I had to jump on and share these photos that Marilyn took of Maggie. Marilyn enjoys photography very much so whenever she gets the opportunity she is always taking pictures of something. Most times Maggie has the honor of being her subject. Maggie absolutely loves to get her picture taken too.
I really had no idea Marilyn took these pictures until I was going to download something on the computer from a picture that I took. I thought these pictures were so cute that I just HAD to post them here on our blog.
I'll have to say if you think Maggie looks pretty animated in these pictures, your right. She has become quite the silly girl since she has turned three. Sometimes not so silly too.
I will also post her other two projects with the Many Faces of Katie and Hannah too.
So here is " The Many Faces of Maggie"
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Who needs the workbox system anyways?
Boy, time sure has flown by since the last time I updated that's for sure.
The fair just ended yesterday so now we can really start into our school work. The girls no longer have "Fair on the brain."
This year we are doing something completely different. I began the school year off with homeschooling the two older girls on my own only to have them want to do cyberschool again. So we decided to go with a K12 cyberschool this year. God willing they will be around for a while as they are having some legal issues. But if we get one good year in with them that's fine too.
Of course I began to panic thinking," How will I split myself up into three people again this year?" Marilyn is in 6th grade, Katie is in 4th , and Hannah is in 1st this year.
I had been reading about the "Workbox system". The word intriqued me and I'm all for anything that will make my teaching more effective and make life a bit easier for myself all at the same time. So I had gone on the website that described this "more convienient" method. The method itself sounded like a great idea as it helps ease children into becoming more responsible for their own learning and gives mom more time to work with the younger ones.
I had only one problem with the whole idea. The fact that you needed 12 small boxes and a shelf to put them on. Living in a small apartment we don't have much room for much of anything. So I figured 3 children times 12 would be 36 rubbermaid tubs I had absolutely no room for at all.
So my creative juices began to start flowing because, well, I liked the method, I just didn't like the fact I didn't have any room to impletment it.
Hence my new idea,, the File Folder System@. I did make sure I wasn't stealing another person's idea so I googled to make sure there wasn't, and if its truely not an original thought of my own I apologize in advance.
First, I created the box. I took a box that would fit a file folder and books into neatly. Luckily the boxes we got with our school stuff worked perfectly for this little experiment of mine. Here is a visual. Of course I encourage children to decorate their own box but for the sake of this I did the creating this time around because this idea came to me at night and I wanted to get on top of it and see how it worked out first.
Next, I sat down with the file folders and wrote down things that they needed to complete their lessons. I wrote down whether they needed a pencil, notebook, textbook, or workbook on the front to keep from hearing" Mom, what do I need for this?".
After writing that down I went through the lesson plans for each of their subjects, Math, Language Arts, History, Science , Art and Music. I also go over anything their teachers assign them for work that must be submitted for them as well.
Then I take out any worksheets out of their workbooks, add in any workbooks that I can't tear pages out of, any books that will fit in the file folders and so on. I also add in worksheets or games that I think will help solidfy topics as well.
Even if the book doesn't fit in the file folder the box is big enough for me to add the book behind the folder when need be.
Last but not least, are the lesson plans. I broke down everything thing I wanted them to do down to tidbit steps. For them its like having me right there next to them but not. I numbered each step letting them know if they needed to go online, start with a worksheet, play a game, or enter in answers to questions they had done for their assessments. I also drew a small and of course not so neat STOP sign. This stop sign let them know that Mom or Dad needs to explain the lesson to them. Everything in the folder is set in order in the way I want them to do their lessons as well. I also told them if I was busy with their younger system that they could close the folder and go onto the next subject while they waited as well.
Also in my little world I decided to go through the Friday newsletters that their teachers send and write down on post it notes the times they needed to be on the computer for their Scantron practice, Elluminates, Clubs and posted those right on the side of the computer so they know to get on at that time. I don't have a picture of that on here but I think that is pretty self explanatory.
I also gave them a brief orientation of what OLS ( online learning system) means, how to get on it, how to look at what lessons need to be done for the day as well.
So there you go folks. If anyone else tries this method out be sure to leave a comment and let me know how and if it is working for your family. I am hoping and praying it works for us otherwise I may just be a little crazy by the end of the year.
The fair just ended yesterday so now we can really start into our school work. The girls no longer have "Fair on the brain."
