Getting Ready for the Holidays...

2 months... 2months... 2 months...
Only 2 months to plan, purchase, and prepare for Christmas... One of my favorite times of year and I like taking it easy and enjoying it.
I am one of those people who start decorating after a shopping trip on Black Friday and leaves the Christmas tree up until after New Years. Yes, I am that person!!!
This year, I'm getting a jump on Christmas crafting. I'd like to make the kids some gifts this year and let them have the opportunity to make some things for themselves and others.
With 2 months til'the big day, there is no time like the present to get started.

Every year, my husband and I have good intentions, but every year, we tend to go overboard... We like to go out a couple of days before the holidays and get the stocking stuffers and always end up pocking up things we hadn't planned on but couldn't resist..
We have a plan that we try and stick to, but over the years we have altered it to meet our lifestyle and our way of doing of things when it comes to gift giving with the kiddos. Several years ago, I read an article about the gift philosophy of  "WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ" ... I loved the concept but it was difficult to stick to (at least for us, it was). Over the years we have altered it to suit our specific family needs and the way we like to do things. Our Christmas plan now looks something like this:

• something they WANT
• something they NEED
• something to WEAR
• something to READ
• something to WATCH
• something for PLAY WITH
• something to LISTEN TO
• something to EAT
• something to CREATE

I am usually not a planner, but this seems to work well for us and helps keep the budget monster at bay too...It also helps when to have a general idea of what is needed, so when I am out and about, I can keep my eyes open for bargains (which I look for year-round) and I can start buying craft supplies and other stuff as I find them.
Plus it helps when my mom or sister want to know what the kiddos would like for Christmas - I am able to tell them something from the LOOONNNG list they started making in January...
I guess the most important thing this plan has done for me is to help SIMPLIFY my life uring the busy holiday season making it easier to relax and just enjoy it...

Now, how do I fill out the list?

• WANT

My kids begin making lists early. When they see something they want, we put it on a list. They then have the option of either saving up for it or letting the dice roll and see if it turns up for Christmas or a birthday. While they know that making a wish list is not a guarantee that they will receive what they ask for, hubby ans I do try and get them something from the list for each of these holidays.  

• NEED

Really, do our kids need anything? Probably not... But there are certain things I throw in this category. A new pair of comfy PJs or those crazy toe socks. I usually use this category for something the kids need for school, but not neccessary like Snap Circuits or a special drawing pencils.

• WEAR

This is where I buy them something that they are needing like new shoes (Crocs or Vans for Tommy or some new leggings or boots for Libby). I look for these items earlier in the year when I can find them on sale and keep them put up until needed. 

• READ      

I always get kids something to read. Last year I bought them each an Adventure Bible. One year, I got Tommy a Lego Master book. 

I am blessed with a girlie that loves to read and a son that only wants to read what he chooses. So, I try and buy books that fit in with their specific interests and desires. I read an article last year that said studies show that kids that read what they enjoy will develop better comprehension skills and be able to read at a higher level than if they are forced to read something they are completely not interested in. 

• WATCH

We usually try and get a movie for them to share - whether this is a Christmas movie like "ELF" or the "Avengers". 

•  PLAY WITH

This category sometimes gets overlooked - especially if there are lots of toys on their wish list. I usually try and buy a family game for all of us to share. We like playing games and try to play every Monday afternoon as part of our school day. So, usually a "learning game" (as my kiddos call it) is on my gift list.
*Rainbow Resources has some great educational games in their Christmas Wish book...  

• LISTEN TO

I always get the kids a CD -
Now that they have different musical tastes, I have to buy 2 instead of one for us to share. But that's ok... Tommy is into classical rock bands like Boston and Rush and Libby is listening to the Barlow Girls and Adele. This year, I think I am going with Toby Mac and Third Day CD's since they both enjoy these groups. And then put them on the iPod and Mp3 for them... 

• EAT 

Yeah, my favorite category on the shopping list. This where we buy their favorite treat for their stocking. I've made up gift bags in the past with "Snowman Poop" (hot chocolate mix with tiny marshmallows) and they've had candy coal in their stockings. One year, I made up movie snack packs with little mini cokes and microwave popcorn with movie candy. But every year, I always get the kids the gold foil wrapped chocolate coins in their stockings.

