New Year - New Semester - Where ya at?

School starts back for us Jan 3. This is our second half of school. Every December I start trying to figure out what we are going to learn the next half. I go threw our books to make sure we are on pace for where I like or think we need to be, then the worry starts, Am I doing everything I need to, Am I teaching good enough, Am I teaching the right thing...... On and On.... This is a normal thing for me -- However I find my answers!



Progress Report for Ending 2010

MUS - We only have around 7 lessons left for each child(Lexi prob has closer to 9)

AAS - Kyle AAS level 2 has 11 lessons, Lexi has 18 lessons and Zac is just on level 1 step 1, no rushing, I don't have a stopping point on this subject, What we finish is just what will get finished.

History - lesson 25 out of 108(this has gone very slow the first half but this half we will kick it up some) The smallers hold Kyle up on this, so second semester we are doing things differently I will elaborate in other posts.

Grammar: We are almost dead half way point with 151 pages left to complete...

So My Thoughts: I have to kick it up in History, everything else I feel like we are doing wonderfully on. Science we haven't done anything "officially" however we have had several unit studies, last unit was a huge animal unit lasting 8 weeks. We also have done several Science Labs and the kids are asking for us to do this more.


Changes Comin':
The main changes in our homeschool starting in Jan will be the unit studies. We will be having 2 unit studies going on at a time. One for Kyle and one for Lexi & Zac. Kyle feels held back by the smaller 2 and I do not want to hinder his learning, He feels he needs to go at it alone for a while. I was already planning on this and he just helped me confirm that he needed it!

History: MOH will be only for Kyle, He and I love MOH but Lexi and Zac are just to small for this kind of history. We are deciding on weather to buy the Lapbooks and just do those with Lexi and Zac or if we are just going to do something on a similar topic. TBA... LOL


Plans:
Unit Studies are planned as follows:

Kyle(10): He has choose Lewis & Clark first.

Terrific Tigers DNG
Lewis & Clark DNG
Davy Crockett DNG
Ancient Egypt LB from HSS
Detective LB/US from HSS
Where the Buffalo's Begin Study from HSS


Alexis(7) & Zac(5 soon to be 6 sniff sniff) They have choose Make Way For Duckling first.
Stone Soup LB from HSS
Aesop's Fables from HSS
Johnny Appleseed LB from HSS
Make way for Duckling LB from HSS
Months of the Year LB from HSS
Whales DNG
Growing Veg Soup LB from HSS
Officer Buckle & Gloria LB from HSS
Curious George LB from HSS
Caps for Sale LB from HSS
The Grouchy Ladybug from HSS

Together (7 weeks)
Food Groups Study(2 weeks)
Outter Space Study(2 weeks)
Rockin Robots DNG
Still deciding on one more study... We will not do a study together week one, just getting back into the grove!
 
Overall Summary:
I am very happy with each of the kids progress this far in our year. I feel each child is doing their best and that's all I ever ask of them. They are having fun learning, no melt downs this year, which is an answered prayer! The one thing that I love most of all this year is our Workbox System, Sue Patrick is a genius(curious? search workboxes on my blog). I feel this has been a huge reason for our success this year! Kyle has made the most improvement, honestly he really needed to - he is the oldest. I feel that in Feb when we changed ALL of our publishers this was the main benefit. With help from wonderful friends to try to cater to my kids learning ability instead of me trying to buy a boxed set! I give all the Glory to having the faith to follow what I think God was trying to tell me. God has blessed me with wonderful loving kids to homeschool and I am so thankful!
 
MOH - has been wonderful, glad we changed, I have learned so much! LOL
 
AAS - the kids love this, I am glad we made the dreaded change from SWR.
 
MUS - the kids needed a more hands on approach and I am so glad last year we made a huge 360 and re-evaluated all the publishers we was using and made the change.
 
Easy Grammar - I must say that I do not like the level for Lexi but love the Level for Kyle.
 
