Friday, September 14, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Focus

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START

I haven't always been a planner and organization has not always come easy for me...so would you be surprised to know that in the past I have had days totally full of choas?

I homeschool and I think to myself how on earth am I going to teach my children responsibility if mommy can't keep a organized schedule?

I married a man who is the most organized focused person on earth...thank you Lord for blessing me with this man!!! Over the years he has helped me become organized with business, schooling and even blogging!!

Organization come easier to me now but there are still times when I have to focus very hard on the task at had!

Comparison: first year of Homeschooling...utter chaos!! Horrible!
This year...organized and scheduled...we are having so much fun!

So, it all comes back to this...I cannot expect my children to be organized and focused when they see their mommy living in totally chaos...I'm glad I learned this sooner than later!

STOP!

Five Minute Friday

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Aloha Friday!

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Welcome to Aloha Friday! After a week of craziness, it’s nice to have a little downtime like Aloha Friday. 

On Aloha Friday, each blogger asks a simple question. We link up at An Island Life, visit everyone who links up and answer their simple questions. This is a really fun way to make NEW bloggy friends! So Join us! 

My Question for you…

What was your best memory from this Summer? Are you looking forward to Fall?


Please leave a comment with you link! Don't be afraid to join my site and grab my button!!! I look forward to making all kinds of new friends! 


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First Month Success!

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We are about to end our 1st month of 2nd grade! I can't believe it has almost been a month since we started! It has been the best first month of school we have ever had!! Elias is eager to learn! Every morning he looks at his schedule for the day with excitement!!

What our day looks like...

7am - Wake Up
7am-8am cartoon and breakfast time
9am - Morning Chores: Make bed, pick up bedroom, take laundry downstairs
9:15am - Morning Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance {To the US and Christian Flags}
9:30 -10ish - ETC {Explode the Code}
10am - 11am - Bible time: Currently we are reading about Moses & American History
11am - 11:30 - Math {Monday, Wednesday, Friday} Science {Tuesday, Thursday}
11:30 - 12pm - LUNCH and FREETIME {usually you can hear phineas and ferb in the background!}
12:30 - 1pm - History {Monday, Wednesday, Friday} Art {Tuesday, Thursday}
1:30 - 2pm - Speech Therapy {Monday, Wednesday, Friday} iPad {Tuesday, Thursday}

{Somedays we are totally done WELL before 2...while others we are still trudging on at 3:30}

Elias LOVES math and he is really good at it! He really retains it...it amazes me!! He is have a great time with addition, subtraction and the kid truly loves multiplication...what in the world?!? ;) Oh Life of Fred how I love you! Funny, Smart, Engaging! 

He is finding history to be a lot of fun as well! We are currently learning about Charles V and explorers! Some of my favorite times in history! Story of the World vol. 3 is FANTASTIC! I am totally in love with it! I really love the way that it is written! VERY engaging for kids of all ages!

Science is probably my easiest subject with him...he is going to be a scientist so anything science related he is ready to do with no complaining!! He would do science projects all day everyday if I would allow it! I haven't found a science program that I am just top dead in love with...yet! He really likes biology and botany. So I will continue to trudge on ;)

Art, while he has fun with does not have his heart the way it has mine. But that is more than ok! I am so proud of the things that he enjoys and that he is good at! I'm going to re-evaluate our current art and I think I am going to switch the focus in another direction. He will be starting pottery and painting next week! I KNOW he will love pottery!

American History = LOVE for my little
man! The more the better in his eyes! States, Presidents, famous battles, famous speeches, he loves it all!! I have to admit this makes me do happy because American history has always been my favorite subject! I would highly recommend looking at 'My Father's World' American History! FABULOUS!

Reading and Writing are going really great. He is dyslexic so it does have its rough patches. I myself am dyslexic as well so I know that helps him when he is feeling overwhelmed. If you have a dyslexic child I would highly recommend that you look into Explode the Code! When I first heard about someone was telling me "Oh my gosh! It's great, you will see a HUGE difference after only a few weeks! A more confident reader!" ect. I thought 'yeah right...you don't know my kid. I can't be that great' Ok, ummm can I just say! OH MY GOSH it is amazing and I HAVE seen a HUGE difference! He is far more confident than I ever could have expected for the first month of school!

Honestly, this is our first month in a nutshell!!

