Our 365 Days

Happy Mother's Day!

2013-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you beautiful ladies out there are enjoying your Mother's Day!! Sadly I am stuck here at work doing reports all day...but I will get to see my family when I get home and then they can/will pamper me!! =)

National Housework Day

2013-04-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is No National Housework Day!

Housework is a a daily, seemingly endless group of tasks. I don't know about in your home, but I know here a lot of time it goes unnoticed how much I actually do around here to keep the house in order! Well tomorrow is your day to do anything you want, or nothing at all! It's up to you!

And finally... some good ole' advice from Maxine!

National No Housework Day is always celebrated on April 7thevery year. There are two different ways you could celebrate National No Housework Day. 1.) If you are the one that does the housework around your house, STOP! Do not do ANY housework tomorrow! You can resume chores on April 8th, but for tomorrow, spend time doing fun things you've been wanting to, or catch up on some rest!! 2.) If you are the spouse that is luckily enough to NOT have to clean the house...do it for your spouse! Not only will it give them a break on this holiday, but maybe you'll become more appreciative of how much they really do around the house!

National Walk To Work Day 2013

2013-04-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

National Walk To Work Day is the first Friday in April. The idea was to create a day that would help combat obesity and sedentary lifestyles. It was first declared on April 2, 2004 by the US Secretary of Health and Human Services (then Tommy G. Thompson)

The primary goals for National Walk To Work Day is to have all Americans use this day to walk to their jobs. Of course not everyone {including myself} can realistically walk to their jobs, so for those who can't, this day encourages them to take a walk during their lunch or after work.

Today was a beautiful day to walk work here in MI!! I wish I lived closer to my job. I live about 20 minutes {in a car}from my job, BUT the one thing I do love is that they putting in a walking trail that connects to our parking lot! I can't wait to take my lunch breaks & be able to go outside and walk!!

Taking at least 30 minutes out of your day to walk significantly improves your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking can offer a number of important health benefits:

Lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
Raisees high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces risk of (and manages) Type 2 diabetes
Manages weight

Overall, the simple task of walking, whether doing so outdoors or on a treadmill, contributes to a longer and healthier life, not to mention that it provides emotional and mental benefits — but the best part is that it doesn’t cost a thing!

How To Have A Great Staycation!

2013-03-28T18:01:00.002-07:00

Spring Break has officially started in our household!! This year we won't be heading anywhere exciting...or warm {even though part of me wishes we were!!}. The boys are still a little bit too little for me want to travel anywhere too far...seems more like punishment than leisurely if you ask me!

Here are some tips I've found helpful to have an enjoyable, kid-friendly Staycation!

Choose age appropriate activities! The trick to planning a successful family friendly staycation is to build an itinerary that features activities that your kids would enjoy!

For the younger kids think playgrounds, petting zoos, children's museums and anything else interactive but not too hard to understand.
For the older kids think about getting more active – family Frisbee tournaments or another spots-filled day, checking out local attractions and getting involved in community events like parades or fairs. Teens are trickier, but if you have water slides or amusement parks close by, that usually keeps them happy.

Spread out the fun!

Don't exhaust everyone by packing too much into a short amount of time. Space out your Staycation activities over a few days. I would suggest planning one activity per day instead of multiple activities in one day!

Do something you'll enjoy too!!

Although it's important for the kids have a good time, you should choose activities that'll please the whole family – including Mom and Dad!

Explore the unexplored!

Most times we get used to doing the same things and going to the same places! Use your Spring Break staycation to explore your city! Plan a list of places you have yet to see and do where you live and plan a day of exploring the unknown! Plan out stops for lunch/dinner too! Try someplace new! You might be surprised what you might discover!

Get the kids involved!

Come up with a list of a few great activities you want to do during your staycation, then let the kids have the final vote! Getting them involved will get them excited knowing they got to help plan the staycation and will make it more enjoyable for everyone involved!

