2nd Annual A Day at the Races!

For my homeschool meet-up group, I coordinated our 2nd "A Day at the Races"...yes I gave it an official name.  I should make t-shirts next year.....anyways, last year was fun and this year was just the same. 

A total of 26 kiddos participated and there were many little's just playing on their own.  It was a beautiful morning to be outside! 

I planned a total of 7 games.  If you are ever coordinating a similar event here are a few ideas...easy, but the kids had a good time:

1.  Kick a ball around the cone and back...easier said than done for a lot of the kids.  The bouncy ball (and tall grass) didn't help.
2.  Put a cone on your head and walk to the cone and back.
3.  Simply run to the cone and back.
4.   Put on a helmet and hold a spoon with an egg on it...with a partner.  The egg drops...so does the helmet.  Tricky.
5.  Four people grab a hold of the corner of a towel and run together...but they must keep a ball in the towel the entire time.
6.  Hide eggs in the field.  Each takes turns to find an egg.  After all of the eggs are collected, the team receives point totals for the eggs.  For example pink eggs might be worth 2 points, yellow only 1.  The team with the most points wins that game.
7.  Hide a whole bunch of random objects around the field...shovels, shoes, eggs, balls, flags etc.  The team captain reads off an item and the kids take turns finding the specific item. 

Here is a little picture recap of the morning events!  (thanks Donna R for taking some great photos!)

Me...getting the groups ready to go!

All smiles!

Love this pic of Miss Farrow!

Big kids helping little kids...so sweet!

Cheering on their team!

Joc walking with a cone on her head.

Easton doing the same.

Towel run!

Easton is so cute in his pink helmet....:)

Joc and her friend Gracie getting ready to go!

He found where a spot where he belongs...dirt!

Adding up the point value of their eggs!

Kickball!

Just running!

A fun day at Camp Oasis!!

On Monday, Camp Oasis hosted a fun camp day for homeschoolers!  Around 100 homeschoolers were able to attend...including ours!  Everyone had a blast...even though it was a long.hot.day!

The day was packed with lots of different activities for the kids to do!

 and me in the end....ouch!

Mission Accomplished!:)

I decided to be wild and crazy last December and sign up for Lincoln, Nebraska's half marathon.  This is an event I have seen on TV and in the papers.  I have heard stories from friends about how much fun it is.  I...(and 10,000 other people) filled up the registration spots in less than 15 hours.  If it filled up that fast...it must be the "have to participate in" event. 

My longest run up to that point was 8 miles.  I knew I had some major training to do.  I needed to build strength, work on speed, and work on hills.  I had a wide open schedule starting in February and my training plan was set!   I don't want to have any excuses except I am proud at how the 1/2 marathon turned out for me.  I know I could have trained harder and better.  I know I could have been more careful climbing retaining walls and not have sit out of training for a few weeks.  I know I could have probably pushed myself a lot harder today...but you know what...I did it! 

I can now say I ran a 1/2 marathon!  

Some fun (or not so fun facts about the 1/2 marathon)!  Just so I don't have to repeat myself a million times...and in case anyone wants to train with me next year....

-This morning was friggin cold.  The entire run was pretty chilly!  Thank goodness for my jacket!  I was really surprised that my arms remained pretty frigid through out the race.

-Friends and family are pretty sweet to see along the way.  They really kept me going!  Really.  My first friend was supposed to be a mile 2.5 but came down with the stomach bug...boo!  My next was at mile 5 and then my family was at mile 6!  Oh how good it was to see them.  My hubs passed me a snack and I kissed each of them and went on my way.  I then got a well needed high 5 from my chiropractor at mile 7 and then some friends were stationed at the top of "the hill".  Their hugs!  So nice!  They passed me off my 2nd snack!  I then got some cheers from my chiropractors secretary.  So if you are planning on running a long race....find out where friends will be!  It really keeps you going!

