrimp I got a deal on and all but one shrimp hater liked this dish. In fact, one shrimp hater loved it.
oriental shrimp salad - This is a rice-based salad that's super filling.
With that out of the way, here are the things we'll be eating for the rest of the month.
BREAKFASTS
* doughnuts x2
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, fruit, huh-koe-pee milk, and energy mix as optional toppings
- with cottage cheese and fruit x5
- with yogurt and fruit smoothies x2
* egg & potato scramble (ours are always made with a ton of chopped spinach, often some chopped tomatoes, and always a sprinkling of some type of cheese) x5
* almond coconut granola with milk as cold cereal or over yogurt/kiwi smoothies
* brunch egg bake/applesauce
SCHOOL DAY LUNCHES
* meat & cheese sandwich
* meat & cheese sandwich
- on bagels/apples/red bell peppers
- on regular bread/apples/pea pods
* crackers/cheddar/cukes/olives x2
* peanut butter & jelly sandwich/carrots/pea pods/hummus x2
* cherry oatmeal muffins/string cheese/pistachios/pea pods
* trail mix/dried apricots/cheddar squares/pea pods
* crackers/tuna/red bell peppers/pea pods
* leftovers x2
* tacos (meat and crockpot beans from the freezer) x2
* potato soup (from the freezer)/grilled chicken caesar salad
* Thai chicken and coconut rice/spicy Asian zucchini slaw
* turkey sandwiches (turkey, lettuce, cream cheese, cranberry sauce)/fruit salad (banana, kiwi, pineapple, grapefruit, grapes)
* salmon chowder (Tim's catch, from the freezer)/no-knead bread
* rice, kale, & eggs
* turkey pot pie/apple & cranberry green salad
* burgers/potato wedges/pears
* cracked wheat & rice pilaf/veggie stir fry
* Italian sausage with rice/roasted brussels sprouts
* orange lentil soup/peppery cheese bread
* steak salad (but we'll use pork chops)
SNACKS & DESSERTS
* produce
* hummus for veggies
* nuts - pistachios & roasted almonds
* popcorn
* root beer floats
Thursday, January 16, 2014
1/16/14 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful that our needs have always been met. The methods and timing haven't always been what I wanted or expected, but we've never been without food, shelter, and clothing.
What is something that you're thankful for?
What is something that you're thankful for?
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
I was out Monday night and didn't get home until long after the kids were in bed. Tuesday morning I noticed one of our Ws had fallen off a shelf, but when I lifted my eyes up to put it back I discovered that every W that could be flipped over had been flipped over. I also noticed that one of the the human Ws was smirking. Evidently Devon had been up to a little mischief while I was out the night before. Goofball.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
TEN ON TUESDAY - 1/14/1
Blender - Our blender died a while back. Although it's not an essential part of life, we used it several days a week. Thanks to some gift cards we received for Christmas, we were able to replace our blender and I'm loving our new one. Lots of friends love their Vitamix or Blendtec blender and I know they're great, but I had neither the ability nor the desire to spend hundreds of dollars on a blender. We ended up getting an Oster BVCB07-Z and I love it! We use our blender primarily for smoothies and the reversing blade makes fabulous smoothies without me having to scrape down the sides. Thankful for generous friends who made my time in the kitchen so much easier!
Boogie Board - I grew up in Brookings, which means I consider boogie boards to be something used for playing in the ocean. Devon, however, came home from school last week with a prize that he'd been awarded for good behavior. It was called a Boogie Board, but it was nothing like the ones I'm familiar with. It's an LCD writing tablet and he's had a lot of fun with it!
Candle - I love lemon-scented candles and Devon gave me two of them for Christmas. I've been burning the Better Homes and Gardens Sugared Lemon Bar canister candle and it smells so good!
History Lesson - I've been reading to Naomi when we soak her newly pierced ears A few days ago I read Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party and had to explain two foreign concepts to her - cassette tapes and not knowing who was calling when the phone rang. Yes, I'm old enough for the things in my childhood to be a little piece of history.
Kindness - I was looking for a book a friend was talking about and stumbled upon another book that intrigued me, so I checked it out from the library. It's called How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids and it's written by Tom Rath. Quick read, good reminder to be think past yourself, and a handy word picture for using in your own home.
People - As opposed as I am to people living in a church bubble, our life somehow ended up that way. It wasn't deliberate, but it had happened nonetheless. Over the last year we've connected with so many people outside of church and I love it. I'm thankful for opportunities to meet new people and make new friends!
Reading - I love it when our bigs read to our littles!
Tea - I've been drinking a lot of Celestial Seasoning's Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea lately. I love it!
W - I bought this mug with a gift card from friends. Cute, huh?
Words - Things Teebs is saying.
* Hoe-dee me: This is how he says "hold me" and is what he says when he wants wake-up snuggles or is otherwise needing a little lovin'.
* Hallelujah: He walks around singing this word, which is kinda funny when it's preceded or followed by his R-rated pronunciation of another word that he sings all the time.
* Lunch?/Lunch!: Evidently there were enough times that I told him he couldn't eat something because it was almost lunch time, we were having the item for lunch, or something, because now he responds with "lunch" in question or exclamation form every. single. time. I tell him he can't eat something.
* Yetz: His version of "yes".
Boogie Board - I grew up in Brookings, which means I consider boogie boards to be something used for playing in the ocean. Devon, however, came home from school last week with a prize that he'd been awarded for good behavior. It was called a Boogie Board, but it was nothing like the ones I'm familiar with. It's an LCD writing tablet and he's had a lot of fun with it!
Candle - I love lemon-scented candles and Devon gave me two of them for Christmas. I've been burning the Better Homes and Gardens Sugared Lemon Bar canister candle and it smells so good!
History Lesson - I've been reading to Naomi when we soak her newly pierced ears A few days ago I read Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party and had to explain two foreign concepts to her - cassette tapes and not knowing who was calling when the phone rang. Yes, I'm old enough for the things in my childhood to be a little piece of history.
Kindness - I was looking for a book a friend was talking about and stumbled upon another book that intrigued me, so I checked it out from the library. It's called How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids and it's written by Tom Rath. Quick read, good reminder to be think past yourself, and a handy word picture for using in your own home.
People - As opposed as I am to people living in a church bubble, our life somehow ended up that way. It wasn't deliberate, but it had happened nonetheless. Over the last year we've connected with so many people outside of church and I love it. I'm thankful for opportunities to meet new people and make new friends!
Reading - I love it when our bigs read to our littles!
Tea - I've been drinking a lot of Celestial Seasoning's Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea lately. I love it!
W - I bought this mug with a gift card from friends. Cute, huh?
Words - Things Teebs is saying.
* Hoe-dee me: This is how he says "hold me" and is what he says when he wants wake-up snuggles or is otherwise needing a little lovin'.
* Hallelujah: He walks around singing this word, which is kinda funny when it's preceded or followed by his R-rated pronunciation of another word that he sings all the time.
* Lunch?/Lunch!: Evidently there were enough times that I told him he couldn't eat something because it was almost lunch time, we were having the item for lunch, or something, because now he responds with "lunch" in question or exclamation form every. single. time. I tell him he can't eat something.
* Yetz: His version of "yes".
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