Tonight while still putting off the majority of my cleaning because Thing 2 will NOT sleep when I need him too for more than 10 minutes, I decided to do m initial test for the 200 Sit-Up Training Program. Then I decided for some INSANE reason, I would also do the 100 Push-Up Training Program and the 200 Squats Training Program at the same time. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I promise.
Well, my abs feel fine. My arms and shoulders feel fine. So I made it through the sit ups and push ups without too much trouble. My LEGS on the other hand...
Just OW.
And for the record, I did horribly on all of them. But that's the whole point of these challenges: to get better. Right?
In other news, Thing 1 decided tonight that I would not be reading to him. He called Link to read to him instead. The current theory for reasoning is that he's trying to get us to alternate. If he asks for Link next time, we know that's not the case. (sometimes I can't do it because Thing 2 wants me and only me and wants me NOW)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Baby Legs!
I am sure many many people have heard of BabyLegs, the leggings for covering a baby's legs instead of pants. It makes diaper changes a ton easier and everything while still keeping the little one's legs warm.
Well, I made some. I used a tutorial found at http://bordersbohobaby.blogspot.com/2009/07/babylegs-baby-legwarmers.html
They are super easy even the first time you make them.
I will have to take pictures of them at some point. Just like I should post pictures of my children at some point.
Well, I made some. I used a tutorial found at http://bordersbohobaby.blogspot.com/2009/07/babylegs-baby-legwarmers.html
They are super easy even the first time you make them.
I will have to take pictures of them at some point. Just like I should post pictures of my children at some point.
Monday, October 26, 2009
And Here We Have a Wall
I seem to have hit a wall in the deep cleaning of the apartment. I knew it would happen. I am currently, slowly working my way through the living/dining room. The kitchen and bathroom are still holding out though so at least I haven't backtracked.
Thing 2 sleeps through so much that I check him all of the time to make sure he's still breathing. I wonder if I could use the shredder and have him still stay asleep...
Perhaps that is an experiment best left for a day when Link doesn't have to get up in the morning.
Thing 2 sleeps through so much that I check him all of the time to make sure he's still breathing. I wonder if I could use the shredder and have him still stay asleep...
Perhaps that is an experiment best left for a day when Link doesn't have to get up in the morning.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Active Mind + Catalog = Tons of Ideas
As I mentioned somewhere on here, we are intending to homeschool the Things. I have been researching and changing my mind 8 thousand times on different things. At first I wanted to follow the exact listings in The Well-Trained Mind. Then I realized that I wanted to be able to spend more time on certain topics, which the rotation of that particular system doesn't really allow.
So I came up with my own agenda for what to study which years. I asked Link what subject he thinks needs more emphasis, and I was surprised to hear him say Science. However, he specifically stated he thinks a more hands-on approach would be better. We never got to fully ENJOY Science because we were always being bogged down with the books. Chemistry was a fun year for me because of the experiments, but I never really understood the concepts. They didn't seem connected very well. When I took Physics... well, I am horrible with Math so it was a bad time. I managed to pass thanks to a couple friends who would dumb things down for me and explain them in less mathematical terms.
At any rate, he and I discussed it a bit more. I explained how Science was laid out in The Well-Trained Mind, and he said he specifically thought more time should be spent on Biology. Because soooo many things are covered in Biology, he thought that the approach in the classical system wasn't good enough. (it talks about covering Botany, the human body and animals all in one year)
Yes, Thing 1 is just barely getting ready to turn 5, but I want things to build up a bit as he is schooled. In order to do that, I have to decide where I want him going in schooling and planning accordingly. Yes, pulling Anatomy and Physiology out of Biology may be a bit strange. But I really think that it needs to be covered in depth, and not just as a ten week unit brushing through everything. I found a Botany unit in the Rainbow Resource catalog that I really want to use.
Speaking of Rainbow Resource, that catalog is huuuuge. And gave me TONS of ideas. Just how am I supposed to make all of these ideas reality though?
The solution I have found is WORKBOXES! Yes, the system put together by Sue Patrick involves 12 boxes with assignments and fun things in them organized in the order you want them covered each day. I have been reading TONS of blogs about them, and a lot of other homeschoolers have loved that they can pull out things they've been collecting to use but never had time for.
