Obsessed

Hey Rosetta

Hair on Fire!

So I was listening to Stewart McLean's Vinyl Cafe on CBC last night. All the people that helped to produce the show had the chance to share embarrassing stories of Stewart and a song they love. I wish I could remember who recommended the song New Goodbye by Hey Rosetta, but she said it was so good that by the end she wanted to light her hair on fire. I concur.

Click on the Music button and then on the song New Goodbye.

Go have a listen ; )

P.S. It is more flame producing if you read the lyrics.

Blinded by Science

Today was the first week back after a three week hiatus.
The kids were so excited about the treasure hunt I had planned for the afternoon.

Mikayla and Aidan got right to work and finished all their homeschooling in the morning.
Evan was great once I remembered that he can only hold one direction in his head at once.

I was going to send the kids outside after lunch but then I read Cheryl's blog about the -50 windchill.

No I am not exaggerating. We were the coldest place on the planet this morning. Yay us!

What do you do when the windchill is below -50?



We have a treasure hunt. Sarah told me about one she had a few weeks ago and I thought it would be a great way to introduce our science kits.

This week is magnetism.



We did three experiments and then each of the kids read.
They loved it.

Menu Fun

I have been making weekly menus for a while, I find that they make my life much easier.

Then I thought why not post them. If I put them up here they are easy for me to change and I can not lose them.

Week 1


Breakfast

1. oatmeal and jam
2. oatmeal and frozen berries with yogurt
   
3. cereal
4. instant flavoured oatmeal for kids

Lunch

1. homemade chicken and rice soup
2. healthy greak salad on pitas
3. vegetable soup and toast
4. eggsalad sandwiches veggies and dip

Supper

1. honey baked lentils and brown rice, fruit for dessert
2. spaghetti sauce on whole wheat noodles with large salad
3. roast chicken with rosemary potato wedges and corn
4. meatloaf, baked potatoes and carrots
5. homemade pizza on pitas and salad

Week 2


Breakfast

1. oatmeal and jam
2. oatmeal and frozen berries with yogurt
   
3. cereal
4. instant flavoured oatmeal for kids

Lunch

1. chickpea couscous salad
2. beef barley soup
3. split pea and barley soup with fruit
4. eggsalad sandwiches and fruit
   

Supper

1. roast, baked potaoes and corn
2. chick pea orzo pilaf and fruit
3. chicken stirfry
   
4. meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn
   
5. homemade pizza pitas with salad

Week 3


Breakfast

1. oatmeal and jam
2. oatmeal and frozen berries with yogurt
   
3. cereal
4. instant flavoured oatmeal for kids

Lunch

1. package soup mix
   
2. eggsalad sandwiches and fruit
3. beef vegetable soup
4. vegetable soup

Supper

1. orange ginger pork with brown rice
2. Silvia's chicken on noodles
3. eggs and potato wedges with fruit
4. spaghetti and salad
   
5. homemade pita pizzas and salad

It is almost time...............

Monday we start homeschooling again.


So here is the plan.................

Monday through Thursday

Mornings will begin with a reading, I got a great book for Christmas.

Then the kids will start their morning lessons.
I made each of them an index card of what needs to be done.
This works really well, the kids like the freedom and I like that I can focus on one child at a time. I arrange their lessons so that know one needs me or the computer at the same time.
Then the kids head outside while I make lunch.

In the afternoon we have a few options depending on our interests.

1. art lessons / art history
2. Real-Science-4-Kids
3. jogging
4. history (currently we are studying the Precambrian Period)
5. science experiments
   
6. IEW

Fridays

Reading/Poetry(with sugary tea)
Nature Study Field Trip
Library

History at Sarah's
Homeschool Group

Well that all folks!

I just need to remember my priorities.

Homeschool should aid our growth individually and as family.

If I focus on our to do lists I miss the point.

Hello Again!

I have a dilemma. I blog from my photos and my camera needs new batteries, so I have not been blogging. I will attempt a photo free blog, even though I don't know what the heck I am going to talk about.

First off the reason for the post was Sarah wanted the felt play mats link. Cheryl pointed out that LaPaz's blog has a version of felted play mats. They are quite adorable so here is the link to her playmats. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did. This coming week is dedicated to Christmas crafting , helping others and getting the house ready for Christmas. Perhaps I will get a few playmats done then.

Today the homeschoolers met at the skating oval and it was beautiful. I was surprised how quickly the kids regained there skating legs. We were there for over an hour before my toes started to freeze (which for December is awesome). The kids were warm and could have kept skating for at least another hour.

This Sunday is the homeschooler's Christmas Tea. Everyone had such a good time last year. The kids have been practicing their poems. I said that I would bring a craft and I think I will bring bookmark supplies. But if anyone knows a great children's craft let me know.

This Tuesday we will be heading out to Souris to help my niece get her house ready to sell. She said to not worry about it till after the Christmas Season. But when you think about it, there isn't a better thing we could be doing than helping someone out. So this year our Christmas cookies will be purchased and our home will not be picture perfect (far from it). But our coffee will be Free Trade, our gifts (mostly) homemade and we will make time to appreciate the people we love. It works for us, and that is what matters most.

I hope you find time to enjoy each day this Advent.

P.S. Even if it is ice cube toes and frozen fingers!

P.P.S. If my post is scattered I do apologize, and I will try to purchase batteries this weekend : )

Craft Night Bliss

I was made aware of a serious omission on my part. When I was mentioning what was beautiful yesterday, I failed to mention the amazing group of ladies coming over. Last night I hosted our weekly craft night. It was lovely. Friends bonding over knitting and card making. I believe there might have even been singing. We were only drinking tea or coffee, but a group of mothers out late with only grown ups to talk to ........ well we can get a little giddy. So to the great ladies that I failed to include in my post, you too were a big part of yesterday's beauty ; )