Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Stations of the Cross- kids and family stuff

Look what I came upon!  Pages of the Stations of the Cross for kids to color or hang up (as we will). 

CLICK THIS LINK HERE

I am thrilled.  I have wanted to get ones that were big enough to hang up on our walls around our house so that we could do an actual walking around stations of the cross as a family at home.  I will be hanging these up in our long hallway and wherever I can find room (but you can color them too!).  It may turn out to be a little bit of a hunt to find the next station as we travel together, but what fun!  I bet my kids will love it.  Well, I hope they do!  They'll learn their roman numerals too-a whole bag full of learning!

I also printed THESE up and will be cutting them up into little booklets for little hands to follow along as we walk, as a family, through the stations of the cross.  I am so pleased!  Of course I wanted to do these Stations sooner...as in the beginning of Lent (rrrr!), but better late than never, right>?!?! oh well.  We'll have our big crucifix that  my older sons will fight over have to take turns using and learn to be patient.  Then after we complete a station, each child will get to place a sticker on that station sign as we (*look around hastily for the next station somewhere in my house and while we look and walk and not run around, we hope not to loose any child in some other room, b/c the whole point is to do this as a family, right?  I mean, it can't be that hard to do.  So what that only one of my children knows how to read totally by himself.  And the kids may scream and get bored and impatient and frustrated as we trudge from room to room to just find the next station*) head on over to the next station.

So...how are your stations of the cross going this Lent?

BTW, check out these Stations of the Cross put out by EWTN-now, that seems the type I'll be praying by myself.

God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Confession talk

Older boy:  "How many times did I hit you?"

Middle boy:  "1,2,3,4,5...6 times.  Yup, 6 times."

Older boy:  "Ok."

Middle boy: "Why are you asking me that?"

Older boy:  "Just keeping tabs on my list."


LOOK HERE for a Catholic examination of conscience for adults.  LOOK HERE for another one for adults, still the same but worded a bit differently. 

LOOK HERE for examination of conscience for children. 

This week is a really good week to get to confession!!! 

Get your SOUL 'in the box'!!!

Society has lost a sense of sin, BIGTIME. 

You're okay, I'm okay...hey, we're all okay...right?  No.  The reality is ...we are so not! 

We need forgivess and we need to change our ways.  Being truly sorry for our sins, asking and begging for forgiveness, and have a firm resolution not to sin anymore.  Yes, we are fragile humans who are so inclined to sin but...don't give up.  We are called to keep trying and keep trying.  Figure out what may trigger us to sin and avoid it as much as you can.  Avoid near occasions of sin too. It will not come easy. 

Anything worthwhile is never easy, is it?  Really. 

The graces that come pouring into us after confession is really felt.  You know it!  You feel it, don't you!?!?  It is real.  It is true.  I will be praying for you.  God bless you.

God bless,
Mary

Toy Review Tuesday

well, sorta kinda...

Here is what I think is a super invention...

PUZZLE STORAGE ORGANIZER
Pros:  My sister-in-law gave it to us for Christmas and it has been so helpful in keeping our younger childrens' puzzles together and not loosing the pieces. (Well, some of them are lost but not all and that is awesome!).  I've always admired the one at the library and wondered if they sold them to anyone, not just the libraries.  What a suprise to get this as a present-just what I wanted and what we needed!  It's easy to transport to the table and let them pick out the one puzzle to work on.  Then off the puzzle organizer goes up far from little hands to get a hold of it. 

Cons:  Only holds certain kinds of puzzles-it has to be the exact width and thickness to fit in nicely to the organizer. There are some of our puzzles that are too thick and/or too small or big for the organizer holder thingy and they sit next to it.  I think there are different size puzzle organizers and even cool wooden ones that I really dig, but I found those to be too expensive unless we get them for Christmas too!!! (hint, hint! heee heee).  The one on amazon.com I just googled came up for the price of a little bit over $10!  I think that is a great price!

