Sunday, December 16, 2012

Information overload!

Since we are considering schooling our chidlren at home in the next year to 2 years....the great "information Search" has begun.

oy

Do you have any idea how much information there is on homeschooling kids! wowzers, I had no idea. There are so many different teaching techniques, curriculum, schools of thought, fantastic homeschooling blogs, support groups...the list really does go on and on.

The exciting thing is that I found out that there is a local convention only an hour away in April.....so Mummy is going solo and trying to find some more info.

yeah, like we need more info...ha

actually we do. So far we have ordered (yes Naomi I need to get them to you) the Jonathan Park CDs from Vision Forum..........and we love them. Though I have found that they are a bit older then they suggest. But that probably has a lot to do with the fact that ours watch minimal tv (only the odd thing like the Duggar's on YouTube and documentaries) and Magoo is very cautious........probably because he is so accident prone!

Now before those who know us in real life jump up and down and freak out about the school. There are many different reasons for this.......and once the school moving came up, we prayed a lot, and this is our plan.

So we have either a year & a half, or 6 mths to try to wrap our heads around that. Which may also involve drywalling a room in the basement to become the "homeschooling" room. Exciting :-)

so don't be surprised if this now turns a bit into "the wild and wacky but totally true freak outs of homeschooling!"

lol

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

What's a girl to do when she has a bust back and isn't supposed to do anything? finally blog! ha!

You know you're a Mummy of four kidlets when

1)you vacume everyday, and 30 min later or less it looks as if you've never cleaned the flour this side of  the B.C. A.D. divide

2) You NEVER ever EVER bake 1 single solitary loaf of bread on its own. Seriously!

3) nursing while sorting laundry and reading the headlines from Israel at the same time, no problem.

4) when less then 2 people are talking at the same time in the house, your first thought is that someone must be sick!

5) Timbits must be bought in large packs, the mini one don't work no more!

6) One of your closest friend sees chocolate covered espresso beans and thinks of you!

7) you are bored if going less then 2 things at once. Seriously

8) you use seriously a lot

9) you feel like an amazing Mom if you get the kid's name right by the second guess!

10) just look at our house, you'll understand the rest!

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Silence...........

Can often times be golden. It has taken an awful lot of time to get our handle on four monkeys racing around the house. There has simply not been any time for showers let alone blogs! but finally we are under the false, I'm sure, impression that life is into a routine we call insanity, but we're getting by, with the strength only God can give us.

I've been wondering if it was worth blogging, after all nearly no one follows my rambles, which I think is a very good thing some days! Okay, most days! But more important, how this could be a force for good and not selfishness or selfcenteredness, which blogs seem to turn into.

So here's a new idea. We'll see how it goes. At least it will help me in a new goal. Our exhortation today was very pricking, which is just what I needed. Miss Fussy Pots now sits in her chair for the service so I can get most of the exhort and today I got all of it (I know, wonders never cease!). Anyways it was on the amazing fact that Manasseh repented at the end of his life. Wow, if he can, why aren't we! From there my mind wondered to the fact that I do have an idol (we all have them, so so true!)I need to get rid of in my life. Too often I escape the reality of the stress of life into a book, and have started taking out SO many on our weekly library visits. While it's true that I usually start and don't finish half of them because I discover they are garbage....still I really don't need useless books. Seriously!

So this Month my goal is to read "The Life of Jesus" by bro. Melva Purkis. I've always enjoyed bits, but haven't read it cover to cover in a while. So now is the perfect time to do so.

I love reading, those who know me in "real life" know that. So instead of fiction I'm going to find a non-fiction book each week that looks good. This week it is one I found called "Fleeing Hitler" which is a record of the evacuation of Paris during the invasion.

My question is....does anyone want to join me? Anyone want to read the book?
http://www.thechristadelphian.com/books/reviews/alifeofjesus.html

Well. Daddy story time with Magoo is over, and the girlies (all three!) are asleep in their warm beds, so off to get ready for tomorrow I go.

Hugs
The Insane One

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Outside my window...24C and only 7 am! Oy its gonna be a HOT day!

I am thinking...Forget the chores, its playtime all day!

I am thankful for...
My amazing husband and 4 stellar kids

From the Kitchen....COFFEE

I am wearing....pjs................yes I'm still in my pjs!