-There were all sorts of things that people gave out...I did not partake in any of them (except for one).  People gave out jelly beans, snacks, ice-pops, alcoholic shots, water, orange juice, donuts...but the best thing was kleenexs!  I wore my friends handana so that helped (thanks Megan for letting me snot it all up), but a fresh kleenex was the.best.thing.ever!

 -Pacers are my friends.  I started off with the 2:45 pace group.  I looked at their split times and said to myself...I got this this.  Um...well they took off in the wind...I wanted to pace myself a bit slower I guess.  I felt like I was going fast...maybe because there were a lot of walkers.  Then the 2:50 passed me at mile 6.  Darnit.  I still had to go to the bathroom.  If 2:55 tried to pass me...I was going to freak out.  If 3:00 even attempted to get close...I was going to trip them.  Well probably not really...but it would have been tempting....but I would have probably been DQ'ed.   So at mile 10 ish...the 2:55 pacer came up on me.  I told him quiet clearly that he was NOT allowed to pass me!  He asked me what my goal was and I said anything under 3:00.  He assured me if I stuck with him he would get me there.  Sure enough, he kept a close eye on me and when I slipped behind me, he kept track of me until I made it back up.  The other girl pacer was also encouraging.  I passed them at the last mile and finished right at 2:55!  Woot!

Me at 6.1!

 -I will not be walking normal for the next few days.  My body feels pretty good except for my lower back area.  My feet don't really hurt...thanks to great socks, body guide, AND great running shoes.  My lower legs don't hurt (right now)...I am surprised because that was my biggest concern because I have a knot from my retaining wall accident that still sits on my leg.   I have lower back spasm issues so I am really not surprised.  Spending my Christmas money on a massage tomorrow night...maybe they can work out the kinks!?!  I hope so!

-My next goal-- working on my 10k pace.  That will be my sole focus this spring/summer!  I really want to participate in the Market 2 Market 78 mile relay in October...however my 10k pace needs to be under 11 mins per mile!  I have a lot of work to do....and know I can run 1 mile in under 10 minutes!  If I have come this far in a year....I can come a little bit farther over the summer!

-Will I do this next year...my husband asks?  I hope so.  I am hoping to have someone to train with next year.  The training was a bit lonely this year.  It would have been nice to have someone to run with, but I know that I was on the slow end and most of my friends are pretty fast.

Best quote of the day-- from my lovely husband--after dinner-- "Hey you better be nice to me....I had a long day!"  Um...say what?  Thanks for hauling the kids around this morning...love you!

Sweet hugs from my littles!

My new love.....you have got to read this....

*** I am not getting paid or compensated in any way for this post.  I do not sell this product.  All of my views are of my own ***

I am writing this post because I have fallen in love.  Ok....I am not talking about my kids or my husband.  I am talking about a new love in my life....if that word is too strong...I am talking about something I really, really like.  Is that better?

I first heard about Norwext last summer.  I attended an at home party of a close friend.  Unfortunately I was the only one in attendance and I didn't fully understand how the product worked after I had left.  Maybe it was my fault that I didn't ask a lot of questions.  The Norwex gal was newer with the company, so maybe she just didn't know.  Anyways, to make a long story short.  I bought a few of their more popular items.  I had no clue how to use them.  My husband made me throw one of them away and that was the end of the story.  

Fast forward a bit.  A week after my husband made me throw away one of the items I bought...I was a bit bummed...but totally understood why he made me....another friend invited me to another Norwex party.  She guaranteed that this gal knew her stuff and I would be amazed at how well the product worked.  Believe you me....if I didn't already have a full-time job of raising 4 kiddos, homeschooling, and a traveling husband, I would be selling this stuff.

So what is Norwex? Why did my husband make me throw away part of my first purchase? Why do I like it so much?

Norwex is a line of cleaning products like towels, rags, scrub brushes, mops etc.  Boring I know...but read on.  You will fall in love as I did.