Popcorn Lover's Day

2013-03-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Popcorn Lover's Day! Many of us love popcorn. So, it only makes sense that there should be a special day just for popcorn lovers, right? Popcorn Lover's Day falls on the second Thursday in March.

Popcorn is good for you, when eaten plain. It is not as healthy, when it's loaded with salt and butter.

photo credit

This day is intended to enjoy popcorn and share it with others. Bring some to work. Or microwave some and put in in a basket in your office.

You can have it in a traditional way, with salt and butter. Or, you can add anyone of a number of flavors to it. Some popular flavors are cheddar cheese, parmesan garlic, and even hot pepper! There is no requirement as what seasoning to use today, as long as your eat plenty popcorn. Now, that's not hard to do, is it!?

Tomorrow is Plant A Flower Day!!

2013-03-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Plant a Flower Day is a day to get a little dirt under your fingernails.

Take a few minutes to plant a flower today.

Gardening is a great hobby. It's enjoyed by millions of people, old and young alike. Its a hobby that virtually everyone can participate in, regardless of age, and health. Senior citizens love it, as they can garden long after they give up other hobbies and sports.

Celebrate today by planting or transplanting any kind of plant. It can be done indoors, or weather permitting, outdoors.

FYI: Daylight savings sucks!!!

2013-03-10T08:25:00.001-07:00

::Daylight Savings:: The practice of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted ahead one hour in spring, and back one hour in the fall.

Today we had to set our clocks ahead an hour. Every time DST comes around, it gets my kids all messed up. Their bedtime routine is pretty much the same every night, and they are always in bed by 8pm no matter what, NOT looking forward to them complaining about going to bed because "it's not even dark!"...I can already hear their whiny voices!!! & It doesn't help that I {stupidly} volunteered to come into work tomorrow an hour earlier than I normally do!!! What was I thinking!? Oh yeah....I wasn't!

FYI: I hate daylight savings!

But I was thinking about it...whoever invented daylight savings really has some pull... I mean, someone {George Vernon Hudson} suggests that we set our clocks back/forward and we all just do it?

Ok, so maybe it wasn't quite that easy {it wasn't} but in my mind it was. If I suggest that you all move your clocks back 3 hours so I can get some more sleep, will everyone {please} follow suit?

Ok, I seriously laughed out loud @ that last one... I had to include it!

The Croods Movie Review

2013-03-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to get pre-screening tickets to The Croods which comes out March 22nd!

The Croods is a prehistoric comedy adventure that follows the world's first family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always shielded them from danger is destroyed. Traveling across a spectacular landscape, the Croods discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures -- and their outlook is changed forever.

The Croods has a wonderful message of courage and celebration of adventure at its core, and there are strong, loving family relationships, but there are a few things you might want to know before taking your loved on to this movie: the whole movie is centered around death and the end of the world. If you have a little one who is a worrier, this might not be the best movie for them! There are conversations of parents dying and the kids being in danger. Blogger Boy is my worrier, and I was very nervous when they started talking about that stuff because he is so scared of when Blogger Dad and I might die and what he will do...but he hasn't mentioned anything about it, so he could have just been too caught up in the rest of the action to notice!

This movie is def. a must see in 3D!!! It felt so real and the graphics were just so amazing!! I would def. recommend taking your little ones to see this once it comes out!!!

Awesome!

2013-03-09T06:05:00.002-08:00

We scored 3 FREE tickets to the pre-screening of The Croods thanks to an awesome friend!!! Can't wait to check it out today!

What are you plans for this weekend? Head on over to Facebook and join the conversation!

Gardening 101: Why you should start your seeds indoors

2013-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

So now that we have chickens it's got me thinking about what else I want to do around here more naturally!! We are BIG vegetable eaters here {at least 1/2 of the family is anyways} and I missed out on my vegetable garden last year due to getting a late start on everything, and starting a new job, I really want to do it this year though!

