Family
Book: “Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann Wyss
Before I headed out on my India adventure I started reading one of my favorite books as a kid to the girls, Great Illustrated Classics The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss. My Mom finished reading the book to the girls while I was away and then watched the movie with them. Karlie was convinced that she was ready to live on an island in a tree house after reading the book and watching the movie (although she said it would be ok if the pirates didn’t come).
It has been a lot of fun reading the girls some of my favorite books as a kid. They love listening and enjoy the adventures the stories take us on. This book is about the Robinson family that gets shipwrecked on an island. The family learns to live off the land, build a home in the trees, and their journey. It is full of great adventures as the family explores their new home. If you have kids that love being read to this is a fun book for the whole family. Plus after reading the book you can watch the movie which is always something great to look forward to as well.
No Eating Turtles…..Well Most of the Time!
Mint Chocolate Chip Turtle
Occasionally the girls have fun making little “creatures” with their food. Recently, they decided to make turtles out of their mint chocolate chip pancakes. They used peanut butter for the eyes and cheese sticks for the legs. It is always neat seeing them get creative with their food especially when they eat all their breakfast! Do your kids get creative with their food?
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
School Lunch Box Meal
The girls have a lot of fun helping put together their lunches for school. Often they will pick out their favorite drink, containers, baggies and other goodies. They enjoy eating homemade applesauce, jello, and more items that we make together. The best part about making the fruits, cookies, and other food from scratch at home is you know exactly what goes into it. You can make it with whole wheat, no sugar as well as adding other healthy ingredients. Each meal the girls get a protein, fruit, vegetable, diary, drink and snack. Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.
Lunch Box Meal:
- Peanut Butter & Homemade Strawberry Jam Sandwich
- Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
- Peach or Vanilla Yogurt
- Lemon or Raspberry Jello
- Broccoli, Cabbage, & Carrots “Straws” (Broccoli Coleslaw Mix that the girls have renamed broccoli straws)
- Chocolate Milk
- BBQ Chips
- Mint Solo Granola Bar
- Homemade Cookies
The rainbow sandwich container, candy corn baggie and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.
A good deed brightens….
Book: “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The girls and I just finished reading the Children’s Illustrated Classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. They LOVED it! It was a good story with enough of an adventure to keep them asking me to read “just one more chapter tonight, please Mom”!
The story is about a little girl from India named Mary Lennox. She was spoiled by everyone and had very little interaction with her parents. When her parents died she was sent to live with her Uncle in England, Lord Craven. Her Uncle was a sad man who was still mourning the death of his wife from 10 years ago and really did not want to have anything to do with Mary other then to make sure she had the food and necessities she needs. Mary learns to love life in England and has grand adventures exploring the manor’s gardens. As she continues to explore outside, learns how to garden, and meets new friends Mary was able to keep more then one hidden secret that took those living in the large manor by surprise.
The girls really enjoyed having me read this book out loud to them. The pictures and story really came alive for them as we processed on through the book. If you have you girls (or boys) and you are looking for a good book to read to them you should check this one out!
Recipe: Special Strawberry Smoothie
Special strawberry smoothie with cool whip & sprinkles
Every once in awhile in celebration of our Saturday mornings together occasionally we do something extra special like add a little cool whip and sprinkles to our smoothie or waffles! With Spring in the air and the weather getting warmer I want to share a smoothie recipe. In case you haven’t already notice we love smoothies in our household! If the girls are home and I start up the blender they are immediately in the kitchen asking for a smoothie. Also, since one of our girls needs a little extra protein in her diet and one of the best ways to get her to drink a pack of Carnation instant drink mix is to add a touch into a smoothie (she can’t tell the difference and drinks all of it).
Special Strawberry Smoothie:
- 5 frozen Strawberries
- 10 frozen Grapes
- 1/2 Banana
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- Cool Whip
- Sprinkles
Put the strawberries, grapes, yogurt, and milk in the blender and mix until smooth. Pour into a cup and top with cool whip and sprinkles! Enjoy! 🙂
Special Strawberry Smoothie (before the cool whip & sprinkles were added!)
Sleeping….Belly UP!
