Innovation

Sometimes, Jordan gets bored when I am doing school with the older 3 and his little innovative mind starts searching for something to do. This is the latest creation. I'm not exactly sure what the purpose is other than being a ramp. I especially like the tennis shoe landing pad.

Portable School

I woke up this morning and got on the computer to check my e-mail. As I was sitting here, I remembered that I was supposed to have a yearly appt. either today or Wednesday but I couldn't remember which and what time. So, I checked my voice mail and realized that the appt. was for today at 8:00 a.m. This was at 7:35 a.m. I hadn't showered. I hadn't filled out my medical forms. I didn't even have child care.
So, I frantically called my mom (who lives around the corner) and asked if she could come quickly to watch the kids while I went to the doctor. I know... I am spoiled. She came. I left my house at 7:55 and it takes at least 15 minutes to get there. Also, this is my first appt. at this office. What a great first impression I am making.
So, I made it there and they didn't even give me any dirty looks. Whew! Next, I came home and had about 1 hour before I needed to start making lunch so that I could leave in time to make it to my hair appt. We squezzed 1 hour of school in this morning and then I had the opportunity for my brother to watch them while I went to get my hair done. In case you are wondering, I don't normally "get my hair done" by professionals. I normally use those free hair dye boxes from CVS and do it myself at home. However, I am leaving in 1 week for our cruise and I want to look as H-O-T as possible.
So, off to get my hair done in the middle of school time. When I got home, there was only about 15 minutes before I needed to be on the road again to have dinner and go to daddy's first softball game of the season. Luckily, as a homeschoolin' mom, we can have school anywhere. We have a 30 minute drive to dinner and I packed up the rest of what needed to be accomplished today. It actually worked very well. I like that they didn't even have the option of standing up, getting out of their chairs and walking around the room for no apparent reason. Not that it ever happens that way at home, but, you know.
As my middle child was eating dinner, she finished up the last of her papers and we were done. We headed to the softball game, went to get ice cream and headed home for showers and bed. It was one packed day.
I have a feeling there are going to be more of those this week as we prepare for our week away. I can hardly believe it is almost here. I am so excited!!

Teaching - Week 2

We survived another week.  Things seemed to go much smoother yesterday than last week.  The scheduling flowed and the kids are getting used to the dynamics of the classroom.

Alas, I do have one funny story to share.  We were playing "Director Says" ("Simon Says" for Drama class) outside.  We have a courtyard directly behind our classroom that is surrounded with grass and trees.  It is a nice little area for us to have outside play, but there is one problem... ANTS!!  There are more than a few large ant piles right at the edge of the courtyard.  One in particular is a constant source of problems.  Every time we head outside, at least one of the kids manages to step right through it.  

Well, this was the case yesterday and I was explaining to the 5 kids close to me that they needed to stay away from the ant pile.  One of the little boys asked me why (apparently, he didn't hear me explain this answer the first 10 times).  Anyway, I explained again that if they got close to the ant pile, they could get all bitten up.  Well, this same little boy looks at me with great concern and says.. "Mrs. L!  Why do you have ant bites all over your face?!!"  He had so astutely noticed the teenage like acne covering my face right now.  My team teacher and friend thought this was the funniest thing she ever heard and added, "Yes, Mrs. L, you must have been attacked!!"  

I was told that I should take a picture of my face and add it to this post, but I decided to refrain and just let your imagination fill in the blanks.

Don't you just love the honesty and bluntness of children (and some friends, I guess).

My Dog Really DID Eat My Homework

This is what happens when my dog finds a good book. The strange thing is that if he has a bone to chew on, he rarely chews on anything else. But, if it is just him and a book in a room, that book better beware. He has yet to destroy a library book or Bible. You won't want to see a picture of what I do when that day comes. We have lost a couple covers to some text books though.

