The Big White Farmhouse

Woo boy, is it cold outside!  The flannel sheets are on the beds and cozy blankets are ready next to the couch.  I also made a few new comfort food recipes for dinner and they were hits: Biscuit Pot Pie and Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.    


TJ turned two months old this week.  I can’t believe it!  Where does the time go?  He is a smiling, cooing, happy boy and such a joy to our family.  We call him our “little turtle” because he has a habit of scrunching his neck and sticking out his tongue.  He loves to be cuddled, has outgrown all of his newborn clothing, and sleeps 4 hour stretches at night.  He is so loved.  


Favorite homeschooling activities:

• We bought M a volcano kit for his birthday and he has used it often.  I love to watch him become a scientist as he adjusts the ratios between the vinegar and baking soda.  He often asks, “What will happen if…” and I am happy to tell him, “Let’s find out and see!”
• I swapped out the “required” reading about the water cycle for a Magic School Bus episode I found on Netflix.  The boys couldn’t believe their luck: watching TV for school?!  
• It was J week in Kindergarten.  I was brave and took out the paints so all four could make jellyfish.  BIG hit.

We wrapped up our Pajama Drive and they are headed to Northern Virginia Family Services.  To everyone who donated, thank you SO much!  Because of you, many children in my community will be warm this winter.  We are so grateful for your help and support. 

Plans for the weekend: M and Mark are running in a Turkey Trot and we are all coming to cheer them on!
Hope you have a great weekend too.

This week was packed full of fun things: celebrating the Marine Corps birthday, having friends over for a play date and an end-of-season soccer pizza party.  Mark was away on a business trip for part of the week too, so I tried to keep us busy with art projects and movie nights.     

Favorite homeschooling activities:

• It was D week in Kindergarten.  We didn’t do any themed crafts, but I think a trip to the grocery store for doughnuts may be just as effective. 🙂
• We’re halfway through Owls in the Family and the boys think the stories are hilarious.  We also learned about nocturnal animals and M created a really neat owl using newspaper (he used this one as inspiration). 
• For spelling, we played Spelling Battleship.  It was such a hit, I think we’ll need to buy the real game soon! 

Even though the scale hasn’t moved in about 10 days, I’m still pushing through my workouts.  I started boxing this week, an exercise that has always interested me but has been equally intimidating.  I put on my brave face and tried it anyway, and it was so fun!  I also did a kettlebell workout I found online that was so effective, I could barely walk the next morning!  Add in my Couch25K and I am definitely working hard, whether the scale says so or not.  It’ll come eventually.
      
As for nutrition, I’m weaning myself off sugar again (darn you, Halloween!) and trying to focus on filling myself with good foods.      

On the blog:

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: I made another batch and they were all gone in 24 hours!  This time, I managed to sneak one to keep with my breakfast coffee.
• Ten on Ten Photo Challenge: One of my goals for November and I’m so glad I remembered to complete it.  Such a fun way to document our ordinary days.  

This weekend, we have even more fun in store: celebrating a big 8th birthday!  
Hope your weekend is full of good things too.