Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... sunny and hot today, after our HUGE rainstorm the other night! There were small branches all over our yard, my tomato plants were laying on their sides (although they weren't uprooted, so were fine), and at one point in the night my porch swing was swinging about 10 feet in the air. When I got up, my patio furniture was moved all over the place. The rain filled an empty mason jar that was on our back patio.

I am thinking... about all of the supplies and curriculum I am needing to buy to get us ready for school this year. Bringing Eli home brings in a new dynamic and organization will be key.

I am thankful ... that my sister and I are so close, after a childhood of not getting along AT ALL! I was always so jealous of sisters who talked on the phone and did things together, and now my sister and I are close like that.

I am wearing... lipstick and polish pajama bottoms and a hot pink tank top.

I am planning...  lesson plans, already! We officially start back to school on July 23rd, so that's not much time to get organized.
 

I am creating... a bow holder for my sister's friend and a no-sew apron for Brynne for Girls Club.

I am going... to spend the day teaching the kids about the Transit of Venus and then have friends over this evening for dinner and the viewing.

I am reading...  Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

I am hoping... that this sticky issue I am dealing with gets resolved asap so that it doesn't have to get stickier. I just want it to be done.

From the learning rooms... We are logging an official day of school today (1 of 180), with our day of learning about the Transit of Venus. We are also doing daily bible verse memorization, reading, and educational iPad apps and websites to keep our brains functioning. Otherwise, it's play, play, play!

Noticing that ... I am blessed with my life. Not many people get to do what they truly love every single day and I try not to take that for granted.

From the kitchen... Well, I'm already off my menu plan! Last night spaghetti just sounded good. And tonight we are having friends over to grill burgers and hot dogs. Oh well, at least these are all meals I had on hand.

Around the house... is laundry that needs to be done, floors that need to be vacuumed and mopped, bathrooms that need to be cleaned. Better wrap this up and get to it!

One of my favorite things... is planning fun lessons for my kids. I just heard about the Transit of Venus yesterday (yes, I kind of live in a cave), but enjoyed putting together a full day of lessons to celebrate it. I am also working on our first unit on the Olympics. And after that it will be Caves with a trip to Springfield, Missouri, to ride through Funtastic Caverns. To me, it's just fun, with a little learning involved.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tonight is the Transit viewing and dinner with friends. Tomorrow the kids and I are going to the water park. On Thursday, Brynne is starting piano lessons!!! We are hoping to get ahold of one of Eli's friends from school to come over to play one afternoon. On Friday I am leaving to go to Kansas City to help my sister get her nursery ready. Rick and the little kids are staying home. Rick's taking them to Lowe's to build a Madagascar 3 airplane on Saturday and then hopes to talk them into going to see the movie in the afternoon. I'll be home super late on Sunday night, bringing Dawson back home with me from his two weeks in Missouri working with my dad.

From my picture journal.

My new favorite thing! It holds SO MUCH! I took three dishes to a family dinner the other night. Yesterday we used it for our trip to the library and filled it with books. It's got two little velcro pouches on the inside so I can put a drink for each of the kids in it. I bought it at Aldi for $8.00. I plan to wear it completely out with use. And it's adorable.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.