So, I guess my kids might actually be able to use that age old excuse :)

Publix Grocery Store Deals and Coupons for 9/4-9/10

Plochman's Premium Mustard (bogo @ $1.39/2)
Sign up here for coupons sent to your e-mail box

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use $1/1 or $1/2 from ss 7/27 or $2/1 printable (if you haven't already printed these)
Makes them $0-$1.50 a box

Post Cereal (bogo @ $4.09/2 - includes Selects, Grape-Nuts, Grape-Nuts Flakes, LiveActive)
Use $1/1 from recent in-store coupon or $1/2 from ss 7/27
Makes them $1.04-$1.54 a box

Quaker Oatmeal (bogo @ $2.57/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable
Makes them $.27 a box

Old El Paso Kit (bogo @ $2.67/2)
Use $1/2 printable or GM 8/10
Makes them $.83 a box

Entenmann's Little Bites (bogo @ $4.29/2)
Use 2 $.55/1 printable
Makes them $1.59 a box

Nabisco Honey Maid Grahams (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use $.75/2 from ss 7/27
Makes them $1.67 a box

Eggland's Best Eggs (2/$4)
Use 2 $.35/1 from ss 4/13
Makes them $1.65 a dozen

Gorton's Shrimp Temptations (bogo @ $7.53/2)
Use $.75/2 printable
Makes them $3.39 a box

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers (50% off)
Use $1/1 printable
Not sure final price, but it should be a great deal

Cheerios ($1.99)
Use $1/1 from Cheerios Challenge
Makes them $.99 a box

Old El Paso Salsa (bogo @ $2.49/2)
Use $1/2 printable or $1/2 from GM 8/10
Makes them $.74 a jar

Hamburger Helper (bogo @ $1.99/2)
Use $.75/3 from GM 8/10
Makes them .87 a box

Don't forget about the $2/gallon MILK!!

Bogo Deals W/NO Coupons:
Nature's Own Bread (2/$3.39)
Klondike Bars (2/$4.43)
Tyson Chicken Meal Kits (2/$6.59)
Tyson BBQ Pork Mini Ribs (2/$8.99)
Figs (bogo)
Pasta or Rice A Roni (2/$1.69)
McCormick Grill Mates (2/$1.99)
Prego Pasta Sauce (2/$3.39)
Doritos (2/$3.79)
Hershey's Chocolate (2/$4.99)
Azteca Tortillas (2/$1.29)
Hungry-Man Dinner (2/$3.49)
Aunt Jemima Pancakes (2/$2.57)
Pepperidge Farm 3 Layer Cake (2/$3.79)

Winn-Dixie Store Sale Ad and Coupons for 9/3-9/9

Nabisco Cookie or Cracker Multi-packs (bogo @ $5.99/2)
Use $.75/2 from ss 7/27
Makes them $2.67 a box

Cheerios ($1.98 a box)
Use $1/1 from Cheerios Challenge
Makes them $.98 a box

Kellogg's Cereal (bogo @ $4.29/2 - includes Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks or Cocoa Krispies)
Use $1/2 from Kellogg's insert 8/03
Makes them $1.64 a box

Ken's Salad Dressing (bogo @ $2.99/2)
Use $1/2 from ss 8/03
Makes them $1 a bottle

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks (bogo @ $2.89/2)
Use $.50/2 from GM 8/10
Makes them $1.19 a box

Bogo Items w/ no coupons:
Mueller's Pasta (2/$1.50)
Hormel Canned Chicken (2/$3.29)
Dole Salad Blend (2/$4.49)
Edy's IceCream (2/$5.89)
Nature's Own Bread (2/$4.29)
Doritos (2/$3.79)

How Can Anyone ENJOY Running?!!

I just don't get it. I have started running again the last couple weeks. The difference between me and "a runner" is that the ONLY reason I am doing this is for the sole purpose of losing those last 15 pounds that are haunting me.
Yet, I talk to runners who tell me how much they love running. That seems like an oxymoron to me. I do NOT get a high, I do NOT enjoy the heat, I do NOT feel more energized! All I feel is complete exhaustion and sweat!! I have to completely psych myself up for a run and remember what a fat butt I have in order to motivate myself out the front door.
So, for all you runners out there, YOU MAKE ME SICK :)