Sharpie Tie Dye Shirt

This was so easy and I love the end result! I'm sure I'll be making more. This week is Vacation Bible School and the boys needed to wear different colored shirts each day. Today was purple but Nikolas didn't have a purple shirt, so I ran to Target. Target had NO purple shirts for boys. I looked in the toddler sizes and even the girls' section to find something. But then I remembered the pin I'd seen about tie-dyeing with Sharpies. I love Sharpies. Here is the tutorial that I used.
First I made a stencil, then I put my cutting board inside the shirt so it wouldn't bleed onto the back. I used a purple sharpie to make "flare" marks around the border. I filled a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and watched the ink spread. It was really cool. The more I sprayed it the farther it spread. I put it in the dryer for twenty minutes or so. Martha Stewart said to use the dryer or a hot iron to set the color and then you can wash it on gentle cycle in cold water with dark or like colors. I haven't washed it yet, so we'll see.

And here is the result! He loves it!

Homeschool 2013-14

*Joshua {Second Grade}

Bible: MFW Adventures in U.S. History

History/Science/Social Studies/Geography/Art/Music: MFW Adventures Pin Board

Language Arts: Primary Language Lessons; Spelling with Sound and Structure

Handwriting: Cursive Connections and Cursive Practice Sheets with Copywork

Foreign Language: Russian from DinoLingo Pin Board

Math: Mathematical Reasoning from Critical Thinking Co until he is ready for Teaching Textbooks 3 (which should be soon).

Fine Arts: Guitar and I Can Do All Things 

Physical Education: Praise Moves for Kids XBox 360 Kinect "Active" games

*Nikolas {First Grade}

Bible: MFW Learning God's Story

History/Science/Social Studies/Geography/Art/Music: MFW Adventures Pin Board

Language Arts: MFW Learning God's Story

Handwriting: Copywork

Foreign Language: Russian from DinoLingo Pin Board

Math: Mathematical Reasoning from Critical Thinking Co until he is ready for Teaching Textbooks 3 (maybe in Dec/Jan)

Fine Arts: I Can Do All Things 

Physical Education: Praise Moves for Kids XBox 360 Kinect "Active" games

KONOS: Russia will be an extra unit that we do together over the next two years while we are living in Kazakhstan. I also have a Pin Board with ideas to follow this unit.

We will also use these throughout the year:

Draw Write Now

Draw and Write Through History

Road Trip USA

See the Light

What's in the Bible?

Brinkman

{All links are for reference only, there are no affiliate links in this post.}

Soccer!

A Recap of our School Year

I know that you have all been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to hear about my curriculum decisions for next year...
But first let me recap the craziness that was the 2012-13 school year. Nikolas was starting kindergarten and Joshua was entering first grade. I really wanted to use something that I could teach them together with that wouldn't be too much for Nikolas or be boring for Joshua. After lots of prayer and HOURS of research, I chose Sonlight's Core A. I loved it, all the books, the activities, the style... The boys? Not as much. It was also very difficult to do an international move with Sonlight because of all the wonderful books. So, we didn't even finish it. It was so hard to get back into it after a 4 month break.
For math, I chose Mathematical Reasoning. I really enjoyed it and the boys have progressed well. Nikolas finished his kindergarten level book in about 4 months, so he started right into the first grade book. He is slowly catching up with Joshua. Joshua has been challenged but doesn't really like workbooks much. I recommend this math to everyone. It is so easy to use and the answer guide is in the back.
We continued with Explode the Code (Books A, B, and C for Nikolas; 1 and 2 for Joshua). They are both reading above level! Nikolas is reading through all the Bob Books, Joshua read his first "chapter" book, "Stink". His favorite books are the Mercer Mayer books. Nikolas reads much better than he lets on, he will pick up things and read them as long as nobody is looking.
We have been studying butterflies. We ordered caterpillars and did a unit study with books that we already had. It has been fun.
We've done lots of fun learning trips to museums and local spots. It has been a great year and we are still finishing up our workbooks but we'll be just on time for our move to Kazakhstan.

What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to homeschool. I love these two!

Caterpillars to Butterflies

They started as teeny tiny caterpillars.

Then they got fat!

I couldn't get any good pictures of the chrysalises.
But this is one of our 3 Painted Ladies. 

These are the books that we enjoyed and learned from.

A Homeschool Convention

The boys and I attending the HEAV Convention in Richmond and I am so happy that we did. I met some neat people, saw some interesting things, and got to explore curriculum. This was a great experience and it was nice to be in a place with like-minded people. I enjoyed workshops from Zan Tyler and Dianne Craft. I spent so much time walking around the exhibit hall, talking to vendors and learning about their products and trying them out. Joshua loved trying out Teaching Textbooks. I spent a lot of time with the My Father's World team. I fell in love with Bilingual Books. I purchased some great books from Zondervan for 50% off! We met the family behind the Lego movie Jericho. I bought soap and a beautiful necklace made by homeschooling hands. I discovered Queen Homeschool products. And got a tote bag and lip balm from Liberty University, where I will be attending in the fall. I hadn't planned on going to the Used Curriculum Sale but I thought I'd check it out, just so I didn't miss anything. I ended up with a great bag of books (including the Russia in a Bag curriculum book from Konos, some Beth Moore, and lots of fiction for the boys) for only $44!
The boys played with Legos and robots and learned more about chess. They made crafts and learned songs and played games with other homeschool kids.
We won't be living in the States next year but if we were I would definitely attend again. Even if you feel like a pro-homeschooler, you need to attend. It was refreshing and informational. I also purchased the MP3 of all the workshops because I wanted to spend more time in the exhibit hall. Now I can listen and pause as needed.
I surrendered my ticket to see the Duggars. I don't really follow them but I know there were people dying to see them. I saw the line... I hate lines.

Sneakers and a skirt? Only a homeschool mama at a convention!

Friday Foodie

This is not a recipe but a fun foodie picture! Nikolas thoroughly enjoyed his delicious macaroni and cheese, apples and corn bread with milk at Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrel reminds me of my grandmother's cooking. Good down home lovin' food.

Children's Museum of Richmond, Virginia

If you get a chance to visit this children's museum I definitely recommend it. It was fun! There was an are outside to play, learn, and explore, as well as tons of stuff to do inside. There were also hens and a large garden. And a water play area. It was well staffed with friendly people and also very clean and kept up well. There are great art projects available, too. 

Friday Foodie: Crockpot Lasagna

• 1 jar (more if you like it more wet) of your favorite tomato sauce
• 1 cup parmesan (shredded REAL parm not the powdery junk)
• 2 cups mozzarella (real if you can find it)
• 2 cups ricotta
• lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground turkey, browned
• 1 pound turkey sausage, browned (I used sun dried tomato and basil, but plain or Italian sausage works, too)
• minced garlic (I use a lot, like 1/4 cup) 
• Bonus for health- 1/3-1/2 cup ground flax

First I brown the meat. The sausage is hard to break up so I chop it up in the blender. Then it is ready to add to the layers. I set it aside and make the cheese mixture.

Combine half of the mozz, parm and all of the ricotta. Add garlic and flax. Mix to combine until all smooth.

Begin to layer in the crock pot. Start with a layer of tomato sauce. Then add noodles, they don't have to be pretty. I break them to cover the bottom. Alternate meats, cheeses, and noodles. Cover the top with remaining cheese.

I cook it for a couple hours. The meat is cooked so the noodles just need to get soft. Serve with bread (duh) and a green salad.