{Photo Challenge} Day 4

Day 4: Something green

Plain and simple today.

Growing corn. In the field behind our house.

It was actually a lot smaller than I thought it would be, 

considering the sweet corn season is upon us

and is nice and good size

and oh so yummy.

Previous:

Day 1: Self-portrait

Day 2: What you wore today

Day 3: Clouds

Coming next...

Day 5: From a high angle

Summer Journals

I've been trying to have the kids reflect/recap many of the activities that we've done. It practices handwriting and spelling and helps me see how their little minds process.  Of course we don't do this after EVERYTHING, just a couple times a week maybe. After enough random papers around, I realized I needed to gather them in some sort of system. And here's what I came up with!  It's so simple, yet I love it!

Take a peek...

the first week of summer we went to the Lincoln Zoo, and I created this journal sheet for them to fill out once we were home

We did a balloon science experiment.

And then I found this cute printable paper that we'll be able to use for nearly any fun outing!

I included Eli's spelling pages 

And the Boggle games we do together

And the kids' recap of how we made butter, including some of our pictures!

I hope to do many more of those "Summer Fun" pages!

In the front cover of the folder is Eli's sight word list, and in the back cover are the kids' Brown Bear stories. Eli and Hannah each have their own folder they seem pretty proud of. By the end of the summer we'll be able to flip back through and see many of the fun things we did!

{Photo Challenge} Day 3

Day 3: Clouds.

And there's not one. Not a hint. Not a wisp.  

Just clear blue sky. 

For miles and miles.

So here it is.

And I know I'm jumping the gun on the sunflare but since I didn't have any clouds to take a picture of, I couldn't help myself. 

Yes, I do actually have other pictures of really nice looking clouds. BUT to be honest, I don't wanna dig through the computer to find them! So we'll stick with clear blue sky for today!

Previous:

Day 1: Self-portrait

Day 2: What I wore today

Coming next...

Day 4: Something green

If you want to join in on 30 Day Photo Challenge, you can check it out here. Let me know in my comments and I'll stop by!

{Photo Challenge} Day 2

Today's challenge.

Day 2: What you wore today

Even more fun! Tried to find different ways to feature the different elements of my outfit. Umm, I'm pretty plain but I did what I could...

The outfit: a light pink tank (wish I had something floral or SOMETHING with pattern but I currently have none! looking in my closet this morning I realized that hardly ANY of my clothes have pattern!), a brown tiered skirt I recently found at the thrift store, Teva sandals, and drop earrings with my hair slicked back (cuz I just showered). Wanted to take pictures in the morning already when I was still halfway fresh looking! LOL

I'm a skirt with sandals kinda gal

I LOVE dangly earrings

Previous:
Day 1: Self-portrait

Coming next:
Day 3: Clouds

Photo Challenge: Day 1

I've been feeling really inspired lately. About several things really. One, to spend time in nature every day. Even if it's just out on the porch while it's raining. The kids and I went on a little hike on Friday with friends, and I just loved it so! Need more of that in my life for sure! Moving, being, getting away from it all, with the ones I love. And two, I want to get in touch with my camera again. I haven't been taking as many pictures lately. Artsy pictures anyway, and I want to keep challenging myself in new ways. Keep SEEING in new ways. So I was remembering a photo challenge I'd found on Pinterest awhile back, and I'm gonna do it! You can check it out here! And if you want to join me at any point, let me know in the comments! You don't even have to be on the same day as me, just leave your link and I'll come check it out! So here we go...

Day 1: Self Portrait

And the golden set. Because I'm addicted to this photoshop action right now.

Nothing fancy. Probably because Kevin was circling around the yard mowing while I was taking these, and I felt a lil' dumb. But I wanted to get started anyway!

Coming next:

Day 2: What you wore today...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... it's very windy. Again. Possibly some rain coming later today. Which would be a good thing for the farmers these days.

I am thinking... that I want to get some fun things planned for next week! Possibly... a car wash event with friends, possibly a tour of the post office with the kids, random acts of kindness with the kids on Monday, and a movie night with my ladies cuz Kevin will be on nights.

I am thankful... for our electrician who's redoing our upstairs electricals. Excited for new lights, a bathroom fan, and OUTLETS!! 

In the kitchen... is a stash of secret cookies I really don't wanna share! hehe =)

I am wearing... comfy clothes today. T-shirt, capris, and flip flops.

I am going... to take the kids to their swim lessons in 45 minutes. Last day is tomorrow!

I am wondering... about the future and child training and if anything I do is for better, or for worse.

I am hoping... for a change.

Around the house... I'm trying really hard to keep things tidy!

One of my favorite things... sitting out on the porch swing.

A few plans for the rest of the week... couples Bible study, last day of swim lessons, birthday party, hiking with friends

A peek into my day...  The kids are watching a Diego video we got from the library , as we continue with a couple other rainforest theme activities. Hoping to read another chapter book with them this afternoon.

A photo to share: storytime with Grandma

When life is good and easy.

We are quick to forget our need and dependence on God. It's easy to forget that all this does not come from our own hands.  Moses warns the Israelites of exactly this as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey....

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.... You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." Deuteronomy 8:10-14,17-18

A year later and I have finally finished reading through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and half of Deuteronomy!!  Excellent books so far, demonstrating the incredible POWER of God!  I'm finally beginning to understand what it means to "fear the Lord".

{Rainyday activity} Homemade butter.

I've been wanting to try this for awhile now. It really is oh so easy. Full instructions here. But basically...

just fill a glass jar with heavy whipping cream. I added a marble to help it mix well. 

 Put the lid on tight and...

 shake shake shake!!

  shake shake shake

 everyone takes a turn!

first peek: look and taste and touch!

tasted like whipped cream without sugar. definitely getting creamy though!

it didn't take long for results!

 shake some more!