If you've never had a vegetable garden before, you might be wondering where to start...I know I did!! Luckily, my mom has had a garden for years, so I was able to call her up and ask for advice!! But not everyone so lucky. The first question you may {or maybe not?} be asking is "why should I start my seeds indoors" & if that's not what you were thinking...we'll I'm going to answer that question anyways!

There are several good reasons to start vegetable plants from seed indoors:

By starting vegetables indoors, you gain 4 to 6 weeks over crops started by seed in the ground.
If you live in an area where your summers heat up really fast, or you have a short growing season, this can mean the difference between getting a good crop of spring vegetables that like cooler temperatures {like peas, head lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower} and not getting a good crop.

The same is true if where you live has short summers. Heat-loving plants like tomatoes will get in the ground sooner, and you can harvest and enjoy them before the cool weather returns.

Your plants will have established themselves before the warmer weather hits and will better be able to withstand it.

You have many more varieties to choose from, because you are not limited to only what is available locally at your nursery as young plants. Try new tomatoes, onions or different kinds of pumpkins!

It's less expensive to grow your own plants than to buy them if you plan to have a full-sized garden.

You have more control, because you don't have to wait for weeks until the soil outside is warm enough to germinate the seeds. When the soil outside hasn't had time to warm up, the seeds will just rot in the cool, damp garden soil.

Of course there are two reasons not start from seed and buy young plants at the garden center:

It's easier
It's less time-consuming.

So it really depends on your situation - but let's assume you're going to be bold and start your plants indoors....Be sure to check back tomorrow for the supplies you'll need to get your seeds started!!

Have a question about gardening? Leave it in the comments or send me an e-mail {mamaq0608@gmail.com} and I'll do my best to answer it!!

Menu Plan Monday Is Back...

2013-03-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile, but I've decided to start planning our meals again! It works so much better when budgeting for groceries if I know what I am going to need each week!!
I am working a lot this week, so I decided to go for quick and easy meals!! Blogger Dad is home with Blogger Bob while I am at work, so he's in charge of breakfast and lunches....so I'll just be planning the dinners for now.
Monday: Chicken & gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn. Tuesday: Tacos Wednesday: Pizza Thursday: Tuna Casserole Friday: Meat loaf
Saturday: Hamburgers, fries Sunday: Spaghetti & meatballs, bread sticks
Do you plan out your meals by the week or just wing it?

Apps I couldn't live without....

2013-03-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

So lately I have been more attached to my phone! I figure, I have it with me all the time anyways, might as well really put it to use right? So I made a small list of things that I thought would help to have on my phone...I did some searching and now I've come across a few apps that I don't think I'd be able to do without now that I've been using them!!

First is the EEBA app. I have always been a fan of Dave Ramsey's envelope system when it comes to budgeting our money...I just had to think of a way to make it work better for our family. The biggest problem we've had when it comes to budgeting is that Blogger Dad and I just can't seem to get on the same page...you see, the problem is we both like to be in control....so it always seems to be a constant struggle with us. So far, this app seems to be doing an awesome job at keep us BOTH on the same page...and both feeling like we have control!

How it works...This is a free app that can be downloaded and accessed on multiple devices. After figuring out our budget, I downloaded the free app and entered all of the information into the app. It keeps track of our spending, weather we are on track with our budget and much more!! There are even spending reports that we can generate to see how we're spending our money. Whats so great is that we can both see it on our phones so we both know whats going on at all times!! It can also be accessed on the computer!

Next is the Out Of Milk app. With Out of Milk, you can manage your shopping lists quickly and easily. Add items to your list and keep track of whether or not you have put them in your basket yet. It is easy to keep track of coupons, notes, and all sorts of other information necessary to easily managing your shopping lists.

How it works... This app also is able to be used on multiple devices, so I can enter things on the computer at work, and sync it with my cell phone, or have Blogger Dad sync it to his!! Not only is this just a grocery list, but it also triples as a "to-do list" and a "pantry list"!! You can share your lists with your family and friends too!