• CREATE

This is where all the art and crafting supplies come into focus. It's usually the cheapest category for me since alot of the items are recycled materials, found on clearance, or just plain inexpensive. This year, I have bought a book with science experiments made from simple household ingredients (like baking soda, corn starch, empty 2 liter bottles, rubber bands etc) and I'm gonna put together a RubberMaid tub with all the stuff on the list and give this to them. They will love it. We are also gonna be getting some things for the "Backyard Ballistics" book for them to work on this winter. Libby likes to create, so I am working on a basket of crafting things for her. 

Well, hope you hav enjoyed looking at my crazy Christmas shopping habits. Hopefully, I will be able to get my list completed and shopping done way ahead of schedule and just sit back, wrap gifts, and enjoy the season - looking forward to all the fun this season brings us! 

A year ago...

Yes, it's been a year since I last blogged... My last post was in November, 2011.

2012 was a busy year. Between the illnesses of my mom and my mother-in-law, our schooling, field trips, and just an overall hectic life, blogging was not in the picture.

But I find that I enjoy putting things that happen to us down for us to look at later and I like using it as a way for far-away family to keep up with what is happening here at our house.

Since I have been making an effort to find more time to just be, it is a perfect time to get caught up with everything.

Looking forward to getting caught up!!

When My Children Are Grown…

I saw this on a website this morning and it struck so true with me that I wanted to share it…

“I hope my children look back on today,
and see a mother who had time to play.
There will be years for cleaning and cooking,
For children grow up while we’re not looking.”

My challenge is to relax and let things go, because they certainly will not be little forever and when that time is gone, it is lost forever. Enjoy them today ~ nothing else is important.

Favorite Resources List for Ancient Egypt

Here’s a list of some resources that I have been using as go-alongs with our study of Ancient Egypt.

Books:
“ A Place in the Sun” by Jill Rubalcaba
“ Look into the Past: The Egyptians” by Roger Coote
“ Croco’nile” by Roy Gerrard
“ Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile” by Tomie DePaola
"Camels: Ships of the Desert" by John F. Waters
"I Wonder Why Camels Have Humps" by Anita Ganeri
”Tut’s Mummy: Lost…and Found” by Judy Donnelly

“Miss Frizzle’s Adventures in Ancient Egypt” (A Magic SchoolBus book)

“Cat of Bubastes” by G.A. Henty

“The Golden Goblet” by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Movies:
“Flying Pyramids Soaring Stones” (documentary)
“Egyptians” National Geographic
“Egypt Eternal” National Geographic
"Building Pharoah's Ship"
"Pyramid Code" (documentary)

“The Prince of Egypt”

Educational Websites:
Mr. Donn’s
BrainPop

Educational Books and Resources:
Uncle Josh’s Outline Map Book
Story of the World 1 (audio CD’s ) #1
Childcraft books
Window on the World by Daphne Spraggett

History Pockets : Ancient Civilizations

Thought for the day…

        

The World’s Largest Treehouse

Yes!!! Such a place does exist… We thought we were in the boonies, no man’s land, but it is there and massive in size…

It’s being built by a man named Horace Burgess and is located outside Crossville, Tennessee. The treehouse stands over 97-feet tall and is built on 7 trees, one of which is a 80-foot white oak tree, which also happens to be about 12-feet in diameter at its base. It has 11 floors, has around 8,000 - 10,000 square feet. It contains a miniature basketball court and a chapel (where services are held on Sunday afternoon. And according to Mr. Burgess, it was built from scrap lumber and is held together by roughly 258,000 nails.
  Our family with Mr. Burgess
We happened to have been lucky enough to have gone to visit on a Sunday afternoon and were able to meet Mr. Burgess and he was very gracious to talk with us and tell us all about his construction. He is a landscaper by trade and also a pastor and said that God was the inspiration for the building. He’s been building it for years and has spent very little out of pocket (he told us around $14,000) and has no intention to stop adding on to it anytime soon.

And the best part is there is no admission cost ~ yes it is a free activity. However, there is a donation box where you can donate to help with the costs and the care for the people who stay on the grounds.

Directions: Beehive Lane, Crossville, TN ~ Take I-40 exit 320. Turn north onto Hwy 298, then make an immediate right at the stoplight onto Cook Rd. Drive almost a mile. As the road takes a sharp right, instead make a sharp left onto Beehive Lane. Drive about a half-mile. The pavement will end, but keep driving. You'll see the tree house ahead and to the right. Remember that when you visit, that the treehouse is not a funhouse. There are no safety precautions. You visit at your own risk.

A look of….

