100 Books-a-Month Challenge:: April

This month has been very busy and full of outdoor time.  I haven't read as much as I usually do so this is our first month not making the full 100 Books.  But what we have read has been good!  Here's our list:

1. Always Be Safe by Kathy Schulz
2. The Berenstain Bears Hug and Make Up
3. The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Influence
4. The New Girl... by Jacqui Robbins
5. Show and Tell by Sharon Gordon
6. A Journey by Jill Eggleton
7. Ten Scoops by Nora Gaydos
8. My Family by Nora Gaydos
9. Bookworm Library by Sarah Toast
10. The Three Friends and the Apples by Tomie dePaola
11. When I Have a Little Girl by Charlotte Zolotow
12. A Girl, a Goat, and a Goose Find a Boat by David McPhail
13. The New Kid by Larry Dane Brimmer
14. A Bug, a Bear and a Boy Go to School by David McPhail
15. A Bug, a Bear and a Boy and the Bath by David McPhail
16. Super-Completely-And Totally the Messiest by Judith Viorst
17. In My Backyard by Don L. Curry
18. The Magic Pear Tree retold by Cheryl Stroud
19. All Kinds of Kids by Christina Mia Gardeski
20. No Dogs Allowed! by Sonia Manzano
21. When I Grow Up by Jo S. Kittinger
22. Reading? Set. Raymond! by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
23. I Am by Adria Klein
24. I Like by Gay Su Pinnell
25. The Band by Nancy Leber
26. I Can See by Adria Klein
27. We Can Go! by Ellen Geist
28. We Like Fruit by Millen Lee
29. We Are Painting by Francie Alexander
30. Can You See It? by Cori M. Murray
31. Three's a Crowd by Gwendolyn Hooks
32. If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff
33. If You Give a Moose a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
34. If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
35. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
36. Pigs Can't Fly! by Ben Cort
37. The Fortune Tellers by Lloyd Alexander
38. Mermaid Janine by Iolette Thomas 

Books on Tape & CD

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Socks by Beverly Cleary
Ramona, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
Voyage of the Dawntreddor by C.S. Lewis
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The Girl is 5!!

Where is the time going???  My baby girl is 5 today!!

Sweetie Pie

My Pretty Girl

The boy cheesin'!

Singing, "I'm five years old..."

We had a good time.  The birthday brownie was delicious with ice cream!!!

Monday Mumbles

Well, it's yet another Monday.
Yes, there are things on my mind today!
I will limited them to 10 as suggested by TOOJ @ Circling the Square Table! :D
Let the mumbling begin.....

1. What is it about Mondays?  Although I don't have to leave my home to work for someone not related to me, it's still hard to get up!!!!  I guess all those years of having to (and hating Mondays) is still with me.  SMH

2.  I am definitely feeling the pressure of moving today.  I made myself an outline on how I'd be tackling this move--May starts the beginning of my official packing.  This month I've been purging.  We've decided to leave a good amount of the furniture we currently have here.  It's time to let things go on many levels.  I've been through clothes, papers, books, kitchen things, fabric, crafts, yarn, toys....and am still feeling overwhelmed.

3. I need to mediate and find my center. (inhale.....exhale!)

4. I am so tickled to find out that there are people interested in my blog(s).  I'm getting so many more comments (THANK YOU!) and emails (from those who don't comment publicly--shout out to my Daddy!!! Keith!! AuntE!!).  I so appreciate your kinds words and encouragement.  It makes my day!!! :D

5. The Boy is really handling up with regards to potty training.  I've really been slacking and not making a big deal out of it.  I've taught him what to do and remind him but haven't been following through like I did with the girls (ok, the oldest)!  But he's been taking himself to the potty and asking to go when we're out of the house.  I'm so thankful for his self-motivation!!!!  Cuz it's sure helping me out, right about now!!

6. Today is the last day Sweetie-pie will be 4.  I was just looking at photos of her as a baby the other day.  She was my sweet little baby.  Tomorrow she'll be 5.  SMH  I can't believe it.  Time is just moving right along (faster than I'd like it to in that regard).  Planning something special for you on your special day!!

7.  If Pretty Girl doesn't stop asking me about giving Sweetie-pie her gifts.......(yeah, I feel like I'm gonna snap!!!)  I am thankful that she's excited about giving her sister what she picked out for her.  I even know it's killing her to keep this secret.  But HOLD IT!!!  You've got one more day, baby! :D

8. What is it about kids with paper and scissors?  Do your kids like cutting paper into itty bitty shreds? I mean teeny tiny shreds.  I mean slices of paper so small it looks like confetti!! Every day we sweep the classroom floor and almost immediately they go back to cutting.  I do like that they enjoy arts and crafts--but all this cutting almost seems pointless (especially since they loathe cleaning it up!).

9. I will miss being here in PA.  My kids and I have been able to wander on the land that both my mother and father were raised on.  Their homes aren't standing anymore, but the surroundings haven't changed that much. In sharing photos with them they both shared that they had never imagined that their grandchildren would one day play where they once did.  Many of the photos I post are of that land (the open fields).  There is some sacred about this experience.  There is something about us being on the same land where our people are from.  We have more connection with this place than I can articulate.