You can either scan the bar codes for the items you want to add, or manually enter them in. You can easily mark the items "purchased" or done (on the to-do list)....which if using over multiple devices will update on the other persons device! You are easily able to add notes or set reminders and due dates.

It now offers a local grocery deals section too! You enter your zip code and it pulls up all the local deals for your area.

Next is the Gas Buddy app. So part of being on a budget means we really need to think about how we spend our money... a big chunk of our budget of course is gas! There is no way around it since we work! So I downloaded the Gas Buddy app! Now, normally I am the type of person who just goes to the closest gas station...I rarely paid attention to gas prices at all!! Now that I have our money budgeted out, I go to the gas station once per week, so I pull up the gas buddy app, type in our area code and look for the gas station that has the best price!

And of course, last but not least is the PBS Kids app. This app allows your child to watch PBS Kids television series anytime, anywhere!! It Features over 1,000 videos from over a dozen top shows! Whenever the Blogger kids are driving me crazy in the car or the store, I just whip out my phone and put this on for them to watch! Usually quiets them right down!!! I don't know how any mom could manage without it!!!

What are some apps you can't live without??

We Have Chickens!?!!

2013-03-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

I swear, even though I grew up a "city girl"...I am a "country girl" at heart =)

Blogger Dad and I have been doing some research and have decided to try our hands at raising chickens! I took the boys Friday night after work to pick them out....I was very overwhelmed!! Blogger Dad and I were texting back and forth trying to decide on the best ones to get, and I decided (for us) that Rhode Island Reds were going to be the best for us....according to everything I read, they have a good temperment and are good in small flocks. They are also good as either meat or egg birds....we're rising them for the eggs. Both boys are so excited about us getting chicks!! It was so awesome to see their faces when we picked them out and brought them home!

There's so much to know about raising chickens, and I am sure there are going to be many things that we're going to run across that we haven't read the answers to yet....this should be interesting to say the least!

A New Intro..

2013-03-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

With the New Year finally here, I have decided to make a point to blog more. I have missed it, and missed all of my friends along with it!! I have a HUGE list of posts that I've been meaning to write on my phone, just haven't made the time to do it!! So...with the new year, I have decided a fresh start to the blog is just what I need...

And there's no better way to start fresh than to re-introduce my "blogger family" =)

I am Just Another Blogger Mom. I love to write, yet hate to write "about me's"! I am married to a wonderful man (let's call him Blogger Dad). Together we have two great boys (we'll call them Blogger Son (6) and Blogger Boy (4)) We currently have a house guest- Blogger Brother. I am a full time working mom/wife....and although sometimes it's stressful I wouldn't change it for anything. Going to work everyday in the "grown up" world keeps me sane!

I love photography, arts and crafts and baking. I love spending time with my family and traveling. I despise the winter, yet I love how beautiful it is! I love the beach and wearing my flip flops. I enjoy fishing and swimming. I have weird quirks, like only buying things in even numbers and always needing to park near the doors at the grocery store. I love hockey (playing and watching) and snowmobiling.

I look forward to getting to know all of my new readers!! Leave me a comment with a fun fact about yourself or your family!!

March Photo A Day Challenge! #FMSphotoaday

2013-02-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

I just came across this photo challenge...I have never done one before, and I have been looking for a way to open up my creativity with my photos, so I'm going to give it a try!!! Head over here to check out the rules and info for yourself!

Gardening 101: What is "Winter-Sowing"

2013-02-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Winter-Sowing...This is a new term to me, and actually a whole new concept. I actually originally heard about the idea from a daycare provider who is having her kids do this as a "science project" and I thought how fun it would be for us to do with the Blogger Boys!! We live in Michigan, so I love the idea of being able to start our seeds in the winter without running up our electricity bill with fancy lights-- that, let's face it...will never get used, and the seeds would be wasted!!

