My go-to Smoothie

This is basically what I make every time because I almost always have the ingredients on hand. Unfortunately, I don't measure anything which means I get different consistencies every time. But hey, it keeps life interesting.

Ingredients:

• Water
• Vanilla Whey protein powder (one scoop)
• Variety of frozen berries (when your berries are about to go bad, chop them and stick them in the freezer).
• Banana half (also could be frozen)
• Spinach or Kale
• Dark chocolate chips
• Ice - optional (I only use this if I've put too much water in and need to thicken it up)

Directions:

Add everything into blender (I currently own the blender my parents got for their wedding 30-some years ago) in the order listed above.

Enjoy!

Some people say that smoothies are the best way to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies. I can't seem to force smoothies down their throats. Maybe they just don't like this recipe... hopefully you'll have more luck! I absolutely love this yumminess.

Christmas Crafts

The kids did a lot of crafts at Sunday School, MOPS, and random other places but I'm going to just show you what we did around here. I love that the side of my fridge is covered in glittery, Christmasy-ness!

These are simple and would be a great way to pass the couple of days next week while the kids are off school and eagerly awaiting Christmas!

The Hand Angel

We talked about the angel Gabriel coming to Mary and Joseph. We used finger paint to paint each hand then put glitter on the paint before it dried. The kids glued on cotton balls and drew their own interpretation of what an angel might look like. Jack thought it important that his had ears, while Marie thought arms and legs were essential and ears looked weird.

(I'm learning that it really is better to let the kids do as much of their own crafts as possible, even if they end up looking a little… strange. But in this case, I did quite a bit of helping with the paint because hand print crafts are dear to me, and because paint all over everything is not ideal. I still highly recommend giving your kids freedom to do their own crafts with minimal interruption from you in most cases!)

Coloring Pages

Use Do-A-Dot markers for this one.

I've mentioned before, my girl LOVES to color. HERE (within these awesome packets) are some we really enjoyed that also had more than just coloring to them.

Christmas Tree Name Puzzle

We've been working hard to help Jack learn the letters in his name. He usually recognizes his name but that's the extent of it. So when I found this idea HERE, I knew we had to do it! And I had no doubt Marie would thoroughly enjoy it.

I had Jack trace his name on the pieces (Marie wrote her name herself), and then they cut their own pieces out and glued them on. Marie spent a significant amount of time using every color of glitter we have, while Jack took about 2 minutes to decorate his.

Nativity Scene

The top picture is Marie's from 2 years ago while the bottom is Jack's he did the other day. Since he had already done two manger scenes with popsicle sticks other places, I stuck with the simple. He also loves to cut and clue, but isn't big on decorating.

Birth of Jesus Mini Book

Cutting out the pieces for this was kinda a pain, but otherwise I really liked how this helped the kids tell the story themselves. And it's super cute.

((THANK YOU to the amazing women who came up with and put together these crafts/activities!!))

Books

I highly recommend these books be read in your home every year!

• The Candymaker's Gift (I talk about this more HERE).
• The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (When the Grinch realizes that Christmas… perhaps… is a little bit more, he doesn't specify what exactly. Today we were able to talk about what "more" Christmas is really about.)
• The Jesus Storybook Bible (This is a must-have for all littles, year-round).

Merry Christmas!!

Just Do It

One of our favorite traditions is running the Turkey Stampede 10k that supports the Faith Mission. (I love that even if for some reason we couldn't run, we didn't waste our money! Love supporting an excellent cause).

I debated about doing the 10k, considering the 5k instead, because I haven't run more than once a week for months. And being pregnant, I was a little nervous about surviving. But I just hated the idea of breaking tradition. And I love impressing my husband.

This race has had obstacles for me each year… all related to bearing children! But I think that's what makes it one of my favorite traditions! It has played a huge part in teaching me that I can do so much more than I thought I could.

I first learned this concept from my other half. He's always told me (not always with sensitivity I might add) that my body can do amazing things. After the last year, I finally truly believe it. And I want so badly for you, dear reader, to believe it about yourself, too!

Do you want to be a runner? Then become a runner!
Do you want to lose weight? Then lose weight!
Do you want to be fit and healthy? Then get fit and healthy!
Do you want to be stronger spiritually, mentally, physically? Then be stronger!

I realize there are road blocks. Different for everyone. But how many are simply in your head? And how many are simply obstacles that you need to push past? work through? beat?

most of them.

I am the queen of excuses. Pregnancy makes it that much worse! But the race on Thanksgiving morning was a much needed reminder that I can do so much more than I think I can. And so can you!

Don't wait for the new year. Stop making excuses NOW.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Thai Sweet Chili Dressing

We.love.Thai.food.

This dressing was fantastic so I had to share. Your taste buds will thank me.

Original recipe found HERE.

Ingredients:

1/2 C Frank's RedHot Sweet Chili Sauce
1/4 C milk
2 T fish sauce (or soy sauce which I may use next time)
2 T lime juice
1 T peanut butter
2 cloves garlic, grated
2 tsp ginger, grated

Directions:

Heat everything in a small saucepan over medium heat until peanut butter is melted.
Let cool then pour over salad or whatever else you want to taste delicious!

Pumpkins in School

Fall is my favorite.

I loved summer this year, but probably because it was cooler most of the time!

Fall is just my favorite.

My best friend in the wide world also loves fall which makes it even more special. Every year we make sure to get together at least once and our favorite pasttime is a trip to a pumpkin patch in October. This year we got to spend a long weekend at their new house with our babies and go to a great pumpkin patch!

(Unfortunately, my computer won't upload pictures from my camera so iphone shots are all you'll get for awhile).

We plan to get together every October until the end of time :) Next time she will have her own lil pumpkin! Love you, Jamie (and Eric)!

So on to the main point of this post... pumpkins in school! For Jack we are working on "P is for "Pumpkin" for the next two weeks and since he could get most of the Letter of the Week stuff done in just a day or two, I went in search of some pumpkin fun online and found great resources for both preschool and kinder! So I had to share.

1+1+1=1 has a pumpkin coloring pack for the coloring lovers in your life. She actually has all sorts of colorings packs that I am very excited about! My Goob could color all day long.

On the same website is a couple of great pumpkin preschool/kinder packs.

3Dinosaurs has huge pumpkin packs for your enjoyment.

Don't these mommas ROCK for creating and sharing all of this for FREE??? Made my night, fo sho.

I'm sure there's lots more but I've gotta start printing and preparing for the next couple weeks. We love homeschooling around here, by the way! God has been blessing the decision to homeschool on a regular basis. The kids are doing amazing. It's not all kicks and giggles, of course, but there is an underlying joy in knowing that we're doing exactly what God has asked of us.

Happy Fall!