The workboxes also allow the child to develop more independence. Because they are left with the 12 boxes and their schedule, they aren't as likely to consistently watch the clock. They are able to transition more easily from one subject to the next because everything they need is in the box. Many people have said that things get done faster now because there isn't that awful transition time between subjects where you're looking for materials.
And it will also make me accountable. As you may have guessed, I have difficulty holding myself accountable for things. If I have 12 empty boxes sitting there staring me in the face waiting for more things to go into them for the next day, I don't have a choice but to fill them. As long as I don't decide to just do a school day without the boxes and "wing it" I should be fine.
Thing 1 is already fiercely independent. He gets himself breakfast in the morning and goes about his day. If he needs something he asks (50 times in the span of a minute). I think this system will work really really well for him.
I need to get a copy of the book for myself to read all of the reasoning and everything behind the system. I can honestly say though, that even without all of the information and details, I really think this will work.
So I came up with my own agenda for what to study which years. I asked Link what subject he thinks needs more emphasis, and I was surprised to hear him say Science. However, he specifically stated he thinks a more hands-on approach would be better. We never got to fully ENJOY Science because we were always being bogged down with the books. Chemistry was a fun year for me because of the experiments, but I never really understood the concepts. They didn't seem connected very well. When I took Physics... well, I am horrible with Math so it was a bad time. I managed to pass thanks to a couple friends who would dumb things down for me and explain them in less mathematical terms.
At any rate, he and I discussed it a bit more. I explained how Science was laid out in The Well-Trained Mind, and he said he specifically thought more time should be spent on Biology. Because soooo many things are covered in Biology, he thought that the approach in the classical system wasn't good enough. (it talks about covering Botany, the human body and animals all in one year)
Yes, Thing 1 is just barely getting ready to turn 5, but I want things to build up a bit as he is schooled. In order to do that, I have to decide where I want him going in schooling and planning accordingly. Yes, pulling Anatomy and Physiology out of Biology may be a bit strange. But I really think that it needs to be covered in depth, and not just as a ten week unit brushing through everything. I found a Botany unit in the Rainbow Resource catalog that I really want to use.
Speaking of Rainbow Resource, that catalog is huuuuge. And gave me TONS of ideas. Just how am I supposed to make all of these ideas reality though?
The solution I have found is WORKBOXES! Yes, the system put together by Sue Patrick involves 12 boxes with assignments and fun things in them organized in the order you want them covered each day. I have been reading TONS of blogs about them, and a lot of other homeschoolers have loved that they can pull out things they've been collecting to use but never had time for.
The workboxes also allow the child to develop more independence. Because they are left with the 12 boxes and their schedule, they aren't as likely to consistently watch the clock. They are able to transition more easily from one subject to the next because everything they need is in the box. Many people have said that things get done faster now because there isn't that awful transition time between subjects where you're looking for materials.
And it will also make me accountable. As you may have guessed, I have difficulty holding myself accountable for things. If I have 12 empty boxes sitting there staring me in the face waiting for more things to go into them for the next day, I don't have a choice but to fill them. As long as I don't decide to just do a school day without the boxes and "wing it" I should be fine.
Thing 1 is already fiercely independent. He gets himself breakfast in the morning and goes about his day. If he needs something he asks (50 times in the span of a minute). I think this system will work really really well for him.
I need to get a copy of the book for myself to read all of the reasoning and everything behind the system. I can honestly say though, that even without all of the information and details, I really think this will work.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Happy Birthday Hubby!
Today is Link's birthday!
I am cooking dinner tonight.
Currently I am arguing with Thing 1 about whether or not fruit snacks are a good breakfast. And continuing to avoid cleaning my bedroom, even though it's next on the agenda for cleaning. I have NEVER liked cleaning my room, and apparently that hasn't changed at all.
I AM, however, almost completely caught up on laundry! Yay!
I am cooking dinner tonight.
Currently I am arguing with Thing 1 about whether or not fruit snacks are a good breakfast. And continuing to avoid cleaning my bedroom, even though it's next on the agenda for cleaning. I have NEVER liked cleaning my room, and apparently that hasn't changed at all.
I AM, however, almost completely caught up on laundry! Yay!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Why?
Why am I blogging?
Because I can, and I'm bored sometimes. Honestly, that's about it ;)
Why am I domestically challenged?
If I knew the answer to that, I could more easily fix it, now couldn't I?
Why do I breastfeed?
