Tag: inspiration

Summer Centers

We love centers! I used them throughout the past school year for all 3 boys. Some structured some as free-play. The boys are always happy to pull them out and play with them it is a guaranteed 30 minutes of constructive play.

For the Summer I reorganized them, rearranged and grouped different things together to get the boys geared up for summer indoor activities.

I put everything in one cabinet thanks to my sister who gave me a nice white cabinet. Thanks Tia!

Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards

Styrofoam shapes – Good for Math, Sorting and Building

10 Base T set – great for Math and Building

Random Tools (thanks Liv for the Magnifying glasses)

Colored rice, items are buried, fun!

Great for Math, Sorting, Building and Art

it’s also a Geoboard!

shapes

for building

Learning Robots, Phonics and Math

travel size Concentration game

card shuffler

One Happy Boy!

July 25, 2011
Fun in the Sun

The weather here in Colorado is crazy! One day it is 70 , the next it is snowing and freezing, then back to 70 the next day. Seriously!

Last week on one of the so-so days we had some fun outside. Wasn’t too cold, wasn’t too hot.

The boys did floor puzzles on the sidewalks, we colored the sidewalks with chalk. We ate lunch on a blanket in the grass, fun! To top it off… the boys went for the costume drawer, which is always a hit.

this is a Buzz Lightyear, IronMan Hybrid

LOVE this life!!

April 18, 2011
A Rainbow Layer Cake
My middle boy, my sweet, sweet Oliver had his 5th birthday party. When planning his party I came across a blog post on How to Make a Rainbow Layer Cake she was inspired by this post and this post both on Rainbow Cakes.

I was so happy because Oliver loves rainbows! I also wanted to make the cake for him. It isn’t perfect but I like it overall and it was made with love and a lot of frosting :O)

I followed her directions and bought 2 cake mixes and 4 containers of frosting, I used Pillsbury. I did not buy food coloring because I had some at home. I found out later that I did not have the primary colors, I had bought neon. I rolled with it.

I bought –
- Red Hots
- Skittles
- 4 pack of tube frosting, fine tip
- #5 candle and cupcake candles
- Pack of Sugar decorations, Happy Birthday and Alphabet
I baked the two cakes mixes according to the directions (egg whites only version). Separated the mix into 4 bowls. I then dyed each bowl. I used a brand new Wilton 9″ round cake pan ($4 at Kings Soopers). I oiled and floured the pan, then cooked each cake mix for about 14 minutes at 350. I then cooled each cake in the pan for about 5 minutes, then onto a cooling rack for about 20 minutes.

Layer the cake putting a thin layer of frosting between each. Then apply a crumb coat of frosting and refrigerate for at least an hour. Add final layer of frosting and decorate.
April 11, 2011
The Homeschool Mother’s Journal Week 2

Recently I saw a blog post from a Homeschool mom that I follow. Sam from The Kelley Eight was excited to start a journaling program. I have always wanted to journal but just felt overwhelmed with starting from scratch.

Thanks to the Homeschool Chick and The Kelley Eight I will now be journaling this fantastically crazy journey we are on. I am thrilled, excited and thankful!

Week #2:

In my life this week…

Injured my knee pretty bad, laid up and most of our plans went out the window. Was going to be our first week with a 2nd car plus great weather. We didn’t do much outside the home.

In our homeschool this week…

My boys love being on the computer. I think it may have to do with my husband and I both being techs. Any chance they can have on it they love. I decided that I wanted to find more learning programs, not games. I searched and found one called Time4Learning. We signed up Monday and the boys love it. I will be posting on the entire experience soon.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We were going to go to the Airplane Museum and the movies but with my injury we did not go anywhere.

My favorite thing this week was…

My injury in definitley NOT my favorite part but what happened as a result is. The first 2 days I was in bed, with it elevated. This provided the perfect oppotunity to just cuddle, read and talk to my boys. With no pressure to “get stuff done”, all I could do was lay there. It was wonderful for my only task to be to enjoy my boys!!

What’s working/not working for us…

I would really like to get my 1st grader to want to read on his own, rather than me force it. He loves for me to read to him. But I want him to love it. I know this will come but I wish it were now. I love to read.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

I keep getting the urge to bump my preschooler up to Kindergarten lessons because he gets through the preschool ones so fast. I really need to resist the urge though, I don’t want to put undue pressure on him. However, I also do not want to bore him or hold him back. What is the right answer?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Oliver’s outfit of the week: Hawaiian Shirt and Mike Wazowski pants.

March 5, 2011
The Homeschool Mother’s Journal Week 1

Recently I saw a blog post from a Homeschool mom that I follow. Sam from The Kelley Eight was excited to start a journaling program. I have always wanted to journal but just felt overwhelmed with starting from scratch.

The cool thing about this journal program is that it has questions for you, that you answer. This is so much easier for me, whew!

Thanks to the Homeschool Chick and The Kelley Eight I will now be journaling this fantastically crazy journey we are on. I am thrilled, excited and thankful!

