Our Little House
How Zachary Learned to Count by 2's and 5's ~ Kinesthetic Learning
I cut out squares from construction paper ~ 10 of them. I put one number per card, 2, 4, 6, 8...all the way up to 20. Then I taped them to our living room wall...all in a line.
We stood in front of the numbers, to begin with. I read them out loud, as he repeated the numbers to me and tapped the number with his hand.
Next, I asked him to say his numbers each time he touched his nose. He would take turns from his left and right hands.
Then, he clapped his hands over his head while saying the numbers.
After that, we went to the other end of our living room to do a couple activities. He started off with me, then he had to run or walk to the number I said...which was counting by 2's in order...he had to tag the number once he got there...then walk back to me and slap my hands. Once we got thru the numbers, then we did it again, but this time...he had to walk backwards!
Lastly, we sat down in front of the numbers and clapped hands together while we said the numbers together.
Once we were done with that, I had him turn his back to the numbers and asked him to close his eyes and count by two's. He tripped up ONLY once! I asked him to try again....PERFECT!
I've been quizzing him every so often throughout the day...and he has done great each time!
It took only about 15 minutes.
When the tutor was trying to show him how to do it, it was on paper and he was not receptive to that at all. It ended in bad feelings and tears...for Zach. And he did not make any headway with it at all.
He showed the tutor that he knew his 2's up to 20 yesterday when she was here, she said that those are the hardest to learn, and when he learns his 5's, it will make counting money easier. I told her that we'll work on those tomorrow {which would be today} and he'll know them by Wednesday when she comes again.
So, now I have cards on our wall with numbers counting by 5's from 5 to 50. We will go thru the same stuff as when we were learning 2's to 20. Might add in one extra activity this time though. That would be rolling a ball back and forth while we are saying the numbers in order.
The Fine Line Between ADHD and Kinesthetic Learners
The Fine Line Between ADHD and Kinesthetic Learners
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Since I have been doing research and learning more about Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners...there are a bunch of little things that I look back on, and think, "Well, that makes sense."
Zachary was about 18 months when he learned to count 1 to 10. Danny and I were NOT the ones who taught him either. We were amazed when we heard him that first time. Want to know how he learned it? With a Leap Frog drum that every time he hit it, it said and lit up the numbers.
When Zachary was about 3yo, we got him the Leap Frog DVDs for learning letters and sound. He would watch them over and over because he loved them SO much. Along while watching the videos he would rock back and forth on the couch while singing along. He we get up and walk around the living room while practicing all the sounds. He would do some of the same moves that they did on the video. It was not even 3 weeks, if I had to guess, that he knew ALL of his alphabet and ALL of the letter sounds.
Last year, he became interested in learning letters in sign language. I still remember my whole alphabet using American Sign Language from when I learned it in school in 4th grade. So I showed him A, B, and C. He picked it up pretty quickly...with just showing him a couple times. So I started recording the show Signing Time on our DVR. We watched different ones, but mostly the A B C's, about 2 weeks later he could do ALL the signs for the alphabet and numerous more.
Thinking back on even just these three examples makes me wonder if he was able to process these things so quickly because they were practiced while doing BODY MOVEMENTS {Kinesthetic Learning}.
He has such a hard time sitting still in his seat. He's always moving. When we use one of his lapbooks we move his chair out of the way because he will shift back and forth on his feet.
When he is in Danny & my bedroom, playing the XBox...it is a struggle to get him to sit down! He could be in there for an hour and NOT sit down the whole time! Just playing his game, shifting back and forth on his feet.
At night time, usually but not always, he will walk from one end of our living room to the other...many times, over and over and over again. He's usually talking to him self, playing with his hair, sometimes he gets skipping or running. We have to YELL to him to get his attention when he is doing this. {Although usually we do not bother him while he's doing this unless we can't help it...we feel that apparently it's something he must do} I think that it is his own way of a "winding down meditation". I believe that this is how his mind is processing the day he just completed.
