The Mom With Brownies

CHUCK E CHEESES

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:43:00 +0000

While our older boys were playing in a Halo tournament today, Brian and I got to take our 5 year old twins, Daxx and Kole, to Chuck E Cheeses.

They had only been there one time before in their lives, when they were only 1 year old. I had forgotten how much fun Chuck E Cheeses can be when witnessed through the eyes of newbies.

We got to see our boys' eyes widen and their laughter bubble up for hours as they watched Chuck and his friend's play and sing, the games whistle and pop and the tokens and tickets spill into the floor.

They got to use the tickets to buy Cotton Candy and then go over to get an Ice Cream while I had the attendant make up a couple of "boy bags" with the rest of the tokens.

One thing we don't do it stand around for 20 minutes while the kids pick every little toy trying to spend all those points.

This is the quickest and most fun way we've found to attack the "toy counter." The boys think they are playing for Cotton Candy and they are surprised and thrilled to be handed a bag full of little goodies to play with after they buckle up in the car.

The attendant also thanked me. :o)

IS AMERICA A CHRISTIAN NATION?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Obama's Speech

A POEM I WROTE YEARS AGO...

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:14:00 +0000

TOO FAR GONE

The road is long and the journey’s far.
I can’t turn back, I’ve gone too far.
How long I wait for time to end,
The road is long. I cannot mend.

To much temptation, I’ve given in.
Too much, temptation, I’ve given in.
I’ve gone too far to turn back now.
I’ve gone too far to live for Him.

I stand, I wait for time to end,
My time to end, when will it end!?
I hear of God’s Forgiving Grace,
But I’m too far-gone to reach His Face.

I’ve just to ask for it, I hear.
For me He died, He’ll end my fear.
But I’ve gone too far in sin! Why try?
For me, Lord Jesus did not die.

If He would see me kneel to pray,
A hypocrite I’d be that day.
For I’ve gone too far to see His Face.
I’m too far gone for Healing Grace.
---
What time is good for you My Child?
I stand and wait for you My Child,
If you would kneel and pray to Me,
A hypocrite I would not see.

For I made the road you’re standing on.
What is too far? How long’s too long?
I made the time you’re living in.
My Blood will cover any sin.

Just kneel and pray to Me, My Child.
I’ll hold you dear to Me, My Child.
The road, to you, may seem too long.
But My Arms are Great and Very Strong.

Shelly Bannister Mabe1999

FREE-ish HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:15:00 +0000

Here are a couple of ways to homeschool well, yet frugally.

1. Edhelper is only $40 per year and will give a family access to every
subject from Pre-Kindergarten thru Senior Year. We have been using this quite a
bit this year and may very well use this as our main source for education from
here on out. It's worked well for our 9 and 12 year old sons.

~I print the material I want them to do and put the worksheets in the left side of a folder.
~They do the work, look up information online and/or in books and put the worksheets in the
right side of their folder when they are finished.
~ They hand the entire folder over to me at the end of the day and I use the Answer Keys in MY folder, that I printed, to grade their work.

*The only downside is that we do go through a lot of printer ink.

2. Netflix is an economical teaching source. I recommend "Drive Thru History"
DVD's that are also CD-Roms where you'll find quizzes and what-not.

I also recommend the Standard Deviants DVD's. These are Subjects that are
taught in a quirky way by Young Scholars. Most of their DVD's are geared toward
Middle School thru High School aged students. They have almost anything you
would need from

**Psychology, Sociology, Health, Foreign Languages, Any Math you could want up
thru Calculus, Anatomy, Finance, American Government, English Grammar,
Shakespeare, Astronomy, Geology.....You get the drift.

PLEASE REALIZE: These DVD's are meant to be VERY goofy HOWEVER, if you watch
them as a parent BEFORE your child watches them, Use your pause button to stop
the DVD and take notes every single time they give a tidbit of information then
there is enough Meat to the DVD's for a full course. I made quizzes above and
beyond the quizzes that they have in their lessons. I also assigned an Essay to
be written about a certain topic or person in some of the courses. It's an
inexpensive, fun way to teach if you use them well and put a little effort and
time into them

Those are my favorites for today.

