The Boy, The Baby & I went to our local library for story time yesterday. We met up with two other great moms & their kids. The topic of homeschool was brought up and one of the moms said she found the greatest homeschooling blog "Confessions of a Homeschooler". I've heard of it, I've followed it for a while, and refer back to it often. But It's always while I'm on my phone and I'm just quickly scanning through the material. Well this morning I found the Confessions of a Homeschooler Facebook Page & was guided to Lapbooks!
I've heard of lapbooks often in the blogger world and Pinterest. The idea seemed great, but I never fully understood them. Quite frankly, the process seemed overwhelming (I guess a lot of things seem that way, at first). I thought these were for "smarter" more experienced homeschoolin' momma's. That is, until I watched this video this morning. I realized how easy they are, and that I am fully capable of making these and teaching my children with them.
So- Enough from me, check out the video:
You can also go directly to her blogpost by clicking HERE. Lots of good info there, so check it out!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Product Review & Rambles: Graco snugride carseat
Up for review today is the Graco Snugride carseat.
First some rambling. If you only want the pros and cons, just scroll to the bottom of this post.
I kind of love this seat. And really, I'm not sure why I *LOVE* it, and not just like it. I suppose at one point I read about the great safety ratings, and decided it was the only seat for us. There are other seats on the market with even better safety ratings, and great features, but this one works well for us.
We used a Snugride for my son, 5 years ago. I first bought a used one from eBay. It was blue, and ugly and dirty.... And that's what we brought our baby home from the hospital in and used for a couple weeks (should've saved the money and bought a nice one in the first place!).
Then we bought a Travel System. This was one of our biggest mistake baby-type purchases. I hate the strollers that come with travel systems. So the travel system we bought in a neutral print, because we knew we wanted to have more children, and it would be cost effective to just use the same one for the next kid that came along. That would be mistake #2. It ended up taking us a while for baby #3.... Actually, it took us so long that our gender neutral money saving seat expired. I grew sick of the neutral colored stroller, that hardly got any use, and eventually worn out badly and sold cheap on a garage sale.
So, You live and learn right? Now we're on baby number 3 and I feel like I'm pretty smart with our baby purchases. So this time........... I did buy another travel system. No, I'm not a slow learner, I'm a frugal gal. You see, I had my eye on an adorable print that I wanted, but of course, it only came in a travel system.
I prayed on it, and God delivered! Wal-Mart had the travel system on clearance for like cheap! I actually found lots of baby items we needed while I was shopping that day. He's SO good like that. ;)
I kept the car seat and base that came with it, and sold the stroller as new. I would've gladly paid the clearance price for just the seat alone, but the fact that I could sell the stroller made it an even better deal. I knew that for our life style, I just wouldn't use that stroller enough, if ever.
Ummm, oh yeah- About the seat!
PROS:
Light weight
Not bulky
Adorable prints
Good safety ratings
Easy to install
The base stays secure in the car
If your baby falls asleep in the car you can bring the seat in the house and keep them sleeping
CONS:
You have to adjust the straps from behind/under the seat. I put the seat on the table to do this. It's a bit of a hassle, but doesn't have to be done often.
Graco makes a swing and a stroller that the car seat can snap right on to. We have both and I think they're both super convenient.
I'd recommend this to a friend. And if we are ever blessed with another baby, this will again be the seat we use.
First some rambling. If you only want the pros and cons, just scroll to the bottom of this post.
I kind of love this seat. And really, I'm not sure why I *LOVE* it, and not just like it. I suppose at one point I read about the great safety ratings, and decided it was the only seat for us. There are other seats on the market with even better safety ratings, and great features, but this one works well for us.
We used a Snugride for my son, 5 years ago. I first bought a used one from eBay. It was blue, and ugly and dirty.... And that's what we brought our baby home from the hospital in and used for a couple weeks (should've saved the money and bought a nice one in the first place!).
Then we bought a Travel System. This was one of our biggest mistake baby-type purchases. I hate the strollers that come with travel systems. So the travel system we bought in a neutral print, because we knew we wanted to have more children, and it would be cost effective to just use the same one for the next kid that came along. That would be mistake #2. It ended up taking us a while for baby #3.... Actually, it took us so long that our gender neutral money saving seat expired. I grew sick of the neutral colored stroller, that hardly got any use, and eventually worn out badly and sold cheap on a garage sale.
So, You live and learn right? Now we're on baby number 3 and I feel like I'm pretty smart with our baby purchases. So this time........... I did buy another travel system. No, I'm not a slow learner, I'm a frugal gal. You see, I had my eye on an adorable print that I wanted, but of course, it only came in a travel system.
I prayed on it, and God delivered! Wal-Mart had the travel system on clearance for like cheap! I actually found lots of baby items we needed while I was shopping that day. He's SO good like that. ;)
I kept the car seat and base that came with it, and sold the stroller as new. I would've gladly paid the clearance price for just the seat alone, but the fact that I could sell the stroller made it an even better deal. I knew that for our life style, I just wouldn't use that stroller enough, if ever.