I am creating....DVD case colouring books for the drive this summer

I am going...take all the kids to an indoor playground today :-)

I am reading..."you can let go of stress" - HA

I am hoping....
for some sleep tonight

I am hearing..."extreme heat alert" report on the radio

Around the house...books, so many books - its summer time

One of my favorite things...Starbucks iced coffee

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Surviving Husband Business Trips


(also titled, surviving on a diet of cappuchinos and chocolate!)

Hubby usually has 2 or so long trips in the year over to the head office in France. While I would one day love to go, we try to make the most of our week solo and really enjoy the times with the kidlets. Back when we had 2 wee ones it was a lot more difficult then now with 4, the difference being that the older 3 are a lot of help with things around the house and when we go on outings. I used to have to goal of the week without Daddy being FUN but found that it ended up with him coming home to exhausted children and stressed out wife. Not the way to go! So now our goal for the week he is away is SIMPLIFICATION!

First off Meals.

When Hubby is away we eat very simply. Healthy, but simply. Even more simply then usual, which for those who know us in Reality we already eat pretty simply anyways. This means Peanut butter & homemade jam sandwiches on whole wheat bread with veggie sticks and dip. Healthy but simple. Its made healthy by using homemade freezer jam (almost no sugar), whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter. I will also splurge on precooked diced chicken which easily converts into wraps for dinner. Eggs is also an easy dinner! breakfast is usually the same as usual, cold oats with fruit or yogurt and fruit. Lunch is always sandwiches :-)

Planning.

We will have 1 thing planned for each day. SIMPLE outings of things to do at home. Library visit. Grocery shopping. Watermelon cookies.  Painting. Splash Pad. See,.....simple fun. No major driving to Toronto to the zoo or science center like I used to.

Sleeping.

While they are in school or on vacation when he is away I find extra sleep is essential. So instead of going to bed at 7:30-8 I aim to have them in bed by 7-7:30. That extra half hour to myself with baby is good on the nerves and I find that there is less arguing among themselves when they have loads of sleep :-) and then they also are rested for any extra fun that they get into with Mummy the nest day.

HELP....

yep. Except that offer of help. Mum & Dad B will usually have the children and I over after meeting for lunch on the Sunday and over for dinner in the week. Popping over to a SIL for a few hours in a day can be a sanity saver and count as their fun item for the day. Tea, chocolate and chats for Mum go a long way.

COFFEE........

nothing to add. Just a very important word.

Housework.

Forget about it. Seriously. If you or the kidlets need laundry done then do it. But other then a quick wipe up of the kitchen after they are in bed and disinfecting the bathrooms, just leave it. Set aside the morning of his return to whip the house into shape with the kids helping (my I suggest fun music and a treat for lunch that day) and it'll all be good. Worst comes to worst he won't care what the house looks like when he comes home anyways, he will be thrilled to home with you and the kids and after that you can all get caught up :-)

So if you find yourself having to do the single Mum thing for a week. Don't stress, just plan ahead and you'll be fine.

Hugs
L


Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday Menus

Monday: Quesadillas

Tuesday: BBQ veggies & chicken

Wednesday: Cheese & veggie sandwiches

Thursday: BBQ sausages & veggies

Friday: Roast chicken, brown & wild rice & BBQ veggies

Saturday: BBQ steak wrapped in bacon, loaded baked spuds, garden salad, Strawberry shortcake for dessert :-)

Sunday: Whole wheat vegetable pasta with stir fried veggies & leftover chicken (from fri)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Monday Menu

whoops, wee bit late!

Monday: Poached eggs, stirfry (tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, green pepper), roasted potatoes
Tuesday: BBQ Salmon (tin foil packets), rice, BBQ veggies
Wednesday: Garden salad with boiled eggs & cut up chicken
Thursday: Roast chicken with brown rice & garden salad
Friday: Cheese & Veggie sandwhiches
Saturday: BBQ Hotdogs/hamburgers & BBQ mixed veg
Sunday: Crackers, kielbasa, cheese, veggies & dip

Friday, June 08, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Expectation

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:

...

