Christmas Shopping

We are currently having a discussion on my homeschool board about what Christmas gifts people are thinking about and what some of the favorite things have been. We might be in a little different category than most people since we homeschool. We just think a little differently about things and what we want our kids to be playing with and doing some times.

What is really cool about these discussions though is that I always learn about new things. Like these Keva Planks for example. There are sooo cool!


I have never seen them or heard of them before today. I watched the video on the homepage and then started going through the photo lists. All the different things they have made with them is just amazing. I think this is something we will keep in mind for the future. I can see us all playing with these!

My kiddo's are really getting into Lego which is nice to see. Meghan asked for some a couple years ago and Kaden has started using them with her. Meghan follows the directions to make the little sets and Kaden just starts stacking. He may be getting a set of his own this Christmas. They are playing with Lego's right now and its so quiet...

Meghan is probably getting a Next Generation Doll. They are similar to the American Girl Dolls. I would love to get her one of those but they are much more pricey. I think the Next Generation Doll will work out well. They can wear all the same clothing and they have cool accessories also. She learned about the American Girl Dolls when we were at the boutique in November. There was a lady there that made clothes for them. They also have matching clothing for dolls and girls. Cute! This seems like something she will use for a long time.

I think books are always great gifts too. We like to read here and the kids love looking at their books. Plus we use books all the time for our unit studies. I also like memberships to places like zoo's, the science center, children's museum, even water parks. I think we are just getting to where we want the things we spend money on to matter and enrich our lives and not just be another fad toy with no imagination required.

This post is mostly my rambling but I really thought the Keva Planks were cool and maybe some of my other homeschool (or not) friends hadn't heard of them either. :)

It's Time for a Party!

I am excited! I have been asked to host a Pillsbury Potluck Party. I am going to invite my friends and family over and we are all going to make a dish using Pillsbury products. It is really a great time to share this because we all need some easy dishes to prepare during this busy holiday season. I was provided with a package by MyBlogSpark which includes coupons for my attendees. It should be a lot of fun!

The part I need your help with is this....
What should I make for my dish!?? There are sooo many choices here.
Some of the recipes I am contemplating are
Chocolate chip cookie stuffed pies
Tomato pesto appetizers
Cranberry Crescent Wreaths
Italian Crescent Casserole
So-easy Chicken pot pie
Spicy Chipotle Twists


There are lots more recipes on Pillsbury.com

Weigh in and let me know what you think I should try. If you have made any recipes from the site that you liked let me know that too. I have to decide very soon what to make.

Thanks!!

Myths about MegaChurches

I just have to share this blog post my friend Jennifer posted today. She doesn't go to the same church we do but they are very, very similiar. I love this article and I love my church!
Megachurch Myths

Halloween Fun

This is a quick run by posting. I'm late, I'm late for an important date... err something.

Monday was Halloween as we all know. ;) It was also Muffin Tin Monday. I made a tin that I decided to call "The Eye's Have It". Cute right? I've never named a muffin tin meal before. hehe

Apple with marshmallow eyes, more marshmallow eyes, chocolate zucchini muffin with cheerio eyes

More apples with eyes, pumpkin shaped homemade bread with choc. chip eyes and yellow tomatoes, that I used edible marker on for more eyes. ;)

The kids had a great Halloween! My brother and sister in law brought their two little ones to trick or treat with us.

Can you tell what Meghan was? lol Meghan was a cheerleader, Ellie was a cupcake and Kaden decided to be Wow Wow Wubbzy again. He was going to be Luigi and changed his mind. Then he told everyone that he wasn't Kaden anymore but call him Wow Wow Wubbzy. He also told this to everyone as we trick or treated. :)

My nieces were both princesses and this one didn't want to get in the group shot.

Got my brother to smile for a picture. He tries to avoid the camera.. hahahaaa (evil laugh)

My sister in-law took pictures too. She probably has the ones I am in.

After trick or treating the kids dumped out candy and ate some and traded and made a general mess! Then they watched It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and played some more.

Most of the time the adults were in the kitchen. We all stayed up later talking and laughing and had a great time!

I hope your holiday was fabulous! Be Blessed!

A Fall Break

In my life this week…

I have been trying to get back into the habit of working out. It's really hard to fit everything in running a business and homeschooling the kids. I am trying to find a time each day that works the best but so far it has been just whenever I fit it in. :) On Thursday though I hurt myself somehow. I am not sure if I just over did it or if my back is out of place but it hurts. I haven't been able to do anything since that day. Counterproductive! Hopefully it will be all better soon!


In our homeschool this week…

This week we had a fall break. On Monday Daddy took the day off to go to the pumpkin patch/farm with us.

The kids had a lot of fun and yes it was still warm out there! The kids always love the animals. They were selling baby chicks here and they wanted one so bad! They also had other animals they could pet.

This is on the hay ride.

I know they say it is fall, next week will finally be in the 80's so we will think it's cool. :) The rest of the week we just relaxed. The kids watched movies and played games. Friday we went to Girl Scouts. We had a good week!


Things I’m working on…

In less than two weeks I will be participating in a boutique at my church. I am trying to get things done ahead, such as table decor' and signs. I am also making some Christmas gifts to have available for pre-order and trying to find time to remake some of my cake dummy's. I am going to be pretty busy trying to get ready for this. There are hundreds of women that go to this boutique and I am hoping it will go well for me.


My favorite thing this week was…

Kaden loves to take pictures with my camera. It makes uploading from the camera take forever because he takes so many. At least I can delete them right. Meghan thinks he is going to be a photographer. I usually let him take pictures for a while as long as he is being careful with the camera. You never know what you are going to find. :) I thought this one was cool.

Box Tops for Education Winner!

Our winner chosen via random.org is Crystal! Congrats! Please email me.

Box Tops for Education (Giveaway!)

It's time for another giveaway. This one is brought to you by Betty Crocker and My Blog Spark.
I love Betty Crocker. I search the website often for fun recipes and Betty Crocker made the first cookbook I had. Just some trivia for you! :)

Remember to save those box tops for your local schools.

Now, you can find Box Tops for Education on all Betty Crocker baking mixes*, including new Fun da-middles™, individual cupcakes with a fun, creamy center.

This back-to-school season, look for double Box Tops on specially marked packages of Betty Crocker baking mixes.

Look at all the cuteness!
Your prize pack will contain:

Cupcake iclips

Cupcake bag

Cupcake notepads

Box Tops for Education pencils

Neoprene Lunch Sack

 

We were provided with a package also. We used the brownie mix to make these fabulous cookies! Seriously, cookies from a brownie mix and they were sooo good! You must try them!

If you would like to enter to win this prize package please leave a comment. Let me know if you child's school or someone you know is collecting box tops! The winner will be drawn on the 18th.  Good luck!