creative disaster

Reading Station

2012-01-30T08:38:00.000-06:00

Last but not least... Our Reading Station. Readers, devotionals and classic poetry. I need more pictures to hang.

I'm On My Knees

2012-01-28T10:16:00.001-06:00

Mom Station

2012-01-27T08:33:00.000-06:00

My computer, easel, printer and bulletin board. The blue thing on the right is our schedule (like how it is empty?).

On the left is school planning stuff and all the white drawers are my craft supplies. To the right (not pictured) is our main bookshelf.

Computer Station

2012-01-26T08:27:00.000-06:00

This is the boys' computer, they sit on an ottoman and that is an end table. It is positioned so I can always see what they are doing.To the left it my computer desk.

Math Station

2012-01-25T08:41:00.000-06:00

The window above the desk is a look through that you see our front door through.

Our calendar, 100 chart and weather.

100 Chart, number words, clothes pins for number matching.

Money sheet and shapes are from The Old Schoolhouse Primary Planner.

A basket of activities; lacing, glo-doodle, number flashcards, telling time flashcards and books, worksheets, Learning Palettes from Usborne and books. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets

Language Arts Station

2012-01-24T08:42:00.000-06:00

Language Arts Station (math to the left)

Sight Words, ABC Poster and Explode the Code Wall Chart.

Desk and Box Full of Activities.

Handwriting Without Tears ABC Chart and The things on top is a desk name tag that I put in a sheet protector.

Learning Palette from Usborne, Magnet Letters, Letter matching, Notebooks, Letter Flashcards, Whiteboard and Markers. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets.

Art Station

2012-01-23T09:07:00.000-06:00

Art Station with beautiful artwork. Paint, clay, brushes, etc are in the big tub.

Crayons, scissors and glue. In the organizer are art books and activities. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets.

Puzzles and some activities underneath. The mat is great to sit or kneel on and also for exercise. All I need is a tablecloth!

Classroom Makeover

2012-01-20T08:42:00.000-06:00

On the right is the boys' computer, then you can see my desk with PC and printer and easel, white plastic drawers on the left are my craft supplies.

Art station with puzzles underneath, mat is also used for exercise. Reading station on the left.

Math and Language Art Stations, hutch (that has no other home).

Over the next few posts I will be breaking down our new and improved classroom stations. Here is the whole room. We are so blessed to have excess space and I finally finished unpacking so now we can utilize that space.

Popsicle Sticks!

2012-01-18T09:13:00.000-06:00

If you are not on Pinterest may I just ask why not?? If you need an invite just give me your email and I'll send one asap!

Anyway... yes, there is a point to my obvious obsession with Pinterest. Besides decorating my imaginary house and designing my fantasy wardrobe, I also find loads of great homeschooling ideas. I recently found this one and was excited to try it out. So I made some of my own but I added more. I did three sets of 1-20, front and back. We are nowhere near multiplication and division so I just did equal signs, a plus and a minus. I also did an alphabet set with A-Z; upper case on one side, lower case on the opposite side, consonants and vowels in different colors. I'm thinking of numerous ways for both boys to use them. Here they are...

Letters

Numbers

Yep. she is.

2012-01-17T09:10:00.000-06:00

Items For Sale

2012-01-13T09:28:00.000-06:00

I am cleaning out and getting rid of some things. Please let me know if you need any of the items listed. I will give you a good deal. Make an offer that includes shipping. I live outside the US but we use USPS, so it will take a little longer but the cost is the same for shipping. Thanks!
My Father's World-Kindergarten Deluxe Set Sold as set, cannot break up. (does not include student worksheets)
This is what I have...

