My planner

 

Okay so those that know me know that I am not always as organized as I should be. Or want to be :)  So I was looking for a way of staying on top of  things. I happened upon a friend of mine with her planner out and was struck by how cute it was. Well she proceeded to show me what all it included and I was sold. So for a gift from my Birthday Club girls I asked for a gift card to www.erincondren.com. I was so happy the day my new personalized planner arrived I couldn't wait to get it in packed. 

So upon opening the box I was just amazed at how perfect it was 

I ordered the Lattice in gray and lemon (love me some yellow and gray) 

 I ordered a set of colored pens and the pen holder as well as some extra sticker sheets and personalized note pages 

Again I truly hope to stay with it having this awesome planner or at least look really great having it around;) 

Susan 

Science!!!!!

So for science this semester we are using God's Wonderful Works by Christian Liberty Press as a jumping point.  It has a wonderful way of walking through the 6 days of Creation and really breaking it down to a point that makes it easy for the kiddos to understand it on a whole new level.  So last week we were following Day 2 and we focused on the fact that God separated the waters above from the waters below.  The kids learned that there is water vapor in the air around and that we can't even see it.  We produced our own steam to show that the water evaporates into the air and we can no longer see it.  We then moved on to the water cycle.  We put together our own water cycle windsock to demonstrate the cycle that is ongoing.

So first we had to cut strips of white paper to glue our evaporation and condensation to.  Then we added the rain and colored in the evaporating drops.  We also added a sun and some clouds to the top and a lake and grass to the bottom.  The kiddos had a great time creating the water cycle and talking about it all the while.

The were very happy to tell daddy all about when he got home from work.

 

This week we have been working on Day 3 and studying soil and rocks. Fun Fun Fun!

 

 

In Search of a great Phonics Program UPDATED

         So as I went through our curriculum this weekend and began my lesson plans for week 2, I realized I was needing to add something to Ashley's phonics program.  I have been working with her on the letter sounds for some time and she has them down.  I needed to find something that would help me move her to the next step.  After talking to my neighbor (who happens to be one of my best friends, fellow homeschooler and a tutor specializing in reading. Aren't I lucky?) she mentioned having her start to work on blending the letters together to make words.  After searching for a program that would work for us I found Progressive Phonics.  I am going to try a few of the readers with Ashley to see how she does with them.  Another phonics program I am going to try is Stairway to Reading  I like that this program seems more hands on that the Progressive Phonics program.  Stairway to Reading is very interactive and game oriented.  I think it will work better than just reading through the readers.  But I do like that the readers are easy and she would enjoy them as well.  I guess in all my rambling what I am saying is that I will be trying to new programs and will let you know what I think as we use each one.  
       I would love to hear of any great programs you love. 
      Ashley uses ABCMouse.com as well and does great with it.  She loves to work on her learning path and learns something new everyday.  I know it offers something in the way of phonics but I like to have a bit more of a hand in it. 
That's all for now.

Edit:
  So we tried the progressive phonic and Ashley was not very impressed.  I am sure it would work for someone but she likes things a little more hands on at this point.  We had a lot of fun with the Stairway to Reading approach with the interactive games and such but we still wanted a bit more so we decided to order Explode the Code 1.  Ashley is loving using this book.  They made it so easy for her to follow with little to no direction from me (which makes her little independent heart so happy) 

Susan

First Week of Second Grade and Pre-Kindergarten

Well we have completed our first week of Home School with Matthew and Ashley.  Matthew has been working so hard and really enjoying it. 
For Second Grade Curriculum we are using:

• Horizons 2nd Grade Math
• Horizons 2nd Grade Spelling and Vocabulary
• Horizons 2nd Grade Phonics and Reading
• God's Wonderful Works (science)
• Magic Tree House Series for Social Studies/History
• Plus we are raising Green Tree Frog Tadpoles

For Pre-Kindergarten we are using some kinder items and some workbooks from the teacher supply store.

• Explode the Code: Primers
• She is also using the same science book as Matthew
• READ-Read, Explore, and Discover workbook
• Beginning Sequencing workbook
• God and Me 2 Devotional for Girls
• and worksheets from online.
• and we are working on word wall words

We have had a truly wonderful week and have seemed to work out our schedule really well.

Cristian has started a new school this year (8th grade) and is attending a College Prep school.   He seems to really enjoy the classes he is taking.  He in only enrolled in 4 classes (core subjects) and goes 3 days a week, the other 2 days he is completing the assignment they give him and working on any extra work I have for him to round out his education.   I think I am going get him to start running with me, if I can find the motivation.  Need to do it, its just so stinking hot outside right now!   He runs on the treadmill next to me at the gym sometimes and seems to be built for shorts burst of speed, I think if he keeps a slower pace he would be a great long distance runner. 
 
Well as we say around here  See you later ....Alligator  Bye Bye.... Butterfly

Tried a new Recipe and wanted to share.

So I have decided to try at least one new recipe a week and share with you if it is good.  So last week I tried Baby Swiss-Stuffed Potatoes  it was pretty good I think the only thing I will do next time is add a bit more salt and a litte crispy bacon bits.  So here is the recipe if you want to try it yourself.

Ingredients
6 Baking potoatoes, scrubbed
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
3TBSP grated baby swiss cheese
2 TBSP minced Chives

1. preheat oven to 400*F.
2. Rub potatoes lightly with vegetable oil.  Pierce with a fork.  Place on a baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 50 minutes.  Maintain the oven temperature.  Cool the pototoes until eash to handle.
3. Cut off the tops of the potatoes.  Scoop out the pulp carefully, placing the pulp in a large bowl and reserving the shells.
4. Add butter, milk, sour cream and salt to potatoes in bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Stir in baby swiss and chives.
5. Spoon the potato mixture into the reserved shells.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake until heated throught, about 10 minutes.

Variations:  Crumble 4 slices crisp-fried bacon and add to the potatoe mixture.

Tomorrow is the day that the veggies and strawberries will be planted.

We finished up our raised veggie bed today and tomorrow I will be planting the tomatoes, string beans, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and strawberries.   I will be working in some herbs depending on space and planting some in pots.

 

We have updated this to have a second bed coming off of it in an L shape. 

I have been in a flower mood lately!

I have been working on several fabric flowers lately.  I really enjoy making all these hair bows for Ashley.  She has such fine hair that she is always in need of something to hold it back.  This is where all the crafting comes in.  Now I have to find something I can start making for the boys.