Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly wrap-up- May 31

This really has been a fun and fast week here at the Home to 4 Kiddos.

On Sunday, we barbecued for the Memorial Day holiday and also celebrated Kiddo #1's birthday with family.

On Monday, we enjoyed more bbq and also got gardening and canning done.  We were able to can fresh corn and peas.

I also made sure that I explained to my children the true meaning of the day and how we must never forget the sacrifices made so we can have our freedom.  I posted a poem called "The Final Inspection."  If you have never read it, take a moment and click here.  You won't regret it.  It is very touching and is a good way to pay even a small tribute to those who have given their lives for our country.

Tuesday was a back to school work day, but I made up a fun scavenger hunt that had the kids looking all over the house for clues and cards.  It ended in the pantry closet right near their favorite snacks.  ;-)  They thought it was so fun that they re-hid the cards for their grandfather to look for, as well.

On Tuesday, I also posted my weekly linkup "Try a New Recipe Tuesday."  I shared Kiddo #4's Chocolate Confetti cookies. To see that recipe and all of the other wonderful ones that were shared, click here.

Thursday was my hubby's birthday, so Wednesday had the kiddos and I buying cards, making signs and getting all ready.  Kiddo #4 baked her dad cookies and Kiddo #1 baked him a cake.

Wednesday evening, my mom took 3 of the kiddos to a Phillies game, while Kiddo #3 had a night out with his Pop.  Hubby and I drove the crew down to the stadium and had a nice dinner in a restaurant adjacent to the ballpark and watched on big screen tvs so we could be ready to drive them home when it was done.  The team won and of course, the kiddos were thrilled.

Thursday had us finishing up some schoolwork and then Kiddo #1 put the final touches on his dad's cake.  I also posted my Thankful Thursday post about my hubby that you can read here.

After a dinner for volunteers at our church, we came home and celebrated hubby's birthday and enjoyed those goodies!  :-)

Only 13 days left to vote.  I would GREATLY appreciate your support!  Thank you SO much!  :-)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday

Thankful Thursday- May 30

Today is my husband's birthday and we are certainly thankful for him-- his years of hard work at 2 jobs despite health challenges (including over 2 decades in the military), his love for us, God, and our country, his sense of humor and his determination to give us the best of everything, without thinking of himself.

From the minute I first saw him when I wasn't quite 17 years old until now, through the ups and downs, good times and bad, sickness and health, 4 beautiful children here and 2 in Heaven, I still feel that extra beating and flutter of my heart.  :-)

Happy Birthday, hon!  The Kiddo and I love you with all of our hearts and look forward, to whatever adventures await us in the years to come!

There are 14 days left in the voting.  We would very much appreciate your support!

Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Just the Stuff Ya Know , the Fontenot Four and A Sorta Fairytale

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- May 28

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!  I posted a poem yesterday that really sums up the true meaning of Memorial Day.  You can read it here, if you'd like.

Also, if I could ask a favor of you all.  I was nominated in the "Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschooling Blogs."  Could you please just take a moment and vote for my blog?  You can vote once a day until June 13th.  Thanks SO much!  :-)  Click here for the direct link to vote

Now, onto this week's recipe.  Last Thursday was our last day of classes at our church.  Kiddo #4 wanted to bake a special batch of cookies to share with her friends.  They were so pretty and so tasty.  Between her class and her brothers, they were gone pretty quickly!  :-)

aren't they pretty?  :-)

Chocolate Swirl Confetti Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1 cup rainbow sprinkles

In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs, beating well.  On the lowest speed of an electric mixer, add the flour, baking powder, and salt; blend well.

Stir in the melted chocolate chips and the sprinkles; mix well.

Divine the dough in half and roll each half into a 2-inch diameter log.

Wrap each log with waxed paper and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or freeze for 1 hour, until firm.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Slice cookies 1/4 inch thick and place on cookie sheets that have been coated with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until firm.

Now for this week's features!

Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms @ BusyMomsHelper

Best Blueberry Pie @ adelightfulglow

Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza @ Day by Day in Our World

Toffee Cheesecake Brownies @ Cook with Sara

Salsa Chicken @ Tales of a House Husband

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen and Family Fun Friday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop andAll My Bloggy Friends and Hearts for Home Blog Hop

Memorial Day- May 27

I posted this last year, and it, by far, is still the most touching and appropriate poem I could find to remember  what Memorial Day is all about and the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for our freedom.

As we all celebrate this weekend, let us remember the sacrifices of so many that have made our celebrating possible. It is not about sunbathing and barbecues. It is about death and sacrifice and ultimate love for a nation, the principles upon which it was founded and freedom. Freedom isn't free. God Bless America!

THE FINAL INSPECTION - AUTHOR UNKNOWN 

The Soldier stood and faced God, 

Which must always come to pass. 

He hoped his shoes were shining, 

Just as brightly as his brass.. 

Step forward now, Soldier, 

How shall I deal with you? 

Have you always turned the other cheek? 

To My Church have you been true?' 

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 

No, Lord, I guess I ain't. 

Because those of us who carry guns, 

Can't always be a saint. 

I've had to work most Sundays, 

And at times my talk was tough. 

And sometimes I've been violent, 

Because the world is awfully rough. 

But, I never took a penny, 

That wasn't mine to keep... 

Though I worked a lot of overtime, 

When the bills got just too steep. 

And I never passed a cry for help, 

Though at times I shook with fear.. 

And sometimes, God, forgive me, 

I've wept unmanly tears. 

I know I don't deserve a place, 

Among the people here. 

They never wanted me around, 

Except to calm their fears 

If you've a place for me here, Lord, 

It needn't be so grand. 

I never expected or had too much, 

But if you don't, I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne, 

Where the saints had often trod. 

As the Soldier waited quietly, 

For the judgment of his God. 

Step forward now, you Soldier, 

You've borne your burdens well. 

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, 

You've done your time in Hell.' 




Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up May 24

It is Friday again!  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week: It was a busy and fun week for the kiddos.

On Friday, our caterpillars arrived.  

They have already doubled in size since this photo was taken.  The kiddos were so excited. They literally were jumping up and down when the package arrived.  They also helped dad get our plants in the garden.  Yay!  I have been nursing those plants indoors since we planted the seeds in February.  So glad to finally have cooperating spring-like weather!  :-)  

In celebration that our caterpillars' arrived,  Kiddo #4 started a butterfly lapbook this week and is already learning about butterfly anatomy and other interesting facts.

Monday was Kiddo #1's 15th birthday.  I wrote a post all about him and how scary the first hours of his life were.  You can read it here.

Each Kiddo decides how he/she would like to spend their birthday.  He chose to visit a 19th century warship and WWII submarine docked in Philadelphia.  We had a great time.  You can read all about it and see lots more photos of it here.

Tuesday was a regular kind of day, just getting work done.  I also posted my weekly recipe linkup.  This week, I shared Kiddo #1's Peanut Butter Oatie cookies.  They were a big hit at our house.  :-)  You can see his recipe and all of the others that were shared here.

Wednesday's highlights were Kiddo #1's airplane made out of some paper he found laying around (complete with engines, which were added after I took this photo, lol!)  Didn't I mention that he could make *anything* into an airplane?  :-)  

Kiddo #4 also made a special cookie treat for her last day of classes at church on Thursday.  I will share them next Tuesday.  They were not only beautiful, but yummy, too.  From the looks of the empty container she brought home, her classmates enjoyed them, as well.

On Thursday, the kiddos got their schoolwork done and got ready for the last night of classes at church.  I will miss my students. 

Not sure what Friday will have in store.  

We will be having a barbecue this weekend to celebrate Kiddo 1 and my hubby's birthday with family, as well as Memorial Day.  I wish more people would just take a moment to remember the true meaning of the day and pass that along to their children.  We need to have a deep-rooted gratitude for the enormous sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.  I will share a beautiful poem all about that on Monday.  Be sure to come back and visit.  Until then, have a beautiful weekend and God bless!  :-)

If you have a chance, I would much appreciate your vote.  As of today (Friday), I am listed under the "Pending Approval" tab, as I was just nominated.  I believe it takes 24 hours to get out of that category.  You can vote once a day until June 13th.

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday