Author: lookforjoy

Doing a 31-Day Winter Read-Aloud Challenge for my Kids

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I came across a blog by Sarah Mackenzie called http://amongstlovelythings.com. She has a 31 day winter read-aloud challenge on her blog. Her challenge is to have my kids read aloud for 15 min a day, for 31 days. If they can’t read, they can make up a story using the pictures in the book.

The challenge got me to thinking about the benefits of reading out loud.

  • My child would be reading more and exposed to more ideas, vocabulary, etc
  • It would help my child practice their speech
  • It would provide additional input to my child’s brain. Not only are they using their voice, but “hearing” it also – multi-sensory
  •  It also helps the person they are reading too.

I look forward to hearing my oldest read to her 2 younger siblings. I also look forward to my 5 year old making up his own stories. I think that is a good skill to have. He may not be able to read a book yet, but he can use his creative juices to think up a good story.

Today was our first day or reading aloud. My 5 year old was very hesitant. I don’t know if he was scared to make up a story for fear that it would be wrong or I would get mad at him, or he just didn’t understand the concept. I finally managed to get him to make up a story using one of his easy reader Super Hero books. It took only a few minutes, not 15. We’ll work up to it. I’m anxious to see what happens to the stories as we do this everyday.

I found my 8 year old reading to my toddler. The timing wasn’t right since it was at bedtime and both were supposed to be in bed, but I zipped my lips and just let my oldest read. It was good practice.

I can’t wait to incorporate this practice on a daily basis and see what happens!

Am I hurrying past Christmas by wanting my decorations down?

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I love Christmas. I love decorating for Christmas. I love watching the lights on my tree at night. I love the magic and miracle of the Christmas season. That said, once Christmas is over, my decorations begin to feel annoying. My living room feels cluttered with a tree. The mesmerizing tree lights do not mesmerize me anymore. I don’t feel the “magic” of the season anymore. All the Christmas “stuff” feels like clutter. I can’t think. I feel like my house is messy. I want to put it away and move onto other things.

I feel a little guilty by this. Shouldn’t I feel “Christmasy” after Dec 25? Does it mean that I don’t appreciate that Jesus was born on Christmas day? If I really think about it, Christmas has nothing to do with all the decorations, but the heart. So perhaps, it’s not that bad that my once loved decorations turn into mind clutter? I don’t know. I wish I could enjoy my decorations for one more day or week. After all, Christmas comes but just once a year. But, I’m ready to move on to the next thing – mainly thinking about the new year and the blessings it holds.

With that said, I do try to wait until Dec 31 before I take down my tree. It’s such a relief once everything is packed away. My mind is fresh for the new year.

Saving Money while Shopping Online

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Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

For many purchases that I make online, I can earn an extra % in cash back when going through my Ebates account. I have their plugin installed on my Firefox browser that will tell me if I can earn money back from a certain merchant. For most, I can.

Here’s an example of what you can earn from the various stores that I typically visit:

  • Disneystore – 3%
  • Land’s End – 3%
  • Walmart – 1%
  • Toys R Us – 4%
  • QVC – 2%
  • Amazon – varies

There are often specials where the bonuses are doubled, giving me even more cash back.

My earnings are paid out a few times a year in the form of a check or Paypal payment. It’s a great way to save for Christmas Gifts. Each of my “paychecks” are around $40 or so.

If you’d like to earn some extra cash, please sign up through my referral link here. I do earn something back from it and would appreciate your support!
Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

 

The Countdown to Christmas

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In these last few days before Christmas, it feels like a wait game. You’re all ready for the big day, now it just has to arrive. It also feels a bit sad. The stores are already putting the Christmas decorations on clearance. The store shelves are bare. If you didn’t get whatever you needed weeks ago, you might be out of luck. If it’s an online purchase, it won’t make it here by Christmas without paying a huge fee. Stress!

Then there is the fact that stores are actually closed on Christmas Day. I feel a little anxious about this. What if I run out of an ingredient? What if I “need” something like wrapping paper even though I have gobs of it because you never know I just might run out??? The fact that I may not be able to get something when I want it worries me. That’s sad. I’m used to living in an instant society.

I asked when my local Walmart was closing. They close at 8 pm on Christmas Eve. Closed on Christmas Day. This gives me an exact time I need to aim for to make sure I’ve gotten all my last minute stuff.