Keeping It Simple

I am sitting here struggling to decide which CD from Hold That Thought to order- the beginning or advanced history- when I read this: Receive a FREE CD with your order!  If you post this offer on your homeschooling blog or tell at least 2 other homeschoolers about us we will send you a free CD. We have decided that instead of spending money on advertising we will reward you for promoting our products instead. When you order a CD from us, all you have to do when you are checking out is write the name of the CD you would like us to send you free of charge in the “comment” section (it needs to be at least the same price or less than the CD you are purchasing). Hmmm. Well, hopefully, I can get both!! I feel comfortable saying that these are awesome resources because I used to have one. Used to because when I made the transfer from having my computer and all that goes with it from my bedroom to our new school room a few years back, the CD took a hike. I am so excited to order th...

I had planned on writing something brilliant this week. Wowing you with our mad homeschool adventures... only not so much!!! We will start school. We will start school. Next week.  Instead:   I am thinking of renaming this blog "Grandma's Brag Blog".  Homeschool Support:  We did attend a wonderful mass and "not back to school" blessing given for our homeschool group. I have better pictures, but I am only sharing this out of focus, far away one in the interest of the privacy of the other students.  This was followed by a play time at a nearby park. Fun times!  Beach Daze: Why do school when the beach is waiting?! We brought our coffee cake, hot from the oven, to eat on a bench overlooking the ocean. Warm, yummy, and even better eaten al fresco.  ( recipe here at Eat At Home Cooks ) More from Grandma's Brag Blog:  This was our last official week of helping to care for Missy Moo and Little Brother. ...

Things I want to remember about this week:  #1 - NEVER, ever, ever sign kids up for public speaking class again. Okay, maybe not never, but never a nine-year-old!! #2 - That it was actually not that bad. ;) A young man we know, a sophomore in college and a good friend of our family, offers this class during his summer break. The kids love him and he does a fantastic job. Plus, it was a good experience for the boys. Previous post on class. :) ***Just in case someone who reads this knows the awesome Anthony (teacher of said class), know that my frustrations are in no way a reflection on him!! #3- This smiling little face (playing with Auntie Erin). Even though my boys had speech class almost every day this week and last, we seized the opportunity to zip over to the beach to celebrate my 2nd daughter's birthday with her little family. We had a lovely late lunch/early dinner and then played on the beach for a few hours.   #4 - "The Bubble Book" by Mercer...

Done! My boys took a 7 day course (over two weeks) in public speaking. Their teacher, a former homeschool student, has a great manner with the kids. He was so relaxed. The kids just pick up on that. He gave a great plug for 4-H.  He credits being more than prepared for public speaking in college from his experience in 4-H. Marky gave his speech on Akita dogs- anyone who has read my blog would know that this is a logical choice for him. He loves dogs! I can see why he chose Akitas. The have a fascinating history. One of the factoids that Mark shared was that the warm, waterproof coats of these dogs were used to line the coats of Japanese soldiers during WWII. I have never thought about dogs being used that way, but I guess if that it is what is available... He worked hard on his board. When it came down to it, Mark told me that he did not think that he could do his speech. I told him that was fine, but to bring his materials to class anyway. Turns out, he was fine! ...

I am guest blogging over at Jen's ( @ Forever, For Always, No Matter What ) today with a homeschool post. Come see me! :)

In my life this week... Some sweet time with my grandson, Little Man Cub, and his Uncle James.  Our geese are back. I am not in the know about such things, but the neighbors consider these resident geese a nuisance and, as such, have gotten permission to "harass" them.  This worked for a while, but they are back. I kind of like them.   With her Lego crazy uncles, it figures that this little girl would be a fan too! And a fan of playing with Uncle Marky.  In our homeschool this week... My boys have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a public speaking class with about 10 other homeschool students. They went three days this and will go four days next week. They are surprisingly in to it.  Mark has his big speech planned on Akita dogs, James is talking about his grandpa, and Paul is doing a team speech on tourist attractions in San Francisco. Should be interesting. The parents are invited to watch the k...

Making yummy treats!! One of our favorite things! This morning, as we left mass, my boys were begging for a treat. Typically, on a feast day (today is the Feast of the Assumption in the Catholic church), I let them pick out a doughnut at the grocery store. On occasion, we even go out to breakfast. My wallet was on empty, so we had no such luxuries. Trying to come up with something special we could do, I remembered  this recipe I pinned a while ago that had the claim "using ingredients you already have in your pantry". Happily, that claim turned out to be true!   Mark (top) and James (below) both wanted to help.  Just like the recipe title implies- super simple!  And, honestly, delicious.  A little pat of butter tucked in the middle, a cup of green tea (me- the boys had milk), and we were all very satisfied with our last minute treat.  My critique of the recipe- We cooked ours in a 9" pan (8 or 9 is reco...

Coming to you via Pic**Monkey.  An evening of hanging out at Grandma's house. Two of my favorite little people- known on their mom's blog as Man Cub and Chunky Monkey. ;)  Our new favorite place to hang out on our weekly outing with D & R (more favorite little people!) is the Japanese Friendship gardens. So beautiful and relaxing.  Followed by a visit to the petting zoo as usual.  And one of our favorites, the Meerkats.  A relaxing afternoon at home watching "Fox and the Hound" (my choice!) and snacking on Nutella crescent rolls.  A very happy birthday boy with his mommy.  We (Mark, James, and Me) were accidental tourists yesterday. After some major accidents were reported on the mountain road home from the beach, we detoured in to Santa Cruz for dinner in hopes of avoiding traffic.  It has been a few years since our last visit, so we enjoyed strolling the pier, eating at an ocean view diner, an...

Ouch. I feel guilty doing it. Over the last few weeks, I have noticed certain of my favorite bloggers are AWOL. Only they aren't. It takes me actually clicking on their blog name to see if they are still there. My feed has been flooded by advertisement blogs. I don't mean people trying to raise money for an adoption or a hard working blogger who also shares what they are have to offer in the way of product. I mean only ads. So, after Googling "how to unsubscribe" to a blog (yes, I am still that in the dark about such things), I did it. On a few of the blogs, I realized that I had subscriptions elsewhere on Face*book or by email. Now I won't miss important updates about people sleepwalking, my grandson playing au natural (covered by those silly looking photo dots for public viewing ;)) in the baby pool, important information about igneous rocks, or a special feast day being celebrated! Now, if I can only figure out how to get rid of the stupid smile*box tool...

this homeschool mom/housewife. Actually, weren't we promoted to "domestic goddess" sometime in the 80's? I start the day with cleaning my bedroom- dust bunnies be gone! Along the way I find a $25 visa gift card. It has an expiration date of 8/12, so I am pleased that I found it and immediately begin thinking of things that I have wanted to pick up at the store. Oh, the possibilities! On with the day. In preparation for a library trip, I check my online account information. I know I have a few dollars in fines and I want to come prepared to pay. Only- eeeee gads! Not just a few dollars, but many dollars are owed. Somehow, in the weekly checks of my library account, I missed that three books had been placed in the "lost" category. That was definitely a few steps back in the money flow. I scour my wallet, counting every penny. I tell James, who was promised that his choice of "out lunch" would be picked up for him as a consolation for being too...