Greetings!

Happy Halloween! These dilapitated pumpkins were last weeks project. The cold has seriously taken away all the pizazz they once had. The kids still love them though so thats all that matters.

Greetings!

Happy Halloween! These dilapitated pumpkins were last weeks project. The cold has seriously taken away all the pizazz they once had. The kids still love them though so thats all that matters.

Autumn Nights

Without a doubt autumn nights are my favorite of the year. With the earlier darkening of the sky, the cool crisp air and a warm fire lit, there really isnt much else that makes me feel at peace. The thing that adds a smile to my face? Family. Together autumn and family make everything just fine and dandy.

Autumn Nights

Without a doubt autumn nights are my favorite of the year. With the earlier darkening of the sky, the cool crisp air and a warm fire lit, there really isnt much else that makes me feel at peace. The thing that adds a smile to my face? Family. Together autumn and family make everything just fine and dandy.

Diaper Making Diva

Last weekend after our Girls Scouts outing Cailtin and I found ourselves in a silent house with not much to do. We decided to tackle the 50yards of fabric that needed to be ironed and then cut into 5ish dozen diapers for my sister.

Caitlin begged and pleaded to learn to iron and to help witht the tracing of pattern peices. Ironing being one of my least favorite domestic duties I gladly handed it over. She was a little unsure but in the end really enjoyed herself. Next up she wanted to trace pattern peices for the diapers. This one I was a little more hesitant on just because they have to be pretty darn accurate. However I managed to please her with the soaker peices. She traced her little heart out, pinned with such pride and in the end counted her pile of 23 soakers at least 12 times, just to make sure ya know.

We had a great weekend and she is already asking if we can do the same things this weekend. :) I think I have a sewing princess in the making. Not too shabby!

Diaper Making Diva

Last weekend after our Girls Scouts outing Cailtin and I found ourselves in a silent house with not much to do. We decided to tackle the 50yards of fabric that needed to be ironed and then cut into 5ish dozen diapers for my sister.

Caitlin begged and pleaded to learn to iron and to help witht the tracing of pattern peices. Ironing being one of my least favorite domestic duties I gladly handed it over. She was a little unsure but in the end really enjoyed herself. Next up she wanted to trace pattern peices for the diapers. This one I was a little more hesitant on just because they have to be pretty darn accurate. However I managed to please her with the soaker peices. She traced her little heart out, pinned with such pride and in the end counted her pile of 23 soakers at least 12 times, just to make sure ya know.

We had a great weekend and she is already asking if we can do the same things this weekend. :) I think I have a sewing princess in the making. Not too shabby!

It's the way we roll, yo

So this is where it all started. A huge stack of books from the local library with fun crafty ideas. Seriously after Monday and Tuesday I would have done anything to make Wednesday a better day. Armed with many books I sat down to find just the right thing. Heck I found enough for the whole year! But it came to me as I pondered the books, THE idea. I knew the kids would go for it. I mean come on, what kid doesn't go for an idea that involves running through the house and making as much noise as possible. Yeah I had the right idea.

Get out the art stuff.......

Make a serious mess all over the table and the floor. Creation can not happen in a clean and organized space apperently.

Do not stop moving, even from a photo op.

Get down on the floor if you really have too.

And wahlah! You will have created a super sonic speed racer!

These bad boys go FAST (especially when you have your super fast running shoes on!). The may look like boxes to you but oh no, do not be fooled. These suckers are race cars unlike anything you have ever seen.

And when you are of the male perssuasion and a country boy at that a race car only works for so long. In the end you need something that will let you flex your workin' man muscles a little bit. What better way to do that than with a tow truck. Seriously this truck would have your husband salivating when you knew all the capablilities Ian added. A flat bed with smoke stacks ain't got nothin' on this bad boy!

Peace out!

It's the way we roll, yo

So this is where it all started. A huge stack of books from the local library with fun crafty ideas. Seriously after Monday and Tuesday I would have done anything to make Wednesday a better day. Armed with many books I sat down to find just the right thing. Heck I found enough for the whole year! But it came to me as I pondered the books, THE idea. I knew the kids would go for it. I mean come on, what kid doesn't go for an idea that involves running through the house and making as much noise as possible. Yeah I had the right idea.

Get out the art stuff.......

Make a serious mess all over the table and the floor. Creation can not happen in a clean and organized space apperently.

Do not stop moving, even from a photo op.

Get down on the floor if you really have too.

And wahlah! You will have created a super sonic speed racer!

