The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

October 3, 2014

{around here} Week of 9.29.14

With Mark back at work, I was a mamma flying solo with five kids this week. It was a bumpy ride, but we survived! We ended up easing back into homeschooling because we needed the structure. I like to consider ourselves pretty flexible, but the boys really struggled with all the free time and oh man, the bickering. Getting school accomplished was a way better alternative!

A few homeschool notes from week 11:

It was S week. We made snakes.
I’m not convinced that the phonics curriculum we’re using is working for D. I need to do a little more research, but I’m considering switching to either Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons or Phonics Pathways. Anyone have a preference or recommendation?
M’s favorite spelling game of the week: Scrabble Addition. Math and spelling practice in one!
We are almost halfway through Thomas and the Dragon Queen and I am so impressed with the life lessons sprinkled throughout. I have really enjoyed the conversations it has created about courage, adversity and trying our best.

On the small business front: I put in an order for a few new items to have in our holiday section of Big White Farmhouse and I can’t wait to receive them in a few weeks! I’m sure I’ll do a post or two with some shameless promotion as the holidays get closer.

One of my October goals is to get back into an exercise routine by walking again. Not only will it help me lose the 35 pounds I gained this pregnancy, I also believe exercise is really great for my mental health and helps with the “baby blues” too. I started off strong this week, walking Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I hope to get at least a mile in today, so I’ll have a weekly grand total of 4.75 miles. Feels good.

Last but not least, a little update on my favorite two-week-old: TJ has been sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night, which is amazing. Who knows if it will last, but I’ll take it while I can! He also had his first bath and actually liked it. Sophie hated baths for almost an entire year and screamed every time, so this is a very welcome change! He is just a doll baby and every one of us is so smitten with him. We are so blessed.

Have a great weekend, friends!

October 1, 2014

{brave} A Review of September’s Goals & a Few New Ones for October

September was such a blur, full of anticipation, excitement and celebrations. I made my monthly goals with the intention of distracting myself from the final weeks of pregnancy and for the most part, it worked! While I didn’t complete everything on the list (which is okay since I never do!), I’d still consider this month a big success.

1. Take out all of the kids’ fall clothes and make a to-buy list to fill in the gaps.
Complete! This became a project that lasted an entire afternoon with the attendance of four very eager helpers! It was craziness, but another memory for the books. The seasonal wardrobe change is one of my least favorite chores, so I’m so glad it’s done!

2. Complete the cross-stitch project I started in August.
At this point, this is getting laughable. Two months in and I still didn’t finish! In hindsight, I seem to be picking up books before cross-stitch projects lately and that’s okay. Obviously, this one isn’t really a priority for me right now.

3. Bake a pie.
I had hoped to get to the apple orchard and then make an apple pie before the baby, but time just got away from us. It’s on the plan for October.

4. Make read aloud plans for “school” during our baby break.
I did complete this goal, but changed things up at the last minute. Originally, I made plans to read Owls in the Family and complete an owl lapbook while we took a break with the new baby. But at the last minute, we decided to read Thomas and the Dragon Queen instead! Even though I did all that work “for nothing”, I’ll be thankful for all of the prior planning in the weeks ahead.

5. Write down all of the kids’ birth stories.
Oops, didn’t complete, although we did talk a lot about each child and their birthdays. I really should have written them down years ago…I have forgotten a lot of the little details!

6. Read two books.
Complete! I finished Peace Like a River and we also read Ginger Pye as a family read aloud.

7. Buy tickets for a surprise trip to Lego Kidsfest for the boys.
Complete! The three big boys and their Daddy will be going on a special road trip to Kidsfest in October and I know they are going to have the time of their life!

8. Have a baby!
My proudest accomplishment this month! He is perfection.

1. Finish one book.
2. Go apple picking and/or the pumpkin patch.
3. Get a haircut.
4. Walk at least one mile four times a week. Try for 10,000+ steps everyday.
5. Catch up on all thank you notes.
6. Get purchase orders in for Big White Farmhouse Christmas product.

What do you have on your goal list for October?

September 26, 2014

{around here} Week of 9.22.14

How do I begin to describe our first week as a family of seven? Surreal. The transition has been gentle and the big kids have been great. There hasn’t been any jealousy…if anything, they fight over whose turn it is to hold the baby! Sophia has claimed TJ as her own “bay-bay” and is so helpful. I can’t get over how much she loves him.

Sophie turned two this week and we had the most simple, special day celebrating her. She woke up bright and early and went with her Daddy to get a doughnut and Frozen balloon at the grocery store. While she was gone, the boys and I set up her new kitchen, which was a BIG hit! She played contentedly off and on all day! We made cupcakes together in the afternoon and had homemade pizza (one of her favorite foods) for dinner. It was the perfect day. We sure love that girl of ours.

We took the week off from homeschooling, but still managed to fit in a little read aloud time. We just started Thomas and the Dragon Queen and it’s already sparked lots of conversation about knights and courage.

Plans for the weekend: TJ’s first trip to the soccer fields!
Have a good one, friends!