Ever have one of those weeks where you are incredibly exhausted, know that you have been working pretty much non-stop, but you look around and don't really have anything to show for it?  That's been this week.  We are not doing "school" right now, but are learning plenty of "life skills". 

We got our Christmas cards mailed out (complete with a letter to those we don't talk to regularly explaining why we are moving and our new contact information). 

I have packed up a total of 19 boxes - and haven't really made a dent!  I am starting to think that everyone needs to move every now and then(probably close to every 3-5 years) to be able to take stock of all that they have, find things that have been lost or forgotten, give away things you don't use anymore and to throw things away!!!  How do we accumulate so much stuff????(rhetorical question-I know the answer too well)   The kids are having a blast playing in, on top of and around the boxes - no need to buy toys for Christmas this year:)  I have filled up about 6 shopping bags of clothes & toys(don't tell the kids!) to give away, but I've also found some treasures -- a bag of hand me downs that someone had given me that I threw up in a closet and found a pair of tennis shoes for CJ that fit perfectly!

We made homemade pumpkin muffins for CJ to take to Awana on her "real" birthday last Wednesday (think she's been sung Happy Birthday close to 10 times for this birthday!) and for BW to take to his class.  Sure did sound funny when I was talking to a friend on the phone the other day and telling her that I was making muffins for my HUSBAND to take to school.(He has a discipleship lab this semester where each guy has to take a turn bringing snacks for the class.) 

I finalized my Christmas buying lists for each of the kids.  This year, I am copying an idea I read on a homeschool message board (I never have any original ideas of my own).  We are giving each of our kids 4 gifts - a need, a want, something practical/

educational and something to grow them spiritually.  BW & I are doing it for each other too.  I really like it because it's making me really think about what we are giving them, it's keeping me from buying unnecessary and useless things that they will play with on Christmas and never again and it is helping me in keeping the Christmas gift budget low.

I ordered the boys matching pajamas for Christmas.  Here's a tip I just figured out (another non-original idea).  Before you order from anywhere online, do a google search looking for a coupon or discount code.  For example, last night I googled Disney Store coupon code and found one for 25% off! I was so excited because the pj's I picked were on sale too Woo hoo! - funny what things really get me fired up these days! 

We went to the library and borrowed a whole bunch of books recommended in Amanda Bennett's Christmas Unit study.  Although we aren't "doing school", I wanted to have lots of Christmas books in the house to read.  So far, our favorite is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

We visited my dad who is laid up at home with a broken pelvis.  You will have to ask him how he did it as I don't want to be accused of putting the story on the internet:)  We took him In-N-Out (he had requested a chocolate shake) and took the Cars movie for him to watch. 

Today, we will be making cards to take to our homeschool group Christmas party on Monday.  We are having our party at an Elderly assisted living facility.  We will be singing carols, doing crafts with the residents, giving them Christmas cards and then having Christmas cookies, hot chocolate & cider with them.  Isnt' that a great idea??  (Sure I will copy it someday)

Hope you are having a productive weekend!

-J