Because I can, and it's what is best for my baby. Custom food, c'mon! I do not, however, think that breastfeeding is for everyone, and do not find it appropriate to belittle those who choose not to. I am pro-feeding, as long as it is appropriate for the age. (no fries for 2 month old babies!)
Why do I cloth diaper?
Thing 1 reacted badly to almost all disposable diapers. That is reason number 1 for me to use cloth. Cloth diapers don't have that weird chemical smell. That weird chemical smell gets worse with pee or poo, and cloth doesn't have that. That's how I can have my diaper pail literally sitting in my living/dining room and not smell it. In fact, I don't smell much of anything from the pail until I am putting everything into the washing machine.
For us, it is very cost effective as well. I make m own covers and such. The only thing "pre-made" that we purchased are the prefolds. The utilities haven't been majorly affected, so we are still doing well there for saving money. Disposables are just throwing money away. Not to mention throwing away fecal matter which shouldn't be going into the trash because it is not a proper receptacle for that sort of waste. But how many people do you know who dump the poo into the toilet because throwing the disposable in the trash?
Exactly. Ew.
Why do I plan on homeschooling?
We (Link and I) believe that we can provide a better-tailored education to our children than the public school system. While public school does very well with many man students, there are those who are either ahead or behind in different subjects who cannot get what they need to be successful. With homeschooling we can have them in numerous grade levels in the same year for different subjects. Thing 1 is currently a bit ahead in reading, and with homeschooling I can continue that instead of stalling him so others can catch up.
Why do I only ever seem to post very late at night/early in the morning so far?
Because I can't sleep. I have a tendency to end up with my sleeping schedule almost completely opposite what is SHOULD be. Really removes any hope of ever having Thing 2 on a proper sleep schedule, although Thing 1 is on one for the most part. (bedtime at the same time every night give or take 15 minutes)
Why did I do this post?
Because it's 4 am and I am BORED!
Because I can, and I'm bored sometimes. Honestly, that's about it ;)
Why am I domestically challenged?
If I knew the answer to that, I could more easily fix it, now couldn't I?
Why do I breastfeed?
Because I can, and it's what is best for my baby. Custom food, c'mon! I do not, however, think that breastfeeding is for everyone, and do not find it appropriate to belittle those who choose not to. I am pro-feeding, as long as it is appropriate for the age. (no fries for 2 month old babies!)
Why do I cloth diaper?
Thing 1 reacted badly to almost all disposable diapers. That is reason number 1 for me to use cloth. Cloth diapers don't have that weird chemical smell. That weird chemical smell gets worse with pee or poo, and cloth doesn't have that. That's how I can have my diaper pail literally sitting in my living/dining room and not smell it. In fact, I don't smell much of anything from the pail until I am putting everything into the washing machine.
For us, it is very cost effective as well. I make m own covers and such. The only thing "pre-made" that we purchased are the prefolds. The utilities haven't been majorly affected, so we are still doing well there for saving money. Disposables are just throwing money away. Not to mention throwing away fecal matter which shouldn't be going into the trash because it is not a proper receptacle for that sort of waste. But how many people do you know who dump the poo into the toilet because throwing the disposable in the trash?
Exactly. Ew.
Why do I plan on homeschooling?
We (Link and I) believe that we can provide a better-tailored education to our children than the public school system. While public school does very well with many man students, there are those who are either ahead or behind in different subjects who cannot get what they need to be successful. With homeschooling we can have them in numerous grade levels in the same year for different subjects. Thing 1 is currently a bit ahead in reading, and with homeschooling I can continue that instead of stalling him so others can catch up.
Why do I only ever seem to post very late at night/early in the morning so far?
Because I can't sleep. I have a tendency to end up with my sleeping schedule almost completely opposite what is SHOULD be. Really removes any hope of ever having Thing 2 on a proper sleep schedule, although Thing 1 is on one for the most part. (bedtime at the same time every night give or take 15 minutes)
Why did I do this post?
Because it's 4 am and I am BORED!
Responsibility: Thing 1 Style
Thing 1 is awesome about helping for short periods of time when I need him to. However, there are certain things he really needs to do on his own and do so regularly. One of them is picking up his toys at night. Thanks to my sister coming to visit, his room is clean. Also, by some miracle on that visit, he has developed the habit of cleaning his room before bed. I can't sit on the floor to read him a book, often bringing Thing 2 in there as well, if the floor is covered in toys.