God bless and happy puzzling!
Mary

Monday, March 29, 2010

Homeschooling Top Picks & Tips #3

Just like THIS post and THIS post...

Here are some recommended reading for the homeschooling Mom that I have found extremely useful.  Some I found out on my own, and some were recommended from other homeschooling Moms and seasoned homeschooling Moms-to them both, a warm and big thank you!:



2.  Catholic Home Schooling by Mary Kay Clark



I hope you enjoy these as much as I have. 
These are the type of books that I will have looked at trillions of times and will never stop. 
They are chock full of helpful information for just about anything you may encounter as a
Catholic and homeschooling Mom
We, Moms, need all the support and advice we can get-esp. from the right resources-
as we embark and journey through homeschooling our amazing families!!!

O Happy Schooling!

God bless,
Mary

Quote of the Day

"The love of worldly possessions is a sort of bird line, which entangles the soul, and prevents it flying to God."

-- St. Augustine

O Happy Monday of the holiest of weeks in our Church year!

God bless,
Mary

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Happy Palm Sunday!

"The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
'Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest."
---Matthew 21:9

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lent Update

Today will be a family effort:  we'll be doing lots of Spring cleaning today, in prepartion for Holy Week and Easter! 

Update:  Lent 2010:

 40 bags in 40 days challenge...I still have about 6 bags left.  I can't believe I got rid of that much stuff!  I am psyched but now it comes down to the nitty gritty...I really have to get rid of more.  Simplicity.  Simplicity.  Simplicity.

Remeber this post with my easy just- print Lenten calender link?  We LOVED it!!!  Unlike last year, this year we did not even miss one day!  Great job children, esp. my 7 yr old daughter, for keeping us on track!

As for our Lenten bean jar--another fantastic outcome!  The easter bunny will be having to change lots and lots of kidney beans into jelly beans this year.  My little ones are so very excited for this mysterious switch that will take place :)

Happy Cleaning....!
God bless, Mary

Friday, March 26, 2010

3 sets of twins

A good friend of mine also has 6 kids-just like me, 4 boys and 2 girls.  We finally got together yesterday to do a little 'co-op' in the making...adding a family here and there, as we go along.  We have been trying to get together for months to do this, no joke. 

She was teaching history while I did arts and crafts and babysat the littles.  There were 6 littles to be exact- (2)4 yr old girls, (2)3 yr old boys and (2)1year olds! 

Yesterday, when asked my oldest daughter, a 7 yr old, if she wanted to be a part of the 'all boy history class' (5 boys!) she said:

"Oh Mom, but you'll have all those little kids.  I'll help you.  It'll be a lot for you."

How cute, huh??!!?!? So sweet, it melts my heart!!!  I love how she is a mother hen-just love it!!!

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Letter R Week

Unlike last week with the letter Q, we had so much to choose from for this week, the letter R!!! We had a hard time concentrating on certain things, it seemed everywhere we turned, there was something more to learn about that started with the letter R.  I love how into it my children are at this-they see it as a game...."Mom, look this begins with rrrrrrr!!!"

Letter Rr
  • Practiced writing Rr on writing paper
  • Used clay for letter capital 'R' and lower case 'r' formation
  • Hidden Letter Rr worksheet

Rr is for St. Rose of Lima
Read about St. Rose from St. Joseph Beginner's Book of Saints and An Alphabet of Catholic Saints

Listened about St. Rose of Lima from Catholic World Missions' Glory Stories

Colored St. Rose of Lima-this coloring page---scroll all the way to the bottom-she is the last one there!  This is a terrific site that I just happened to come upon-we love the fun activities and coloring pages are great.

Colored or painted THIS picture of roses!


Rr is for Rainbows

Handprint Rainbow craft-is one of my favorite activities to do with my children.  I remember doing it when my oldest,who is 9 now, was only about 3!  It's a good one to do with the littles and to keep on hand (hee hee) to see how much they have grown over the years.