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Thank you so much for dropping by and for reading!
Homefront Happenings & ADHD Plus...
It's been awhile since my last entry...so I thought I might put one together this morning while I'm making our breakfast.
Yesterday, Frost went with his Boy Scout den to the Air Force Museum. He had a great time. I know he loves visiting there. I'm hoping that we can return soon to visit as a family again.
Yesterday was also the Girl Scout's Father/Daughter Dance. Danny & Arlee have gone every year that she has been in Girl Scouts. It's something they the two of them look forward to every year. Here is a picture of the two of them there...
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I was hoping to really dive into my new Daily Task List, but I was not feeling it this morning when I woke up. Hubby was sick last week with a bad cold...and now I think I've gotten it...UGH! I'm still going to try and get as much done as I can.
What actually sounds really good right now...which I am hoping to squeeze in today...is to cuddle up on the couch with a book from the Library. I've been trying to start it for a few days, but keep getting distracted from it...which is sorta ironic. It's called, The AD/HD Book by Beth Ann Hill.
Zachary's teacher, thru the virtual school, sent me via email the Vanderbilt Test. She tells me that it is {or at least similiar to others} the checklist they use when first starting to diagnose ADD/ADHD. I went thru it with Danny...I don't have it right in front of me at the moment, but I think it was the first 26 was all marked Often to Always...or something close to that wording. The next few, in my opinion, was for children older than Zachary. And the rest was about self-esteem...which Zachary actually thinks VERY much of himself. No low self-esteem for him.
So now we are at the point of ~What now?~ Do I call to get him an appointment with our family doctor? Do I need to if we are SURE we do not want to medicate him? All I know is for now...I will be reading up and doing some of my own research on it to find out what I can.
Thru looking into it all, I did come across something else which I thought was very interesting...Twice Exceptional. Which is, being gifted with a learning disability. Like with the ADHD. Hmmmm...this made me think. Zach is AMAZING with his school work! He is quite the sponge when it comes to new information. BUT, at the same time...he is EXTREMELY distracted while we are doing the work. It MUST be presented to him in just the right way.
Which then brings me back to the Mulitiple Intelligences. I'm beginning to see how all of these things are connected. And I must learn about ALL of it to find just the right way to teach my son.
I'm really needing to jump into my research. I've learned a lot so far, but I know that there is much much more.
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On that note, I must hop off of here so I can get the children fed and we can try to get started on that Daily Task List of mine!
Thanks for dropping in.
I plan on posting more on my findings about Zachary and ADHD/Twice Exceptional/Multiple Intelligences if anyone would be interested.
Adding 1 - 5 Lapbook for Zachary...PHOTOS!
I decided, after seeing THIS ONE, to make a multiplication lapbook for my oldest son, Frost. Well, then I decided to make an adding one for Zachary along with it.
Zach's happen to get done first. I have one more spot to fill in for Frosty's, then it will be done, too. I looks just like Zach's but with multiplication. But, I wanted to share the pics of Zach's...
Sorry, some of them are just a little blurry...hard holding the camera with only one hand! So, here is the 1's on the HUGE ice cream cone! Topped off with sprinkles and a cherry!
And the 2's which flip up to show the answer...
The 3's are on these petal flaps. They fold together to stay closed, and open up to show the correct answer....
Here are the 4's inside this envelope, I made this by cutting a long envelope in half, glueing on a construction paper flap. Inside are the numbers to use to fill in the blanks written on the envelope...
The 5's are just a simple flip book...
In the last space I added a little game we can do. It is an added piece of another folder which can/will fold out. There is a pocket on the front that holds fish...
The game will be, Mommy has 3 fish here {on left}, Zach has 2 fish here {on right}...when they jump into the fish bowl.....
How many fish do we have all together???
So there it is! I'm SOOOO excited about this one, and can't wait to sit down with him and practice his math facts!
