A New Springtime

Homeschool and a Well Balanced Day

 The days around our house are always filled with many activities. It is very important to balance out the day, learning can include many different facets. Keeping our minds, bodies and souls healthy can be a challenge. This requires a well balanced diet of work, prayer, and play. Because I have the duty of making sure everyone else is keeping up with their daily chores, hygeine and school.

 My own needs can be easily left by the wayside but I try not to let that happen. Simple tasks such as brushing my hair can be challenging if I get caught up into the hustle and bustle of the day. Finding nice second hand clothes allows me to have a decent wardrobe and new clothes for spring usually gives me a sense of refreshment. Our community center has a thrift shop and it sells clothes for $1 a bag!!

 We have been using the Core Knowledge Series," What Your 3rd, 4th, and 6th Grader Need to Know", for school this year. In each book there is information for each grade level, divided by subject.

 The kids read a section in history and science, write about it and draw a picture to go with their journal entries. They can look it up on the computer or use another book for more info.

 We always take a break starting at 12:00 for lunch and a bit of play, too. If is nice weather the kiddos always go outside, the older ones play b-ball and the younger ones watch or do their own thing while soakin' up some sun.

 Even though they can get on each others nerves at times, I can usually find one or two siblings taking some time out to do good things together. An older sister or brother will help a a younger one learn how to play a game. We have been into Dr. Suess lately since we went to see the Lorax earlier this month. We were thrilled to get this game free at our community center. The ladies there are so good to us. They usually spoil the kids and get a few hugs in return.

 I am not always so good at getting the meditational prayer part in so that is what I will be focusing on the rest of Lent. I do offer my works, joys and sufferings each day in union with the sacrifice of the Mass.

 Although my efforts are meager these days, I do enjoy decorating. I am not Martha Stewart but I try to put up a few seasonal decorations. It isn't a priority any more but it is enjoyable.

 The main thing I try to do is maintain some kind of order with the toys and have them look neat so they don't take over the house in an unsitely mess. Keeping a balance can be difficult when managing a household, a school, playtime and my own sanity but when I focus on offering it all up to God it all falls into place.

 It is like a vocation of a monk or hermit not doing things for the self. I often have to get back on track and not worry about being praised or appreciated but doing it  as a prayer in union with Jesus for the Father above.

  At the end of the day when the battle has been fought and my will has been submitted, there is always something good to look back on.  A  peace-filled well balanced day between work and play can be the best prayer of all!!

Creative Play, Summer with Seven

The kids have been enjoying themselves these past couple of weeks off. I have been working on the end of the year portfolios and they have been enjoying themselves in their creative play!

 

We got a play gym and a Bumbo for baby Malcolm, the girls worked hard putting the gym together whileEliana worked hard at occupying the Bumbo.

 
I always seem to be blessed with finding quality creative toys at GW for such ridiculiously low prices.  I picked up this This cute lil' train for$2 a couple of months ago it's wooden and each car has a different activity on it.

 
The girls were given these play jewels and Abba Do was having a great time with them.

 
She has been playing with them every chance she gets.

 
She is very serious about being a princess and is very refined when she wears her jewels unlike her sister...

 

who dresses to impress.

 
We have Princess Humility and Princess Ham and I bet you know who is who!

 
All of these wonderful rattles and gizmos are for Baby Malcolm but we have all been testing them out. I happened to find them on myThursday thrift store outing along with these other creative play things:

 
I was thrilled to get these lacing cards for a mere $1.75, the girls and even the boys have picked them up a few times. My mother has been bringing her embroidery over and Eliana thinks she is sewing just like grandma.

 
Abbey got this paint by number kit at GW for $1; the paints had never been opened. It was her reward for helping out at the grocery store. We always stop at GW on our weekly grocery shopping day because it is right next door.

 
Of course reading is always on our list of creativity. I like interactive ones like this where the kids have to find certain things on each page. We have all been taking turns reading this one to Eliana.

 

 Here are my two youngest enjoying the basket of treasures. What a good lil'sister she is entertaining herself and her baby brother.  I have a feeling these two are going to be inseparable. She loves her Malcolm Marvin, that is what she calls him.
 

The older boys don't need too much to keep them happy. A basketball, a water bottle and some pedal power and they are off to the local basketball courts where teenager usually meets them after work.

 
As for me lately, I  just enjoy watching all of the activity and drama that goes on around me and because I am nursing I have been trying to drink more water.

 

 Creative play keeps the kids busy and they aren't usually bored around here. They know I like to see them being constructive, It makes Mommy happy !!

 

Thriftin' Thursday

I got to go thriftin' this evening!! There is a GW right next door to the grocery store, what a perfect place.  I was so excited when I spotted this:

 
It doesn't look like much but it is a very functional nursing cover. I was going to make one but for $1.00 how could I pass it up. It has boning (a stiff insert used in collars or corsets) in the front which makes it stick out and gives you a window to see the baby. This one happens to be a Bebe au lait and costs about $29 to $34.  There are many tutorials on how to make these,  check out the one at Crafty Mama.