Making Rainbow Arc's---Remover the wrappers from crayons and use the width of the crayons to make thick rainbows-my kids love this, esp. since I allow them to unwrap the wrappers!!! OR tape the 6 crayon sticks together  (remember ROYGBIV???) and in one single stroke they make a rainbow-fun!  We also painted rainbows.

Watching The Reading Rainbow videos- I have a few different ones so it's their choice.


Rr is for Raccoons and Rabbits

This is a fun online puzzle of raccoons that my kids enjoyed.

This is a cute raccoon coloring page that they did too.

Watching THIS video link about Raccoons.



R is for Rosary
this is a constant work in progress around here.  The last 2 Saturday family movie nights, we began our night with the entire Rosary FIRST then watched the movie together.  It is quite interesting but we are persevering, as we are called to do.  In the past, we have said a decade of the Rosary right after dinner, that way the children are already sitting, maybe not so still, but nonetheless, they were sitting-that seemed to work for a while too.  I have found also that there are some great cartoon Rosary from EWTN that we have seen every now and then.  I do not know the name of it, do any of you?  I think my children would love to use that as a focus on saying the Rosary too. Please let me know, if you know that show or what it is called or where to get it -Thanks!  The overall key for us and our family, is to be flexible-always.  My children need variety to keep them interested!

Rr is for Rivers

We read the book A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry and Wildlife of Rivers and Lakes and also The River Bank (from the Wind and the Willows little book set).

Rr is for Reptiles

We read through Snakes and other Reptiles adn the Usborne book Reptile World


Rr is for Respect

The Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated."
Be courteous and polite.
Listen to what others have to say.
Don't insult others-making fun of them, laughing at them, teasing them or call them names.
Don't bully others or pick on others.


Rr is for lots and lots of READING!!!

Happy R WEEK!

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Happy Feast of the Annunciation!

From the link: Fr. Hardon Archives - The Magnificat: Mary’s Own Prayer:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold henceforth all generations will call me blessed because He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name; and His Mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear Him. He has shown might with His Arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy - even as He Spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.”
(Luke 1:46-55)

Happy Feast of the Annunciation!

We are ready to celebrate today...
Wearing Blue clothes, in honor of Mary
Making Pure white angel food cake, to honor her purity and may make some blue frosting too

Coloring pages from Holy Heroes and this link too and this one too!!!

Working on this fill in the blank sheet for the Hail Mary.

Praying the Angelus prayer and hopefully, the Rosary!

GOd bless,
Mary

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Letter Q Week

Letter Qq was a hard week for us.  We had a difficult time finding lots of different  things to study that began w/Q but...what we did find and learn about was f-u-n! :)

Qq is for Queen of Saints, Queen of families, Queen of Heaven and earth
Read about Mary our Queen from various books we have stocked up in our bookcases. 

Qq is for Quetzels
How fun is was to learn about these fascinating birds!  Found out about them from THIS National Geographic link.  Colored a picture of a quetzel too-such a pretty bird!

Q is for Quilts
I read a few books on quilts to the children and really wanted to make one out of construction paper but just did not get around to doing it.  Maybe next year for Q week!

Q is for Quesadillas
Once again, wanted to make these for dinner one night ...but forgot!!!

Q is for Quantity
At snack time this past week,when it was so very beautiful out, we had some friends visit.  I set up a variety of different quantities of different snack items.  The kids loved it!  They ate it all up too. I am beginning to think it's all about the presentation of foods that will make our kids more interested in eating the items rather than complaining about what they are made to eat! haa!  I had cut up carrots, ritz crackers, grapes, cantaloupe, blackberries and cheese.  I wish I took a picture of the platter.  It was fun to create and we're definetly going to do it again and soon!

God bless,
Mary

Monday, March 22, 2010

Come to Jesus!



God, please forgive our country, for they know not what they do.

God bless!
Mary

Go outside and play!