He also keeps his toys picked up around the rest of the apartment, which is really how the nightly picking up started I guess. We always asked him to put his toys back in his room before he went to bed, and now it's habit.
Thing 1 also puts his own clothes away in his dresser. I fold them, put them into one of those pop up hamper thingies, and he puts them away. Since he dresses himself, he has his own "organization" method for his clothes, which I do not mess with. When he gets dressed in the morning, he makes sure to put his dirty clothes with the laundry now. He used to just throw them amongst the toys on the floor in his room, so when my sister convinced him to clean it while she was here, I had a TON of laundry to do to catch back up for him.
Putting his own dishes in the kitchen when he's done with them is another task he seems to actually enjoy doing. Plus he'll grab a diaper for me if necessary and keep Thing 2 company if he's being particularly socialization-needy so I can do things like go to the bathroom.
All in all, Thing 1 is quite the responsible little pre-kindergartener :) And I only see him getting more responsible from here on out.
He also keeps his toys picked up around the rest of the apartment, which is really how the nightly picking up started I guess. We always asked him to put his toys back in his room before he went to bed, and now it's habit.
Thing 1 also puts his own clothes away in his dresser. I fold them, put them into one of those pop up hamper thingies, and he puts them away. Since he dresses himself, he has his own "organization" method for his clothes, which I do not mess with. When he gets dressed in the morning, he makes sure to put his dirty clothes with the laundry now. He used to just throw them amongst the toys on the floor in his room, so when my sister convinced him to clean it while she was here, I had a TON of laundry to do to catch back up for him.
Putting his own dishes in the kitchen when he's done with them is another task he seems to actually enjoy doing. Plus he'll grab a diaper for me if necessary and keep Thing 2 company if he's being particularly socialization-needy so I can do things like go to the bathroom.
All in all, Thing 1 is quite the responsible little pre-kindergartener :) And I only see him getting more responsible from here on out.
Two Down!
So this morning I decided to sleep instead of clean more. Now, however, my kitchen is done, and so is the bathroom.
Is it overly strange that I keep walking into the bathroom just to see how it's so nice and clean while the rest of the apartment is still in chaos?
Something new and nifty I have learned in the last 24 hours: Thing 2 will sleep through the noise of the sewing machine! YAY! I can sew to my heart's content and not wake him up <3
And because I feel like it, and I can't clean the next room on the agenda because Link is sleeping in it, I am going to do a few more posts. Trying to keep things a bit organized here too, y'know?
Is it overly strange that I keep walking into the bathroom just to see how it's so nice and clean while the rest of the apartment is still in chaos?
Something new and nifty I have learned in the last 24 hours: Thing 2 will sleep through the noise of the sewing machine! YAY! I can sew to my heart's content and not wake him up <3
And because I feel like it, and I can't clean the next room on the agenda because Link is sleeping in it, I am going to do a few more posts. Trying to keep things a bit organized here too, y'know?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cleaning Cleaning Cleaning
In an effort to challenge my domestically challenged self, I have done a lot of reading on getting more organized, tackling housework, tackling clutter so that housework doesn't become overwhelming within 5 minutes.
Tonight, or this morning, however you want to look at it since I haven't been to bed yet and it's almost 8am, I tackled the kitchen. I started by putting a load of dishes in the dishwasher, cleaning my sink, and then turning to the shelving unit thingie that has all of our canned goods and stuff on it (we have no pantry). I pulled pretty much everything off of it, and labelled 3 baskets with "Momma's Snacks", "Daddy's Snacks", and "Thing 1's Snacks". Into those went our individual snack stuffs (myself having the most because I snack more than I eat meals, bad habit of mine) and back onto the shelves they went. Other than that, I had wiped down the shelves, put the cereal away, as well as the bread and organized the canned goods.
While doing that, I also had a box sitting to one side that everything that doesn't belong in the kitchen got chucked into. I checked the counters for stray items (a major cause of clutter in the kitchen) and set the box in the living room. This is all the start of a major plan for me in tackling the apartment, and hopefully continuing to keep things caught up from completion onward.
I will do one room at a time, putting things away, cleaning things, pulling things out of the room that don't belong. The next room is the bathroom... yay. Anyway, I will bring the items that do not belong all into the living room/dining room. That will be the last area done. All of the things that do not belong in that room then will be put where they belong in the proper rooms, because all of the other rooms will have been cleaned already.