Norwex: (straight from their catalog in bold)

-Saves your health-- with products, you don't breathe, touch or ingest harmful chemicals.  You simply use water and create a cleaner, healthier personal environment.

Yep--- I just use water to clean...except in my toilet bowls.  I was talking during that part of the presentation....oops.  Norwex has something separate for toilets.  No more special granite cleaner.  No more windex for our glass. No more yucky vinegar & water odors (or bleach...if you use that).  No more special stone cleaners.  No more pinesol for the floors.  No more swiffer spray and pads.  No more 409.  No more Pledge for dusting.  Nope.  Nothing.  Nada.  No more sprays...except toilet bowl cleaner. 

-Saves time-- Norwex products decrease cleaning time by 75% or more.

Believe you me, I do not have a lot of extra time.   By the time I am done teaching the kiddos, working out, and taking a shower we are hitting almost husband coming home time.  Norwex has saved me a ton of time.  I don't have to wait for sprays to set.  I don't have to take the time to even spray anything.  I don't have to go to where I store my little caddy full of sprays...that is now gathering dust.  Oh wait, I am 100% confident in my girls cleaning all.3.bathrooms.all.by.themselves.NOW!  Woohoo! (with the exception of the toilet cleaner)

-Saves money-- An average household spends $600-$800 a year on chemical cleaning products and supplies.  By using Norwex  products you can realize up to a 90% savings!

The prices for their products are bit higher than going to Wal-mart to purchase a mop or a towel...however in the grand scheme of things, if you take care of the products like the directions say...they will last a long, long time.  You will not be spending the extras for all of your home cleaners or extra paper towels.

Why is Norwex different from products in the store?

Norwex is made of fine, fine, fine microfibers and silver.  The silver traps bacteria from your counters, windows, floors etc and suffocates them.  Research what silver does...it is fascinating.  

What I use:

I honestly could have purchased 99.9% of the items that Norwex sells....however that would make for a really unhappy husband.  I don't get it though...doesn't he want a clean home??  So I purchased the most popular items that I have found very useful for our home.  I will share a little bit about how they have helped me!

These first two items are at a minimum of what will help you around the house.

Enviro cloth-- This is the basic, must have product from Norwex.  This is also the item that I really did like, however my husband made me throw it away.  It turns out that you can not wash it with other towels or clothes.  Oops.  It just clogs up the towel and then makes it all nasty and smelly.  I had no clue. Now that I have been educated on proper washing techniques, my husband graciously allowed me to purchase 2 new ones.  One to clean all of our bathrooms and mirrors and another solely for our kitchen table.  Again, I just use water on all our surfaces and this cloth goes to work.  It is amazing.

Enviro cloth (green) and polishing cloth (purple)

 Wanna hear something gross...you can technically go from cleaning around your toilets and then clean your kitchen counters and the nastiness does NOT transfer.  True story.  But psychological, people just wouldn't do such a thing.

On my granite, I used special granite spray and a paper towel (per the bottles container) it always left the linty stuff from the paper towel...no more linty stuff!

I have also used the enviro cloth to clean our couch...it looks practically brand new now and to click up an old backpack.  Took the stains off with just water! I haven't tried it on carpet but a friend of mine was able to clean up old stains.

Window/polishing cloth--  This was another item that I bought at the first party, but had no clue how to use it.  I was using it all wrong by wetting it down.  Turns out you don't have to do that at all.  After I use my enviro cloth to clean the nastiness off my windows, tables, and mirrors I follow up with this cloth.  Let me tell you I have never seen my bathroom granite so shiny and my mirrors so clean.  It is craziness. 

Dusting mit-- I also didn't get this at first....but now I do.  I like wood furniture shiny.  The dusting mit picked up all of my dust just fine...without spray, but I missed the shiny.  Duh.  My window/polishing cloth now solves that problem.  Wish I would have known.  It is so easy that my girls can now dust...and I don't have to worry about the spray going everywhere and making our floors slick.