Teacher's Manual and Literature Activity Guide (comes with Lit pack) no Literature included
Lauri Letters
Cuisenaire Rods and Alphabet Book
What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?
A-Z Cards
Classical Favorites CD
Hide 'Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2 CDs
For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Ant Hill and Butterfly Habitat (These are BRAND new, never used but my children opened the packaging and the packaging is not in the best shape)
These are from the student pack and I will include them rather than just throw them away... ABC Game Cards, Bingo Set and Short Vowel Song Cards

BOOKS-

Usborne Internet Linked First Thousand Words in Italian (like new)
Berlitz Kids Italian Picture Dictionary (also like new)
Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading (Brand new condition!)
Bible Crafts & More for Ages 2-4 by Standard Publishing
More Faith-Building with Preschoolers by Prenzlow & Candreva
First Picture Playground Games (fun preschool, early childhood games)
Usborne Preschool Activities Animal Fun (fun preschool age art projects)
The Usborne Baby and Toddler Treasury (Rhymes, stories and activities to share with little children)

Lasagna a la Crockpot

2012-01-09T18:56:00.000-06:00

Super easy and it actually tasted better than I thought it would!

pound or so of browned ground beef (or turkey or left over pot roast, whatever you want)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried basil
10 ounces of diced tomatoes (Italian are good)
small can of tomato paste (or you can use jar sauce, whatever you have on hand)
1 cup real parmesan cheese (not Kraft powder), half will go in the mix and half will go on top
mozzarella cheese (real mozz! see picture if you don't know what real mozz is)
2 or 3 strips of lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 cup or so of water
black pepper to taste

I browned the meat and then mixed everything in my crock. I broke up the pieces of lasagna noodle and mixed them in. I added the water but probably didn't really need it. I was afraid it would get dry. It took about 3.5 hours to cook on low, then I turned it off and topped it with parmesan and more mozzarella. Put the lid back on and let it get all gooey.

Not the most attractive picture but it was super yummy!

This is the most real mozzarella cheese I could find here. If I was in Italy or even some stores in the US I would get Buffalo Mozzarella that comes in water. It is nothing like the mozz in the states. YUM!

The Gentleness Challenge

2012-01-09T09:04:00.002-06:00

As you read last week, I have been struggling with some things. I felt like my umbrella had blown inside out and it was hailing. My husband got me a new umbrella and reminded me that I don't have to hold it all by myself. God is holding the umbrella and my husband is holding my hand. It is day by day, digging out and getting ahead. Satan knows what brings me down, he knows how to hold me there. I have to make the choice to get on the right path every day; every hour; in each challenge of the day.
Today I read two blog posts that lit a path for me. Sam at Sam's Noggin posted about returning to our foundations. And Courtney at Women Living Well is doing The Gentleness Challenge. Go read their posts and be inspired to get on the right track like I was.

Therapy

2012-01-06T14:35:00.000-06:00

I know I have been MIA quite a bit lately. I've felt a bit like I need a padded room and maybe some magic happy pills but I had a long talk with [my wonderful] husband and I am feeling better about it all. I don't have one overwhelming stressor, I have a hundred small ones. I know the first rule of being a mom is to never compare yourself or your children to anyone else but it is hard not to. I have friends with real issues; divorce, children with special needs, deployed husbands, single parenting, cancer. I do realize how truly blessed we are. And sometimes I don't feel like I have any room to complain about things. So, occasionally I have a melt down because I don't have the release of stress. I was ready to sign myself into a nice cooshy funny farm. But my [wonderful] husband reminded me that I need to take some time for myself. I am constantly under stress of some kind from some direction and I was never giving myself a break. Therefore breakdown ensued. I cried, I yelled, I shut down.

"Abundance"

I prayed... a lot. And after talking to my [wonderful] hubs I felt so much better. We talked about me getting back to the things I love and having some Emily-time daily. I could take a bubble bath or have some crafting time or reading. Something that allows me to turn off and not have to think. I put on my big girl panties and moved on. The next day I got out my new (I have never painted before) acrylic paint set and painted for about 4 hours while the boys watched Leapfrog and Dinosaur Train. Sometimes we really do need the electronic babysitter. And therapy of some kind, whether you talk to someone or just get those emotions on paper. You'll feel better. Do it.
So this is my first ever painting. If anyone wants to buy it just message me. :)

Dutch Apple Pie

2011-12-30T08:37:00.000-06:00

This was SO good! I made it for dessert after Christmas dinner and it was a huge hit. The topping is the best part.