It made way more sense when I was telling Link about it. Right now I'm just trying to convince myself to either go to bed or to clean the bathroom.
Tonight, or this morning, however you want to look at it since I haven't been to bed yet and it's almost 8am, I tackled the kitchen. I started by putting a load of dishes in the dishwasher, cleaning my sink, and then turning to the shelving unit thingie that has all of our canned goods and stuff on it (we have no pantry). I pulled pretty much everything off of it, and labelled 3 baskets with "Momma's Snacks", "Daddy's Snacks", and "Thing 1's Snacks". Into those went our individual snack stuffs (myself having the most because I snack more than I eat meals, bad habit of mine) and back onto the shelves they went. Other than that, I had wiped down the shelves, put the cereal away, as well as the bread and organized the canned goods.
While doing that, I also had a box sitting to one side that everything that doesn't belong in the kitchen got chucked into. I checked the counters for stray items (a major cause of clutter in the kitchen) and set the box in the living room. This is all the start of a major plan for me in tackling the apartment, and hopefully continuing to keep things caught up from completion onward.
I will do one room at a time, putting things away, cleaning things, pulling things out of the room that don't belong. The next room is the bathroom... yay. Anyway, I will bring the items that do not belong all into the living room/dining room. That will be the last area done. All of the things that do not belong in that room then will be put where they belong in the proper rooms, because all of the other rooms will have been cleaned already.
It made way more sense when I was telling Link about it. Right now I'm just trying to convince myself to either go to bed or to clean the bathroom.
Everything Has a Beginning
As you can't really have any sort of story, even a "live" story, without a beginning, I suppose now is the best time for introductory sorts of things.
My name is Stephanie. I often go by the handle of Bacskocky. I play World of Warcraft, where I am often referred to by friends as Om, short for Omaula. I am a domestically challenged wife to my husband Cameron, who often goes by the handle of Link, although in WoW he's Nerm, short for Nermak. I am also mother to my two wonderful little boys, William (age almost 5, who I refer to as Thing 1) and Dorian (age 7 weeks, who I refer to as Thing 2). And owner to Impa-Puppy, who has numerous nicknames, but doesn't REALLY need an alias. This is for future reference, because I am going to use these nicknames in the future. Not that we have horribly uncommon names, I just want to use different names. I'm weird, I know.
This blog is sort of a daily happenings thing for me to share. I am, as I said before, domestically challenged. I am also a breastfeeding, cloth diapering, video-game playing geeky girl. I am sarcastic and cynical, but also love to have a good laugh and absolutely LOVE spending time with my family. I am unknown on religious fronts, because I'm not entirely sure where I fit in. I sew in some of my spare time, and have been busily researching homeschooling because that is something else I am planning on doing. So this is a blog to capture all of THAT. I have gotten a lot of joy and a ton of ideas from reading the blogs of other people, and hope to also enjoy blogging myself.
How often will I post? Goodness knows. But hopefully often enough to not be boring :)
My name is Stephanie. I often go by the handle of Bacskocky. I play World of Warcraft, where I am often referred to by friends as Om, short for Omaula. I am a domestically challenged wife to my husband Cameron, who often goes by the handle of Link, although in WoW he's Nerm, short for Nermak. I am also mother to my two wonderful little boys, William (age almost 5, who I refer to as Thing 1) and Dorian (age 7 weeks, who I refer to as Thing 2). And owner to Impa-Puppy, who has numerous nicknames, but doesn't REALLY need an alias. This is for future reference, because I am going to use these nicknames in the future. Not that we have horribly uncommon names, I just want to use different names. I'm weird, I know.
This blog is sort of a daily happenings thing for me to share. I am, as I said before, domestically challenged. I am also a breastfeeding, cloth diapering, video-game playing geeky girl. I am sarcastic and cynical, but also love to have a good laugh and absolutely LOVE spending time with my family. I am unknown on religious fronts, because I'm not entirely sure where I fit in. I sew in some of my spare time, and have been busily researching homeschooling because that is something else I am planning on doing. So this is a blog to capture all of THAT. I have gotten a lot of joy and a ton of ideas from reading the blogs of other people, and hope to also enjoy blogging myself.
How often will I post? Goodness knows. But hopefully often enough to not be boring :)
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