Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Fancy Nancy


By far my favorite thing with homeschooling (there are tons of favorites!) is watching the kids learn to read. It is the neatest thing to watch them all start to "get it" and their faces just light up when they really are reading.
Erin has been reading for about a year and a half but in the last 6 months she reads all the time. She also reads everything; signs, workbooks, instructions, recipes, whatever has words.
My favorite time is snuggling up with her in a chair and listening to her read. Her favorites right now are all the Fancy Nancy books. I spoiled her a little bit and got her pretty much every one they had at Barnes and Noble. I love the vocabulary in them and the pictures are so cute. Who doesn't love Fancy Nancy? She makes me want to be fancy!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Lindy's Love


Lindy loves her puppies so much. She takes great care of them with feeding and walking but she also gives the best love! Her lap is always occupied with one of them. How sweet they are.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Picture of the Day


Cozy day, cozy feet. It was blustery and freezing out and I got to snuggle up with this little pair of slippered feet. Perfect Sunday!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Run, Run, Run

10-1

I had a meeting all day for Girl Scouts and the kids had things to do and places to be. Everyone had friends sleep over and I left Bill with the morning itinerary. There was a line of 9 kids waiting for pancakes as I walked out the door and Bill had a very efficient assembly line moving.
As usual Bill is an awesome husband. Just tell him who needs to be where and when and its done. It's very nice to leave and know that everyone has what they need. Especially me!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Taking A Break


Friday Field Trip! Headed to COSI with friends this afternoon to unwind from a busy school week. It feels good to have accomplished a lot but better to relax!





Thursday, January 26, 2012

Puggle Snuggle


Nothing like snuggling with a pug on a rainy afternoon. Oliver is my buddy. He follows me everywhere and according to the kids he is "obsessed" with me, much like Quincy is with Ethan. He whimpers at the door when I leave and is by my side all day. The second I sit down he is next to me and sometimes he climbs on top of me and sleeps on my shoulder like a baby. I never had a dog that did this. And yes I am totally obsessed with Pugs!


It is  hard to get much done when he makes himself so comfy. It's a challenge to read to the kids! 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Dusting off my Dance Shoes


A brief hiatus due to various reasons, began with a broken toe in August, which is really hard to dance with when you can't get your shoes on! Which led to one delay after another, but the shoes are out and on, at least once a week, and it makes a huge difference in how I feel!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Valentine Wreaths


I am determined to have more Valentine's decorations. I only have a few and its a pretty sad assortment. Every year I have all these ideas of what I'm going to make and I never get to it. So this year I'm doing it! I stayed in my pajamas most of the day Sunday and got both these wreaths done with a little help from the girls. They nick named this one the Tutu wreath since its made from Tulle. Super easy and I found it here with instructions (thank you Pinterest!). It's on my front door now, looking very festive. I asked Bill how he liked having a huge mass of pink tulle on his front door. He said it was cute! (typical response, if I love it, he loves it!) Can't beat that!




This one I came up with on my own. We made similar ornaments at stamp club before Christmas. I just switched Christmas paper to doilies and made it wreath size. I did hot glue the coned doilies to each other to help fill in the empty spaces. It was a little tricky but overall it turned out pretty cute. I have it hanging right by the kitchen and living room. Slowly its starting to look lovey, dovey around here!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bowling with Friends


Beginning last fall the Junior Girl Scouts started visiting a local nursing home. The girls have enjoyed dressing up for Halloween, have put on a talent show, gone on a scavenger hunt, and last week went bowling with the residents.

They had a ball (no pun intended!) setting up pins and taking turns bowling with the residents. It was a perfect activity for everyone! We enjoyed cookies and slushies, spreading some cheer on a gloomy day to our new friends.







Sunday, January 22, 2012

Girl Scouts Cookin Up Fun


The Junior Girl Scouts have been busy in January! Thanks to Mary's mom, who has tons of cooking experience and teaches cooking classes, we had our own lesson and made a Mexican style meal.
The girls made tortillas filled with meat and cheeses, chicken tortilla soup, key lime pies, and a special drink. Everyone was able to participate in making the meal and they definitely enjoyed eating it!

Juicing the lime for the key lime pies. 



Soup instruction


I am so grateful that the girls all include Erin in their meetings. She has been a part of the group since she was a baby. Lily took Erin under her wing for the afternoon helping her cook and making sure she could see everything!


Yum!



A quick lesson on density to make this drink. Hawaiian Punch, then Gatorade, finished off with  diet 7up poured over ice, how pretty!

 Cheers!





Saturday, January 21, 2012

Twins


I wonder what its like to always have someone by your side growing up. Who has been with you since before you arrived here. Who goes through everything you do at the same time (braces etc).Who likes pretty much the same things you do except maybe your personal taste in clothes!

I have read lots on twins and they pretty much all say that next to their spouses, it is the closest and best relationship they ever have in their lives. That seems pretty amazing.

Lately Lindy and Paige are having more "twin" moments than ever. I can't really explain what they are until they happen. It's usually when they are both excited about something and talking at the same time, saying the same thing. They look the same and have the same expressions. It's just a twin thing!

I think its pretty cute to watch them talk and hang out especially when they can't see me!