This was one of the most deserving beautiful weekends that we've had in a long long time.  Perfect temps of 65*-75* Sunny!!!  We, pretty much, spent the entire weekend outside.  Lots of vitamin D and fresh air makes everyone a much happier crew.  They say rain tomorrow-bummer!  I was getting used to these sunny days :)

On Saturday, I brought my oldest son into the doctors b/c he banged up his toe a few days prior.  How?, you ask?  He was running UP the slide barefoot and banged it going up.  Yes, I did tell him to put on shoes.  Yes, I did remind him to put on shoes and keep his shoes on.  Along with all the other kidos.  Oh well, the poor kid had to learn the hard way.  It really is not that bad, though.  He got some x-rays to make sure the break was not in a bad place and it wasn't.  So, the doctor sent us on our way with the orders of no running, no biking, no hopping, no roughing it for 2-3 weeks and taped up his toe.  Ok.  A 9 year old boy who is not allowed to run or bike?  His 2 favorite things to do and that keep both him and me sane?  Are you kidding me?  Yikes. 

That led us to the library to stock up on books to keep his mind busy, even if his body can't be!  The librarian checked us out our usual boat load of books and asked if one of my girls took ballet, since there were quite a few books on ballet in the pile.  I replied she enjoys it immensely but she is not in a class right now.  She agreed that her daughter who is in the second grade has friends who are doing so many activities and sports and groups etc... that she is missing some simply b/c she is so tired, literally.  She wondered why so many parents do not simply tell their children to go play outside or rather push them out the door and tell them to play outside, like we were pushed out the door.  We were told to get out there and figure out something to do and play with.  And we did.  We had a nice little conversation about that.

That got me thinking later on about how the world is tempting us to put our children in so many sports and 'fun' activities fulfill their interests and keep them busy.  And forgetting that these little minds have the best imaginations ever!  They do not need a lot to be creative and be playful and simply be children.  Instead, parents are not giving them the opportunity to enjoy the simple life.  They are crowding them with gadgets and gizmos and noise.  They get used to that so much so that when they may have that rare opportunity to be outside, for example, they don't even know what to do and dare say those words..."I'm bored."

I am so very grateful to God for my children, their innocence, and their playfulness.  Many times these past few days, I would stop and glance for a good while at my children and sigh.  Yes, just about the entire contents of our playroom were outside but it didn't bother me a bit.  Yes, they had mismatched clothes, and no bother there either.   Yes, they used the yellow/orange extension cord to make some type of real life size spider web, but I didn't care.  Yes, they were running around in their slippers at times, but hey -they sorta had shoes on.  Yes, they got dirt under their nails and dirt smudges all over their clothes, so what. 

Happy.  Content.  Creative.

No TV.  No Internet.  No Nintendo.  No IPhone.  No IPod. 

Just being children.  And I loved every minute of it.   Thank you, God.

God bless,
Mary

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Quote of the day

"We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that's all right, everything is all right. We must say, 'I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.' And this ..is our strength, and this is the joy of the Lord. "

-- Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Friday, March 19, 2010

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Happy Feast day of St. Joseph!

What a terrific day to celebrate fatherhood.  St. Joseph, pray for us and pray for my husband!

Here are some coloring pages.

Here are some too!

We'll be out enjoying this wonderful warm day.  Hope you enjoy yours too! 

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Homeschooling Top Picks and Tips #2

If you have not heard of these before or have not read any of my posts mentioning these...get ready-you don't want to miss these.  More will come in the next few days too.

This post is continued from THIS POST.

The next 3 items are a must have to have on hand for learning how to sit still, car rides/trips, quiet time with headphones, if the kids are sick, or just about anytime!  Even my youngest ones (3 and 4) love to sit with their headphones on listening-it keeps them quiet for an extended amount of time in the next room while I work with the older ones teaching them a concept or 2!

4.  Glory Stories---there are so many to choose from:  St. Therese, St. Juan Diego, St. Martin, Mother Teresa, St. Joseph, St. Faustina and so many more.  There are even coloring books to go along with them.  Some of them are a bit dramatic and sound so real-some of my kids are not ready to hear them yet.  They are perfect for my older ones!