 
Now alittle about my worries:
I think its very common for homeschool mothers to feel confused about what they are teaching and if its alright to teach it at that point. We have no guide to follow. I only have issues when it comes to History and Science, those are the only places I ever feel I am slacking. I feel inadequate and I think that's why I get to a point at this time every year when I check progress and I get worried that maybe I am teaching wrong or not the right subject. So every year I talk to God about my fears and every year he sets me straight. I feel that the reason I homeschool is so that I can teach my children differently than the school in town. After all that's the reason I homeschool -- To teach MY way.... and the other thing that has calmed me is there is NO WAY A CHILD WILL LEARN EVERYTHING. PERIOD. There are gaps in education no matter how wonderful of a homeschool parent you are or public school teacher you are, its just not possible to teach EVERYTHING. That gives me great comfort! I teach the way I feel God leads me to teach. My fears over Lapbooks & Unit Studies are few and far between because I see my children retain what they learn from them. I can teach in a fun way and the kids can learn. Will I teach everything? No -- but I will at least teach my children things they are interested in and the love of learning will burn in them forever!
 

Start your New Year with Hope, Faith, Peace and Love!

If you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please don't go another year without the

Peace and Love He will give you!

Book Review ~ Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional

I was given a wonderful chance to review

Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham.

I love anything this man speaks.

I enjoy listening to his sermons and I love his books,

this one was no exception!

Book Description:

The classic 365-day devotional from Billy Graham, now back in print.

No matter your place in life, this classic collection of devotional readings is designed to bring you daily to that special place of renewal— to help you pause and gaze "unto the hills" for help and inspiration.

Each of the 365 daily readings in this inspiring collection offers a carefully chosen passage of scripture, a brief, thoughtful message from Dr. Graham, and a heartfelt prayer composed especially for this book. Distilled from a lifetime of study and ministry, these devotionals supply daily food for thought about living fruitfully and joyfully in an often fretful world.

Simple, direct, encouraging yet challenging, this book offers itself as a heartening companion for your daily walk in the valley. This collection is a gentle but constant reminder that we can find help for all our needs as long as we remember to look up . . . unto the hills but especially unto the Lord.

I enjoyed the way his devotional is wrote for you to enjoy every day. It only takes you 5 mins to have alone time to read and devote thinking to God. I didn't get the liberty of going threw the book day by day however for this review I get to keep this wonderful copy of the book and I will begin once again next week day by day for my soul. I feel each time you read a day from a devotional you come closer to God.

Lapbooks?

Since we started our Lapbook Journey in February I have learned a ton about supplies and the best way to find deals. When your lapbooking with 3 children you go threw a ton of folders, paper, glue and tape. Here are some of my suggestions.

Items I have on my list to buy more of:
Cardstock
Glue(stick mainly)
Double sided tape
Folders
Paper


Things I use with Lapbooks often:
Stapler
Hole Punch
Scrapbook Supplies(cheap dollar ones)
Scissors
Laminator(love)

Best deals I have found on supplies:
Cardstock/Copy Paper - Walmart, if Staples is running a sale sometimes they beat them.
Folders(we like color) - Staples, they have the colored ones and my children love the choice.
Glue - Depends on who is running a sale, normally dollar store beats anyone, but when its back to school time you can normally buy at walmart for a quarter and once Staples had glue for .10cent!
Normally if you can find items at the Dollar Store you will come out pretty good, just remember to watch for sales because normal sales will beat the Dollar store and you get better quality.

Ways to save:
If you will sign up for clubs at ACMoore, Staples, Hobby Lobby, etc. They will have specials for club members or you will be able to save an additional %. Staples also ups the limit that you can buy if you have a teacher club card! Instead of limit of 2 you have a limit of 25!!

Is lapbooking worth the effort?

YES!!!!! My children are learning threw doing and I am enjoying them looking at their completed project week after week. They love to show off their folder to whom ever comes over to visit. That makes me proud. They enjoy doing work this way and I am happy to let them learn in a fun way! Learning doesn't have to be by a book only or worksheets. I am glad I can teach my children my way!!

