Saturday, June 20

Homeschool: Here We Go!

Last year we sort of played at homeschooling.  I didn't take it seriously.  It was like playing school when I was a little girl.  Don't get me wrong, A&A really did learn some things, and I was surprised at how much I actually liked teaching.  But it wasn't *really* school.  This year, we're doing homeschool for realsies. Ha!

So here it is June and I am getting my ducks in a row!  I have my Erin Condren life planner, Frixion pens (that erase amazingly well!), and Pinterest (I don't think I had an original thought ever before Pinterest).  My plan is to print what I can now and create files for each theme.  I can even request books from our library in advance and just go pick them up!  Wait just a minute..........my type A is showing.

I've decided on our first 4 weekly themes: All About Me, Human Body, Manners, and Community Helpers. Stay tuned for links to all of the great things someone else shared on Pinterest and I was just lucky enough to stumble upon.

Sunday, October 19

Weekly Theme: Fall and Pumpkins


Halloween is next week, which makes it the perfect time for this theme.  I'm so excited to carve a pumpkin with A&A for the first time.  I know they'll love exploring the guts.  :)


Activities:

Curious George a Halloween Boo Fest (Netflix)
The Magic School Bus Spins a Web (Netflix)
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood S01E32 (Netflix)



Books:
Pumpkin Soup
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
The Littlest Pumpkin
Room on the Broom
Nuts to You

Chef, Maid, Nanny, Teacher

Last spring, when A&A were three and a half, we started looking at local preschools.  I was SHOCKED at the price for one, let alone our *two* twins!  So I looked into the free North Carolina preschool (assuming we would even qualify for the program).  I was shocked again to learn that the NC program was an all day, 815am-245pm, every day school day.
Y'all, that means that my babies would be gone from me 7 hours a day 5 days a week.  I have no problem admitting that I was just plain not ready for that yet.  That's when Jon and I decided that I would "homeschool" A&A this year.

Now remember they are only four years old (my two babies turned four October 16th).  So I use the term homeschool lightly.  Really we just do lots of crafts.  Which, of course, I love!  Don't get me wrong.  They're learning and I'm teaching, but we're not working on multiplication tables or diagramming sentences (gosh, I hated those!!!).

So here we are, a homeschool family.  I never thought, *never* thought I would be a homeschool momma.  And yet, here I am!  Every week I scour Pinterest for ideas and themes for the next week's lesson.  It is my desire to post our lessons here to save you the time from searching.  I'm thoughtful like that.

I hope that you find this new chapter of my blog helpful and informative.  And please let me know if there's anything I can describe in more detail or clarify for you.

Saturday, March 17

Last Day to Enter Giveaway

Here's a reminder about the Backyard Discovery grand giveaway. Two families will win an awesome playset and an Oasis Garden. Today is the last day to enter.
I would love the garden to teach The Babies about growing vegetables and eating fresh.  And I know they would dig growing up with such a super awesome playset like the Patriot II!

Wednesday, February 8

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Rafflecopter is this amazingly easy new way to host giveaways for your Facebook page or blog.  They actually have their own giveaway happening right now to promote their latest, greatest design.  Go here now!

Wednesday, January 18

Backyard Discovery Giveaway











Backyard Discovery is doing another grand giveaway.  Two families will win an awesome playset AND their Oasis Garden.
I've entered to win.  Cross your fingers!

Friday, September 23

Etsy Friday

It's been a long, long time since I've blogged.  Goodness, I've got a lot going on

When I saw these items on Etsy I HAD TO share them!  OMG.  I want a Blackberry just so I can cover it in this hideous thing.  Isn't it amazing?!!

How 'bout these Elvis skeleton cameos?  My question is.....why?

Thursday, May 19

Melissa & Doug Giveaway

You know how much I love Melissa & Doug products.  Well there is a great giveaway going on right now over at The Budget Mommy.  She has signed up with Melissa & Doug to giveaway a full sized painting easel.  There is a dry erase and chalkboard side for two children to color or paint simultaneously (perfect for folks with twins). 

Wednesday, May 11

What can I do with expired coupons?

Here's a great way to help our military!  Donate your expired coupons to be used by military families.  Commissaries and PXs overseas accept expired coupons up to 6 months after the expiration date.  Coups For Troops has lots more information about which coupons to send on their website.
I always have coupons that expire before I can use them.  Now I don't have to throw them away.  Instead, someone else can benefit from them!
If you want to send them your expired coupons, use the address below.  Coups For Troops only asks that you cut out your coupons.  You don't have to sort them or total them which makes it easy to donate. 

Coups For Troops
PO Box 147
Winnabow NC 28479

Coups For Troops has a giveaway going on right now too on their Facebook page.  They reached 1000 fans and are giving out a couponing kit with a binder, calculator, baseball card pages for your coupons, newspaper inserts, and lots of other great stuff.

What a fantastic way to help support our soldiers!

Saturday, April 9

Cloth Diaper Set Giveaway

The Budget Mommy is having a giveaway for a whole big fat set of cloth diapering accessories including:
2 bumGenius 4.0 diapers
1 package of six Thirsties Fab Wipes
2 sample packets of Rockin Green Detergent
2 sample packets of Tiny Bubbles Detergent
2 sample packets of BumGenius Diaper Detergent

The giveaway closes April 20th.  Get on over there and enter to win!

