I Took the Day Off!!

 I woke up when the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. and thought "I need a day off."  You know your in bad shape when the first thought you have upon rising is "I need some rest." It was tough to get through my workout and hard to look forward to a hike with friends when my body and brain were tired.

 I made it through the workout, giving it all I could and then the friends canceled our hiking plan and I thought "today's the day, I'm taking it off."  I don't mean off in the normal since of farming the children out to my husband or leaving the house to go grocery shopping.  What mean is I took the day off from my To Do List.  It dosen't mean I didn't do anything on my list, it just means that the list was not the priority and what a difference it made.  I baked muffins for lunch and brownies for dinner.  I played board games with my children, 3 times.

 I journaled for Project Life. I even read a fun book in the morning and attempted a nap at 10 a.m. I say attempted because when the children are about, a nap is almost impossible. They always need something no matter how many times you say "if the door is closed don't open it unless I am screaming."  I did a bit of homeschool planning. And look, I am even writing a blog post. Taking a day off meant I made myself available to my children, not my list and I did whatever struck my fancy, like the baking and reading instead of running from one to do to another.  I think a day off did me some good.

Why don't you try it?

Playdough in 5 Minutes

Our playdough spontenaity all started with this coupon that the little ladies clipped from the paper

 and ended with this oh so cute cake creation from the Play Doh Cake Makin Station.

If you have been reading here for awhile you know we like play dough.  Some mom's don't because of the teeny tiny bits that are hard to clean up but give a child a hand vac and it is no problem.

We have several Play Doh sets like the one above and the latest set to join the ranks is the Candy Cyclone, seen below.  The children love the Cyclone because it makes Play Doh gumballs.

Well seeing as how the children had a Play Doh coupon and how I was not going to drive 45 minutes to the nearest Target, we made our own.  Our recipe comes from this book:

The Busy Book is a long forgotten gem in our household but when it comes to DIY playdough it is what I reach for every time.  Here is our favorite recipe from the book and it really does take 5 minutes.  The littles love to play with the final product and the older children love to work the stove and mix the ingredients.

Combine in a saucepan and heat until warm:
1 cup water
1 TBS. vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
1 TBS. cream of tartar
food coloring

Remove from the heat and stir in:
1 cup flour

Dump out the dough and knead until smooth.

See it is a very simple and quick recipe.

Now have fun with one of the sets I mentioned above or strike out on your own and make something like this:

Isn't that a cute face to start the week with?

I'm linking up with Living Montessori Now.

Life Outside Homeschooling

Well. it is Montessori Monday and I want to make a post but so much is swimming in my head, like my to do list.  I actually thought I wouldn't post today but here I am. How about a look beyond our home education?

We are an imperfect bunch being perfected (very slowly) day by day to hopefully to bear fruit for our Lord.  I wish I was perfect, I wish I didn't make mistakes, get distracted, loose my patience or yell.  But guess what I live in a house with 5 other people so friction is bound to happen when the demands of life stack up on this wife and homeschooling mama.  I remind myself that it is only 4 but some days it feels like a whole lot more.  I have been in desperate need of encouragement lately in the area of parenting.  So yesterday I sat in the warm sunshine and reviewed all of my bible study notes on parenting.  Many of the notes on parenting actually just pertained to good old christian living.  So after my time of  review this is what I came up with for my parenting job description:  to teach my children with encouragement and gentleness and to diligently discipline them with careful instruction.  It was amazing to me how just spending a small amount of time with my bible notebook, God was able to speak and I could hear.  Now, to just put teeth to His instructions.  Pray for me.

So, how about that closer look at our life outside home lessons?

 Here is hubs.  He is the man of most women's dreams and mine.  He works hard, cooks and sews and is easy on the eyes.

Making pasta.

Fresh mozzarella made by hubs.

He also makes wonderful waffles, pancakes, crepes, cinnamon rolls and breads.
 Hubs wears many hats, he is a civil engineer, Beachbody fitness coach, a tax guy and a ski coach.  The ski coaching is all so we can enjoy days like these:

Our children are close to fearless, it is hard to see the magnitude of this half-pipe.  But, they all ski down it, "catching air" when they can.  Note the small figure to the right of the picture?  That is B.

Daddy and K.

B and me. I was once scolded for wearing a sweater with a bow on a ski day.  I was told skiing if for old clothes.  I think I am sporting the right look now.

We love a good bargain because we are frugal at heart .  All of our equipment was bought used from Craig's list, the thrift store or a local sports exchange.

I love this boy but homeschooling him is just plain hard sometimes and being home taught by me is no cake walk either.  Ask him, I'm sure he would agree so we press on toward the prize as iron sharpens iron.  He is a handsome lad.

The beauties of the family.  We shop at Winco.  It is a lot of work but saves a lot of money.  Did I mention we are frugal? Winco and the bulk bins support our financial constraints. Why do I have a picture of my daughters in the grocery store?  Project Life of course.