Really? Right now? sleep.

period

listening to Baby try to put herself to sleep by herself

its only been a minute and a half

yes I'm COUNTING!

and the expectation of that silence is so taunt I can feel my head crouch down into my shoulders and tense up and breath holding...

wait. That's it! are..........................you..................................serious! I've been waiting SIX months and she is asleep. Wow. okay Husband was right (he really honestly always is)

That was too easy. So now? I'm looking at the sky and expecting rain. we;'re in drought in Ontario in June so this is a desperate expectation.

but just hold on a second. What am I really expecting. Every day.

Other then chocolate people!

The return of Christ. Really that is all I should be expecting and should be longing for. Only he can make everything right again. Heal our hearts. Stop the pain and then take it all away.

Peace. That aching longing for peace that you feel pulsing through every single microscopic cell of your being, long for that serenity that is completely filling and whole.

and that expectation is all that matters. More then sleep. More then chocolate. More then acceptance. More then well anything.

Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Tuesday Contemplations


Outside my window...
Mock Orange bush in blossom

I am thinking...
Life needs to sssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwww down

I am thankful for...
Food on the table & Laundry in the wash

From the Kitchen....Chocolate chip banana bread

I am wearing....Comfy denim skirt & black polo

I am creating....nothing :-(

I am reading....
The Duet (not sure if I like it yet)

I am listening to...
Monkey waking up

I am hoping for.....
A feeling of peace throughout the day









Monday, June 04, 2012

MONDAY MENUS


Monday: BBQ veggies (zucchini, onion, garlic, broccoli, tomatoes) brushed with olive oil & Romano cheese served with 20min french bread

Tuesday: Tossed garden salad BBQ steak & potatoes

Wednesday: Fahijas (leftover steak from night before, peppers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber) & hummus

Thursday: Chicken sandwiches & pickles & veggies with hummus

Friday: BBQ Burgers & BBQ veggies

Saturday: (Pot luck dinner) crock pot Kraft sausage macaroni stew

Sunday: Roast Chicken with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onions, peas & Rhubarb strawberry pie

Sunday, June 03, 2012

The Return!
Cue the full orchestral music...........

We're back! and the comments concern is fixed...............

and we're back.

It really does feel good to be able to write that. What have we been up too? Colic Baby for 4 months. Ending of this school year. Topsy-turvy discussions about said school moving location. The idea of it moving locations, after we'd asked about the possibility and been told "no" 2 years ago has really upset us but that's how life goes sometimes!This year had been a tough one for our family and there are still momments that "I want to move" feelings from last summer come back. There have been moments I've been thinking missionary work in Nunavut....................okay not that seriously.....but occasionally you may hear that stated in my exasperated "I've had it with politics and gunk" voice. It's been a really REALLY hard year. Seriously! Without my wonderful Husband & four insane children.................and most importantly our Heavenly Father.............there is no way I would have survived the last 12 or so months.

So. "The Return" also means we're changing things up. I've been hunting the web for good stuff on raising a big family. Okay, not those with 18 kids but with 4+ (and no don't get any ideas, we are perfectly happy with our 4 blessings "thank you very much" and are not expecting ANYMORE) and I've discovered...................................drumroll>

THERE ARE HARDLY ANY

and most are old and haven't been updated in a bizzillion years. Okay not quite that long...but you get the picture.

so me thinkest we MAY open up our struggles and trials or what works and doesn't for our family as we stumble along this road called life.

Which we sometimes refer to as insanity....

at the ZOO

you will NOT be seeing anything remotely resembling Martha Stewart. Nor will you be seeing clean floors. They only stay clean around here RIGHT after I steam them and only for approximately 5 minutes..................IF I'm lucky! After all what is more important a happy home or a clean home......

the answer is chocolate...........

whoops that wasn't an option. Obviously the happy home people!

& I don't want this to be one of those "look at me I do everything right" blogs. Crumbs some of you poor dears actually know and have to deal with me in REALITY and know that is far from the truth! ha!

So Until tomorrow :-)
Welcome BACK!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Weekly Dinner Menu

Monday: Mince & root veggies
Tuesday: Chick-pea Tacos
Wednesday: Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches
Thursday: Falafal & Ratitoui
Friday: BBQ Chicken & BBQ veggies
Saturday: Roast
Sunday: Canadiana Chicken for Pot Luck (one of Grandma's original recipes!)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

I've been thinking of participating in a thing called

"5 minute fridays"

Yeah, I know it's Sunday but hey, I need a bit of a break, Baby finally settled and we've been trying to settle her all weekend! (actually in truth all 3.5 months!)

