This is the proposed bookshelf “library” that currently holds office stuff, books, sewing stuff (also scattered all over the friggin house), works in progress, a bin FULL of picture frames, a globe, a telescope, vintage cameras, and a vintage typewriter.

another angle of the ikea expedit.

The childrens’ books that my eldest can read to herself and her sister. I’d rather use this space in their room for the impending addition to the family.

My clothing hutch, which only has clothes in the drawers because the top WAS filled (until 2 minutes ago) with old electronics boxes and other junk that had no place in my room. It has dvd box sets that I dont’ want my kids to touch, and books that are above their reading level, for me to read to them. The rest of the shelves might become my “linen closet” since I haven’t changed my sheets in forever because I can’t reach the bin in the top of my closet. So grody!

Another bookshelf in my room. The bins hold a remote controlled jeep (which is going to relocate to the kids room) and a heated blanket. The other shelves are filled with books, photo boxes, a microphone, free weights, and slippers. I’m sure I can find a better use for this space….maybe I can move it into our laundry area and use it for my sewing stuff that will be misplaced if I fill the expedit with books!

Q: What techniques do you use to handle discipline problems and keep your homeschooling on track each day?

A: The Duggar House Guidelines:

1. Always use soft words, even when you dont feel well.
2. Always display kind actions, even if you have been mistreated.
3. Show joyful attitudes, even when no one is looking.
4. Have sincere motives with no thought of self-gain.
5. Think pure thoughts.
6. Always give a good report of others. Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. Use Matthew 18.
7. Never raise a hand to hit.
8. Never raise a foot to kick.
9. Never raise an object to throw.
10. Never raise a voice to yell.
11. Never raise an eye to scowl.
12. Use one toy/activity at a time.
13. Never let the sun go down on your wrath.
14. Dont go to bed angry or guilty
15. J.O.Y. Make serving your family a priority. Put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last.

via Homeschool View | The Duggar Family on Homeschool Organization – Alpha Omega Publications.

Read more: exposure via What Goes Into Natural and Artificial Flavors? | Healthy Child Healthy World.

The girls just love it here. From the bars to the tumble track, they have a ball.

Coming soon: picture of the actual gym at renaissance gymnastics.

Because I’m pregnant, I was craving a grinder. Because I was craving a grinder, we went to the Roman Deli. Because we went there, it’s true I’m afraid, we took too long to make it to the open gym…which I suppose is ok – we do get a better deal elsewhere.

By the time we got home, everyone was cranky and I took a nap. A very long nap. I think.

Then I gorged myself on cookie dough and taught the Pumpkin about the origins of agriculture and how that created villages and cities, etc. etc.

You know what would make this post better? A video…but I can’t figure out how to embedd one, so here’s a link to what we’re covering in history this month: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/people-places-kids/iraq-mesopotamia-kids/. And a picture, so this isn’t the most boring post ever created.

This is the worst quality picture ever, but the books are gold. Absolute gold…if you’re teaching evolution, which I haven’t decided yet. So, I skipped the first half of both books and started with hunter/gatherers, aka nomads.

P.S. Don’t ever go to the library and ask for books on nomads. I got Romanian gypsies the first time.

In other news, these links are hilarious:

• The Bitter Homeschooler’s Wish List
• No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization!
• How to pronounce things hilariously

As for exercise…hello! I’m pregnant and exhausted all the time. But seriously, I started the “21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge” in which my friend Jen over at mommablogsalot.com is also participating. It’s not actually about weight loss, since that’s frowned upon during pregnancy, but about improving overall health. (For more info about exercising during pregnancy, I recommend this pamphlet: “Pregnancy and Sport : guidelines for the the Australian sporting industry“)

So far, I’m failing miserably. I think. It’s a point based contest, so let’s calculate some points and see.

• I eat at least 5 times a day (pregnant!), so that’s 20 pts right there. I honestly don’t think I got any veggies today. Actually, there was lettuce, onions, and pickles on my grinder. I’ll break out the carrots in a sec too. As for protein, I guess I could have done better. Here comes the hummus with the carrots!
• I haven’t kept track of my water consumption….but let’s assume I drank 10 cups today, which is reasonable considering my insatiable thirst.
• I get full points for sleeping too. Oh boy, do I sleep a lot!
•  I’m going to do an hour of exercise, even though I think just walking around today was exhausting. I’m going to wait for the kids to go to sleep though…which is right around the time Vampire Diaries comes on…OH NO! I better do it now then
• I didn’t lose any points for Coffee, Soda, Sweets (does cookie dough count?), Fast food, Skipped breakfast, or Refined carbs.
• I got all the bonus points for food journaling (I need to add in these carrots and hummus) and exercising (when I finish writing this).

Total: 99 (I did subtract points for the cookie dough). I guess that’s not a total failure!

My goals are to get back on the exercise bandwagon, and continue eating healthy. I took pre-measurements and pictures, but those will be private, since I’m a pregnant manatee and not expecting to drop any inches in my waistline ::wink, wink::. You can join me in the “21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge” here. The program is created by Dustin Maher from dustinmaherfitness.com and includes meal plans, recipes, ebooks, and workout videos.

That’s it for the day!
xoxo
monkE