End of VEDA/ April 2016

It's the end of VEDA... Now What?

What can you expect from Creative2xmom?

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Weekend Links

5 Steps to a Fabulous Summer Plan

Simply Di-Vine Teacher Appreciation Gift

Mother's Day Gifts in a Jar

Easy Berry Breakfast Parfait

Mother's Day Seed Packets

This Week:

What I Made:   I scrapbooked a couple of pages in Noah's school book and finished up VEDA with several videos this week. 

What I'm Reading:  I'm actually still reading The Sacred Year as I said in April's Bookmarks post.  It's got so much good stuff; I don't want to rush it.  I'm also starting May's book.

What I'm Doing:  Filling out swim lesson forms... working in the yard... going to lots of baseball games... reading about body systems... finishing VEDA... 

What I'm Watching:  Once Upon a Time... the clouds... gymnastics training videos... 

Bringing Up Bates...

What I'm Enjoying:   I'm really enjoying doing these Science Fair projects with the kids.  It's really sparked their curiosity and we're having a great time working together.

What are you up to?

2016 April Bookmarks

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for April was The Sacred Year by Michael Yankoski.

These are the books I read this month:

The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith--

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau--

Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington--See my review here.

What we read with the kids:

Nurse Matilda by Christianna Brand--

Our suggested reading for April was The Sacred Year by Michael Yankoski--

So what are your bookmarks this month?

Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on The Sacred Year by Michael Yankoski.

And come back May 26th as we discuss The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Child.

*Linked to these Parties

Spring Dinners for 2016

Some of the dinners we're enjoying for late winter/ early spring


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How We Taught Our Kids To Read

 How we taught all three of our kids to read...

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Music Attribution:
Country Cue 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Lakeshore Learning Haul/ April 2016

A few homeschool items I picked up to supplement our spring semester and use over the summer.

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Just Readin' @ Brother's Baseball Game

Little brother's gotta get in his reading whenever he can.  Tonight he's loaded up some books to keep him busy at Noah's baseball game.


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Reality TV Tag

 What's your Reality TV profile?

MsDanaRyan's original tag:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgUOwRVAx68

Questions:
1. Pick a race: Food Truck or Amazing?
2. In your race would you be the driver or the navigator?
3. Would you betray your alliance to win Survivor?
4. In your Big Brother season would you lie about yourself?
5. Would you kiss ALL the men your Bachelorette season?
6. What was the FIRST reality TV show you EVER watched?
7. Which House Hunters would you be on? Renovations, Beach Front Bargain Hunters, Tiny Houses, or International?
8. On Cutthroat Kitchen would you sabatoge your biggest competitor or the weakest link?
9. Whose design style is your taste? Property Brothers, Love it or List it, or Fixer Upper?
10. What's your FAV reality TV show?

I Tag:
Hayley @The Hayley So Far
Lola @ Life With Lo
NCHollyWood (aka Mommy and Three)
Mom's Little Miracle
Jen @ Enjoyin the Ride
Dawn @ Life's a Beach
Rachel @ The Ohana Adventure
Di @ Being Mommy with Style

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Music Attribution:
Country Cue 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Weekend Links

Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies

Assemblage Art Boxes

Chocolate Buttermilk Waffles

DIY Sunscreen

This Week:

What I Made:  

Muffins, science fair projects, and videos!

What I'm Reading:

I'm reading the April bookmarks book, but it's so much to think over.  Very good, but taking me awhile 'cause it's not one to be read though lightly.

What I'm Doing:

The end of the school year is feeling really crazy.  I'm busy working through the end of the year, thinking ahead to next year's classes and curriculum, and planning out our summer and what we'll be doing.

What I'm Watching:

Outdoor documentary called mile/mile and a half... very good!

What I'm Enjoying: 

Thunder and lightning... reading... Once Upon a Time...

What are you up to?

#MakeItYours Cookies (from Country Crock)

Trying the #MakeItYours cookies from Country Crock... creamy and sweet and fun to customize.

#MakeItYours Cookie Recipe

1 c Country Crock
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c packed brown sugar
1 egg, plus 1 yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1-2 c mix-ins

Bake @ 375 for 10-12 min.

Country Crock's Recipe:
http://www.countrycrock.com/campaigns/whenwebake/get-the-recipe.html?mixin=

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Summer Yard Plans

Let's walk through my yard and discuss my summer plans for it.

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Homeschool Project: Digestive System

A simple project we worked on for understanding the digestive system.

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DITL April 14, 2016: Mary Poppins & Swimming Laps

We had a great time at the local theater seeing Mary Poppins that we've waited for over a year for.  Afterwards I got to watch Noah's swim practice for the first time in months.

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Music Attribution:

Safety Net by Riot is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

All Good In The Wood by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

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Pringles Challenge

Trying out the Pringles Challenge... with Lay's.  :-)  And indulging our potato chip craving.

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Let's Go Hiking! 3/30/16

I took the kids hiking on a new trail over Spring Break, but had no idea what I was getting myself into.  Someone save me from myself!