Anyone else have Free or Very Frugal Curriculum ideas?

TO THE STRANGER

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:21:00 +0000

This is to the woman who emailed me, to the strangers who are writhing, to the sick and those in prison. This is to the strangers who link us together.

You are not alone.

I am but one woman, one stranger who is praying for peace for your heart, your mind, your soul. I know that this is a very lonely time for you. I have been where you are, felt...feel what you are feeling. My heart wrenches with the memories of that time and I cry now knowing you, a stranger, are dealing with these emotions, agonizing at this very moment. I was alone; miserable; walking through my journey when my heart procedures and uncertainties were before me a few years ago. The diagnosis was up in the air as I lay in the ICU for days wondering if the heartbeat I heard would be my last. Will that be the last? That one? I screamed, inside myself, nowhere to hold, no one to understand, nobody. Falling, falling, inside myself; hurtling out of control.

There is nothing like that horrid, alone feeling. It was during that time that I also had to deal with my own uncertainties about God and come to terms with what I believed deep inside my soul; deep down where nobody dare to tread, the place I kept hidden even from myself. It was then, during the free-fall that I had to look my doubts in the face, deal with them...answer the question. It was then that I could fully understand the question, and realize the answer. I felt His peace. I gave in to His will and came to the point where I understood beyond doubt that I either had to believe that all of life and energy came from nothingness or all of life and energy came from a God in a dimension that was beyond my own understanding. It didn’t take long for me to understand that all things come from somewhere/someone.

I had to place my faith in the one who gave me life. It was only during that time of my life…that time when even those closest to me were so very far away, though they were right there next to me. This is when I really came to understand, believe wholeheartedly in the only God who claimed to make me, know me and love me. Christ Jesus.

I was never one to “talk” like a Christian and I was never one who would preach or be overly overt with my beliefs and in many ways, I’m still not made to be “that kind” of Christian. However, something in your note, your words hit me to the core when I read them; felt them. I was back there again, laying there, thinking, crying at night, wondering within myself why we’re here, what is next, who/what I put my trust in that I somehow feel that you must be, have to be going through a similar struggle.

Please forgive me if I’m overstepping my bounds, but I want, maybe need, maybe even have to let you know, that Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit are with you and know you and made you. They know your doubts, fears, uncertainties and love you just the way you are because they made you that way. If we listen, watch for their work, feel their ministry in our hearts, eventually we are not alone.

With all my love and with all I can muster to send in words, I pray for you and think about you and hope you understand that on some level, there are people who are with you, alone, thinking, wondering, searching and praying. You are not alone. You are part of a vast majority of strangers who love one another. You are a strong link in that chain. God made it, He made you and He will help you through this journey, wherever it leads.

Please don’t hesitate to allow strangers to help, when/if the need arises. We’re here.

Love,
Shelly

INAUGURAL MICHIGAN HOMESCHOOL PROM "CRUISE"

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Last Friday the Inaugural Michigan Homeschool Prom took place on the Elegant Detroit Princess Riverboat.

Kazz is 16 years old, considered a Junior, but is about to graduate from college with an Associate of Business Degree; so the standard "Senior" prom isn't something that would fly in the Homeschooling world. That is why this prom is a Freshman - Senior Prom. Homeschool Alumni under 21 can also attend as well as friends of homeschoolers.

There were teens in attendance from all over Michigan and Northern Ohio. Kazz and his friends are pictured above at the Detroit Renaissance Center. Kazz and his girlfriend, Beka, are to the right on the deck of the ship. The rest of the crew are pictured below in our yard. What a gorgeous bunch of unsocialized homeschoolers! LOL

Brian and I found out a while back that it is becoming more and more common for homeschooling teens to attend a Statewide Homeschool Prom. We decided that it would be a fun thing to plan a Michigan Homeschool Prom too, so that is exactly what we did. It went so well that we are now officially the Michigan Homeschool Prom sponsors. If you build it, they will come...and they did! :o)

If you know of homeschooling teens who live in Michigan or Northern Ohio who would like to attend the 2010 Michigan Homeschool Prom Cruise on April 30th please feel free to let them know. They can join the Facebook site for updates.