These bad boys go FAST (especially when you have your super fast running shoes on!). The may look like boxes to you but oh no, do not be fooled. These suckers are race cars unlike anything you have ever seen.

And when you are of the male perssuasion and a country boy at that a race car only works for so long. In the end you need something that will let you flex your workin' man muscles a little bit. What better way to do that than with a tow truck. Seriously this truck would have your husband salivating when you knew all the capablilities Ian added. A flat bed with smoke stacks ain't got nothin' on this bad boy!

Peace out!

A reminder to myself......

They arent always this insane, rude, barbaric, tired, ornery or flat out snotty. Nope they really are cute 99.9% of the time. The sweet loveable creatures that they are just need a day to clean out the goopiness I guess. Hey we all are entitled to a few off days right? **Deep breath** I will try to remember today that I am not always a peach either. Good luck to me.

A reminder to myself......

They arent always this insane, rude, barbaric, tired, ornery or flat out snotty. Nope they really are cute 99.9% of the time. The sweet loveable creatures that they are just need a day to clean out the goopiness I guess. Hey we all are entitled to a few off days right? **Deep breath** I will try to remember today that I am not always a peach either. Good luck to me.

New glorious information center

Here is the (nearly) completed dining room, or as I affectionately call it the information center. This is new addition to my life has been a life saver already. Why you ask? Well because it finally gives me all the room I need to keep things from overtaking the counter tops! Here's what we've got going....

Calender- This is one of my fave ideas (which I am sure isn't original at all!). I had these two really great windows that were given to us. They stared at me every time I walked past "Hey you, psst, don't use us in a chicken coop we are way to cool, old, and refined for that. Find something better." They nagged at me, called to me, and really became a pest. Anyway needing a little crafty something to do last weekend I figured it out. Calendar and picture holder! So the (really really bad) pic below is the calender. The red lines are marked on the back of the pane of glass. This way I can erase and change each month, activity, etc without erasing the whole grid. Yes I know there are only 5 boxes per week. This is because we go by the seat of our pants around here on the weekends, I only schedule stuff for the week days. By only putting 5 days I was able to have the notes column on the side. LOVE THIS. I can write reminders, thoughts etc. in this column. Love it so far!!

The second pane of glass was gridded (oh I love old wood grid windows!). I made and inserted fabric squares into 3 of the grids. This helps to keep all the pictures, cards and business cards in check (instead of under the fridge!). These panels were so easy to make! Caitlin helped me and it took us all of 15 minutes start to finish.

The shelf underneath is for small items like our canisters of pens and pencils. Homeschooling in such a small space makes me crazy sometimes as it can get really hectic and chaotic feeling at times. Having this set up combined with the built in desk has made organization SO much better. "A place for everything, and everything in it's place." is the motto back here!

The funky half wall or cork isn't finished yet. This wonderful idea I LOVE! I put the up as a place to hang all the visual aids I use for school. I can just tack up a letter card, picture, memory verse, etc and not only is it visible anywhere in the room but it is kept nice and tidy. I will extend the cork the the end of the shelf line and then trim the bottom with a piece of oak quarter round that we have. It looks awesome.

The black dresser you see was once...I hate to admit this.....a ghastly shade of baby blue. Now before you throw tomatoes, it wasn't my doing. It was painted something like 15 years ago when Deans only paint choices were blue or white. Even though it was baby blue I will give him props for choosing color instead of dreary white. Anyway after a nice new coat of black paint this baby looks very different! I still need to get handles for it but already it has cut paper clutter in half!

The top two drawers are used for bills. They are divided inside, one slot for bills to pay, another for things that need to be filed, receipts, one for home school info that I need to keep handy, and at this point a misc. slot I have yet to name.

The second row of drawers is for all the supplemental readings we will be doing throughout the semester. In these drawers I have books for our life science study, history figures, poetry etc. This makes it quick to grab and go without searching all the other bookshelves in the house.

The third row of drawers is for the kids. They each get one to keep whatever their little hearts can't get rid of. All the paper airplanes Ian can cram in there will be saved I am sure as will all of Caitlin's notes and lists (Boy that child is so me!!!). This will save my sanity and their creations from the trash.

We still haven't finished the ceiling (its a big project) but over all everything is working out great. In the end there will be a few more shelves added and a couple of other things here and there (like a key holder). As it sits right now sits right now though I am pleased as punch. :) How's that for a little organization baby!!