So what is winter-sowing!? Winter-sowing is an outdoor method of seed germination (invented by Trudi Davidoff) which requires just two things: miniature greenhouses (made from recycled milk jugs) and Mother Nature!

You can make a greenhouse from any container you like, so long as light can penetrate its walls. Many winter-sowers use recyclables, including gallon-size milk- or water- jugs, and 2-Liter pop bottles. Be sure to check out How to Make Miniature Green Houses for more info!!

Gardening 101: How to make miniature greenhouses

2013-02-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is such a fun idea to do with your kids on a snowy day...and a great way to recycle all those milk jugs!!

Making miniature greenhouses out of recycled milk jugs for winter-sowing:

First you will need to make drainage holes.
Because your seeds will be watered with snow, sleet and rain, your greenhouse will need drainage holes, and lots of them . Turn your container upside down and punch through its base about 15 holes. Also make holes about a half-inch above the container’s base.
***The easiest {and fastest way} to make openings in a plastic container is by using an electric drill***

Making a hinged cover
Using a pen-knife or scissors, just below the base of the handle, cut almost all the way around the jug, leaving a half-inch intact to act as a hinge.

Adding Potting Soil
Now add to your container 2-3 inches of potting soil. Soak well, and let drain thoroughly at the kitchen sink. Your soil must be well-draining before planting your seeds!

Planting Seeds
Sow your seeds on the surface of the soil. Very small seeds need no additional soil to cover them. Just leave them on the surface, regardless of what your seed-packet says. Large seeds, such as Morning Glories and Sweet Peas, require only a one-eighth-inch planting depth.

Labeling & Taping
Using a permanent marker, indicate on the jug the type of seed and date sown. Then close the container’s hinged cover, and secure it in place with 2 or 3 pieces of duct tape. It is not necessary to get a “tight” fit.

If your container has a cap, definitely remove it. The top opening of a jug permits not only ventilation, but the necessary entry of rain, snow and sleet. Especially on sunny days, your greenhouse will heat up and become quite humid. The vented top will permit excess heat and humidity to escape.

Get Them Outside!!
Finally, bring your greenhouse to the wintry elements outdoors. If you place your containers in any kind of plastic box, make sure the box has drainage holes, or your seeds will be washed away when the snow melts.

Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

2013-02-25T18:33:00.000-08:00

March 1st is Dr. Seuss' Birthday! How do you plan to celebrate?

We plan on celebrating with PBS Kids! PBS KIDS will debute new episodes of "The Cat In The Hat Knows A lot About That" and a new online game March 1st commemorating Dr. Seuss' birthday!

You can celebrate with PBS KIDS too!!

On-Air: Join the Cat, Nick and Sally in two brand new episodes - “Rumbly Tumbly / Planet Name Game,” featuring a super shrunken trip into Thing One's stomach as well as a whirlwind trip to each of the eight planets, and “Top of the Sky / Jiggle Bones,” folloing the Cat, Nick and Sally as they travel to Audrey the Astronaut’s space station and visit Dr. Giggles to see why bones are important.

Online & Mobile: Continue the fun with the Cat in the Hat in the new “Swirly Whirly Pearl Hunt” online game, which is filled with aquatic creatures of all colors, shapes and sizes, and players can catch a ride on the Thinga-ma-jigger to travel deeper and deeper through silly, Seussian schools of fish. Video clips from both episodes will be available for free online at pbskids.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App starting March 1.

PBS Kids Premieres Dinosaur Train Submarine Adventure Special!!

2013-02-10T13:34:00.001-08:00

Everyone’s favorite Pteranodon family rides the DINOSAUR TRAIN Submarine to meet sea creature friends in an all-new science special airing February 18 on PBS KIDS and available on DVD February 19, 2013!!