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite Pic's this week:

OJTA Sensational Homeschooling - Joined the team!

I have joined the team over at Sensational Homeschooling, had a very warm invite and just couldn't say no! Love what I see over there, Go on over and check them out!  

This first post is my intro to the group.

 If your a new follower of me go on over and check out who I am!

http://www.sensationalhomeschooling.com/2010/12/meet-our-newest-sensational-mama-kayla.html

This second post is about CAPD and my son:

http://www.sensationalhomeschooling.com/2010/12/sensational-mama-kayla-arrowood-reports.html

OJTA Sensational Homeschooling: Sensational Mama, Kayla Arrowood, Reports... Our E...: "by Kayla Arrowood I have thought long and hard about writing on this issue, because it hits so close to home with me. Before my eldes..."

50% Off Subscription to Zoobooks or Zootles Magazine

Had to share, I love Zoobooks, however I normally buy second hand, but I will enjoy this deal! Hope you do too.

Get a discount on Zoobooks magazine subscriptions right now on Zulily (https://www.zulily.com/index.php/custom ... nt/create/), a daily deal site just for kids and mamas. Get a voucher towards any $30 subscription for $15.

This is for Zoobooks, Zootles or Zoobies, three magazines that are all animals just for kids. These magazines never go on sale so getting a 50% discount makes a great deal!!



To make it even more fun, when you use your voucher Zoobooks site (http://shop.zoobooks.com/Subscriptions-C599.aspx) to order, you’ll also get free stickers and posters with your order.

Here is my referral link if you want to sign up: http://www.zulily.com/invite/karrowood621

Our Christmas

So our Christmas always starts out on Christmas Eve day going to Marion to the in-laws, on the way we stopped to see the huge Nutcrackers, the kids love them!

Next we are at Grandmothers and Grandfathers, the kids are ready to open the presents!

We left Kevin's parents home to go to my Grandmother's House, I have done this since I was a small child. We play Bingo and eat supper and just hang out. The kids love going to granny and papa's house! They love seeing Uncle Chip the most I think - LOL.

My mom and Kyle, I think she was up to something!

After Granny's house we went to see the Christmas lights in the next town, the kids love doing this and this year was no exception.

Christmas 5 A.M. The kids noticed Santa had came so up we had to get!

Everyone got just what they wanted and then some! We are so very Blessed!! 

So Christmas morning is over and next stop my momma's!

On the way to Granny's house!

Me and my granny Jewell.

My mother being difficult...

My daddy, granny, papaw and Alexis, Zac and Kyle.

The babies waiting on present time!

We had a wonderful Christmas, I am so very blessed to have all the members of my family to share holidays with! I love them all and I am so glad we can celebrate together!

Merry Christmas!!

This week without school has been wonderful, we have done many fun things and just had time to enjoy with each other. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Wordless Wednesday

Zac eatting at our Church Supper Sunday.

Alexis talking to her friend Jada at church.

Lexi is a Sheep and Zac is a Donkey in our church play Sunday pm.

Kyle is one of the Wise Men, Yellow shash. Singing We 3 Kings. He done wonderful!

Zac came out of the play to sit on Daddy's lap ~ He done great but got a little rattled with all the people watching him.

Kyle at his basketball game this weekend, he is #50.

First week ever that I haven't posted school pics -- but thats what a break is for -- I think? LOL

GOLD, COMMON SENSE AND FUR

This story was passed along to me last week and I just couldn't wait to post it for you guys! As I read it I knew this is something every mother goes threw! I laughed and got a little chocked up too. I hope you enjoy this story!


