Schooool

Isn't school kind of a weird word? Like when you just stare at it? "School", just look at it. Its like gibberish.

Anyway, this is how I get sidetracked sometimes and I am planning to homeschool??

This is when I stop and say, Lord, are you sure this is your calling for me?

Well I still think that it is.

A lot of friends were sending their kids off to school this week, and I started to panic a little. Because I really didn't have a plan in place. The good news is that Carys is only 4 and already knows most of the alphabet and is already starting to write some letters. 

So we are going to start our "homeschool preschool" next week. It won't be super formal, but I need to have at least a little structure or else nothing will get done. When she starts kindergarten I plan to be part of a charter school or some other organized group, so that I can get some help actually being organized!

Overall I am really thankful for this time, so I can figure out what her learning style is, be flexible, see what works and just enjoy her being a kid before her kindergarten starts next year.

Here is the lesson plan I made for next week:

The letter A

Numbers 1 thru 20

Bible Story: Adam & Eve

Biblical Virtue of the Week: Love

Craft: something with Apples 

(see its already coming together...an apple is from the story, and it starts with A!)

Bible Verse:  

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever Psalm 136:1

Some cool resources I found:

Oopsy Daisy blog has a section called Mommy School that features free learning packets based on each letter with craft ideas and all kinds of other great stuff. She is awesome!

                                                                     Source: oopseydaisyblog.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Ministry to Children - Features lots of Sunday school lessons, crafts and coloring pages I can use for preschool. I especially liked this bit on easy to remember verses for kids, here.

Mama's Learning Corner - Question: what will I do with little Charlie while doing school? Answer:

                                                               Source: mamaslearningcorner.com via Kathy on Pinterest

In a perfect world, here is my schooling corner....

                                                                              Source: houzz.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Fall Blog Conference & Boutique

I'm excited to be attending the Fall Boutique and Mini Blog Conference hosted by Penelope Lane on September 29th, right down the road in Seal Beach! I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah (the gal behind Penelope Lane who also happens to be a really sweet mom of 3, blogger, and maker of adorable hair accessories) at Carys' swim lessons this summer. She actually inspired me to start blogging more and now is hosting this fun event! I get to learn more about blogging, and shop from some awesome crafters while I'm at it. I hope if you are in the area you will come on down and check it out! You don't have to attend the conference, you can just go to shop if you want!

You can enter a giveaway for shopping credits or a conference pass on Sarah's blog, here.

The website for the event can be found here, along with a list of the vendors being featured.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Labor Day

Hope you all have a nice, relaxing day! 

I am happy because my husband has the day off and we are finally painting our bathroom. woohoo! Right now Carys is in a time out in the corner screaming in her chair, ahh to be a 4 year old...it can be rough. I am choosing to stay relaxed :).

Source: oliviapalermo.com via Kathy on Pinterest

bye bye Summer!

Source: gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

hot pink done beautiful

Source: emilyaclark.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

navy and white

Source: herstyle-shop.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Fall nail polish, Etsy Bobbing for Baubles

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Remember.

Source: flickr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

One of my favorite verses!

Etsy Finds....Jewelry

I don't know of a better, or more affordable source for unique jewelry than Etsy.

The only problem is choosing something!

Chevron Ring made from wood and resin from Starlight Woods

State necklaces, Ninotchka Goods

Feather Wrap Ring, MakiYDesign

Geo Rings, amerrymishap

Gold Arrow Bracelet, iadornu

Nautical Knot Necklace, BrooklynRehab

Chicken Gyros

I don't know about you, but when I think of gyros I picture the Seinfeld episode where Kramer knows of a subway stop with the best ones ever and is convinced he can get on and off the train while its at a stop, and come back with one....

Just me? OK, moving on...

I came across this recipe for Ground Beef Gyros on Full Bellies, Happy Kids. The original recipe can be found here. The first time I made it, I overcooked the beef patties and then used a store bought pita that was no where near fluffy enough! But I had to try again because the tzatziki-like sauce was so easy and delicious.

So the next time I used cubed chicken instead, and decided to make my own pita bread from a recipe I saw on Pinterest and all ended up very well in our tummies! 

Here is the homemade pita on the stove. Thankful for the recipe found here at Budget Bytes

Chicken saute'n.....the flavor of the seasonings here is just delicious and you most likely have all the ingredients on hand

Something different than the same old taco.....mix it up!

My slightly revised Chicken Gryo recipe after the jump....

Fun with the Crew

I have an unabashed love for J. Crew. When a new catalog comes in the mail, its always a nice little pleasure for the day. I don't always have to buy anything, its just fun to look at for style inspiration. 

Especially since a lot of the products can be a bit pricey,

but there are some affordable options, and hey, a little J. Crew goes a long way in my book!

Untitled #4 by katnat featuring vintage shirts

J.Crew vintage shirt / J.Crew striped sweater / J.Crew color block top / J.Crew pea coat / J.Crew long skirt / J.Crew ballet shoes / J.Crew ballerina shoes / J.Crew ballet shoes / J.Crew neon jewelry / J.Crew twist jewelry

Nice to Meet You

Just wanted to say hi to any new followers and I thank you for stopping by!

This also gives me an excuse to do a family post and share some pics from our recent trip to Northern Idaho, where my in-laws live, my husband grew up and wants to eventually move our family (eek!),

where the green grass grows, the air is clean, the 4 seasons exist,

and you never hear police sirens in the distance. Hmm, what's that like?

So anyway, hello, nice to meet you!

This is me and Charlie.....

This is Nathan....

This is Carys....

 This is my heart...

This is Us...

Aaand just a few more!

The view from our own little private beach....is this what they mean in that song My Own Private Idaho?

I think so...

Here is Grandma Barbie!

Do I look comfortable? This was my first time driving one myself...I know, I'm sheltered

This is Nathan's idea of heaven....can you blame him?

Charlie watching her sister...I love this picture