We nap for a long time around here.  Our 6 year old still naps every 2 weeks or so.  I need the break and so do they.  So from 1-3 ish, I strive to have a quiet house so we can all rest.

And if you didn't know it we are small town people and love our purple mountains' majesty.  

 So how about you?  What is life like outside of homeschooling?

25 Things About Me

I thought it was time for a little mom update, so here goes.

1. I am really starting to crave summer.  The warmth, the lighter clothing, the lighter heart, the sound of children running about outdoors, I am yearning for it all.

2. I'm ready for hubs to be home on the weekends and sit with me in church.

3.  My heart is feeling restless.  For what, I don't know but the feeling is there and I don't like it.

4. I think it might be time to retire my big tea cup (hubs says it's embarrasing).  I want to replace it with something similar in shape but with either white and green or white and goldish polka dots.  Has anyone seen anything like what I am talking about?

5. Pinterest is making me irritated.  I can't pin anything and it is a bit disconcerting on how dependent I have become on the site to hold all of my recipes and ideas.  However, pinning is so much better than all of my previous paper waste.

6.  I want to take this 30 day vegan online class.

7. This ice cream idea looks interesting.  I like both the peanut butter and nutella ideas.

8. We are almost all out of tea, a rarity around here.

9.  I try to hide in my room every afternoon to drink tea, read and be alone.  I just finished reading The Language of Flowers.  It has been one of the best books I have ever read.  It's about attachment, love and fear in relationships all surrounded by the old victorian meanings for flowers.

10.  Hallmark had all of the Love Comes Softly movies on recently and I am slowly working my way through them.  E keeps asking "can I watch them with you?"  but I tell her no because I really just want to be alone (guilt).

11.  We need more snow so I can have more days skiing with my family, away from the house and all of its demands.

12 A's birthday is tomorrow and he is having a party tonight.  Speedracer, pizza and cake are all on the docket.

13.  I just started reading Ezekiel and I am looking at it so far as if I am the prophet and my home is Israel.  I  am finding encouragement through these eyes.  Also, chapter 4 references the food Ezekiel was to eat while lying on his side for 390 days--wheat, barley, beans, lentils, spelt and millet.  I started a new FOOD section in my bible notebook to record all that God's word has to say on the subject.  I also like the diet passage in Daniel 1.

14. I have completed 2 weeks of my version of project life.

15. I'm wanting to order some project life supplies from two peas in a bucket. I like Simple Stories the best.

16. I have been doing a mini reset this week--all fruits and veggies.  It was going great until I was frustrated with A's speedracer cake and helped myself to several bites.  I am so disappointed in myself because I was going to make it until today's party to enjoy some cake and pizza.  But, today is a new day and I'm back on until this evening when I can enjoy some cake and tomato basil pizza (homemade by me of course).

17. There is only 1 of me and 5 others in this house who all want my attention and at times it is very overwhelming.

18.  When I am overwhelmed or paralyzed by life's demands I  pray and "just do the next thing."

19.  I am craving a break, maybe the first week of March when we finish our Character through Literature Unit.

20.  I need to do a bunch of  focused homeschool prep and write next weeks lessons plans.

21. I really like sweet blackberries.

22. The sound of geese honking makes my soul happy.

23. I praise God for his protection and mercy upon my children when I am not there to keep watch.

24. I am really focusing on 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 4:29 for myself and the children.

25. And I want the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit putting my hope in God that 1 Peter 3:4-5 references.

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Love

Well here we are, it's Montessori Monday and I still can't get the pictures off my phone so I thought I would share with you one of my focus areas for 2013.  I know it is late for all of the New Years Resolution type things but I need time to think and not react to a tradition of goal setting.  So I have thought and I will be thinking and praying some more but for now I want to share about love.  Love as a focus area? Dosen't loving my family come easily, they're little ones, don't you love them?  Of course I  love them.  However, do I love them the way the Lord says to love them and do they love one another the way God wants.  I'll be honest, I have to say NO I don't love them and they don't love one another according to God's word.

I know what I want it to look like and this is it:

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.
------- 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

When I measure up love next to these words, I don't love even though I want to in my heart.  So in 2013 I am focusing on this verse for myself and my family.  I know where I want to go but I don't know how to get there, I guess God will have to guide me on that one.  So for now I wrote 1 Corinthians 13 out on our kitchen chalkboard (I'd show it to you but the whole phone thing ya know), I'm praying it daily and we are all memorizing it.

I have a Valentine's Day Pinboard where I am pinning my favorite ideas to put love in action as well as just fun V-Day activities if you want to check it out and here are a few of my favorites that I hope to do in the coming weeks.

Put notes on everyone's doors to tell them why I love them (there was no link when I checked back on pinterest). I want this to be a habit more than just a holiday to do.

I love this idea by the dating divas

This blog, Little Wonders,  has several posts about how to tell your children you love them on the cheap:

So for now would you please specificly pray for me, my family and yourself to love the way the Lord describes in 1 Corinthians 13.

