As most people probably know, a great portion of the East Coast was hit by Hurricane Irene this past weekend. We were in her path. This was my first hurricane. I have to say that I learned, I don't like hurricanes. Everyone here says that this one was nothing compared to some that have come through and I truly don't ever want to be here for some of the bigger ones.
Where I am at, we were in the outer band of the hurricane(meaning that our winds were only predicted to be about 39mph). Yet, we had a 4 or 5 hour time period where we were having pretty consistent 70mph wind gusts. It seemed that as soon as 1 would come through it would be calm for a very short time, then another huge wind gust. All of this was happening between 10pm and 4am. Great for sleeping...NOT!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Real Cute Dinner
Pumpkin choose a meal to cook for our family this week. It turned out so cute, I thought it would be fun to share with you all.
The recipe came from this cookbook
The recipe came from this cookbook
Friday, August 26, 2011
Real S.T.R.E.S.S. - Weekly Review #3
Real S.T.R.E.S.S. (School Time, Rehab, Earthquake, Surgery, Sickness)
School Time
We were back at our school work this week after taking a week off. We had a pretty good week...If we just completely overlook Wednesday, which I am inclined to do!
School Time
We were back at our school work this week after taking a week off. We had a pretty good week...If we just completely overlook Wednesday, which I am inclined to do!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Real Food Tips
I decided to take a break from listing our entire week's food and costs this week. I am not sure I like doing all of that and I am not sure it is helpful. So this week, with the help of Mr T.3, I thought of some ideas of how I am successful at keeping our budget low, even with the rise of food costs.
Here are a couple of thoughts I have for you this week. I hope they are helpful. I am going to guess some/most of you will have the same response as my BFF. She says it's great I do these things and that they work for me, but she could never do them. I totally understand. For me it is a choice to be able to stay at home, so even though this isn't the most fun to me, I do it, because it makes it possible for me to stay at home. Give it a try. I'm not saying that it will be fun, but it does work.
Here are a couple of thoughts I have for you this week. I hope they are helpful. I am going to guess some/most of you will have the same response as my BFF. She says it's great I do these things and that they work for me, but she could never do them. I totally understand. For me it is a choice to be able to stay at home, so even though this isn't the most fun to me, I do it, because it makes it possible for me to stay at home. Give it a try. I'm not saying that it will be fun, but it does work.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Real Earthquake
Yesterday, while at the park for a play date for our co-op group. We had the unusual sensation (for here) of an earthquake. I've lived here 5 years and don't recall feeling any during that time.
Us mom's were sitting at what I call the adult table. I don't let my kids sit at this table, so we mom's can actually chat. Why is it that kids seem to want to be all over you when you have the opportunity to talk to other adults. But I digress....We felt a strong rumble and I swear it sounded a bit like the sound of a train going by as well, kind of a deep rumbling sound resonating from the earth.
Us mom's were sitting at what I call the adult table. I don't let my kids sit at this table, so we mom's can actually chat. Why is it that kids seem to want to be all over you when you have the opportunity to talk to other adults. But I digress....We felt a strong rumble and I swear it sounded a bit like the sound of a train going by as well, kind of a deep rumbling sound resonating from the earth.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Real Organization - Our Playroom
Our Playroom Organization!
Last week while we were on a break from school, we did some organizing. I was quite impressed with how much my 2 girls were willing to part with. There were very few fights during the process and mostly those that happened were just because we were tired. All in all it was quite a successful project.
Last week while we were on a break from school, we did some organizing. I was quite impressed with how much my 2 girls were willing to part with. There were very few fights during the process and mostly those that happened were just because we were tired. All in all it was quite a successful project.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday's.....Ahhhh!
Most weeks I look forward to Sunday afternoons for a good portion of the week. Why? It is my time! My break.
