Sign of the Beaver

The boys are reading The Sign of the Beaver right now to go along with thier colonial study, which leads into a Native American study.

We are using Total Language Plus. I had originally bought this for last year but my youngest wasn't quite ready for Total Language Plus. My oldest has been using the program for well over a year now and enjoys it.

The Sign of the Beaver is perfect for my youngest, it challenges him without being too hard.

It is a bit easy for my oldest since he is at a much higher reading level, but it follows what we learning about in History and the book is a great book for anyone to read. I also thrown in a little harder assignments for my oldest as well.

I am very proud of my youngest at how well he's handling this book and the lessons. He wasn't really reading very well, maybe at a Kindergarten level or begining of first grade level. But Since he turned 9 this past August he has really taken off with his reading.

He has even read The Lion, the witch and the wardrode all on his own just for fun!

India Week

This week we are off to India. We have now officialy filled 1 page in our passports. And the kids are still loving it! This week they are learning about India, Gandhi, the Taj Mahal and Rangoli's. The kids are really enjoying themselves.

New Meals

Sunday Morning I made omelets. I've made the before and we usually just meat and cheese. We'll since joining weight watchers I've been making changes. So, this time we used canadian bacon for the meat, mozarella cheese for the cheese then we threw in some veggies. Hubby and oldest son had onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. And we all had broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash and zucchini.

It looks so colorful when cooking it. LOL

Heres two of them done. They came out so good! It was a huge hit and healthy!

For dinner we had a lasagna recipe from one of the weight watchers books. And I decided to get a little creative. We used sausage instead of beef(cause its already seasoned). We always wash it after its cooked too. Then I added tomato sauce(not spaghetti sauce), diced tomatoes and tomato paste. And fresh veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash and zucchini. Yum!

Season to taste. I added italian seasonings and garlic. Let it simmer a bit. While it was simmering I mixed Ricotta cheese and mozarella cheese together. Then I scooped the tomato sauce and meat mixture into the bottom of a crock pot. And layered it with no-cook lasagna noodles(I couldn't find these in whole wheat) and the cheese mixture. I continuted this until full, making sure the meat mixture was on top when done. Then let it cook in the crock pot for 4 hours.

Sorry I didn't take an after picture, Sunday was a busy day. But it came out sooooo good! It was so full of flavor! I'm not a very good cook at all. I've burned water before. LOL. But I actually nailed 2 wonderful recipes yesturday. How aweseom is that.

This was the best lasagna I've ever had!

Pokemons

Since Pokemons are from Japan the boys learned about how they originated and then made their own pokemom out of playdough.

This was perfect for them cause they LOVE pokemon!

Grilled Chicken Panini

PointsPlus™ Value: 9Servings: 4Level of Difficulty: EasyPreparation Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 10 minutes (use large skillet to cook all Panini’s at the same time)


Tyson® Grilled & Ready™ Chicken Panini
Ingredients:
1/2 cup prepared pesto sauce, divided
1 bag (6 oz) Tyson® Grilled & Ready™ Grilled Chicken Breast Strips (refrigerated)
8 slices Weight Watchers 100% whole wheat bread
4 (1 oz) slices provolone cheese
Cooking spray

Instructions:
Spread 1 tablespoon pesto onto 1 side of each bread slice. Top with 1 1/2 ounces chicken strips and 1 slice of cheese. Cover with another bread slice.
Coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray. Grill each sandwich over medium heat until browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on other side, about 5 minutes more.
Serving Size: 1 Panini



This sandwich is soooooo yummy! We tried it for the first time today and LOVED it!

Changes

Since I have started Weight Watchers there has been some changes in the house. Food has changed some, portions and were all doing more exercise. Hubby has been getting healthier more filling lunches and he even likes them.
Were all doing more exercise. I try to change it up daily on what we do. I do try to walk daily at least.
I thought my body was crap before and I couldnt work past the pain it caused to move. But I was sooo wrong. I have been working through the pain and still going. I have been walking 1/2 mile to a mile a day. Using the trampoline, arem weights and the Wii. Some days I do Wii Fit plus and I just started a new EA active 2 workout. I love how it makes me feel.
I know it will take me a while to actually lose some weight, I have a lot ot lose. But as long as I'm feeling good I'm gonna try and stay with that feeling and keep going.
There has been a change in the kids too. Today they did Wii Fit Plus. They both weighted in before doing some exercise. From the little changes we've made this week my youngest has lost 2.9 pounds. He is a bit chunky right now cause of age. I was so proud that he was able to lose a little.
My oldest lost 1.8 pounds. He doesnt really need to lose any. He is tall and thin already. LOL. He just needs to focus on being healthy and fit.
But its still a great start.
Hubby and I weight in tomorrow!