Thanks for dropping by to look! Have a great day!A Little of This, A Little of That...
As some of you saw the other day I made my first Lapbook for Zachary. {You can see it HERE} Sunday we played with it during our lesson time. He really liked it! And, I'm SO excited about that! I showed the tutor when she came on Monday, and she used it with Zach during their session.
Arlee & I are working on making one about her. She recieved a letter from a new pen pal, and we thought it would be a creative way to tell a little about herself back. I need to get a new pack of those brass brads...I think that's what they are called. Those little thingys you poke thru the paper and it allows the paper to spin. We do already have some things cut out and ready to paste on though.
I'm also working out the details of two others ones. One will be for Zach and one for Frost. Zachary's will be all about addition Math facts 1-12, and Frosty's will be multiplication facts 1-12. I saw one for multiplication on the net, that's where I got the idea from...and figured I could make one for addition, too. I can't wait to jump into making those!!
Some of my Lapbook links....
http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.php
http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/lapbooks.html
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/228122/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPNyXJb09E
{YouTube Video}
On YouTube, you can do a search for lapbooking and you can watch many many videos on the topic
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In other homeschool news....Frosty has become quite the little reader! In December, his Lang Arts Title 1 teacher let us know that she does a reward system for her students who read the most books each month. We have to email her with the book titles that he reads. Last month {in December} we emailed her 14 book titles, and Frosty WON!!! He was SO excited! He recieved a certificate from his teacher and two new books.
Since then, he's been reading like CRAZY! He's already up to like 23 books read in January! He has until the 30th to add up titles! I'm SO happy & proud of him! He's reading so much better, too! And ENJOYING reading...which is SO wonderful to see!!
Whoo Hoo, Frosty!!
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Ok, so I've looked into the Charlotte Mason Method of homeschooling before. I beginning to look into it again. If anyone has any good links, please share.
Once I get into really reading up on it again, or putting into practice anything....I will post about it.
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Do you remember the blue scarf I was knitting for Liam? Well, it's finished now...
Isn't he cute?? What a smile this little boy has!!
I'm now working on a black/white/grey one for Frosty. Last one for the kids...for now, at least!
Once I'm done with Frosty's scarf, I'm going to start trying to learn a new stitch...looking forward to this!!
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Remember Cooper? Our new "little" puppy?? Here are a couple older pics of him that I've been meaning to post...
Okay...so those are older pics of him. And, I'm not sure why it looks like he has dandruff??? You don't see that until it got uploaded here?? Weird!
Here is some pics from just the other night. He was 6 weeks when we got him a week before Halloween....so that would make him....about 3 months now, I think...
Danny's Lap Dog...
He's gotten big, huh? And STILL growing!!
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I've also been looking into Multiple Intelligences. I was forwarded these theories by Zach's "teacher" thru the virtual school. I think it is VERY interesting! Here is the link that goes into the Theory of Multiple Intelligences...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_multiple_intelligences
I'm looking foreward to learning more about this!
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Well, that's about all I have for today. Thanks for dropping in for a look-see....I appreciate it!
Have a Great Day!!
My Very First Lapbook ~ For Zach About Money
Lapbooks....Who's heard of this before? Who's done them before? I'm sure many because they are SO AWESOME!! I've seen them before on the internet, and always thought they were really cool...and would think, I've gotta make one of those "one of these days". But, I never got around to it.
Last night, though, I made my first one!
I pretty much copied from this one...
HERE.
The templetes are HERE.
Here is the slideshow of how I put mine together...
Mine is pretty much the same as the one on the website. I did put something a little different on the top right corner. Our tutor wrote out Zach a little poem to help him remember his coins. So I printed it out and added it to the spinny wheel thing {I'm new to this, so I don't know the "technical" terms for these layouts yet}.
Here is the poem...
My name is Perfect Penny,
I'm brown as brown can be.
I'm worth one cent, {that's not a lot}
But that's just fine with me.
My name is Nifty Nickel,
I'm silver, can't you see?
I'm think, round, and worth 5 cents,
More than my friend Penny.
I am Dinky Dime,
The smallest of us all.
I'm silver, thin, and worth 10 cents.
Don't lose me, I'm so small.
And me? I'm Kooky Quarter.
I'm biggest, brave, and tall.
25 cents is what I'm worth,
The most cents of us all.
Then I wrote each coins name on the front of the spinny wheel, too.
I'm so excited to show this to and use this with Zachary. I still need to decorate the front, too. I'm thinking about printing out a few more coins so Zach and I can do it together! That will be fun!
I will be making more of these...different topics, of course...and I'll share them here when I do!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Just Some Random Thoughts...
Lots of things running through my mind that I've been thinking about lately. Just want to let some of them out....
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I'm still thinking about this new law that has to do with Children's clothing. I'm concerned because this has to do with our "financial tactic" to keep our family living below our means. What if I can not buy children's clothes at Goodwill after Feb 10th?? No more .99 children clothing sales??
Usually, most of the clothing bought is for my two oldest. My daughter is getting to the point that she can wear young women's sizes. So, as long as Goodwill still has good sales on those...not a huge deal there. BUT, my oldest son will still be in children's sizes at least for another couple years or so. AND, the clothes I buy for my oldest son, usually gets packed up when he no longer fits in them and are passed down to our two younger boys...I really strech that .99!!
BUT, not too long ago, due to our house being small and cluttered...I announced to hubby that maybe we could go ahead and pass on/donate some of the "stored" clothes to help free up some space. {I did get rid of a bunch, but we still have a good supply...thankfully.} I was thinking, that I can always get clothes for them, if needed, from Goodwill at a good price....I'm thinking again! SO, needless to say, we are putting a STOP to getting rid of any more clothing that we already have.
AND, if Goodwill isn't able to sell children's clothes after Feb 10th, then where will I get my children's clothes from?? WalMart?? Although, I do come across some cute, simple shirts at a pretty good price...for a department stores...it is still at least 3 or 4 times as much as I pay for it now!! AND, if WalMart is having to do this "testing" of their clothing...are their prices going to reflect this, too??
Okay...taking a deep breath!
I've never been much of a sewer...but I'm thinking now that I MUST learn how.
Here are some links about this new law, if anyone hasn't heard about it yet...
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story
http://www.nbcdfw.com/health/tips_info/Parents-Say-Lead-Testing-Law-Could-Mean-Higher-Prices.html
http://heraldnet.com/article/20090106/NEWS01/701069822
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=63200&provider=gnews
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Next on my mind, is our electric bill. I knew that when winter hit, our electric bill would rise...just as it always does. We have been very careful with our heaters though. Usually, I turn them on in the morning to get the nip out of the air...then off by the time I'm making breakfast. Once the dishwasher has been run, I leave the door open during the drying phase to let them warm air into the house. But, our bill was still like $231.
So, we've gotta do something different. I know we can bring this number DOWN!
Hubby suggested we start cutting ALL power off for one hour each day! I think this is an AWESOME idea! We were taking the time last night for Frosty to read to the family...I think during this time, right before bed, would be THE PERFECT time to do it!
So, we decided that on the 16th of this month we would put this new practice into affect. That is the FIRST day of our new billing cycle, so we will be able to see if there are any changes in our bill. {I'm scared, sort of, to see our next bill...but the one after that will be the one with our "new" plan}
If there is positive changes, we may even decide to do it 2x a day...once during the day and once at night. That would equal to about 60 hours a month with NO electric usuage.
I'm also, going to be trying HARDER to stay on top of keeping things turned off and unpluged if possible. Our computers will ONLY be on if in use...and try to mostly just for school.
This spring, I'm going to see if Danny will put up a new clothes line. Ours broke a couple years ago or so. We do have one of the energy efficent front load ones...which uses less energy than our old dryer did, but I would still like to hang dry our stuff whenever I can.