 

second peek. getting thicker.

look, poke, taste again.

 

 

 add some salt. shake a lil more. 

and done!

 We had bread n butter with our dinner tonight! It tasted good! I'm thrilled!! 

We just might be doing this again!!!

Well on our way!

We've filled out almost 2 of these sheets of books that we've read and once complete, we get to host an ice cream party for our friends!

(the starred titles indicate the ones Eli has read on his own. After starting, I realized getting to 100 books wasn't going to be all that much of a challenge, so the rule quickly became 100 different books)

Monday Meanderings -- Jun 11

Bible Study... I feel like I'm going through a lot of different things right now. It's a little overwhelming but there's much I want to read. Still doing Psalms. Also going back to my Bible reading plan and currently in Numbers.  And I also got a study about Experiencing the Holy Spirit.

Memory Verse... Hebrews 12:14

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Husband Encouragement...
♥ I've been talking with a friend of mine lately about the 5 love languages. I've spent years just having no clue really what Kevin is, but it's suddenly becoming clear to me that he responds to acts of service -- having the house tidy, nice meals, treats, etc. So I'm going to make more effort to tackle those piles, those boxes, make some desserts, fix some fabulous breakfasts these next days he's off. I got started this weekend and I'm on a roll...

Train Them Up...

* We've been following a dinner clean-up routine and it's going well. Hannah helps me load the dishwasher and Eli helps clear off the table and put things in the fridge (condiments or leftovers) or cupboards (hot pads).  They have also been working hard after coins lately. It's exciting to see Hannah getting into it too now!

* Over the weekend I finally moved Carter out of the pack n play and to the boys' bunk bed with Eli. He's doing pretty well but it still take a little training.

* This week I want the kids to make mail for some various friends and family (local, Grandma and Grandpa, and faraway friends) because soon we are going to get a little personal tour of the post office and they will get to see where those different letters go! I'm pretty geekily excited! =)
* Speaking of mail, I recently came across this on Pinterest, Ann Voskamp's 15 Happy Way to Teach Kids to be Grateful. Loved it. This weekend when I was letting the kids each pick a treasure at Target dollar bin, I spied some summer sticky notes. And when we got home we started making thankful notes and posting them up on our dining room window. I hope to continue this. I also got a small basket at Pamida's closing sale and I pulled out some cute thank-you notes from my card stash, and it will serve as a daily invitation to thank someone for something. Or even just a send a note of thoughtfulness.

* We have done less by way of learning time but tons of exciting things, like trips to the pond, playdates, biking, swimming, fishing, and lots of reading. Reading at the library for storytime, reading with friends, afternoon reading on the trampoline, and reading before bed or naps. There are some things we need to continue practicing though.

* While Kevin is off I want to try to take Eli for one-on-one time. He requested it and it has been awhile!

Personal Goals...

* Schedule a hair appointment.

New Habit of the Month...  {june}
* chores in the morning, THEN we can play!

MUST Do... 

* figure out music for Sunday?

* Father's Day plans?

* schedule car appointment

Zone(s)... organize and pack away the kids outgrown clothes. This is such a process! Hopefully this will get easier since they're not changing sizes so quickly anymore!

Menu - TBD -- I just know I need to do more grilling, cold salads, or crockpot, cuz I hate cooking in the summer!

M - sloppy joes, roasted zucchini

T -

W - lemon butter shrimp over angel hair pasta

Th - crockpot BBQ chicken, corn, rolls

F -

S - 

Su - Father's Day

FUN THINGS!

* the kids start swim lessons for the next 2 weeks! I'm not thrilled it's taking up our morning every day, but that alone will be fun for the kids!

* play date at the park Monday morning

* car wash day with friends Tuesday afternoon. library storytime Tuesday late afternoon, then possibly going to Madagascar movie Tuesday night. Not sure we can do ALL of that, even I admit that's a lot!

* Couple's Bible study Thursday night, we're hosting this time

* Father's Day festival Sunday evening

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. we got some RAIN!!! It's been over a month since we've had anything! I'm sure the farmers are happy!

2.  a fun weekend with the kiddos. excited for Kevin's days off!

3.  new discoveries, new routines, and tackling projects

{Summer activity} Park Clean-Up

I LOVE planning things and organizing events (probably to a fault at times, right dear??). I LOVE going places and getting out. I LOVE being with friends. I do also LOVE spontaneity and adventure and being able to decide on a whim that we're going to do something new or drive all gravel somewhere just so we can discover the backcountry. I rarely decide to just hang around the house. I feel restless and would rather call a friend over and invite them over for a playdate than just BE home, though we DO have some of those days too. 

Anyway, I already have several things in mind for the summer, some we've already done, so I thought I'd start sharing, in you case you wanna do it too!

A couple weeks ago the kids and I were visiting a "new" park in a nearby teeny tiny town that seems pretty dead. No businesses, school or anything really. The park is actually impressive but I noticed it really needed cleaned up. There were weeds all over the sand volleyball court so the kids and I started pulling them. But time ran out and there was still just so much more to do. And what bothered me most was shards of pop cans all over, and I know those would be so sharp for little bare feet to step on! So I decided to come back again with supplies--rakes and trash bags--and invite our friends and turn it into a little event!  

It suddenly hit me that service projects like that are a great thing to add into our summer plans! So the next week, here we are... The kids did great! They weren't thrilled of course, but I figured even if it was mostly us moms working (which it really wasn't!), it would still be a good example to the kids and maybe open their eyes to what's around them and the idea that THEY can help whenever they see trash laying somewhere. Such a fun afternoon project!

I had promised a cold treat afterward!

 And then the kids played!

Just might do this one again!