Basically gypsymama tells us the word we'll write about and we are only aloud to write for five minutes.....on your mark, get set, go!

LOUD

Monkey announcing that she found a worm, not just any old worm but a "wiggly slimmy lovely worm". Her words, I promise! Yelled across the back yard for the neighbours and kids at the school behind us to hear, 2 acres away.

Helper's first words (most of the time) when they come inside from playtime outside "Hot Chocolate PLEASE!!!"

Mr. Magoo's "Girls you are so annoying" yup, we've reached that lovely boyhood stage - argh!

Baby's "I'm awake and how dare you not be here hovering over me at every single momment incase I happen to open my eyes!" demands

But you know what I've found the loudest this week? The birds.

The Canada geese are flying North, the Killdeer are back laying in the most pathetic places, the Gold Finches at the feeder fighting over the seed, the Ravens demanding respect (as if), they are all day long announcing in such amazing loud tones that spring is finally here and back and the silence of winter is gone!

The Blue Huron's wings. Flapping. Flying over our house. While we sat outside on the front porch in t-shirts with mugs of hot pipping tea.

THAT was the loudest most magnificent sound of all to me..............this week.

And it is a memory that has imprinted itself on my mind forever.

STOP!

Monday, March 19, 2012

WARNING: Apparently there is hacker software that has attached itself to many blog comment sections, including ours :-(

we'll let you know when it is fixed!

MARCH BREAK

It was such a wodnerful week with all the Monkeys at home :-) On friday they each wrote a list of what they wanted to do over their week off school. Funnily enough it did not include: 7 & 8 multipication tables, spelling words or memorization!

It did include, visits to the library, lunch out, play time with a cousin, sleepovers with 2 friends, easy bake oven afternoon, outside crazy mud covered clothing play time, bike rides, story time, Oreo cookies...............

Well the sleepovers didn't happen. But we made up for it by letting all.........well not the baby..............the Monkeys sleep over in the girls room and they had a riot!

There was a very special morning when a very dear friend & sister in the Truth came over for tea and to say good-bye. Her & her husband are mocing to Alberta. There were tears and poor Helper was so upset because it had been one of her teachers this year. So we went to Wendy's for lunch that day (Helper's choice) and picked out Helper's new runners and Mummy got new everyday shoes as well :-)

we have been so blessed by the beautiful 20C weather the past week and it continues today, picnics outside are so much more fun then on the living room floor. Even though colds and allergies threaten we are planning to spend most of the day outside playing and gardening and doing odd jobs.

Now Mummy is longing for summer break when all the Monkeys are at home every day!

Until next time
Hugs

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Slow

oh ever so slow

We have no car. Suffice it to say that the weekend involved Strep throat. Car in the ditch. Weekend crazy gathering.

so this week it seems that every day is going so slowly. Its not that I don't have things to do.

Wash the floors
Bake Bread
Bake Muffins for hungry munchkins
Read that silly book "one more time"
Sort a bazillion loads of laundry
Scrub the toilets
Put away the bazillion loads of laundry
Clean my desk (again for the hundredth time)
Put all the left over stuff from the gathering downstairs
Try to discover my sons bed, or at least open the door!
Set up Crib
Empty all that random stuff out of the playpen

etc

etc

etc

all thrilling and mind stimulating stuff right? Yeah I know there is a huge pity party going on here. So positive focus time.

Baby is sleeping (no caffeine=no colic! who knew?)
Monkey is sweet and not annoying today
Kitchen is actually clean
Dinner is half done (its only 2pm!)
We have clothing to wear (the positive to all that laundry)
Kids are healthy (for the first time this winter they are all healthy at the SAME TIME~!)
Antibiotics..............amazing wee yellow & red things..........really
Car only needs a new front grill & tire (huge amount of snow in ditch=nearly no damage)
Nerves are back to normal after said car thingy
Fresh snow falling
Grocery shopping and only forgetting 2 things (last night)
Good Amish book from library (now if only I can find it)
Blackberry caffeine free vanilla tea :-)

Monkey is currently emptying all the books from the lowest shelf in the study.....times up!

