It's been awhile since I've done this and I think my life needs a little accountability. 

Menu Planner: Birthday Celebration Dinner at Mom and Dads, Fast Food after Mike's Bible Study, Leftovers, Early VDay Dinner after Church Meeting, Lasagna, leftover lasagna, something quick between work and church
Household: Schedule Elias' surgery, Fold and put away 2 loads of laundry
Personal: Go to bed before 11pm at least once, Record Food at least 3 days, 
Family: Valentine Cards for the boys' classes, Go to the Library, Do cutesy VDay for all 3 Meals, 
Misc: Finalize Valentine Day Meals, Get fitted for bridesmaid dress

Very busy month - had some major personal items that consumed pretty much the first half of the month, then went on a glorious almost 2 week vacation (first family vacation in 2 years!), and came back to Colin's 5th (!!) bday. Didn't accomplish too much this month - aside from gaining a couple pounds from vacation. 

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (11/32)
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (13/32)
1. http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999324874688/ used this on vacation on the plane! so handy!!! 
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (2/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (0/14) {start in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013
27. blank
28. blank
29. blank
30. blank
31. blank
32. blank

Dear Colin:

How can it be that you are five years old? I can't believe it was 5 years ago that you were placed into my arms. I still can so vividly remember so many specific details of that journey of labor and delivery and your scary birth. Even more vividly, I can remember the feelings of joy that quickly changed to sheer panic and fear when you weren't breathing and the swarm of medical personal ran into the delivery room back to pure bliss when you were finally placed in my arms. 5 years seems so long ago and such a milestone for you. 

Your dad and I are amazed daily by how intelligent you are. Reading, math and your mad memorization skills are your biggest intellectual strengths. Just before you turned 4, you started reading sight-type words. A year later, you read everything. Books, bulletin boards, standard manuals, credits on a movie. If it has words, you stop to read it. Not only are we amazed by how fluently you can read, we are actually more surprised by the actual words you read with ease. Words like technology, obedience, audience. Words like sacrifice, unnatural, disinfecting. Given the opportunity you would read most of the day. Math is another "subject" that you are getting really excited about. You love doing addition and subtraction. You love numbers, dates, knowing how far away something is. We often call you "Rainman" because you definitely have my memory. You remember everything. It's freakish how quickly and the great lengths of time you remember things.

You have taken your role of "Big Brother" very seriously and with great pride. You love showing him new things, teaching him animal sounds or new words. You are quick to tell him "no" or let me know when he's getting into trouble. You love to hug, kiss, and hold each others' hands. You love introducing your little brother and proudly share both your names and Elias' latest milestone. You clap and make a big deal when he does something special. You are his biggest cheerleader and he is yours. I hope you both always stand in each other's corner rooting each other on. Colin, I've been so impressed by how you've handled someone "stealing the spotlight." Over the past few months, Elias has commanded more of our attention and charmed it from others. You have your moments of not always wanting to share your toy immediately or getting frustrated by Elias ramming his head into yours - yet again, but for being only 4, you handled it better than most. 

                                     

It's been so amazing to watch your faith grow this year. Daddy and I jokingly refer to you as Pastor Colin. You love reading your Bibles and ask the most profound questions. The biggest joy has been watching your prayer life explode. When I think back over the year, I have seen a huge change in how you pray. We used to say "thank you prayers" and like most children, you'd say the first thing that either popped into your head or the first thing you saw. As the year progressed, we have changed to "special prayers" where we take turns saying whatever is on our heart or mind. And while there are still times where you'd pray like a 4 year old, there are times you pray way beyond your years showing your heart for others. I pray you love for God and your heart for others never diminish. 

Colin Isaac, you are such a special boy. A boy who often puts others feelings and needs above his own. You love so deeply, so openly. You are affectionate, complimentary and loving. It is my prayer that you continue to explore this wonderful world; that your mind continues to absorb and question all that enters your mind; that you never lose your joy, laughter or the ability to love others. I am so proud to be your Mom and look forward to seeing what this year has in store for you. 

Love Always,
Mommy

And Colin's lesson plan for the week - same formatting issues. 

Teacher(s): Ms. J, Mr. K

Monthly Theme: Building

Weekly Theme: Recycling

Monthly Concepts: Square, 5, Dd, Jj, Ss

Author: George McClements

Book: Dinosaur Woods

Baby Sign: NA

Colors: White

Character Trait: Patience

Woodland Focus Friend: Terance and Faris

AM Circle
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Can you use something in a new way?	What is litter? What should we do?	Why do we recycle?	Is there anything else we want to know about recycling	Review Recycling
Creative Arts
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Robots	Robots	Sensory Bottles	Sensory Bottles	Use up recycling items
Writing/Journaling
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
HWT: S	Write two words from class	Name Writing	Use Recycling to write words	HWT: Square
Music/Movement
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Gymnastics	Instruments	"Simon Says"	Free Dancing	Follow the leader
PM Circle
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
What does it mean to be Patient?	Good things come to those who wait. The patience game.	Role Play: What should I do, if I want what you have?	Introduce a talking stick to circle time.	Share Chair
Language/Cognitive
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Crazy Pizza Day	Hush	Peter's Chair	Sam Helps Recycle	Something From Nothing

I haven't posted the boys' lesson plans in awhile. I know I've love looking back at these in the years to come... Unfortunately I can't format it to show the entire week :( 

Teacher(s): Ms. C, Ms. R, Ms. C, Ms. H

Monthly Theme: ABC'S

Weekly Theme: The Letter C

Monthly Concepts: Review All

Author: Bill Martin

Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Baby Sign: Thank You

Colors: Red

Character Trait: Otis

Woodland Focus Friend: Helpfulness

Morning Circle
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness	zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness	zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness	zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness	zoo-phonics, shapes, colors, counting, helpfulness
Art
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Hand print cats	Writing the letter C	Whisker chalk printing	Cat Plate	Paw printing
Sensory Exploration
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Paint	Colored Pencils	Chalk	Plate	Water bottle
Music/Movement
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
He got the whole world in his hands	Jesus Loves Me	Jumping up and down	Rock-a-bye baby	How much is the puppy in the window
Learning Center Activities
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
Meowing like a cat	Name object that begin with the letter C	Jumping up and down to songs	Packing snow together	Digging in the sand
Afternoon Circle
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
songs and stories	songs and stories	songs and stories	songs and stories	songs and stories
Language/Cognitive
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
What's the movement for letter C?	Spanish	What is something that begins with a C?	Spanish	Baby sign for Thank You