The view from the boat was absolutely amazing. We passed under the Ambassador Bridge twice during the cruise portion of the evening. We began the cruise when it was daylight and it ended after the sun had set so we were all able to get a lot of opportunities for sunset photos. Brian and I took advantage of that.

Here are some highlights of the dancing that occurred that evening. All of this fun took place with clean modern music too...who would have thunk it? :o)

I can't get over how pretty the boat was and how smooth the ride was that evening. I had never been on a Paddle boat. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a pleasant surprise to find out that I couldn't feel the boat moving at all while inside the ship.

When I looked outside I couldn't tell we were moving either. It wasn't until I walked outside that I could appreciate the movement as I enjoyed the evening, breeze. It was a night to remember, though it took me 2 days to recover. The toe right next to my left big toe was numb for those 2 days and I have vowed to wear comfortable shoes next year...and I'm going to stop chaperoning long enough to dance with my husband at least once also!

Hope you all can join us next year too! :o)

OUR LIFE IN COLOR

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Brian and I have been having some heart to heart discussions lately. These discussions happen from time to time with us. It seems that he and I start "chatting" when life seems to be floating along in a hum-drum sort of way. The short of it is that right when we feel like we've mastered something together, we just HAVE to pick a new project to keep us on our toes.

We began our lives together in a shot and like to keep the momentum going I suppose. Well...not "I suppose"...it's actually..."I know for sure" that we do this.

Snapshot: We met and married within 11 months. We married at the ages of 18 and 20 while unemployed. That was a challenge and quite an adventure. After we gained employment, bought our first home and life was rolling along nicely, we had a baby. After that life was a challenge for about 6 months. Then we were rolling along nicely so we decided to go to school full time and work. We nailed that lifestyle down pat so we threw in another child. After a few years of that we decided to begin homeschooling. That went well but become old hat very quickly so we decided to move to another state. Brian went back to school and he gained employment in the automotive field. We rode the wave of going from minimum wage jobs to a six figure income within 10 years. After a while, we decided that we were quite bored. Our bills were paid. We had bought and sold 3 homes in our marriage so far and were sailing through this parenting thing so we thought, what the hay, we'll become foster parents. We thought that would switch up our lives on a regular basis for sure, but within 2 years we had adopted 3 children. That meant that we had adopted ourselves out of the foster care system.

Life rolled along. Brian still worked, I still homeschooled, we added and removed 5 dogs to our family in the span of a few years. The more we rolled along the more we realized that baby twins did indeed keep us busy for more than 2 years so we were happy and content with the business of life for a while. In the last few months, however, we've felt that "life shake" again. It's that antsy feeling we get from time to time but this time we are coming from a position of knowing.

Here's the deal. We live in Michigan. My husband is a white collar worker in the automotive industry. How long will he have a job? Really. How long? Not long. My husband and I know full well that we are no exception to the pink slip rule. He's cut and we've decided, after short consideration, that we just don't care. We are taking the bull by the horns....again. We are in charge of our own lives. We refuse to be slaves to the ebb and flow of the current American Automotive economy. We don't want to be hit flat in the face so we're ducking...or jumping...whichever. It all shakes out the same in the end. We have decided that Brian is getting out of the boat. He's changing careers and I'm coming along for the ride.

We have spent many a mile in our vehicle discussing what we want to do next in our lives. The twins are now 5 1/2, our older sons are pretty much self-sufficient in a day to day kind of way. We have a family schedule that runs pretty smoothly and life is just....rolling. Nothing more, nothing less...just rolling by. We look around daily and smile at the life going on around us. It's our life. We watch the boys do their thing and thank God for our home and our family. We look at each other and smile for no reason other than the fact that we are so very blessed to have each other. We are content...again. And with Brian and Shelly that means, we are ready.