This year we are doing something completely different. I began the school year off with homeschooling the two older girls on my own only to have them want to do cyberschool again. So we decided to go with a K12 cyberschool this year. God willing they will be around for a while as they are having some legal issues. But if we get one good year in with them that's fine too.
Of course I began to panic thinking," How will I split myself up into three people again this year?" Marilyn is in 6th grade, Katie is in 4th , and Hannah is in 1st this year.
I had been reading about the "Workbox system". The word intriqued me and I'm all for anything that will make my teaching more effective and make life a bit easier for myself all at the same time. So I had gone on the website that described this "more convienient" method. The method itself sounded like a great idea as it helps ease children into becoming more responsible for their own learning and gives mom more time to work with the younger ones.
I had only one problem with the whole idea. The fact that you needed 12 small boxes and a shelf to put them on. Living in a small apartment we don't have much room for much of anything. So I figured 3 children times 12 would be 36 rubbermaid tubs I had absolutely no room for at all.
So my creative juices began to start flowing because, well, I liked the method, I just didn't like the fact I didn't have any room to impletment it.
Hence my new idea,, the File Folder System@. I did make sure I wasn't stealing another person's idea so I googled to make sure there wasn't, and if its truely not an original thought of my own I apologize in advance.
First, I created the box. I took a box that would fit a file folder and books into neatly. Luckily the boxes we got with our school stuff worked perfectly for this little experiment of mine. Here is a visual. Of course I encourage children to decorate their own box but for the sake of this I did the creating this time around because this idea came to me at night and I wanted to get on top of it and see how it worked out first.
Next, I sat down with the file folders and wrote down things that they needed to complete their lessons. I wrote down whether they needed a pencil, notebook, textbook, or workbook on the front to keep from hearing" Mom, what do I need for this?".
After writing that down I went through the lesson plans for each of their subjects, Math, Language Arts, History, Science , Art and Music. I also go over anything their teachers assign them for work that must be submitted for them as well.
Then I take out any worksheets out of their workbooks, add in any workbooks that I can't tear pages out of, any books that will fit in the file folders and so on. I also add in worksheets or games that I think will help solidfy topics as well.
Even if the book doesn't fit in the file folder the box is big enough for me to add the book behind the folder when need be.
Last but not least, are the lesson plans. I broke down everything thing I wanted them to do down to tidbit steps. For them its like having me right there next to them but not. I numbered each step letting them know if they needed to go online, start with a worksheet, play a game, or enter in answers to questions they had done for their assessments. I also drew a small and of course not so neat STOP sign. This stop sign let them know that Mom or Dad needs to explain the lesson to them. Everything in the folder is set in order in the way I want them to do their lessons as well. I also told them if I was busy with their younger system that they could close the folder and go onto the next subject while they waited as well.
Also in my little world I decided to go through the Friday newsletters that their teachers send and write down on post it notes the times they needed to be on the computer for their Scantron practice, Elluminates, Clubs and posted those right on the side of the computer so they know to get on at that time. I don't have a picture of that on here but I think that is pretty self explanatory.
I also gave them a brief orientation of what OLS ( online learning system) means, how to get on it, how to look at what lessons need to be done for the day as well.
So there you go folks. If anyone else tries this method out be sure to leave a comment and let me know how and if it is working for your family. I am hoping and praying it works for us otherwise I may just be a little crazy by the end of the year.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Time has flown-Happy Birthday Baby girl
It sure has been a while since I last posted on here. As I was sitting and looking over old photos of the girls it really did remind me how fast time goes by. That we should enjoy each and every day we are here on earth.
Anyways I thought I would share some old photos that I found of Maggie. I can't believe my baby girl is going to be three on August 8th.
This was Maggie's first day home after having surgery on her bottom. That dress was to be her dress that she was going to having her baby pictures taken in. That never happened but we did get this photo. I'm planning on getting it photoshopped so she will never know that she didn't get them like her sisters did.
Here Maggie was 6 weeks old. To us life was good and we thought our health stuff was over. If we only had known that it was just the beginning of life with VACTERL.
This was a cute picture of Maggie that I took.
In this picture Maggie was 4 months old. This was the day before she was admitted into the hospital. Little did we know she was extremely ill. Of course if you can't tell she was very underweight for 4 months old.
This was how we spent Maggie's 1st Christmas and that wasn't the only hospitalization she had. Just one of the few that I had my camera with me. That was a long Christmas because we spent 2 weeks hospitalized to find out she had kidney/urological problems.