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Happy Strummin by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Random Rant: California Drought Conditions

UGH!  You caught me ranting and rambling.  See what's got me fired up about California's Drought Conditions.

Youtube Mommy Meetup Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouTubeMommyMeetup/

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Quick Grocery Haul (4/15/16)

Deals from Grocery Outlet...

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Favorite Family Board Games

Some of our favorite board games for family night... ranging in ages from 4 years to Mom & Dad.

C O N N E C T

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DIY No Sew Baby Blanket

A DIY project we completed for our new little cousin (filmed Aug '15).  We love this soft, warm blanket that's easy and makes a great gift.

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Breaking Busy {Review}

In our crazy fast-paced world, what's the one word we use most often?  Busy.  How are you?  Busy.  How was your week? Busy.  What have you been doing?  Everything!  We live busy lives in a busy world where the key word is... (you guessed it)... busy!

But does it have to be that way?

Where we really created to just be busy?

Or have we settled for less than God's absolute best?

These questions and more Alli Worthington tackles in her book, Breaking Busy.   Written with a coaching/mentor voice and sprinkled with humor, Breaking Busy seeks to explore why our lives are so busy and how to alleviate that.  Filled with personal stories, Worthington takes her readers on a journey of liberating themselves from the trapping of a busy culture.

Although Worthington tries, Breaking Busy just failed to grab my attention.  Filled with cliches, this book rehashed lots of advice that many of us have already heard and incorporated (or tried to incorporate) in our lives.  Setting priorities, checking with our spouse and family before rushing forward, and praying through decisions are among some of the steps that Worthington suggests for Breaking Busy.  Most of her advice is too elementary to be worth revisiting.

And let's talk about the title.   Have to say that I fought reviewing this book for a long time simply because of the title.  "Breaking Busy" is remarkably close to very popular TV show with unquestionably immoral characters.  And because of that close association it felt like the author was trying to capitalize on the popularity of that particular TV show.

Maybe if I'd read this book 10 years ago, I would have a different opinion.  But at this point in my life, mid-30's and 3 kids, the reality is a mortgage and commitments outside of what I want just for me.  Life is about priorities and balance.  And right now, finishing the end of this book is not a priority.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.  All opinions are my own.

Our Foster Parenting Journey: Pacifiers???

Why we used pacifiers with our foster kids

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Easter Eggs & The 24 hr Flu-- Easter Vlog 2016

 So our Easter celebration didn't quite go as planned. We loaded up the car and headed to the cousins' house only to have disaster strike. Tell me I'm not the only mom who has plans go off track.

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The "Me Time" Tag

Follow our family as we tackle the adventures of raising 10 and 4 year old sons, and a 8 year old daughter.

"Me Time" Tag
What do you watch or read during me-time?
What do you wear during me-time? #nobra
What are your me-time beauty products?
Current favourite nail polish?
What do you eat/drink during me-time?
Current favourite candle?
Do you ever have outdoor me-time?
Would you ever go see a movie alone?
Favorite online shop?
Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time?

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Weekend Links

Astronaut Scott Kelly would spend another year in space

4 Words You Really Need to Hear Right Now

Living Room Campout Party

DIY Faux Succulent Napkin Ring

Blackberry Cheesecake Bars

This Week:

What I Made:  

We worked on Science Fair projects and played in the kitchen.

What I'm Reading:

I didn't read much this week.  Just a little in the April bookmarks book.

What I'm Doing:

It's back to the ball field for this crew.  We spending the day watching the boys play and working on cleaning up the backyard.

What I'm Watching:

Season 2 of Fixer Upper is on Netflix!

What I'm Enjoying: 

Cloudy skies... good books... science projects... ice cream bars...

What are you up to?

Homeschooler Dollar Tree Haul (4/7/16)

Latest Dollar Tree haul with lots of school tools

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Phonics Skill Game: Alpha Bug Soup

One of our favorite games for teaching phonics skills in our homeschool

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Kids Try: Astronaut Ice Cream

In this episode of Kids Try,

  We picked up some Astronaut Ice Cream at our local Planetarium.

  Let's see what the kids think!

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Food Diary for March 16, 2016

A typical homeschool day for us...

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Target C9 Sports Bra Review

Reviewing a Sports Bra from the C9 line at Target

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Weekend Links

Individual No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Desserts

Umbrella Challenge: STEM Activity

Oreo Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie Treats

String Lights and Chalk Board

Walking the Beat in Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood

This Week:

What I Made:  

We made a few projects with the kids, edited a couple of Youtube videos, and spent a good amount of time in the kitchen.

What I'm Reading:

I just finished the Unschooling Handbook, Breaking Busy, and started the April bookmarks selection.

What I'm Doing:

Hubby and I are spending a few days without the kids, while the grandparents are having a great time with all three kiddos.

What I'm Watching:

Our resident Stellar Jays have returned and we're loving watching them in the backyard.

What I'm Enjoying: 

Reading... Hiking... Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs... 

What are you up to?

VEDA: April 2016

Ready for this VEDA craziness?

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