You Capture- Winter

     We live in the deep south, and the deep south does not normally get snow.   This past weekend we got 2 inches!   It was very beautiful to watch as the flakes drifted down.  It reminded me of the few years we spent in Wisconsin. 

     Here are a few shots I took of our winter for the weekend:

   From the front steps…

My son sledding…

When it started accumulating…

Gathering on the trees…

After traipsing around outside in my slippers I had to warm up…

     For more You Capture! visit I Should Be Folding Laundry.  Lots of great photos!!

God bless,

~Rhen

Thirsty Thursday- Book Groups

     I realize that when most people think of “book club” they think of it as for adults, but kids love book clubs, too!

     This came to me during one of our weekly trips to the library.   Our family often meets other homeschoolers at the library for a little visiting, field trip planning, curriculum discussing and chatting.  

     While there, several of my kids were talking with other kids about their favorite books.  They came to me to help them start a book group for them.  

     The group is made up of boys and girls who are grades 4 through 7.   Each week they suggest and vote on a book to read.  Sometimes the library will have several copies, sometimes it is a book several of us already have at home, and sometimes the kids share the book.   The kids have even been known to each take a different book in a series, read it, and then they all talk about the book they read.  It gets the others interested in reading more of the series.

     When they get together the next week they talk about what they thought of the book.  They talk about who liked it and why, who didn’t like it and why, what their favorite parts were, and anything else that stood out to them. 

     We adults often like to ask them questions as well.  It is very interesting to hear their interpretations.  They have a lot to say when given the chance.   Asking them questions gets them thinking a lot more about the story, it’s characters and style.

     This age group was chosen because of who was interested.  It can be changed to fit the interest in your own area. 

     We found that the kids look forward to reading even more when they know they will get to share it with their friends.  There is a lot of laughter, encouragement and fun that goes on! 

     We have one child that is a big reader.  She reads all the time.  This club allows her to suggets and share many of her favorites.  We have another child that likes to read, but often is not sure of what he wants to read.  Others’ suggestions pique his interest in different books.  We also have one that tolerates reading.  It is not physical enough for her, but the book group does get her reading a lot more because she does it with friends. 

     I love how it is not only reaching each of them where they are at, but also letting them share that with friends. 

     Do you have something education-related you want to share?   Write about it, and link up with others at The Five J’s.  

God bless,

~Rhen

Things I Love Thursday- Snow

     I really do love snow.  Especially the snow that falls here in the south.  Just enough to make a sad-looking snowman, some snow cream, and then it melts.  lol 

Here are a few pics of the snow when it started earlier today.

And for those of you who think I am just a southern girl who does not know what real snow is:

This is me, 9 months pregnant and walking our property we had in WI.

     So, do you TILT?  Join in the fun at The Diaper Diaries!

God bless,

~Rhen

Thirsty Thursday- Draw, Write, Now!

     Yay!  I am so glad to see Thirsty Thursday back.  I really enjoy reading everyone’s posts about homeschooling in their homes. 

     I want to share with you a wonderful book series our family has been using for a couple of years now.  It is called the Draw, Write, Now series by Marie Hablitzel and Kim Stitzer. 

     I already have an awesome handwriting curriculum, but I was looking for something to practice handwriting while learning something new and interesting.   These books have it!   My 7-year-old is currently working through book 2 which includes:  Christopher Columbus, Autumn Harvest and The Weather. 

     While working on proper letter heighth, letter and word spacing and neatness, they also learn interesting facts about different topics.   After they have written the fun facts the series then teaches them to draw an object that has to do with the topic they are writing about.  It shows them step by step how to draw the object, then it gives them the freedom to create their own background to the picture, and color it all in.  Such a fun way of reinforcing the facts they were writing!

     I found the Mead Primary Journal at a local school supply store, and it is a perfect fit!    The top part of the page is blank for drawing, and the bottom part is lined for writing. 

     Not only is Ms. Lovebug (7) bettering her handwriting, she is learning new things to share with her daddy when he gets home, and she is getting better and better at drawing. 

     Draw. Write. Now. has been a wonderful addition to our curriculum that the kids look forward to doing.  Even after a full day of learning she will ask to do a page or two from her Draw. Write. Now. book.

     I own one book of my own that I bought brand new at a flea market.  The rest of them we get from our local library.  There are eight books in the series.   I encourage to stop by your library and check one out.  

     Got something about learning to share?   Join in the Thirsty Thursday fun! 

God bless,

~Rhen

Rationing out the electronics.