Here we go, Week #1

In my life this week…

Working my regular part-time, working on websites for others, homeschool, grocery shopping tonight, lots of organizing.

In our homeschool this week…

Math, math, math for the 1st grader, word problems and learning about feeding your body for science. Water experiment will be done with Daddy on Saturday. My 2 year old is doing centers, matching colors, shapes, baby animals to their mama’s he is doing so well!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

The past several weeks have been jammed packed this week we took it easy. The boys did get to go on a field trip with their Aunt to their Butterfly Pavilion. They held a tarantula, saw turtles, snakes and butterflies.

My 1st grader also attending his weekly clubs meeting.

My favorite thing this week was…

Observing my 1st grader “get it” when it comes to double-digit vertical math. He was struggling then I saw the light bulb go off right in front of me, it was awesome to see!

What’s working/not working for us…

Sitting side-by-side my 1st grader definitely works for us, even better when the 2 little ones are actually out of the room. Not working – having the little ones around.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

I am starting to like the more organic approach and not so regimented. I am realizing it does not have to look exactly like “school”. Less focus on checking off items… more focus on learning, the fundamentals yes, but really learning.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Oliver, my 4 year old said “Mom, look I can count in Spanish with my eyes closed!”. He was so excited!

ONE more I am adding. My 4 year old loves to dress himself and I love his creativity and boldness. So each week I will show Oliver’s wardrobe choice of the week:

February 25, 2011
A Great Ladies Night Out!

Recently, thanks to Living Social I had a fantastic afternoon out with my Mom and Sister. I must say that since Groupon started it all, we have been able to do things we would never do.

This deal was for a painting class that includes a glass of wine, so it is called Painting and Sipping. Sounded fun. I have always wanted to paint on canvas but would never, ever go buy all the supplies. We have plenty of poster paint, finger paint and water colors but nothing fancy.

This was a great opportunity to get my hands dirty so to speak.

I sent the link to my Mom and she was in, she also bought one for my sister to join us. You can go to their website and look at a calendar and see the subject that is to be taught that day. Some are flowers, Van Gogh, Water Sunsets, French Rivera, Snowflakes, Dandelions, Sisters, and some others.

We went to a session they call “Standing Tall”… Here is the artists picture:

Sipping and Painting

The studio is located in LoHi (Lower Highlands) close to the restaurant Lola. We walked into a great space with rustic wood floors, high ceilings and artists stations set up everywhere.

Once everyone has put paint on a plate and had a seat, the artist goes up and starts instruction. She then walks around and helps you individually and returns to the front for the next step.

We all enjoyed it very much. It was really fun and relaxing.

Here are the final products (one note I must mention, our paint dried before we could blend so the reult with a bright flash looks like a striped background. To the naked eye the stripes are not that dramatic,*steps off of soapbox*):

my painting

My Moms Painting

My Sister's Painting

The do look lovely in our homes, what a great treasure packed with memories of a fun date with my Mom and Sis … Thanks Ladies!!

I highly recommend trying a painting class, just one session is fun! If you love it sign up for more.

We went to Sipping and Painting in Denver.

February 21, 2011
Rethinking the Coat Closet

Being a homeschooler and living in a small space can be frustrating at times. I pretty much turned my living room into a school room, then over time, a couch and love seat were brought in. I needed space but wasn’t sure what else could be done.

Recently while cruising a blog hop I found this blog and wow I am soooo thankful I did, so thankful for the inspiration. She had all of her storage bins in her coat closet. I went to work right away!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Coat Closet Storage

PlayDoh, Crafts, Books, Games and Puzzles

Markers, Crayons, Chalk, Office Supplies

Oops I guess I forgot to take “Before” pictures of the closet and “After” pictures of the Living Room. :O)

February 3, 2011
Easy Tie Dye Shirts

I have always loved tie-dyed shirts, loved them. Bright bursts of color splashed on a sparkling white tee. Pretty! I have wanted to make one for ever but just felt like it would be hard. Until recently.

I came across a spray bottled tie dye kit, it looked easy enough so I had to try it.

Tumble Dye

We bought 3 white tee’s for only $3 a piece! The kit was 7.99.

We twisted and rubber-banded the shirts then sprayed the tie dye all over, set to dry…

drying

we let dry 24 hours…

pretty!

When we took the bands off there was still alot of white so we re-banded it and sprayed some more tie dye on, dried some more… then to the dryer for 15 minutes…

the boys

When they got outside in their new tie dye shirts it was all fun n games! The boys would NOT cooperate for pictures, but I can’t really blame them – 60 degrees in January! Hope you can see the shirts…

Oliver

Some more…

Preston

Overall cost – $20, not bad for 3 Super-Cool shirts!

playing in their new tie dye shirts

January 29, 2011
A Challenge I am Ready for

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?

January 6, 2011
Boys Love This Craft… R2D2!

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…

R2D2 Craft

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!

December 22, 2010