Menu Plan Monday

Well, it has been a long long time since I have posted our Menu Plan and I wasn't sure if I was going to get back into doing this, mostly because I didn't know if anyone out there really got much out of seeing these posts.

I decided to start doing these posts again for two reasons.

1. One of my new years resolutions was to start blog posting more regularly and since I was still doing menu planning (just not posting them) this would be one area that I could quickly gain some ground.

2. Second, after reading this post, I realized that maybe it would help others that are just starting out with menu planning and finding it a bit tedious (It does get easier).

So, this is what I have planned for our family this week.

Monday - Terriyaki Chicken and Broccoli

Tuesday - Chili

Wednesday - Hungarian Beef Goulash

Thursday - Spaghetti

Friday - Baked Soy Lemon Chops

Saturday - Asian Peanut Beef and Noodles for 2

Sunday - Super Bowl! Going to a friends for Supper

Personally, I do my meal planning one to two weeks at a time.  If I do want to do a month at a time then I plan the first two weeks out and then repeat it for the last two weeks.  I figure having a meal twice a month isn't THAT often and no one has complained yet. 

For more ideas on recipes and a peak at how others do meal planning, I am linking up to orgjunkie.  com Be sure to check it out and let me know how you are doing with your meal planning or any tips that you might have.

A week in review - And a little change up

So I have decided to change how we were doing pre-k homeschool. I was using the program from Confessions of a homeschooler and although I liked the organization of her program and how it is all laid out for you so that all you have to do is print, laminate and your done. I did feel that the repetition is growing old a bit. I realize that repetition is a great thing for children and so that is why I was a bit reluctant to change anything at all. However, I didn't feel that Renae was making as much progress as I think that she can. And part of that was because she was bored with the activities that I was giving to her. In defence of the program it may have a lot to do with the fact that I am just starting to figure out the "how" in teaching effectively to children and that I think a great deal more hands on is the key.

It is with this in mind that I have now moved towards the Raising Rock Stars and You Can Read programs over at 1+1+1=1.blogspot.com She also includes bible verses, letter recognition and learning of the sight words. But she also shows you how to incorporate a Montessori style with sensory boxes and such. Carrisa has a wealth of information on her sight that I myself am only beginning to scratch the surface on. I hope to share a great deal more about this as we get further into the program.

For now, here are some pictures of Renae with the new program.

Renae still loves her activity binder and I catch her doing it without prompting

This was one of the activities that we did with play dough to practice our sight words

This was a big moment for Renae since this is the first time that she has been allowed to use scissors since the whole "hair cutting" incident

After cutting up the scripture she placed it in order and then tapped it together.  Then we sang "This little light of mine" and used the Popsicle stick props.  Tons of fun.

Color by word

Site word bingo

Color by number

Winter Gala

Well I have so much that I want to share with you and so I am going to split this update into two posts.  But since I know that there are certain grandparents out there that want to see the following video I thought I better get my act together and get it posted :)

This is the winter gala at Renae and Dakota's daycare.  They had a couple of songs and then there was Renae's dance class where they did one dance for us. 

I was working that day and had to pull a few strings and then drive like a maniac (thank goodness there were no cops around) to get to see our little girl. 

You can imagine my disappointment when Norm said to me "it's all over" when I arrived at 6:15!  Thankfully he didn't realize that there was the dance still to come.  So although I didn't get to see her sing I am glad that I got to catch her dancing! 

I will warn you that the video is a little shaky but she is as cute as can be!  I well up everytime!

Enjoy!  (and yes she will probably kill me for having this out on the internet when she is 18!)

12 Habits for 2012

Yesterday I shared with you my New Years Resolutions List for 2012. I really want to be successful at this list and know that some of this items need me to make them into habits to see them through to fruition. So, again, in step with moneysavingmom.com I created a list of 12 Habits for 2012. I will add onto this list each month and will hopefully have 12 habits that are second nature by this time next year.

12 Habits for 2012

January - Getting up early

February - Begin exercise program

March - Implement Morning Routine

April - Implement Evening Routine

May - Take care of Me

June - Water Plants Daily

July - Getting to Places on time

August - Sending Cards/Gifts on Time

September - Keeping "Hot Spots" Clutter Free

October - Getting to Places Early

November - Clear Email

December - Staying on top of Coupon Binder

Some of the list I pulled from Crystal list and some are ones that I came up with on my own. I also plan on participating in her monthly update post. I would love if you followed along as well! If you have also developed a list I would love to hear it.

2012 Resolutions

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
- Jimmy Dean

Last year in this post I went with a new plan of attack for my New Years Resolutions.  I felt that if i made my goals more specific and made a detail list that this would increase my odds of sticking to them.
Some of them (ie/ debt/savings plans) were very successful. Others, well.....I started off strong.....lasted longer than usual......but eventually I frizzled out.

So since I did end up slacking off on a lot that I had achieved, I am going to put together a new resolution/goal list and make myself a little more accountable by trying to follow a plan done by moneysavingmom.com super star - Crystal Paine!


Her first book "The Money Saving Mom's Budget"  is being released on January 10th on Amazon and is currently available as pre-order.

However, she just posted today that as a bonus if you pre-order the above book (or make a blog post about it) you can receive a brand new e-book "21 Days to a More Disciplined Life" and this is what I plan to use to help me not only attack my 2012 Goal List but see it through to the end of the year!





I have broken my goals down into 7 categories:

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it

2. Cut down/out sweets

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book)

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans)

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use.

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together

2. Monthly Date Night

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me.

2. Involve Renae in chores

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.)

4. Do monthly De clutter Project

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance

2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm

4. Continue with investments

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae

2. Swimming lessons for both girls

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read

6. 1 field trip a month

7. At least 1 family vacation

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone

3. Start attending church

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance

So that's it.......too much? I hope not. I think that this is do-able with the right tools in place!

Care to join the party?  I would love to hear your goals and aspirations for 2012.   And by writing it down and sharing, it will help keep you accountable. Speaking of which I would love to hear any tips that you may have to keep up with your goals.

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe New Years Celebration! For us, we did it family style and I wanted to share some of our photos of this.

Ever since Christmas was over Renae started asking.....so what is the next holiday, which we promptly replied....New Years. So she asked, "so what do you do for New Years?"

.......huh, well.....didn't think she was looking for the answer of what we usually do......ahem.

So it got me thinking and researching as to what I could do kid style to make this holiday something that we could all enjoy and not just adults.

Here is what I came up with.

First, we all got dressed up. Well....all but Dakota that is.....unfortunately she was feeling a little under the weather, so she went to bed a little early.

Then we did finger foods that Renae thought was awesome!

I found a blog that had a free New Years Preschool minipack, which you can find at http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2011/12/new-year-mini-pack.html

Renae loved it!

Since it would be too late for Renae to stay up to midnight we did a countdown to her bedtime instead. So first we made cupcakes, fitted with 2012 candles that she got to blow out when we made it to zero. We were dolled up in hats, glasses and noise makers. Had a glass, of sparkling grape juice ( well, Renae had several, she kept saying "hmmmm, this is REALLY good!") and then went outside for some sparkler fun! It was so much fun! I definitely think this will be a tradition in the making!

Oh and then the next day we did some dressing up of Dakota! So that she could enjoy the fun as well!

I hope 2012 is all that you want it to be and more! Happy New Year everyone!