 
This cute lil' Peter Rabbit vase caught my eye, it was a mere $1.50. It looks so cute on the baby's shelves in the boys room. I will use it for to hold toiletries; the colors are perfect. I'm tryingto keep everything blue, green and brown.

 

 
Every thriftin' trip usually results in a good book find. My kiddos enjoy these Look and Find books.

 

I also picked up two hooded baby towels $1.50 for both. After washing them got  they smelled so fresh and felt so comfy.

It is a good feeling to find such great deals.

Vintage Pillowcase Aprons and Cupcake kit

 I have been wanting to make the girls aprons for awhile now but have never got around to doing it. I finally had a window of opportunity yesterday so I bucked down, got out the sewing machine and began. I started with this:

 
 A vintage pillowcase from GW that was $0.50. It is such a happy print and lends itself perfectly to becoming a little girl's fun apron for baking goodies.

 
  I cut off the cuff that was around the opening and added a small strip of fabric to mak the pockets a bit bigger. Next, I sewed three lines to make four pockets on the bottom.

 
 Each side had to be tuned in and sewn and then the ribbon was added for the tie backs and the neck. I added a piece of ribbon across the top to finish them off.

 
 To make the cupcake kit I found these cute mixing bowls at the dollar store, filled them with:

• paper cupcake cups $.079
• white frosting $0.99
• yellow cake mix $0.99
• colorful sprinkles( free from mom)
• the apron $0.50 for two (plus some elbow grease)
• set of 3 rubber spatulas $1.00
• wooden spoon 3 for $1.00
• mixing bowl $1.00

These two kits for were made for about a total of $15.00, these would make a great girly birthday present, too.

 Everything was placed in the bowl and wrapped with this snowflake cellophane (2 for $1.00). I hope the girls like them and ask to make more treats.

 

 Here is one of my lil' cupcakes. I think I better try to make her an apron, too. She will probably want to get in on the baking action. Well,off to the sewing machine I go.

 

Delight

 Friday morings are always less hectic for us. We take it a bit slower and we do not do our Mon. through Thurs. typical subjects. I usually give them their spelling tests and then we do our Friday poetry.

 
 I have been trying to remember to enjoy the kiddos more after reading this  article
at  the "Large Family Mothering" blog. Sometimes I can get lost in the whole forming the kids as their educator and their spiritual director, I forget to just be mother and delight in them.

 

 God always always allows me to see the fruit of my labor when I take a step or two back and get myself out of the picture. If I am to busy micro-managing everything I can get weighed down in the labor of it all.

 

 I bought this beautiful wax surround for $1 yesterday at GW. It was kind of  a frivilous  purchase but the scenes on it are by one of my favorite artists Marjolein Bastin. She really captures beautiful, simple scenes of nature that have an innocence and delightful quality to them, just like children.

 

  A candle set in the middle gave each scene a warm glow and brought it to life, I allowed myself to get lost in the moment seeing the soft  flickering light and picturing myself in each one of them. 

 

 The kids and I  ageed that  this was our favorite scene because we have a fondness for chickadees from watching them on our winter bird feeders.

 
   Taking time out and delighting in the things that surround me can be difficult in a fast-paced world full of expectations. I need to focus on simplicity and letting God fill me with His wonderful mysteries of His creations in my children and in nature. I hope you have a quiet moment to be still and get some time to delight in Him!

Playing Dress up, Mommy Style

 Last week while at GW, I decided to pick up a few new wardrobe items. I don't really need any decor right now and of course I always pick up a book or two but I rarely concentrate on the clothing. 

 I have a lot of jeans and bum around clothes but lately, I've been wanting to be a bit more dressy.   Since it is still summer and hot summer, I decided to let that be my influece. We are also going to the beach again so here is what I ended up getting:

    

 These pants reminded me of the sea with  the blues, aquas and greens.

Swirling, flowing designs that flow like the ocean.

Silky ribbon and sheer, wavy and airy fabric give a touch of sparkle like sunshine on the water and the a sense of the seaside breeze.
 
The embroidery on the shirt looks like tiny diatoms or starfish.

 Clothing can stir up your imagination and bring a certian sense of peace depending on the designs and fabrics chosen.  When I went to shop that day, I had memories of the beach in my mind and wanted to carry that over into my clothing. This allowed me to focus in on a particular feel and look and helped me to limit and refine my purchase choices.

 This was actually my first find. I rarely look at clothes and say, " Gotta have it." but this was so unique. It hangs to a slant and the soft blue cotton yarn is cozy for those late cool summer evenings. It is a Liz Claiborne design $3.

These Land's End pants are so comfortable and are that wonderful powdery blue , also. $4.

 This was the second outfit. I haven't worn skirts in a while and felt like I needed a bit of a change. Sticking with the summer theme these two items reflect the warm summer sun and the softness of the sand.

The print looks like little sandollars it was perfect for the way I was feeling. It was light, airy and gentle.

A total cost of $16 and I feel great wearing my new summer style dress up clothes. Hey, why should the kids have all of the fun. Mommy's need to play dress up,too!

 

 

Summer Pretties

Thursday was thriftin' day for me again, It is my day to grocery shop so while I'm out I usually pop into GW.  I try to keep in mind certain things I may need or something I can remake into a useful item.