Sunday, March 27

(Not) Etsy Sunday

Instead of window shopping on Etsy, this week I've been over looking at all the goodies to be had at Anthropologie.  I could never actually afford any of their things, but oh goodness, if I had all of the money in the world......
They sell beautiful vintage inspired clothes and fabulous handbags (drool).  But they also sell amazing home goods, too.  Of course that's what I found most appealing.
Imprinted Pallete Egg Caddy
Wide-Eyed Dishtowel
Sewing Basket Apron and they have a matching children's size!
Utensil Go Round Spinner  LOVE this
Frukost Dishtowel
Pure and Good Hand Duo
Tea & Crumpets Apron
Barista Dishtowel
Farmer's Egg Crate
Jitterbug Apron
Washable Paper Bag

Wednesday, March 23

The Babies Put Pudge in Puj Tub

I have loved our Puj Tub, but The Babies have outgrown it much faster than I expected.  So we are in the market for a new baby tub.  I need suggestions from experienced mommies.  

I don't like the huge plastic tubs that take up a lot of space, although, we rarely use the shower in our guest bathroom and could store the tub there.  Also, I have chronic lower back pain from several auto accidents, and I liked that the Puj Tub fit in the kitchen sink so I didn't have to bend. 

What kind of baby tub do you have?  Do you like it?  What don't you like about it?  Is it worth the money you spent on it?  Should I just hold out until they are sitting up on their own and put them in the tub without a baby tub?

Thankyouverymuch.

Monday, March 7

Easy Spinach Dip Recipe

I finally got my hands on a super yummy spinach dip recipe.  Thanks, Momma Carol! 

1 packge of Knorr dried vegetable soup mix
8 oz of mayonnaise
16 oz sour cream
1 bunch of green onions, finely chopped
1 can of water chestnuts, finely chopped
10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained on paper towels

Mix soup mix, mayo, and sour cream together.  Stir in green onions and water chestnuts.  Making sure all of the water is squeezed out, add the spinach a little at a time, stirring in between.  Let sit at least 4 hours but it's best when it sits overnight. 

Because of the consistency, this dip can be eaten with veggies, baguette slices, or even spread on a sandwhich wrap.

Sunday, March 6

Etsy Sunday

I have got spring fever like crazy!  I can't wait to start playing in the dirt this year.  I know a garden is out of the question but hopefully we can save a little money to plant a few herbs. 
I've been researching homemade bird feeders and have a few projects to share with you soon.  Until then, this week's Etsy Sunday is just for Sister.  We'll call it Gnome Sunday.
Crocheted with Red Hat
Mooning Gnome
Scotty the Fun Gnome
Handy Gnome Apron
Gnomeo and His Juliet
Gnome Flipping the Bird
Sleepy Gnome
Mini Gnome
Tiny Vinyl Decal
Gnome Birdbath 
Gnome Sweet Gnome

Saturday, March 5

Key Lime Bars

Have you had these?  Oh. My. Gosh.  They were on sale at Harris Teeter last week (BOGO, I think) so I picked one up.  All of the muffin mixes were gone and only these and Lemon Bars were left.  (At our house, we like lime much more than we like lemon.)  I waited three days before making them and they lasted a whole two days in the fridge.  They were aaaaamaaaazing!
I searched allrecipes for a "key lime bar" recipe and got nothin'.  Does anyone have a recipe close to these babies?  That would be outstanding!
Thankyouverymuch!

Friday, March 4

Five Question Friday

Sweet 'ole Momma M over at My Little Life used another one of my questions!  (blush)  Number 3 is my suggested question.  That's two in a row.

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?
Well, we haven't had them very long.  Just give it time.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)
I didn't date until college and even then we never went on elaborate dates.  We usually just ended up at Waffle House and drank coffee.  I would go home for the summer and have the worst headaches from caffeine withdraws. 
For my first date with The Pope oddly enough we went to Huddle House.  It was late when we finally met for the first time so we just stopped and talked for a few hours.  I changed my order a few times and the woman sitting behind me said to our waitress (within earshot of me), "Wow, she's high maintenance!"  The Pope should have known then.  Gosh, I love that man.

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)
When I was little, like middle school age, I watched an episode of Unsolved Mysteries (wasn't that show always so scary!) where a little boy woke up to aliens standing over his bed.  The aliens abducted him and then took him back home.  Later, during an x-ray, a tiny piece of white plastic was found under his skin. 
Big head, huge black eyes, little slit of a mouth....I've been afraid of aliens ever since. 

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?
I am a pretty honest, opinionated person.  If I have a problem with something, or someone comes to me with a problem, I deal with it.  I definitely don't avoid confrontation.

5. Wood floors or carpet?
The Pope and I were just discussing getting rid of the carpet in our house and putting down hardwood floors.  With two dogs, two cats, and two growing babies hardwoods would be soooo much easier to keep clean.  The vacuum will only get up so much crud.  Oh, and I hate to think of The Babies starting to crawl around on this nasty floor.  Bleh!

Monday, February 28

Flip Flop Sculpture

In San Paulo, Brazil local art students helped artist Florentijn Hofman create this Fat Monkey sculpture completely out of Opanka flip flops.  FLIP FLOPS!  It's like a modern Monet, my favorite.
Here are videos of the making of Fat Monkey.
Here's a rubber duck, by the same artist, that floats around the Loire River estuary