On February 18, PBS KIDS will premiere an all-new special from The Jim Henson Company’s hit series DINOSAUR TRAIN. Everyone’s favorite Pteranodon family will dive into an underwater adventure in “Submarine Adventure.” The one-hour program will feature four new stories about sea creatures that lived during the “Age of Dinosaurs.” Preschoolers will meet new friends along the way – from Otto Ophthalmosaurus to Archelon turtles – as they learn about natural science, natural history and paleontology. As part of this multiplatform event, DINOSAUR TRAIN will also feature new content online and on mobile this February. The special will also be available on DVD starting February 19.

On-air Special Program Descriptions:

“Otto Ophthalmosaurus”

When the Pteranodon family takes the Dinosaur Train under the sea to visit their friend Elmer Elasmosaurus, they learn that the Elasmosaurus family is leaving the station to follow their food – the fish. Buddy wants to follow, but the train tunnel doesn't go that way – so Mr. Conductor decides to take the family in a brand-new invention, the Dinosaur Train Submarine! On their journey, they meet a marine reptile called Otto Ophthalmosaurus, who guides the submarine deeper than it’s ever been, and even helps them find their way out of a sea cave.

“Shoshana Shonisaurus”

The Pteranodon family goes under the sea again to ride the Dinosaur Train Submarine – this time they go to meet Shoshana Shonisaurus, an enormous marine reptile that’s something between a dolphin and a whale. Since Shoshana loves to dive very deep, Shiny has a problem with following her to the bottom of the sea. Shoshana kindly helps Shiny get over her fear of diving deep.

“Maisie Mosasaurus”

The Pteranodon family goes back underwater in the Dinosaur Train Submarine and meets Maisie and Marvin Mosasaurus, a daughter and father who are huge, fast-swimming lizards with flippers. Maisie and Shiny bond when they discover neither likes to go deep in the water. The Pteranodons and Mosasaurus have a great time near the ocean’s surface, each family showing the other how they hunt and catch fish to eat.

“A Sea Turtle Tale”

The Pteranodon family is on the beach watching small eggs hatch and baby Archelon turtles emerge and start to swim away. The family and Mr. Conductor get into the Dinosaur Train Submarine and follow the baby Archelons, who discover their own facts of nature – that their mother doesn’t stay with them after they’re born and that they will grow up to be giant-sized sea turtles.

Both full episodes and clips from “Submarine Adventure” will be available on the PBS KIDS Video Player at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App beginning February 19.

PBS Distribution will release on February 19, 2013. The DVD is available for preorder now on shopPBS.org. Details for the DVD follow:
Street Date: February 19, 2013
Genre: Kids
Run Time: Approximately 50 Minutes
SRP: $9.99

We received our copy of DINOSAUR TRAIN “Submarine Adventure” earlier this week and Wi-Fi LOVES it!! I think he watched it 5 times the first day we got it, lol! I would recommend checking out this new episode out for your little dinosaur train fan!

14 Days of Love Day 1

2013-02-01T13:30:00.000-08:00

Day 1 is finally here!
Just like last year, I decided to start Day 1 off right...with cookies

So here's what I used:

I found this adorable gift tag here!

Cherry Chip cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of oil and valentines cookie cutters

Directions:
First I placed eggs and oil in a mixing bowl {for some reason if I do it in the other order, my mixer THROWS the eggs all over the place- not fun!}, then place cake mix in. Mix for about one minute.

*After it's mixed, it's going to be thick, not like a cake mix!

Next use your cookie cutter to cut out shapes. I found it easiest to only do a spoon full at a time, less messy... but that's up to you!Now back at 350 for 8 minutes!

decided to do 'X' & 'O' ones too!
I found super cute boxes at dollar tree last year and had to get them {two for $1!!} so I am using those for the packaging.

Winter Blues...

2013-01-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

We've really only had winter weather here for the past week or so, but let me tell you, the second the snow started falling, these boys started acting out of their minds...bouncing off the walls (and every other surface they could find!) This weekend I really wanted to get some things done around the house (and have some mommy time, of course!) so I just knew I had to get creative... suggesting they color wasn't going to work this time!

So I've come up with my "beat the winter blues" list to be used in case of emergencies!