Japan Study

The boys have been learning about Japan this week. They made a 3D mini Japanese garden. John even has a pagoda.

They both have standing trees. And of course Eric has monkeys in his. LOL

They also made a Koi fish out of construction paper.

A Simple womans day book

Outside my window...
I see my yard...
I am thinking...
About my workout Im suppose to do today...
I am thankful for...
my family
From our classroom...
Made a playdough model of the Itsukushima Srine this week
From the kitchen...
We had Ravilois with homemade sauce and a salad for dinner last night. Everyone loved it.
I am wearing...
Workout clothes so I'm ready to workout once I get around to doing it...
I am creating...
a new lifestyle
I am going...
no where today...
I am reading...
balefire
I am hoping...
to be able to workout out at least twice today if my body will let me
I am hearing...
the sounds of sleeping kids...aww
Around the house...
the boys are sleeping. even the cat is quiet
One of my favorite things...
quiet
A few plans for the rest of the week...
stay on my points, reach my workout goals, and make sure the kids finish their lessons.

My anniversary

Yesturday was my 8 year anniversary. With the start of Weight watchers we decided to cook dinner last night instead of going out. Hubby fixed spaghetti. Whole wheat noodles with tomato sauce. Cheesy garlic bread and salad. So yummy.

And it was finished off with some angel food cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Homeschool Mother’s Journal

In my life this week...

Yesturday was my 8 year anniversary...
In our homeschool this week...

Studying Japan
Places we're going and people we're seeing...

No plans this week...
My favorite thing this week was...

my anniversary dinner and 45 min walk
What's working/not working for us...

letting the kids sleep in after 9 doesn't work. it is stressing me out. it doesnt feel that they have enough time to finish lessons.
Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

i wonder if we go for a walk a few times a day if the boys can keep up with their lessons

A Simple womans day book

Outside my window...
It looks like a beautiful day outside...
I am thinking...
about going for a walk
I am thankful for...
my family and friends
From our classroom...
its Japan week
From the kitchen...
This morning was malt-o-meal day (yummy), unch is left over spaghetti from last night, and dinner is smoked sausage, brown rice with cream of mushroom soup and veggies.
I am wearing...
black shorts and yellow shirt
I am creating...
a new lifestyle
I am going...
to walk today
I am reading...
balefire
I am hoping...
for a relaxed day
I am hearing...
the sounds of my cat
Around the house...
Little bit is in his room working, my oldest is looking at his workboxes, and my cat is meowing at me from the window cause she wants outside.
One of my favorite things...
being home with my boys
A few plans for the rest of the week...
take my dad to the city for more tests...
A picture to share...
Origami frogs...

A Simple womans day book

Outside my window...
Sun is shining
I am thinking...
I need to get motivated today
I am thankful for...
Being able to do weight watchers
From our classroom...
It was a fun week. The kids played outside, on the Wii, computer and board games all week.
From the kitchen...
I'd like to have a cook out tonight
I am wearing...
Capris and zebra print shirt with black cover
I am creating...
lessons, plans, etc
I am going...
to run errands today
I am reading...
balefire
I am hoping...
that the weight watcthers works for me
I am hearing...
the sounds of my little one
Around the house...
Youngest is waiting for me to tir his shoes.
One of my favorite things...
My family
A few plans for the rest of the week...
Back to lessons on Monday. continue WW.

A Simple womans day book

Outside my window...
The sun is try to peek out from behind the clouds.

I am thinking...
Its gonna be a great day!

I am thankful for...
Everything in my life!

From our classroom...
We are on FUN WEEK. Stress free, crafts, games and family time all week!

