In my life this week… We are finalizing plans for our main floor remodel, which should start in a few weeks. We aren’t doing anything structurally, but will be removing 2 half walls to free up some floor space. We made decisions on granite countertops and cabinet finish, but E is still not sure about door styles. We’ll figure that out next week sometime. We think we’ve decided on flooring for the kitchen and hallway, but haven’t picked carpet yet. All of it is very exciting but overwhelming at the same time! There are TOO MANY choices.
This week I am also very busy behind the scenes on this here blog. 
August is going to be busy and exciting! Check out what I’ve got coming up!!! And that’s not ALL, but I can’t tell, not yet! 
In our homeschool this week… We are on summer break! We have been to the lake with friends, and the boys took their longest solo bike ride the other day– They rode 4 miles to go to a store and back again. This would have been MUCH better if they had told me they were going there beforehand! When they got home they told me where they’d gone. I would have had them take a phone. BOYS!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… This week? This summer? Take a break. Don’t think about homeschooling. Don’t look at any catalogs. De-program your brain, at least for a little while. You’ll thank me in September.
My favorite thing this week was… Watching D2 win his 50-yard freestyle event at the boys’ swim meet, and seeing how much stronger these boys are than they were before swim team began. I am pondering the idea of keeping D1 in swimming. It really is something he loves. We’ll see.
What’s working/not working for us… Our chore chart is working out fantastic! The boys check it in the morning and (in theory) complete their “daily chores” first thing. I have unofficially assigned myself chores too. When one boy is wiping down the bathroom, and the other is supposed to mop the floor, I mop the kitchen and my bathroom first and then hand the bucket and mop off to the boys. We are doing the same thing for vacuuming days (I do our bedroom– 1-2 times a week– IMAGINE THAT!) It has made me pay more attention to what needs to be done around here, and I have been DOING IT. The house looks much better now.
Things I’m working on… My ebook… my blog… getting enough sleep… writing a to-do list longer than my arm… In other words, I’m the Cat in the Hat, spinning plates and cakes and fishbowls!
I’m reading… Made to Crave by Lisa TerKeurst… still…
I’m cooking… a lot of sub-par meals this week, except for some really awesome boneless pork ribs I made on Thursday! My inlaws and Grandma Inlaw came for dinner and it was really nice. I also made a pan of hard boiled eggs, after I went out to collect eggs in the henhouse and discovered that no one had done so for a few days… because I brought in NINE! I washed them and checked them (none floated, thank goodness) and put them on to boil.
I’m grateful for… employment, for for E and myself. I have a lot/hate relationship with my job but it comes down to the fact that I know a lot of people don’t have jobs at all. Mine can be really stressful and difficult but I am so very thankful that I have it.
I’m praying for… The upcoming school year.
A photo to share… Found this in my freezer this afternoon…
I totally agree! Take a break from everything school! Don't think about it. Don't plan it. I find focusing on the same thing continuously to be draining…and I return from those breaks refreshed and more creative! Great advice!
Jessy at Our Side of recently posted..Weekly Wrap-up – The Productive One: July 21-27
My 2 cents about cupboard doors: think about cleaning them. I didn't and even though our doors are pretty simple, there is still a lip that catches yucky. I want to read Made to Crave, too; what do you think of it?
Becca recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal – July 26
Becca: Our cabinets are clean. Our kitchen is in desperate need of a complete update, so we are doing all new cabinets, counters and flooring. Exciting stuff! And Made to Crave is really good. You should pick it up.
Great advice on taking a break from homeschooling! And the frozen water balloon is classic!! I can see that happening in my house in a few years! Thank you for linking up to Mommy Teaches Friday Blog Hop. Blessings from Croatia: A Little R & R: http://www.littlerandr.org
A Little R & R recently posted..Summer Indoor Activities – Mommy Teaches Linky Open