I'm linking up with Living Montessori Now.

25 Things About Me #3

1. I just finished P90X day 5 this morning, some of the soreness has worn off.
2. Jay and I are officially signed up for the Tough Mudder.  It is at Northstar on Sept. 23rd.
3. I had a great week with the children.  Little conflict and impatience.
4. Just completed a biblical word study on wife, wives, helper and bride.
5. I want to do a word study on joy, parents, mothers, women and daughters.
6. We are hosting a 5 Day Bible Club at our house next week.
7. I am studying up on more plant based recipes to incorporate into our menu.
8. A swimsuit use to be my favorite article of clothing.(Have I said that before?)
9. I love early morning walks.
10. I have been enjoying afternoons on our patio reading.
11. I want more mornings on the patio.
12.  Morning is my favorite time of the day.
11.  Jay is making egg crepes for breakfast this morning and I am patiently waiting.
12.  I want to coach others in health and fitness.
13.  I finished 1 project this week and before the day is over it maybe 2.
14.  What typically takes a woman without children in the house all day, one day to complete, takes me 5.
15.  I successfully let a peanut butter cookie craving pass me by and instead drank a Chocolate Shakeology.
16.  I wish I was going backbacking again SOON but camping will have to do.
17.  I need to make some granola.
18.  I am looking forward to reorganizing a few kitchen cabinets in order to make a smoothie station, we      make them daily.
19. I need to clean the carpets.
20.  Praising God that Hubs is so busy with work for the first time in 5 years.
21.  Soaking up all of summer.
22.  I really, really don't like cold water and the Tough Mudder involves a lot of it!
23. Just started reading The Winning Attitude by John Maxwell with Hubs.  I'd like to read one book a season together.
24. Still waiting for those crepes to appear.
25. Thanking the Lord for these people:

Father's Day Picnic

25 Things About Me

Okay, so I had so much fun last Friday with this post that I thought I would do it a gain.

1. I am craving a fresh  baked cookie.
2. The next time you see me, you might not recognize me, my hair is now beautifully brown (thanks Lindsey).
3. I enjoyed skiing today despite the whining and asking to go home.
4. All children are currently in bed---yeeha!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Sometimes I just want to be me, not mom but me.
6. I still have to clean all 3 bathrooms, one of my least favorite chores.
7. I want to start a new bible study based on Sally's book The Ministry of Motherhood 
8. I figured out how to use Amazon Associates, easily this week.
9. I really enjoyed Valentine's Dinner at home with Jay.
10. I can't wait for a ski date with Jay in a week and a half.
11. I am craving some warmer weather.
12. We could all use a trip off the mountain and no I don't mean Reno.
13. I am studying about good deeds/good works this week Did you know raising children is a good deed?
14. I need to do laundry (tomorrow).
15. I just want to bake cowgirl cookies and scones and listen to music.
16. I need some quiet time to think, plan and be.
17. I heard the birds back this wee, welcome spring!
18. I'm wishing for more time with my man.
19. I am so thankful for my children--their smiles, the things they say and they like me.
20. I have to many homeschool plans swimming around in my head--N. America, math, the human body.
21. I really need to paint that dresser in the garage so I can give the mudroom a revamp.
22. I need a Cayman vacation, read I need to sit for days in a warm climate with a good book.
23. I have lost 6 pounds since January, lots of egg whites.
24. I am really enjoying P90X2.We start phase 3 on Monday.
25. I want to take better photos but first I have to read the camera manual.

25 Things About Me

I saw this, this morning and it sounded like fun so here goes:

25 things linky party!

1.Green is my favorite color

2. A bikini use to be my favorite article of clothing.

3. I sometimes enjoy dessert with a plastic fork.

4. When I was little I wanted to be a teacher, doctor or a nurse.

5. I want to live on a ranch.

6. I am mildly interested in running a marathon.

7. Sometimes I can't believe my name is Tammy.

8. I laugh when people fall down.

9.I sometimes want to run away.

10. I like kahlua mixed with iced hazelnut coffee, sugar & cream.

11. I wish I had a craftroom.

12. I wish I had long hair.  Cutting it off in 6th grade was a mistake.

13. I like to bake treats.

14. I like to read fiction in order to escape.

15. I like to take a shower to escape.

16.  I wish I had more emotional energy to reach out to others.

17. I like white/cream kitchens.

18. Chippy and  rustic is what I love for decor.

19.  I love the outdoors.

20. I love tea with honey.

21. I wish we had chickens.

22. I hope to have enough flowers in my yard someday that if I cut them for indoors, plenty remain in the garden to enjoy.

23.  I hope to have a well producing veggie/herb garden this summer.

24. I am not as patient as I thought I would be and yes, I yell more than I would like.

25.  I love Jesus and wish I was perfect so I could serve Him as he deserves.

Wow, 25 I did it--enjoy the day!