Brian and I have come to a decision. The lives we've had so far went SO fast! Just think how quickly the second half will go! In 10 years we'll be 50 for all intents and purposes. That's just too quick to sit around being content. Keep it movin' Marvin! He and I are moving alright, we're going back to college! We've already signed up! Hee heeee!

We're going into Counseling Psychology. That sounds fun doesn't it?! In dreamland we envision ourselves working together in an office somewhere well into our 80's. But, the real fun comes right now. We get to go to school together, live our frugal little lives with our frugal little (big) children and ride a brand new rollercoaster in our lives together. I'm so excited I can't stand it. I LOVE change. It's what keeps life interesting.

So, we begin next month. We've already started budgeting so that we can live without employment for at least 12 months. THINK of how many classes we could have under our belt in a year if that is all we do. *sigh*

Life, itsa changin'! How Fun!

LONGFELLOW

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:11:00 +0000

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: ZIPCODE ZOO!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:30:00 +0000

ZipcodeZoo.com

Our natural world is rapidly losing its diversity and abundance. To slow this loss, and to better appreciate the natural world, we must begin with local nature. ZipcodeZoo works to bring the natural world to armchair, amateur, and professional naturalists. Our focus is Applied Biogeography: understanding plants and animals in their place, perhaps even your backyard.

Based on the location of your ISP, ZipcodeZoo guesses where you live. You can improve on our guess, if you wish, by correcting the location info here. Your custom home page on the "My Home" tab below uses that location info. Everyone will see info on invasive species, species that are threatened, and all species that live in this area. Visitors from the U.S. will also see zipcode demographics, local attractions for naturalists, and the local weather.

Photographs are submitted by amateur and professional naturalists from all over the world.

They have fun quizzes that help you develop skill matching a bird, mammal, fish, or
amphibian with the sound it makes.

You can find out about invasive plants or threatened and endangered species near
you. Join other amateur naturalists and help build this field guide by
recording your observations using the "LifeList" button at the bottom of
every species page.

There is a translator that allows you to read every page in a variety of languages
including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Portuguese, or Spanish.

The site is huge. You may have to wait a few minutes while content downloads as you move from one page or section to another. I did occasional glitches and bad links, however the overall site is quite a wonderful find.

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

DO ANIMALS FEEL LOVE?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:38:00 +0000

There are many people who believe that animals are not capable of remembering caretakers, feeling love or building attachment. After only one year of care, a lion is set free into the wild. Did he form a bond of love with his caretakers?

If there were ever a doubt, I give you this.

STUDENT PICTURE ID CARD WITH PERKS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:29:00 +0000

In the homeschooling community there has been a long standing issue in obtaining a valid picture Identification card. A student ID is quite useful in many circumstances, but in Michigan especially the issue of a picture ID has become an obstacle that can keep some homeschooling teenagers from going to college.

In some parts of our state a homeschooling teen is permitted to enter community college at the age of 14 years old to begin basic computer, keyboarding and undergraduate courses. The one thing that they must do to earn this privilege however, is pass the entrance exam for the college they wish to attend. In order to take the entrance exam they need a valid picture ID. In order to get a State ID the homeschooling teen must produce a "valid" school report card to the Secretary of State office, however, homeschooling records are not accepted at the Secretary of State.

Can you see our dilemma? It has been a vicious circle than we have had to navigate for a few years now.

I am happy to report today, that I do believe I have found the perfect solution to bridge that issue! I have found ISIC. Our home educated students can now get the International Youth Travel Card. (IYTC) It offers youth under the age of 26 access to special discounts and benefits at home and while traveling internationally. To qualify for the IYTC you must submit proof of age showing that your child is under 26 years of age. A photocopy of their birth certificate will suffice. The International Student Identity Card is the only internationally recognized, and accepted student ID card.

It isn't JUST an ID card however, it also comes with 1,000s of discounts at top retail stores and websites and travel insurance to cover the student should they travel abroad.

It only costs $22, which is much cheaper than buying a passport, and this card will allow our students to get discounts like ...