Serve dinner under the table!
Send the kids to play in the garage! (roller skate, bounce balls, jumping jacks, race cars, etc) Even if you don't have a heated garage, it will still be warmer than playing outside when it's windy (or in our case both windy and rainy!)
Bring a large tub of snow inside and make sculptures! I can't wait to try this...IF we ever get snow!
Assign "secret pals"...this can be limited to family only, or extend it to neighbors/classmates etc. Do one kind thing each day for your secret pal this week (or what I think we're going to do is one kind thing per week for the whole month) This could be making their bed, slipping a treat into their backpack, making a special snack, etc.
Make an indoor obstacle course--we did that this weekend & the boys LOVED it! We had lots of broken down moving boxes so we used those, but you could use pillows, chairs, laundry baskets or anything you can find around the house! Get creative!
Set up a tent in the living room (or better yet, make your own with pillows and blankets!) Make sure to enjoy some S'Mores cupcakes while your at it!
Go on a Safari! Hide some of your children's stuffed animals all over the house, climb in your "jeep" and see how many animals you can spot!
Collect some large boxes from an appliance store and let you child's imagination run wild!
Make some "treats" for wildlife! Hang a bird feeder in front of a window and let your children enjoy the wildlife from indoors!

What are some things you do to combat cabin fever?

It's National Pie Day!

2013-01-23T06:21:00.003-08:00

What type of pie are you going to choose for National Pie Day? Will be be one of the 231 different varieties of apple pie, which is also the favorite of 36 million Americans (including myself!)? Or perhaps your more of a pumpkin pie nut, which was first introduced to the Thanksgiving table at the pilgrims second Thanksgiving (in 1623)? Or maybe pecan pie is your thing...which is the third most popular choice among pie lovers!

Pie Facts

The first pies were filled with meat and were called "coffins" which means "basket" or "box"
Pie is finally beginning to challenge cupcakes for the trendiest dessert
26% percent bought a fresh pie at the grocery store in 2011
The most popular flavors of purchased pie are: Apple, pumpkin, cherry, blueberry and dutch apple.
35% of Americans said they have had pie for breakfast. 66% said they've had pies for lunch. 59% said they've had pie as a midnight snack!
When asked what dessert a friend or family member should bring to their house for the Holidays, most Americans answered pie (26%). Coming in second place was cake at 17% and cookies at 15%
Pie was not always a dessert. In the 19th century, fruit pies were a common breakfast food eaten before the start of a long day.

More fun facts...

•36 million Number of Americans who identify apple pie as their favorite

•47% Americans for whom the word “comforting” comes to mind when they think of pie

•6 million Number of American men ages 35-54 who have eaten the last slice of pie and denied it

•27% Americans who believe chocolate pie is the most romantic to share with someone special

•1 in 5 Proportion of Americans who have eaten an entire pie by themselves

•113 million Number of Americans who have eaten pie for breakfast

•75 million Number of Americans who prefer to drink milk with their pie

•32% Americans who prefer no crust on top of their pie

•90% Americans who agree that a slice of pie represents one of the simple pleasures in life

•9% Americans who prefer to eat their pie crust-first

•7% Americans who have passed off a store-bought pie as homemade

•18% Men who say their wife makes the best homemade pie

•2% Women who say their husband makes the best homemade pie

What pie personality are you?

If you love Apple Pie you are likely to describe yourself as independent, realistic and compassionate

If you love Pecan Pie you are likely to describe yourself as thoughtful and analytical

If you love Chocolate Pie you are likely to describe yourself as loving

If you love Pumpkin Pie you are likely to describe yourself asfunny and independent

Playing PBS KIDS Online Games Improves Early Math Skills

2013-01-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

The boys LOVE playing games and PBS KIDS, so I was so happy to read about a new study from PBS KIDS and WestEd showing that PBS KIDS online games and content help boost math and learning skills in preschoolers, helping them prepare for kindergarten!

