DIY paper pot

when you don't have a pot to put your newly found treasure in, you make one!

 

here's an easy diy paper pot.

 

- turn the paper bag inside out (i gently rolled it outward).

- depending on your plant size, fold the bag inward to the desired height.

- have some fun painting it whatever color(s) you desire.

 

 

 

DIY Geo Inspired Planter

school is out and we are so excited to enjoy the summer! now that my schedule is a little more open (as open as it can get with 4 kiddos), i have a handful of DIY projects i want to do. 

it can get frustrating when i have all these ideas in my head but can't implement them because of a busy schedule. hopefully, i can get through some of them since the craft itch can be soothing and inspiring.

with this little project i had all the supplies at home--i love when that happens! geometric decor has been lovely to see, so i put together a quick geo inspired planter. it added something new to the place, AND in my case, it was totally free! now, let's pray my plant don't die!

what you'll need:

-plain clay planter

-painter's tape

-paint with paint brush

i taped around the vase. just make sure there's no open spaces so the paint don't seep through. i painted, let it dry, then repainted again. i did about 4 coats just to make sure it was thick enough--depending on the paint it could be less coats. once it is completely dry, remove the tape slowly, making sure you press down on the painted part while pulling tape. i accidently tore too quickly and some paint came along with it...i had to repaint that area :/

DIY Patterned Wood Wall Boxes

Had plain wooden boxes in the kids room but they looked too, blah. Decided to draw some simple, kid, neutral patterns--since the kids share a room. Easy, cute, and cheap :)

What you'll need:

-plain wooden boxes

-ruler

-sharpie

Then design whatever your little heart desires!

Around Here #2

During family pictures, the kids thought this would be hilarious :)

City peering out as our kids and neighbor kids play outside.

When I was sick with mastitis.

Getting ready for the beach.

We needed a clothes rack. Found instructions for a cute DIY pipe rack! Didn't know it would cost $125! No thank you, just got an IKEA one for $10. So cute though :/

Kids playing with our neighbor kids.

Enjoying the fresh air.

After putting Jordyn down for a nap (I put her to sleep on my chest:) and City, I gave them both a bath.

Around Here

Mismatched socks.

Key's succulent. A gift to make her feel better.

Making her bed.

Kid's art gallery right outside my bedroom door.

Getting ready to go see the doctor. The amazing Dr. Florence Lyn!

Succulents in wine corks. From this gal for my birthday.

 My triangle that makes me think of this and thanks to this post. Christmas all year long!

Homeschooling 

(with a 7 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old and 6 month old)

7:30AM Wake up and get ready

7:45 Head to track to work out while everyone is sleeping

9:30 Get back from working out 

9:30 Feed City and feed kids 

10:00 Have kids do beds and clean up and i try putting City to. She doesn't want to sleep yet. 

10:30 Start Rock's school, typically math while I make my protein shake. Drink that quickly.

11:30 feeling stressed since Rock's taking too long to go through his math pages. Depending on how challenging it is, he can breeze through it or take awhile. City begins to get mildly fussy. Help Story draw her dolphins onto transparent sheets

11:35 City s cranking and needs to sleep now. If Rock is done I give him a break while I put City down.

11:50 I read and do reading comprehension exercises with Rock and Key. Rock does dictation exercises.

12:00PM He reads independently Magic Tree House book, while I shower. Key plays with sister Story.

12:20 I prepare their lunches. 

12:25 Rock takes a break

12:40 They begin eating. City wakes up and has a dirty diaper.

12:45 After washing City I set her down in her playpen while I scarf my lunch up.

12:50 Tell kids to please stop talking and eat their lunch.

12:55 No more talking until lunch is eaten.

1:00 Story takes her nap or rests while I begin work with Key and Rock. I nurse City.

1:05 Key does her math I have prepared in her notebook. (9+5=?) and Rock works on his spelling list.

1:25 I start Classical Conversations cirriculum, beginning with geography. We sing and do map work according to week. City is becoming more restless. She needs a nap.

1:35 I try putting City to sleep. She fights. 

1:40 I nurse City she finally sleeps. I put her in her crib. Kids are finishing up map geography work. 

1:45 Listen to history sentence and sing song according to week. Test each individually to see if they memorized info of subjects.

2:00 Rehearse english, latin, and science songs

2:25 Break. I need a break.

2:30 Kids want to me to read them a book.

2:35 Rock and Key fight. I step in and talk to both about their heart issues. On bad days I just want them to stop fighting! And I don't draw them out as I should. 

2:40 Key and I go through phonics book while Rock does his phonics reading

2:55 City wakes up and is talking in her crib. Buys me some time!

3:00 I ask Key to please wake up Story. She lingers in her bed.

3:10 Key and Rock recite their two poems they are working on. City becomes a little restless.

3:20 I get City and change her dirty diaper. Key takes a break. Rock practices piano.

3:40 Story asks for a snack, I tell her fruits and veggies are available. Rock begins to draw and practice penmanship.