- Cheap student flights at STA Travel
- 50 percent off at Park 'n Fly
- 15 percent off at Karmaloop
- 15 percent off Amtrak
- 11 percent off at Macy's
- 11 percent off Jetblue
- 10 percent off Target.com
- $13 menu at Hard Rock Cafe

You can use it at home or abroad, online or in-store!

There are three versions of the discount card. ISIC is for currently enrolled students. IYTC is for any youth 26 years old and younger. This is the one our homeschooled teens could receive and the ITIC is for any current teacher or professor.

I am so excited to have found this offer. Our homeschooled teens can now take their entrance exam, skip the red tape at the Secretary of State and get on with their lives. I cannot wait to get Brisan's in the mail. I hope this helps other home educators with their Student ID card issues as well. Please pass the word on to the homeschooling community. This is something that should not be kept a secret.

MY FAMOUS NEPHEW! SILAS THE 5-YEAR-OLD ONE MAN PAN BAND

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:47:00 +0000

My nephew is gaining fame in Oklahoma for his charity work. God laid a burden on his heart and Silas, took up the challenge.

---------------------------

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer

Silas Honnold is all of 5 years old. Still, the Broken Arrow boy wanted to raise money for The Salvation Army. So he gathered up his mother's pots and pans and headed to his front yard.

As "Silas — The One Man Pan Band," the boy made a terrific racket Tuesday afternoon as he clanged away with a wire whisk and egg beater.

"If they like the music that I'm doing," the boy explained, "they will put money in the cup."

And if his sunny-day patrons were hungry and thirsty, they could purchase a bag of cookies for $1, and a Strawberry Lemonade Kool-Aid (his mother's own concoction) for 50 cents.

Target and Reasor's each donated two packages of cookies for Silas to sell, and Wal-Mart donated a $50 gift card for additional supplies.

At last count, Silas raised $221.20, including a matching donation by an anonymous donor.

"It's amazing what you can do when you follow what God leads on your heart," said the boy's mother, Betsy.

Silas hoped to raise "a lot" of money for The Salvation Army, because, as he said, "If people don't have money, The Salvation Army will give them money."

The boy's charitable inspiration came this past Christmas season, when Silas joined his mother and brother to raise money for The Salvation Army outside of a Big Lots store in Broken Arrow. Silas and his brother, Benjamin, wore elf costumes.

Silas is home-schooled, and the kindergartner frequents The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Broken Arrow. He's also part of its hands-on evangelism class.

Asked for a comment about Silas, Shelley Persinger of The Salvation Army said, "You mean without crying?"

Then she said, "For me, personally, I just believe God will move in this country through our youth," she said. "The adults will be lucky if they get to hang on. He just proves that to be so true."

Silas will present his fundraiser money to The Salvation Army during its annual Bouncin' Bar-B-Que set for April 24 at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Broken Arrow.

The barbecue, featuring inflatable toys and a silent auction, is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. For tickets, call 258-7545.

And, yes, there's a chance Silas will once again become The One Man Pan Band.

------------------------------

If you wish to help Silas donate to the Salvation Army just click the button below. Type the word "Silas" with your donation. All donated money will be sent to Silas for his charity.

I will keep an updated progress of donations made. If you donate please comment on this post so Silas can see all the people God has used just because he listened to the Lord's call on his heart. Go Silas Go!

FREEBIE: BARBIE DVD ABSOLUTELY FREE

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:34:00 +0000

Just visit this site to get a FREE Barbie Princess DVD. There is NO charge for shipping or anything at all. Offer is good while supplies last.

I just put in our mailing information and am now waiting for our little movie to arrive. For those who have little gals who love Barbie, this is an easy, free way to put a smile on her face.

HAPPY FREE SHOPPING!

HOMESCCHOOL FREEBIE: SIGN LANGUAGE

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:05:00 +0000

TODAY'S HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE IS...

ASL University!

"ASL University is an online curriculum resource for American Sign Language students, instructors, interpreters, and parents of deaf children.

Feel free to use the various lessons and resources for self-study. There is no need to register or pay (unless you want documentation to fulfill high school, college, or continuing education course requirements).

