Supermom Post of the Week

This year I've really been trying to keep on top of things. In addition to my incentive plans and diligent planning for the upcoming school week, I've also been trying to have the house picked up and ready to go for Monday mornings. I've been doing laundry marathons during the weekend so as to "let it go" during the week.


I don't post this to make anyone feel bad ... in fact ... just the opposite!! Because no matter how much I prepare, life happens. Case in point: Last night I swept and mopped the kitchen. I wanted to begin the week with something already done. It was a Herculean effort on my part because yesterday was our parish festival and I was there ALL DAY!! I was tired and just wanted to go to bed. But I cleaned up the kitchen, swept, mopped and even set out breakfast for the morning. When we were leaving the festival the kids were given leftover plates and plates of free baked goods. So I set them out for the morning to have with milk.


Well, school has been going great!!! Two of my kids will be done before lunch. And the baby has been cooperating with my plans. No crying or whining. In fact, where is she???

Oops! I've been caught! Let me hurry and eat some more while she takes pictures and before she brings out that vacuum sweeper thingie!!

Maybe if I smile she'll keep taking pictures and I can keep eating?
Mmmm! I need to hang around those older kids during meal times!!

Note to self: Review plate to mouth motion with children. Draw and color parts of the body, concentrate on hands and mouth.

Note to self: Review dietary guidelines with baby. Inform her that until her 1 year birthday she should avoid consuming products containing eggs, milk, and nuts. And strongly advise against products with refined sugar.

Note to self: I can't put this under "Baby Firsts" category. :-/

Note to self: At least Veronica is learning self reliance and the important skill of foraging for food.

Catherine turns four!!

Here are some pictures from Catherine's birthday over 2 weeks ago. She loves Dora the Explorer (even down to her haircut) and so we threw her a Fiesta birthday party. Along with the homemade decorations, pinata and Tejano music, we (my mil, Isabelle, Anna, Sophia, Craig and myself) rolled enchiladas to serve at the party.

**Side note** As I ate those enchiladas I was thinking of a dear friend who was busy getting ready for baby #12 that finally arrived this week!! Congrats, Sylina!!! **

Here are some pictures from Catherine's wonderful day. I just LOVE this age!

Adios!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Deja vu!!!

Random Thoughts & Doings

In case you've been wondering where I am, I've been spending lots of time homeschooling, organizing, Ebaying and Craigslist shopping (in that order).

Homeschooling
We are on week 6. Everybody is still on schedule. That in itself is a miracle. Usually, by now, we are lagging in some subjects. But, thanks to my deep concentration (i.e., no computer time) and wonderful incentive program, the kids are keeping up and we are cruising along. My incentive program is as follows:

1. Complete every subject (including piano practice & silent reading) and child visits treasure box.
2. For every book read it is entered into their book log. Book log can hold 20 books. When book log is complete child receives a $20 gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles or Half Price Books (they choose). This is for the older girls only since they are reading chapter books.
3. At the end of the quarter we go to The Castle. They give 3-5 tokens for every A. I will also give any report card with straight A's a gift certificate to store of their choice (Claire's, a bookstore, or Target).
4. For my younger kids, they get a scratch and sniff sticker after every reading lesson (100 EZ lessons and Sound Beginnings).

I've read the book Punished by Rewards. But my parents did the same with me. And until it clicks and they are working hard for education sake, I feel no shame in giving them incentives. They rare really responding with diligence.

Treasure box includes the following items: stickers, pens, little animals, religious bookmarks, gum, stationary paper/envelopes (they get 1 of each, not entire set), and other items. Although the stationary and gum seem to be the most popular. I'm ordering some religious stationary paper to include in the treasure box.

Organizing
I'm slowly working on the closets of our home. I'm trying to work on them a little each day. In the past, I used to tackle these projects with hours and hours of my time. Which led to lots of procrastination. Now, I'm using my computer time to dedicate 15-30 minutes a day to clearing out closets. My goal is to get rid of excess clothing, toys and linen.

***Ironically, while I'm decluttering I'm spending some time at the following sites***

Ebay
So far I've won 2 lots of Star Wars figurines, 2 lots of vintage Little People, and the book, Strawberry Girl, by Lois Lenski. I'm hoping to show self restraint and give these as Christmas gifts. This will mean I will have to hide the Star Wars figurines from Craig and the Little People from myself!! LOL!!

Craiglist
I bought a stainless steel dishwasher for less than $100. I also got Isabelle the cutest wicker desk for her room. I've never been a big fan of Craigslist mostly because I didn't know what to look up. Now I realize I can look up everything!! We're slowly renovating our kitchen and I'm now shopping for other appliances on Craigslist. And we'll be listing our old ones there! How fun!!

So, this is what I've been up to.

Catherine had her 4 yo bday party last week. It was Fiesta themed and I need to upload pics. But my students need my attention. Hope to get back here soon!

Picture of the day

Veronica's new favorite past time ........

Cruising in a shopping cart!!

Big sisters have ensured her safety with a helmet. The funny part is that Veronica will throw a fit if she's taken out of the cart before she's ready.

She loves to be pushed around the house. I like to think of this as sisterly bonding and NOT that mother is too busy to take her on a real walk in a real stroller! LOL!!