I am so excited that next week E will be starting a number of crazy fun enrichment classes in a co-op type setting! It will be so great for him! He is really excited to make new friends and learn all kinds of fun new things that I could never teach...like pottery, irish dance, gymnastics, karate, wood shop, and violin!

All in all this first month has been FANTASTIC! I'm looking forward to what the next month {s} brings!

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Currently September







Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Classroom Ideas...

I love finding new fun ideas to engage my kiddos!

I love this idea for multiplication flash cards...Mickey Mouse! What kid wouldn't love this!! They can be made ultra easy too! All you need is a sharpie marker and Disney paint color card {found at Home Depot and Lowes}



Now what about this fun printable {Found on my favorite blog "A Teeny Tiny Teacher" I LOVE Kristin!!}

Hmmm how about a writing assignment tomorrow?



Print them out HERE!


Pin It! Fall and Halloween Decorations!


I'm super in love with this! I have so many fun fabric that will work AMAZING for this! Check out the tutorial HERE!


How cute are these!?!? Check out the tutorial HERE!

This is really cute too!! Super easy and fun! Doesn't have to be BOO...it could be FALL I am planning on AUTUMN! More info HERE!

 My kiddos are going to have so much fun with this!! Love it! Check out more HERE!

Fun idea...great for teaching the reuse in REDUCE RECYCLE REUSE! I have some fun plans for this idea at Christmas time! More info HERE!

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Three years old!

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I'm almost at a loss for words when I look back! Three years old...wow it's flown by!

The belly shot...oh the belly shot! This photo was taken at 4pm Simon was born at 6:58 and Gabbi at 7:00...I was about to POP. I was more than my own height around!


Join Me and  Cheryl at Twinfatuation for "Way Back When-esday"

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

PRINTABLES!!

I LOVE Printables! Here are some great ones I found today!!

I love printable worksheets and crafts! The skeleton is a MUST for us! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the tiara  too!


More info HERE!


More info HERE!


More info HERE! 
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More info HERE!

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More info HERE!

More info HERE!

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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sometimes it just isn't fair...

Over the years I have had many friends who have gotten the painful news that they cannot get pregnant. A few of these ladies know that their is little to no hope of having a baby without the use if a surrogate. While others know that there is a small possibility of conceiving on their own. It is so hear breaking when I know that every single on of these amazing women would be a fantastic mommy! For many of these ladies adoption is their next step and they are thrilled!

I have a friend, I have known her most of my life. She found out at a young age that she probably would not be able to have children...the one thing she wanted most. Adoption or a surrogate are not a option for her and her husband. So over the years month after month...a painful - sign or "not pregnant" stares her in the face:( this a woman who WANTS to have a baby more than I could ever express to you. So it pains me when I see young girls pregnant and smoking or young moms complaining about how getting pregnant ruined their lives. God has a plan for every one and I know that to be true! I know that her not being able to have a baby is all part of Gods plan for her and the young girl, barely even in a relationship who just found her self pregnant with twins is all apart of Gods plan too! But, I have to be totally honest...the human in me struggles to understand how that is fair. I sometimes struggle to understand why God choose to take my nephew when he was only 8 days old, or why my niece's daughter was stillborn. I look at my extremely healthy children and feel pain for those who have lost their sweet babies.
I AWLAYS catch myself when I being to feel unbearable pain or anger and the Lord reminds me of this...

LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART"

Wow, I feel so much better...and I realize life might not be fair and the world is corrupt, BUT this is NOT our home!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Pinned Favorites!

PRINCESS DRESSES!!!

If your little lady is anything like mine this is a must have pattern! I have created my own pattern from of her other princess dresses and I like to make the skirts nice and full with tulle! This is a great basic pattern! Find it HERE!
BATHTUB PUFF PAINT!

 Ok, what kid wouldn't love this?!?!?! I know craft we're doing tomorrow!! Check it out HERE!


YUMMY AND PRETTY!

 Ummm I think these speak for themselves!! Check it out HERE!

WHAT PRETTY TOILET PAPER YOU HAVE!!!


This is just too much fun!! Check it out HERE!


DOUBLE WORD SCORE!

 I love love these! I think they would make a great gift!! Another project for the kiddos?? YES please!  Learn more HERE!!


BUSY BUSY BUSY!!

Whew!! What mama of a toddler...or two wouldn't love 50 ideas!!! LOVE this! Check it out HERE!!


What were your favorite Pins today!? Please Leave me a comment with your Pinterest link!!