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Teaching Tips Tuesday

January 8, 2008 by Laura 1 Comment

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I came across this great blog idea on The Helpful Homemaker. It’s a new idea she has started and I think it will be great for all of us, homeschoolers or not! Go check it out and post your own ideas to share with others!!!

My Teaching Tip for today is:

Conquer snack time and school time at the same time with this fun idea. Give your kids a bag of small twisted pretzels. Let them eat away at the pretzels until they form a letter. Have them form letters to spell their name or to spell words. Use this idea for teaching spelling words (for your older kids) alphabet lettters (for younger kids) or anything else you can think of.

Here’s what my kids did a few weeks ago. They had a blast (except for when they had their letter almost formed and then their pretzel broke…oh well, an excuse to eat more pretzels!)

This idea can be found in more detail here.

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Happy Morning…well, mostly!

January 7, 2008 by Laura 8 Comments

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We’ve had a good morning…very happy to be back into some kind of routine! Biblical Womanhood is hosting “Make your Home a Haven Monday”. I highly recommend that you to visit her site for more encouragement on making your home a haven!

I thought I would share a bit with you about our morning, what we accomplished and what we did to make our home a haven!

I’ll skip some of the morning stuff and get right to the fun parts!

8:55 Started laundry with Malachi’s “help”

9:00 Began the kids on their school work. Elias (5) ate his breakfast in the schoolroom at his desk (hey, what’s homeschooling if you can’t be flexible?!)

Asa (10) and Justus (7) wrote in their journals about their weekend, then started their math.

10:00 Malachi (3) brought in the Lincoln Logs, immediately dumped them right in the middle of the room and began to scatter them everywhere (yes, it was loud). Then he immediately decided that he didn’t want to play with Lincoln Logs and went to go get something else out (nope, I don’t think so, buddy)

It literally took 45 minutes of disciplining and taking Malachi back to pick up the Lincoln Logs before the job was actually done. He was being quite stubborn and had decided to win the Battle of the Scattered Lincoln Logs. Fortunately for him (although he didn’t think so at the time) I knew that I would win the battle. He finally realized that he wouldn’t win, then went and picked up the Lincoln Logs in about 2 minutes and then stood up smiling. We talked more about obeying Mama and he apologized and we hugged and he is happier than he was before.

In the meantime, Asa and Justus were trying to get their math done (key lessons learned in math today: patience while you’re waiting for Mom to be able to get over to you to answer your questions and working diligently in a room with lots of background noise) Justus got very frustrated and let me know about it, which almost started the Battle of I need Some Attention and I’m Not Getting Any and I’m Not Happy About It, but after a conversation about how Mama has four boys and all of them need her at once and can’t always have her at once, he decided to choose patience.

10:45 Helped Elias with a page of math, a page of phonics and did a reading lesson.

11:15 Malachi and Elias played together; Mom and Asa and Justus had a science lesson. Today we started learning about our nervous system (the nerves in my system were close to being shot after the Battle of the Scattered Lincoln Logs).

12:00 I switched out the laundry and ran downstairs to start making potato soup for lunch. Asa and Justus worked on more assignments while I cooked.

SO, was my morning productive and was my home a haven?

At times it did not look like a haven (with Malachi’s Lincoln Logs all over the already “busy looking” school room) and it did not sound like a haven (when Malachi was determined NOT to pick up the Lincoln Logs or when Justus did not want to wait for Mama to help him).

But I believe that each of my kids learned important lessons this morning, most importantly the lesson learned that Mama wins the battles around here. And through all of the crazy circumstances of the morning, the kids know that they are loved enough to be taught life lessons. So yes, I do believe that my loud and messy home was a haven this morning.

And now, we’re off to read together and do some cleaning chores together for the afternoon.

And I think I will bake a Chocolate Pound Cake that I’ve been hungry for. Because, I’m pretty sure that having something chocolate in the house to eat is always a great way to make your home a haven! :)

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“Mom, what’s for lunch?”

January 6, 2008 by Laura 4 Comments

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Well, if you read my last post you know how ready we are for a routine around here. And going right along with that is the need to make a weekly menu again.

I’m usually frightfully organized with that, so much so that often while I’m tucking the boys into bed, they ask, “Mom, what’s for breakfast tomorrow?” (answer) “Well, what’s for lunch tomorrow?” (answer) “How ’bout dinner?” (answer) “Breakfast on Friday?” (answer) “What are you making to take to the potluck Sunday?” (answer) “Can you make homemade pizza two weeks from Wednesday?” (I’ll try to work it in…)

I’m usually so organized with my menu planning that it’s a little embarassing and sometimes if I think of it, before company comes over, I take down my elaborate menu plan off the refrigerator so that my guests won’t see it.

