Keeping It Simple

Some school-front highlights: We are working on a few new things for school this week-  Dance Mat Typing  We have used this before, but now that my boys  fight over using like to use the computer, they can truly see how better typing skills come in handy. I am sure there are many worthwhile programs out there, but this one is free and it is a great place to start.  My boys only have one complaint- when a keystroke is missed, the correct key flashes on the screen and a very annoying little (squeaky!) voice says "type on me".  It is a small thing, but I admit that it is a bit grating. I think they can deal with it though.  We are also giving  XtraMath  a try (also free). This is a no frills approach to math drill. My boys by far prefer to play Timez Attack for this type of thing, but it never hurts to mix it up. I like that the goal is speed- my boys pretty much have their math facts down (they occasionally get...

I am not one of those crazy grandmas who pulls out pictures of their grandchildren to show everyone- only because I have never carried pictures in my wallet. Not even of my own children! If I did, I'd probably stop strangers on the street to show them though (of the kids and grandkids!).  Anyway, this week was full of grandkids and all the better for it!  We began the week babysitting for one daughter's (Shauna) little boys while she had a long needed date night with her hard-working hubby.  Uncle Paul's job is to tire out his toddler nephew for bedtime.  You can see he is good at his job! Mine is to stare at this little face!  Mid week we had a quick visit from another daughter, Jessica, with her 2 yo daughter and 6 month old son (Jess was actually picking up her brother, Paul, to help her out on some errands). Uncle Mark, above, really is so patient with all the little ones.  Reviewing a puzzle app for Curriculum Choic...

Here are just a few resources that we have used while learning about Japan. There is more to tell- I was not actually prepared to write a post, but I miss participating in Phyllis' history and geography meme at All Things Beautiful ! I need to get back in the habit. So this is what I have for now. :) We have added a few picture books to our reading list: By Allen Say:  Grandfather's Journey Tea with Milk Kamishibai Man   A Boy in the Garden     Erika-San (mentioned before) I love all of Allen Say's books. The pictures, the story... they are just wonderful books. You learn about Mr. Say, his family, and his love for Japan through reading his stories. From "Grandfather's Journey" One of our favorite resources for globe galloping is " Children Just Like Me " by DK books. And I found this awesome page  to go with this book for the boys to add to their notebooks. The boys fill in information about each child we read about. They don...

This week I am "Pinning it Down" some cooking, some planning, and a little decluttering!  I love breakfast casseroles. My boys only love them if they don't have too many ingredients (they don't like bell peppers and such in their breakfast food!). When I saw this one, I knew that it would be a keeper. I pinned it here on my breakfast food board . And you can go straight to the yummy recipe here . Our thoughts on the recipe:  The recipe tester (who shared the recipe) felt that the cooking time was off as his casserole was a bit under cooked. We used a 9x9 pan instead of an 8x8 and the cooking time was perfect. My boys (all- dad included) felt that we should have used all the bacon we cooked. We cooked 16 ounces but used the 8 that the recipe called for. I agree that more would be nice, but maybe not that much more. I have never made a breakfast casserole that called for evaporated milk and 1 egg rather than several eggs and a little milk. While I...

Yes, it is Monday again! I thought I'd post about more of our math adventures. I said last week that I would talk more about Math Smart Junior- I'll share a little, but I am mostly here to share some more fraction learning! We'll begin with Goldfish equivalent fractions:    Food and fractions just go together!  Goldfish were used to work on equivalent fractions- like 2/4 = 1/2. I was actually surprised how far we went with this. I thought because there were different denominators, it would get confusing.  I guess Goldfish really work for fraction learning!  A little blurry, but I thought this demonstrated that James really is having fun.  No math has to be painful. Although,  I have not figured out a way to make Algebra edible yet.  Moving on to adding fractions with Smarties:    Each boy (James and Mark) opened their Smartie pack. After a false start, I helped James set...

I should have titled this "The One With All The Pictures"- I kind of got carried away! I have been trying to peruse other "wrap-ups" for format ideas. I still love the idea of doing a wrap-up, I just wish I could find a format that I am happy with (that works with my brain). Hopefully, something will click. In the meantime: The most wonderful thing this week- I stayed home!! All.Week.Long. Yes, there was the occasional errand (Erin hurt her neck, so I had to drive her a few places), but I  was mostly able to stay home all week long. I cannot tell you how refreshed I feel. We did school-  We played with some fractions.  Working With Fractions by David A. Adler For those who actually read my blog- yes, those are the same pj's. I can't tell you how many days in a row this is. Suffice it to say, they are in the wash!  Why fractions make good mouse ears, I have no idea...  But the silliness is contagious! Waaaay contagious...

I committed to reading this year (as in me reading to myself not just to my children). I had just starting reading the first book on the Booking It 2012 list, One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider, when I posted in January . I have since had a chance to read the whole book and then make a list of the "bites" that I want to work on. The book is broken down in to 52 projects (bites) so you could try and tackle one a week, but I know I would give up before I even started! A few "bites" that I am working on (I did not start them all at the same time): #3- establish a morning routine - mentioned in my last post #4- establish an evening routine- a little more complicated #7- downsize book and magazine collections- ouch! #18- get more sleep #23- regularly turn off electronics #34- drink more water- a few simple suggestions and I actually seem to be sticking to this! There is nothing revolutionary in this list, but I did find plenty of encouragement and pract...

This was one of my very first Pinterest pins. I saw it pictured a year ago and knew that I wanted to make these with some of my favorite crafters.  The last two pictures show the youngest crafters (5 and 6 yo), who did an excellent job! I found that no matter how fastidious (or not) we were when making our yarn hearts that they always turned out super cute! First seen @ Ten Kids and a Dog  And I pinned the directions from Family Chic Joining in at: