Thankful Thursday- February 16

I am grateful for a wonderful Valentine's Day.  We had a great morning with heart-shaped pancakes

and made heart shaped wreaths. 

I was blessed to get some candy from my children and dad and a surprise delivery of delicious chocolate covered strawberries from my husband.  :-) 

After some schoolwork, we headed to a homeschool Valentine's skating party.  We had SO much fun.  I am really proud of the kiddos, who had never been on skates before.  By the end of the session, they were making it around the rink without holding on.  Proudly, I can say I was, too, even though as I'm typing this, I hurt ALL OVER, lol!  :-)  I know it's probably been 30+ years since I had on a pair of rollerskates, but, wow, you know you're not young anymore when you ache something terrible from a few hours of skating.  I only fell once, so I guess I did pretty well.   I am so thankful for the friend who organized the event.  She and her daughters put together a CD of music that was wonderful for the kids-- very family friendly, very inspirational.  How great to see all of these kids singing and skating together.  Most of them knew the music from VBS or even some classic songs from the 50s and 60s.

After dinner, Kiddo #4 had a "family game" ready for us.  She had us each pick a heart in which was written a prize that we won.  She made different perler bead creations that she gave to each of us.  I "won" a crown.  Her dad won a turtle.     :-)  Kiddo #2 did another of his famous "Wheel of Fortune" like power points with words that we had to guess and Kiddo #3 had a Valentine's themed power point presentation with pictures and animations of each of us included.  It was a fun way to end the day.

Of course, we also celebrated Kiddo #4's "Pigie"'s first birthday.  Her sweet little pig was given to her last Valentine's day and they have been virtually inseparable this past year.  She also has acquired many other pig stuffed animals and toys in that time, as well.  :-)

St. Valentine's Day is all about love.  So, what better way to celebrate that than with your family?  These are the memories we will cherish always....

I'm glad to be linking up with Theresa at Red Oak Lane, for her Thankful Thursday meme.  Come over and share what you are grateful for today.

Look! What we did! -February 15th

I'm linking up today with Theresa at Red Oak Lane and her "Look!  What we did!" Wednesday meme.  Why not come over and show us all something special you did today?  :-)

Today we made our own savings banks.  I saved empty hot chocolate tins and printed various pictures on sticker paper for the kids to use for decorations.  I also printed out several Scripture verses that I thought would be appropriate (good reminders for saving!) on their banks:

"Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow." -- Proverbs 13:11

"The wise man saves for the future but the foolish man spends whatever he gets." -- Proverbs 21:20

"On the first day of every week, each one of you is to put aside and save as may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come." -- 1 Corinthians 16:2

Didn't they do a nice job?  :-)

Try a new recipe Tuesday!

I am hosting this linkup, (my very first!), as a way for us to share each week a favorite recipe with each other.  I know I am always looking for new (and relatively easy!) ideas to add to my repetoire.  :-)

I will be sharing my chocolate chip muffin recipe today.  My kids just love these.  They are usually all gone within an hour of them coming out of the oven!  I hope they will be a hit in your house, as well.  It always makes me feel good to know that my children are eating something healthy and wholesome that I have prepared myself.  :-) I look forward to seeing what delicious recipes you link up!

Lisa's Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

1 cup milk

2-3 tablespoons butter, softened/melted

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

½ cup oil

1 cup brown sugar (not packed)

½ cup chocolate chips

Honey (to put in swirls around bowl)

Measure dry ingredients into bowl.  Add liquids and mix just until blended.  End with chocolate chips.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Make Life Meaningful Monday

I am joining Michelle at Changed by the Maker with "Make Life Meaningful Monday."  Come over and share what makes your life meaningful this week.  :-)

When she invited me to linkup, my first thoughts went to my children and special things that they said or did that I want to remember and cherish. 

like the incredible photos taken by kiddo #1. (the first one taken during our visit to the Nature Center, the second during his daily airplane watch (he researches where the airplanes are going, where they have come from, their make, etc.  Have I mentioned he loves all things flight?  lol, and the 3rd just gazing up at the moon with my new camera)

Here is Kiddo #1 with one of the airplanes he built and flies.

I thought of the sheer excitment of kiddo #2 when we decided to go to the Nature Center and he went to find binoculars to investigate everything he could,

and his love of all things sports.  This kid can tell you the teams who played in every single Super Bowl (yes, all 46 of them!), who won and the score!  (sorry some of the photos say 2011.  They were actually taken in 2012, but we set the camera's date wrong, lol, and didn't realize it for a couple of weeks!)  :-)

I can't think of Kiddo #3 and not think of his love of elephants and making amazing powerpoint presentations.

