Family Fun
Travel & Vacation: Kennedy Space Center
Karlie has had a fascination with anything space related for several years now. She loves to talk about rockets, planets, astronauts, and more! Back when the girls were in preschool (more than 3 years ago) she received a Chic-Fil-A Kids Meal from school and inside it was a coupon for Kennedy Space Center. She asked if she could hang the coupon up on the refrigerator so maybe sometime when we go to Kennedy Space Center we can use it. The coupon was on the refrigerator for a long time (even after it expired). We did get a great deal online for a food package while at Kennedy Space Center (buy one get one free coupon) which covered all our food and snacks for the day.
A few months ago we made it to Kennedy Space Center. I still remember the day we told her we got tickets and were going to Florida. I think she jumped up and down, clapping, and giggling for several minutes. She was over joyed and immediately counting down the days until we would leave for Florida.
Our whole family had a blast exploring Kennedy Space Center. It was really neat to see all the history and learn so much about space, rockets, and everything else we could soak in that day. We arrived at Kennedy Space Center a few minutes before it opened and left as they were closing the gates. It was a neat experience!
We are getting closer!
Starting to see some cool stuff – United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
Karlie is on-the- edge-of-her-seat excited her dream to visit Kennedy Space Center is coming true!
We made it!
Daddy and girls strolling on into Kennedy Space Center, so cute seeing the girls excited and holding hands.
They look so tiny next to the base of this rocket!
Daddy and the girls trying it out!
Karlie is soooo excited and has looked forward to going to Kennedy Space Center for YEARS!
Sweet Brina had a grand time. Even though rockets are more of Karlie’s love she had a lot of fun exploring the area with us.
Dogs Are Kids Too
Skipper climbing into the jungle gym
Our dog is one of our “furry four legged” kids. She loves to be in the middle of the action whenever the kids are outside. I am not sure when it began, but our dog Skipper decided one day, with the encouragement of the kids to climb up the jungle gym ladder. She has gone down the slide a few times too.
Many times when you see the kids playing on or around the jungle gym you will also see Skipper up in it as well. Occasionally, she’ll even sleep up there during the day or at night even when the kids are not outside, see my Skipper’s New Dog House post. She climbs up and down the ladder by herself without assistance from anyone and rarely with any encouragement.
Skipper loves to play in the jungle gym with the kids and when there is a bunch of kids it can get a little crowded with a black lab in the mix too. If she doesn’t want to go down the slide she’ll come back down using the ladder. It is hilarious watching her go up and down, but she is pleased with herself for doing it and the kids love it! Thankful for a dog who loves playing with the kids.
Skipper hanging out with the kids in the jungle gym
Would You Rather Hold A Scorpion, Spider, or Snake?
Karlie was so excited to hold a scorpion!
I was going back over some pictures from a few months ago and came across these…..pictures from the Critter Keeper event we attended. The girls are fascinated by animals, bugs, and any other kind of wildlife. I love animals too, but I like to keep a safe distance between myself and certain critters like large scorpions, spiders, and snakes! One of the biggest highlights for them was being able to hold, touch, and learn more about a variety of different animals. They LOVED it!
That’s one big spider!
Do you see the huge yellow and white snake? Yikes! Can you find Brina and Karlie in this picture?
So proud of her “I held a Scorpion!” sticker
Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Week 3)
Our family finished week 3 of our no grocery shopping goal. Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights, and to focus on what’s really important in life. I have made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me. One of the ways I did this was by going through several No Grocery Shopping weeks, picking up only necessities while trying to use the items we already had in our fridge, freezer, and pantry.
When I did it this 2011 it was my intention to go 1 month, but I made it 8 weeks (with only a few hiccups). It is my plan to do this again with the hope of making it at least through the month of January. I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.
Life Simplified Goal:
- No Grocery Shopping (except for necessities) in the month of January.