Skipper sleeping belly up
In celebration of Skipper’s 2nd birthday I wanted to share a post with you about our furry four legged family member…. The other day as I was getting ready to take the mail out to our mailbox and I was greeted with this on my front porch! Skipper on her back, belly and legs sticking up in the air and fast asleep on the door mat. She looked so relaxed, comfortable and was snoozing so well I didn’t have the heart to open the door and wake her up.
Isn’t it hilarious how dogs can sleep like this in front of the whole world? People driving by, squirrels running across the porch, and many other potential distractions yet there she is fast asleep on the front porch drooling on the door mat. It makes me smile! Occasionally I will look out the window or pull into the driveway and catch her sleeping like this on the front yard.
Looking at her in this picture you would never suspect she could be so mischievous! Within 48 hours of getting her new bed at Christmas it was spread across the lawn, after rain storms she drags all sorts of goodies up to the front yard from the creek, she loves catching squirrels and dropping them at my feet (especially if neighbors or people are over to visit). She is a loyal dog, protects the house, and amazing around the kids . Despite her naughty streaks we love our four legged furry black puppy dog for who she is even if that means waiting to take out the mail because she is sleeping belly up on the front door mat or picking up random “treasures” she brings into the front yard!
Benefits of Gymnastics
Karlie and Brina ready to try out gymnastics
Several months ago there was a Groupon for a local gymnastics class for more than 50% off regular price. We purchased two and gave them to the girls. They were so excited to start gymnastics. It was quite humorous watching them the first day attempt to do a cartwheel, handstand and all the other gymnastic type stuff. It didn’t take long though before they were getting better at the different skills. Here are just a few ways we noticed gymnastic helping in our girls:
- Hand – Eye Coordination
- Boost in Confidence
- Flexibility
- Health & Exercise
Do your kids take gymnastics or other sports? Have you noticed any positive benefits to the sport? I included a couple other fun pictures from their first day at gymnastics. They loved it!
Brina and Karlie ready for gymnastics….let’s go Mom!
Karlie trying out the high bar
Brina doing the bar for the first time (sorry this is fuzzy, it was hard taking good quality pictures on the other side of the glass and with them moving so much!)
Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals
Brina’s lunch
Last year for their birthday a friend gave the girls monogram lunch boxes. Both of the girls still pick those lunchboxes to use almost everyday. Occasionally they will change it up a little bit but they love having a lunch box with their name on it. They know it is theirs and are responsible for cleaning it out everyday after they get home from school. Every once in awhile if they start smelling I will go through and give it a more thorough cleaning. I always find a good stash of “love notes” from me in each of their bags which makes me smile and confirms that taking the time to write the sweet notes for the girls really does mean a lot to them.
- Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Fresh Green Pepper Slices
- Fresh Green Grapes or Fresh Apple Slices
- Strawberry Jello
- Vanilla Yogurt
- Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Goldfish
- Mrs. Field’s Oatmeal Cookie
- Bottle of Water
Karlie’s school lunch
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was week of firsts for me. I did items a little more out of my typical comfort zone, the good news is that not only did I survive but I rather enjoyed some of it. This week I want to focus more of my attention on catching up and reconnecting with Jake since we have been half a world apart for three weeks (I hope to share more about that adventure soon).
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Connect with each family member at least once a dayDistribute the girls “I Love You” SurprisesWrite and mail cardsPut together items for JakePrint off the Family Calendar, Event List and InformationMeet the girls for lunch at schoolFinish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls– I finished The Secret Garden and started Swiss Family Robinson, my Mom finished reading it with the girls (thanks Mom!)
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – with all the travel and craziness I didn’t get this one done
Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley- Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week – not quite daily but did most days!
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondayHouse cleaned and ready for company– well company arrived & it was presentable, ha!Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – a couple items fell through the cracks
- Finish 2011 Business Taxes
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week – could do a lot better at this one…..
Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – week was off with traveling, didn’t keep up to date records this week
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
- Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on business taxes to be finished by accountant
- Put money aside for upcoming trips – getting closer
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Write and mail cards
- Spend quality time with Jake
- Date Night with Jake
- Visit extended Family
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Finish reading
- Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week
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
- Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
- Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
Financial Goals
- Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week
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