‘Cause once, our friend Tim saw it and hollered in to the living room to his wife, “Hey Tonya! The Coppingers are having pork chops on Tuesday with mashed potatoes and green beans!” He thought it was really cool that I had the whole week’s meal plan aaaallllllll written on my cute little paper on the fridge. I’m glad he thought it was cool, cause I felt like I’d just been caught and was ready to be nominated for the NERD OF THE YEAR award.

So, now that you know how weird I am (although most of you already knew), you can imagine the look on my children’s faces when they came into the kitchen at 11:59 am most days last week and asked me what’s for lunch and I say, “Hmm, not sure.”

I don’t function very well that way, although I did manage to feed them all three meals a day and several snacks in between, WITHOUT an elaborate menu plan. (It is possible, I just never knew it.)

Okay, so having said all of that, you need to know that while I discovered it was possible and I know that I can feed my family chicken on Saturday without writing the word chicken down on paper for Saturday…I NEED my menu plan on the refrigerator. I am starting to get shaky for lack of food organization. (excuse me, I have to go lay down)

I decided to share my menu plan for this week with you, just in case you are:

a) a nerd like me
b) clueless as to what to fix for your brood this week
c) hungry, and want to live vicariously through this menu
d) bored and want to read it
e) planning to stop by and wonder which day and time you should pop in

Here it is:

Sunday, Jan. 6
B – Oatmeal
L – Italian Roast Beef and Pasta, Corn
D – Nachos

Monday, Jan. 7
B – Whole Wheat Waffles
L – Potato Soup, Peaches
D – Chicken and Rice, Steamed Carrots

Tuesday, Jan. 8
B – Scrambled Eggs, Clementines
L – Chicken Quesadillas, Pears
D – Venison Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Peas

Wednesday, Jan. 9
B – Orange Muffins
L – Hamburger Patties, Potato Wedges, Carrot Stix
D – Beef Stew, Cornbread

Thursday, Jan. 10
B – Biscuits with butter and honey, Fruit
L – Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup
D – Tacos

Friday, Jan. 11
B – Granola, Fruit Smoothies
L – Turkey and Cheese Melts (made with leftover biscuits), Fruit Salad
D – Homemade Chicken Nuggets and French Fries

Saturday, Jan. 12
B – Breakfast Cookies
L – Leftovers
D – Chicken Noodle Soup

So, there you have it. AAAHHHH do I feel better! I am now officially organized for the week and shall be prepared at bed time tonight when the questions begin (“Mom, what’s for breakfast tomorrow?….)

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Needed: A Routine!

January 5, 2008 by Laura 2 Comments

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Lately, we’ve been completely out of our normal routine because of Christmas break. I’m sure you can relate. And as much as I love the break from all the normal hard work, I think it’s TIME TO GET BACK TO A NORMAL SCHEDULE! The kids are fighting more and making me have way too many conversations like this:

“Elias, do you love Asa?” (yes)

“Asa, do you love Elias?” (yes)

“Justus, do you love Elias?” (yes)….and so on through all the boys, you get the picture…

“Okay, can we treat one another with brotherly love? Instead of acting like you don’t even like each other? And also, can you just stop TOUCHING each other?”

I confess to you here and now that my parenting skills have kind of slipped during this “time off” from the normal. What is that about? It seems that when I’m on track with everything else going on (keeping the school work going, chores, meals, etc) I’m a little more on the ball with crowd control and character training too. But since we’re just kind of bumming around playing legos and reading in our jammies until one o’clock (am or pm, take your pick), I can’t seem to parent like I need to.

And so, I’ve been a little grumpy at times with the boys lately (it would help if they would just stop TOUCHING each other). And I feel bad about it because while it’s understandable that I would get frustrated at their bad behavior, maybe I could get them busy playing a game or make them vacuum or something. Instead of being grouchy at them.

Well, school starts up again on Monday. I think we’re all ready. Never before have so many people been excited to have a math assignment!

(I reserve the right to blog on Tuesday about needing a break from our routine…)

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Pizza Night

January 5, 2008 by Laura 49 Comments

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Last night we all got to make our own personal pizzas, which is always a hit around here! I was smart enough (based on past bad experiences) to have all the toppings out and ready AND the crusts already rolled out in each pan. The time I didn’t have the crusts ready was a MESS! Little boys all over my kitchen had pizza crust rolled all around my rolling pins and crust with holes in it and crust in the bowl of pizza sauce, and raw pizza crust in their mouths.