This is the original recipe. The changes I made are in red.
Pie Crust
1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
4 tablespoon(s) margarine or butter
1/4 cup(s) shortening
No Shortening Pie Crust
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (130 g) all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cold water

Apple Filling
2 pound(s) Granny Smith apples, (about 4 large) (Golden Delicious)
2 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice (Fresh Lime Juice)
1 container(s) (8 ounces) sour cream
3/4 cup(s) granulated sugar (Raw Sugar)
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon(s) salt
1 large egg

Streusel Topping
3/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) walnuts, toasted and chopped (1/3 C Oatmeal)
1/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar (1/3 C)
1/4 cup(s) granulated sugar (1/3 C Raw Sugar)
1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon(s) grated orange peel
4 tablespoon(s) margarine or butter, cold

Prepare pie crust.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare apple filling: Peel, core, and cut apples into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. In medium bowl, with wire whisk or fork, beat sour cream, sugar, flour, vanilla, salt, and egg just until blended. Stir sour-cream mixture into apple mixture; spoon into chilled pie shell.

Place sheet of foil under pie plate; crimp foil edges to form a rim to catch any drips during baking. (This is a must!) Bake pie 1 hour, covering loosely with foil if apples are browning too quickly.

While pie is baking, prepare streusel topping: In medium bowl, stir flour, walnuts, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange peel. With fingertips, blend in cold margarine or butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

After pie has baked 1 hour, turn oven control to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over apples. Bake pie 30 minutes longer or until filling is hot and bubbly and top is golden. Cool pie on wire rack 1 hour to serve warm. Or cool completely to serve at room temperature later.

(I think 400 degrees was too hot, I would just do 350 for the whole time and cover the apples with foil because they got dark really fast. It was really sweet, so I think I would use less sugar in the topping and more oatmeal. And it was really wet, I'm assuming it was the juice from the apples, not sure what to do with that other than eat it up quick! which is exactly what we did!)

Christmas Morning Pictures

2011-12-29T09:13:00.000-06:00

Our First "Semester" and a few Christmas pictures

2011-12-28T10:28:00.000-06:00

Technically, the first half of our school year is over even though I'm not quite as far along as I had hoped we'd be. It doesn't help that we took most of November and December off. I've been reading some end of year recaps on other blogs, some are ahead of schedule, some are behind but the most important thing is that everyone is on the same page with learning and working at their ability level, that our kiddos are enjoying learning and thriving. I am not discouraged by not being where I had planned. I am just going to reevaluate and make changes where they are needed.

Playing with new Legos, Christmas morning.

I have plans to speed up the lessons in My Father's World, finishing them in 2-3 days rather than 4-5. Joshua is really enjoying the reading (out-loud and learning to read), writing and anything artistic or crafty. {I wonder where he got that from.} We will be starting Explode the Code Book 1 this week as well as ETC Online. I ordered Learning Palettes for math and reading from Usborne and both boys are enjoying those already. Joshua (and mom, too) have been challenged by Math-U-See and I won't be using it again next year. I am trying to finish it but if the fighting continues I will be looking into other options.

Joshua showing off his "Cars" Christmas shirt.

Nikolas is doing well with preschool activities. He knows all his letters and can count to 20. His "L"s still sound like "W"s but I know that will happen in time. He loves to listen to books and especially likes having Joshua "read" to him. He is my littler gamer nerd. He loves anything Sonic or Mario Brothers. We got them an XBox 360 with Kinect for Christmas with some games to get them active and I'm hoping to work that into school.

Nikolas with his "Crayola Story Studio".

I am starting college next month and have been looking into curriculum for next year that will require less planning time. I have prayed about it and read about and asked questions about it until I went completely cross-eyed. But I have decided to switch to Sonlight. I will be able to use a Core program for both boys and then individual language arts and math. And everything will be planned for me. Normally I am a great planner and organizer but with full-time school also on my plate I figured this would be a good place to trim some time. I love the readers and curriculum that Sonlight offers and I am really looking forward to making the switch in the summer. Only seven months to go.