Between being a full time at home mom and homeschooling, there isn't much 'me' time. I'm OK with that as it is my choice to be at home as well as to homeschool. Both are things I love and wouldn't change unless it was forced upon me. I love being at home with my kids and homeschooling them, but it is quite demanding and most days there isn't much left in the way of relaxation and finding time for my hobbies and interests.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Real O.C.D.- Weekly Review #2
Real O.C.D. (Organizing, Camp, and Disappointment)
This week we were on a break from our schoolwork.
Organizing
We spent some of our week organizing and getting rid of things we no longer need. Our theme this week was to keep the things we love, get rid of the things we only like and to make room to grow. Pumpkin has a birthday in October, then we have Christmas and in January Snowflake has a birthday. I usually try to do some kind of big clean up before Halloween or Thanksgiving. This week was the week. We wanted to make room for all the fun things that will come into our house in the next 5 months!
We organized our playroom as well as our craft area. Tune in early next week for another post about our playroom. For now, here are some pictures of my smaller organization project: our kid's craft area. It had gotten really bad, as a lot of things have since I have been injured for 9 months now. You can read about that in my blog post: I did yoga today - Hip Hip Hooray! Now that I am closer to my 'normal.' I am trying to get my house back to my 'normal' as well. It feels really great, I really don't like being disorganized and looking around to see mess and too much stuff.
In our 'Office' (read formal dining room that has no purpose IMO, so we use it as an office) we have a bookcase that a few of the shelves house all the girls craft supplies. They also have a small kid sized table to sit at and do crafts.
Here is the bookcase before:
This week we were on a break from our schoolwork.
Organizing
We spent some of our week organizing and getting rid of things we no longer need. Our theme this week was to keep the things we love, get rid of the things we only like and to make room to grow. Pumpkin has a birthday in October, then we have Christmas and in January Snowflake has a birthday. I usually try to do some kind of big clean up before Halloween or Thanksgiving. This week was the week. We wanted to make room for all the fun things that will come into our house in the next 5 months!
We organized our playroom as well as our craft area. Tune in early next week for another post about our playroom. For now, here are some pictures of my smaller organization project: our kid's craft area. It had gotten really bad, as a lot of things have since I have been injured for 9 months now. You can read about that in my blog post: I did yoga today - Hip Hip Hooray! Now that I am closer to my 'normal.' I am trying to get my house back to my 'normal' as well. It feels really great, I really don't like being disorganized and looking around to see mess and too much stuff.
In our 'Office' (read formal dining room that has no purpose IMO, so we use it as an office) we have a bookcase that a few of the shelves house all the girls craft supplies. They also have a small kid sized table to sit at and do crafts.
Here is the bookcase before:
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Real Food - August 2011 Week 2
Plan
Based on some feedback, I am going to try to break down a cost per meal this week and see if that is helpful at all. Please let me know if you find in helpful. I have had the suggestion to scan my receipts as well....would you find that helpful?
Breakfast:
- We start breakfast with a yogurt for each girl. I mix in a liquid DHA supplement
as well as a powder form of a probiotic
.
- Here are the 2 things we use:
-
- Then the kids get to alternate days that they choose what is for breakfast. This week since we were off of school, I made eggs one morning and pancakes another morning! Yummy! I just don't normally have time for that.
Lunches (I almost always serve lunch with fruit and something crunchy, ie., chips, pretzels, etc.):
- Turkey Sandwiches
- $1.96 per serving - $7.82 for all 4 of us
Monday, August 15, 2011
Super Stuffed Tortillas
I felt like sharing a favorite healthy and inexpensive recipe of ours. This is a healthy tortilla that we all like...even the kids (though they do pick out 1 veggie each).
Super Stuffed Tortillas from Simply in Season
cookbook by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert
I don't think I can put the recipe here as it is from a copyrighted book. Does anyone know for sure if I can post a recipe from a copyrighted source as long as I list the source?
Anyway, this is a quesadilla that we enjoy. It is filled with onion, bell pepper, corn, zucchini, black beans, salsa with some garlic, cumin and chicken or vegetable broth. All of that is cooked together and used to make a delicious filling between 2 tortillas (with cheese of course). I vary slightly from the recipe.