TOTAL CONCENTRATION…

Our little guest…

Our fall camping trip was made special by a few little furry guests that chose to visit our camp site…

  our campsite…

   our little visitor’s home…

   just hanging out…

   a face only a mother could love…

Summer camps…

This summer the kids had the opportunity to go to some great camps in the area… One was a “science camp” at the local college and the other was at a worship arts camp at a local Methodist Church.

At the science camp, the kids made leaf journals, did gravity experiments, made volcanoes, had water balloon wars and a lot of fun…

The worship arts camp was great. The activities were all “Christ-centered” learning activities.

Here’s some pictures from their final performance called “It’s Cool in the Furnace” using the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

    Libby playing the kazoo…

    Tommy playing the part of “Daniel”…

  Libby singing a solo…

Already they are looking forward to next summer and the fun stuff they will get into then!!!

 

1st place finishes…

Tommy and Libby both placed 1st in the belt advancement tournaments…
                      
                                 
Sparring buddies…
         
                                                    

Summertime fun in the Smokies….

One of our favorite places to go camping is Elkmont Campground in the Smoky Mountains. It is a rustic campground ~ meaning no electricity or shower facilities, but we love going there because it is in the woods, beside a huge wonderful creek, and we just love it!!
Here’s some pics of the kids tubing down the creek this summer…

Can’t keep a good woman down…

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the sport of choice in our household. It’s an activity that both of my kids can participate in, the classes are close to home, they can compete on individual levels, and it provides self defense training.

My 8yo daughter has been taking karate since she was 4 and has been doing jiu-jitsu for the last 2 yrs. and totally loves it!!!

Here some pics of her last tournament for belt advancement ~

		Belt Advancement 08/27/11 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium…

We had a great time today visiting Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Some friends of ours were going and invited us along, so we decided to take the day off and make a great field trip of it… It was great…

They have a herpetarium, a raptor center, a wolf enclosure, and other animal habitats.
We took in the planetarium show about the solar system which was fabulous and also took the pontoon tour of the lake where we got to see some great beaver dams…
And to finish off the day we had a picnic lunch and an ice cream on the way home!!!

Spending time in Ancient Egypt

This week we continued our studies in Ancient Egypt. I have been using a curriculum from Learning Adventures called “A World of Adventures” and we love it. 

The kids have been working on memorizing Psalm 24 and it is a doozey… Very long, but it seems to be coming along nicely. I have it written on our dry-erase board and then we work on it every day and I erase a word a day as they recite it. That technique seems to be working for the kids.

Today we discussed the spelling rule of  :

“Writing i before e, except after c, or when sounded like as in neighbor and weigh. “

This is the first time we have done spelling together and it seems to be working ok ~ I give  DS some harder words and DD seems to do just fine with the more words like chief and reindeer or deceive. Today they had to copy their 20 words and label them with the rule: “i before e” or “e before i".

Then we read Genesis 39-41 about Joseph being sold to Potiphar and then his life from there until he was released by Pharoah and given his Egyptian name and had children with his Egyptian bride. It was difficult for me to explain adultery involving Potiphar’s wife wanting to be with Joseph . But in the end I think using the concept of dating someone other than your husband worked just fine and got the message across.

We looked at the geography of Egypt and labeled a map from “Uncle Josh’s Outline Map Book” (which has to be one of my favorite resources) taking time to talk about the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Thebes, Karnak, Luxor, Aswan, Giza, and the Valley of the Kings.

The kids enjoyed watching a movie on Netflix from National Geographic called “Egypt Eternal”. We watched one earlier in the week called “Flying Pyramids, Soaring Stones” and one called “Egyptians” that discussed the different Gods like Anubis, Bastet, and Re.

Then to finish off our school day, we hit briefly on biomes with deserts and that they are measured based on arid level and learned some new vocabulary words like flora, fauna, and biota. 

 

Getting caught up…

This summer didn’t go as planned. We had a lot of things happen unexpectedly and had to make changes in our lives accordingly.

Some of the changes I have made fit into needs.

I need to be FLEXIBLE!

I need to be RELAXED!

I need to try and stay STRESSFREE!

I need to ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES!

I need to ENJOY LIFE ~ ONE DAY AT A TIME!

I need to be THANKFUL EVERYDAY ~ FOR EVERYTHING!  not just the things I want, but to be blessed by my circumstances. Try and see the colors of the rainbow not just the arch.

The kids have had to adapt and make changes as well. Most of all, I think they have gained patience and compassion. Hopefully, we can incorporate these changes permanently and be a better family as a result.