Jar Full of Thanks

(I can't remember where I got this idea- some blog or website.)


The kids and I made a Thankfulness Jar the other day.  We just cut and glued a strip of paper around a mason jar, decorated it and used stickers to write "I am Thankful...".  Then we used heavy cardstock for the lid and cut a big slit in it that will fit a strip of paper.
It will sit on the kitchen table next to a bowl full of blank strips of paper and a pencil.  Each day at meal time, or any time someone gets the whim, we write on a strip of paper what we are thankful for.  Then we will take them all out and read them on Thanksgiving. 

This has been fun and has really helped us to put life into perspective by always trying to find things to be grateful for instead of the MANY things we COULD be thinking of to be unhappy about.

It is also teaching Justus to be thankful. He thinks of new things every day, without any prompting, that are really cute. The first one was "Jesus, Heavenly Father, and Daddy." The most recent funny one was "apples, dried apples, applesauce and the missionaries." He is VERY serious about this activity too, it's been fun.

Homeschool Blog

I have been wanting for a long time to start doing some sort of schooling with my kids. I feel AWFUL sticking them in a room to play all day. Sure, we have our "teaching moments" occasionally, but I want my children to get more out of the day. Their behavior is starting to reflect the lack of structure in their lives. 

So, after MUCH searching and contemplating and talking with other mom's, I've come up with a plan.  I will set aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to work with each child separately. I am using mainly a program called Letter of the Week. They have curriculum for every age. But I am finding a lot of supplemental material to go with it.  We also have a few preschool wipe-off books that Justus likes to do. I have JUST started this, so it is still in the experimental stages. I'll let you know how it goes!

I have started a blog to keep myself organized. It is www.crispspreschool.blogspot.com. I will post each week the lesson plans for that week along with some supplemental things I have decided to use.  I will probably post pictures or ideas that come up during the week. This blog will be solely dedicated to homeschooling.  I started printing it all out and keeping a notebook of it, but realized how much paper and ink I could be saving by doing it online!

Anyway, I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have. I'm sure some of you are doing some sort of schooling with your pre-school age kids. What do you do?

Well, Im off to go make a cake!

Photo Shoot

Not bad for JCPenny's, eh?

Three Kids..

One, Two...

...Three!

...yup, I have 3. Three that are the age of 3 and under. "Three..."

That word has been ringing over and over again in my mind. (and the more I write it, the more funny of a word it looks) :)

What, I ask, are you supposed to do with 3? No, more importantly, how are you supposed to do anything?? I once had an arm for each child. I am learning how to use other appendages (feet, head, knees) to answer the endless demands.

I have arranged a babysitter just so I can go grocery shopping tomorrow. Is that PATHETIC? Am I a wuss? Plenty of moms out there go shopping with 3+ kids all the time, but I am trying to figure out how to fit 2 babies, a toddler and groceries all in one cart and its just NOT COMING TO ME!

Also, I chose not to go to church again today. This would be fine if my reason were because I wasn't feeling well or I thought baby was too little to go, but in reality my thoughts were more along the lines of "I couldn't control 2 kids through sacrament meeting, even with Jim's help, how the heck will we EVER do 3??" Maybe we'll go back to church when the kids have grown. :)

So...I am sure- positive- that I am being a baby about this, that I need to just buck up and be grateful its ONLY 3. But I still would like to know! HOW is it done?? Do YOU know? I'm sure another month or two and I will have it figured out.

Ok, frustrations aside, I am very happy to have this new addition! I feel very odd. Like our family is complete. (for now, anyway) I actually, honestly, enjoy the extra work that this baby creates. I'm happy to do it. I'm not overwhelmed. I didn't expect to feel that way. Maybe it's because it feels SOOO dang good to NOT be pregnant anymore. I can't get over it!

Of course, things aren't easy. But (as long as I stay home) they seem very doable. Sure, the house isn't as clean. The laundry gets a little behind. Dinner is sometimes late and definitely not elaborate. Yeah, we've watched Peter Pan 15 times (no exaggeration) last week... BUT basic needs are met, and I will work on the rest!

Sisters

I can tell this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship!!

She's not old enough to do anything about it...yet! But look at how irritated Allison looks.

Kinda creepy, I know. Lol. Ella's doll is bigger than her sister.

Love my Allison!!