Wordless Wednesday Week 2 - Its all Fun and Games

Wonderful Deal Find

I am so happy and blessed to share an item I had been wanting to purchase however the extra money for something "off topic" wasn't really in our homeschool budget this year. So let me show you, what it is, I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago...

You talking about nearly having a heart attack... Let me explain. The first Snap Circuit set has 300 projects and on amazon the price is $34.00 then the Snap Circuit Jr 100 projects is $17.00 which is the cheapest prices I have found in a while. So ((DRUM ROLL PLEASE)) I paid $3.00 for both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Savings of $48.00. The most wonderful part of it all is they were all in tack!! Nothing was missing and from the looks of them they hadn't been used or played with either!! Wow what a wonderful find. My mom was with us and I honestly think she thought I was going nuts. Cause as soon as I saw them I said "Ohhh" really loud and then grabbed them as if any one else was looking saying "THEIR MINE AND I WILL FIGHT YOU FOR THEM" LOL... Needless to say I found a wonderful deal. I am blessed that God gave them to me. He knew my heart was for them and found a wonderful way to bless my family with them!

Weekly Wrap Up 1 - Starting

This week has gone by fast. Yes its really only been a 3 week break however with us starting back with new books and new grades it has been "different". With it being different publishers and unfamiliar items I have started back into this school year slowly. Kids have had a wonderful attitude this week which is always something that helps the week go by great! We are still using the workbox system which I honestly can't understand how I ever homeschooled without doing! Secondly we are still doing year round schooling as follows: 8 weeks schooling and 2 weeks off the entire year.

Together:

Bible Study on Paul getting bit by a snake and why there is a reference to Owl's in the bible.

Read Aloud - Because of Winn Dixie

Science Topic - 5 Senses

Math/Science Lab - Estimation

DS1 ~

Reviewing phonogram sounds and spelling rules in AAS level 3.

Cursive writing practice.

Dictation and writing story.

Math - we haven't gotten our MUS books yet however I have started getting his mind geared into fraction's(which is what his mus year will be on). We have played a couple games and done a few Math Mammoth pages on it.

Reviewed Time telling and money skills. 

Daily reading.

DD ~

Review of AAS level 3 sounds and rules.

Review of basic writing skills.

Math - she is refreshing on adding numbers above 10 together. She done well with this. Waiting on MUS books.

Reviewed telling time.

Reading was not an assigned task for her, it never has to be. She read 14 books this week!! She is amazing when it comes to reading, She has a passion for it. Wish I could bottle some of that and give to DS1 lol.

DS2 ~ 

Review of ABC's.

Review of Sounds AAS level 1.

Math - review of numbers and solving problems in addition up to 10. 

Solving for the unknown(he likes that).

Writing ABC's.

Worked on placing sounds together for small 2 and 3 letter words such as: hat cat mug rat pat map bug. He enjoyed this and was pleased with himself which was fantastic. I was worried he would get upset with himself... Relief.

The main goal of this week was to get back into a "routine" for us. I guess even above that the goal was to have fun with it all. I learned the hard way over the last semester that when your to picky or not willing to lean a little, it takes the love of learning away. I would never want to take that away from any of my children. I am going to be working hard with one of my children to gain the love of learning back little by little. Next week there will be many more subjects added. Hopefully our MUS books will be here. American Sign Language will be added in on M, W and F alternating with Confessions of a Homeschooler's Artist study on T and Th. We will start Road Trip USA next week as well. All About Homophones(AAH) will be added for DS1 and DD starting Monday as well. I have probably left something out however it will emerge soon if so! Be Blessed and be a blessing.

Wordless Wednesday Week 1 - Starting Back

 My zoo for another year.

 First Day ~ Excited

 Boys will be boys while doing science lab... Below is DD1 doing one part of the lab.

 DD1 leaf rubbing. 

DD1 below as well she worked all day in between school getting that done!! 

DS1 just relaxing during reading time.

Week 1 - Starting Over

We are starting our school year today! This is Week 1 for us!!! WOOHOO... I will post soon about our new subjects and about what the learning is going to be weekly just like I used to. However this being the first day and after an extremely busy weekend I am not doing my normally weekly post. Our busy weekend had wonderful happenings. First an 11th birthday party then Sunday a blessed baptism for DS1.