GOLD, COMMON SENSE AND FUR

My husband and I had been happily
married (most of the time)
for five years
but hadn't been blessed with a baby.
I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word
as my guide.
God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us
with another son.
The following year,
He blessed us with
yet another son.
The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only
four years old.
I learned never to ask God
for anything unless I meant it.
As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain,
make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me
with four children and
I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding...
when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs
When my daughter poured
ketchup all over herself and
rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise
to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going
to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
"wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."
But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrapped
in wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said,
"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.
That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match broke out
between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel,
who bent her halo and lost
her left wing.
I slouched a little lower
in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced
down the aisle crying,
"Mama-mama."
Mary grabbed the doll,
wrapped it back up
and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward
wearing a bathrobe
and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger
and announced,
"We are the three wise men,
and we are bringing gifts
of gold,
common sense
and fur."
The congregation
dissolved into laughter,
and the pageant
got a standing ovation.
"I've never enjoyed a Christmas
program as much as this one,"
laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes.
"For the rest of my life,
I'll never hear the
Christmas story without
thinking of
gold,
common sense
and fur."
"My children are my pride
and my joy and my greatest
blessing," I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin.
Jesus had no servants,
yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army,
yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
Feel honored
to serve such a Leader
who loves us.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Small and Simple Things Challenge

Last week Tristan over at Our Busy Homeschool started with this challenge. I love Tristan, she has just given birth again to a cutie pie Caleb! She is trying to get her size back(normal after babies, which us momma's understand). She put this little Challenge together to help herself and others like me do simple everyday changes to help impact you overall. I know first hand how much easier it is when you have others to go along with you, It gives you a push! You have to be more accountable for what your doing if your sharing it with friends!

So last week was Week 1. My challenge was to try to drink at least 4 bottles of water daily(I love me some Pepsi) and not to eat after 9pm(My husband and I do this because I get off my night shift and we will watch TV and the kids are in the bed so we will get us a snack). I am happy to report that I drunk more water than I promised daily, with the help of Crystal Light. I also didn't eat a thing after my night shifts, which was super hard because Kevin still did!! He would look and say OH you can have some of mine and I held my ground!

So this week is Week 2. I plan to build upon what I have already done, this week I am going to try to only drink 3 glasses per day of soda(which will be extremely hard for me) and not eat after 8pm. If I try to keep gradually changing I think it will stick more easily. I am also going to try to exercise at least 2 times this week, with my schedule it will be the most challenging part of this task!

So join on up with us!! Visit Our Busy Homeschool and Link Up -- Take the Challenge to make yourself better too!!

http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/

TOS GIVEAWAY

Hi girls, Just wanted to let you know over at the TOS Crew they are having a wonderful Give a Way!! We are not having school this week, this is our first week of our break and today was nice just sleeping in and having fun with the babies!

Go on over to the TOSCREW and check them out!!

Have a great week!

Twelve Days of Homeschool

This was so hilarious I just had to share. If your having a bad day this should help brighten it right up! Remember my cartoons about homeschooling? Well if you didn't see them go scan down a few days because they were hilarious as well.

Hope you enjoy my humor!

Weekly Wrap ~ Up 16

Well this week has been wonderful but cold((brr))! Friday is my favorite!! No more work and all PLAY! No Christmas Play last week and hopefully weather will be good for this Sunday, we also have our gift exchange and dinner at church this Sunday, We can't wait! Basketball game again for Kyle this weekend.Possible trip to Marion. That's all the plans we have! Don't you just love the lazy weekends? I do...

Weekly Wrap Up

Kyle ~ Had trouble in Math ( shocked ) for the first time in years, he normally picks up everything and is so mathematically gifted, so this week was a huge change for me knowing how to help him with extra drills and online drills. The best thing about MUS is the online extras, making a worksheet option and online drills! Love me some MUS. Other than that Kyle has done wonderfully, he is ready for a break he did tell me this week, so I am glad its break time! We have had some struggles this week with PKU stuff and APD but other than that we are good! God will give me nothing more than I can handle and I have Him to help me threw! If you have a moment please take a minute and say a pray for Kyle, this week has been hard on him, sometimes he gets alittle discouraged. 