     I have had a lot of questions on how we deal with tv, computer and other electronics and the kids using them. 

     In our house, Mr. Muscles and I do not see the ability to use electronics as a right.  It is a priviledge that has to be earned.  That goes for all of the children from Ms. Giggles (2) up to Ms. Serious (12).   Yes, I said Ms. Giggles as well. 

     The ways we allow them to earn electronics time depends on the age and  maturity of the child. 

          The oldest 4 (Ms. Serious- 12, Young Man- 11, Ms. Fircracker- 9, Ms. Lovebug-7) all have daily and weekly chores.  At the end of the day, after they have gone to bed, I do an inspection.  Each child who has their toys put away and their chore done gets a sticker.  I will tell you a little more about the stickers in a moment.

     Examples:  Ms. Giggles (2) can pick up her toys.  That is her daily responsibility, but that alone is not enough for Ms. Lovebug (7) to earn time.   If Young Man (11) is responsible for the living room, and it has not been straightened up and swept, he does not earn a sticker for that day.  

     Every day they have the opportunity to earn a sticker just by taking care of their responsibilities.  Their responsibilities include:  their weekly assigned area, their clothing, their toys and their bed. 

     Each area has a light daily cleaning that will earn them one sticker.  Each area also has a weekly thorough cleaning that will earn them two stickers. 

     All areas have to pass inspection!  I have two kids that are “stuffers”.  They will spend more time and energy stuffing items into cracks and crevices than it takes to put the thing away in the first place.  *Insert gigantic, frustrated eye roll here*

     In addition to the usual chores, the children can also do other things to earn more stickers.  I keep a running list of what needs to be done and how many stickers it earns.  they can do things like gathering leaves and putting them into the vegetable gardens will earn a sticker.  Turning those leaves under (into the soil) will earn them two stickers.  Raking the front yard will earn a sticker.  Raking the whole yard will earn two stickers.  Gathering up all of the outside toys and putting them away will earn a sticker.  Lining the bikes up by the upper shed will earn them a sticker.  Cleaning the front porch will earn them a sticker. 

     You get the idea.  Take a look around inside and outside at what you would like to have done and assign it a sticker value.  I make sure I take the time to check their work.  If they do not do it properly, or finish it, they will not get their sticker.  

     The sticker/ poster is very simple.  I bought a piece of the thick carboard paper, divided it into columns and wrote their names on it.  One name for each column.  As they earn stickers I put them in the column under their name.   As they use the time on their chosen electronic device I “x” out the appropriate number of stickers. 

     Each sticker is worth 15 minutes.  I will also put a limit on the number of stickers they can use at a time, unless they are using them while traveling.  If they have 8 stickers saved up that is a lot of time!  I do not want them spending 2 hours or more on the computer or DS. 

     It takes a little follow-through on my part, but it teaches the children responsibility, how to do their chores correctly, the value of work, the feeling of satisfaction of a job well done, and time management.

     It took a long time to iron out this system.  I have tried many different ones.  I ended up combining several great ideas from other moms and forming one that works great for our family.

     Take this system.  Adjust to fit your family.  Change what needs to be changed.  I would love to hear how you make this work for you and yours.  I am always looking to improve! 

     What system do you have?

God bless,

~Rhen

I need a bigger shoe!

     I often feel like that old lady who lived in a shoe who had some many kids she didn’t know what to do. 

    It is not the number of kids.  It is the size of the house.  I need a shoe horn to squeeze us all in here!   

     Seven children, two adults and one dog in 1500 square feet is not an easy feat.  LOL  Don’t get me wrong.  I am truly grateful for having a house, but a few more feet would be wonderful. 

     While it is not easy, I am finding that God is teaching me many things during our time here.   Things like:  organization, simplifying, making the most of space, multitasking, creative storage and the “p” word- patience.  ;O)

     People look at the size of our brood and often assume I already had all of these qualities.  Nope.   Each came out of necessity and are ever-improving.

     As a matter of fact, organizing has become something of an obsession.   Crazy!   Not me.  I am not crazy.  The whole being-obsessed-with-organizing thing is. 

     Oh, the satisfaction of taking a jumbled up mess of stuff and creating order out of it.  The thrill of being able to find something easily!   The pride and joy I feel when one of my littles comes running out of her room to share with me the fact that she just organized all of her doll toys. 

     Brings  a tear to the eye, doesn’t it? 

