Week in Review 2016: #4

Life

This week is one that I would really like to leave behind. On Sunday, we discovered a weevil infestation in our pantry. The source was a box of spinach linguine I had bought a couple of months ago. They had dug themselves little holes in the pasta (or maybe mama weevil did this?) and were coming out. Many of them made their way out of the linguine box and into other boxes of pasta, a bag of rice, and a few boxes of crackers. We ended up throwing all of our pasta away. Some sites recommended that you just keep the pasta and when it boils, the weevils would float to the top. However, weevils are also known to carry E. coli, to which I say no thank you. So out it went. My husband and I thought we had gotten rid of everything Sunday night but the following morning, I found a few weevils in our bread as I was attempting to make George a sandwich. That did it for me. I emptied out the entire pantry, went through everything, threw away a few more things, and sprayed for bugs. My dad came over that morning to occupy the kids while I went into battle (and he also brought two pieces of bread so that George could still have a sandwich). We also had dinner at my parents house on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, as my kitchen was still in disarray. Imagine the contents of a large pantry emptied into a not-so-big kitchen. I had no counter space left and our dining table was being used as storage.

I had appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday, on top of lessons for the children. My appointment on Wednesday was my annual eye exam and my eyes had to be dilated this time, which made me pretty much useless for the remainder of the day. My eyes were dilated in the morning, and by bedtime, my right eye was still dilated. And then on Thursday, I came down with a runny nose and was very tired. My dad thinks it is because I am exhausted from the week. He came over yesterday and told me to go take a nap for an hour. I ended up sleeping for over two hours, which is highly unusual for me since I rarely ever take a nap in the first place.

The best thing (and pretty much the only good thing) about this week is that today is a very special day for our family. Our sweet George is FOUR YEARS OLD! The festivities have only just  begun, as we will be celebrating his birthday today and tomorrow.

Homeschool 

With everything that was going on this week, we did absolutely nothing with school. I'll be switching our upcoming week of vacation to a make-up week for school. It's not like we had anything fun planned anyway. 

Linking up to:

Week in Review 2016: #3

Life

Is it really Friday? I do not know what happened to the week. We've been a lazy bunch this week and stayed indoors as much as possible. The weather is near freezing and we keep getting reports of snow, though I have not seen anything more than a few flakes. The central and western parts of our state have gotten a few inches. This morning, there was a bit of snow/ice on the housetops in our neighborhood, and on our back patio table.

The children have done well with entertaining themselves in the afternoons. While I was in the kitchen cooking dinner yesterday, they emptied out a storage box and pushed one another around. Bridget was pushing at least 1.5 times her weight when both boys were in the box. She got a good workout! She pushed them from one side of the living room, stopped midway and spun them around a few times, then pushed them back. George and Liam had a blast. George kept ordering her to go faster and Liam just sat there with the biggest smile on his face.

I could not decide which picture to share, so I am sharing a few. They all have different expressions in each one, and I treasure them all so much. I love seeing my children enjoy their childhoods together.

After Bridget tired out, George got out of the box and pushed Liam. With not so much weight in the box, George was able to push the box very fast, though I am not sure how much Liam enjoyed this. He looked worried most of the time.

This was our first full week without having Daddy around. The children were all still asleep when he left for work, and George and Liam were sound asleep when he came home, though Bridget was able to see him since she and I were usually reading stories on the couch. I felt that George was missing his daddy so on Wednesday morning, I told him to wake George up and bring him to our bed. That way George would get to see him before he left for work, and then George and I could snuggle before the other two woke up (George is my most snuggly child). 

Homeschool 

Reading

Bridget is still reading this Dick and Jane book. 

She reads to me for 20-25 minutes each day after lunch. She rarely needs any help with the words. When she reads a word incorrectly, she catches it herself and tries again without me needing to stop her and help her. We are almost to the end of the book. I was able to renew it at the library for one last time. 

After we finish this book, we will be back with the BOB Books, though I think she will breeze right through those. She surprised me today when we sat down to read a book from the library we got for one of the animals we are studying in science. I opened to the first page and was about to start reading when all of the sudden she began reading the words to me. I did need to help her along with this book as it did contain some larger words and terms, but she ended up reading the entire thing with minimal help from me. What has happened to my little girl?

Writing

Bridget's sentences this week came from The Velveteen Rabbit, and we focused on the names of the seasons and how unlike the months of the year and days of the weeks, we do not capitalize the names of the seasons. Writing is now our easiest subject. She knows exactly what to do and gets her work done quickly. 