Explanation of the Goal: My goal during the month of January is to not shop for groceries other than necessities (milk, eggs, bread). Our freezer is full of meat, produce from our garden this summer, fruit, and other great items. Our pantry is also overflowing with all the great deals that we have picked up over the past few months. One of the reason for the goal is that I want to use the items I have and not waste them. Stockpiling is wonderful but there may come a point when we need to eat through that stockpile before it expires, save the extra money to work on a financial goal, and be creative with what we have at home. I have been thinking about this challenge for several weeks over the Holidays. Over the past few months (including our experience traveling to India) it has really hit me that we have been really blessed yet there are children and families that content with a lot less. Menu planning may take a little extra creative thinking on my part but I think I can do it. If I do purchase something it needs to meet one of the following criteria:
- FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
- Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
- For Someone Else outside of my household. For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.
What Happened this week?
I finished the third week of this goal. The only thing I purchased this week was a 1 gallon, 1 loaf of bread, and a handful of fresh produce. Our menu was pretty basic this week, but mostly because it was a busy schedule this week.
It takes a little more time and focus to come up with a menu but everyone seems to be doing pretty well. The real challenge will come at the end of the month when we are getting low in the pantry and when we host guests!
I will share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating and sharing your story. I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!
Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others. Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff” and if you are like us we just have too much. I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives. When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was more like our normal again after the Holidays, surgery, and everything else. 🙂 I had a lot of items on my list and was able to get a good bit done, but this week is jammed packed with a whole bunch of stuff going on that really must be done. I am hoping to continue making steps in the right direction. Jake had to travel to Ohio last week, so we are glad to have him back with us again.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls– finished reading it to the girls, they LOVED it!Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework Completed- Attend After School Activities – last week some of these got canceled because the teacher was sick
Plan one special Activity with the Family- Finish going over our 2013 goals – Jake has been so busy with work and everything else we haven’t been able to complete this one yet
Doctor Appointments
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this weekDrink 8 glasses of water each dayStart with my new YouVersion plan(s)– going through 2 separate plans currently- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – this one got put on hold for the week with everything going on
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group EmailEmail a meeting notes from Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.- Payoff the Van – made a payment and thrilled to see it decreasing
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – this one’s going a lot slower, but we’re making some headway
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – we just finished Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder so I tried to get them to switch to another book to change it up a little bit, but they insisted that they REALLY wanted to continue with this series! 🙂
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Finish going over our 2013 goals
- Doctor Appointments
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Email a meeting notes from Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Tissue Paper Bleeding Art
Do you have some crumpled tissue paper laying around? At the next birthday party or gathering make sure to keep the colorful, crinkled tissue paper for this craft or if you already have some on hand that works great too. It is super easy and loads of fun! Our girls loved these and had a blast doing this craft.
Colorful tissue paper in one of the kids bowl
Tissue Paper Bleeding Art
- Variety of colorful, crumpled Tissue Paper
- White Paper (we use a heavier paper or poster board)
- Small Bowl of Water
- Paint Brush
Gather some brightly colored tissue paper. Tear the tissue paper into a variety of pieces (small to several inches). Put a piece of tissue paper on the white paper and use a paint brush dipped in water to wet the tissue paper, you will see the colors start to bleed. Continue putting the tissue paper pieces down and painting with water until your white paper is full. Set aside and allow to dry over night. Once the tissue paper has dried, remove all the pieces and throw away. You can use your new tissue paper bleeding art paper to cut out shapes and use them for thank you notes or display (see picture at the top of the post).
Tip – if the kids are not able to get all the tissue paper wet you can use a spray water bottle and lightly mist the art piece before putting it away to dry.
Putting down the tissue paper
Water in a bowl and a paint brush
Tissue paper covering the paper now just need to wait for it to dry
What the paper looks like after the tissue paper dried and removed. The tissue paper die bleeds onto the heavy paper underneath and this is what it looks after it has dried, really neat! You can use this paper to cut out shapes and use for thank you notes or something special for the kids to display.
Roper Mountain Science Center – Animals and Activities
Wow! Look at all those tiny legs on this one!
