Good Finds

I bought several of these little handicrafts on clearance last summer at JoAnn's for .50/piece!!

It sure came in handy to buy so many because Chris broke 2 before completing this one. This required much concentration and hand and eye control for him! The activity came with little squares of tissues that they wrap around a point needle (but not) type thing and dip it in glue then punch it into the foam.

I found them in the vacation bible school or summer craft type section. I will be keeping an eye out for these babies this summer (as they are originally only $1) and end of summer because .50 is always awesome!

** 2011 - 2012 Curriculum **

I'm so excited for this years curriculum! I've had lots of time to look over (&over) tons of resources and have spent some time thinking & praying. I'm so thankful for all the resources available and the work that is made ready for me!

Chris ~ Grade 1: I basically followed the CM Curriculum Guide (i seriously love that site btw) while changing up some things.

• He will have 3 Montessori based trays.
• Math - Math U See Alpha
• Copywork - A Reason for Handwriting
• Science - 106 Days of Creation Study
• Personal Development - Learning to Get Along Series I'm so excited about this find!! ~ incorporating Laying Down the Rails
• History, Geography, Reading, Read A Louds, Bible - Core B with Grade 3 Readers
• Poetry - Montessori Style Poem of the Month
• Nature Study - I Love Dirt!
• Picture Study - We have 3 Come Look With Me books that we will be working through the year
• Art - Drawing With Children. I also have lots of left over art supplies we didn't use this past year due to home circumstances that I will be delighted to use with them this year!

It's a lot and that's why I left out quite a few subjects suggested on CM. We had such a lackadaisical curriculum last year that I didn't want to throw us in shock and accomplish nothing! The Poetry, Nature Study, and Picture Study will be weekly. The Science is 3 days a week.

I still have quite a few ideas spinning around in me head and I'm trying to figure out if they will work or not!

Zack ~ Preschool:

• 6 Montessori based Trays
• Raising Rock Stars Preschool - we will being joining to have access to the power points as well
• Reading Time each day
• Joining Chris for Poetry, Nature Study, and Art
• His own Personal Development program using the same resources I'm using with Chris

Nate ~ Toddler: ohhhhh how I don't like the thought that he will be a toddler during this school year! He's still a baby in my head so squishy, juicy, and lovey! And I know he still will be all those things, I just really like the idea of him being a baby cake!

• Some form of Tot School mixed with some CM & Montessori applications

I'm working on a schedule and trying to figure out how we can work everything with as much ease, comfort, and fun as possible.

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all Mommies are enjoying their Mother's Day!!

Handprints made for Grandmas & Me :)

Cards made for Grandmas (our moms) at TinyPrints. Very happy with them!

Easter Fun + an update

We had a great Easter! It was a little different this year due to some things. This was a little hard for me because I like tradition and I like Easter & Christmas to be celebrated LONG (think Lent & Advent)! I had to evaluate my heart and though those things are Good it is ok if things are different one year :) With that being said - here are some things we did for Easter this year:

• the boys memorized two new prayers - one for meals and one for bedtime
• we created a "repentance box". You can read about it here. Hers is much prettier than mine. we used an old baby wipe box. :)
• the boys made these t-shirts during Holy Week. I got this idea from Rick & Marilyn Boyer's Hands-On Character Building book.

~ Easter Sunday ~ Nathanael's First Easter!!!

My two oldest received Pillow Pets and a special book. Chris got The Beginner's Bible (Holy Bible). This is the whole Bible. Zack received My ABC Bible Verses. They loved all of these things. :)

We made some cute Eastery cookies I seen in a magazine. I personally didn't like them but they did and so did my stepsisters.

That wraps up our Easter 2011!!

~~Update~~ I haven't been on much lately because I was trying to spend less time on the computer for Lent. I'm working on trying to figure this out! How I can spend the least amount of time on the Internet and still look and enjoy everything I like to do! In addition, my husband & I are working on some major changes (jobs & living location). I really do enjoy blogging though so we'll see... hopefully I'll get it [balance] soon :D

~ Sneak Peek # 3 ~

~ Sneak Peek # 2 ~

~ Sneak Peek # 1 ~

Box 1 of our 2011 - 2012 curriculum:

Looking forward to posting on our First Grade curriculum!