(Our previous Pastor in blue shirt and in plaid is our current Pastor both participated)

We started off the day with getting to look over all our new supplies and books. Then we went on to just some fun crafty projects. Exploring all the new items was fun for everyone. I made a questionnaire for them to fill out for the beginning of the year and again at the end of our year to see differences and change in them. We went on to make a portrait of ourselves. The kids really seemed to like this. Then we took school pictures so we could see the change and growth in a year.

It's been really hard to imagine that I have a 6th grader this year. Wow its amazing. I have homeschooled 7 years this year, that's a little more amazing for me! I can't believe where the time has went. Will post more about our week through out. Hope everyone is having a wonderful blessed day!

Happy Birthday To My First Born

Happy Birthday To My First Love. 

My first born.

The one who showed me how to care and love all at the same time. 

I thank God for making me a mother and giving me my dear son.

He has been a true blessing to me as a mother and to our family. 

I can't believe how old he is already! 

Man how time flies. 

I have seen him change so much over the years and I understand that its just beginning. 

My heart breaks and overflows all at once. 

No wonder mother's are so nutty! 

I love you son! With all my heart.

Hope your day is everything you dreamed it to be. 

Happy Happy Birthday to my first born son.....

Awards!

I am honored to say I was a nominee. I am in the side splitter category however I am not a finalist.

~ The Side-Splitter ~

No matter what she writes, you always find yourself laughing out loud and maybe even crying.

I find that so wonderful that I was in the side splitter category! Love that!

 

Some of my wonderful homeschool blogging mothers are however. Please go on over and give them some much needed love!

Wordless Wednesday Week 47 - Last week counting... Then start over!

This week has been wonderful. The kids have been in a wonderful mood and I must say we have really enjoyed this week. Weather has been fantastic and God has really blessed!

Last week of our Break

We actually was going to start school yesterday until some things came up last week and we will be waiting until Monday the 22nd. This will be our official start date. The kids are excited and DD is waiting oh so patiently. I have a big announcement(for me) by the end of the month, That I am so extremely happy about (no i can't mention it yet).

I also would like to

THANK YOU ALL FOR VOTING! 

I won a years worth of science curriculum and all Simple Schooling's Virtual Classroom Videos(which the kids love)! I am so very blessed and honored to have won! I worked hard and prayed hard. Thank the good Lord above for this! I praise him. You see the last several months have been very "life changing" for our family. I honestly didn't have a lot of money in our homeschool budget this year. I normally have all my books and items before June.... Not this year! I was doing good to get basics. So I began to pray and I have to say its been truly wonderful leaving it in God's hands! He has provided me with 4 wonderful wins that has in so many ways benefited our homeschool budget! The Lord has blessed me with over $250.00 in homeschool material for free threw giveaways! I am praising him today. I think he has made himself very clear that he will provide if it's his will and I ask and trust.

So if your needing help in any way please be sure to pray and seek Jesus! I hope all of my homeschool mother's that started back this week and before have a blessed week! I will join you next week! 

Do It Anyway!

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered: Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you: Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough: Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis its between you and God: It was never between you and them anyway!!

 

Last Day to Help me Vote

Today is the LAST DAY TO HELP ME VOTE so I can try to WIN a year subscription to Simple Schooling. Could you please take a moment of your time and head on over to "thumbs up" my pictures. I am the SECOND COMMENT DOWN TITLED " THE ARROWOOD ZOO HOMESCHOOL". Again voting ends TODAY, go on over and help me out. My homeschool budget will thank you greatly!!

CLICK HERE

 

All About Spelling & Reading New Website

We started with All About Spelling 2 years ago and we have enjoyed it greatly. We changed over to it from Spell to Write and Read(SWR) because we felt that DS1 was having more trouble than needed. It has really been wonderful to cater to all my children's learning styles. Because us homeschool mothers understand that not 2 of our children will learn the same, its wonderful to have something that will apply to more than one! 

A few months back they released the first book in their new All About Reading Curriculum. We got this set for DS2. He loves Ziggy the Zebra so much that he begs for his AAR lesson! Now that's what I want all the time! All About Reading has some free books from AAR. I actually have a link on the left side of the blog to get the free books!! 

So since All About Spelling is growing and introuduced the All About Reading too, they have a new website for us all to enjoy! As of August 15th the new website will be running and they have placed all items they publish under one website!!  Making it easier for wonderful customers!

