The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{around here} Week of 10.6.14

Wow.  Another week has flown by!  Here’s a peek at what we did:

HOMESCHOOLING.  It’s been a light week in homeschooling as we finished up the last bits of Week 11.  I enjoyed splitting up the work into two weeks…it’s been a gentle way to get back into the routine with a new baby now in the mix.  A couple of notes:

  • I’ve decided to make Fridays all about history.  M will have his weekly spelling test and a math page, but the rest of the day will be diving into ancient civilizations.  It will allow us much more time to incorporate activities, crafts and cooking – all things that M really enjoys.  He was so excited about the idea that we ended up having History Day on Monday!  We learned all about mummies, mummified an old action figure using this example, and even had mummy pigs in a blanket for lunch (inspired by this idea).    
  • M’s science book, Usborne World of Animals, has been a hit for all of the kids.  We have learned so much!  We just started our study of Asian animals and the boys really enjoyed this video about Japanese snow monkeys.  
EXERCISE.  Week two of my walking routine was successful; I got in at least a mile everyday this week!  I’m still working toward a daily goal of 10,000 steps, but getting closer.  (I use a Fitbit One to track my steps and I love it!)  Currently 13 pounds down with about 22 to go.

 BAKING.  I made chocolate chip cookies and two loaves of banana bread, but neither stuck around for long in this household of mine!  Next up is a pumpkin crumb cake.

 ON THE BLOG.  

I also spent some time going through four years of archives and updating the broken Pinterest links and photos.  So time consuming, but it was fun to look back and read some of my earliest posts.       

 ON THE NIGHTSTAND.  I finished Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and it’s given me so much to think about.  My copy is full of underlining and asterisks!  Just one of the many passages that spoke to me: “The more we can let a boy struggle and learn how to struggle well, the better off he will be later in life.  It is only through suffering that we grow spiritually and emotionally.  Boys need far more help in developing their emotional skills than they do their motor skills.  The more we focus on developing their character, the more they will become men of character.”

Plans for the weekend: soccer games, celebrating my big 30th birthday, and a trip to the apple orchard.  I can’t wait!  Have a wonderful weekend, friends.

{giving} The 2nd Annual BWF Pajama Drive & I Need Your Help!



Last October, I held the first ever Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive for children in need.  October is considered to be the beginning of “Danger Season”, when temperatures begin to drop around the country and many children don’t have pajamas to keep them warm on chilly nights.  My kids get so excited about new, cozy pajamas and it breaks my heart to think that some little ones just don’t have that luxury.


So in my small way, I set out to help.  


Friends, family and even a few blog readers all came together to send pajama donations from across the country.  In just two weeks’ time, we were able to collect 14 pairs of pajamas!  The donations were given to a wonderful local organization called Northern Virginia Family Services and it makes my heart swell to think that we helped 14 little ones keep warm during last year’s crazy winter.


So here we are again.  October is here and the weather is getting a bit colder everyday.  


It’s time for the second annual Big White Farmhouse Pajama Drive and I’d love your help!  


My big 30th birthday is coming up this weekend and I would love to collect 30 pajama donations for NVFS, doubling the amount from last year!  Will you help me?  


Here are the details:
+ The pajama drive will be open for the next month, until Friday, November 7, 2014.
+ All pajamas need to be new and should be the complete set (top and bottoms) or a nightgown.
+ The age range we’re collecting for is newborn up to 5T.
+ Please send your donations to me. Shoot me an e-mail (mrsb04jc at gmail dot com) with “Pajama Drive” in the subject line and I can send you the address.  
+ Don’t have time to shop?  Purchase a few PJs online and have them shipped directly to me!
+ Involve your entire family.  This is an easy opportunity to include your children in service!  


I hope you’ll help me spread some happiness to children in need in my community!  If you feel inclined, I’d love it if you would spread the word.  Together, we can work to do great things!  I look forward to hearing from you!



“Little things are indeed little, 
but to be faithful in little things is a great thing.”
– Mother Teresa



{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!

{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?

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