Kitchen cloth & Towel--  I use this exclusively for our kitchen counters and the towel for drying our counters and little hands.  No more special expensive quartz cleaner for me!  Woohoo!

Dish Cloth (red), drying cloth (blue), another enviro cloth (yellow)

Dish cloth-- It is 100% nylon.  I no longer use a kitchen scrub brush.  This little towel has been great in cleaning out caked up pots and pans.  I can easily scrub a dish down.  I used to have to pull out an SOS pass for grimy pans...no more of that!

Facial cleaning towel--  I won this at the second party I attended.  I was the first to volunteer to wash off my make-up in front of my friends...and I got to take the towel home!   Since using this towel...oh my word.  I don't have that oily look on my in the afternoon...I haven't even used face wash since winning this.  Another product I don't have to buy anymore.

Superior Mop Collection--  This was a big splurge for me.  I am a cheapskate at heart.  It is taking me a bit longer to figure out how to use it, but I am learning.  I have been so used to using a broom to sweep our floors that with this mop there is a telescopic handle and you don't need to use the broom motion.  You just glide like a mop. The extra long pad can be flipped up so you don't have to clean your baseboards separately.  Most of the yucky stuff like pet, dirt, crumbs, and people hair cling onto the dry mop pad, but I still have to use a little broom for the extra rocks and larger items when I am done dry mopping.  Afterwards I just use a little plastic dog brush that I already had and clean it off on the back porch.  For mopping I wet down the wet pad and use a figure 8 motion for ample cleaning.  I have a spray bottle of water and just spray my floor and go to town.  It works really well.  No more swiffer spray for me!  That stuff is expensive.

Stock photo (mine is garage and this is a much better picture)

There are so many other products that I still have on my wish list...like a bathroom scrub mitt that supposedly removes hard water on shower doors with a simple swipe...and I would love to try their hair turban that is supposed to removed 70% of the water in your hair within 10 minutes...would definitely save time on blowing drying and not dry my hair out so much.

If you are interested in Norwex, consider stopping by on Friday, May 10th at 7pm.  A Norwex consultant, Melissa, will be sharing more details about these wonderful products.  I will provide some yummy pinterest inspired goodies and drinks.  Come to socialize.  Come to be inspired to clean your home without the chemicals.  Come for a break from your kiddos.  Bring a friend or two or three.  E-mail me for more address details.

You can check out Melissa's facebook page and there is a link to her Norwex website under her "About" info.  Click: HERE.

2 more weeks....yikes!

 

Two more weeks to go before I attempt to sleep through the night and then wake up to run my first 1/2 marathon.

I started training back in February.  I was super excited to have a plan to follow.  I knew if I stuck to the plan I would feel fully prepared to run the 1/2 marathon...and not completely die in the process. 

Well I haven't died...but I don't feel like I have done my best for training for this big day. 

I know for some, running a 1/2 marathon is like a walk in the park.  No brainer.  Easy to prepare...easy to run.  This is kind of a big deal for me.  I went from not being able to run a full mile without practically hyperventilating...1 year ago....to attempting to run 13.1 miles. 

Training has been harder than I thought it would be.  The weather has thrown in a few wrenches.  My husband has traveled more than I had anticipated...and I had a slight accident with a retaining wall that set me back a bit a few weeks....and my leg isn't 100% completely healed.  10 miles will probably be the most I will actually run in preparation for the big day.  I am hoping to run the last 3.1 miles using adrenaline reserves from who knows where.

Thank goodness though for the Y.  I have been able to leave the kids in the daycare for up to 2 hours to run a bit outside.  Thank goodness for Saturday naptimes and a few nice weekends where I could get a few long runs in.  Thank goodness for our indoor bike.  When I can't go out to run sprints/hills/or even a mile, I try to do 10-20 miles on the bike.  I know that isn't the same as running, but it is something.  Today I biked for 47 miles, because I couldn't work up to being gone for 3+ hours to get an 11 mile run in. 

