Are you invisible?

I loved this video.  In a busy house of 4 boys I often feel invisible, working hard to keep up with all that needs to be done.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 18 April

In my life this week…
We returned from a 4 day trip away to a lovely location in the foothills of The Great Dividing Range south of Tamworth, NSW.  It has taken some time for me to catch up on all the washing created by a family of 6 going gold panning, trout fishing and just general adventuring.  Even harder when the weather has been wet.

In our homeschool this week…
We learnt alot about gold mining, gold panning, old woolen mills and trout farming while away.  Just need to blog it in the kids' blogs.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
After a short trip away we didn't go far from home, just down to the local Bunnings for plants for our vegetable patch.

My favorite thing this week was…
I was really glad to get some laminating sheets.  I had run out a while ago and I hadn't realised how many things had piled up that needed laminating.  Can I just say I Love My Laminator?  lol

And I also loved the visit to the Mt Misery Gold Mine.  (Ironically this is in a place with a road called Happy Valley Road.)  It was fun reading all the old newspaper articles about how gold was discovered.  And I loved browsing through this store where I bought myself a pudding bowl for my next Christmas pudding.

What’s working/not working for us…
We are on school holidays while my dh is off work too.  But I have realised that I am not getting the boys to read out loud to me often enough.  And there are some good stories to read too that I can read out loud to them.  We really need to finish Charlotte's Web soon.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…
I am wondering how mums who read aloud manage to keep their voice.  Is there a suggested drink or technique to not losing my voice, because believe me, with 4 boys I do not want to have "no voice" when it is needed?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
My favourite blog post I read this week was this one at Sheila Wray Gregoire's Blog.

Best wishes
Jen

Grocery breakdown 14 April

This grocery shop is for Week 4 of my menu plan rotation.

Fresh Produce $19.29
Dairy Products $32.22
Frozen Goods $0.00
Meat $58.41
Bread $3.79
Pantry Items $40.55
Bath and Baby $33.82
Dog $2.35
Treats $9.99

Spent in total $200.42 at local supermarket.

Meat was up a bit due to dh wanting a roast every so often and this is the week.  I had to buy a box of nappies for the baby.  Considering the cost it may be about time to really get him toilet trained.  Haven't been too serious about it as of yet.

Fresh produce was down as my fridge was still quite well stocked and my supermarket has been having some great clearances.  They park a trolley near the check outs and you fill a bag from the trolley for $2.  Tonight's win was 2 bags of seedless grapes and some chunks of cauliflower.  I also managed to get 2 bags of slightly bruised bananas for $2 each and with the current price at over $12 per kg I was very happy.  My eldest uses bananas in shakes so he peeled them and removed the damaged portions before freezing them.

Best wishes
Jen

Managing our homes, our school and ourselves

I know it isn't usual to view ourselves as anything but home schoolers, just a mum with extra jobs.  I am realising lately that viewing ourselves as managers is a more broadening experience.  I have many 'projects' under way such as home chores, home maintenance, personal projects, homeschool planning and prep, etc.

As a homeschooling mother of 4 I find a lot of the problems covered here are things that apply to me.  As I  read more about the skills a manager needs I am learning to view myself as a manager of a unique group - my family with all sorts of priorities, goals and projects.  I find the author's style of writing very easy to understand even though I have read these ideas before and I recommend a good browse around his site.

If we can view ourselves in this light, a manager of people and projects in a home environment, there is so much out there to help us.  We just need to adapt the 'male business' words to fit our 'female home' management situation.


Best wishes,
Jen 

Beauty

A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful.

Jacqueline Bisset

A site of interest about Australian early history

I have been reading about kanakas this morning.  Here is one site I found along the way that could be a good resource.  I am yet to read all of it so am not sure of any biases or inaccuracies.

This is another resource on Australian topics that I am yet to fully explore.  So far the lessons I have looked at have been directed at late high school students.


Best wishes
Jen

Groceries break down 1 April 2011

I try to break down my grocery docket into categories.  Over time it shows me which areas are large, and which areas are overspends eg treats.

Fresh Produce     $42.66
Dairy Products     $34.26
Frozen Goods     $19.65
Meat     $18.45
Bread     $8.37
Pantry Items     $60.60
Bath and Baby     $11.47
Dog     $2.55
Treats     $10.38

 Spent in total $208.39 at local supermarket.

Meat     $23.40

Spent at the butcher next to the supermarket.

This shopping list coincides with Week 2 of my menu plan with a little adjustment here and there for some expected visitors.

Best wishes
Jen