 
I ended up finding these cute lil' tea cups for$0.50 each. I wanted something that I could put jello or pudding in for the kiddos and...

 
they worked out great! My son picked out this blue-raspberry flavor and they ate it topped with fruit and a bit of whip cream. The cups are shaped like flowers and looked so charming and summery filled with the pleasantly cool dessert.

My second find, was a couple of pillowcases, which I re-purposed into another one of these...

 
pillowcase dresses for baby Eliana. The blue and white checked already had the ruffle on the bottom, making making it one step easier and giving it a bit more character. I took the vintage floral pillowcase and made the bottom band, the pocket and the sleeve casings.

Here is a close-up of the pocket. Ric- Rac is one of my all time favorite embellishments and the cute lil' "blessings" label was from a roll of ribbon.

There was enough fabric left over to make a cute miniature tote bag. It is just the right size for baby to take a ...

book or a ...

precious stuffed puppy with her on her next outing! Complete ensemble $1.00 !

Thriftin' is a great adventure and it allows me to be creative and have a great time enhancing my family and home for minimal cost. Find more thrifty and frugal ideas at The Shabby Nest's, Frugal Friday!
  
 

Thrill of the Thrift

Thriftin' can be a hit or miss occasion but today it was definitely a hit! DH had painted the boy's room awhile ago but I hadn't really decided on how I wanted to decorate it.

Since I've been reading the Fern Valley Farm blog lately, I have been inspired by her great taste in decor. These are some of the treasures I found:

• basket $4.50
• vase $1.25
• panels 6 @ $1
• whale $1
• bucket .50
• basket .50

 
We don't live that close to the ocean but we do have a beautiful river not even 5 minutes away.

There is so much boating activity and the boat launch is within  walking distance from our home so I figured it is ok to do the beachy decor in their room.

I used the stripped panels as valances and some as dresser scarves. I got enough to do the two windows in the room. The brown stripes will be sewn into curtains for the bottom.

I just tacked them up so I could get and idea of how they will look. I want to do rope for the bottom "curtain rod" but I'm not sure how to attach it to the sides.  Any suggestions?

My daughter found the cool whale pen holder. She was so excited because we have been studying ocean life and today was about whales.

The wicker basket is being used in my mudroom for shoes so the boys can just toss them in. They have trouble using the shelf. Maybe now I can have some peace about it.

These lil' what-nots were to cute to pass up, the bird is playing peek-a-boo with its wings. $1.50 for these three. I put them on the dining room shelf along with these wonderful vintage rose dresser scarves. This will be my summer vignette.

 
It is very sparse but it works for me. Maybe I will add a small scripture passage on paper in a petite frame. Any ideas?

Oops,  I almost forgot...

 
two king size pillow cases, .50 each with an adorable ruffle. I am going to make two matching pillowcase dresses for the girls. Oh, how I love the thrill of the thrift!

Check out more thifty and frugal finds at The Shabby Nest's, Frugal Friday!!
 

 

High Tailin' It To the Tag Sales

Last weekend, hubby and I began our traditional Saturday morning tag sale excursions. He isn't really the tag sale kinda guy, he says he does it just for me. Isn't that sweet?

I tried to keep in mind to buy  only practical items and homeschool supplies. I ended up getting a bunch of clothes for Eliana for $0.25 each.

 

These are so girly and precious and definitely a practical and frugal buy.

 
Aren't these the cutest and a whopping $0.50. I don't even think they were worn.

Six Magic School Bus Chapter Booksfor a buck. I love doing my Ms. Frizzle impression while I am ready these (lol).  My kids always say, "Oh mom do you have to?" but I think they really love it. We will read the shark one and the whale one this month since we are studying ocean life right now. The rest will go with this fall's curriculum. 

 

These Rainbow Magic Books are some of Hannah's favorites. I have gotten some out of the library and read  them to her. I was thrilled to pick all of these up for a dollar (all for $1) and she was so excited to get them. 

I don't usually do the fairy, magic thing but these aren't like some of the other weird ones.  They don't cross any lines. They are a bit cutesy, corny if anything. No offense to the young readers.

These five happen to be called the Weather Fairies and the orange book is called, "Abigail the Breeze Fairy". Appropriately, she gave it to her sister ,Abbey, for her birthday.

Hannah has started to read these for her daily reading in school. She picked, " Crystal the Snow Fairy" to start with because her birthday is in December. Perfectly logical, don't ya think?

 
 
 
 

Simple Sewing

I hit the first tag sale of the season today. I only got one thing but it was worth the stop. I picked up this Klutz Simple Sewing book for Hannah girl.

I have seen these in the store and they sell for $19.95. I got it for a mere $2,  I was so excited!

The book contains everything needed to complete each project, except a dish towel for the apron.

 

Above is the table of contents, I just love the simple pictures.

The instructions are well illustrated and straight forward so the kiddos can easily follow the steps from start to finish.
 

 

The back of the book even has strips of felt. 

Hannah girl decided she wanted to get started right away and began to make a small drawstring bag. You can't buy much for $2 these days, oh wait a minute I just did!