"If you are a teacher I give you permission to use the LESSONS to teach your in-person classes. Enjoy! -- Dr. Bill Vicars"

It doesn't get much better than that!

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: INTERACTIVE GEOMETRY and more...

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Learner.org Geometry 3D Shapes provides free multi-media activities about three-dimensional shapes. Students can learn about the mathematical properties of polyhedrons, cubes, prisms, cylinders and pyramids and how to calculate their surface area and volume. Because instruction is presented in 3-D format it makes it much easier to visualize and understand.

Just click on "Geometry 3-D Shapes" and a new page opens where the presentation begins.

This site has so much to offer for grades 6 - 12.

*Math In Daily Life
*Metric Conversions
*Statistics
*Science Interactives
*Language Interactives
*History Interactives
*Arts Interactives

This is an invaluable resource for homeschooling families.

HAPPY FREE SCHOOLING!

5 WAYS TO REDUCE OUR ENERGY BILL

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Here are some quick ways to reduce our energy bill.

1. Shore up any drafts where energy can be escaping. Common areas include around the
doors, vents, and windows.

2. Did you know that changing the thermostat by a degree or two can save at least 5% on our energy bill? We can dress warmer in the winter and lighter in the summer to watch the money stay in our pocket!

3. Turn the hot water heater down! There is no need to have our Hot Water tank set to the hottest temperature. By setting the tank temperature down to the low setting, we still have hot water and will reduce the amount of energy used by up to 90% per activity.

4. Turn off the TV, Lights, Stereo, Heater and Air Conditioner if we can do so comfortably. It would help to get the kids into this habit now.

5. The picture says a thousand words.

If you add up the savings each month, I think you may just be surprised!

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: MATH CONCEPTS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:22:00 +0000

THIS SITE provides suggestions and lesson plans that help educators incorporate technology (spreadsheets, graphing calculators, word processors, and presentation software such as Powerpoint) into math instruction. It also will help provides tips on using a math journal to integrate writing with your mathematics curriculum.

If you have a student with learning difficulties, this site is also geared to help them avoid endless drill work in order to make the subject more meaningful.

Read the "Site Overview" and then explore:

*Math Concepts - This section provides activities covering a range of math
strands commonly taught at the late elementary and middle school level. The
lessons incorporate the use of spreadsheets and/or calculators extending
conceptual understanding and allow students to apply their knowledge in
practical everyday contexts. These activities are designed to enhance
day-to-day curriculum, not replace it.

*Integrated Lessons - This section gives students a framework for
problem-solving. Students collect data and analyze it using a spreadsheet.
Then, they must develop a written report that summarizes the findings and
makes specific recommendations.

*Journals - Get a model for incorporating writing into math instruction.
Find out how students can use a math journal and get prompts that will
inspire students to write about their mathematical thinking.

The idea of the site is to move beyond rote learning, by using a more conceptual (and sophisticated) approach through technologies that will be standard for even minimum wage employment in the future. They have taken over the hand computations that for so many American students in the 20th century was the central goal of mathematics instruction.

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: SUMMER CRAFTS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Kaboose is a neat website that has various craft and art projects that can be done at home. They vary for all ages. If you are looking for Spring and Summer crafts that are easy and fun, this is the place to find them.

Some of the crafts with easy instructions are the pencil-pinwheel, a watermelon piñata, seashell critters, and a recipe to make your own ice cream!

If you hit a page with advertising, just click "Skip Advertising" at the top right to go to the craft more quickly.

There's the fun to lighten up your homeschool week.

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: The American Summer Guide

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:44:00 +0000

This guide includes all kinds of information that vary according to topic or activity. The site is geared toward all age levels.

Learn the origin of the term "Dog Days of Summer," the history of Summer Vacations, and the science behind the Summer Solstice.

Did you know that "solstice" comes from the Latin for "sun stands still"?

Learn about the rise and fall of roller coasters, get a BBQ Primer, take an Ice Cream Quiz, watch kid-submitted videos of fireworks and more!

