Homemade Laundry Detergent � Kesner Family

Hmmm....I wonder....have you made your own detergent ever? I am really tired of the high priced store stuff, but I wonder....

Homemade Laundry Detergent � Kesner Family

Pictures of the kids

J.R. had his MRI today.  We had thunderstorms all night so two of the four were up at 3:30...and of course I was up with them:/  The alarm went off at 5:30, we rushed to get everyone ready and out the door by 6:30, dropped Caitlin by my Dad's and off to Mercy to.......wait for 2 1/2 hours....ARGH!!!  He did great through the iv and went off with "that nice lady" for his MRI.  The let us take him home shortly after and he was so drowsy still.  He slept until 4:30.  Wonder what that means for tonight?  Here's a pic I snapped of him asleep on the couch:

and some pictures I took of the kids this morning while we were waiting to leave:

I love this little purple fuzzy hairbow with the flower on it.

J.R. with poor fluff and snowball...they are in need of yet another "bath", but they still made the trip to the hospital with us and stayed by his side even when Mommy and Daddy couldn't.

He loves to have his picture taken...and has to see the picture immediately after it is snapped!

It is SO hard to get a picture of all four of them...I love even the goofy tries though.

this one is a tad bit better.

Jake is sporting his new "buzz" cut.  The boys love when Dad cuts their hair like this because it eliminates the need for a comb!

No school for the big kids today!

I LOVE it when school is out for my older sons.  Just to have them home is wonderful even if we don't do anything special.  Today probably qualifies for a "nothing special" day because of JR's fever but we'll enjoy it anyway.  I was hoping to take them to a place called Deana Rose Farmstead.  It is a FREE place in our area that is sort of like a barnyard zoo.  They have all of the barnyard type animals plus for an extra amount(not too much) you can fish, take a pony ride or go on a hay ride....I think that's all...even if you don't do the extras the kids have a blast.  Another day maybe.

I cleaned out our larger fish tank this morning and dumped the old water on our flower garden out front.  Jaker got to learn about one natural way to get rid of slugs in your flowerbed.....he salted it.  He thought that was crazy, but was pretty amazed when it worked.  I remember when we lived in Germany the rain would bring the slugs out in droves....they would cover the sidewalk and I hated to have to go out when they were out.  I think they are so gross...ewwww!!!!

Worried on Wednesday

JR is supposed to have an MRI on Friday.  Jim changed his class schedule to make sure he could be there.  Tonight JR started running a 102 degree fever.  hmmmmm....I don't know, but I suspect that they don't sedate little boys with fevers.  I will call in the morning but I suspect that we will be rescheduling the MRI.  

Home Grown Hearts: Shape Beginnings: Shape Viewers

I have seen these used on many blogs...I think this is right up JR's alley so I'm hoping to try them soon. I was amazed at how much he liked his little triangle stick puppet. He would like this even more!

Home Grown Hearts: Shape Beginnings: Shape Viewers

Magnificent Monday

On Mondays J.R. goes to preschool so Caitlin and I have Tot School without him(and then we repeat many of the activities later because he feels left out!)  So here is what I have lined up for tomorrow:

This book talks about big and little and has great pictures.

All of our caterpillar activities are downloaded from "Confessions of a Homeschooler"  She has a great letter of the week curriculum which you can buy for a very reasonable price.  She also has so many adorable free printables....here is her link to the C activities.

http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2009/10/prek-letter-c.html

I only downloaded the page without the numbers because Caitlin isn't recognizing numbers by sight yet.  I am using small foam bead for the markers and a square lacing bead that I wrote on for a dice that only rolls 1, 2, or 3.  I have to find a dice like this or a plain cube to make my own because this one rolls funny.  I don't think that Caitlin will care though.  I am trying to teach her how to play a game...taking turns, moving in order...etc.

Then it is music time...her favorite.  We have been dancing to Hap Palmer songs....I LOVE THEM...

http://www.happalmer.com/

Today we will dance to "How big is baby".  It asks questions like "is she bigger than the sea?" then no, no, no....so very cute.  We'll also dance to his version of the "five little monkeys"....just because we can:)

Next time for some edible fun with our Cheerios play book

gonna try this one with her...another caterpillar goody from Confessions of a Homeschooler...you clip the right number of clothespins onto the laminated caterpillars.

more big and little practice....throwing some medium in there too.  If its too much then I plan to cut the page apart and just do Small and Large.  Thanks again Confessions of a Homeschooler.

Workboxes for tomorrow all lined up.  I love this system and I keep the trays stacked right next to the boxes so activities that need trays will have them in a flash.  I can't believe how easy it is for the kiddos to remember not to make a mess with an activity when they have that visual and physical reminder.  What a great idea.  I just use one set of workboxes even when JR is home because I have them doing the very same thing.  

Well, that is our plan for in the morning....if miss Caitlin cooperates with it all that is.  She loves "Preschool" though so I bet we get most of it in!

Goodnight and God Bless!!

a Blessing

We just started going to a church close by our home.  Its such a blessing after spending almost a year without a church home.  Today was the first day that I got to take the older boys with me as they were with their Dad last weekend.  They seemed to enjoy their classes(I was a little worried because they were in the same sunday school class).  Tonight before bedtime Jake brought me his Bible and his Sunday school papers and asked me if I would do his daily study with him. YES!!!  Absolutely.  I love that the curriculum they use is not only fun and engaging but has a daily Bible study included.  And I am so thankful and blessed that my son who accepted Christ at the tender age of four is still so eager to learn about God's word.  Thank you Jesus!

Reading Is Fundamental | Parents | Tips

I like this. It gives helpful tips on making the most of reading with your preschooler.

Reading Is Fundamental | Parents | Tips

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: Two Caterpillar Crafts

I love these crafts. I am going to have the Gator tots make these popsicle stick caterpillars, glue magnets on the back, and give them to Grandma's and Sunday School teachers as Mom's day gifts.

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: Two Caterpillar Crafts

Giving Credit to others

So many of the things that I do with the kids I find on other people's blogs.  I have to find a way of remembering which ones so that I can link to them when I use them....hmmmm....I am sorry if I didn't give you credit for a great idea I borrowed, as I come across them again I will be sure to link you:)  I am so thankful that so many mom's share their journeys!