I am scared about running 13.1 miles.  I am worried that I will fail and not make it to the finish line.  I am worried that I will fail myself and my family.  I wish I had someone at my pace to run with, to help give me the extra boost, but I don't know anyone at my pace.

So wish me luck as I finish the last few weeks of training.  Let me know if you will be some where on the 1/2 marathon route so I can look for you...if you are still around when the slowsters come through.  I might need a hug or an extra push to keep going.

9 practices of the Proactive Parent!

This is review four from the workshops I attended at the Nebraska Christian Home Educators conference.  If you missed the first three, click on my blog header and scroll down:)

This workshop was presented by Dr. Steve Scheibner.  I really, really enjoyed his message and hearing about his family & life.  I am going to include a 15 minute video clip at the end of this review.  It is a powerful story about 9/11. 

His wife, Mrs. Megan Scheibner, also presented many workshops.  I unfortunately didn't go to any of her's.  But I heard they were good...so if you went...think about writing a review for me to post.  :) Would love to hear about it.  I am reading her book:  A-Z Guide for Character Healthy Homeschooling.  It is a brand new book and was hot off the presses at the conference. 

You can find more about their ministry at http://characterhealth.com. 

Nice Practices of the Proactive Parent:

The main point I took away from this workshop was--

Don't keep your fingers crossed that things will change or go the right way.  (in regards to raising your children).

He used an example of the hail mary pass in football.  Are we taking chances with our kids and hoping by a miracle they will be ok?

Everything needs a foundation.  Think about if you were building a house.  Without a foundation, your house will just fall to pieces.

Everyone needs a foundation= Christ.  Without him.  You have nothing.

99% of the parenting advice out their (books, lectures, expert opinions) goes after the symptoms of how to raise a child.  We need to go after the disease.

He covered the 3 Pillars of Parenting:

1.  Consistently elevating virtues above feelings.

I know my kids are young and it may get a bit harder when they are older, but what this means is that I want to build a foundation in them that good moral standing is more important that hurting someones feelings.  If we follow what the Bible has laid out to us, we may get our feelings hurt along the way, but what is more important...straying from the word of God or keeping on the right moral path?

1 Peter 1:5-8

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  Making God look great!

Don't be a stumbling block to the process.  Provide your kids with the tools and knowledge to living a Godly life.

Matthew 22:36-39

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is this, love your neighbor as yourself.

1 Corinthians 10:31

 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

3.   Train children to be a blessing to others.

Teach your kids how to serve others...not just think about themselves.   I remember a time when we were at a friends house for lunch after church.  Their teenage daughters (without even a prompt from their parents) knew how to serve.  They were hospitable and took care of what their parents were not able to do at that very moment.  Loved seeing this.  This family is a family that I look up to while we raise our kids.  I want my girls especially to serve like they serve others.

The Parenting Progression:

Obedience ----> Responsibility -----> ownership

Insist they do things around the house...even though it might be more work to teach them.  You are robbing them of the privilege and character development.

Disobedience ----> irresponsibility  ---> entitlement

The variable equation is the parents.  Are you teaching your kids that they are entitled to things...that they do not deserve?  When they are irresponsible and disobedient?

Insist on first time obedience.  

The Motivation Model:

As a motivator, the fear of punishment is only as effective as an individual love of virtue.  

Think about when someone does something wrong...steals, cheats, etc.  Would they do it if they knew for sure they would get caught?  That is why we should teach our children virtues.

Preferring Proactivity:

You know the tree by their fruit, just as you know people by it's fruit (parent's offspring).  Grow in Christ.  Be someone who is trying to become more like the image of Christ.  

Don't be reactive--- high degree of anger, stress, manipulative, inconsistent, moody, a bad decision maker, panic, anxious, impulsive, full of expectations, a victim, pointing blame.