5.  Cat Chat---these my children all love on long van rides-the songs are awesome!  I sing along with them too!  It's quite a sight, let me tell you...!!! :)

6.  Adventures in Odyssey---some of these are more appropriate for the older kids and some are just fine for all the kids!  You can listen online too-my kids love to color while they listen to them.

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top of the morning to ya!


Here is one of my favorite prayers ever:

Breastplate of Saint Patrick
Christ shield me this day
Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger
.


Did you know that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity?  We did a craft yesterday called 5 Green Shamrocks except they were not green and there were not 6!  haaa haaa but it was fun nonetheless...here is the link for it.

We're getting ready for some corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots for dinner tonight-yum!

We're also coloring this awesome picture of St. Patrick!

We'll be watching the CCC movie about Patrick a little bit later.

Mary
May God bless you and keep you,

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Surely not something I've thought about before

(FYI-we are studying the letter Qq this week)

Boy:  "Mom, why is there even the letter Q in the alphabet anyway?"

I give a puzzled look at him.

Boy:  "I mean, you can put the c and w together to get the same sound as q.  So, why the letter Q?  And what about Z?  For xylophone-the xy together make the z sound.  Why is it, Mom?"
Oh, how I wish I had the answers!!!
Do you?
I may just need to contact Webster Dictionary on this question!
God bless,
Mary

Monday, March 15, 2010

Letter "P" Week

This was, by far, our favorite letter week.  The children were really into it and pointing out all the things that started with a letter Pp.  I was impressed how they were going through our many bookshelves to find the books with the letter Pp in the titles!  My hubby mentioned mid-week how they were talking to him all about the letter Pp and what we have been learning.  I guess it's working! 

We covered a whole lot this week for the letter Pp.  I hope I can remember all we did! 

 Pp is for St. Padre Pio and St. Patrick and St. Perpetua

We read the booklet of Padre Pio by Rev. Jude Winkler and we decided to wait to watch this CCC movie of St. Patrick until his feast day, which is this week!  (Too bad it did not land on our letter P week!) We also watched this movie about St. Perpetua-my kids thought it was so good, a bit scary at some points for the little ones, but still a great movie.

Pp is for eating
Pretzels
Perogies
Pasta
Peanut butter (&jelly of course!)
lots of popcorn
& Pizza!

Letter Pp
clay formation of the letter capital P
Hidden letter Pp worksheets
Coloring pages of St. Padre Pio
Letter Pp little booklets (I can't seem to find the link right now...sorry!)

Letter Pp is for Pandas, Porcupines, Peacocks and Penguins
We read books I got from the library on these animals-too many to list!  After learning a lot about peacocks and coloring some pictures of peacocks here and here...we visited a nearby small petting zoo to check out the peacocks and other animals too: sheep, goats, chickens and bunnies.  We were joined by some friends and brought the number from my measly 6 way up to 13 and another Mom and myself!  It was a fun field trip for us all.

Letter Pp is for Puppets!
We made sock puppets-I will HAVE to download the pics of them!  They came out so darn cute-affectionately named Margaret, Rosie and Jack.  Easy to do and my kids (ages 7,4 and 3) LOVE them! Jack even came to Mass with us on Sunday-stuck in his pocket and the other ones have enjoyed 'doing school work' with their 'owners'!

Letter P is for Peter Pan
I read this book of Peter Pan-we must have given away the movie b/c I could not find it.  But, they loved listening to the book, I think, even more!  It amazes me that no matter how many times one can watch a certain movie, listening to it being read to them or reading it yourself always makes it so much more interesting! :)

Letter P is for Puzzles
We did lots and lots of puzzles every day.  I am in awe of just how many puzzles we own!  Big floor puzzles, small 24 count, 50 ct, 100 ct, 200 ct puzzles, wooden piece puzzles etc...