Math

Bridget did an entire lesson this week and took the test. I am glad that she was able to get back on track. Some lessons she needs an extra week, but not this time. I hope in continues, though I am glad that we are able to take the extra time if it is needed.

Linking up to:

Meal Plan: Week 3

I've made things very simple for myself this week, as my husband will not be joining us for dinner (although I will be packing food for him to eat at the office). 

SUNDAY

Brunch
Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Dinner
Veggie Starter: Chinese Green Beans
Main Course: Sesame Tofu, Brown Rice

MONDAY

Breakfast
Cereal
Lunch
Gardein Fish Filet, Whole Wheat Bun, Slaw, Pineapple
Snack
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Japanese Curry over Brown Rice

TUESDAY

Breakfast
Yogurt, Granola
Lunch
Spaghetti, Meatballs, Salad, Strawberries
Snack
Peanut Butter Cookies
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Tomato Soup w/ Israeli Couscous, Bread

 

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast
Marmalade Pancakes
Lunch
Chili w/ Brown Rice, Corn, Orange Slices
Snack
Peanut Butter Cookies
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Leftovers or Sandwiches

THURSDAY

Breakfast
Oatmeal
Lunch
Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup, Apple Slices
Snack
Chocolate Cream Pie
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Tempeh Piccata, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

FRIDAY

Breakfast
Cinnamon-Sugar Toast, Fruit
Lunch
Tacos, Refried Beans, Kiwi
Snack
Chocolate Cream Pie
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY

Dinner
Veggie Starter:
Dinner: Bowties in Garlic Cream Sauce

Recipes for the meals above are provided in the appropriate link or will be provided in a later post.

Linking up with:

Week in Review 2016: #2

Life

I've been in a bit of a blogging funk this week. Almost zero motivation to blog or take pictures. Homeschool and meals are the only things I seem to still be doing this week. Don't worry though, I'm not depressed or anything. I think I'm just cold. All I want to do is snuggle up and stay warm. The kids are still very active. I don't know how they do it. I'm wearing sweaters, long pants, and socks all day and they pick out shorts and t-shirts and they are fine. 

On Sunday after church, I attempted to take a few pictures of Liam, hoping to get a good one to send to my mother-in-law who has been needing one for a particular frame with all of the other grandchildren. Liam is usually pretty compliant and hams it up for the camera, but not this time. I took a few dozen pictures and the poses all seem to be either Liam playing sad/shy or Liam being fussy. He does this thing now where he makes an ugly cry face and pretends to cry, but he can cut it off in a second. The only decent picture I got of him in on the bottom left, though the top of his head got cut off.

Mid-week, Grandma visited us for the day. I planned only a light load of school work for Bridget (reading, writing , and math), since I knew we'd be meeting up with daddy and going out to eat for lunch. Bridget did a good job at getting her work done (although at time she did get a little too excited) and after lunch, she even read to Grandma. 

Homeschool 

Reading

Bridget is still reading this Dick and Jane book. I have tried to find it on Amazon but only used copies are available. I am always hesitant to get those because there is not a picture of each used book showing me exactly the condition it is in. There are a few other Dick and Jane books just like this one, but with different stories. It looks like they had made a 3-part set for this particular collection. 

Writing

Bridget wrote a few sentences on Tom Sawyer this week. She showed some interest in the story so I went out and bought the book. I have waited for her to be interested in a story that George can also enjoy. We have not started reading it yet, but plan to in the very near future. 

Math

Bridget worked on a new lesson this week involving +8 math problems. The first day of the lesson, she watched the short lesson video (she absolutely loves the "teacher" and thinks he is so funny... and I like him because he really is a great teacher). George likes to join in even though he really doesn't understand what is being taught.



She did very well on the first two days of her math work but then yesterday, everything seemed to be erased from her memory. She looked at her worksheets and math blocks, absolutely clueless about what to do. Then she kept trying to guess the answers (and getting them wrong) so I had to stand by her, holding Liam, and have her show me the work for every. single. problem. This was unusual for her and I was disappointed because I had the lesson test ready for her to take so that we could move on.

As I was talking this dilemma over with my husband, we both thought of our own early education and how students were constantly left behind and lost in math class all because the teacher moved on when the majority of the students understood the new concept. Thank goodness for homeschool and being allowed to move at our own pace and taking that extra time to be sure our little students understand the lessons.