From the kitchen...
Kids are having Fiber one muffins for breakfast, hot dogs for lunch and dinner is chicken alfredo and veggies.

I am wearing...
Capris and blue shirt with fuzzy flowers and leaves. (hubby picked shirt)

I am creating...
Lots of cool cut outs with my new Xtron die cutter.

I am going...
To take my youngest to the dentist today.

I am reading...
Balefire

I am hoping...
For a nice, relaxed week

I am hearing...
Nothing. Everyones still asleep. Even the cat and its 9:30 am. I guess the weekend wore them all out.

Around the house...
Im at my computer desk, my boys are asleep in their beds, and the cat(Amber) has taken over my memory foam pillow, again, and made it her bed.

One of my favorite things...
My family!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Relax and have fun the boys.

A picture to share...

My lown little bike gang. LOL. We all rode bikes this weekend!

Homeschool Mother’s Journal

In my life this week...
Not much planned. My youngest is going to the dentist today to get a sealant put on one of his teeth. Payday falls this week so I will be planned the menu, working on the budget and such. I'm gonna try to schedule a playdate for the kids, maybe and just relax.
In our homeschool this week...
This week is our fun week. What that means in our house is we have set aside the few "work books" we use and basically all the "curriculum". We focus on crafts, outside time(weather permitting) and anything else the kids have want to do. This week they requested to do some of the recent crafts we bought, more PS2 time, more Wii time and more computer time. So, they are get like an hour of PS 2 time, an hour on the computer (which they normally get 30 min) and a hour on Wii. As often as possible this week. In between those they are gonna get plenty of outside time, were gonna play some boards together and watch some movies together(thats our snuggle time). Even though the boys are getting older they still like to snuggle with their mommy. (My youngest is 9 and oldest is 13)

Places we're going and people we're seeing...
We will be going to the dentists office and grocery store. Anywhere else is up in the air right now. We just see how thw week goes.

My favorite thing last week was...
The kids stenciling their paper mache boxes.

What's working/not working for us...
The curriulum is working great. No one is having any problems with it. :)

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...
None I can think of right now.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

My boys at the local museum. Building legos getting ready to race them.

A day at the museum

At our local museum on Sundays city residents get in FREE. Our museum has a program where they trade out different science exhibits. It stays about 6 months or so. We try to go visit every exhibit. This one was about Speed. We had a great time. It was a great FREE family activity.

Amber

Our silly kitty thought my new memory foam pillow was her new bed. LOL

Bike day

It was such a nice day today we got the bikes out, aired up tires, checked them over and did a little bike riding.

Weekly Wrap up-Eric

Eric loves his new game. Word fish. He tries to play it every week.

Since his reading has really taken off he has been reading French Fairy Tales. This Week was Puss in Boots and The Fairies.

Math is Eric favorite subject. He is doing division this year with Math-U-See.

He also played milk cap math this week, an idea I got from another blog.

And dominoes

History we are continuing with Colonial Life.

Eric read some of Cranky Colonials

And we completed the first pocket in our Colonial Life history pocket

Of course Eric's is red.

We stenciled paper mache boxes on Friday.

Erics has animals and Hearts.

In Geography we visited S.Korea.

And wrapped it all in a cool lapbook.

Science is Chemistry. Eric did a few lessons and enjoyed his Atomic Chef comic

And read some of his Reallt Rotten Experiments book. He also played a little Learn Science

And the Periodic Table Game

And Totally Gross, which is requested weekly now.

Eric enjoyed his first Baba Yage book so much he finished it quickly

And wanted to read The Little Wizard

Eric is LOVING his Spanish workbook. Just a few pages a week isnt enough for him.

He loves when I assign the shapes. It is a really cool logic game. Theres a pic on the card and some weird shapes. He has to make the shapes look like the pic on the card all in the square area. I am always finding him playing through out day and evening just for fun.

He had some Lego time this week too.

And playdough time. Eric loves his play dough.

He did a few wordsearches

He got to enjoy some of his Jack Keane

And Sims as well

And of course has his daily handwriting

The week went pretty well for Eric. He is really looking forward to next week. FUN WEEK. Stress free. Relaxing. Playing games and just chillin. We have some mommy and son snuggle time planned while we watch A bugs life and NEMO.