Ancient Rome

World History:}
Board Game-Question & Answer

Tanner and I had the funnest time putting this project together.Origianally meant to be made from cardboard,we upgraded just a bit we wanted it a have an old world feel.Added old maps and Images of Augustine,Constantine,Fall of Rome {The Hun's} as well as Images that depicted Rome's government.

First off Corin I want to thank you for sharing the video as well as your own images.Pictures are worth a 1000 words.The image of the mother breastfeeding in the stream as well as others made me reflect on all the various places I have breastfed all of our children.Very amazing to see mothers around the world {with a smile on my face}.In the middle of life and just DROP everything to nurse your baby.

I too hid with my first child? Coping with a huge adjustment, all the while being in love.Just the newness and everyone with there two cent advice.

It changed one hot summer day when we were in a resturaunt and I was asked if I was going to nurse there.I removed myself and took the baby out to the car,as I said "HOT" summer day! As the baby was nursing with deep breaths {its a work out for them anyway during infancy,it wears them out} and sweat was beading from his poor little nose.I thought to my self...are you frickin kidding me???? The people I am with are in a cool place enjoying there meals and I removed myself and this infant to appease there ignorance. This poor baby deserves more than that or them. So I whipped my boob back in,cradled the baby,slammed the car door,walked into the resturaunt,sat down,stated "it's too hot out there,your all going to have to deal with it"!! I proceeded to breastfeed again.

I have to say one thing...my HUSBAND has been my #1 fan! From the time of conception or even the mere thought of having another little person enter our life.That is "HUGE"...and I thank him more times than I can tell you,for being such a wise enough husband/father to care enough to self educate as well as not give into what the rest of the world thinks {he is stronger when it comes to this than I am}.NOTE:}Breast pad in hand...

So here I am just yesterday after breastfeeding 4 children,sitting out in my OWN front yard.Neighbor guy comes over and starts talking mid-sentance he says "oh my god,are you breastfeeding"? ....YES I AM..." you should give her a bottle or something,or go inside and get a blanket to cover yourself up"!....YOU CAN'SEE ANYTHING,WHY DOES IT BOTHER YOU SO MUCH?....."because I know whats shes doing down there,go cover up,how old is she anyway"?
First of all he came into my yard!....Don't like it turn around an GO AWAY!!!!!!

At my age and experience....Im so over hearing it,because its the norm for our family {and yes I am discreet}.I think Im just as shocked that they're shocked. I feel for the new mom's and pray that they get a thicker skin quicker than I did.

It's really sad that on a daily basis we get more critisism than praise.
~like were committing a crime
~we have go to Corins blog to see that were all in this together,more love and praise on her blog than in daily life.

To this day if I see a breastfeeding mother out in public I will give her a smile or a wink...if shes not busy a sweet verbal statement. Harley Davidson riders do it....why cant we?

Happy Breastfeeding Mommy's.....

Our Joy & Urban Gardening

Let me start by introducing you to my amazing neighbor and friend Joy.You will probably hear about her quite often.She is amazingly sweet,crafty,kind,non jugdemental,supportive,great with kids,caring....basically everything that I need as a mom in my life right now.She has great ideas, always makes the holidays that much more and very supportive of my homeschooling journey,which in turn for me is alot right there.

We spent the afternoon in her garden making mud pies with her grandchildren Mia and Matthew. She even got down hoola-hooping with the girls,Aubrie couldn't get enough of that. Thank you for the Mud Pie day!

A Gift + Joy = Thank you!

My wonderful friend and neighbor Joy {Martha Stewert} has had this old school chair in her garden for years.We were gardening the other day with the kids and talking about ideas for our little school house,we were oooing and aweing over how fun vintage is and Little House on the Prairie,just simple no bold colors......then today she comes over with the "CHAIR"! I LOVE IT!! Thank You so much,this is a wonderful gift {from the heart and is greatly cherished}.Shadd and I are looking forward to refurbishing it....yea!!

Sparrows,finches,and weavers

Today was for the "BIRDS" still working on our February Calender {listed a few posts ago}.
~Started the morning off making our recycled bird feeders {visited with the chickens for awhile,it was the least we could do after stealing there food}.
~Read and discussed "Animals of The World" We covered {visually,not alot of reading Aubrie kept sitting on the book}. Sparrows, finches, weavers, woodpeckers,Owls,Pigeons.....they they were over it and wanted to look at lizards.....too funny?!
~Arts & Crafts:} Textile/Oragami looking Birds....Aiden did a great job on his! He had a vision so I cut out what he described to me and he pasted and assembled his lovely work of art.

Year Book:} Print your Blog

I love this site,they truly are the cutest Blog Books I have seen on the Block. So easy!! Type in blog url and instantly gives you an idea of what book will look like,along with every post you've done in a list of contents:}BEAUTIFUL!

I have been wanting to have our personal blog printed for awhile which will be the next thing I do {so excited}!
I also find it of great importance to have our homeschool blog printed too {form of a yearbook},to track what we have done for the school year.

Sweet Valentine

Joy's Biscotti

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat together the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. In batches add the dry ingredients until the mixture forms a dough. Beat in the almonds and chocolate.

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and knead several times. Shape into a log about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch slices. Arrange cut side down on the baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Turn the cookies over and bake the biscotti until golden, 8 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Drizzle chocolate if you'd like...ENJOY & Happy Heart Day!!

Hand Made with Love:}HERE

Compassion: Haiti Relief

Disaster Relief:}Earthquake Strikes Haiti

Sponsering a Child:}

There are so many things that Shadd and I both have planned for our lives and the lives of children."GIVING" and striving for our children to be "HUMBLE" are huge for us!!
As far having outside relationships with other children and their families:}
*Sponsering a child {pen~pal} We will let Aiden choose whom he wants to be friends with!
*High~Shcool {haven't researched that far ahead} Foreign Exchange Student

Waiting for "CUPID" to visit

He's a 3,000 year old baby with wings.He shoots love~tipped arrows :}The God of LOVE!
Weve already started preparing for this sweet & loving occasion.The kids sponge painted and crafted their little goody bags and are anxiously awaiting the day that they will be filled!
*cereal box
*paper bag
*sponges/potatoes
*paint
*felt/ribbon
*stapler


DOWNLOAD HERE

Found this adorable little pattern to print from;}Twig & Thistle

Our Urban Farm

This is our sweet little Urban Farm....

I have the most amazing time tending to the chickens with Aubrie. She love's to collect eggs with me,on occasion she feels she needs to throw the eggs back to the chickens?

Rainy Day Weekend...

This weekend was filled with alot of craft time due to our rainy day schedule.Aiden and I worked on several things together sewing for kids was one of them.This was his first time and he did amazingly well,I'm very proud of him!


We all baked daddy's favorite that he loved as a child {made with love by grandma pat}!! No Bake Cookies....


No Bake Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
3 cups quick cooking oats

Directions
1.In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter and oats.
2.Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow cookies to cool for at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container.


Then together we both practiced our handwriting skills.....
Handwriting Practices
Fluent Handwriting

Winter:} Ground Hog

I am really enjoying this time of the year with the kids.With the holidays just ending and Summer not here yet.This cool weather and rain has made it alot of fun to get out and explore all of the new growth coming our way,Sring just feels a little bit closer than normal.

*I love this calender and have enclose the link for anyone that wants to print it! We have incorperated it into some of our outing's or walks we take with the kiddo's....

*Observance of GROUND HOG Day

*Find green growth on the North side of trees & rocks

*Look for animal tracks

PRINT CALENDER PAGE

Coming Soon

A New Chapter for our family...