Our Kiddo #4 and her "Pigie" are inseparable (we are planning a first birthday for him on Tuesday, lol!) and she just loves making creations for everyone with her perler beads.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."
(Matthew 18:10)

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 18:1-3)

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
(Psalm 127:3)         

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly-Wrap-Up February 10

In my life/homeschool this week: Friday was a great day.  Firstly, we did some wonderful scientific experiments on sound.  I found the experiments on NASA's website.  We did the "Dancing Wire."  We filled glasses with water and when we rubbed our fingers on the side of the glass, the sound produced made the wire dance all around, in addition to some lovely sounds.  I also told the kiddos all about artists who perform musical works on glasses and we watched some videos of them and the glass armonica invented by Benjamin Franklin.

Kiddo #2 created a family game night on power point.  It was so creative and fun!  He came up with word puzzles that we had to solve.

(just in case you were wonderfing, the answer here was "Chosen Few," lol)  :-)

Saturday was a special day-- Kiddo #4's Father-Daughter dance at church.  We are so blessed to belong to a church community that has such events.  She and her daddy had an awesome time.  You can see how beautiful she looked here.

Sunday, of course was church and then preparing for the Super Bowl.  Kiddos #2 and 4 made decorations, put out special plates and napkins and Kiddo #1 baked a special cake.  We are Philadelphia fans here, but since the Eagles were eliminated in the first round and my hubby is originally from New Jersey and the Giants play in New Jersey, we routed for the Giants!

On Monday, we started work on our Jamestown Notebooking project.  We wrote about the ships, identified Jamestown on the map, started a timeline and read about Pocahantas.  We are hoping, that as we continue the study, we will add in all of the pictures from our trip to Jamestown back in November.

Tuesday's highlight was a trip to the local Nature Center.  The weather is supposed to a little nasty(maybe snow?) tomorrow, so we wanted to take advantage of another beautiful, sunny and pleasant day. 

We hiked the trails,

went to the Bird Observatory,

saw the pond

 and the indoor exhibits. 

We are lucky to have such a gem right in our township.

On Wednesday, we baked homemade Valentine's Day cookies for the kiddos' classmates at their classes at church.  You can get my recipe and see photos of them making their cookies here.

Thursday was an uneventful, just get down to the grind kind of day, with Kiddos 1 and 2 studying for a Biology lab quiz and doing Pre-Algebra assignments.  Kiddos 3 and 4 continued with their Apologia Zoology work.  We learned about bears and otters today.  Did you know that a polar bear and grizzly bear mix is called a Pizzly bear?  Neither did I.  :-)

Friday, I am hoping to complete the work that we were doing on Thursday and make some special St. Valentine's Day craft.  I will include photos in next week's journal! 


What's working: Definitely this beautiful weather!  We have been out and about and getting lots of fresh air.  Love it! (especially after 2 record-breaking winters.)  The kids, on the other hand, are wishing for some snow.  :-)

What I'm reading: A Mother's Rule of Life, The Imitation of Christ

What I'm cooking: My favorites this week were veggie stir fry tortillas and pasta and peas.

What I'm praying for: Those who are ill, needing/having surgery, who are grieving......

A quote or photo to share: "When our knowledge cannot traverse the distance from our heads to
our hearts, we are suffering from spiritual emptiness. Smart is not one of the fruits of the Spirit." - Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.

Just a sweet photo of Kiddos 2 and 4 sharing some time together.  :-)

I am linking up with the Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.



Thankful Thursday - February 9

This week I am most thankful that our church is so active and vibrant.  We were welcomed from the first moment we entered its doors and truly felt God's presence in more ways than one.  We knew we were home.  :-)

This past Saturday, our church had its annual Father-Daughter square dance.  Hubby and Kiddo #4 have gone for the past 3 years.  They always have a wonderful time.  From what they tell me, the caller keeps them all going and active!  When the dads need a break, lol, it is the girls' turn for numbers like the Chicken Dance and Hand Jive.  The night wouldn't be complete without "Daddy's Little Girl" and God Bless America.  Makes my heart smile just thinking of them dancing to that and singing that song together.



I am linking up today with Theresa at Red Oak Lane.  Come over and share what you are thankful for today!

Look! What we did! Wednesday

I am happy again this week to be linking up at Red Oak Lane about something special we did on this "Look! What did! Wednesday."  :-)

Today we baked Valentine's Day cookies.  My children have classes at church on Thursdays  (except Kiddo #1, who now volunteers as a helper  :-))  and they asked about bringing in special treats for their friends.  I thought we could make homemade cookies.  Who could refuse delicious home-baked cookies?  :-)  And, especially on a cold and wintery day?  We are baking lots of batches so we can enjoy them, as well.

Here is my recipe:
1 cup butter softened
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla (I usually put a little bit more)  :-)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking powder and flour (one cup at a time) mixing after addition. The dough will be very stiff, blend last flour in by hand. Do not chill dough. Divide dough into two balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball in a circle approximately twelve inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Dip cutters in flour before each use. Bake cookies on cookie sheet on top rack of oven for six to seven minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned.

(yes, Kiddo #3, the elephant lover, made his class elephant cookies instead of hearts.  :-))