Family
Book: “Super Red Racer” by Dave Ramsey
This is one of Dave Ramsey’s kids books that the girls enjoy – The Super Red Racer The story is about a boy named Junior who really wanted a red bicycle. He learned that by working hard for several weeks on a local farm rather than expecting his parents to just give it to him was a rewarding way to earn enough money to purchase the bike for himself. The story carries a great lesson for children about working hard, earning money and patience.
If you are trying to teach your children more about finances, including working hard to save so they can buy something big this is an excellent book. Our girls have both read and listened to this story several times over the past few months. It has helped encourage them to save more too!
Recipe: Green Spinach Smoothie
Green Spinach Smoothie
I made this Green Spinach Smoothie recently for breakfast and it was delicious! My husband happen to see it on the table in passing and asked “what are you drinking”!? It may look a little funky but it is actually quite tasty. The girls think its great and it gives them an extra boost in vegetables and protein! With the egg, peanut butter, milk and spinach combination its not only delicious it’s a healthy smoothie too.
Green Spinach Smoothie:
- 1 hard boiled Egg
- 1 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 cups fresh Spinach
- 1 Banana (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter (optional)
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can freeze the banana for added coolness! I added Peanut Butter to the list because I tried it the other day with a tablespoon of peanut butter in it which tasted awesome!
Great way to start your day!
With the summer temperatures still high this is a great smoothie to help cool you off. Although I had the Green Spinach Smoothie for breakfast it would make a wonderful lunch or snack too!
Hug in the Mail
Karlie sending a hug in the mail to Daddy!
When Jake was away on a trip the girls wanted to send him a hug since they couldn’t hug him in person. If you cannot read the card it says:
Since we cannot be there to “hug” you in person we are sending you a “mail hug”. I love you Babycake! Spread out the hands in the card and that is the biggest hug the person who did it can give you. XOXO
Laying down with her arms spread out as wide so she can give Daddy the biggest hug possible! I traced her hands on the paper and cut a string of thread the length of her arms and taped it to the back of the hands after she decorated it.
Karlie showing off her giant hug!
Karlie’s Message – “I love you Daddy. You are the best. Good is fun. I love you.”
Brina decorating her mail hug for Daddy!
Brina showing off her hug that she is sending to Daddy!
Sending my Handsome Man a hug in the mail!
Creative Kids: Color Spin Painting
Color Twist Craft – Brina adding a little yellow to her masterpiece
Karlie used some of her spending money to buy Brina this special gift. They both had a blast trying it out! It was a lot of fun watching them do their craft. This gift has been a great source of entertainment for both girls.
Brina’s turned out really well!
Karlie doing two colors at once!
Jake pushed the yellow knob on the side to spin the paper while the girls dropped some paint onto their papers. They were fascinated by it and there was very little mess because all the paint stayed in the holder.
Karlie’s masterpiece
Creative Kids: Edible Wildflower
Edible Flower
The first time we made this large “edible flower” was at the girls birthday party. It was a lot of fun to put together and was a big hit. The flower is not only delicious and healthy it adds to the overall decorations for the party. It is a great appetizer for any family or friend get together. The flower is about two feet long and covers most of our large cutting board. You can substitute items to make any shape, color, size or variety you want, here is what I used:
- 1 (8 oz) block Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Celery Stick
- 6 Snow Peas
- Handful Grapes
Slice the cheese into triangles (leaving an open space in the center, see picture below) and place in a layered circle on the cutting board or serving dish. Wash all the vegetables and fruit. Trim the ends off the celery and tuck under the cheese petals. Add the snow peas for leaves and place a handful of grapes in the center of the flower.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was great to have some time back home last week catching up with the pets, housework, appointments, and more! The girls had fun playing with the animals and hanging out at home. While waiting at the doctors offices the girls and I read a bunch of books together too. This is the girls last week at home before going back to school so are spending some time having fun and creating memories this week.
Last week’s goals:at
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsPlan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for CompletionSpend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get it all in this week
- Pick out my next book to read
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get it done
Work on My Summer Organizational SchedulePack for upcoming tripPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily on hold with the car
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Spend time with family before the kids go back to school
- Get the girls items packed for school
- Go to the pool / beach
- Doctor Appointments complete before school starts
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
- 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
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
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.
Brina Loves Her Animals
Brina loves her animals!
Anything related to animals whether it is alive or stuffed toy is a big hit with Brina. She has a big heart when it comes to animals. One of her favorite places to hang out is outside with our furry animals or downstairs with the fish or turtles. She takes good care of her animals and always makes sure to let us know if they need anything.
Book: “Fix It Duck” by Jez Alborough
This is one of the books the girls have requested many times, it is called Fix It Duck by Jez Alborough (aka Mr Fix It Duck book in our household). The girls always get a real kick out of reading this book. Duck has a leak in his house and he goes to his friends to borrow something. When they mention a problem they are having he tries to “fix it” for them. Somehow when he tries to fix it he ends up making things worse instead of better for his friends. It is a fun story to read with your kids with great illustrations.
Kids in the Kitchen: Fruit Cars
Apple Cars
The kids loved these fruit treats. It was a fun snack and craft to do at the girls birthday party too. At their party we set out a bowl of apples, oranges, grapefruits, and grapes so the kids could put together their own cars. The cars we’re a lot of fun and you could even drive them (so cute with their wobbly wheels).
Orange Car
Cute little fruit cars made by the kids. All it takes is some fruit and toothpicks (broken in half for the wheels). If you have smaller kids you may want to help them put them together and take out the toothpicks for them before they eat their fruit car.
Gift Giving: Welcome Home Basket for My Sweetheart
Basket full of goodies for my handsome man!
When Jake goes away on a business trip I try to have something special for him when he gets back home. Recently I had this basket full of goodies waiting for him on the couch upon his return. The basket included:
- Love Note
- 2 bags Original Chex Mix
- 2 pack Hand Sanitizer
- Sheets Energy Strips – Cinnamon and Berry Blast
- Peanuts
- Rolo’s wrapped in a red Love Note
Inside the wrapping paper – “I love the way you roll!”
I am thankful for a husband who loves me, works hard to provide for our family, and is an amazing Daddy to our girls. These little gifts are just one of the ways I love to remind him of how much he means to us. The kids have a blast helping pick out something special to “welcome” Daddy back home whether it is a balloon, a favorite food, special drink, sign, drawings, cards and more. Every time I try to do a different surprise and in various locations in the house to mix it up a little bit for him. I have a lot of fun doing it for him and I know it is appreciated too.