I'm also hoping that Danny will make us a solar oven! This is something I'm VERY excited to try out...just to see how it does! I think it would be an awesome learning opportunity for the kids as well!
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My next big research project will be to bring down what we spend at the grocery store for food, paper products, and other household products. We've done very good over the past years learning new ways to do things to bring our spending to what it is now...which a good estimate is about $500 a month {for the 6 of us, 2 dogs, and a few turtles}.
I have until January 17th...that's when I'm due to go grocery shopping again. That day, I will withdraw $500. All our groceries for that month will have to come out of that money...once it's gone, it's gone. BUT, hopefully, I will have some left over at the end of 30 days.
I will be looking for more bean recipes. Also more meatless meals. Hubby's not too excited about this one. He's a strict meat and potato kinda guy...so the meal needs to be pretty impressive for him to go meatless! LOL!
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Okay, well that covers a few things that have been running thru my mind. Of course, there's ALWAYS more! But, that's all I'll put out there today.
Have a wonderful Tuesday, Everyone!
New Saftey Law about Children's Clothing May Cause Big Issues for Thrift Stores!
I came across this in a forum...
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story
What do you think?
Homemade Pizza Night!!!
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Since I found this homemade pizza recipe I have NOT bought frozen pizza or even had pizza delivered! We LOVE it! Even my hubby who doesn't really like pizza that much!
I found the...
...from Hillbilly Housewife website.
Here is the sauce recipe {I can't remember if I actually got this sauce recipe from Hillbilly Housewife, too, or not. There is one that is the same, but it is within another whole recipe for pizza that I don't use.}
For the Sauce
8 oz can of tomato sause
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp Italian Seasoning OR 1/2 tsp basil & 1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 Tsp olive oil for flavoring {optional}
I have to double this sauce recipe to make enough for the 2 pizzas that the dough recipe makes above.
Here are the toppings I chose for this pizza...sausage, pepperoni, cheese, crushed pineapple, and thinly sliced onion...
Putting on the sauce...
Here are the pizzas when all the toppings are on...already lookin' good...
Out of the oven, hot, and ready to eat....
I made a salad to go along with our pizza in hopes that we would ONLY eat one, and leave the other for today's lunch....well, didn't really work out! We loved it SO much, we only left like 3 pieces out of these 2 pizzas!!
Peach Crisp Recipe...
Peach Crisp
1 can {29 oz} sliced peaches {drained}
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup margarine or butter {soft}
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375. Arrange peaches in greased pan 8x8x2. Mix remaining ingredients & sprinkle over peaches. Bake until brown - about 30 mins.
Serve warm with ice cream.
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I doubled this one this morning for breakfast.
When I'm an Old Lady
Here is a great little poem....
Enjoy!!
Mr Jones's ColeSlaw Recipe
My neighbor, Mr Jones, told me how to make cole slaw after giving me a head of cabbage out of his own garden.
First off, shred up your cabbage. Get it very very fine. Shred some carrots to put in. I put in two spoonsfull of Mirscle Whip to start of with. Mix together. Add more Miracle Whip if needed.
I also added a bit of sugar, too.
Refridgerate until well chilled.
I'm sorry this isn't an "exact" recipe. It's pretty much how it was told to me by my neighbor!
If You Give a Homeschooling Mom a Cookie
IF YOU GIVE A HOMESCHOOLING MOM A COOKIE
If you give a Homeschooling Mom a cookie, she'll want the recipe.
She will plan a complete unit study on the History of Cookies.
The family will take field trip to a farm and see where we get eggs, milk
and grain.
At home they will make butter out of milk.
The children will want to start grinding their own grain.
Mom will purchase a Bosch Universal Kitchen System.
She will remember she will need a new list of cookbooks.