Linking up to:

Meal Plan: Week 2

Last weeks menu was a success. The highlight for my husband and I was Thursday night's Indian food! All the dishes came out fantastic. Bridget loved the Vegetable Biryani (a very flavorful basmati rice with vegetables, raisins, and the right amount of spices) the most. George and Liam were not too keen on the Indian food. George ate only the raisins in the rice and ate most of his Saag Aloo (spinach and potatoes). The Chana Masala was too spicy for the children, and that was using only a sprinkle of cayenne instead of the "large pinch" the recipe called for. I definitely plan on making Indian food again, and hopefully over time the boys will acquire a taste for India's unique spices.

There is nothing too exciting on the menu this week as far as new flavors go. With the cold temperatures we've been having lately, I'm most looking forward to anything warm. 

SUNDAY

Brunch
Pancakes with Veggie Sausage

Dinner
Veggie Starter: Salad Greens
Main Course: Falafel w/ Tahini Sauce, Pita

MONDAY

Breakfast
Yogurt, Granola, Strawberries
Lunch
Cheeseburgers, Fries, Orange Slices
Snack
Fig Bars
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Eggplant Parmesan, Angel Hair with Marinara

TUESDAY

Breakfast
Chocolate Oatmeal
Lunch
Turk'y Sandwich, Salad, Sliced Pears
Snack
Scotcheroos
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: American Goulash, Homemade Rolls, Green Beans

 

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast
Special K Red Berries with Soy Milk, Banana
Lunch
---
Snack
Whole Wheat Crackers, Peanut Butter, Raisins
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Leftovers or Sandwiches

THURSDAY

Breakfast
Cream of Wheat w/ Agave, Kiwi
Lunch
Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Brown Rice, Broccoli, Mandarin Oranges
Snack
Scotcheroos
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Mexican Pizza

FRIDAY

Breakfast
Cinnamon-Sugar Toast, Banana, Nuts
Lunch
Gardein Chick'n Strips, Sweet Potato Fries, Sliced Apples, Homemade Roll
Snack
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Moo Shoo Vegetables w/ Chinese Pancakes

SATURDAY

Dinner
Veggie Starter:
Dinner: Minestrone, Breadsticks

Recipes for the meals above are provided in the appropriate link or will be provided in a later post.

Linking up with:

Week in Review 2016: #1

Life

The week was off to a good start. I was feeling refreshed after the weekend, in which I was able to plan an entire weekly menu and to all of the grocery shopping for the most part. All with enough time to prepare a delicious dinner on Saturday and prepare-in-advance our Sunday dinner. Things went smoothly at church. George adjusted well to his first Sunday in a new class and not in the nursery. Bridget also did well (she ended up with the same teachers as last year, and we can't complain---they are awesome!). Liam is still with me until the end of the month. He got cranky toward the end of church because he had not taken a nap. By the time we got home, he was sound asleep. My husband laid him on the floor in the living room and he slept like this for over an hour.

Monday also went great. Of many many personal goals this year, one of them is to record our lives a bit better. So I took part in a homemaking journal link-up and I must say, I enjoyed it! It really motivated me and I enjoyed reading other homemaker's journals. Right now I think I'll keep it on a Monday-only schedule, as with my Friday Week in Review posts, I think most everything we do throughout the week is covered.

On Monday afternoon we got a few snow flurries, which was very exciting for the children. Nothing else came of it, which disappointed them as they had big plans for playing in the snow the following day.

Then came Tuesday. Tuesday came very early in t he morning, when at 4:45 a.m., George came to the side of the bed and told me he is sick. I asked him what he meant by that, and he then told me he threw up. I got up, nudged the hubby to also get up (cleaning vomit + caring for sick child is most effective as a 2-person job). So there it was, off the side of his bed and on the floor. George did let me know that "blankey and teddy bear do not have throw up". Hubby and I cleaned up, then I got George set up on the couch with a bowl. Hubby went back to bed while I stayed on the couch with George. He threw up again at 5:25 a.m, this time only into the bowl. Cleaned that up, brought him a new bowl, and then I curled up on the other end of the couch to try and fall back asleep. That didn't happen, as George never fell back to sleep. He also didn't throw up again and not once ran a fever.

I called my dad after the other children had woken up, and asked if he could come over and occupy Liam and help me keep an eye on George while I did school with Bridget. I love having him so close by. He stayed all morning and left after lunch. After putting Liam down for his nap, I curled up on the couch with the older two with a few books. I had barely opened the cover of the first book when George was already asleep in my lap. Oh how I wished I could fall asleep too, but I had already committed to reading to Bridget. I put down George's book and got out the scriptures and Bridget had me read 4 chapters. I would have read more but my eyelids were falling, so I told her I was done. Dinner did not get made that night, but fortunately we had leftovers to eat.