Here is a picture of Maggie and her 1st birthday. Of course I think a few days after this she went in the hospital for being dehydrated. But we sure did have a fun time with her first birthday. I even made a homemade allergy free cake for her along with the frosting, and you know what? It was a good cake!
Here is a silly picture of Maggie. She was eating her "ice cream", actually sorbet and wasn't to happy it wasn't the real stuff.
align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wCmnRgbgCAhA06DHDswg22TXDzV-rBE1CdNBudLQ590JjEYqtW0gwtSKZuaiWqmiusHbQr1T2oMjn7OfquP_ftVckkQ0V1NamxHXnrj4bBusGcg_cBoJIshQFN48X4MBUyTK-SwnKrQ/s400/cutepic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364012528917609378" />
This was a cute picture of Maggie that I took.
This picture just cracks me up. Actually it was taken as part of a project Marilyn was working on for her American Explorers lapbook. She decided to dress her sisters up into tribal warriors and take some pictures to add in her book. I'll tell you we had fun dressing up and doing face painting. Even if it is during the summer time! LOL
And here is my baby girl now! She is going to be three in 10 days. Happy Birthday to you my Baby girl! I am so proud to be your mommy. You have taught me so much. I can definitely say I am blessed to have such beautiful and wonderful daughters. God has truely blessed me.
Anyways I thought I would share some old photos that I found of Maggie. I can't believe my baby girl is going to be three on August 8th.
This was Maggie's first day home after having surgery on her bottom. That dress was to be her dress that she was going to having her baby pictures taken in. That never happened but we did get this photo. I'm planning on getting it photoshopped so she will never know that she didn't get them like her sisters did.
Here Maggie was 6 weeks old. To us life was good and we thought our health stuff was over. If we only had known that it was just the beginning of life with VACTERL.
This was a cute picture of Maggie that I took.
In this picture Maggie was 4 months old. This was the day before she was admitted into the hospital. Little did we know she was extremely ill. Of course if you can't tell she was very underweight for 4 months old.
This was how we spent Maggie's 1st Christmas and that wasn't the only hospitalization she had. Just one of the few that I had my camera with me. That was a long Christmas because we spent 2 weeks hospitalized to find out she had kidney/urological problems.
Here is a picture of Maggie and her 1st birthday. Of course I think a few days after this she went in the hospital for being dehydrated. But we sure did have a fun time with her first birthday. I even made a homemade allergy free cake for her along with the frosting, and you know what? It was a good cake!
Here is a silly picture of Maggie. She was eating her "ice cream", actually sorbet and wasn't to happy it wasn't the real stuff.
align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wCmnRgbgCAhA06DHDswg22TXDzV-rBE1CdNBudLQ590JjEYqtW0gwtSKZuaiWqmiusHbQr1T2oMjn7OfquP_ftVckkQ0V1NamxHXnrj4bBusGcg_cBoJIshQFN48X4MBUyTK-SwnKrQ/s400/cutepic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364012528917609378" />
This was a cute picture of Maggie that I took.
This picture just cracks me up. Actually it was taken as part of a project Marilyn was working on for her American Explorers lapbook. She decided to dress her sisters up into tribal warriors and take some pictures to add in her book. I'll tell you we had fun dressing up and doing face painting. Even if it is during the summer time! LOL
And here is my baby girl now! She is going to be three in 10 days. Happy Birthday to you my Baby girl! I am so proud to be your mommy. You have taught me so much. I can definitely say I am blessed to have such beautiful and wonderful daughters. God has truely blessed me.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
PineApple Upside Down Cupcakes
Everyone has heard of Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Well here is our mini version of this famous cake. Each month I get the magazine Family Fun magazine and they always have fun recipes and crafts.
Well we decided to give this recipe a try and we give it two thumbs up and a smile.
First we melted 6 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of milk on the burner. That was Marilyn's job. After the butter has melted set the mixture aside and let it cool while you do the rest of this:
Next we took and cut each tablespoon of butter and cut them in half. Each half went into our muffin tin along with 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar on top.
That was Katie's job. She had fun doing this. After adding the brown sugar to the butter we took the muffin tin and slid it into our 350 degree oven just long enough for the butter to melt.
The next part was a little tricky. But it worked out alright. Taking pinapple slices(not chunks) we sliced them into quarter pieces. Taking the sliced pineapple we added two of them in each muffin tin and put a marachino cherry in the middle.