Until next random moment
L

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Next Week's Menu

Monday: Easy Italian stew (Kraft slow cooker recipe)

Tuesday: Beef (leftovers) & Veggie (Cabbage, Bok Choy, Onions & grated carrots) Stir Fry over brown & wild rice

Wednesday: Veggie Stew

Thursday: BBQ Chicken & Garden Salad & Brown & wild rice

Friday: Mince with Peas & roasted potatoes

Saturday: Dinner at Gathering

Sunday: Orange Chicken Slow Cooker meal

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Cabbage

Yes, this post is named "Cabbage". Have you ever given this purple or green veggie much thought? If I told you that they have proven that the group of foods that it belongs to actively discovers and destroys deformed cells, including cancerous ones, would you sit up and take note?

We have.

Starting this week we will be eating one or more veggie from this group (with a fancy name that I can't be bothered to look up in my rush right now) at every lunch and dinner.

Off the top of my head this includes:
broccoli (mainly the stem)
cauliflower
turnip
rutabaga
cabbage
bok choy
Swiss chard
kohlrabi
& a couple I can't remember

so on that note here is our Menu for this week:
Monday: Veggie stew (carrots, 2 potatoes, 2 parsnips, grated purple & green cabbage- 1 C each), zucchini, tomato

Tuesday: Veggie (carrots, purple cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, onion, mushrooms) & chicken stir fry over brown & wild rice mix

Wednesday: Veggie (grated carrots, grated purple cabbage, broccoli, onion & tomato) omelet with maple bacon (oven cooked for less grease) & roasted potatoes

Thursday: Beef roast, roasted root veggies (toss together potatoes, parsnips, carrots with 1 Tbs olive oil and garlic & red pepper seasoning) & broccoli & cauliflower

Friday: Burgers with coleslaw (purple, green cabbage & carrots) and tossed garden salad (lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli & grated carrots)

Saturday: Beef (leftovers) & veggie stir fry (same veggies as Tuesday)

Sunday: Crock pot meal of sausage, green cabbage, carrots & potatoes. Apple Pie

Happy Cooking!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Snow,

Blissful, white , pure snow!

Finally we have our winter snow. True its only a few inches but enough for the monkeys to play in. Yesterday school closed for the afternoon and i was secretly pleased. It is such fun to all curl up together and enjoy the snow day TOGETHER!

Snow people, snow forts, snow tag, snow paths, snow shovelling. It all was happening here yesterday and today will probably prove to be a repeat performance.

Hot coco. This milk free mother was really struggling with all the delicious hot coco flowing around here yesterday, so we played with Cocoa, sugar & almond milk and volia:

3 tsp Cocoa
3 tsp white sugar
1/4C almond milk
fill the rest of the large mug with boiling water

It is as thin as water but ever so yummy!

Magoo needs help with Bible marking. Princess needs help spelling & Monkey is "playing the piano" so I must run.

Until next time!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Organization

is now my favourite word. Another sister commented before our fourth was born that you just had to keep doing everything that you can see needs doing when you have four. I've discovered that this is so very true! It is simply impossible to get too far ahead or to get to much ready ahead of time.

But, it is a mindset that I am so glad she pointed out to me. It has made life a lot easier and our days running smoother.

It sounds and seems so simple. Picking up the extra clothes and taking 10 or so minutes to fold and pop them into their drawers. Keeping the kitchen counters clear and wiped. Loading up the dishwasher with any dishes you find during the day. Switching over the laundry. Packing lunches the afternoon before. Crock Pot dinners.

The biggest help is actually so plain and boring. I wish I had done this more often before! Setting our breakfast the night before. Tonight there are bowls full of oats, raisins and even their spoons! So all they need to do is have Magoo pour in the milk and volia, breakfast! Empty plastic glasses wait to be filled with the water from a covered pitcher already on the table. This way I can be feeding Baby and not worry about the others getting fed as well.

Other breakfasts we've done & set out:

Muffins & piece of fruit (just put the fruit bowl on the table and they can help themselves)

Premade & frozen pancakes (to be heated by the kids in the toaster)

Fruit shakes (put out the bag of frozen fruit the night before beside the blender to thaw, add water & a couple bananas and after Mama blends it Magoo can pour it out)

Toast (set out everything, bread, peanut butter, jam, butter, honey, stack of plates & plastic knives BESIDE the toaster on the counter so everything is there for them - major time saver)

Yogurt & fruit salad (make and put in fridge fruit salad in a plastic bowl so that it isn't too heavy for one of the older 2 kids to carry from the fridge to the table)

Of course an equally important part is setting everything you can ahead of time on the table. Everything that the kids or you needs to get out in the morning adds time.