So, she will order "An Introduction To Whole Grain Baking w/ CD,"
"Desserts," "The Cooking With Children CD," and "Lunches & snacks Cookbook" by Sue Gregg, also "Whole Foods for Kids to Cook."
Mom orders a 100 lb bag of wheat berries.
Now she will grind her own wheat grain into flour.
The children remember the farm field trip and knowing they can't possibly
get a cow so they beg for a few chickens.
So, to a trip to the library to research how to build a chicken coop and to
how to care for chickens.
On the way out the door Mom sees the book, "Chicken Tractor" by Andy Lee &Pat Foreman.
They stop by the Feed and Seed to pick up materials and ask where to
purchase the chicks.
There the clerk tells them about egg that can be incubated.
He sells them a book on hatching eggs, eggs, and incubator.
At home Mom and the younger children set up the incubator while Dad and the older children build the chicken tractor.
Back to the library to pick up gardening books and more books on chickens.
The oldest daughter now starts a business grinding flour for the her
friend's families.
While her younger sisters are selling homemade cookies to their neighbors.
The boys have started building a new chicken tractor because they want more eggs for breakfast.
That cookie that started this all? The homeschooling mom's three year old ate it.
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(I found this on a Homeschooling Group on CafeMom. Had to share it!)
Brightest Blessings to All!
You Know You're a Big Family When...
You Know You're a Big Family When...
by Rebecca Prewett
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Many people have asked exactly what constitutes a "big family". Some have defined it as any family with more than the socially acceptable number of children. Others have defined it as four or more children. Yet others have defined it in any number of ways. We have come to the conclusion that, almost no matter how you define "big family", we probably stand a good chance of meeting the criteria. How do we know? How can you know if you're a big family? Well, read on:
You know you're a big family when...
...people count the number of your children out loud when you're in public
...people ask, "Are they all yours?"
...you start counting your children when you're out in public
...you have at least three bunk beds set up in your home
...almost everyone you know has less children than you do
...people say, "Wow! How do you manage?"
...people ask you, out of the blue, if you are Mormon or Catholic.
...you buy your pots and pans in the restaurant supply store
...supposed "family size" food portions seem awfully small
...you complain, "Doesn't anyone make large dining tables anymore?"
...you outgrow your mini-van
...you've heard "Don't you know what causes that?" more times than you'd care to remember
...you've forgotten what it's like to be alone anywhere else but in the bathroom
...your children never run out of playmates among their siblings
...everything you buy is in bulk
...people ask, "Don't you get overwhelmed?"
...you and your husband can no longer hold each child's hand while crossing the street
...it takes a wonderfully long time to hug and kiss everybody
...one of your children looks wistfully at the newborn and asks you, "Can't you have another baby really soon? I hardly get to hold this one because everybody else is taking turns."
...you realize that few houses are designed with your family in mind
...people ask you if you've ever accidentally left any of your children behind
...life around your family never seems boring or dull
...your tent is the largest one in any campground
...you feel sorry for people with only two children
...you sometimes wonder what on earth mothers with only two children do with all their spare time
...whenever you set your dining table, it looks like it used to look when you were expecting lots of company
...you read a cookbook and joke, "They call these meals? Sounds like a little snack to me."
...your gratitude at the abundance of God's blessing moves you to tears unexpectedly
...you start thinking of yourself as "rich in children"
...you secretly think that life in your family might possibly be a much more joyous adventure than life in smaller families
...you are vastly amused at much modern parenting advice, realizing that it is unnecessary, impossible, impractical, or simply silly to try to apply it in a large family setting
...it seems as if you pack more stuff going on a short trip than some people pack when moving their entire household
...you and your husband laugh, "And to think that when we got married, we wanted only four children!"
...your husband sighs happily, "I've finally got my dream car"--and it's a used 15- passenger van.
copyright 1996 by Rebecca Prewett
You Know You're a Homeschool Mom When...
You Know You're a Homeschool Mom When...
You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.
When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she's okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!
