Weekly Wrap-Up ~ Happy 4th of July

From the Heart ~

We are gearing up for our last 3 weeks of summer break. They are going to be busy weeks. This coming week, the boys will be in their Tomatis loop (8 days of auditory therapy to help with sensory issues). The week after that, we will also be caring for my friend's baby, 24/7 for 5 days. The final week before school starts is filled with doctor appointments and, hopefully, more free swimming lessons. I am excited about starting our next adventurous year. I just have one more order to place for the last of our school supplies. The kids are starting to crave a more stable routine, as well.

On the Homefront  ~

I am busy, busy, busy organizing everything in sight. The book shelves, art shelves, my closet and kitchen are done. I am also trying to do a little bit of baby proofing for my friend's sweet baby. She is just about to start  crawling so should not be too much of a handful. LOL!

Learning Time ~

The kids are getting restless without school projects, so I started adding in some science this week. The favorite project was waking up the dinosaur plant. This prehistoric plant can lay dormant for up to 50 years without water. All you do is lay it on some lava rocks and add water. It turns from looking dead to fully alive and growing in just 3 hours. We have had this plant for 10 years, and we wake it up every 3 or 4 years.

Also, the children are making real progress with Little Red Riding Hood's bird. She was not hand-raised, so we have had our work cut out for us when it comes to socializing her. She is now much easier to handle and is biting less often during her flight time.

Living Frugally ~

This week's groceries came up to $98. Not shown in the photos are a package of nitrate-free hot dogs, ranch dressing, earth-friendly charcoal, organic soda (six pack), organic corn chips and 1 pound organic ground beef.

 

Menu ideas ~

Dinners - Turkey sausage with noodles and veggies, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, ground chicken meat balls with rice/bean dish, chicken salad, and chef salad (with chicken and eggs crumbled on top)

Lunches - Peanut butter sandwiches, salads, organic mac and cheese, leftovers, and corn chips with homemade salsa

Breakfast - Oatmeal or gluten-free cereal, raisin toast, watermelon, fruit, apple slices spread with peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs

Snacks - Organic fruit rollups, watermelon, pretzels, banana bread and homemade popsicles

4th of July - Hamburger cookout with chips and watermelon. For the downtown fireworks, we will take organic soda, mini M&M's, and cold hot dogs. That should save us loads at the food stands.

Summer Fun ~

We will be going to the fireworks downtown tonight. They have a nice display of fireworks and free moon bounces for the kids' entertainment. Also, just getting to stay up that late for our kiddos is a real treat and a bit of a trial. We have found that taking protein to the event helps them make it through those long extra hours. Our kids go to bed at 7:30 most nights so 10:00 pm fireworks and then walking back to the car is pushing it. The kids wanted to camp again, so we set up the tents in the back yard to fall into when we get home. LOL

Tom Sawyer wanted to make his own t-shirt for the 4th. Didn't it come out great?!

Blessings, Dawn