Need A New Schedule

Maybe it is because we just came home from vacation or maybe it is because I just don't know how to say no, but since I have been back it has been nonstop go, go, go!

Because it has been so busy...

We haven't had time to do schoolwork - I am not stressing too much about this because I know she is in preschool and she is learning no matter where we are; however, if I am going to make home schooling work for us I am going to have to get into a routine of setting aside certain times of the day for that purpose.  I know, I know that one of the benefits of home schooling is that you can do it whenever and wherever, but I am a schedule type girl and I need structure or it won't get done.

I haven't been able to fully implement her sticker chart for chores and rewards - Lilly has a chart that we use to reward her for doing her chores and to use as a reward in other areas also.  Currently, two areas we are working on are doing her chores with a cheerful attitude and going to quiet time without complaining or crying.  It is hard to have time for her to do her chores when we are always away from home and it is hard to have time for quiet time as well. 

We haven't had quiet time - She doesn't take naps anymore but we both still need some quiet time to just rest and be by ourselves.  Lilly doesn't quite see that she needs this time, she just thinks I want her to be lonely for an hour.  Each of the days that we have had quiet time, she has eventually had a great time playing with her toys and things.  When I tell her quiet time is over and she can come downstairs, she doesn't want to because she is having too much fun playing.

My cleaning time is out of whack - when I am not home, it is hard to clean the house.

So, because of these things (along with a few others), I have realized that I need to be home.  My family and my home are my ministry at this stage in my life.  I need to take care of it to the best of my ability. 

Christmas Homemaking

I'm not a huge "homemaker", but I do try to do things that I think will be fun for my daughter and her friends.  This year, before Christmas, we made Christmas cookies. It was store bought cookie mix, but we rolled it out with a rolling pin and cut out the shapes ourselves.  After the cookies baked, my little girl and her friends had a blast decorating them! 

Then, Lilly got to decorate a gingerbread house with her daddy.  She always has a great time with her daddy and she was very proud of the house!

On Christmas Eve, since we preparing for Jesus' birthday, we made a birthday cake and some birthday muffins.  It was the first time Lilly had helped me use a mixer and she really enjoyed it.  She really enjoyed eating them too!