My kids are on Level 3 lesson 5 and going strong! DS2 will start Level 1 this year going slowly threw at his speed and also still doing All About Reading! DS1 and DD start All About Homophones as well, its recommended in Level 3.

We love all the products they publish. Its very user friendly and it is very interesting for the student. 

 

Zucchini Pizza Bites

I ran across a wonderful new recipe for us and I was wondering how in the world the recipe even came about! Its an odd idea to me however after trying it - it made perfect sense! 

Zucchini Pizza Bites. When I told the kids that was what we was making for lunch they all kinda stopped and looked at me as if I was a little nutty... Nothing out of the normal however they thought I had lost it. I told them we may not like it however we had a huge supply of Zucchini from the garden and we was gonna try it!

So first I cut the Zucchini up into think slices. Next I sprayed them with cooking spray very lightly. Then gave them to the kids for them to make as they wished. DS1 made his with PKU cheese and DD made hers and DS2's with pepperoni and cheese. Then I placed in the over at 350/400 degrees for 15 mins. 

I pulled them out and we platted them and waited about 5 mins so they could cool off. The kids still thinking I am nutty took plates to the table and said "so this is all we get"... I said "we are going to try them and if we don't like them I can fix something else." Ok so we try them and they are wonderful!! The kids actually wanted more and I must say that's a wonderful recipe. We loved it. It was fresh, light and good for ya! 

I'm a pizza lover and I didn't honestly know what to expect with this recipe but I was willing to try. I'm so glad I did. A wonderful fast healthy choice! Try it you are sure to love it too!! 

Wordless Wednesday Week 46

  

 

Need your HELP!

I need everyone to help me out to win a wonderful subscription of choice for my kiddos! A few weeks ago Simple Schooling had a contest going on to post pictures of your schoolrooms to win... I submitted and got choose as a semi finilist. I need your help in going HERE and going to the second pictures down titled THE ARROWOOD ZOO HOMESCHOOL(again the second comment down) and please push the thumbs up so that I can get more votes! Thanks so much for helping our homeschool out!!

Pineapple Jelly Recipe

I'm gonna share a wonderful recipe that was shared with me last year. A wonderful friend gifted me some Pineapple Jelly because she was shocked I had never even heard of Pineapple Jelly. Well after it was gone in less than 2 weeks I asked for the recipe! I have to be honest, I hate Pineapple!!!! However this is totally different and wonderful! Its easy to make.



4 1/2 cups of pineapple, crushed. I do use a fresh one and peel/blend.
5 1/2 cups of sugar, but I only used 2 cups, because its so sweet.
12 tsp. butter
1 box of sure jell

Put your measured pineapple into pot, the sure jell and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil, ( one that does not stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Add Sugar, return to boil, and boil for 1 - 2 minutes, you will be able to tell. Remove from heat, skim off any foam w/spoon. Ladle into prepared jars, filling all most to the top. Lay the jars upright on towel to cool, I cover my jars with towel to help keep warm that way the slower they cool the better chance all will seal!!


My family really loves this recipe. I hope you find yours does too!

Wordless Wednesday Week 45

Blessings This Week

So its just Monday morning and I am so happy to Praise God this am...

My Friday started with DS1 getting saved!!!!!!! I know its wonderful isn't it!!! He attended VBS at our former church with my parents and I was blessed enough to be there Friday and seen it!! God is wonderful. I was so happy and proud! Honestly at peace as well. DS1 has been asking some hard questions for about 6-8 months and we had been thinking it could be any time!


This am, a prayer was finally answered for my brother. He and his wife have separated and she has put him threw a lot but all his concern was over was Jenna and Mattie. She has stood him up many times on signing papers for their custody agreement and she finally signed them this am! Praise God. My brother is now the primary parent of the 2 girls. This is an answered prayer!!

I won 2 give a ways this weekend. I was beyond happy to win the Road Trip USA from Confessions of a Homeschooler!! My homeschool budget is really tight this year since its Kevin's last year in school and this was an item I wanted but was thinking I wasn't going to get! It was really a blessing! The second item I won was a neat DVD for multiplication facts! Just a supplement to use with learning!

Also Kevin has done really wonderful on his tests last week. Friday was a stressful day for him on tests. He did well but today will be a huge day... Final today... Pray for him.