10. As I look around and think about the people who matter to me, I see that each of us seems to be in place of change, of movement.  I've talked to several of my folk and a couple of them are actually moving--relocating, like me as well.  There is something comforting in knowing that there are others doing the same thing as you.  But not only in a physical moving, I'm finding that there are people who are seeking to live in ways that speak to the best of what God asks of us.  Whether it be in relationship to the earth, to our neighbors, to our enemies, to our families, to ourselves.  In reading through the blogs I follow and stumble upon to the new connections I'm making online and in person, I'm seeing that we're all moving to the positive.  We are letting the clutter of the superficial go and diving into the deep and meaningful.  I'm so glad to be finally tapping into this community. I've stood on the outside of the mainstream for so long, I've finally stopped wanting to be let in.  Hopefully there are others, even some of you here, who are finding it and joining in too! (more on this to come)

That's all for right now.  If you'd like to mumble on Mondays, let TOOJ know over at Circle the Square Table.

Enjoy your day! :D

Book Sharing Monday

Today I'm sharing a book that I'm enjoying...again!  Although it's not a children's book it is a book about children.  I do a lot of reading to my kids, but somehow I find time to read myself.  If you're anything like me you'll find it helpful and insightful, oh, and FULL of wonderful suggestions and resources.

It's Calm and Compassionate Children: A Handbook by Susan Usha Dermond.

I've been focusing on mindfulness which includes compassion for myself and my children.  You can read more here.  This is definitely an easy read.  I'm doing a lot of nodding and "uh-hmming." :D  The first I read it I was pointed to several other authors/books that had wonderful information as well.  This time I'll be looking for the musical suggestions.  I highly recommend this to any parent who wants to teach their children how to be respectful and compassionate towards others and the planet.

Wanna play along? Let Alex know at Serendipity Home School.

Happy Reading!

REPOST: A Handmade Challenge

Hi All!

Hope your Sunday is going well.  It's cold and rainy here.  But I'm sitting at my craft table finishing up a project....about to take on another and decided to repost the information about a challenge I've joined for this year.  I initially posted it here and asked you to click on the link to take you to my crafting blog, Knot Sew Much.  I only got one bite...and thought I'd repost to see if anyone else wanted to join in and craftalong.

It's called the 5 for 5 Challenge.  In a nutshell I've agreed to make 5 things to give to 5 followers/readers of my blog.  Those 5 persons agree, in signing up, to do the same for 5 of their followers/readers.  A nice little way to share something handmade out of this virtual space. Here are the rules which I copied verbatim from Debbie's post:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.

2. What I create will be just for you, with love.

3. It’ll be done this year (2010).

4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something strange.

6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.

7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

WANNA PLAY????
I already have one and would LOVE to have another two or three.  If you're up for the challenge, please leave me a comment here (below) or here.  I'll contact you via email for your mailing address.  Thanks!  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Outside of Doors :: April 23

We did some planting today: Marigolds, Lavender, Cilantro, Oregano and Basil.  We enjoy the earth/dirt and were amazed at the different sizes of seeds each plant has.  Looking forward to seeing some growth.

Here are others who are participating with us:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie, nancy, alex, kathi, ana, sarah m, stephanie, jen, dena, sharon, courtney, colleen, jillian, jennifer, amanda, desiree, vanchy, crystal, ashley , janelle, cheryl, rebecca, christianne

Thift Store Finds!

I love finding steals...i mean deals....at the thrift store.  Books are always a good find, if looking in the right ones and at $.10 a piece it's hard to leave them! (I know, I just got rid of some!!!)

This first batch is more activity based books--mazes, hidden pictures, math puzzles & riddles. I also found a lot of beginner reading books (not pictured) for Pretty Girl.

With all the reusing, re-purposing, even 'upcycling' I've been reading about, I decided to take a look in the domestics department and found some wonderful pieces of fabric, some 2 or 3 yard pieces.  I have plans for each piece I purchased (between $1 and $2 a piece--better than the fabric store!).

I see a few more sun dresses (one for me as well) a couple of bags (the canvas fabric will be perfect for them)!

I've been wanting to redo an old lampshade or two for my girls' room.  I finally found the kind I've been looking for and for $.50 each I got both!  I think I'll include them on this project (adding beads and ribbons). 

There were several other pieces that caught my eye, but I want to start and complete these projects first before diving into getting other things.  I'm already planning for our new space but will wait until after the move before picking up larger pieces.

Do you like thrifting?  What things have you stumbled upon?

Outside of Doors :: April 20, 21 & 22

We've been out of the house so much these past few days that when we've gotten back home I just haven't had time to sit and blog about it.  I am so enjoying be out of doors.  The weather has been lovely, albeit windy.  Here are a few shots from the past few days.  I'll have to check and see what each of you has been doing as well.

The 20th
A mixture of play and observation.  Notice Sweetie-pie with her notebook "taking notes" of what she found.

The 21st
We took time to do some cloud watching.  It was overcast and eventually did rain.  The clouds were "big and fluffy" and "look like marsh mellows."

Today--22nd

The kids each took some alone time. Just to sit and observe.  We discussed what they heard, saw, felt, smelled and touched doing this quiet alone time.

Here are some other who are participating as well:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie, nancy, alex, kathi, ana, sarah m, stephanie, jen, dena, sharon, courtney, colleen, jillian, jennifer, amanda, desiree, vanchy, crystal, ashley , janelle, cheryl, rebecca, christianne

Outside of Doors :: April 19

Today the sky was simply lovely--very blue with light white clouds.  It was very deceiving, though. The wind made it rather chilly.  Despite it all, we spent about 5 hours outside!  We started by meeting cousins at a park to play, made a pit-stop to visit Daddy turning lunchtime and then spent the rest of the afternoon with friends running.  Take a look....

Here are other families who are participating:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie, nancy, alex, kathi, ana, sarah m, stephanie, jen, dena, sharon, courtney, colleen, jillian, jennifer, amanda, desiree, vanchy,