The study examined improvements in preschool children’s math knowledge and skills by studying families’ use of online games and at-home activities on the PBS KIDS Labsite, featuring popular PBS KIDS properties such as Curious George, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, and Sid the Science Kid.

You can find the full release on the study here.

Skills of the past..?

2013-01-12T09:25:00.001-08:00

The other day Brother and I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner before heading home. While checking out he started talking to the cashier. The cashier was asking him what grade he was in and what he was learning in school. Brother said he really wanted to learn to write in cursive but they weren't learning that right now. The cashier looked at me and said exactly what I was thinking "Do they even teach cursive in school anymore!?" He commented that he didn't think his 12 year old son even knew how to write in cursive!

Our world has gotten to the point where everything is digital, but does that mean that some things (like cursive handwriting) should be forgotten? 10% of elementary schools have abandoned it completely to focus on other areas of curriculum. So how do schools decide what is and isn't worth teaching? 45 out of 50 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that cover reading, writing and arithmetic.

According to the CCSS curriculum, students should learn to print by the first grade but then start writing on a computer keyboard by third grade. Cursive isn't even mentioned! Some studies believe that starting formal keyboarding classes in 3rd and 4th grade may even be to late! One researcher even suggested to start teaching preschool aged children the formal way to type (left fingers on A,S,S,D,F; right fingers on J,K,L, ; and using them for the space bar) stating that young kids can develop bad habits that are hard to break.

That's not the only thing that the digital age will be doing away with! You might remember good old fashioned library research! Yup, that's gone too...being replaced with simple online fact finding.

Do you think these things should be done away with, or preserved awhile longer?

Time Management for Moms

2013-01-08T05:36:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel like there's not enough time in your days?

It doesn't matter weather your a stay at home mom or a working mom, the hours just seem to fly by. Last night after working until after 7pm, I came home to spend a few minutes with the boys and get them tucked into bed. {Normally I don't work this late and actually have a few hours to spend with them, but that still doesn't feel like enough time....in fact, it seems no matter how much time I do have, it doesn't feel like enough anymore.}

Last night Brother and I were saying his prayers and {no joke} his prayer included "...and God please help mommy find the time to teach me more about math, I love math" =( Which of course weighed so heavy on me last night, and this morning because once again we were up and running right away.

Brother suggested that maybe we spend some time doing math right after I get out of work...and I like that idea...so today that got me thinking...how can I make time for other things that I want to do, not even just mommy things...like one thing on my "new year" list is to spend 10-20 minutes everyday {quietly} with God- reading the bible, doing my bible study, etc. So far my only solution to be able to add that into my day is to wake up earlier and do it before everyone else gets up.

So I've decided we need to have some time of schedule to our days, as short as they are! Here are 5 tips that I've come up with to help get on schedule:

Get a planner and use it faithfully. It doesn't even have to be a pen and paper planner, it could be one of those time management apps on your smartphone! I'm not sure which i am going to do yet, I think I might go "old school" and use a good old fashioned paper calendar!!
Create a flexible to-do list the night before. There are a few different ways this can be done. By the hour: 8am Devoution; 1:15 Doctors appointment; etc. Or you could mark your to do list by importance: urgent, do to this week, to do this month, etc. I think I am going to do the by the hour, with a "importance" twist added on there... by color coding the things that need to be done by importance.
Read your to do list first thing in the morning. Before anything else gets done, read your to do list. It may even help to read it before reading your bible...that way you can pray for God to help you stick to your list or help to order your steps throughout that day.
*No guilt as your day ends.* This will be my biggest challenge. Not feeling guilty if I didn't get to everything on my to do list as my day ends. It's not a big deal, just add it to the next day. {which is also why I am going to color code by importance!}
Learn to say "NO" Another big problem I have both personally and professionally is saying yes to everything then trying to fit it in somewhere. I need to take a step back, check my list and see if it allows for me to fit that in before agreeing to it!!

What types of things do you do that help with time management?