Tomorrow is Valentine's day and I am so thrilled! I've been busy making crafts and valentine's day crafts. And thanks to my friends at Crazy for First GradeandJulie Locke, I've been able to work in Valentine's day into our homeschool lessons plans for both the preschooler and 2nd/3rd grader.
For the rest of the month, we will turn our attention onto Black History Month and President's day, and then make our way to the celebration of Dr. Seuss and the Spring Season. So stay tune for those uploads and some free printables for both your party and educational needs.
Also, as most of you know, I am not as active here on the blog site but you can always catch my updates, crafts, deals and steals on our Facebook Page here.
Here's a sample of some of the crafts we worked on for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!
Where or where did the time go? So after the Christmas holiday, apparently I have been in a whirlwind not realizing just how close we were to the end of the year. Well, as you know... we are here! We are at the end of the 2011 road and I couldn't be happier.
I love new beginnings, well almost - I love the New Year... a chance to get it right and do things new for the next year. I am excited about the possibilities of what 2012 will bring for my family and myself. Life is good so I can't complain - I know 2012 will just be even BETTER!
With that said - I wish you and yours a Happy and Safe New Years. Here is a printable I found at Paperandpigtailsparty.com that I know you will love. Enjoy and God bless you all! See you next year
By the way - I find teaching moments in EVERYTHING I do with my family. Here is a cute little worksheet you can download and have your little ones fill out or even just verbally discuss to put in their file for memories of 2012 from thirtyhandmadedays.com. Enjoy!
So with the cold weather we've been having in San Diego - the family and I took the opportunity to escape to the mountains and play in the snow.
We had an awesome time and enjoyed playing in the snow and truly having that winter experience. As I watched my kiddos play in the snow I really took the time to reflect on what we've been through this year and just how awesome God is. I have a wonderful family and because of His blessings, I am able to escape to the snow during the midweek just at a moments notice. I love snowflakes at Christmas times and 2 years ago, I wasn't able to do so because I was a slave to my job and the time off was not allowed. The freedom and time I have with the family is priceless and even if I ever had to go back to corporate - I will make sure that I value every moment I have with my family and you should too.
With that said, we came back home and I was able to instantly create a lesson plan that helped my 2nd/3rd grader grasp the concepts of seasons, weather, snow and the various snowflakes.
Here's what we did... We made paper snowflakes using this template I found from Yarn Owl. We then went over the various types of snowflakes that there are...here's a quick study . And finally we discussed our day in the snow, recapped on the type of snow, seasons and weather patterns as well as the water cycle and completed this worksheet from our National Geographic Guide (the books are amazing as well).
Next week will finalize our winter session with a nice journal and picture book of her snow day. See how easy it is? Our children can learn anywhere and any place. They soak up the information and more hands on it is, the more they retain. We will make it a yearly tradition for snowflakes at Christmas time,
I would love to hear about your daily learning activities. Comment below and share. Until next time - keep loving the family!
Many of us are getting prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday. I've been posting on facebook various things I am thankful for and will start Monday with my Random Acts of Kindness.
The girls and I are also working on the first thanksgiving history lessons and favorite recipes - so stay tune.
Today I share with you the wonderful printable package for your THANKSGIVING DECOR! It's so cute and free so get to decorating! Enjoy and don't forget to send us pictures of your spread and decor.
As my 3 year old gets older and turning the curve to being a 4 year old - which she considers a "big girl" - she keeps referring to her school. She keeps implying that she'll be ready to go to "big girl" school and when I tell her she already does work and homework at home...she says..."No mom, not school at home..I want to go to school at school". You get the jest of the conversation....
So here are my thoughts: even at the ripe age of 3 she's learning daily. She's counting, coloring, learning her shapes, colors, learning how to be better listener, speaker as well as following directions. (we'll as best as an active 3 year old can). Recently we are working on the alphabet and spelling of her name as well as her writing skills. She is in school as far as I am concerned. Now officially, my oldest didn't go into preschool until she was 4 and the only reason we sent her is she had been the only child who hung around adults for so long she needed the social interaction of her peers. Even in her dance classes, she was placed with other kids due to her level so I felt it was instrumental that she get "socialized" - and preschool did just that. With this second child however, and now that we are homeschooling the oldest, I am not sure if I see the need for preschool - in the traditional sense. Miss L (the 3year old) attends Sunday school frequently with children her age, has cousins whom she plays with her age (Miss J -my now 7 year old - didn't), attends dance classes, has play dates and playground buddies all the time. She isn't shy and really really has no qualms with making friends. So I'm thinking, homeschooling preschool at the age 4 will still be done. I'll place a little more focus on social activities for her where it's in a more "teacher" setting other than myself... but I think we are good. My question really lies with kindergarten....But I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I've got 2 years...
So what are your thoughts? Will you or Do you already homeschool your preschooler or kindergartner? Why or why not? I would love to hear from you and your experiences as well as thoughts.
Couponing 101 - How to coupon the right way and the sites I use
Many viewers of my facebook fan page and this site have asked me how they can get started couponing. Besides gathering coupons from your mail, the sunday paper, and the internet... you need to know what to do with the coupons once you have them. This quick video will show you some of the website I used when first starting and how to match them up with the sales from various stores.
Let me know if the video help you out any and any other couponing questions I can answer for you. Enjoy and Happy Couponing
Since we have transition into homeschooling, I have found my need for more do-it-yourself (DIY) crafts. I am constantly on the look out for more crafts for our art time as well as projects, and DIY gifts. I love them because it let's my creative juices flow all while engaging the kiddos. Plus 9/10 times I am creating the projects with items I have around the home. The freedom of a DIY craft also allows room for error - which is actually none. I can create whatever I want, however I want, even if it doesn't look like the picture. The picture serves as an idea creator, and a buster for me, not the absolute blueprint so I can tweek and change things as I so desire...even if it's by accident.
With that said, I would love to see pictures of the art work and projects you and your family have created. Send us a picture with some background on the project, how it came about, etc. and we'll post it here for you. Thanks in advance for sharing and don't forget to check out our facebook fan page for more delightful homeschooling tips, shopping and couponing tips, and much more for the benefit of your family.
Below is a picture of what I call my "Designer Pumpkin", I wish I could have my home designed in all white, with accents of black and another color... but hubby's not going for it with 2 young children...so I put my wish into my pumpkin. It's stylish and quite un-ordinary...which I LOVE! Enjoy and thanks in advance for showing us yours.