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

VINZE'S LAST YEAR IN SINGLE DIGITS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:09:00 +0000

Vinze celebrated his 9th birthday on April fools day.

Each birthday in our home takes place very much the same way. Our immediate family surrounds the family member being celebrated. The honoree gets to sit in "Dad's Seat" at the dinner table as we sing happy birthday, eat pizza and blow out candles on a Dairy Queen Ice Cream cake. There is one gift given; two if said gift comes as a package deal, and that's the whole enchilada. Bing, Bang, Boom...party is over and all have fulfilled our annual tradition.

This year Vinze got the package deal. We bought the new Metallica Guitar Hero for the Wii and got the guitar to go with it for only nine bucks at Best Buy. Vinze didn't know the difference and was completely surprised to get two gifts.

Yes, our Vinnie...I mean Vinze, as he likes to be called now, has celebrated his last birthday in single digits.

Next year he will be the big one zero. I always feel sad when this birthday hits. All year long it creeps into my mind that age 10 will come oh so very quickly and then the next 10 years will fly by just as fast as the first. It goes by fast, way too fast.

RESTRUCTURING OUR HOMESCHOOL DAY

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:15:00 +0000

Every now and then, in a homeschooling household, there comes a time when the current system has to be rearranged. As with most things in life, things change. Kids grow older, a parent's role in their educational life changes and the system of yesterday becomes the system that has ceased to have any worth what-so-ever to the family it serves.

I have recently found our household in this position. Our old system is out of date. It's time for a restructuring of our homeschooling day and I have to be the one to do the deed.

In our old system, our 16 year old son Kazz is on his own doing his college work. Brise, our 12 year old, waits for me to tell him what to do each day. Vinze, our 9 year old, does the same and our twins, Daxx and Kole, frolic around until they decide they want to "do" school.

They are not quite old enough to be in full-out Kindergarten so I allow them to run the show at this stage. They know they have books. They know I'll teach them if they ask and they know they don't have to do anything at all until September of this year if they don't want to. Oddly enough, they ask to do work at times and love it when they work. That system has worked well, until now.

As we go along I have a feeling that Brise and Vinze could really benefit from having more responsibility on their plate. I need to figure out how to plan the day so they know exactly what they are doing, in what order and for how long, without me watching their every move.

Truth be told, I need them to do this as much as they need to learn this discipline. Why? Because I will be teaching 2 little boys how to read, write, reason and rhyme next school year. That will take much of our homeschooling hours. My time can be better spent with the wee ones, while the older boys learn time management and self-discipline.

One of the first things I would like to do is buy some customized stamps. I'm going to have some made for Brise and Vinze so they will have their own to mark their work, books, carrying cases, notebooks and various other items. They are going to have to organize their work area. Other stamps will be ready made to mark their progress with dates, times and words; like "done" "corrected" "2nd chance worksheet" and so on.

Once I have the system down, I will have the stamps made. That's one idea. The next has to do with shelves/drawers that my friend Stacy has begun to implement. Each drawer holds an assignment and they must be done in order....but THAT is a post for another day.

Wish me luck! I'll need it!

OUR 20 MINUTE PICNIC ON THE ROAD

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:47:00 +0000

For the past year or so we in the Brownie Mom household have been tightening our belts in the hope to pay off debt, live more modestly and become a more cohesive family unit in the process. It's been fun to find ways to cut back here and there while still finding ways to have fun and enjoy each other.

Last weekend we were excited to be able to FINALLY travel to Kentucky to see my parents and their new home. They've lived in the house nearly 6 months and we haven't been able to go down to even check it out! While planning the trip I calculated how much money we would need. I found that it is amazingly cheaper to buy grocery items and pack them in a cooler to eat along the way than it is to stop at fast food restaurants, so that's what we did.

About half-way to Kentucky we pulled off at a roadside rest area. As Brian grabbed the cooler and rolled it over to the picnic area, the boys were happy to get out and run a little. I was happy that we wouldn't have a mess to clean up in the van when we arrived at my parent's home.