New glorious information center

Here is the (nearly) completed dining room, or as I affectionately call it the information center. This is new addition to my life has been a life saver already. Why you ask? Well because it finally gives me all the room I need to keep things from overtaking the counter tops! Here's what we've got going....

Calender- This is one of my fave ideas (which I am sure isn't original at all!). I had these two really great windows that were given to us. They stared at me every time I walked past "Hey you, psst, don't use us in a chicken coop we are way to cool, old, and refined for that. Find something better." They nagged at me, called to me, and really became a pest. Anyway needing a little crafty something to do last weekend I figured it out. Calendar and picture holder! So the (really really bad) pic below is the calender. The red lines are marked on the back of the pane of glass. This way I can erase and change each month, activity, etc without erasing the whole grid. Yes I know there are only 5 boxes per week. This is because we go by the seat of our pants around here on the weekends, I only schedule stuff for the week days. By only putting 5 days I was able to have the notes column on the side. LOVE THIS. I can write reminders, thoughts etc. in this column. Love it so far!!

The second pane of glass was gridded (oh I love old wood grid windows!). I made and inserted fabric squares into 3 of the grids. This helps to keep all the pictures, cards and business cards in check (instead of under the fridge!). These panels were so easy to make! Caitlin helped me and it took us all of 15 minutes start to finish.

The shelf underneath is for small items like our canisters of pens and pencils. Homeschooling in such a small space makes me crazy sometimes as it can get really hectic and chaotic feeling at times. Having this set up combined with the built in desk has made organization SO much better. "A place for everything, and everything in it's place." is the motto back here!

The funky half wall or cork isn't finished yet. This wonderful idea I LOVE! I put the up as a place to hang all the visual aids I use for school. I can just tack up a letter card, picture, memory verse, etc and not only is it visible anywhere in the room but it is kept nice and tidy. I will extend the cork the the end of the shelf line and then trim the bottom with a piece of oak quarter round that we have. It looks awesome.

The black dresser you see was once...I hate to admit this.....a ghastly shade of baby blue. Now before you throw tomatoes, it wasn't my doing. It was painted something like 15 years ago when Deans only paint choices were blue or white. Even though it was baby blue I will give him props for choosing color instead of dreary white. Anyway after a nice new coat of black paint this baby looks very different! I still need to get handles for it but already it has cut paper clutter in half!

The top two drawers are used for bills. They are divided inside, one slot for bills to pay, another for things that need to be filed, receipts, one for home school info that I need to keep handy, and at this point a misc. slot I have yet to name.

The second row of drawers is for all the supplemental readings we will be doing throughout the semester. In these drawers I have books for our life science study, history figures, poetry etc. This makes it quick to grab and go without searching all the other bookshelves in the house.

The third row of drawers is for the kids. They each get one to keep whatever their little hearts can't get rid of. All the paper airplanes Ian can cram in there will be saved I am sure as will all of Caitlin's notes and lists (Boy that child is so me!!!). This will save my sanity and their creations from the trash.

We still haven't finished the ceiling (its a big project) but over all everything is working out great. In the end there will be a few more shelves added and a couple of other things here and there (like a key holder). As it sits right now sits right now though I am pleased as punch. :) How's that for a little organization baby!!

Simple School Projects

Check out some of our a current art and other projects we have worked on lately.

This is an oragami book about the body systems that I found on homeschool share . It is part of a larger lapbook project but for our purposes it works well like this.
The size of this book is pretty big which of course the kids love.

Our fall nature book was inspired by a project found in Craft for all Seasons at our local library. Definatly work the .01 to buy on Amazon!

The inner "pages" are actually baggies. This allows the kids to find things on our nature walks and save them for later.

This one includes the sunflower seeds out of our garden. You would have thought the kids found a million bucks instead of seeds. The squeals of delight were pretty entertaining.

Another craft idea found in the Craft for all Seasons book. Leaf prints using markers, glue, and coffee filters. The kids loved this one! It is now hanging on our front door as a welcome sign. This worked great to tie in with our poem for the week "An Autumn Greeting"

Doesn't she look thrilled!? These are our mosaic bookmarks we made as a time filler this morning. :) The kids thought I was crazy for telling them to rip up paper. Beleive me though, they dug in real quick when they saw I was serious about making a mess!

I have found that giving the kids hands on projects (no matter how small) have really helped improve their moods and concentration levels for school subjects. I will be browsing more craft ideas to tie in with the coming poetry lessons as well as science and history, not to mention just fun ones!