You find dead animals and actually consider saving them to dissect later.
Your children never ever leave the "why?" stage.
When your teenager decides to take one community college course, and comes home and asks you why the teacher wrote "At" on his paper. (A+)
You ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis bracelet for your wedding anniversary.
Your kids think reading history is best accomplished while lying on the floor with their head resting on the side of their patient dog.
Your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell how the science experiment went just by looking at the house.
You never have to drive your child's forgotten lunch to school.
Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.
The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.
You never have to face the dilemna of whether to take your child's side or the teacher's side in a dispute at school.
If your child get's drugs at school, it's probably Tylenol.
Your neighbors think you are insane.
Your kids learn new vocabulary from their extensive collection of "Calvin & Hobbes" books.
Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.
You have meal worms growing in a container....on purpose.
If you get caught talking to yourself, you can claim you're having a PTA meeting.
Talking out loud to yourself is a parent/teacher conference.
You take off for a teacher in-service day because the principal needs clean underwear.
You can't make it through a movie without pointing out the historical inaccuracies.
You step on math manipulatives on your pre-dawn stumble to the bathroom.
The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
Your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker that you have put on your car.
If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.
Some day your children will consider you to be a miracle-working expert and will turn to you for advice.
Your kids refer to the neighbor kids as "government school inmates."
You can't make it through the grocery produce department without asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable.
You can't put your produce in your cart without asking your older student to estimate it's weight and verify accuracy.
You live in a one-house schoolroom.
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{I know this one has been around before. I'm just trying to move some of my favorite things from my other blog here on Homestead Blogger, to this one.}
White Chip Chocolate Cookies
Although, my family just loved the chocolate chip cookies I made this year...I think they liked these EVEN BETTER!
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White Chip Chocolate Cookies
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 2/3 cup white chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
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These were SO YUMMY! Hubby & I just love white chocolate so these were a perfect cookie for us to try!
~Enjoy!
My Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
This is the recipe I used for the cookies I made to give as gifts this Christmas. They were so soft! I LOVE soft cookies!!
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Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 to 2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts {if desired}
Preheat over to 375. Cream together first 7 ingredients. Mix in rmaining ingredients. Drop by teaspoonful, 2 inches apart, onto greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 for 12 - 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Makes approximately 5 dozen cookies.
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I didn't use the walnuts. Frosty doesn't like nuts. These were the BEST cookies! They were a hit with all the kids!
Will def use these again next year in Christmas goodie bags!
~Enjoy!
Yesterday Evening...
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WOW...are we really in just the last few hours of 2008? Is it just me, or does time go faster the older you get? Has anyone figured out how to slow that back down yet? If so...please pass it on to me!
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Last night I got to open & use one of my Christmas presents from my MIL. She got me a new apple/potato peeler!!
Hubby bought me one just like this a couple years ago or so, I loved it so, but it broke. Very sad day. But, oh joy, now I have a new one! Hubby & I used it for the first time last night to peel potatoes for the Potato & Sausage dish we were making. Danny was so nice to help peel some of the potatoes because making this dish is a looong process...at least I think it is.
Last night, I also had to make a new batch of homemade laundry detergent. Whoo Hoo...
Can I just say a shout out to Crystal of The Family Homestead for posting this on her website! I've been making her recipe for laundry detergent for a couple years or so now...and STILL loving it! AND saving SO MUCH money, too!! I pass her website to MANY {especially over on CafeMom} directing them to the recipe! I also always tell them how wonderful the rest of the site is as well. It's one of my very favorites out there!
I had to make a new container full of baby wipes, too. I've read how others who make them an easier way that I learned how way back when...like when Frost {who is now 10} was still in diapers!...but I actually like that mine takes time to make. It is a way to force myself to just sit and concentrate on really nothing, but at the same time gives me time to think about this or that. It's almost meditating to me...is that weird??