As Brian made sandwiches and passed out water to drink, I wiped down the picnic table. As I looked around it occurred to me that the area was actually quite pretty. As we chewed our food and chatted one kid after another began to walk around, stroll along, climb and basically relax as the gentle breeze wafted through their hair.

I couldn't help but notice that the pavilion had, at one time, been bombarded by birds and therefore bird-poop. They did an decent job of ridding the birds by making it nearly impossible to perch or build nests in the pavilion, however, nearly wasn't good enough. The nest was there in spite of man's best effort.

I snapped photos. Brian took a breather, stretched his legs and rummaged around the van doing whatever it is guys do to make life easier on the family during our trips. All I know is that we had much less grumbling, much more laughter and a lot of snacks along the way.

The kids noted that this was one of the best trips we've had to Kentucky. I have to say, though it was a quick trip, it was much easier and done with less money than we've ever managed to use before.

The moral of the story? Thumbs up for bringing a cooler of food on road trips! Less stops, happier kids and more money left in the wallet.

THE CAMERA BANDIT IS BACK

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Not very long ago I discovered that Daxx and Kole had been stealing my camera in the mornings to take various odd pictures around the house. After posting about the issue and having a little chat with them about boundaries the little camera bandits ceased and desisted from rummaging through my desk and various personal items.

Over the past week and a half I've begun to use my camera more. I actually remembered to take it with me on our trip to Kentucky and I've had it our for Vinze's 9th birthday also. (pics of that coming soon) Little did I know that one pair of eyes had been watching closely to find out when and where the time was ripe for the picking!

Yes, our sweet little inocent Kole has a nack for sneaking around for the best moments to disobey and/or horse around. The camera proved to be too much of a temptation, thus these shots were found a few minutes ago as I uploaded pictures to my computer.

I don't know whyyy he finds it necessary to put things into his nose when he's sneaking around with my camera. I don't KNOW why. All I know is that I was very pleased to see that he didn't feel the need to take another picture of his hiney this time.

God bless his little heart.

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: YOUR KIDS CAN MAKE A VIDEO!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:10:00 +0000

TODAY'S HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE IS...

MEET ME AT THE CORNER: Virtual Field Trip Video's hosted by kids

This is the cutest and most interesting site I've seen that is directed toward and hosted by children. There are so many videos to see. I only browsed the site a little bit and had to pull myself away to write this post.

MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field Trips for Kids, is a dynamic, interactive site, which encourages individual expression and participation through video submissions from children worldwide. Through these video pod casts we hope to create a community of children, who learn the art of self-expression and storytelling through video.

In the beginning, the video pod casts highlighted the people, events and history of New York City. As this site grows through children’s submissions, we hope to highlight the people and events of other towns, cities and nations. To date we have video podcasts from California, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas, and Maryland. We are always open to the people and events in your corner of the world.

HAVE FUN FREE LEARNING!

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: FOR THE LOVE OF DOLPHINS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom With Brownies) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:10:00 +0000

I have a friend named Stacy who loves dolphins. She has an affinity for them that I never quite understood. I enjoy watching them because I think they are kind of cute but my feelings weren't such that I caught the Dolphin Loving bug. I've never had the inkling to swim with dolphins or pet a dolphin or even go watch a dolphin swim...until now!

My new love for dolphins was spawned this week while I was perusing Youtube. I happened upon an absolutely entertaining and educational video from Sea World. As I watched the video it occurred to me that these little buggers are adorable AND smart! They have found, recently, that the dolphins have been teaching one another to blow bubbles. Yes, bubbles! Not only did I watch the dolphin bubbles being made but I watched them swim through the bubbles and even pop them so their friends wouldn't play with "their" bubble!

I'm thinking that these animals are quite the smarty pants. I'm also thinking that our family needs to plan a trip to Sea World. I haven't been there since I was a little girl. I'd like our sons to have the fun experiences I had. Hopefully we can get seats in the front row of the Whale show. Tee hee!

Here's the video.

Here's a cute little game for those who want to make a unit study or devote a lesson to dolphins. Just click to enlarge.

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!