Ummm, oh yeah- About the seat!
PROS:
Light weight
Not bulky
Adorable prints
Good safety ratings
Easy to install
The base stays secure in the car
If your baby falls asleep in the car you can bring the seat in the house and keep them sleeping
CONS:
You have to adjust the straps from behind/under the seat. I put the seat on the table to do this. It's a bit of a hassle, but doesn't have to be done often.
Graco makes a swing and a stroller that the car seat can snap right on to. We have both and I think they're both super convenient.
I'd recommend this to a friend. And if we are ever blessed with another baby, this will again be the seat we use.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
DIY: Diaper sprayer shield
This post contains affiliate links to what I purchased to make this set up.
We are a cloth diapering family. I catch a lot of crap for that. Get it? crap. Yep... Not as funny as I thought it might be.
There is a product on the market similar to this and it is only about 20 dollars. However I wasn't able to find one to purchase as they are all out of stock everywhere I looked. & I'm a DIY kind of gal anyway.
So I made a quick run to the dollar store and picked up a plastic clip board and a plastic folder. We already had duct tape on hand.
I attached the folder inside out so when I sprayed the water the junk would not get stuck inside the pocket of the folder.
After I made this I anxiously waited for the baby to give me a poopy diaper to work with. {Insert your own corny "you know you're a mom when" joke.}
The verdict:
It's definitely an eyesore but it works amazing and for under 4 dollars, it was definitely worth it.
You can read all about my affiliate links through my disclosure tab- but it's basically this: Amazon pays me a percentage of each sale that is made through clicking my links. I use that money towards homeschooling my children, running this blog, glorifying God, and hosting giveaways.
I would never EVER post a link to a product I didn’t believe in- Promise!
I would never EVER post a link to a product I didn’t believe in- Promise!
There is a product on the market similar to this and it is only about 20 dollars. However I wasn't able to find one to purchase as they are all out of stock everywhere I looked. & I'm a DIY kind of gal anyway.
So I made a quick run to the dollar store and picked up a plastic clip board and a plastic folder. We already had duct tape on hand.
I attached the folder inside out so when I sprayed the water the junk would not get stuck inside the pocket of the folder.
After I made this I anxiously waited for the baby to give me a poopy diaper to work with. {Insert your own corny "you know you're a mom when" joke.}
The verdict:
It's definitely an eyesore but it works amazing and for under 4 dollars, it was definitely worth it.
If you're not a DIY'er, check out the Spray Pal - Cloth Diaper Sprayer Splatter Shield
on Amazon. The reviews look excellent, and it'd be to your door in about 2 days with Amazon Prime.
on Amazon. The reviews look excellent, and it'd be to your door in about 2 days with Amazon Prime.Wednesday, February 27, 2013
2 Banana's & 1 C. Oatmeal Cookies
Have you guys seen this picture floating around on Pinterest?
Well, my own little chef Carter made them a couple of nights ago- BY HIMSELF-.
They are awfully simple to make. Seriously 2 banana's & 1 C. Oatmeal.
He randomly added these things from the cupboard, using his tiny little hands: chocolate chips, coconut, & raisins.
I put them in the oven at 350 for 14 minutes, they probably only needed about 12 min. Anyway, they were wonderful & he was SO proud of himself! What will you let your kids bake today?
Use this LINK to get to the original recipe.
Friday, February 22, 2013
My Fears Through Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery and Recovery.
Fear.
It's been a year since I found out I was expecting our 3rd baby. We tried, cried, and prayed for this baby for y.e.a.r.s.
Each time a friend would get pregnant while we were trying to conceive I would feel joy for them, but not as much as the sadness I felt for myself. Believe me when I say I felt like everyone I knew was getting pregnant. I felt broken. I didn't understand why things weren't working according to my plan.
In Gods time, friends would gently remind me. Yes, I knew it would happen in His time. That didn't make it any easier.
Even though we had tried for years to conceive another child, when I got the positive pregnancy test,
there was a thought in my mind. It was a thought so strong and so deep that at time, it was debilitating. It was an intense thought of what if something goes wrong.
What if merely getting pregnant again was enough to kill me, what if something happened to my unborn child. What if she was handicap (don't judge me), or still born. What if I died giving birth.
There were days that I would lay on the couch sobbing because the fear was so overwhelming, and my hormones were raging.
Before I even knew I was pregnant I knew there would be something wrong in my next pregnancy, I knew that there was a chance I could lose my child or myself.
There weren't any major medical reasons predicting that this might happen. But I felt a nudge from God to be prepared.
I guess I'm just trying to talk this all out so I can finally let my fear go and know that everything turned out okay. Whatever okay is.
My pregnancy was tough. It was really hard on me this time around, but the labor went quick and the delivery was over in a blink of an eye.
The delivery was so quick that I didn't have time for the drugs that I had thought I wanted.
