Not a terribly auspicious start to my week – Ken had a bit of a set back health wise and did not manage to get done a single thing on his list… this after I stayed up past midnight so he could have a nap and then he told me to go to bed and he WOULD get at least something done. This meant my morning was balanced between doing all the back house work (mommies really CAN’T get sick and expect the world to function normally) and getting the boys going on their very first traditional lapbook. Not my favourite start to the week when you also have to add in a talk with the hubby about how you feel about said mistake but at least now we have better tools to discuss and get my points of view across in a way that does not set his hackles right on up.

Our schooling this morning was centred on our very first lapbook – for numbers. Very simple, we basically focused on the numbers 1-10 though we did include a 1-100 chart. We made more copies of our number matching game (the one with a card with the number printed and corresponding card with the same number of stickers.), these went into an envelope I plan on adding a brad and thread to to tie close.

We photocopied a shrunk down copy of one of the 1-10 dot to dots in the workbook we had bought ages ago that the kids then connected the dots (I did for Emanuel) and then coloured. (All of a sudden Emanuel is trying SUPER hard to colour in the lines!)

Ken shrunk down a little 1-10 book that a homeschooling friend linked us to staple and then paste in as well – this one has the word, number and number of objects on each page! For the last thing on the side panels I made up a little pocket with left over scrapbook paper scraps which we then put in little strips of paper that had a number which the boys coloured and then lines for them to write their own (1-10 again)… Emanuels are just the papers so he can do it later.

The centre was Ken’s favourite – matchbook folded pages.. each with a number and then inside the number of bunnies. Behind that is an 8 1/2 by 11 inch scrapbook page that each boy got to stamp with real stamps and ink. I think that was their favourite part… they were so proud of the stamping! I figure we will do some sort of stamping for each and every book.

Proud Stamper with Stamp and Page

Gavin and the Dinosaur

Zander and Bunny

Pride in One's Work (Zander left) and Trinity Sneaking In for a Picture!

I think with the next one I will put more paper over the folders are we are reusing folders. My mom was able to give us a nice, big stack! I do have a ton of bits and pieces of paper that if nothing else we could make a quilt like look to it. We need to cover the back and front parts of the folder yet but I figure as a first attempt – not half bad! The next one will be shapes and colours. I plan to go much more detailed!

For breakfast this morning I made up a triple batch of the whole wheat pancakes and froze a bunch for later. I figure for mornings like when we leave for our trip 3 1/2 hrs south to see my brother and his family we can just pull out some, pop them in the toaster or microwave and there you go… stupid simple as Ken says! And the kids still LOVED them.

I made another foray into edible Christmas presents today courtesy of my good friend Bree. I was going to hunt down the individual packets of hot chocolate until she suggested I make my own and linked me to a terrific recipe – by Alton (he is on the Food Network). Very simple, and though powdered milk is not cheap any more still a very affordable way to make a gift. Added to that another friend (homeschooler) suggested I get pastry bags to make the whole thing look pretty and top it with some chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. This will then be combined with a mint rock candy stick and maybe a mug! MMM

2 cups powdered (icing) sugar

1 cup cocoa

2 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 pinch cayenne pepper (I left that out)

hot water

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and incorporate evenly (we put it all in a container we could put a lid on and shake and then store it in).

In a small pot, heat 4-6 cup of water, fill mug half full of mix and pour hot water. Stir to combine, also works with warm milk.

We haven’t tried it yet, that will be tomorrow’s treat. Ken is so excited about it. He is also in charge of cutting down our bamboo skewers to be prepped for more rock candy. Mint and cherry – we need to up the amount of colouring and all that but I am excited to see how they turn out!

I did get some good mail today – I had signed up for Heinz baby a while ago and in the mail we got a nice bag, height chart (Trinity is right around 30 inches tall now!) and a tin of their formula. So another bag to use for trips and the like (always helpful!). Thought I am not sure what I am going to do with the formula – it is good until 2012 so I may just hold onto it until someone else needs it.

Ken had his first experience with being in charge with a whole letter – Q! An after dinner lesson as Ken was also called into work early with an emergency. It was quite interesting watching him muddle through but it got done and they did have fun!

Of course they ended with the computer stuff. Trinity as usual was quite adamant she be right by the computer and everyone practised their “qu” sound.

I started a new stitch today – the one for my pharmacist friend. It is coming along quickly which is nice to see… I may even have it done by tomorrow! Which of course puts me right back with doing my stocking… bah! Ken is working on a special stitch for Trinity’s birthday buddy but I am not sure how simple it will be. I plan on having the boys draw their simple pictures tomorrow for me to get to work on… that is one project I am looking forward to!

My day has been stressful but productive… tomorrow I make sugar cookie dough for Friday… Thursday muffins as well. My brother has requested apple leather and my nephew his cousins… I think I can handle all those requests! We are still up in the air about the company picnic… if the kids are still fighting this bug I may chose to stay with my sister in law instead of going. I am looking forward to seeing the 3 of them though. It has been a while – mom’s wedding I think. The boys are rather excited as well.

So though I have felt a bit the grump, I feel like tomorrow I can start off fresh again. Letter R, pictures to draw…oh and a mountain of laundry to fold!!! Teach me not to get sick!!!

So We Stay Hard at Work... Sorta!