Just finish the story...

In school today, I asked Jonathan to do a simple task. I started a story for him and asked him to simply finish it. I just didn't know what I was asking for.

It went something like this...

Me: "Bobbie and his mother needed eggs, bread and milk from the store. So, they got into the car and drove to the store. OK, now Jonathan...finish the story for me."

Jonathan: Taking a moment to think "Bobbie and his mom brought a baby with them. They unbuckled the baby from the carseat and put him in a cart. Then they went shopping. Then the baby was gone and they could not find him. Then they called the police to look for the baby. The police man looked for the baby and saw someone with the baby. The police man took the baby from the person and he wanted to keep the baby. Then Bobbie and his mom saw a head that looked like their baby and they found the police man with the baby. They said "Give me my baby back!", but the police man wanted to keep the baby. So then, Bobbie and his mom took the baby...and they lived happily ever after."

Oiy.

And would you believe, after Anna finished the same story with something like, "Then they bought the food and gave money to the lady at the front, then they went home.", he actually rolled his eyes and said, "Anna! You have to say 'And they lived happily ever after' when you're done!"

I just love homeschooling.

Lisa

Help for Growing Families! Family Calendar

Without this calendar we would all be lost. Sure, at one time I used a regular cute flip open calendar, but with my growing family it was never big enough.

So, I went to Staples and bought a huge desk calender. You know...the big ones that you lay on your desk. It usually has black corner protectors on it, but I take those off.

I use business card magnets I had from mail offers or ones I picked up here and there and tape them to the back of this large calender and put it up on the side of my refrigerator, but it can be put up on the wall if you have room.

I also keep a clip at the top with appt. cards on it. I'm not sure why I keep those there, because I have everything on the calendar, but I've used this clip for other things like business cards, invitations, driving directions, etc., and I keep a pencil at the top of the clip.

In years past, I actually had colored markers/pens, and had a specific color assigned to each person, but as the family grew, my brain shrunk it became more difficult for me to remember who had what color, so now I just put the person's name next to the appt./activity.

And toward the end of the year when apppointments are made before I can get the new years calendar, I just jot down the appt. at the bottom of Decembers calender in the space for notes. So, when I finally buy the desk calender I can transfer those appointments and not miss anything.

This is the handiest thing for our family, and we all use it!

Head on over to Ship Full O' Pirates for more Help For Growing Families!

Lisa

Compliments

Today was full of compliments from some of my children. I thought I would share.

Jonathan: [Rubbing my arm] "Mommy, you're skin is smoother than the counter top."

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Anna: [With her arm around my waist, grabbing a hold of my love handle waist] "Mommy, what is this?"

Me: "What do you think it is?"

Anna: "Fat"

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Erika: [Hugging me] "Mommy, if you have shoes with socks on, and no pants you look nice."



I think I'll go rub on some more counter polish, put my pants on, and do some crunches now.

Lisa

A Shiner!

It was a close fight, my tough little man!

When I walked in Mark was winning. He was almost up on his opponenet, trying to climb the guy. What a grip! Then without warning, the enemy threw his tall frame forward knocking Mark to the ground face up. All I could hear was the "thunk" of his little head hitting that hard floor. The mother in me could hold back no longer, so I ran to my baby's son's rescue, but before I could get to him, this rival lunged forward and landed his seat right on Mark's eye!

I had half a mind to grab the rival and sit on him... but I refrained, and tended to my son baby, as any mother with a heart would.

And this rival.... You might be wondering what who it is, huh? Well, I got his picture before I personally grabbed him and shoved him under the breakfast bar.

Don't try to look innocent, Mr. Bar Stool! You're no friend of mine!

WFMW ~ Hiding Stains

Most of us have had this happen, right? You buy a new pair of pants for your little girl (or boy, for that matter), and instruct them to NOT PLAY OUTSIDE in them. I bought my daughter a beautiful pair of pink Levis a few summers ago, and said the same thing. She wore them once, and there were instant stains. I could not get them out. I was about to put these pants into the play clothes drawer, when I got this idea.

First cut the pants into crop pants or capris, if you want. The stains on these pants were pretty bad around the ankles, so I cropped them.

Then I took some cute fabric I had that had bugs and flowers on it, and made them into appliques. You have to iron the fabric onto some stablizer. Then cut them out, iron them onto the fabric, and use a sewing machine to applique them on, using pretty color thread that coordinates with the colors in the fabric.

I also had several cute iron-on lady bugs that went nicely with the fabric. I ironed those onto some smaller stains.

Then I used some ribbon and trimmed the pants below the knees and...

up out of the back pockets for a cute effect. These didn't hide any stains, but I thought it really brought the whole look together. Don't you?

One thing I didn't get a picture of was the cute belt I made for this. I just used the rest of the red gingham ribbon, put it through the belt loops and tied a bow. That's it!

You can really use this idea for many many things....like hiding small stains on nice shirts or dresses. You could hide small holes, too. Younger boys might like something like this, without the ribbon, of course (and the pink!). Also, if you don't use a sewing maching, you could maybe just cross-stitch the applique's on, or just use iron on patches. Either way, it works for me!

Check out more WFMW ideas at Rocks In My Dryer.

Lisa

Dip Lips

Me: "Erika, have you been eating Sissy's dip?"

Erika: "Dip?"

Me: "Yes, dip."

Erika: "Dip?"

Me: "Erika? Why did you eat more of Sissy's dip?"

Erika: (Looks around, anxious for a good answer) "Um....I didn't."

Actually, she didn't. It turns out she just licked all the dip off of her plate and got it all over her cute little face. I just had to take a picture. Notice the container of dip in the background on the table??? Hmmmm.......

Lisa

Is Your Marriage Fireproof?

If you could recommend one movie to everyone, what would it be?

Yesterday, Todd and I went to see the new movie, Fireproof. If you haven't heard of this movie, here's the trailer. Remember to pause the music at the bottom of this page before playing the trailer.

If you see only one more movie for the rest of your life, this needs to be it! If you don't think this movie is for you, you need to see it! If you're married, single, divorced, young, old... you need to see it!

Believe me, you need to see this movie. And bring a box of tissues with you. Don't wait till it comes out on video. This movie will change your life. Has a movie ever changed your life? If no, go see this movie. If you're ready for a change, YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

And....have I mentioned that you really really need to see this movie?

You do. You just do.

I wish I could tell you what it's about. The trailer does NOT do it justice. I don't want to give anything away. Just go see it.

Lisa
go see it!

Toilets, Toothbrushes, and Toddlers

Need I say more?

We knew something was in that toilet. It kept overflowing after one of Mark's attempts to flush something down it. I caught him red handed! I just didn't catch what he put in the toilet before he flushed.

Well, after using the plunger on this toilet for about a month, we decided to pull it and try to get what was in it.

We tried.

Really, we did.

We used a hose, springy things my husband has in the garage, wires, our hands...but with no luck. We just didn't need the expense of purchasing another toilet, but couldn't keep this toilet out of commission on a permanent basis (or could we.....no wait, it's too late).

So, we couldn't resist....

Go for it, Babe!

The culprit....a toothbrush.

We have no idea whose toothbrush it is or where it came from. All downstairs toothbrushes are accounted for. We suspect it's a toothbrush that belongs to our neice, who came for a visit a few months ago and left it here. We're just not sure. But we are definitely sure we won't be returning it to her.

Now Mark, what do you have to say for yourself????

Oh, never mind.