     Now, if only I could get Ms. Serious (12) and Ms. Firecracker (9) to organize their mess.   {{Insert huge, exasperated eye roll here!}}

     When you only have so much room for stuff you have to prioritize.  You have to look at what is going to do the best for you, what is taking up way too much time or space and not being productive, what is sitting around gathering dust and what is used on a regular basis. 

     It feels great to simplify, streamline and purge.  I did not realize just how burdened down by material things I was. 

     All of these improvements God has made gives me more time to spend with Mr. Muscles, more time with the kids, more time to get out there with my camera and to write. 

     I have to admit that I do love the changes God has made in me.

     I did not expect such changes to take place these past 3 years.  I didn’t even know I needed to do it. 

     He never ceases to amaze.  Refining is never easy to go through, but the beauty He creates in us through it is wonderful!

     There are big changes coming down the pipeline for our family, and I know that God has been preparing me for it. 

     I am ready for this new adventure.

     Soon, I will fill you in more. 

     God bless,

           ~Rhen

PS- No, I am not pregnant.  LOL!

You Capture- Decorations

     You Capture! this week is all about the decorations.   We were also told to be creative in the editing process.  Yes ma’am!

     I had quite a time getting pictures.  5 of the 9 people in this house caught a stomach virus.  That includes hubs.  Poor fella was brought down the hardest and for the longest time.   I am way behind on my soap orders.   I am way behind on too many other things.  BUT, I did get a few pictures taken.  Priorities people!! 

     I took a few at church.

Love this basket!

I love the candy in the basket.  My sweet tooth, however, what not happy the candy was fake. 

A lighted arrangement.

This one was an accident and ended up being my favorite of these poinsettas.

Our Hanukkiah.

For more You Capture! pop over to I Should Be Folding Laundry.

God bless!

~Rhen

WFMW- Fighting Crazy Winter Hair

        This tip was posted orginally back in January of 2008, but we are in full crazy winter hair mode.   You know what I am talking about.  You and your family are all bundled up, run into the store, pull off the hat (or hood) and BOOM, crazy hair.  It sticks to their faces.  It stands out all over the place. 

     You try to smooth it down, but it pops back out defiantly.  How in the world can hair stand out, stick to you and go up your nose at the same time?  Please tell me I am not the only one who experiences this!

     In addition to crazy hair, I have 6 girls, and a couple of them are extremely tenderheaded.  Detanglers are great but can be expensive to keep buying, and they always run out when you need them most. 

     So, what do I do?  I make my own!  All you need is a small squirt bottle, water and hair conditioner.  Put about 1 tablespoon of conditioner in the bottle, add water and gently shake until it is fully mixed together.  This can be used on wet hair as a detangler or on dry hair to detangle and control frizz.  A spritz or two calms the crazy winter hair static problems as well.

     I just pop my little spray bottle in my purse when we are heading out.  When we get to our destination a quick, light spray and we shed that whole I-just-rubbed-party-balloons-all-over-my-head look.  Woo Hoo! 

     Do you have a great tip to share?  Need a few tips?  Head over to We Are That Family, and see what other people are saying.

Shalom,

~Rhen

Leave a comment with a link to your blog so I can come and visit!

This post was originally posted Jan. 23, 2008, but I wanted to share it again with a little updating.

Who won?

     It is time to select a winner! 

     And the winner of the handmade goat’s milk soap, Point of Grace Christmas cd and handcrafted necklace is:

                                                           #75 Sarah!

     Congratulations Sarah!  I am contacting you now.  Please get back to me ASAP.

     Didn’t win this one?  It’s ok.  I am working on a new giveaway now.  I will have it up and running soon.

     Until then, take a moment to peruse my Work at Home Women Directory page to see awesome goods and services all provided by amazing women who are providing for their families from home.

     If you know any woman out there who works from home, and has an online business, please feel free to give me the info so I can include it!

Things I Love Thursday

     I was sitting on the couch this morning, drinking my heavenly WFMW tip (oh yum!), when I was inspired about my Things I Love Thursday post.

     I love my teapot! 

     I love to hear it whistle at me.

     Isn’t it adorable?!

Hot tea, hot chocolate and even that fake, freeze dried coffee hubs likes to drink! 

Most of all I like the whistling.   

It takes me back to when I was little.  My mom had a whistling teapot that she loved to hear whistle. 

If I could afford $155.00 for a teapot I would get this beauty.

This one is a little more economical at $100.00

But for now I will just enjoy the come hither whistle of my sweet little teapot!

Before you leave make sure you enter into my Christmas giveaway.

For more TILT visit the Diaper Diaries.