CSA Adventuring

Today marks the first pick-up Date for My MN Farmer. I'm really excited to try out the produce... except for one small problem. I have no idea where I am supposed to go to get said produce. I tried the address that was written on my e-mail, but apparently that was wrong. Now, I'm just waiting for a response from Jean as to what the correct address is.

Preschool Week 5

I am very excited about preschool at home. Although I have had a trying first few weeks, I think we are finally coming to a point where I am starting to learn how to teach my children. I do need to do some more research on learning styles - but, on Amber's recommendation, am ordering a book called "How am I smart" by Kathy Koch.

So far we are using the following:

ABC Jesus Loves Me - This one I thought I might like, but it's kind of odd and I don't agree with everything it teaches. However, I do like the random letter-of-the week that they use, so we are following their letter and number themes.

Letter of the Week - I love this site! I know a few people who use it and I tried it last year, but wasn't ready to sit down with a curriculum full-time. This year, we are doing a lot with this site. I like how they have their week arranged, with time limits on each subject and certain subjects on certain days. This helps us not get overwhelmed, but to not neglect subjects all together. It also contains a lot of ideas that are very helpful.

First-School - I am using this site for their worksheets and letter booklets. This is the site Ridgedale library used for their letter sheets every week during story-time. Silas is doing great practicing his writing and letter matching with this booklet. Cedric is learning how to cut and paste.

Hubbard's Cupboard - This site just has a lot of stuff - period. I will spot check with it every week utilizing it's resources to supplement with our theme. I started using their Sight Word booklets as well. Cedric likes them because he gets to color more. So far, Silas doesn't seem to be learning the words, but I'm hoping he's catching on to more than he articulates.

I am going to try to post weekly the things we have learned - maybe with some pictures if we did anything fun. I need to be held accountable, so by all means, yell at me if you think I neglected our education process!

Housing situation

We are currently working on getting our housing together. We close on the 29th if all goes well, which is very close to the same time our new baby is coming. I'm hoping she comes early or on time, so we don't have to worry about being in the hospital at the same time we close. I wasn't concerned until recently, as the due date gets nearer that we won't be able to get everything settled at the appropriate times. We just have to depend on God and trust that he will allow everything to fall into place. He has been good to us thus far, and I see no reason why He would not continue to be so - sometimes He and we just have differing opinions on what is good for us - funny thing, He's always right.

Diapering Continued

I'm getting way behind on diaper inventory.

FOE - black, 50 yards - .52/yd = $26.00
Alova suedecloth - 4 yards - 9.00/yd - 40% = 23.98
Thread - 1000m Gutterman's Black = $4.31
Thread - 1000m Gutterman's White = $4.31
Fleece - Black = 10.78
Fleece - cookie monster = 2.49

Total = 71.87

Baby Clothes -- CAP Store

CAP Thrift Store 1/2 price day

0-3month
Gap ls frog onesie - .50
ls layette gown giraffe and trees - .50
Circo green giraffe sleeper - .50
Circo purple button down sweater - .50

3-6month
Carters light purple sleeper w/ polkadots - .50
Levi's Jeans - .50
Carters yellow ls onesie w/ deer - .50
Bonnie baby red plaid dress w/ black collar/diapercover - .50
no sleeve blue bunting w/ carseat opening - .50
Carters white purple stripped sleeper - .50
Carters longsleeve bunting (0-9mo) - .50

6-9month (12)
Wooltex red/ white sweater - .50
Koala Kids red/ black plaid dress - .50
H.M Baby red pants - .50
Old Navy(12) black dress with flowers - .50
Gymboree boys orange crane sweater (12) - .50

12-24month
Old Navy sweater dark purple - .50
Gap (18-24mo) green and cream sweater boys - .50
Gap (12-18mo) marina scene tank onesie - .50