Checking out a new monster truck.

Reading Through Luke

2011-12-09T11:50:00.001-06:00

I am reading through Luke with Momstoolbox.com. Join us this Christmas Season.

Three Weeks Away Part 2

2011-12-06T08:22:00.000-06:00

During our visit home the boys and we were able to drive over to San Diego and meet up with hubs. We surprised the boys and took them to Legoland. It was a great time. It is always amazing to me, the Lego-deficient, that people can create such amazing things with little plastic blocks. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Prepare for picture overload.

Three Weeks Away Part 1

2011-12-05T08:40:00.000-06:00

Our three weeks visiting the states flew by but it was a much needed break. We got to spend some time with family and eat some great American food. We didn't do much schooling while we were there but we got to visit Spring Preserve, the boys love it! If you are ever on a family vacation in Vegas I highly recommend it. Here are some pictures from Spring Preserve. They have animals, bugs and plants all indigenous to the Las Vegas area. As well as a huge play area and great activities for the kids.

A very interesting exhibit.

This is the view of the strip from Spring Preserve.

I Lied

2011-11-28T14:01:00.001-06:00

I know I told you that I would check in while I was on vacation and I haven't! I am flying home tomorrow and I will share pictures of our trip this week. PROMISE!

Week 10: Dinosaurs

2011-11-04T12:07:00.000-06:00

This is "Dinosaurs". It is a cute board book for younger kiddos.

Joshua's Lego House!

Another month complete!

Dive, dice, dad and dinosaur

Parasaurolophus. That is really how you spell it! He drew it and wrote the word, it is kind of hard to see in the picture.

Handwriting is getting better. Joshua completed two lessons in ETC this week. We will be starting Book 1 soon!

He is getting it! Letters and sounds make words!

Still not happy about math but we went back to Math-U-See this week. But we are taking our time with it, no rush.

Some fun math.

List of books we used this week:
Dinosaurs
This Is My Dinosaur
Big Book of Dinosaurs
What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?
Sounds of the Wild: Dinosaurs

Ch-ch-changes

2011-11-02T07:17:00.000-06:00

We are preparing for some changes in our home. For most of November we will be visiting family in the states and I have been preparing for homeschooling there. What to take, what to leave at home and inexpensive things that I can get there rather than taking.
But the biggest thing is that I will be starting school. I was planning on starting this week but I am going to wait until January. My major has also changed from my previous post and the school. Told you there has been and will be more changes around here.
And with homeschooling my guys, I haven't had much time to blog. I haven't tried any new recipes either... I am planning on making some fun and yummy fall food while I'm visiting my family. Mexico doesn't carry canned pumpkin! Can you believe it? I have some recipes that I found on Pinterest that look so good! I cannot wait. I got a new laptop so I will share those with you while I'm there.
Tomorrow at Bible study we will be having a missions day and we'll be making baby blankets! I love mission days! Please read this post about the babies with no blankets! If you are looking for someone to give your old blankets to or a ministry that is changing lives contact me and I will let you know more about how you can help!
And I cannot forget Halloween. This is a hot topic with many Christians. But I will tell you that it is all about the candy for this family! We (not me!) dress up in fun costumes and get lots of free candy! That is it. Especially living in Mexico, today is Dia de las Muertos or Day of the Dead. This is an actual holiday and hubs is home from work today. But the ninos y ninas were dressed up like dead people while trick or treating. Yikes! Not us! Buzz and Optimus Prime here!

Here are my little trick or treaters!

Preschool Week 1:Monster Trucks

2011-11-01T08:36:00.000-06:00

Officially, I will call this week 1. Thanks to Carissa at 1+1+1=1 there has been some definite interest in preschool. finally. She has some GREAT resources, so go see them!

Week 9: Us

2011-10-31T10:21:00.000-06:00

This week we learned about the five senses, our bodies, nutrition and exercise. Joshua practiced blend ladders and sight words.

Joshua reading "Mat", the first Bob Book.

That is ice cream, that he likes to taste.