Letter P is for Playdough 

My children came up with an additonal list of Pp things and most we could not even get to learning about and are ready to keep learning about them.   I was tempted to do another Letter P week from this list below!  They did a great job...Take a look:
  • Paddington Bear
  • Polar Express
  • Planets
  • Pigs
  • Pyramids
  • Puma
  • Pooh Bear (Winne the Pooh!)
  • Pillows
  • Piano
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pies
  • Pink
  • Purple
  • Plants
  • Policemen
Now it's time for Letter Qq this week-some fun stuff coming up!  It was a bit difficult to choose what to cover with letter Q but I did find some things.  I will post on it later in the week, God willing! 

Have a great Monday and a terrific week too!
God bless,
Mary

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Homeschooling Top Picks and Tips #1

I have been mulling around with the idea of having a list of things or items that I feel are essential to homeschooling(*please keep this in mind...this is what I think, not necessarily what every Mom or homeschooling mom thinks but just me, found out of experience and others' advice*). 

Of course I am sure there are going to be more, that is why I added the "#1" on the title of the post...so stay tuned to more to come.  This is a great list to keep handy for birthdays, feast days, name days, and it's never too early to get Christmas shopping done! (I can't believe I just said that! heee heeee!)  Easter is soon too, so you'll be all set for their Easter baskets!

1.  This book, The Mass for Children, by Rev. Jude Winkler is a must have with children---my 7 year old tries to remember to bring it every time she goes to Mass-she agrees that it helps her out so much!

2.  This book, Leading Little Ones to Mary, is awesome!  I cannot stress it enough what this book has done for my children and their understaning of God, Mary, the Saints and our relationship w/them!  It is not full of pretty pictures but has the sweetest way of wording that I read to them a few times a week.  This is a total MUST HAVE BOOK!

3.  A good waterproof, digital watch that has alarm settings(sort of like this one)----for you, the Mom!  No kidding!  I got a new Timex IronMan watch for Christmas this year and my spiritual prayer life has not been better.  It has 3 settings for the alarms that go off daily- one to wake me up at 5:37am (yikes, I know), one for 12noon to say the Angelus prayer and one for 3pm to say the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  I cannot tell you enough how much I love these alarms!  Also, I wanted to add that I do not stop what I am doing to say the Angelus or the Chaplet prayers, I continue on and just say them outloud as I am washing dishes or tieing shoelaces.  My children have even gotten used to these alarms and now know about them too!  What a learning tool for them and I was not even thinking about that!

That's it for now...I'll add more another day so check back, you don't want to miss it!

God bless,
Mary

p.s.  Did YOU remember to turn ahead your clocks?!?!?  I was up at 5:37 and had my coffee already :)  My kids are still sleeping, reason why I can do all this typing right now!!! God bless and don't be late for Mass!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

You're so right, buddy.

Boy:  "Ya know, it doesn't seem welcoming outside when the sky is so dark and grey.  It doesn't seem as welcoming as when the sky is blue.  It feels kinda...lonely, in a way."

Can you guess which child said this? :)

God bless,
Mary

Smitten

that my wonderful hubby engraved "I love Mary" on his new IPOD or Iphone or whatever you call it. 

Even after 10 yrs married and 13 together...
smitten...

100%, totally, completely in love with this man.

It just keeps getting better.  :)

God bless,
Mary

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

9 year old boy says to me

"Mom, you should have seen it!  It was soooooooo cool!  Man, the way my remote controlled truck fell off the roof.  It was so cool, I wish you could have seen it.  Want to see it again?"

(WHAT?!?!)

As my hubby says, "They're boys just being boys."
I say, "How in the world did he do this?  And why?!"

I don't know if I will ever get used to this...but I pray I will and soon b/c there's 4!

God, please protect my four sons and send your angels over them always.  I cannot be there at every moment.  It scares me to let go but I know I need to.    Be their Guide and let them seek You always.  Never let them stray from You.  Protect thier bodies and thier souls.  May I relax and allow them boys to be boys, the way You created them.  Let them blossom into men of God proclaiming to the world YOU- the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Amen.

