Saying Goodbye

January 2016 started off with saying goodbye to Hannah, Zara, and Rykier. I had the awesome privilege of being Zara and Rykier's nanny since Nov. 2013.

They were so proud they did this puzzle all by themselves!

These 3 pictures are from the first month when I started watching Z and R. 

Bedtime stories with Patrick. 

Playtime with 3 kids equals a BIG MESS!!

                                    Poor Hannah being attacked by Nerf guns!! She had no idea whet she was walking into that night when she came to pick up the kids.

Story time at the library

Steven and I took all 6 kids to a baseball game in Charlotte. You can call us crazy, it's ok.

We miss you three very much and hope to see you again!! 

Day 11 The Toys Left Behind.....

Before my kids go to bed, I ask them to pick up their toysand stuff. Most of the time, like 8 out of 10, they do a good job. What what about those toys and things that get left behind?

Toys and shoes belong in the kids bedrooms. They don't belong in the living room, kitchen, hallway or bathroom. They can certainly play with their toys outside of their rooms, but at the end of the day, toys need to be put away.

So tonight I decided to go around the house and pick up what they missed. And boy did they miss alot!

 Looks like tomorrow morning rhey will empty the crate after breakfast.

Day 10 Homeschooling in the Kitchen

Some of our everyday homeschool supplies and books are kept in the kitchen. We cut an old tv stand to give us storage space. The only down fall to having this extra space is that it tends to be a catch all for everything that was on the kitchen table. 

Dinner time comes and I ask the boys to set the table and they put whatever is on the table on the school storage space. And then it looks like this. 

After about an hour and half of cleaning and purging, here is our space, all clean and organized. 

Day 9 Room to Breathe

It has been over 3 years since our home has actually had a living room. When we moved into this house about 2 years ago, Steven's computer desk was in the living room. His "office" took up most of the space. I didn't bother me, at least I didn't think it did.

Now that we have a living room, with chairs, a couch and a lovesest, I don't want to give it up again.

It is wonderful to be able to sit and read with kids or hang out and watch a movie. Not to mention that the "new to us" couch and love seat are super, super comfy!

Day 8 Gotta Let the Sillies Out

Sometimes ya just gotta toss the bedtime routine out the window and have your older brother style your hair with the vacuum! 

Day 7 How Does One Get Paid?

My boys are the at ages where they constantly want money. And around here it is not just freely given. (there are times where we have given them a couple bucks, but it doesn't happen often) Money has to be earned.

We do not pay our children for doing their chores: keeping room cleaned, making bed, dishes/trash/sweep floor. They are required to do those things because it their responsibility as members of the family. That is how they contribute.

They get paid for going above and beyond their regular chores. And they only get paid when their regular chores and schoolwork is done. Ya can't earn money if you don't have time to finish what you are supposed to be doing. Doesn't work that way.

Day 6 Meal Planning

Feeding a family of 6 is no easy task. Especially when you ask them, "what do you want for dinner?" and their reply is "I dunno" or "I don't care."

I hate menu planning, just as much as I hate grocery shopping. But thankfully I have access to the wonderful world of Pinterest and I am a Tastefully Simple Consultant. 

I do have a basic plan when planning our menu for the month. 

Sunday: crock pot meal

Monday; Mexican (because we LOVE Mexican food)

Tuesday: Dinner at Mom's

Wednesday: Pasta or soup

Thursday: Salad

Friday: Grilled

Saturday: Breakfast (because I LOVE Breakfast food)

Thursday Oct. 1

Friday Oct. 2  Carne Picada Tacos

Saturday Oct. 3  Leftovers with Shrimp

Sunday Oct. 4   Chicken Alfredo

Monday Oct. 5  Twisted Pizza Breadsticks with Salad

Tuesday Oct. 6 Southern BBQ with coleslaw

Wednesday Oct. 7  Leftovers

Thursday Oct. 8  Spaghetti w/ meatballs, garlic bread, and green beans

Friday Oct. 9 Grilled Chicken, cabbage and potatoes

Saturday Oct. 10 Breakfast burritos with fruit

Sunday Oct. 11 Simple Cassoulet

Monday Oct. 12Baked Chicken Chimichangas refried beans and rice

Tuesday Oct. 13 Dinner at Mom's

Wednesday Oct. 14 Chicken noodle Soup with biscuits 

Thursday Oct. 15 BBQ Chicken Salad 

Friday Oct. 16 Hamburgers and french fries

Saturday Oct. 17  Sausage gravy & biscuits, eggs

Sunday Oct. 18 Chicken 'n Dumplings

Monday Oct. 19 Tacos 

Tuesday Oct. 20  Dinner at Mom's

Wednesday Oct. 21 

Thursday Oct. 22  Grilled Chicken Salad

Friday Oct. 23 Steak with mushrooms and onions, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts

Saturday Oct. 24   Chocolate chip waffles, sausage, eggs 

Sunday Oct. 25  Creamy bayou bourbon chicken rice and green beans

Monday Oct. 26 Cheese'n Rice Quesadillas with added chicken and refried beans

Tuesday Oct. 27  Dinner at Mom's 

Wednesday Oct. 28

Thursday Oct. 29

Friday Oct. 30  

Saturday Oct. 31