Super Stuffed Tortillas from Simply in Season
cookbook by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-WertI don't think I can put the recipe here as it is from a copyrighted book. Does anyone know for sure if I can post a recipe from a copyrighted source as long as I list the source?
Anyway, this is a quesadilla that we enjoy. It is filled with onion, bell pepper, corn, zucchini, black beans, salsa with some garlic, cumin and chicken or vegetable broth. All of that is cooked together and used to make a delicious filling between 2 tortillas (with cheese of course). I vary slightly from the recipe.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Week in Review #1 - 8-8 to 8-12-11
I haven't done a weekly review before, but I saw them done on some other homeschool blogs I have been looking at and thought they were fun. So here is my first.
Monday:
Fantastic Day!! Finally! Snowflake seems to have a harder time adjusting to the stops and starts of school and changing grade levels. So, even though we have been back at school for 4 weeks and today was starting our 5th week, those first 4 weeks have been pretty rough. I have really tried to be patient and understanding with Snowflake as she adjusts to school and a new year and what is expected. Today, it feels like it has finally paid off! She was able to get right to work, work quickly (well for her...she, like snowflakes falling slowly gently to the ground, likes to take her time with most everything). We were even done ahead of my normal time that I want us to be done! Yippee...now if I only didn't have in the back of my mind that we will be off school next week and therefore get to go through a transition again...of course it won't be as significant, but still there will be a little adjustment again... oh well, can't win them all! ;-) I'm going to enjoy my day today!
Pumpkin had a great day today and read me 3 books today. I am amazed at how very quickly she it taking to reading. It seems so fast that I feel like we must be doing something wrong.
Monday:
Fantastic Day!! Finally! Snowflake seems to have a harder time adjusting to the stops and starts of school and changing grade levels. So, even though we have been back at school for 4 weeks and today was starting our 5th week, those first 4 weeks have been pretty rough. I have really tried to be patient and understanding with Snowflake as she adjusts to school and a new year and what is expected. Today, it feels like it has finally paid off! She was able to get right to work, work quickly (well for her...she, like snowflakes falling slowly gently to the ground, likes to take her time with most everything). We were even done ahead of my normal time that I want us to be done! Yippee...now if I only didn't have in the back of my mind that we will be off school next week and therefore get to go through a transition again...of course it won't be as significant, but still there will be a little adjustment again... oh well, can't win them all! ;-) I'm going to enjoy my day today!
Pumpkin had a great day today and read me 3 books today. I am amazed at how very quickly she it taking to reading. It seems so fast that I feel like we must be doing something wrong.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Food Plan #1 - August 5-11
This post is dedicated to Stacy!
She kept telling me to do this and wondering how I feed our family with our small food budget. She said that people would get something from my sharing this....let's hope she is right. :-) Enjoy Stacy (and anyone else who is reading this)!
Oh and Stacy and anyone else reading this, please give me feedback as to what is helpful and what should change. I'm not sure how I do what I do...so let me know what is helpful and I can change this as I go.
Plan
This plan is to feed a family of 4. 2 adults, 2 children (both girls ages 9 and 4). Mr T.3 works from home and travels a lot for work. Most of his travel is last minute, so I never know if he will be home or eating away from home. I generally plan that he will be eating with us for dinner and not for lunch.
She kept telling me to do this and wondering how I feed our family with our small food budget. She said that people would get something from my sharing this....let's hope she is right. :-) Enjoy Stacy (and anyone else who is reading this)!
Oh and Stacy and anyone else reading this, please give me feedback as to what is helpful and what should change. I'm not sure how I do what I do...so let me know what is helpful and I can change this as I go.
