Keeping It Simple

Flavored water? Yes, please. I am not one of those who hates drinking water. But, and this is a big BUT, I have stopped drinking soda of any kind and juice of any kind. I really don't drink anything else except green tea and an occasional glass of milk. When I saw this post for day spa apple cinnamon water , I thought it might be nice way to spice up my water- it is! And it is very refreshing!!. According to the blog that this was pinned this from, Lose Weight by Eating, " both apples and cinnamon raise your metabolism".  I don't know about that, but I do know that I drank lots and lots of water today. I can't explain. I just really enjoyed it! I followed the very simple instructions (if you click on the above link, there is a video)- apples and cinnamon stick in the pitcher, add ice, fill with water. I let mine sit overnight in the fridge. The flavor was much much stronger than I thought it would be! I refilled the pitcher several times during the...

I am thankful that Erin 19yo and Paul 14yo (our two oldest at home) have the opportunity to do a little road tripping together. These two decided to save their money for the past few months and take an adventure together. They have wandered down CA and landed in the happiest place on Earth. Aren't they cute?!!!!  While I miss them (like really, really miss them!!), I am thankful for time with just our two youngest boys. Mark (12yo) and James (9yo) have enjoyed the relaxed pace and "younger kid" mode around here. They rotate between playing Legos, organizing their monster truck hot wheels, drawing, making Christmas wish lists, and just goofing around together.  Oh, and walking!! For the first time ever (since we started mommy boot camp 6 + weeks ago) my boys did not accuse me of trying to kill them by walking!! Could we be over the hump?!  And, they are totally getting in to the "Eat This, Not That" mode! Yes, they actually read the books an...

In my life this week  last month… We ended October with lots of fun stuff-  Uncles putting nephews in crazy wigs, a guys' day at the Raider's football game, time playing games with a special cousin, a mom and son movie date (me and James), food at Mark's favorite eatery- the Black Bear Diner, an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese with Friends (to celebrate completing a level of Barton Reading), and Mark's new dog wearing his matching Raider's shirt.   Things I am working on… Forming new habits- we are trying to walk first thing every morning for about an hour. It has been... interesting. My boys think I am trying to kill them. We are on the beginning of week three and they still are not quite over it yet.  Of course, we are also reducing sugar, drinking almost no soda (my oldest kids never had soda!), and taking a break from electronics as well (where have I heard that before?). It is sort of a "mommy boot-camp".  At tim...

We have been following so many rabbit trails that we find ourselves pretty thick in the forest right now. There are just so many fun books and movies to go with this time period (some more historically accurate than others!). I have made some adjustments to James' participation in our American History studies. He seemed to be getting frustrated with what I had planned for the boys to do. After giving it some thought, I realized that in spite of being the sophisticated age of nine, he really is more of a "younger elementary" student. To that end, I am picking and choosing a few projects that more fit his needs and he can just listen in for the rest. In a few years, he can have a redo. I knew that my assessment was correct when he was working on his Thanksgiving booklet and said- "I think this must be way funner than what the boys are doing." This booklet is made using US History Little Books: Famous Events . You can tell James took a little artistic l...

The road has gotten bumpy. If you have read my blog before, you know this is not the first time. Sometimes it's just life, sometimes it's my attitude, and sometimes it is the kids' attitude. To be honest, when it is the kids' attitude, it usually means that mine is the one that needs adjusting first. While life has been crazy, I've come to think that the real reason that I have not been blogging much is because I am discouraged. I'm pretty sure I don't even need to explain being discouraged to other moms. I think most of us have our moments. My first commitment is to get us back on a routine. We usually work in blocks of time- not a strict schedule. I also try to block out true "free time" for the kids. Free time has not been a priority because I am constantly feeling like we haven't accomplished enough.  This, I believe has led to frustration on my boys' part. So, I am going to try to carve out that time regardless of how the day is go...

Really!! It has been busy around here. When life gets like this, I try to comfort myself by saying that "things will settle down next week- or the next". Not this time. It ain't happening. That's okay. Somehow, I feel up for it. Sort of. ;) I'll give a quick update at any rate: Some hair got cut.  True story- We were at church this Sunday. After the alter servers (about 10-12 of them) processed down the aisle, I whisper to my husband, "where is Paul?!". He starts to laugh- "that one carrying the crucifix in the center is your son". Eee gads! I really did not recognize my own son. Somehow, he also seems to have grown like 6 inches over night! Some adorable uncle time happened.  We fed some Koi Fish.  We added a family member of the four-footed variety to our household.  I said NEVER. Never say never. Mark met this guy 3 weeks ago at his first class at the animal shelter. This was their go-to do...

Just have to share this yummylicious (this is actually a word in our home) recipe find! My husband looked at me with great suspicion when I suggested making them for all of our children plus a dear friend who joined us for lunch today. Much to his amazement, he liked them as did everyone else. AND, if you read my blog, you know that it has to be super simple or it is not going to happen around here. These are called Funeral Sandwiches. I assume because it is easy to make a bunch of them. Sadly I did not take any pictures- seems impossible, right? But I did not. You can hop over to Sunday Baker to get a look and get the exact recipe. * This is the deal- you take Hawaii rolls. * Slice them in half and put the bottom half of each in a casserole dish. * Cut some deli ham and swiss cheese to size and layer on roll. * Place the tops on the rolls. * Make a glaze using butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and onion powder. * Pou...

In my life this week and last… Life has been busy, busy, busy these last few weeks. No wrap up last week- no posts this week. I have been trying to read other blogs.  Especially homeschool blogs to keep up my motivation. We did make time to step out to the beach: Warm coffee cake on the beach- yum!  And we have had quite a bit of uncle time:  There is just nothing that makes me think my big kids are more wonderful than when they read to the little ones.  Or take that extra time to really be with them.  Sometimes they are not so patient, but mostly they are!  In our homeschool this week… A clean (or at least functioning!) school room.  Coloring while watching some educational videos from the library.  I posted a history update last week-  we are just finishing up the Plymouth Colony.  Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Las...