God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Toy Review Tuesday

Toy Review Tuesday
Playskool Tonka Bounce Back Racer

Pros:
Any age child can play with it.  Even my 1 yr old was!  (shh...and even I was too!)
Really really durable
Can play inside our outside


Cons:
Batteries go quickly if not turned off...
Batteries...
....Why does it always take us forever to remember to buy those batteries?!?!
A little pricey but worth the $-Grandparents bought 2 for 2 of my boys-they love them

God bless,
Mary

p.s.  (Go here for more)

Monday, March 8, 2010

The likes of dogs

We have a lovely older lady neighbor that lives across the street.  We always wave hello and stop for a little chit-chat every now and then.  When she is out raking leaves or shoveling snow or anything outside, my 2 older boys (6 and 9) are quick to ask if they can go over to help. 

This afternoon, she was hanging eggs out on her tree and just as last year, the boys asked (ok, begged) to go over and help since they helped last year too.  She even offered before I could ask her. 

The boys ran over and this time, for the 1st time ever, my 4 yr old daughter went too!  This is huge b/c our lady neighbor has a dog-a very old but friendly and old and slow moving dog.  Since my girls and one boy are quite petrified to go over, this was a shock to hear!  But it was beautiful, nonetheless.  Maybe she is over her fear sicne she has been over there for 20 minutes already~!

My older daughter is sitting by the windows in a complete stare.

"Oh Mom, the dog is pooping. The boys better watch out for that poop!" she says.

I glance out the window too and I do not see the dog pooping!

"Mom, the dog is still pooping!"

"WHy do you say that the dog is pooping?" I ask.

"Because the dog has been sitting there for a really long time, that's why."

HAAA HAAA!
Little does she know that the dog was not pooping but just pooped!  The poor thing is so old -13 yrs!

haaa! :)  Isn't that too funny!!!
God bless,
Mary

Saturday, March 6, 2010

What a deal!

A few months ago, our double jogging stroller broke.  We were not too worried since the winter months began and we knew it would be a while till my main man was out running again.  Then the poor guy hurt his knee and just started up running again a few weeks ago, after a long knee injury.  Long story short...he was training for the marathon and up to running 22 miles (AHH! I know, right?!?!) Anyway, he hurt his knee then began running then hurt his other knee-he really had to take some time off.  Without complaining too much, he took that time off.  This was quite hard for him since he really enjoys running. 

Now he is back into it and we have been looking for a stroller for the right price, used or not used...as long as it worked and the price is right.

Well, was the price right!

I just found one that someone posted on Craigslist for a free-that's right...free!  I took my chances not knowing if it worked but they said it was in good condition and runs but just needs some cleaning.  I packed the kids up in the big Momma truck and picked it up a few towns away.

Check this baby out!
Here is what it looks like:


Now just imagine a few dirt marks on it but that's it! 
Isn't she pretty!?!?!  Our last one did not have a swivel front tire, nor the 5 point harness, nor the bar in the front!  We are so thankful to God for, once again, providing for us.  This makes my hubby happy so now he can push the little ones (3 and 1 yr old boys) as he runs and gives the Momma a *littlle break* for a little bit!  Thank You God!

God bless, 
Mary 


Friday, March 5, 2010

Secret Santa

The kitchen floor was all tidied up a few minutes ago.  5 minutes passed and there were 4 pairs of gloves/mittens and multiple hats strewed on that once tidied up floor. 

"Who did this?"  I asked.

"Santa did."  said my 3 yr old.

Since when did Santa become the bad guy?
HAAA HAAA!