Plan
This plan is to feed a family of 4. 2 adults, 2 children (both girls ages 9 and 4). Mr T.3 works from home and travels a lot for work. Most of his travel is last minute, so I never know if he will be home or eating away from home. I generally plan that he will be eating with us for dinner and not for lunch.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Subject/Chore Cirlces
I have had great positive feedback about my subject/chore circles! Thanks for all the compliments. I actually came up with a creative idea all on my own without copy or borrowing it and you like it...you really like it. You can read about these circles in these 2 blog posts: Cute New Digital Craft; First Day of our 2011-2012 School Year
I have also figured out the costs and decided to make my selling of them official.
They are now for sale on this blog. They are very reasonably priced and are available ready made or via a pdf file that you print, laminate and add Velcro yourself.
Check them out at: Subject/Chore Circles
As it says on that page, I will customize most any theme/color as well as the subject/chore circles. A standard set includes 1 sheet with 12 circles. If I make them and mail them to you, they are $12.50 plus shipping. If you want a pdf emailed to you, it is $7.00. You can order additional sets of circles if 12 circles are not enough for you. Those prices are $5.50 for 12 circles mailed to you and $3.50 emailed. The additional sets of circles must be ordered with a standard set.
Enjoy your day!
I have also figured out the costs and decided to make my selling of them official.
They are now for sale on this blog. They are very reasonably priced and are available ready made or via a pdf file that you print, laminate and add Velcro yourself.
Check them out at: Subject/Chore Circles
As it says on that page, I will customize most any theme/color as well as the subject/chore circles. A standard set includes 1 sheet with 12 circles. If I make them and mail them to you, they are $12.50 plus shipping. If you want a pdf emailed to you, it is $7.00. You can order additional sets of circles if 12 circles are not enough for you. Those prices are $5.50 for 12 circles mailed to you and $3.50 emailed. The additional sets of circles must be ordered with a standard set.
Enjoy your day!
KC
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I did yoga today - Hip Hip Hooray!
Well since that title may sound like no big deal. Let me tell you about my journey through injury and almost through recovery(fingers crossed that is true). Since there are quite a few of you who read this who don't know me personally, I am 39 years old and in the last 2 years lost 40lbs and got healthy. I was running a couple of days a week and in the best shape I think I had been in as an adult. I was working toward training for a half marathon. It felt so flipping fantastic. I loved feeling healthy, strong and seeing all that my body could do!
November 17, 2010 - Went running. Had a great run. Ran 3 miles plus my warm up and cool down in 30 minutes(good timing for me), felt great! EXCEPT, while I was running, I kept feeling a lump in the back of my thigh. Kept thinking I hadn't stretch enough and stopped to stretch more, but it turns out I had pulled a hamstring. Headed to the Dr. to confirm
Over the next month and a half, I tried resting, doing just yoga and strength training, physical therapy and doing nothing. The hamstring still didn't feel better.
November 17, 2010 - Went running. Had a great run. Ran 3 miles plus my warm up and cool down in 30 minutes(good timing for me), felt great! EXCEPT, while I was running, I kept feeling a lump in the back of my thigh. Kept thinking I hadn't stretch enough and stopped to stretch more, but it turns out I had pulled a hamstring. Headed to the Dr. to confirm
Over the next month and a half, I tried resting, doing just yoga and strength training, physical therapy and doing nothing. The hamstring still didn't feel better.
Friday, August 5, 2011
2011-2012 Homeschool Plan (at the moment)
I know I am always curious about what other homeschooler's are doing and what they are using. So, I thought I would post what we will be doing for this year. Click on any of the items that are another color to follow those links and learn more.
Snowflake - 4th Grade:
Snowflake - 4th Grade:
- Main Curriculum (Science, Social Studies and all Literature, Grammar, etc) - Moving Beyond the Page 8-10
- Math - RightStart Math Level D & E. We are on level D now, when we finish we will move on to level E.
- Vocabulary - Dynamic Literacy - Word Build. Not something we have done in the past, but I see this and spelling as a weakness, so we are going to see if we like this and it helps.
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