Lexi ~ She has read me out of house and home, I don't think there is a book in this house she hasn't read this week!! I am so proud of her that she has a special love for books! As for work goes she has done wonderfully as normal. She did however finish her Daily Devotional Bible for Little Girls, so over my break I am going to have to think of a new item for that. She has really caught on to the proper function of a sentence, this has been a lot of work for her, So I am relieved. She was sick Monday night into Tuesday with a 12 hour stomach bug so I am happy she is better! She has been very sickly this month!

Zac ~ Zac has loved helping me review "SpellQuizzer", he has really improved on his ABC recognition this week. He is up to 100 in numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WooHoo I am super excited!!! He is doing pretty good on recognition too. Phonograms have come a long way the last few weeks as well, this week he had his first ABC sound worksheet that I didn't have to help him with! He knew it, so huge step there!!

Also finished up Goofy Gecko Download N Go Unit Study this week, It was so fun, If you haven't tried it, You really should consider this one! We learned alot! This was the last week of our 8 week Animal Unit Study! This was the first study I had put together myself and I learned alot, good and bad! Will be better prepared next 8 weeks! But we will be breaking it down to 2 weeks mini studies next semester!

We normally only do crafts on Tuesday but this week we had many! Its such a great time of the year to make things! Made Winter Magnets, Reindeer Puppets and Gingerbread Men.

Yes they have one the same pjs, but didn't make them both on the same day, I forgot to take pics of the puppets on Tuesday :)

I am a happy blessed homeschool momma! I love my kids to the moon and back! I hope that you enjoy our blog!  

Funny Homeschool Cartoons/Lets take a breather!

I found some cute (to me some hilarious) funny homeschool cartoons, or just thoughts! You know "we" homeschoolers have such a stereotype and frankly sometimes I get soooooooooooooo -- breather -- oooooooooooooooooooooo tired of it!!! Sometimes its just all I can do to not bite someones head off when they say something. So to take the bad feelings that go along with that I decided to post something funny and witty. I know we all have had "those" comments about the famous homeschooling topic spoke to us at one point and time, if not repetitively!

Be blessed in what you do! For its for the Glory of God!

Hope you found the humor I did in these!! XOXO

Wordless Wednesday

Look Closely... Anyone that knows me understands why I took a pic of this in the first place ;)

Warm Spiced Apple Cider

This is a wonderful recipe that I found 2 years ago on Kraft and WOW we have used it every winter since! My children will ask for me to make fresh apple cider and this is what they are referring to! I love to make something fresh and homemade for my babies! I know the ingredients are not " home made" but they still see me assemble it and that's what they think! It taste so very good! My mom used to make something very similar but lost the recipe and for years I have searched for something to come close and this is it! This is wonderful on our cold snowy days because believe it or not the kids do get tired of Hot Cocoa!

I hope that you enjoy this wonderful Hot Drink Recipe!

What You Need

COUNTRY TIME Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix
6 cinnamon sticks, divided
3 cups apple juice
1 cup water
8 whole cloves
2 Tbsp. brown sugar


Make It



MEASURE drink mix into cap to 1-qt. line; place in medium saucepan. Add 2 cinnamon sticks and all remaining ingredients; stir.




COOK on medium heat 5 min. or until heated through. (Do not let boil.) Use slotted spoon to remove spices; discard.




POUR drink into mugs. Add 1 of the remaining cinnamon sticks to each.

I Won!!!

Just happy -- wanted to share! I just was contacted from Kris over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and I won the Kids Flag Page Give A Way!!

(((HOT DOG DANCE))) as Zac would say!

I enjoy reading her blog weekly and I am just very happy to win something because I never do! LOL -- Go check her blog out!
http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com

Week 16

This is our week 16. Remember we are schooling 8 weeks and off 2 weeks all year long. So how's that going you ask?? WONDERFUL. I can't believe we haven't tried or thought of this before, but anyhow I am so very glad we considered it this year! So this week is kinda an end point, things that are either at a good stopping point or we are trying to get to that good stop point.

Together:

Memory Verse: Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Review Item: SpellQuizzer(for each child) You can download a Free Trail and watch my blog because I will be hosting a Give A Way for a Free License!

