I remember when working in daycare, we often had a class calendar that we would work with everyday at circle time. I remember finding it very tiresome and felt it was so unnecessary. I mean, really, do kids need to know what the date is?? But now that I am into the homeschooling scheme of things I have come to recognize the importance of this in a child's life.

First of all, vocabulary. I am constantly amazed at the fact that Piper doesn't undertand certain words that I take for granted. Like November or yesterday or FRIDAY! How quickly I forget that she has only lived in this world for three years!

Secondly, I sometimes find it hard to help her comprehend why she can't go to dance class today because it doesn't happen until tomorrow. She has no concrete idea of time therefore this can become very difficult and frustrating for her! Having a calendar provides her with a visual representation of time and such abstract words as yesterday, today and tomorrow.

 Furthermore, important things such as sequencing, counting skills and letter recognition are taught and strengthened through this daily exercise!

Coming to these conclusions, I decided this was something I needed to implement in Piper's homeschooling! I went on the hunt and found a year round calendar package and we now have it posted in our kitchen. I found the calendar at Scholar's Choice in Moncton but you can also buy it here: http://childcare.scholarschoice.ca/products/Year-Round-Calendar-Bulletin-Board-Set-p2517/pstart1/  or make your own! I added velcro to the calenadar and the backs of the numbers so that there would be less wear and tear from adding and removing the numbers on a monthly basis.

 Piper loves being able to put the new number up for the day and together we repeat the day, month, date and year. We talk about what happened yesterday, what is going to happen today and what our plans are for tomorrow. We also will be putting up any special holidays or events so we can have a countdown to whatever occasion is coming up! And if you're 3, countdowns are exciting! We also sing a song about the days of the week. Songs, of course, are an extremely effective way to help kids memorize so hopefully before too long she will able to recite them!

As an added benefit, I no longer lose track of what day it is myself! :) But look out! That days of the week song is pretty hard to get out of your head...you just might be singing it to yourself for the rest of the day!

Tonight I was able to enjoy one-on-one time with my baby, Taitum. Although her and I spend every day together it is rare that we are alone. Usually, big sister Piper is around, too. I really do love the dynamics of being around both my children. They love each other so much, interact so well and the 3 of us always have a blast together. But there is also something special about being with them individually.

Often it is Piper who gets the alone time with me. She is older and so is much easier to take to the store if I need to run out in the evening for something. Plus there is more of a variety of things to take her to that just wouldn't be age appropriate for Tait. Taitum and I always have a little story and snuggle time before bed but quality play time with her alone is a rarity.

I was reminded this evening about what a delight she truly is. Not that I didn't realize this before but after having an opportunity to sit down and play with her without any other distractions, I am once again blown away by what a beautiful little person she is. She is so quick to laugh and has fun with whatever we do. We build block towers and knock them down. She puts a block in her mouth to be silly and loves when I laugh in response. We play with the pop up toy and I keep making the animals pop up quicker then she can close them. This is SO funny to her. Then I hide her stuffed cat under a blanket. She rips the blanket off and howls with laughter! I get on my hands and knees and chase her all around the house as she shrieks and giggles. Then the tables turn and she is after me, peppering me with her slobbery, open-mouthed kisses when she catches me. At her learning table she turns the music on and starts dancing, showing off with her newest accomplishment - 'twirling' around in a circle (its not nearly as graceful as it sounds but adorable nonetheless!). And of course I join in with my own amazing dance moves that make her gurgle and grin. Then to wind down we cuddle up on the couch with some books and she nestles into the crook in my arm, thumb in mouth as I read. Her thumb comes out at every page so she can point at something and ask, "Dis?".

A while ago my friend Kara posted a recipe on Facebook for baked oatmeal. I'm not a huge oatmeal fan so at first I overlooked it. But then it got some really great comments from other people so I filed it away somewhere in my little mind as being worth a try. It took me a while but finally on Friday, a very rainy, gloomy day, I decided that the girls and I needed something warm in our tummies and oatmeal sounded like just the thing! So I whipped it up, popped it in the oven and was in for a very pleasant surprise! (Not that I ever doubted you, Kara!...) It was DELICIOUS! So good that both my kids downed it in a blink of an eye! Piper's first response was not her usual "Yucky!" but "Mmmmmmm!". Music to my ears!!!

I came across the following on John Piper's site, DesiringGod.org and thought it so true and worth sharing...

An Encouragement and Precaution for Parents

Jesus tells of two sons:

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir,” but did not go. (Matthew 21:28-30)

I draw this advice for parents from these words: Do not despair of the rebel, and do not assume the heart of the compliant child is with you.
Which means practically, pray like crazy for both of them. And keep showing both of them the gospel of undeserved, blood-bought grace.

Really great advice for a Mama who might possibly have one of each! ;)

Lately I have been attempting to make yummy soup that is low in sodium. I have found that this is very hard to do! But because I read recently that installing a weekly soup night is a great money saver I've had lots of opportunity to play around with some different recipes! I have also found that making the soup the day before helps immensely with the overall flavour. There is just something about soup sitting in the fridge overnight that makes it SO much better! Here is the soup that we tried this week - Lentil, Barley and Sweet Potato Soup!

My girls really seemed to enjoy this soup. I drowned the flavour a bit by adding more broth then the recipe called for but I'll be careful to not do that next time as the underlying balsamic vinegar flavour was delicious!

I also made Cheddar Cornbread Tops which you can see in the picture. They are really yummy and very quick and easy to whip up! I like to make homemade rolls to go with our soups but sometimes just lack the time. These are the perfect alternative!
I highly recommend 'soup night'! It is not only tasty but is a great way to use up all your leftover vegetables! We also make our own broth from the chicken we cook so the cost for this meal is minimal. I don't know about you but I love finding ways to reduce our family's grocery bill!

What ways do you save $$ when it comes to groceries?

Also, what are your favorite low sodium soup recipes? I could use some new recipes to try out!

I tried several new recipes in the past few days and thought I'd share them since they are "Fall-ish". There is nothing cozier then being in the kitchen baking sweet goodies this time of year! I try not to eat too much of it so I take any opportunity I can to bake for groups of people!

Mama's little helper!

Last of all, are one my favorites - Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies! This is not a new recipe for me. I found it online last year but have enjoyed it so much, I've gotten into the habit of baking several batches each fall! Piper and I made some this afternoon for the home Bible study group that comes to our house Monday nights. Considering there were only a couple left at the end of the night, I'd say I'm not the only one who enjoys them! http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-iii/Detail.aspx