The Simple Woman's Daybook: November 1st

For Today... November 1, 2010

Outside my window... Grey skies and crisp air might be depressing on some days, but I'm personally excited to ditch all the jack-o-lanterns around here and replace them with Thanksgiving touches!

From the kitchen... the espresso maker brewed up a great white chocolate late this morning. I'm off to a Williams-Sonoma cooking class tonight with a great friend. It's a Thanksgiving dinner class, and I hope to pick up a few tips and ideas!

From the Learning Rooms... Lots of counting these days. Little Mister is working on counting by 10's, and his reading skills seem to be growing steadily. Little Miss, always on her own schedule, surprised us a few weeks ago with her alphabet song. It was nice to know that my efforts weren't being ignored. Now we're working on learning letters. It's been difficult to introduce new concepts to her because I don't want to push them if she hasn't mastered the building blocks needed for a new skill.

I am creating...

I was really happy with the weekend's cake!

Little Miss and I are already planning her birthday cake- Strawberry Shortcake. I can't believe she's almost three...

I am praying... for Baby Ella and her family... and all families who have lost a child to anencephaly.

Around the house... It's a disaster. Let's face it. There are toys everywhere!

One of my favorite things...

The rare times when these two get along well enough for a sweet picture. Little Mister isn't the most affectionate big brother, but we're working on it!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Amidst the normal taxiing, a horse is being delivered to my parents' farm. It's finally one that Big Sister will be able to ride. That means that it's time to arrange for riding lessons and riding gear. I've been praying for a way to give her a shot as the activity she's passionate about, and it's still hard to believe that I'm going to be able to provide her with this opportunity!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The eskimo...

The super-heroine...

And the video game heros...

Join the daybook group or see other daybooks here!

The Simple Woman's Daybook: October 12th

For Today... October 12, 2009

Outside my window... Leaves glisten with the rain that has just finished, and drops fall intermittently from the roof. It is a cold, dreary day in the midwest. I'm almost hoping tonight's soccer game is canceled as I'm not looking forward to getting the little ones out in the cold tonight!

From the kitchen... I purchased a Woman's Day last week and discovered a gem hidden inside the covers that indicate age. I just figured out that age must surely indicate wisdom as this very cheap ($1.99 off the news stand) publication is chock full of useful tips and recipes. There's even a calendar listing dinner for each day of the month. I can't imagine not repeating a dish in a whole month! Today I'm organizing my kitchen, cleaning the fridge, and going shopping for a whole week's worth of meals. Hopefully I won't find myself rummaging through the cabinets at 5:00 trying to figure out what's for dinner anymore-- or at least not as often!

I am wearing... A hideous pair of brown fuzzy yoga pants with cream stripes down the sides and a brown tank top. I know, I know... what can I say? It's cleaning day!

From the Learning Rooms... Little Mister came home from my mother's reading lessons last Tuesday and read five Dick and Jane stories to me! He only needed help on one word! The great thing about Dick and Jane is that they start simple and increase the words that are used as the stories progress. The first story used "oh" and "look." That's it. By the end of his pages, Little Mister was reading words like "Mother" and "funny." He was SO proud of himself, and I'm super excited for him too!

I am creating... an organized office. Last Friday, I'd had had enough of the kid size card table that held my Mac Mini... enough of the kids constantly dragging toys into my bedroom on their way to pbskids.org... enough of the piles of boxes housing the books and tech gear that belonged in the office. So yesterday, hubby and I installed our office counter tops. All by ourselves! They look great, and hopefully after tonight, we'll have our file cabinets installed as support. Then I can start the organization process!

I am praying... for safe travels as my baby sister flies home this week and for a fun and rewarding first weekend of full-fledged wedding planning!

I am reading... The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather. Though it's taking me a while, I'm savoring each word of Thea's journey. I might move on to another Cather novel next... perhaps My Antonia.

Around the house... Laundry is a load shy of being completed, so I think I'm going to tackle the kids' rooms today. They all do a decent job of keeping their toys put away, so today will be about vacuuming and sorting through dressers and closets.

One of my favorite things... a weekend with no plans at all

A few plans for the rest of the week... our last fall soccer game, a sewing night, and some online shopping for Little Miss' upcoming birthday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Halloweens passed: round two. Big Sister's butterfly costume made with love my yours truly when she was three.

Join the daybook group or see other daybooks here!

Thanks for stopping by,

The Simple Woman's Daybook: October 5th

For Today... October 5, 2009

Outside my window... The sprinkle of orange that fought through the green leaves just last week has gained some ground. The oaks are still green, but their battle is a loosing one, and I'm happy to say that by next week, the hillsides around our home will be alive with the warmth of autumn colors. THEN, it will be time for bonfires, hot cocoa, and sweaters and boots. I look forward to the next few week all year long!

From the kitchen... We took the easy road this morning and had cereal for breakfast... No prep time, and just as little clean up involved. For lunch we'll likely do macaroni and salad, and dinner... is yet to be determined.

I am wearing... Sky blue athletic pants, a chili cookoff shirt from Hubby's annual company shindig, and a black "teacher sweater"

From the Learning Rooms... I stopped by a teacher store over the weekend and picked up some great math manipulatives. I'm excited to use them Thursday. We're still working on basic addition with Little Mister. Last week's lesson was fairly successful, and I thought he did a great job for his first day out. He was even using subtraction skills later while eating some fruit snacks. "Mommy. I have 2 fruit snacks. Now I'm eating one. I have one left. Now I'm eating 1 more. Now they're all gone!"

I am creating... a clear porch. Hubby and I cleared off the boardwalk yesterday evening. As soon as we get rid of the air conditioner unit on our front porch, I think I'll be able to tackle the rest of the clutter on my own.

I am praying... for my big sister as she discerns God's will in her life right now.

I am reading... The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather. This is the first library book I've checked out for myself in years. I must say I'm quite content between the wrapped covers and yellowed pages. There's something about a library book that does my heart good... must be the English major in me.

Around the house... I'm trying not to look at my kitchen right now... I decided to forget about dishes after a late dinner yesterday, and I've determined that waking up to a messy kitchen on a Monday morning was NOT a good plan!

One of my favorite things... Kisses from my kiss-stingy toddler. Their rarity makes them all the more precious!

A few plans for the rest of the week... The normal extracurriculars, a portrait play date, and perhaps a girls' night if I can find a free evening!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I've decided to post past Halloween pictures this month. First up is Little Mister's first.

Join the daybook group or see other daybooks here!

Thanks for stopping by,