Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

I Love You toast on You Are Special Everyday plate.

As a Mom I find it is second nature for me to encourage, build-up and compliment my kids. Yes, I also find it second nature to growl, snare and fuss at my kids but that is for another blog post.

I credit my parents for raising me with the ability to express verbal praise. They loved me verbally before I was ever born. I heard their voice throughout the years even when I believed very little in myself.

True, I am a part of the self-esteem generation that was given a gold star for every little thing in school and told that losing was okay as long as the game was fun. Compliments for compliments sake are useless. However, promoting confidence is helpful. There is a fine line I guess.

Comforting yet hollow ringing from teachers,

Good Job for your C-. You are really showing an effort! No F!

Obligatory but heart felt praise of caretakers

You can do anything! You are so smart and beautiful!

They leave me with a thirst for more. I can always count on God to tell me the truth.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31)

Stamp I Love You on your skin because you are precious.

Ryan's Nature Box

Nature Box

1. Cut a hole in the top lid of a shoe box. We have a flip top kid’s size shoe box for our nature box.
2. Cover box with butcher paper (brown craft paper or a grocery bag). Use a bit of tape and wrap the paper on the box like a gift. Wrap the lid and bottom separately.
3. Adhere a piece of felt under the lid hole. Slit felt with an exacto knife to create a hand passage way into the box.
4. Decorate box with stickers, magazine clippings or drawings. Label with letter stickers or marker.
5. Cover box with clear packing tape or clear contact paper to help the box hold up over time.
6. Bring box outside and start collecting!

Molly on our nature collection tour of the yard. Notice she brought a book.

Ryan shows off his collection of twigs.

Mini Fall Trees

Materials: Branches or twigs, old play-doh, fall colored tissue paper, glue, and brown paper
Directions:
1.    Stick little branches or twigs in a ball of old play-doh.
2.    Glue bits of fall colored tissue on the twigs for leaves.
3.    Wrap the ball in a piece of brown paper.
4.    Tie a piece of string or yarn around the brown paper.

Ryan starts his tree with green play-doh.

Even Molly creates a mini tree glob. I only had to fish play-doh out of her mouth 3 times!

Target had awesome jewel and metallic toned tissue paper.

The mini trees are great for my seasonal hound Ry. He loves decorations but sometimes I just don’t want him playing with the ceramic tiles, glass urns and faux berries. You know? So, Ry decorates his table with his own mini trees Win! Win!

This entry is inspired by the age old question, “How are you?” I have always felt cheap for saying “Fine and you?” Really it gets complicated doesn’t it? Here are some facets of my day of how I really am.

5 Trying Times

1. I had clean scrub tops. I had clean scrub pants. I did not however have any tops and pants that matched.
2. I did not leave enough time to brew coffee this morning.
3. My son threw a water bottle at me while I was driving.
4. Molly screamed all the way home from the babysitters due to several cutting molars.
5. I forgot to take the freezer meal (Lasagna Florentine) out of the freezer the night before.

5 Lovely Times

1. I received a bouquet of flowers at work with sunflowers and cabbage of all things. It is so beautifully fall.
2. I took an alternate route to the babysitters house that led me to a hidden lake and a row of Black-eyed Susans. Is this flower really PC or what?
3. The Olive Garden. Yes, a spontaneous trip to Olive Garden with friends, (Hi Kobies!) made our night.
4. I rocked Molly to sleep in my arms while hearing Pete and Ryan reading together in the room next door.
5. Ryan rubbed my forehead as I cuddled with him before bed. So sweet.

5 Telling Times

1. We stopped at a gas station on our way home from the babysitters to use the bathroom.
2. I almost ran out of gas by the time I got home because I did not want to take the extra time to actually get gas at the gas station while stopping for the bathroom.
3. I left two sippy cups in the car. They are probably spoiling as I type this.
4. The front tire leaks air. Someone has to fill it up like every other day because we are trying to be frugal and save up for new tires.
5. That someone is Peter because I usually let more air out than I put in…this fact is so mortifying I can’t believe I am telling you.

I am a OrgJunkie junkie. Every week almost 100 people post their menu plans to view. I love having “virtual” accountability to menu plan. OrgJunkie motivates me to get cooking! This is my first time linking up for OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday.

Monday: Lasagna Florentine (carry over from last week–Culver’s called my name last Saturday night!)

Tuesday: Italian Calzones

Wednesday: Pork Roast, cooked carrots and whole wheat buns

Thursday: Corn and Bean Quesadillas

Friday: Light supper before Square Dance…um…maybe chicken noodle soup and crackers.

Saturday: BBQ Ribs (wood-smoke on the grill) and corn. It WILL be sunny!

Sunday: Chicken Fettucine with broccoli and mushrooms