My mind was clear. I was right there. I felt every little pain and movement. I felt it all, and I took it all in. I knew exactly what was going on when my little girl came into this world.
I didn't experience that the last time that I gave birth I was too uneducated, doped up, and didn't have a clue which way was up.
This time as my daughter entered into this earth I took a look at her. She was blue. I was prepared for the worst. I took a deep breath. I looked across the room and saw a nurse give me a soft, sweet smile. She was familiar, I thought she was my angel, coming to take me to meet my creator. My mind was so free, and I was thinking so fast. Everything was so fast.
I took another breath, and so did she. My baby that is. My baby breathed, screamed, and her color came quickly. "Praise you, Jesus!", I said out loud.
I didn't realize just how a newborn looks hot off the press. My last baby was bathed, dressed, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a sweet little hat before I even remember really looking at him (we had a tough time, but that's all in the past now).
My daughter was okay. I was okay. We lived!
That beautiful nurse handed me my baby girl and kindly asked "are you going to be nursing?". I sheepishly replied, "I'd like to, but I don't really know how". She gave me that same sweet smile and put my baby to my breast. Instantly, I was feeding my baby. I felt total bliss.
.
Fast forward a couple months. We did find out that our daughter has a heart defect. She has a problem with a valve and an artery. She is okay, but we don't know if she will continue to be okay as her body grows. This tears me up inside.
Her cardiologist described it as a house getting bigger, but the door staying the same size. We love her with all our hearts, and we will keep on loving her. That, and pray, is all we can do. I believe in healing prayers. I believe that our daughter will be healed. I'm not frantic feeling, or angry with God for my daughter having this problem. He prepared me to know something was coming. Of course I wish it weren't this way. But don't we all have something about us that isn't perfect? ;) And we're all, okay.
My daughter's name is Grayson. She was named before she was conceived, because I knew, that through this all, I would need to be reminded to have GRACE.
It's been a year since I found out I was expecting our 3rd baby. We tried, cried, and prayed for this baby for y.e.a.r.s.
Each time a friend would get pregnant while we were trying to conceive I would feel joy for them, but not as much as the sadness I felt for myself. Believe me when I say I felt like everyone I knew was getting pregnant. I felt broken. I didn't understand why things weren't working according to my plan.
In Gods time, friends would gently remind me. Yes, I knew it would happen in His time. That didn't make it any easier.
Even though we had tried for years to conceive another child, when I got the positive pregnancy test,
there was a thought in my mind. It was a thought so strong and so deep that at time, it was debilitating. It was an intense thought of what if something goes wrong.
What if merely getting pregnant again was enough to kill me, what if something happened to my unborn child. What if she was handicap (don't judge me), or still born. What if I died giving birth.
There were days that I would lay on the couch sobbing because the fear was so overwhelming, and my hormones were raging.
Before I even knew I was pregnant I knew there would be something wrong in my next pregnancy, I knew that there was a chance I could lose my child or myself.
There weren't any major medical reasons predicting that this might happen. But I felt a nudge from God to be prepared.
I guess I'm just trying to talk this all out so I can finally let my fear go and know that everything turned out okay. Whatever okay is.
My pregnancy was tough. It was really hard on me this time around, but the labor went quick and the delivery was over in a blink of an eye.
The delivery was so quick that I didn't have time for the drugs that I had thought I wanted.
My mind was clear. I was right there. I felt every little pain and movement. I felt it all, and I took it all in. I knew exactly what was going on when my little girl came into this world.
I didn't experience that the last time that I gave birth I was too uneducated, doped up, and didn't have a clue which way was up.
This time as my daughter entered into this earth I took a look at her. She was blue. I was prepared for the worst. I took a deep breath. I looked across the room and saw a nurse give me a soft, sweet smile. She was familiar, I thought she was my angel, coming to take me to meet my creator. My mind was so free, and I was thinking so fast. Everything was so fast.
I took another breath, and so did she. My baby that is. My baby breathed, screamed, and her color came quickly. "Praise you, Jesus!", I said out loud.
I didn't realize just how a newborn looks hot off the press. My last baby was bathed, dressed, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a sweet little hat before I even remember really looking at him (we had a tough time, but that's all in the past now).
My daughter was okay. I was okay. We lived!
That beautiful nurse handed me my baby girl and kindly asked "are you going to be nursing?". I sheepishly replied, "I'd like to, but I don't really know how". She gave me that same sweet smile and put my baby to my breast. Instantly, I was feeding my baby. I felt total bliss.
.Her cardiologist described it as a house getting bigger, but the door staying the same size. We love her with all our hearts, and we will keep on loving her. That, and pray, is all we can do. I believe in healing prayers. I believe that our daughter will be healed. I'm not frantic feeling, or angry with God for my daughter having this problem. He prepared me to know something was coming. Of course I wish it weren't this way. But don't we all have something about us that isn't perfect? ;) And we're all, okay.
My daughter's name is Grayson. She was named before she was conceived, because I knew, that through this all, I would need to be reminded to have GRACE.
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