SO, I learned to have a lovely rolled out crust in each pan with all the ingredients on the counter ready to go and THEN call the boys in to make a pizza.

Yum

I called them all in and, count them there’s five, not four, boys in the kitchen having a blast putting their pizzas together because we had a friend over for the night.

I forgot to take a picture of one of the boys’ pizzas, and do you think they really would have let me? They were TOO hungry! But, here’s a picture of mine. And just so ya know, it may look big in the picture, but it’s actually a tiny stone I got from Pampered Chef, not one of those you can bake a whole cake in.

Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a try. The crust is very easy and very yummy.

Homemade Personal Pizzas

Crust:

3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 t. salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup butter, melted

Stir together flour and salt in mixing bowl.
Add yogurt and melted butter. Stir well until ball of dough is formed.

Pizza toppings:

1 jar pizza sauce (I actually made my own sauce last night)

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, or white cheddar
any favorite toppings such as pepperoni, cooked hamburger or sausage, green peppers, mushrooms or olives.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Shred cheese with grater. Set all other pizza toppings out for everyone to work with.
Sprinkle flour on baking pans to cover surface.
Pat dough on pan as thick as you prefer.
Spoon on sauce and spread around dough.
Top with cheese and favorite toppings.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and turning golden brown.

This recipe is one featured in my “What to Do With the Kids in your Kitchen” ebook.

Grocery List

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Big Night for the U.S.

January 3, 2008 by Laura Leave a Comment

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I don’t keep up much with politics, and I know I should do better. But, I do know that this is a very big night in Iowa and that all the hopeful candidates have been working very hard to let everyone know what they are all about.

My husband reminded me tonight when he came home that this was the BIG NIGHT in Iowa. And suddenly I was struck with what a big deal all of this is. The beginning of the voting process that decides who is in charge of America for the next four years.

Can you imagine what kind of job it is to be president of a nation? Talk about pressure! Talk about hard work.

And so, I feel a big need tonight to pray for us all as we each make our decision about who we will vote for to be our next president. I feel a big need to pray for the person who will be chosen.

The good news is, God is really the one in charge of our nation. What a comfort. Let’s lift up to Him our future president.

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Lerk, Mama!

January 3, 2008 by Laura 3 Comments

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We have been getting such a kick out of Malachi for the past few months. Ever since he started learning to say his “r” sound, he has been putting it into words whether it has an “r” sound in it or not. For instance, the word look comes out like lerk. So, when he wants me to see something, he’ll say, “Oh, lerk, Mama!” He also asks me to read him a berk (and it’s really funny when he wants to “lerk at a berk”!).

When I ask him where his blanket is, he’ll tell me that he “purt it over there”. Sometimes he helps his brothers and Daddy bring in some “word” to burn in the fire.

If you ask him how he’s doing, he’ll tell you that he’s “gurd”.

It’s so cute and fun, and when he starts saying it correctly, I’ll be a little sad. However, it won’t be so cute when he’s 12, so eventually I guess I’ll be okay with him saying it right. In the meantime, whenever I get the chance, I’ll ask him questions about how he’s doing and how he’s liking something so that I can hear him tell me how gurd it is.

Take a gurd lerk at this sweet three year old reading his berk!

What cute things do/did your kids say?!

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Forums

January 2, 2008 by Laura Leave a Comment

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Hey, come check out our new forums and chat with us for a while! I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say. There are places for you to give us YOUR recipes, craft ideas, prayer requests and much much more. Come on over and get yourself registered! Have a cup of tea with friends. www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/forums

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The Tentmakers

December 31, 2007 by Laura Leave a Comment

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Today the boys lined up chairs and other varieties of furniture and threw blankets over them in order to make tents. I could not believe how long they played in them. They even had their reading/rest time in the tent. So, I took advantage of the opportunity to snap some shots of them in the tent.

Here’s the tent that took up half the living room.

I caught Elias and Asa’s feet sticking out…I’m sure they aren’t kicking each other.

Asa grabbed a new book he got for Christmas for quiet time.

I’m pretty sure he’s totally faking, but Justus is so cute here “sleeping” in the tent!

Elias: also faking, also cute.

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End of the Year

December 28, 2007 by Laura Leave a Comment

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As we come to the end of 2007, I pray that you can look at the year and see the ways God has worked in the lives of you and your family.

No matter what you experienced in 2007, God took care of you. He provided for you. He held you. He shaped you. He stretched you. He loved you.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thrusts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods: with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.

They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

And so, as we prepare to enter into 2008, know that whatever you experience, God will take care of you. He will provide for you. He will hold you. He will shape you. He will stretch you. He loves you.

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