God bless,
Mary

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Letter O Week

"O, what a wonderful day!"
Ois for Ox
O is for St. Odilia
 O is for Oranges
  • Eating...oranges!
  • Watching how orange juice is made from HERE.
O is for Oceans and Otters
  • Read the many various books that we have on hand about oceans, pointing out the otters in the pictures
  • Watch Reading Rainbow, Ocean Life (found a copy at the dollar store!)
O is for Obedience
(this is one we are constantly working on!!!)
  • Read Letter O from the book An Angels' Alphabet - it was first published back in the 1940's and it is truely lovely!  I found it at a friends' house that they were in the process of selling and they had a box full of *free* stuff and that is where I found it!  What a find, huh? :)
  • Reading stories about OBEDIENCE from ABeka's book, Down by the Sea, reading program book. 
  • Also from the book The Book of Virtues.
  • Also from various books on our bookshelves 
  • Color the picture about Obedience and talk about it from this BLOG LINK. Aren't they awesome? 
Today, we are baking some...
Oatmeal cookies, of course!

I'm trying to make these posts of our Letter of the Week a bit more informative since others have asked me about my letter weeks.  Hope these ideas help out and Happy Feast day of St.  Katharine Drexel!

Now it is time for me to get off this computer! :)
God bless,
Mary

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Overheard outside

While outside, enjoying this warm(er) weather we are blessed with...
in the woods...
looking under rocks for bugs...
doing 'boy stuff'...

3 yr old brother says to 6 yr old brother:

"God is watching!  That is bad to do!"

Those young ones sure remind us of what is important, huh?!?!
HAAA HAAA!!!
God bless,
Mary

Coffee!

My coffee this morning:

Cinnamon Hazelnut with honey-vanilla cream flavor coffee creamer.

How's that for a yummy smelling caffiene pick me up?  Just the sound of it makes me want to have another cup.  Yum!

Here's hoping your coffee is as good as mine!!!
God bless,
Mary

Monday, March 1, 2010

It's a Miracle!!!

Ever have a moment (s!) like this?

I finally convinced my children that they should go outside.  After all, it is registering 47* outside!  They have been cooped up way too long and the sun is finally shining, melting the bit of snow we have.  Lots of mud, but lots of sun-that sure outweighs the mud!  It was a work on motivating them to actually go outside.  I think they have been inside for so long that they got used to it a bit.  My kids are outside kids-they love the outdoors, so this was a bit surprising that I had to kindly push them out the door. 

So, they are outside.  The house is quiet.  Very quiet.  What to do, what to do,what shall I do?  I sip my cup of my daily afternoon caffiene perk (reheated, of course) and walk around, trying to decide what takes precedence.  We do have a few days of laundry just sitting there.  Argh.  But there is nothing I can do about that one.  The piece that was broken is (hopefully!) in the mail and en route.  It better get here fast!  I gasp to see a tablecloth rolled up in the corner of hte dining room from a few days ago. Why I have not noticed it sooner is beyond me.  I know what's inside.  Lots of a dinner we once had a few nights ago.  I gather it up to shake it off outside.  That very outside that my children are enjoying in shortsleeve shirts and one even sad to say, barefoot. 

I watch them from the door as they giggle with enjoyment.  One dressed as a Little House on the Praire girl, one dressed as a Mommy holding a baby and baby bag, one without shoes (!), and boys throwing sticks to see who can throw farther (everything seems to be a competition around here!). 

Anyway, I stood there with the big decision on if I should shake it off now or later. 

My thoughts:  Will they see me?  Will I distract them? 

I seize the opportunity to just shake the stinkin' tablecloth and go on with my day.

Next thing I now:

"MOM!"
"Hi MOM!"
"Whatcha doin' Momma?"
"Mom, see this stick?  Watch this!"
"MOM!  I'm coming over to you!"

Why do I even think I could do such a thing without being noticed?

The 4 and 3 yr olds come running over to me and they are headed for the mudpit.  Oh my!  I start to say that I am only shaking a tablecloth, that's it.  No biggie here.  Nothing miraculous.

But to them, it is.
A Momma home.
A Momma being just that, a Mom.

I guess it is a miracle afterall.

God bless,
Mary