Read Aloud: Family Under the Bridge(finish)

Mystery of History: Well this is a sore subject with me at this point, because I have let myself down on staying on track. This points out no matter how you plan and try homeschool mother's are not perfect!!

Animal Study: This is our last week on our huge animal study we have done for this 8 weeks. This week Kyle is studying Terrific Tigers from DNG.

Day 1: What Is a Tiger?

Day 2: Getting to Know Tigers

Day 3: Where Are the Tigers?

Day 4: The Science of Tigers

Day 5: Cool Things About Tigers

Zac and Lexi are studying Whale Tales.

Day 1: What Is a Whale?

Day 2: Getting to Know Whales

Day 3: Where Are the Whales?

Day 4: The Science of Whales

Day 5: Cool Things About Whales

We wasn't going to separate our studies until next semester but I guess I however was on the right track because Kyle begged last week to do his own study. I couldn't deny him that. So I am glad that I am in tune enough with my children to be able to recognize there direction. We do not discuss their schooling options because we feel that we(my husband and I) can make an informed decision. Also going to finish labeling some more animals into their categories.

Draw Write Now: Drawing Cat, Dog and Bird.

Writing Prompts:

1. Write to someone that helps you and tell them how much you appreciate their help.
2. Imagine your visiting Earth from a far away star. What message would you bring to tell us?
3. Pretend you are a mouse in a busy department store. What would you see there?
4. Imagine you have a talking ten dollar bill. What does it say to you?
5. Like a snowflake, you are special and unique. Write about the thing that make you unique.

This week we will be doing a lot of Practice and Learn activity worksheets from Teacher Created Materials. The reason for this is because we are at a good stopping point in "some" of our subjects so this helps us get a great review.

Kyle

MUS - Lesson 20 Test. Lesson 21 & Unit Test

Handwriting without Tears Cursive. Writing paragraphs in cursive.

Devotional Daily

Practice and Learn Ages 8 -12: Varies Activities each day.

Easy Grammar - At a stopping point....

AAS Level 2 - Steps 13 and 14

McCall - Crabbs Lessons - 12 and 13

Lexi

Devotional Daily

Practice and Learn Grade 2: Varies activities daily

MUS Lesson: 19 - 19X

McCall Crabbs Lesson - 12 and 13

Writing - Working on writing sentences properly. With Capital letters and proper punctuation.

AAS level 2 - Step 6 and 7 

Daily Grammar - I have started making my own for her at this point mainly because the Daily Grammar isn't actually teaching her so instead of buying a new book for her(because I have the old edition and need the new one) I am just going to continue to make my own. She is working on punctuation and capitalization.

Zachary

MUS lesson 20 -- He is struggling at this point so we will be going extra slow to make sure he understands his numbers... PROPERLY! He made great improvements last week I think he is finally getting the place value thing!

AAS - Still step 1, learning the sounds!

Working on cutting skills.

Daily Drills consist of his ABC's and Numbers. This week adding colors and shapes back in.

Writing skills this week are same as normal, working on name, working on abc's and numbers.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on Monday, Wed & Fri. On Friday if he has any additional letters to add we will do it then.

* Remember all our items are in our workboxes. I have enjoyed this system for 16 weeks and I can tell a huge difference in our daily routine. We are able to get much more done each day. Not that I want to load my children with work but it truly doesn't do "that" it helps to make sure your organized enough to get threw the stuff in that notorious, famous pile of "we'll do that later". Surprised? No your not because all of us have that pile! You know you do!! So the workbox system is the best improvement in our home this school year. I brag about it every change I get and I am not going to stop. This year was very scary for me because all 3 children would need me and I was afraid that I wouldn't have the time for each the way they needed me. But I am glad to say this system works to help with that and I am no longer scared to school all of my children at the same time! If you have problems with organization, getting away from the kids or they don't perform without you beside them, you need to stay more on task, THEN YOU NEED TO TRY THIS! Check out Sue Patrick's Workbox System here: http://www.workboxsystem.com/

Review ~ SpellQuizzer

2 weeks ago SpellQuizzer contacted The Arrowood Zoo to host a review of their item! I have been given a free license to review their product and also been given another for ONE OF YOU, our wonderful readers!! I will be posting Reviews on Friday. However this review will last for a month! At the end of my review I will host my Give A Way!! Be sure and follow me because that will give you extra ways to enter! In the mean time check out SpellQuizzer and see what you can look forward too!

