Category: children

2021, Blogging, children, family, life as a lumber, Personal, Sunday Musings

Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

I hope everyone had a blessed week- we had spring break, so I chose to take a week off from blogging to focus on my family and getting a few things done around the house. It was a much needed break and I feel so much better.

I’m happy to be back at it again, from work to blogging. I’d like to share what we’ve been doing with you.

1. We went to church

We have been listening online to a local church for more than a year, and on Easter Sunday, we visited in person for the first time. We had a wonderful experience there and will attend again. It was wonderful to be back in God’s house again amongst other believers.

2. Our greenhouse is thriving

I’ll be the first to admit- I often just DO things without researching or reading the directions. Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesn’t. This greenhouse is only slightly different: I researched a bit, but I am mostly learning by doing. So far, it’s working well. We will plant our garden at the end of the month.

3. We plowed a bigger garden

Last year, the garden we grew was a little two small in square footage. Our veggies grew too close together, which often meant that we missed ripened veggies since we couldn’t see them. This year, we tilled a much larger area than we actually need so we can spread things out. We use a Wizard chain-driven tiller I inherited from my grandpa. It is older than I am but it works great. It’s a workout for sure, but I know he’d be happy to know we are using it. Plus, he has a hand in my garden, even though he isn’t here physically.

We will plow the garden one more time before planting.

4. Back to school!

Miss E went back to school this week- as in back in the building to school. In class. In person. She resisted a bit at first, but I think she is happy to be back. I’m also getting ready to get most of my students back four days a week.

5. The chickens went outside!!

Our chicken littles are no longer living in a wash tub in our bathroom- they have transitioned to our coop! I think they are much happier living outside. I’m much happier not finding chickens flying around my bathroom.

Have a wonderful week, everyone! Join us for the following articles this week:

1. Scrap wood challenge: chicken coop/rabbit hutch part one

2. Healthy school lunch ideas

3. Farmhouse Friday: spring decor roundup

Have a wonderful week!

2021, bedrooms, cheap decorating, children, decorating kid spaces, Designer dupes, DIY, girls rooms, kid spaces, kids rooms, Pin-spired projects, Pinspiration, repurpose, spring crafts, thrifty decor, upcycle

DIY Shabby Chic Lampshade

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on DIY Shabby Chic Lampshade

My youngest daughter wanted a pretty new lamp for her bedroom. We tried to find something that would fit her boho- themed room without breaking the bank, but we couldn’t.

But did you know lampshades are incredibly easy to DIY? All you need to make this one is some ribbon and a hot glue gun.

We found this ribbon at the Wal of Marts.

Then, get your hot glue gun and glue the ribbon to your shade however you want. I put a drop of glue every inch on this one and it has held just fine.

I really love how it turned out. A lot of people have thought it was high end.

Plus, my kiddo is happy and that’s all that really matters, right?

Tune in next week for some more really cute crafts for girls’ crafts.

2020, children, family, life as a lumber, Personal, pets

Life with the Lumbers: what we’ve been up to

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Life with the Lumbers: what we’ve been up to

It’s been a minute since we last posted on a regular schedule. We have had quite a year dealing with Covid ramifications so we took a break from regular posting to lighten the load a bit.

And that break was just what we needed. We were able to take blogging off the plate and spend some much needed energy on one another.

Oldest daughter is busy with school but is having a good year, despite the strangeness of starting the school year online.
She’s growing up so fast and she is beautiful.
Little daughter is adorable and keeps us on our toes.
She is full of sweetness and sass.

We also have recently decorated for fall.

My kiddos helped me and we had a blast.

The Lumber fam kitties are doing well, too.

Gray says this the UPS man sure was nice to give him this box to sit on.
Daisy thinks her daddy’s uniform shirt is a perfect blanket .

Covid still has our lives basically shut down. No dance, no school and no church. So in the meantime, we try to fill our time having fun together, learning together and doing things around the house.

Recently we completed two small outdoor projects, which we will share with you soon.

But until then, have a blessed weekend! See you soon.

2020, children, family, Personal, photography

Emorie: Now entering the back nine

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Emorie: Now entering the back nine
Photo credit: 365 Photo

Nine years ago today, our oldest daughter Emorie blew into the world. We were told only one year earlier we’d never have children without fertility intervention. We said we’d go home and think about it. Two months later, we found out she was on the way. She was born three weeks early and was the tiniest, pinkest infant Id ever seen in my life. We were instantly in love.

Photo credit: Portrait Innovations

Her personality grew right along with her and she gained a fan club everywhere we went.

She was snuggly, sweet and had her daddy wrapped around her finger. Still does, in fact.
Photo credit: Portrait Innovations

Even as a toddler, she was known for her sunny personality and soft spot for others.

She is smart, talented, kind hearted and loving. She is empathetic toward others and wants to be an oncology nurse someday.

She doesn’t like to admit it, but she loves her little sister and tries to take care of her.

She is happiest when she is dancing and she works hard each day to become better at her dancing.

She is growing up so fast and will be a fourth grader this fall. We have realized we only have nine more years left before she goes to college. Time truly does fly when you’re having fun.

Happy birthday, Sunshine. You are loved beyond measure.

2020, At home, children, coronavirus, crafts, making memories, planning ahead, self care

How to beat the boredom during the covid-19 self quarantines

by LumberInMyMiniVan1 Comment on How to beat the boredom during the covid-19 self quarantines

As you know, I am predominantly a DIY blogger but one portion of my blog pertains to parenting. Like many of you, we are navigating our new normal as homeschool parents who work from home and self quarantine to safe guard our families against getting sick with covid-19.

Being quarantined doesn’t mean you must stay indoors.

While we have mine and the girls’ school work to occupy a lot of time, and we can go outside to occupy a bit more time, sometimes we still find ourselves a little bored and lonely. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun and useful ways to bond as a family , and to teach your kiddos a little something in the process.

1. Cooking

Get yourself some cute kitchen helpers.

Everyone needs to eat, and once you’re tired of all the takeout options, you might as well cook at home. I’m kidding, sort of. In all seriousness, cooking is hands on, a cross curricular activity and something your kids will need to know as adults. You don’t have to make a full meal, you could even make something as simple as a tray of cookies. My child hates math but she loves cooking. She doesn’t realize we are practicing math skills when we cook. She just thinks it’s grown up to help mom with dinner.

2. Take a nature walk

Nature’s playground

Recess at school serves the same purpose as recess when you’re schooling at home. Fresh air and activity give the brain a refresh. You can make a science lesson out of it and go on a nature walk. You can go on a nature scavenger hunt and find rocks, acorns or flowers. Or, you can go outside and simply enjoy the great outdoors.

3. Roast some marshmallows

This one requires lots and lots of supervision. Reward your kiddos for their hard work by allowing them to make a few s’mores. Even if you only make one s’more, they will love it!

4. Paint a picture or make a craft

Make a cute little footbird

We made a bird painting from a little paint and our kids’ feet and they turned out so cute. You can also just hand your kiddos some paper and colored pencils and let them take the reigns- creativity at its finest!

What sort of “sanity saving learning activities are you all using?