School Supply Storage

Since we started Homeschooling, I feel at times, that our house has been overtaken by school supplies!!! I have tried many different ways of storing them but this one seems to be working the best.

I took a glass platter I have and put it in the center of our table. Then I took different sized glass jars and arranged them on the platter. Then I filled them up with the supplies we use most: colored pencils of various sizes, twistable crayons, markers, scissors and pencils.

For some reason we have always stored everything point up except our pencils. So I put some dried peas in the bottom of the jar to prevent the tips breaking off when the kids drop them back in the jar. Plus I think it looks cute.

You could get really creative and decorate the jars but this is what I have time for right now!

Our Chore System

As a parent, I am always looking for new and creative ideas to incorporate into our family. So I wanted to share what we use in our family for chores. We have tried many different systems but this one is working the best. We have two different ways of carrying it out, one way for the boys and one way for Naomi.

I found a pocket chart at the $1 bins at Target at the beginning of the school year. I wrote each child's name on an index card and then had them decorate them. I then wrote down on other index cards all the chores. I glued them onto cardstock, cut them out and then brought them to Staples to be laminated.

Every morning, well Monday-Saturday we take Sunday off, I put out the cards of what chores I want to have done and place them under the name of who will do them.

After they complete a chore they remove it and put it in the holder above the chart. It is a magnetic organizer. That way they can feel a sense of accomplishment and I can see what still needs to be done.

Naomi has picture chore cards since she cannot read yet.

Chores are almost done for today!

Everyday their chore chart needs to be empty. They like to do them in the morning, but they have all day to complete them. If they did all their chores everyday then on Saturday they get an allowance. The boys each get $5 and Naomi gets $1.

STRESS ON MILITARY KIDS WITH A PARENT DEPLOYED

Come Home Safe Darrick

Change

The last two video posts were a little introduction to a goal of mine for 2011. An overall goal of living a healthier lifestyle. So what does healthier look like to me, you might wonder.

• Eating Better: to do this I am learning how to cook more things. I am trying to cut out preservatives and artificial things. Going back to the basics. If we have refried beans I will buy beans, soak them and then cook them. It is going to be a huge learning process.
• As we run out, we replace: I am not throwing everything out in my kitchen and starting over. I have about 10 boxes of mac and cheese I got at Costco that I will use up. Then I will try to find a way to make it myself.
• I started to become more aware of how artificial things and food dyes affect kids behavior. We have been having behavior problems with Naomi and thought it is worth a try.
• I am also carrying this over to products we use on and in our bodies and at our house.
• I am going to incorporate exercise into my week at least 3 times.

I have been searching the Internet for new recipes and tried one out tonight. I found it on a website called Paul's Grains. The kids all loved it and I did too! I changed it a little bit but you can find the original recipe on their website.

Banana Cake:

Cream well: 1 cup honey and 3/4 cup oil

Add: 2 eggs and 1 cup mashed bananas

Beat till well mixed.

Sift together: 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt

Add to creamed mixture with 1/2 cup milk.

Fold in 1/2 cup flax seed meal.

Bake in greased 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Food Ad Tricks: Helping Kids Understand Food Ads on TV

Snow Day

Yesterday morning at 6:00am I got a call from the school district saying that the schools were being cancelled, which meant Micah and Jacob's space class field trip to the Planetarium was cancelled too.

It doesn't take much snow here for school to be cancelled and by late morning the snow was getting slushy. We were not able to sled but the snow was perfect for building snowmen and snow babies!

Nana came out to watch but Papa stayed inside where it was nice and warm and watched us from the window.

After we finshed them the boys had time for a snowball fight.

We had a fun time!

The Store Wars - Organic food versus chemicals and GMOs

Relaxing the hair

A couple of months ago I used a texture softener on Naomi's hair for the first time. I felt pretty confident after using it and since then received a free box of relaxer (Thanks Laura!)I thought I would give it a try.

I was a bit nervous and left it on for the shortest time. We are so pleased with the results. Naomi is LOVING her fabulous new hair and the best part is that when it is wet she can actually comb through it herself. She likes to stand on a stool, looking into the mirror and combing her hair.

We have tried two new styles with so far!

Ringing in 2011

Our Adventures with Flat Daddy

Have you heard about Flat Daddies? Recently there was an article in Parade talking about one military family and their Flat Daddy. (You can read it by clicking on the word article)

Before Darrick deployed he heard about a program offered from the Red Cross called "Flat Daddy". He thought it would be great for his upcoming deployment. You send in a picture of yourself and in a few weeks you get your Flat Daddy in the mail. I decided to save him for the 2nd half of our deployment, just to have something new and exciting to do.

So while my family was here, we got Darrick applied to his foam board and cut out.

After Sam cut him out he posed for a picture with Darrick!

And we took a family picture!

So stay tuned for our future adventures with Flat Daddy!

Merry Christmas from the Hays Family!

Happy 36th Birthday to ME!

Advent Update

Preschool Christmas Crafts

Yesterday since it was the last day of Preschool before Christmas Break, Naomi brought home some cute projects that she made!

And a special gift for Darrick and I for the tree!

Justin's New Song- Pray

Preschool Christmas Program

Tuesday night Naomi had her Preschool Christmas Program. She was super excited to wear her new Christmas dress, candy cane tights and sparkly silver shoes.

They did a little program called "The best gift of all". It was very cute!

She was so happy with all the friends that came to see her.

Messages for Daddy