You can also download a Free Trail!!

http://www.spellquizzer.com 

Shout Out ~ Me & Marie Learning

I am going to start sharing some of my favorite resources in computer land! This week is Ashley from Me & Marie.

I found Ashley about a year ago on etsy while searching for fun items to help Zachary learn basic concepts: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeandMarie?ref=pr_shop 

Since that year she has moved on to a wonderful website: http://meandmarielearning.com/shop 

And has a wonderful blog I enjoy reading regularly: http://meandmarielearning.blogspot.com

Let me tell ya alittle about her items! Her items are for tots & kinder age children, however her pretend items are for any group! My 9  10  year old loves the Grocery Pretend Set! My favorite item she sales are her  Baggie Games! I have to give her credit also on her Learning Packs, We own several of them as well! I think I have about 14 of her items and haven't been upset with any item from her! That says a lot because I am very picky on what I buy when it come to teaching my children!

I like Ashley's items because they are hands on learning! Games are the best way to help kids learn, because they are having fun and learning without notice! All of her items have instructions and helpful hints. I love the fact that my children look forward to the fun time we spend together learning each day. I can place a Baggie Game Set in Zac's workbox and he can have fun without alot of money and time spent on the item! Her items are VERY affordable! Reasonable prices is what drew my attention to her when I seen her quality it was just a hook and sink deal!! I have been a customer of her's for over a year and am very happy with her work!

Me & Marie have several items new for Christmas that I want! Gingerbread Math, The Story Of Christmas Learning Pack and Holiday Baggie Games(ofcourse)!

I want to share a freebie she has on her site as well for Christmas! You will have to register on her wonderful site to get the freebie, but I am sure you can find something else there you will love too!

 http://meandmarielearning.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=87



(Disclaimer I received no compensation and all opinions presented here are my own.)

Free Audio Books

My kids love reading books, but they also love to listen to them as well. I came across this link from homeschool share, and have gotten some wonderful use from it. This site has wonderful FREE audio books, you can load onto your mp3 or download to your computer! True Classics!! And what better than FREE?

http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/

I hope that you enjoy this site, as much as we have!!

Home Style Potato Soup

I wanted to share some soup recipes since its getting colder months and my family loves soup! This particular recipe is Kyles favorite! He loves Potato Soup!!

Cook time is about 40 mins, however it only takes about 10 mins to prep!!


You Need:
3 medium potatoes (about 1 pound)

1 3/4 cups Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton)

2 medium green onions with tops

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves


Directions:
Peel the potatoes, and cut into large pieces.

Heat the chicken broth and potatoes to boiling in the saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally with a fork to make sure potatoes do not stick to the saucepan. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently. Cover and cook about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

While the potatoes are cooking, peel and thinly slice the green onions. If you have extra onions, wrap them airtight and store in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

When the potatoes are done, remove the saucepan from the heat, but do not drain. Break the potatoes into smaller pieces with the potato masher or large fork. The mixture should still be lumpy.

Stir the milk, salt, pepper, thyme and onions into the potato mixture. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and steaming, but do not let the soup boil.


I hope that your family enjoys this as much as mine! You can add in broccoli, ham and cheese for different versions! Make it however you think your family will enjoy!

New Design!

Since changing over to blogger for our permanent home, I wanted it to look like something that belonged to me... Something I could be proud of and baby!

So this is it. It reflects my personality and my feel.

 Hope that our change over here is great and I will be changing over my other files this week from homeschoolblogger.

Have a great weekend! Our blizzard is still on the way from what I hear, coming tonight after midnight!! Ice, snow, sleet and cold! Not my favorites at all!