The rest of the week dragged on and while George was fully recovered from whatever was wrong with him by Tuesday afternoon, I still feel I have not recovered from waking up so early that morning.

I did get started in accomplishing one of my other personal goals for the year, and that is to record my family history! I made my first post yesterday, and I felt as if I learned so much. I love sorting through old family photos and compiling a written history for my children.

Homeschool 

Reading

Bridget wants to read all the time! She is hooked on this Dick and Jane book we borrowed from the library. 

We have borrowed it numerous times and I renew it as many time as they let me before I have to return it to the library and just check it back out a week later. While I do enjoy BOB Books for reading practice, the drawings in Dick and Jane books are impressive. I think that is what has drawn Bridget to this book, and also that what she is reading is more of an actual story as compared to the BOB Books. She is reading most of it all on her own now, and then wants me to read each story once she has read it aloud. 

Writing

Bridget is doing so well with writing. I like to look at her writing pages from August and compare them to today's work. My only complaint is that with some of her letters, she has gotten lazy and writes them a different way. I suppose that is my fault for being confident in letting her do her assignment on her own instead of watching her like a hawk as she writes each letter. I erase the letter in question (I can tell when she writes them incorrectly--such as lowercase "b", she will write the circle first, then the line going up) and I have her write it the correct way. 

Math

Bridget took another math test early this week and only got one problem wrong, which was a silly mistake on her part. She knew the answer when I showed it to her, but I unfortunately still needed to count it as wrong.

Linking up to:

Meal Plan: Week 1

A new year, a new week, a new menu!

For this weeks menu, I asked my husband to sit down with me after the children went to sleep to go through some recipe books and pick out anything new he'd like to try while I did the same. He surprised me by picking out Indian food for dinner on Thursday. He has never been to an Indian restaurant and has almost no experience with Indian flavors (with the exception of curry, which he loves). I've never made Indian food, so it will be a new adventure for me as well.

The children are excited to get back to "school" and I have to say, I enjoy making "school lunch".

This year, I will be sticking to my "sweet treat" for their afternoon snack, as the sugar after dinner makes it nearly impossible to get them to fall asleep at a reasonable time.

A couple of changes are also taking place this year. I am not planning a dinner for Wednesdays, as it will give me an opportunity to get rid of leftovers (we also don't get home from extracurricular activities until after our usual dinner time, so anything I can either warm up with prepare very quickly is best). The second change is that because our church meetings this year do not start until 1 p.m., we will be enjoying a Sunday brunch as a family.

SUNDAY

Brunch
Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

Dinner
Veggie Starter: Salad
Main Course: Pizza Burgers with Avocado Pesto

MONDAY

Breakfast
Special K Red Berries with Soy Milk, Banana
Lunch
Southern Chickpea Salad, Whole Wheat Crackers, Yellow Squash, Grapes
Snack
Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Dinner
Veggie Starter: Brussels Sprouts
Main Course: Creamy Yellow Pepper Pasta

TUESDAY

Breakfast
Cream of Wheat with Agave and Strawberries
Lunch
Gardein Mandarin Chik'n, Brown Rice, Green Beans, Mandarin Oranges
Snack
Muddy Buddies
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Brunswick Stew

 

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast
Marmalade Pancakes
Lunch
Pizza Hummus, Triscuts, Salad, Strawberries
Snack
Chewy Ginger-Molasses Cookies
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Leftovers or Sandwiches

THURSDAY

Breakfast
Toast with Peanut Butter, Fresh Fruit
Lunch
Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli, Sliced Apples
Snack
Muddy Buddies
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Indian Buffet: Saag Aloo, Chana Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Garlic Naan

FRIDAY

Breakfast
Yogurt, Granola, Fresh Fruit
Lunch
Chili and Cheese Nachos, Sliced Pears
Snack
Ice Cream
Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Main Course: Orange Tofu, Brown Rice, Broccoli

SATURDAY

Dinner
Veggie Starter: ---
Dinner: Chickpea Filets with Lemon-Dill Aioli, Asparagus, Mashed Potatoes

Recipes for the meals above are provided in the appropriate link or will be provided in a later post.

Linking up with:

The Beginning of a New Year!

I don't know where 2015 went, but it feels good to begin a new year again with new goals in mind.

My husband took the children this morning to visit his parents for the day while I stayed home to get some work done. After they came home, I had prepared black-eyed peas, collards, and cornbread for dinner. Hopefully this traditional southern New Years Day meal will bring us luck and prosperity in 2016.

Happy New Year!