Excellent day of math for my 1st grader, fun with money and a ruler! Learning was made a little funner when he had real coins and money to sort and count with.
He was more excited to finish his math worksheets after getting to use the real money for learning. I can see how it would really help the children who are more hands on or visual learners.
What are some ways you’ve been able to get children a little extra motivated for learning?
Need to Breathe is a really cool musical group with amazing talent. When their song Something Beautiful started playing on the radio I loved it immediately. Then I stumbled across an accoustic performance they did for CosmoGirl. WOW.
It sounds amazing. The energy they have and as momentum picks up it is powerful! Hope you like!
Ever since I started Homeschooling or researching it, for that matter, I have found really good blogs written by other Moms. Recently, I noticed a few of them began talking about a challenge they were about to begin on.
*Flash Forward* Just the other night I was telling my friends that I am starving for the Word, I have not been in it like I want to be. I started working a new schedule in the Fall so I had to stop attending my regular Bible Study. I have been in a study a year ever since He called me 4 years ago, this year has been different.
Finding this challenge, I feel is Gods answer to my pray that I find a way to get back into His Word. The challenge I speak of is called Read the Bible in 90 Days. I first heard of it from The Kelley Eight blog and she links back to the originator at Moms Toolbox.
This isn’t just a speed reading idea, not at all. The way the schedule is set up, it is in nice sized chunks. Then after reading it you do the devotional part.
They also hold Twitter parties and a check in on Mondays to help keep everyone motivated and accountable. Thank you ladies!!!
I am really looking forward to this and I am thrilled that Lord has answered prayer so quickly.
Now my prayer is to STAY in the Word. Would you join me?
Yep, it is that time. You would think January 1st would be a good marker, but really? Is anyone ready on the first day of the year? The second? I am not. But today, today is different. It is “go time”. So much to think about for the coming year. Homeschool wise it is plans, goals, events, curriculum, field trips, activities, the list in almost endless.
Other things to consider for the year have to do with me as a person, as a child of God, as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, teacher. I have not written it all out, my goals, dreams.
Not yet, but today is the day! I hope to focus, devise solid goals and go for it, be disciplined and structured.
Here is to the New Year!
Sometimes I miss photo albums, sitting down and flipping through, lingering on some. Sifting through memories. It just isn’t the same with digital pictures sometimes. Although I would not go back to film for a million dollars, I just wish it was easier to flip through pictures.
I was looking through pictures on my computer and came across some pictures that were lost in the shuffle this past year. I have posted kids, homeschool and food. These are of places around Denver. Hope you like as much as I do…
My boys are crazy for Star Wars, they love it! I just picked up the box set of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi for them for Christmas. It was one of their lightning deals for only $22!
Recently, I came across a crafts section of the Star Wars website. They had a fun R2D2 craft made from felt. I had tons of foam squares so we pulled them out and the boys went to work…
They used construction paper for his top part and colored it silver. They also used construction paper for his body. The rest was made from foam and they glued them onto a foam base. Elmers glue worked well.
They enjoyed it and I think they turned out really cute. Thanks Star Wars!
Preston enjoying Latkes –
Last weekend we were invited to a Jewish Festival to celebrate Hannakah. It was a fun opportunity to engage another culture. The music, food, people were all great!
They had plenty of activities for the children, all of them were fun but one in particular had me very excited. It was an activity similiar to SandArt but it was edible sand, colored sugar. All the kids swarmed the table and had a blast creating tubes of edible art.
You can purchase directly from Sandy Candy or I just found a 10 person kit on Amazon. I will be ordering soon, look out for another post.
10 Holiday Survival Tips
This time of year brings so many emotions. Reveling in family time together, enjoying evenings by the fire; attending Christmas concerts and plays, and strolling through the stores hoping to find the perfect gift for that someone special. Christmas can bring joy, peace and happiness but it can also bring stress, and depression.
Take this time to cherish friends and family. Don’t get bogged in what Christmas is not about. It is not about worrying. It is not about overspending. It is not about getting stuff, so to speak.
Christmas is about the birth of a Savior, about coming together and being thankful for all the wonderful gifts we have been given by God, family being at the top of the list. Slow down and relax. I know it is easier said then done. Try these tips to help ease the season and truly appreciate this time of year.
I have been looking around the web for ideas to celebrate Advent. In addition to a cute book we purchased a couple of years ago, I wanted another way to add some more fun.
The book is the Usbourne Advent Nativity Book. It features 24 really detailed cardboard cutouts and a story. You read a page a day and take out the corresponding days cutout and add it to the 3-D.
Christmas Advent Calendar idea from The Rusted Chain blog, she got it from this adorable blog, that has many more ideas from other sites that are way too cute. All the ideas are fantastic and a great way to count down to Christmas. Each day, remembering and focusing on the true reason for the season. The birth of our Savior!
I loved this the moment I saw it! Since we do not have a mantel or bureau I decided to use our white board. I picked up 8 pairs of socks and a pack of 9 suction hooks from the Dollar Tree. I had an extra hook so I added a Paper Treat Cone to the first day we will start counting down with the socks. I think I will add some chocolates, some gold dollars, and some other little items from Target Dollar Spot.
Every year I look forward to the holiday season, so many plans, places to go, people to see. Then, just like that, it is all over. One way I have found that really saves me time is personalized Christmas cards.
Every year during the holidays I always have big plans for my cards. Then in a rush, I grab whatever cards I can find and zip thru them scribbling our family name on the bottom. I have never been satisfied with this method. It is so impersonal. I wanted a better solution but I also wanted to be realistic and not choose something that would take a lot of time. Last year, I went with Shutterfly personalized Christmas cards. They are ADORABLE. They have a huge selection you really can’t beat it.
Besides being able to add our pictures for personalization another feature I love – You can personalize the greeting too! I love this feature because cards have hardly ever said exactly what I have wanted them to say.
I also use Shutterfly for Photo Books and prints so all of my pictures are already loaded when I log in. It is simple and easy. I highly recommend. Don’t get caught up in a lengthy process with your cards, personalized them AND have more time for other holiday stuff – like seeing people, serving people and spreading joy.
The cost is very reasonable too. Another cool thing about Shutterfly is that they always have sales going on. If you sign up for their email list you will get coupon codes almost daily. I have received photo books for up tp 50% off, prints for .09/each. I have used Kodak and Walgreens before but it seems there is a certain quality to Shutterfly’s products.
My cards took me about 30 minutes to personlize then it will take another 30 to stamp on addresses and mail. 1 hour, not bad!