Weekly Wrap ~ Up

So its finally Friday friends!! My favorite day of the week. Means no more work, school and lazy day begins!! This weekend we are in for many treats if only the weather would hold out. Saturday Kyle has his first ball game, which was supposed to be played last Saturday but was cancelled because weather. The Christmas Play is Sunday night, they have worked so hard on it and the weather is probably going to ruin the play, so it will be postponed. This weekend is looking to be a lazy, cuddly and movie good weekend!!

Snow is coming again Sunday am, we already have a Blizzard warning ~ Woohoo ~ Not really all of you know I do not like snow!! Kids are excited!!

Weekly Wrap ~ Up

School went wonderful this week. Everything got completed, we have had fun trying to wrap up our Animal 8 week unit study! Learned about reptiles more and Incorporated Goofy Gecko from DNG into our week. The Gecko is very interesting and DNG's are wonderful for us! Next week to finish up we are doing Terrific Tigers & Whales. The children couldn't decided on one so Kyle is doing his first study alone. Which was going to be started after the first of the year but I guess he needed it before my plans. 

Math this week went great for everyone BUT Zac... bless his heart he is getting to a point that his little brain just can't keep up! So we are going to be slowing down MUS, next week may not even do a "lesson" but might do just fun activities to reinforce. He is understanding how to skip count 10's and doing really good, but he is having trouble with the 2's. Needs to practice and master those, so maybe a break from worksheets is what is needed!!

Grammar/Language went wonderful for all this week! We had a blast with our story prompts! I love reading what they write, they are just so creative and Kyle has improved so very much since February! I am proud of my baby boy! Lexi loves writing but gets angry because her hand can't keep up with her pencil so sometimes she just tells me then I let her copy what she told to me. Zac normally just draws a picture to go in his journal.

Pics from our weekly roundup:

Still playin' in the snow!

Daddy helping Zac with his skip counting!!

Lexi is playing on http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/index.html which is a wonderful educational site! They  have all kind of wonderful learning games!! YES REALLY LEARNING GAMES!! The one she is playing in this pic is Pac Math... Its just like Pac Man but Pac has to eat the answer to the math problem, the answers are on the ghosts that wonder around!! All of my children love this site!!

T'was the Month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I came across this poem and loved it and wanted to share, tis the season to be thinking of our Lord and Savior!!

Wordless Wednesday



Sunday A.M.



What's Your Christmas Tradition with the Kiddo's?

I was asked the other day what our family traditions are when it came to the holidays and after talking about it to my neighbor I wanted to share it with you too. Please leave a comment and let me know what your traditions are as well.

When it comes to Christmas these are the things I hope my children remember every year they were able to do with my husband and I, I hope we are giving them lasting memories to pass along to their families as well.

~ Decorating the Christmas Tree together and laughing when one side of the tree looks naked and the other side about to fall over!! Because the kids pick where the ornaments go, I don't mind if the tree is lop-sided : ) 

~ Making cookies! We do this every year. We roll and cut out, then bake, then decorate!! That's the best and messiest part!!

Gingerbread Cookies this year!

Decorating with Icing is the funnest part I am told!

~ Crafts. We always make some crafts to hang around the house or on the tree. This year we decorated Gingerbread Men to hang on the tree and also used stencils to make Christmas shapes to hang in our school area and desk area to brighten the holiday spirit.

Lexi didn't want a brown gingerbread man, so the white one is hers. From Left to Right, Mommas, Zac's, Lexi's and then Kyle's.

~ Make Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas Eve.

~ We always take a Christmas Photo of the kids in front of the tree to include with our Christmas cards. Here are my babies this year! ((Sniff Sniff)) They are growing...

~ Going to my grandparents Christmas Eve and eating supper.

~ Christmas Day going to my parents with my brothers family. We exchange gifts and eat and just have fun. My mother always has Charlie Pride playin'! That's a tradition that she has always had!

Please share your with me! I hope you enjoy learning more about my family and look forward to reading about you as well.