Other
Dragon blanket - .50
Kidponomus wrap - .50

Diaper
Dappi Diaper cover - .50

Total: 11.00
Breakdown: Clothes 9.50 Diapers: .50 Misc. 1.00

Baby Clothes -- Garage Sale

Okay - I really want to keep track of my spending and inventory on all of this. I went to a multi-family garage sale in Plymouth and bought:
Cream One Size snap diaper – 4.00

3-6month

Children's Place jean skorts - .25

Gap pink sweater - .75

Gap Overalls cream with pink accent - .50

Gap Outfit: Tank + Shorts, green w/ blue flowers - .75

6-9month (12)

Carter's Purple sleeper - .50

Sonoma Purple Outfit: Sweater + Pants – 1.00

Old Navy overall skirt (short) - .75

6-9month

Koala baby Outfit white and red cherrys: Shirt white + pants red - 1.00

9-12month

tks basics purple cords - .25

babyPlace red w/ ribbons sleeper - .75

Samara pink onesie + green flowered dress – 1.00

Children's Place sleeper, blue with fish - .25

b.t. Kids outfit: red sweater + blue jeans with same pattern on bottom - 1.00

Little Me shirt, blue w/ flower buttons and parallel pattern - .25

Gymboree Jeans Flower embroidered w/ pink stitching - .25

18months

CB jeans, flowers on bottom - .25

Old Navy Jeans, blue flower buttons on bottom - .25

Gymbroee dress, orange cord with hearts and bows - 1.00

2years

Cherokee dress, blue bandana with brown edging - .75

3years

Gymboree outfit: white skirt/ tank – 1.00

4years

Hartstrings turtleneck, white with red hearts - .50

Faded Glory dress, green with tree and puppies - .50

Total: 12.25 - breakdown: 4.00 diapers, 12.75 clothes

My First Purchases

I recently signed up for about 5 yahoo groups and am trying to get a grasp on the whole cloth diapering world. I really want to keep track of how much money I spend, mainly for my own records. I am hoping as time goes by that I will waste less and spend more appropriately. We shall see.

E-Bay:
lot of five NEW NB to 3m size diaper covers AIO Girls - 10.70 + 4.21 = 14.91 /5 = $2.98 per cover
- Thoughts: They are not well made - probably about the same quality as I could make. Not the best material either. BAD PURCHASE. I'll chalk it up to experience, as it was my first.

New 2 AIO Pocket Cloth Diapers,Inserts,Liners PUL Print - 12.99 + 3.50 = 16.49/2 = $8.24 per diaper
- Thoughts: These are well made WAHM diapers. I think this was money well spent because it gives me an idea of how to make AIO diapers without freaking out over snaps. I think they are too bulky for a smaller baby, but will set them aside for later. I do not like the feel of the microfiber cloth insert, so I know to be leery before buying any more.

NEW WHITE DIAPER SPRAYER/WASHER *FREE SHIPPING* - 31.95
- Thoughts: Well, if I hadn't been impulsive because the auctions were ending in 5 min. I could have saved $7 - they reposted for $24.95. Other than that, the sprayer hasn't come, so I have no thoughts. I'm looking forward to it for Silas' dirty pants though. I'm tired of dealing with them by hand! The E-Bay auction was still about $10 off retail, so all-in-all it's okay. But I should have been smarter.

CLOTH THOUGHTS (Yahoo group)

I haven't received this yet, so I'll have to update later.

Lastin 1/4" - .19/ yd x 10 yd = 1.90
1" Navy Touch Tape - .35/ yd x 3 = 1.05
Turquoise Stretch Baby Terry - 2yd 25" = 9.43
Lavender Stretch Baby Terry - 1.5 yd = 5.25
Citrus PUL - < 2yd = 10.75
Turquoise PUL - 1yd = 6.50

Total = $34.88 + 10.00 Shipping = $44.88

E-Bay - 31.40 (diapers only, sprayer was an extra purchase I am not going to total)
Cloth Thoughts - 44.88

Total = 76.28

Okay, this is starting to get expensive. I am going to take a break, wait for everything to come in and figure out what to do next.