What We've Been Up To...

It's been too long between posts! It seems like we have been so busy...so many different things going on (school, planning, housework, adjusting to Jody's new job hours etc.) I feel like I'm running all the time. So, this post will be just a catch-up!

We've started "school" now. I have been sucessful in covering the basics with Lillie and we'll do science and history once a week. Anything more I think will be too overwhelming and I am making Lillie's reading and writing my top schooling priority. Here's a list of Easy Reader's Lillie will be working her way through...

2 Strawberry Shortcake Readers

Frog and Toad Collection

The Three Little Pigs

Little Critter Readers

For every one she can read entirely on her own, she gets a sticker, after 10 books she gets a reward and certificate. I am also typing portions of Scripture into large type and letting her work through that. So far, she's read one Strawberry Shortcake book entirely by herself! I am so pleased that I decided to take this route instead of drilling phonics so much. Lillie is a true blue sight reader , no doubt about it! I am going to slowly start drilling Jack on the pre-primer Dolch word list, but he's mostly just doing workbook pages and living math practice.

We've started an easy does it unit on castles and medieval times. We have built a castle, will be building a catapult and making our own shields and coat of arms. We are also working our way through the Treasury of Illustrated Classic of Howard Pyle's Robin Hood. We've read a Troll classic about King Arthur and have listened to Robin Hood Audio Stories on Story Nory. IF you have never been on Story NOry, you must, especially if your kids are Audio Learners like mine. Give them an audio story and they won't make a peep. Lillie is right this minute sitting on the arm of the couch listening to The Wizard of Oz. I also checked out Usborne's Knight Handbook and Anne McGovern's If You Lived In the Time of Knights.

Here are some pics of our castle...

This picture made me chuckle! My kids, immediately upon finishing the castle ran to Lillie's Doll HOuse Furniture stash and proceeded to do a bit of interior decorating...hence the toilet on top of one of the towers :)And the Propane BBQ Grill :)

While I've been away I have been crossing over to frugality. With Jody's new job, I have a newfound sense of responsibility for how I spend the money. Jody being unemployed has humbled me and taught me many lessons. So, I have sucessfully made my own laundry detergent (which I am loving) and my own fabric softener (which smells really good and performs just as well) and am line drying my clothing, which not only cuts down on my electric bill by not running my old dryer, but also has helped on the cooling part since my return vent is in my small laundry room and the unit has to work double time to cool off the air. More conscious of turning off lights and of wasteful water use. I have sucessfully been cooking almost entirely from scratch and have found so many recipes for items I use regularly in cooking that cost me a collective fortune if I buy them at the store already prepared. Cut out diaper wipes all together opting for a spray on diaper wipe solution and heavy duty paper towels. Natural cleaners using vinegar and baking soda etc. When there is extra, I have stocked my freezer and pantry to cut down on what I will have to spend weekly for groceries. Eating out is almost non existent and soon, Jody will have uniforms and his own company van to drive back and forth, so the money we will spend on gas will be majorly reduced. I will soon do a post with links for all the great blogging ladies out there who have been such a wealth of information and an inspiration.

Been doing some crafting also. I LOVE to craft...it relaxes me greatly. Made some super cute prayer journals for the older children's Sunday School class at church...

Birthday Presents for my nephew Hunter who is two...

Hanging Bedside Organizer for books, toys, etc. using old Jeans and jumper pockets. Crayon Roll which I will pair with a few coloring books. Small Cowboy themed plushies that I used clipart and ironed onto linen and then stuffed and sewed. They turned out very cute and I will be making more of these.

Wooden Story Dice for my neices Hannah and Kasey. Kasey and I played last time I was up at Leila's and these were a blast!

Framed Silhouettes for my new bathroom cabinet...
Well, that's enough for now. I hope to post more regularly. Have a blessed day!