3:45 Story and Key draw and make a huge mess in the living room floor. I nurse City.

4:00 Do Language lesson on commas in dates. I write up sentences for him to copy. Put City in her high chair.

4:25 Rock and Key go over Classical Conversation tutorials (science, history, geography, math, latin, english, and timeline) on iPad. Story plays upstairs or listens to tutorials to. She sings along since she knows the songs. I get City out off her high chair and play with her on my bed.

4:45 Break. I begin their pre-dinner. I nurse City and put her in her playpen.

5:00 Give them a pre-dinner since we'll be at Rock's game (P.E.) 

5:30 We get ready to leave. My Lovely comes home and takes over a bit after he settles in.

5:45 I nurse City before heading out.

5:50 We pack in the car and head over to the park to engage and love our neighbors.

7:10 Get home and bathe kids or they bathe themselves while I just bathe Story and City.

7:30 They eat a fast dinner. I nurse cranky City.

7:55 They do their bathroom routine (brush teeth, potty, etc) and get ready for family worship.

8:05 Family worship. PJ reads to us and we pray together.

8:25 Kids are upstairs in bed. PJ blesses them. I nurse City and put her to bed.

Some days differ greatly, other days, the schedule is as such. I left a lot of things out--I basically just gave a quick homeschooling overview. Typically, we'd like the kids in bed at 7:45pm but since some days Rock has practice or games, we have to adjust. 

Homeschooling is indeed hard work but still fun! Why do we home school? Here's a few reasons why...

The 22 Rules Of This House

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we accept their apology. 
9. When someone asks for forgiveness, we forgive them. ***
10. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
11. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
12. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
13. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
14. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
15. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
16. When we open something, we close it.
17. When we take something out, we put it away.
18. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
19. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
20. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
21. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
22. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

My Lovely found this helpful list, which in a nutshell explains the way we try to conduct our home, by God's grace! Living as a family is not easy and requires communication and healthy boundaries, right?  A great list to have! We have it printed and in our kitchen. I'd like to write Bible verses to coincide with each boundary, as a reminder to myself, PJ and the kids, that God loves us and wants us to be happy in Him and it's clear through his Word.

It's originally from here by Gregg Harris (Joshua Harris' father). 

***Number 9 was added because we make a big emphasis on using biblical language when we sin against each other. Sorry's are for mistakes, and asking for forgiveness, is for sin.  

DIY tent

They love snuggling in their tent together :) Story gets the privilege of sleeping on her mattress in the tent. Having three kiddos in a room is do-able! I like hearing them talk before they sleep. I like singing their individual hymns to them while the others listen.

The tent is pretty self explanatory. There's tons of DIY tents out there. One thing I did differently, is I crazy glued pieces of rubber band (that I cut into strips) onto the ends of the wood polls so they wouldn't slip. I haven't sewed a particular fabric together yet. Still thinking-- I'd like the kids to draw their own house, so we'll see what we come up with. The sheet is supported onto the polls with big (really big) paper clips in the mean time :)

Smile Moment

My night stand makes me smile. Found this gal at the thrift store! Sweet thrifty find, huh?

Thrifty Finds

Got this little treasure in Prescott, Arizona.  While visiting there, the Nepo's took us to their downtown antique shops.  I first saw a pretty turquoise typewriter (exactly the same) for $40, the next day, I found this typewriter at the Thrift store for $6.  Whatta steal!

A few weeks later, I got another typewriter treasure!  I'll share another time.

Please have a seat...

I've had these dirty chairs I inherited from my mother, but I never could find fabric of my liking, and I also just stopped looking.  After moving I was forced to do something with them, since I was getting rid of a lot of stuff, and tossing them did cross my mind.  I'm glad I didn't because now they look a lot better!

I took a look at IKEA's textile selection and they were impressive with a great price.  Even now I'm not sure if I got the one I really wanted, but it doesn't matter now-- they look cute and comfy.

Smile {This Moment}

when our home is invaded with black birds!  Well, not like birds from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," but cute paper birds on a wire.

Halloween makes our family giggle.

Happy Friday Y'all!!!

Thrifty Finds-Craigslist

Wanted a bench near our door so people can kick off their shoes and store them right underneath.  I originally wanted to go to a local school and ask if they're selling, or giving away any benches (doesn't hurt to ask) but never got around to it.  SO of course restored to good'ol Criagslist and got me a deal!  $10 for a good lookin', long, narrow bench.

Kicking off my shoes and storing right under.

Book Pages

Everywhere!  I am currently in love with book pages.  If you are too, grab your books and tear off the crisp pages and tape them to the wall.  I did.

I want more to cover the wall, but I ran out.

Home

As I'm still figuring out how to make our place more homey, I already have favorite corners.  This is one of them.

what's your favorite area in your home?

Home

Our move has been a way to start fresh.  I've been feeling more at home, which has allowed me to make it..... Just that.  

I'd still like more clocks, and a nice green plant on the left-- it's still a work in progress.