A good reminder

As I am printing and prepping I came across this printable. It is such a good little reminder.  I posted it just over my desk. I think it is important for me to remember the point of it all. My job is to point my kids to Christ through each thing we do. It's good for me to have little visuals when I am absorbed in cleaning and teaching and all the other mommy day things.

Bubba

 My Bubba boy will be doing preschool this year and he is ready! He let me know that it is time for him to learn to read. He needs to be doing school right now. Oh my son. This guy keeps me on my toes. My oldest struggles (like his momma) to focus. He loves to do everything. He just wants to do it all RIGHT NOW. Number two is completely different. Bubba is turbo focused. When he is doing something there is no stopping him until he is done...and done right. He is so smart. (like his daddy). He is in some ways my most difficult child. He has always needed extra. He is more emotional. He pushes the right buttons at the right time. He has a scream that makes the neighborhood dogs howl. But he is also my helper. He is a true servant. He is a love. He is constantly telling me he loves me. He is so giving. He will give his brother his food, his drink, or his toys even to the point that he goes with out. (obviously this isn't all the time, but I love seeing his giving nature.)

I think I am finding in some ways he may be more difficult, but with school I think he may be very easy. He focuses on the task at hand. He completes each assignment. He remembers most everything he learns. I am excited to be starting a more routine type of curriculum for my guy.

I love having all my boys in a little row. Each working on his own assignment, but loving being at home. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach my children. They are such blessings.

Teaching tots

The other day while I was at Target I saw a pack of craft pom poms in the dollar spot. I had seen some other people online in the blog world using these for different projects and I thought they may be good to have on hand. I bought each boy a pencil box to hold his school supplies. When I got to Levi's I had nothing to put in because he can't have free access to scissors, glue, or crayons. So, I put the pack of pom poms in with an old tick tack toe board from the dollar spot as well.

I gave the box today to Levi while the other boys were working on their table work. I added a cup from an IKEA stacking set.

This has been a fun morning for little man. He has filled the cup dumped it into his box. Dumped the balls on the floor and "cleaned up".  We named the colors. We counted. These little dollar deals may have just provided lots of learning and distraction for my toddler who wants to be involved.

I will continue to look for objects around the house that will keep Levi busy and learning while we are doing school each morning. Any one else have any free or inexpensive ideas for toddler learning?

dilemma

I have a confession. I think I am a bipolar grocery shopper. You see, I love to leave the store with a cart full of goodies that I paid next to nothing for. The joy of saving more than I spent is just yummy. However, most of the time when I get home and start putting away my bounty; some of it I am not quite so proud as a momma to serve.

Then there are the times when I leave the store spending my full week's budget on only a few bags, but when I get home I have the opposite feelings. As I load my produce into the fridge and don't walk near the pantry since nothing has preservative; I feel excited to feed my kiddos the fare that is to come.

Is there a balance? Can we eat healthy food I am excited to feed my family? Can I stick to our budget while still eating many organic, locally grown, and whole type foods? I'm out to try!

Here are a few of the things I have found to help:
1. Buying in bulk doesn't always help. I have started making a few small trips to the store for produce. Maybe once at the beginging and also a trip to our local farmer's market.

2. Eating healthy can be inexpensive. It just takes more work. I have found that sandwich bread with whole grains and better ingredients can run pretty high. However, when I make our own bread it is much less expensive. However, it is not as easy, and it doesn't have the same shelf life.  I guess that is the point.

3. Look for coupons and clearance. There are still some coupons out there. They are just less frequent from what I've found. Many of the websites for the larger companies have links for coupons. Plus, my Kroger frequently clearances out close to expire products. This is one of the easiest ways for me to afford organic dairy.

4. Still stockpile pantry goods at low prices. I am still couponing and stockpiling many pantry goods. I am just more careful about which ones. I use lots of canned tomatoes or Chicken broth. Different times of the year these have more coupons and sales so I buy lots then. They have a long shelf life so I can buy lots and not have to pay full price later.

Those are a few of the things I do to work on switch to a healthier and still somewhat budget friendly way of eating. What are some things you do? Does any one do a food coop or buy meat in bulk? Any other ideas you do to save your family money while still feeding them well? I'd love to hear what ya'll do.

Ah, summer

As you may have noticed I haven't been around a whole lot lately. That's because we have been busy enjoying summer. Here is a bit of what we've been up to.

-Water table
-riding bikes
-swimming
-park playdates
-Cinci museum center
-splash pads
-catching lightning bugs
-seeing Cars 2 at the drive in
-several quick trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
- working on our garden
-all kinds of other fun and summer silliness


We are still doing a bit of school here and there, but mostly enjoying our summer while it is still here. We still have some fun planned, but I may be absent on the web a little more for a few more weeks. Hope you all are enjoying your summer as well.

It's not for him...it's for me.

Levi is a jumping fool. He loves to bounce. Beds, trampolines, bouncy houses, mom. All things he loves to bounce on. That's why I want to one of these bad boys....Yep, I want a Nursery Trampoline. I have to tell you I had a trampoline as a kid. I want a big one some day. You know, when we have a back yard that is big enough to fit a trampoline in it. But this would fit perfect in our basement or even in the yard for a little bit of summer.

So this is definately going on my wish list. Hello, energy burner.  Yep, this is the stuff I think about while my kid is jumping on my couch even after we spent the morning at the park. 

Seventh Generation giveaway!!!!!

Our family has been SLOWLY attempting to become a little more green and eat a little healthier. This is a very slow process for us. One product line I really like is seventh generation. We use a lot of their cleaning products, but they also have a baby line.


Myblogspark.com and Seventh Generation sent me a package of diapers to try. They asked if I'd like to do a giveaway as well. Of course, I said YES PLEASE! I love using products that I know have fewer chemicals and processing in my home. I am even happier to use products that are directly touching my kiddos. Seventh Generation has a reputation of quality. The diapers are no exception. I was very excited to have the chance to try the new free and clear diaper. 


Seventh Generation diapers are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions. Plus, they have reduced the amount of plastic packaging to help keep landfill waste low.  

I thought the diapers did an excellent job. We haven't had any leakage issues. They fit well. There is a slight difference in look and feel from other brands, but remember they are made with different materials and leave out the not so good stuff. Overall, we had a great experience with Seventh Generation diapers. 

Now, for the cool for you part. Seventh Generation through myblogspark has generously offered one of my readers the chance to win a free package to try. 

Here's how to enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know one thing you do to be a little more green in your family. Also, please leave me your email so I can find you when you win.  :)


Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog and leave me a comment letting me know you did. If you already do that counts too.
2. Share this post on facebook and leave me a comment letting me know you did so. 




Also, for all of my readers Seventh Generation is offering a coupon for $2 off diapers, wipes, or training pants. You can get it right here.


This giveaway will be open until Monday July 18 at 3pm. 


*I was provided with a package of diapers to review from Seventh Generation and myblogspark.com. All opinions expressed are my own.