A couple months ago, I learned how to knit scarves. I gave a couple for Christmas gifts this year. I also have made one for Arlee and Zach. I'm working on one for Liam now...
I think it's my favorite one yet! I don't think the picture really gives the color justice.
Danny got an email from one of his customers a couple weeks ago who is really BIG into knitting. She has sent me a TON of patterns. Now, if I can just learn how to actually read them...LOL! When I learned how to knit the scarves...that really all I learned how to do! But, it is one of my goals for 2009 to learn more about how to knit.
******
Well, I must be going. I'm hoping to get some cleaning done today...it would be nice to start a new year with a {sorta} clean house!
Here is wishing everyone a SAFE and WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!
One Pot Meal ~ French Toast Casserole & Syrup Recipe
I found this recipe Monday night over on the Planet Green website, and decided to try it out for breakfast the next morning. HERE is the complete article with recipe.
French Toast Casserole
Butter for greasing the pan
1 loaf Challah bread in 1-inch slices, any kind will do {I used wheat bread}
2 cups whole milk (3 if letting sit overnight)
3 eggs
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp vanilla (optional)
3 tbsp liquer of your choice (optional)
1/4 cup raisins or almonds (optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 - 2 tbsp butter
- Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Arrange bread in two tightly-packed layers in the pan. Cut one slice into smaller pieces to fill in gaps. If you are using any fillings of fruit or nuts, this is the time to get them between the layers or sprinkled atop.
- Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla or liqueur and pour over the bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and dot with butter. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The bread will absorb all of the milk custard while you sleep.
- Bake at 425 for 30 minutes, or until puffed and golden.
- Cut into generous squares and serve with maple syrup.
Difficulty Level: Easy
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Here's a picture from Monday night right before I covered it and put it in the fridge...
Here's a picture after I cooked it Tuesday morning...
It puffed up when cooking, then deflated while it cooled.
Here's the finished product with syrup and powdered sugar sprinkled on top...
Come to find out we were just about out of syrup...so I had to whip some up really quick. You can see my measuring cup with the freshly made syrup above.
Here's the recipe I use for that....
Maple Flavored Syrup
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of brown sugar
1 1/3 cup water
Put all into pot and boil over medium heat. Boil for about 3 mins. Take off of heat and add maple flavoring {optional}. Cool a bit before serving.
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Everyone pretty much liked it. Danny thought it tasted like bread pudding...I didn't really think about it, but it pretty much is what it is. It was very easy to put together the night before, and a quick fix in the morning.
~Enjoy!
Hello There ~ My Intro, Again...
Can I intrest anyone in a cup of coffee?
I love my morning coffee! Can't get moving without it!
********
With the new year so very close, I've decided to start a new blog here on homesteadblogger. It is actually my 2nd, so some of you may already recognize my username, but for any who may not...here is my introduction...
My name is Jennifer. I am blissfully married to my soul mate, Danny. We have four amazing children...Arlee is 12, Frost is 10, Zacharias is 5, and Liam is 3. Three years ago, we enrolled in a virtual school here in our home state of Ohio. It's been great schooling our children at home! Of course, it has it's good days and bad days {and the "what was I thinking" days}, but overall it has been a wonderful decision for our family.
Right now, we live in a little house on just a little over 1 acre of land. We have a small garden, and one peach tree. Although we do love it here...it is the first house we bought and our neighbor is the best around...we are so ready to move on to bigger things! A bigger homestead, actually! We are wanting a place where we can fit a HUGE garden. Have MANY fruit trees. Have MUCH room to play {for the kids, the dogs, and the quads!}. Maybe even add some farm animals like chickens, goats, maybe even a milk cow or two.
We have a long way to go though. We have to get this little house "sellable" and we have to save up for a down payment on a new house. We have our fingers crossed that by the Spring/Summer of 2010 we can put our little house on the market...but that might be rushing it a bit. We'll just have to see how everything goes in 2009!
And, on that note, I must be going.
Thank you for dropping by!
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