This has saved us so much stress and time in the morning. Instead of having to get up earlier to see to baby we can still stay in bed unit 7:30 and then get everyone going.....thankfully since none of us are morning people!

well, speaking of morning, its time for bed ! ! ! Till next time :-)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hello again

Oh dear, I though of something to write, but it's flown out of my mind at this second. Which probably has something to do with the fact that currently Magoo is attacking long division outloud, Monkey is "practising" piano and Princess is working on spelling while walking around on tipoes.

Enough said.

We finally have some snow. Not much, the grass is still peeping through, but enough that our winter village that is set up on the hutch no longer looks so hideously ridiculous.

Well, I haven't the foggiest about what I was going to write. Probably something important. Or amazingly brilliant. Or hilariously funny.....

Instead I'll bore you with the details of today. Banana-chocolate chip-peanut chunky waffles for breakfast. Oh wait, that ain't boring! That's delicious! we thought that snow = celebration so since we usually celebrate with food we did. The monkeys are trying to get back into the Friday home schooling routine and so far so good. Princess is nearly done and Magoo will be as soon as the martians land of Pluto!

Or he memorizes his multiplication tables.

Which ever comes first!

Poor boy!

The piano teacher should be arriving any minute and after lunch we have an adventure planned. Since the kids lost out of their holiday (flu twice & the "100 day cough") I'm aiming to do something extra fun every second Friday. Over and above the usual library visit. Of course I love the library and so do they but it's got a bit old hat.

They cannot figure out where we are going! They have guessed everything BUT the surprise. There is a huge pet store in the next big city where they even have sharks! Okay miniature ones but still, very cool. So we're going there to see all the crazy fish, birds & dogs and pick out some new ciclids. We need some more in our tank (a full tank is a happy tank) and I'm hoping they have some nice small ones because those are cheaper. AND if (huge big if) Baby is happy we will stop at Tim Hortons for a snack! Yahoo!

Our weekend is going to be packed. Study day tomorrow for the whole day, meeting & Sunday school on Sunday, and the next thing we know it'll be Monday morning again.

See you then :-)

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Hello to anyone still checking this.

My we have been terrible at updating haven't we!

There is hope though, Hubby got me a mini laptop so that I can work while nursing and so now I don't have to wait 10 minutes for the OLD one to boot up and finally maybe perhaps work!

We have indeed been blessed at the beginning of December with another wee girly. She looks just like Princess did as a baby and We'll just call her baby on here for now until she gains a nickname.

Like the last little girl, we have named her after a very special town in Israel which has very important themes attached to it in the Bible. We only knew of one other girl with this name, only to find out that 2 other babies were born that month in Australia that were also given that same name! So funny

Baby is sleeping in her front pouch right now, her favourite place to be other then in Mummy or Daddy's arms. Yes it kills the back after a while, but with three other olive plants to care and tend to it is essential!

So after giving ourselves a month to get used to this new reality, and the flu going through the household TWICE! We are now full of colds and ready to get back to the usual routine. Well, as much as usual is around here!

A wonderful and very special sister is still willing to drive the older to to school most of the week so that is a huge help, I cannot imagine how I would do it otherwise. School starts up again tomorrow and the 2 have enjoyed their new responsibilities of packing their lunches (with supervision) and getting their backpacks & uniforms ready for the morning. I really miss the children when they are at school, but until the day when we are up to homeschooling this is life.

I have discovered that with 4 you really need to be organized, so the weekly menu has returned to our household as well.

Monday: Shepherd's Pie
Tuesday: Chicken Burgers and Salad
Wednesday: Chickpea Tacos
Thursday: Quiche & Salad
Friday: Spaghetti with Veggie Sauce
Saturday: Veggie Stew with Herb Scones
Sunday: Sausage Bake

It's bedtime for Monkeys now so I will sign off to go and say prayers, sort laundry & collapse!

Until next time :-)