Homeschool Journey

It's funny how when mommies start friendships eventually we share our "birth stories" (or at least that's been the case with me). Well I have met a group of some new friends and we not only share the commonality of motherhood, but also the commonality of homeschooling. So, when 3 of us were hanging out a few weeks ago we shared our "homeschool stories" with eachother. I shared our homeschool story here in case you missed it.

So, we're about 3 months into our homeschool journey now. I get the question often "How's homeschooling?". I usually give a pretty short answer, especially if the person asking isn't a homeschooler too. I guess I still fear that I am being judged or possibly that the person asking thinks they are being judged by me. But I know in my heart that we made the best decision for our family, and I know that is all that truly matters. Anagrace is doing great! Most days she really enjoys the schoolwork. Honestly, I think she loves the focused attention on her that schooling requires. After Ashton was born, most of my attention was focused on caring for the 2 boys. I knowingly or unknowingly expected Anagrace, being the oldest, to be as independent as possible. Homeschooling has given me and Anagrace the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time together and it has done wonders for our relationship. I think that is what I am the most excited about with our journey so far.

Overall, homeschooling is going great and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Sometimes I still can't believe that this is the path we've taken. Definitely an unplanned trip. But, usually those are the best ones!

I just had to share this picture...aren't they so cute, so focused doing their "work"?!

Christmas Lists Already?!

I can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner. It is officially this close! It seems that all of the marketing and media people just skip right over Thanksgiving. (What a shame! Thanksgiving is my personal favorite as far as holidays go.) There's even Christmas music on some radio stations already! The excitement has already begun in my daughter. She has asked when we get to make our Christmas lists. Last year we went to Target and created a wishlist using their gift registry system. It was really simple and she loved using the scanner gun. It was great when grandparents asked "What do the kids want?"; I didn't have to rack my brain or worry about returning duplicate gifts. Well, this year there seems to be only one thing Anagrace is hoping for....

Happy Halloween!

3 BUSY bees and 2 beekeepers had a Happy Halloween! We hope you did too!

What a Big Boy!

Anderson is turning into such a big boy. His language has just exploded. He makes me laugh all the time at the funny things he says. Like when he sneezed today, Anagrace said thank you and he responded "Thanks, babe"! And then when we picked him up from the church nursery today the volunteer said "Anderson said the funniest thing"; she explained that when asking if he needed his diaper changed he said "No, I just got gas"...You never know what he's going to say these days!

He is sleeping in a big boy bed now, too. He looked so big in his crib. It was time to make the switch, especially since he had figured out how to escape! Now, he looks so small in that big bed. We used the top bunk of a disassemled bunk bed that we've been storing in our attic. It was great because it already had the rails on it to keep him from rolling out. Thankfully, it was a pretty easy transition. He hasn't been getting out of the bed and leaving his room as I had feared. In the picture below you can barely see my little man in the new bed, under the blankets and in between all his stuffed animals!

(Yes, I did sneak into his room while he was sleeping to snap those pictures!)

Anderson got a big boy haircut to complete his transformation! My grandma has trimmed his hair with scissors several times, but I took him to Doolittle's to have it cut with the electric clippers. He wasn't quite sure about that buzzing so close to his head, but thankfully the police car chair and movie playing right in front of him distracted him. I couldn't transfer the photo of him getting his hair cut from my phone to the computer. But, check out the photos of the finished product:

Food For Thought

Grocery shopping. It is not the easiest task with my three. It's a "two man job" because I can't push the cart (or buggy as we say in the South) and the double stroller, and there is really no way to secure the boys in the buggy and still have room for the groceries! I have thought about using a hip carrier for Ashton and fastening Anderson in the front seat of the buggy, but I don't know if that would work well or not.

Well, yesterday Grandma Joyce and I went shopping at ALDI. I love me some ALDI! You can save so much money shopping there. And I get in and out so quickly; I don't get "sucked in to the vortex" the way I seem to at Wal-Mart. Maybe it is because they don't have an abundance of brands competing for your attention? I'm not a "brand-aholic". There are a few things that I prefer to have name-brand. Heinz ketchup, Diet Caffiene-free Coke, Dunkin Donuts decaf coffee, Colgate toothpaste, and my various hair and beauty products; pretty much everything else I buy the cheapest I can find! And ALDI is pretty doggone cheap!

Anyway, I bought our basic breakfast and lunch items, plus everything I need for dinner for the next week or so. I am constantly trying to think of new things to cook for dinner. It seems like I always do the same ol', same old! The fall weather has inspired me to cook some new/old dishes that we haven't had in a while. Thought I'd share in case someone out there was thinking "What should I do for dinner?" like I often do. So, here's our upcoming meals, in no particular order:



Chili beans and Cornbread muffins

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Salad, Garlic Bread

Loaded Potato Soup and Salad

Baked Pork Chops, Rice and gravy, Green Beans

Vegetable soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Seasoned Fries

Chicken and Dumplings with Salad

(Did you notice that Green Beans and Salad are my usual vegetable side? My husband is a picky eater, hates most veggies. Those are the two he will eat. I do sneak some extra veggies in sometimes , like adding pureed carrots to my spaghetti sauce. Anyone got anymore sneaky recipe ideas?)

Another thing I plan to make this week is Apple Crisp. We've got some leftover apples from our trip to the apple orchard, that if they don't get used soon will be completely inedible. Apple Crisp just has that great "fall taste" to it!

And my last food for thought...I think food occupies my thoughts far more than it should! I have been trying to eat better. I really want to lose some weight, but I am lacking in the self control department! I try to eat lean during the day and have a typical meal with the family at night. Having a picky husband, I can't cook "diet meals". Well, during the day I pick at the kids food too. If they don't finish their PB& J sandwich, I will. If there are a few goldfish crackers on the table, I won't let them go to waste. And then there are the fun treats we make or get that I know they'll enjoy...the pumpkin face cookies with icing, the jell-o jigglers with whipped cream and the soon-to-arrive Halloween candy, well, I share in the fun. I'm just going to have to get my "mind over matter" attitude when it comes to eating.

So, there is my food for thought. Random, I know.

My Fantasy Shopping Spree

Justin and I went to IKEA on the busy weekend date I mentioned in a previous post. Well, that trip spurred me on to want to redecorate and update some of our furniture. Lately, I've been browsing IKEA's website and I've decided on the styles and fabrics of new living room furniture that I would like to buy.

Red L-shaped sofa to add seating and style:

Blue checked Chair and a half, which folds out into a bed:

And the pillow that would tie the two fabrics together, of course I'd need several of these in different shapes and styles: What do you think?

Maybe my wishlist will become a Christmas list!

Wordless Wednesday