4th of July Crafts

 We did a few Forth of July crafts before heading to our hometown parade.

 Jetty boy used our Dot-A-Dots to make his flag I printed out for him. He also made a flag puzzle out of Popsicle sticks. 

June bug learned why there are 13 stripes and 50 stars. She counted the stars and stripes then colored her flag. 

 We broke out our science kit and tried a new experiment. Fireworks in a jar. It was supposed to make fireworks but it just made a blob of water with oil and food coloring. But they still had fun. It's a good lesson for science. Not all experiments turn out the way you expect. 

Tip: Use trays for messy science or art projects

 Here is our bulletin board. I bought it off of craigslist.com for $10!!! I love a good deal. 

Doll hair science salon

Brown Bear Preschool Activities

This week for Jetty boy(3) we focused on the book Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see? By Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carl. The first day he colored a print out to match the book. The second day I lamented a wonderful sheet I found on Teacherpayteachers.com. I used my laminator I got for Christmas, then I cut them out. Jetty boy helped me glue the pictures onto craft sticks. The two big kids put on a puppet show using the sticks. I didn't get any pictures of the show but it was great! I plan to do a few more activities over the weekend to finish up the book study. 

 Here is the link

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brown-Bear-Vocabulary-Chart-316501

First Day of School

Today was our first day of First grade! Yes it's July but that is how we homeschool. June bug did great. We had a bit of struggles but i'm sure they will be worked out soon.

Our homeschool area is our dining room. It's working great! I love dollar store posters. I scored a huge bulletin board off craigslist for $10. 

Mondays are Math, handwriting, reading, science, and poetry(unit study)

Jetty boy is working on Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see by Eric Carl. A bit like five in a row.  I printed out some worksheets for him to color in according to the book. He did great. But as soon as he was done we ran into trouble. Keeping him quiet and busy is going to be hard. He got sent to his room a couple of times to quiet down. The baby slept in the sling! 

Brain Pop video on the ipad about Poems and hibernation. 

When June bug finishes a subject she gets to mark it off on our chart. This way she knows how much is left to complete. 

Dr. Seuss is a great poet :) Katie had a bit of reluctance reading but did her 5 pages in the end. We use our ipad stand and a clothes hanger to prop up the book. 

We started at 8:30 and ended around 10:30. Great start to the year. 

M&M Math

We play a Quick and sweet math game that helps both the 6 year old and the 3 year old. 

1) make a chart of colors of the candy. Make sure to color around the color names for preschoolers. 

2) sort all candies into their correct lane. 

3) estimate which color has the most and least candies. 

4) count and mark down how many candies are in each lane. 

5)  Figure out which color has the most and least 

6) Add up all colors then divide by how many people will be eating the candies. 

7) count by 2s up to the divided number making sure each color is evenly divided. 

8) eat. 

              Yummy Math!! 

Chores for Money

 After having my six year old beg for toys in a store, I decided to make up chores that they could do o earn their own money. I searched Pinterest for ideas, then headed off to the craft store for supplies. I bought small magnets and colorful foam pieces. I used my Michael's app for a 50% off one item coupon and my homeschool teacher's card to receive a 15% discount off my entire purchase. Total cost was around $10.

When I got a few minutes to myself at home I typed up some chore ideas with prices. Print cut and glue while kids were busy watching Narnia(for the 100th time). I let them dry overnight, hoping the kids would leave them alone! 

                  

I put each chore's worth on color coded colors. $1.00=Green $0.50=Yellow $0.25=Red

I left a few blank so I can make up mom's choice chores later on. 

The next day I stuck them onto the fridge, Explained the concept to the kids, and BAM they were off and running. June Bug(6) washed the dishes for the first time for $1.00 and Jetty Boy wiped down all 3 tables for $0.50. 

                                    

They each have a savings jar made out of used coffee creamer cans. Each chore done is paid in coins not paper(they end to lose of rip dollar bills. 

                   

Here's hoping they keep it up and Mama gets a clean(ish) house.

I am a freezer cookin' mama

I am a freezer cookin' mama

Today was Brown rice, lentils, and sweet potatoes 

Yummy Lentils


1 bag Lentils
lots of salt
1 White Onion
4 stalks Celery
2 cloves garlic
EVOO
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Cook lentils as package says but add lots of salt to water do not overcook, drain
Saute chopped veggies in oil
Add lentils
Sprinkle on cheese


To freeze place into freezer ziplock bags. Let cool in fridge then lay flat in freezer

Sweet Potatoes

5 sweet potatoes washed
garlic powder
salt
EVOO

combine in baking pan cook at 350 for 45 min to 1 hour. Until you can easily pierce with fork.

To freeze separate into dinner servings in ziplock bags, cool and freeze

Brown rice

1 bag brown rice
salt

cook whole bag as package says

let cool for a bit

Using 1 cup measuring cup divide into sandwich ziplock bags. Place all of those bags into either freezer tuber ware or gallon size freezer bag.

This is easy healthy side for dinner. Defrost in fridge and microwave till warm

Lentils and rice

 Label label label!!!