Be reactive-- positive, loving, encouraging, consistent, calm, peaceful, joyful, patient, gentle, faithful, a problem solver, and able to control one's self.

That is all I have for this workshop.  They talk so fast it is hard to get everything down.  If you attended and have anything else to add...feel free to add it the comments section.

And the video I promised you!

 

Getting Kids to Help at Home!

This is my third review from the workshops I attended at the Nebraska Christian Home Educators Conference.  To read about the other two, click on my blog header and scroll down!

This workshop about how to get kids to help at home was presented by Vicki Bentley.  If you missed my intro to Mrs. Bentley in another review, she is a mom of 8 girls and a foster mom of over 50.  She has homeschooled since 1988.

This was a great workshop on why it is important to get your kids to help at home.
I have heard many excuses...and I have my own at times...

It is easier & faster to do things on my own.
My kids are too busy.
They are too young.
Their friends don't have to help out...I hate to make mine.

Mrs. Bentley starts off by telling us we should set goals for our house.  Do we want productive citizens of society, or do we want our children to go away without the skills that it takes to run a household?

Here are some highlights from her presentation:

• We need to tell our children what we expect.  We can't just assume they are going to pick up their room...the correct way.  We need to be specific.
• Put expectations into writing or on visual cue cards.  For example: Before breakfast you need to make your bed, get dressed, feed the cat etc.
• Don't put up with sulking, pouting, whining, or complaining.
• Do things together, so your child can learn from you.  Don't just say, go clean the bathroom and expect them to know how to clean it the correct way.  Do it while explaining how to do it.  It may take months for a child to properly do a chore/task.
• Make sure they do a thorough and complete job. Check their work.  Have them correct their mistakes and don't finish the job for them.
• Make sure your kids are diligent.  A constant effort or exertion to accomplish what is undertaken.  Don't let them give up if they can't do something the first time.
• Assign responsibilities if you have to.  Can be weekly, monthly, or even yearly chores.  Have a chore jar for once a year chores.  
• Kids shouldn't expect an allowance for messes they make.  It is ok to give an allowance for extra above and beyond chores.
• Make a tidy list.  When I stand in the doorway and look at the room it is a pleasant place to be.
• Teach your kids to take care of a home and assume responsibility.
• When they are older, try out zone cleaning.  For example, for this month Susy is responsible for the kitchen zone.  Peter is responsible for the garage zone etc.
• To make it easier for the child to succeed with chores, have a place for everything so they can know where to put things back.
• Teach them that if you don't have time to do it right, you don't have time to do it over.
• If they need awards or stickers, go for it.  Whatever you motivates your child.  You can eventually wean them from these rewards.

In my own home, I have been involving my kids with chores.  I don't clean their room for them. They are required to help with tasks around the house...emptying trashes, doing dishes, feeding the cat/dog, letting the dog out etc.  I am starting to teach my girls how to clean the bathrooms (alone...yay!!) now that I am using a water only cleaning method...and no chemicals to worry about.  I get a bit of whining from a certain 5 year old at times, but as she realizes the whining gets her no where and actually adds to her workload, I am seeing it much less...for example she whined about cleaning up the cat litter...oh well then if you like it so much, you can do it for the next 3 times.  That'll teach her:)

Another great idea that she brought up, was if you feel like you have to give your children allowances, do it for extra task that aren't the normal things they have to do.  At the end of the week give them a set amount of maybe $5.00 or whatever works for you. If you asked child X to do something and they passed then you asked child Z to do something...you take away $ from child X to pay child Z.  They'll learn with time that it isn't very much fun paying a sibling!  Great tip!  Not thinking we will go the allowance route, but if we ever do...I will have to keep this in mind!

Here are a few verses from the Bible about helping:

Galations 6:9-  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Proverbs 16:3-  Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.

Read Proverbs 4.

Colossians 3:23-  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Proverbs 22:6- Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

 Proverbs 29:17- Discipline your children, and they will give you peace they will bring you the delights you desire.