Our girls love any trips we take to Roper Mountain Science Center! There is so much to see, learn, and explore. Whenever possible we try to go to their second Saturday events because they are a big hit with our kids. The second Saturday events have a theme and the kids can do anything from holding animals, crafts, participate in events, and much more. They have everything from animals, ocean life, space activities, farming, cultural events, and more! I have even learned a few new facts about history, animals, and space too. 🙂
Karlie holding a snake
Jake holding the snake. I am not a big fan of snakes so I was okay with not holding this snake, although I did touch it briefly…very briefly!
Look at this cool guy!
Yes, that is a huge spider that she is holding in both her hands! A tarantula actually!
Brina holding a box turtle
Karlie wanted to hold the box turtle too
Super soft……Chinchilla!
Is it a baby pig, baby squirrel, or baby chipmunk Brina is holding???? None of those, it is actually baby mouse (the mouse is only 1 day old)!
Creative Kids: Sidewalk Chalk Paint
With the warm weather just around the corner (it was in the 70’s here this past weekend). I want to share one of our family’s favorite outside crafts with you. Sidewalk Chalk Paint is super easy to make and can entertain the kids for hours. The sidewalk chalk paint can take the place of traditional chalk and is inexpensive to make at home. You can make whatever colors you want; we’ve done all the colors of the rainbow, including Charleston Green (which was requested by the girls).
We’ve had kids from 1 years old and up play with this neat paint and love it!
Sidewalk Chalk Paint
- 1/2 cup cold Water
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- Food Coloring
- Jumbo Muffin Tin
- Variety of Old Paint Brushes
Stir the cold water and cornstarch together until you have a smooth consistency. Mix in 3 to 6 drops of food coloring. Repeat the process until you have filled your muffin tin with a rainbow of colors. If you want to make less you can do 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup cornstarch. You can make your sidewalk chalk paint darker by adding a few more drops of food coloring.
My niece Noelle and I were having fun doing her name together!
This works on any sidewalk or driveway, although smooth surfaces may be a little better. Our driveway is rough but the kids always have a blast doing this activity. When Jake’s sister and family was here a few months ago we did this activity with the kids.
Brina painted her name on the sidewalk
The sidewalk chalk paint will wash off your sidewalk or driveway and is safe for your grass and plants. If you have leftovers you can put them into empty yogurt containers and store them until the next time the kids are ready for sidewalk chalk paint. You may have to add a few drops of water if the paint has become a little dry but it should revive well after adding a little more water.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week I spent most of my time with one sweet little girl who was recovering from surgery. We played a lot of games, did crafts, read books, and while she napped I tried to get everything that I needed done in that hour (unfortunately, everything didn’t get done). I did make some headway this past week just most of it happened in the evenings or during nap time.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – still reading (almost through it)
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- D
aily School Activities & Homework Completed Attend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyTake care of the little one recovering from surgerythankful for my extra time with her and that she seems to be recovering wellWrite Thank You Notes- Finish going over our 2013 goals – working on it, Jake had to go out of town at the last minute for work so some things got postponed
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this week– I did it (this one is a challenge some days)!!!!Drink 8 glasses of water each day- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s) – enjoying listening to my new plans as I exercise and prep for the families breakfast
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – loving this book, but didn’t have a lot of extra time to read it this week
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionComplete a current client work project
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group EmailEmail a meeting reminder to the Alms & Legs Ministry Team
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.- Payoff the Van – making progress
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – this one’s going a little slower, but at least we’re moving in the right direction
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Finish going over our 2013 goals
- Doctor Appointments
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Email a meeting notes from Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I just finished reading Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls. I have an older version of the book (from when I was a kid), but the story is exactly the same. They have a picture every few pages that the girls enjoyed looking at as we read together. Brina and Karlie really enjoy these books and are always begging me to read…..just one more chapter. 🙂
Little House on the Prairie is the second book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. We read Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder first. In this book the little girl, Laura, that we met in the first book traveled with her family out Midwest to the Kansas area. Her Pa found a place out in the wide open space of the prairie where they built their new home, barn, started farming, trapping, and explored the area. In this book Laura met Indians for the first time, saw a papoose, and experienced many new adventures.