This was Hannah's job. Though it was a little tricky to do. Hannah did a wonderful job putting the pineapple and cherries in the muffin tins.
Last but not least was cake batter.
The dry mixture was 1 cup of flour, 1/4 salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.Katie mixed this and we set it aside. Marilyn mixed the wet ingrediets , which were two eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and 3/4 cups of sugar.
After mixing these ingredients we added the wet mixture to the dry, mixing it until all of the dry mixture was absorbed. After doing this we added in the milk/butter mixture. Marilyn stirred this really well. Then my job was to evenly distribute the cake batter into each of the tins. I found that a soup ladle really did the trick when it came to this step.
Then we put it in the oven and waited for about 25 minutes. After being ever so patient we took the muffin tin out and then I took a cookie sheet, layered it with Reynolds Wrap and then flipped the muffin tin over and voila' Pinapple Upside Down Cupcakes:
Now if you have a non stick pan there is no need to take a knife and go around the cupcake to make sure it doesn't stick. If you don't you will need to add this step to make sure the cupcakes don't stick to the tin before you flip it over onto the cookie sheet.
After this step was done we let them cool for a while. Of course the girls just couldn't wait to give them a try, and give them a try they did.
And there you go everyone. Pinapple Upside Down Cupcakes.
Of course I don't want to forget one more picture. Hannah completed the first 40 lessons in Headsprout. She was very proud of herself and we were proud of her also.
Well we decided to give this recipe a try and we give it two thumbs up and a smile.
First we melted 6 tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of milk on the burner. That was Marilyn's job. After the butter has melted set the mixture aside and let it cool while you do the rest of this:
Next we took and cut each tablespoon of butter and cut them in half. Each half went into our muffin tin along with 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar on top.
That was Katie's job. She had fun doing this. After adding the brown sugar to the butter we took the muffin tin and slid it into our 350 degree oven just long enough for the butter to melt.
The next part was a little tricky. But it worked out alright. Taking pinapple slices(not chunks) we sliced them into quarter pieces. Taking the sliced pineapple we added two of them in each muffin tin and put a marachino cherry in the middle.
This was Hannah's job. Though it was a little tricky to do. Hannah did a wonderful job putting the pineapple and cherries in the muffin tins.
Last but not least was cake batter.
The dry mixture was 1 cup of flour, 1/4 salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.Katie mixed this and we set it aside. Marilyn mixed the wet ingrediets , which were two eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and 3/4 cups of sugar.
After mixing these ingredients we added the wet mixture to the dry, mixing it until all of the dry mixture was absorbed. After doing this we added in the milk/butter mixture. Marilyn stirred this really well. Then my job was to evenly distribute the cake batter into each of the tins. I found that a soup ladle really did the trick when it came to this step.
Then we put it in the oven and waited for about 25 minutes. After being ever so patient we took the muffin tin out and then I took a cookie sheet, layered it with Reynolds Wrap and then flipped the muffin tin over and voila' Pinapple Upside Down Cupcakes:
Now if you have a non stick pan there is no need to take a knife and go around the cupcake to make sure it doesn't stick. If you don't you will need to add this step to make sure the cupcakes don't stick to the tin before you flip it over onto the cookie sheet.
After this step was done we let them cool for a while. Of course the girls just couldn't wait to give them a try, and give them a try they did.
And there you go everyone. Pinapple Upside Down Cupcakes.
Of course I don't want to forget one more picture. Hannah completed the first 40 lessons in Headsprout. She was very proud of herself and we were proud of her also.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Summer and Cheerleading Camp
We sure have had a wonderfully fun summer. This summer Marilyn made 1st runner up for Little Miss Corry. We couldn't be more proud of her that's for sure. I will set up the video from all of that as soon as I can. It takes a long time to download video on a computer. Hopefully someday that process can be sped up a bit.
This week(July-9.09)the girls finished up Cheerleading camp. This was the third year of cheerleading camp that has been set up at our high school. It began as a fundraiser to help costs for the cheerleaders and has grown to be a huge and popular program in our area. This is also Marilyn's third year and Katie's 2nd year. They truely have a lot of fun with this camp and its great exercise.
The one other thing I realized this year is that next year will be Marilyn's last year of the summer camp and last year of Vacation Bible Schools. I'll admit I feel a little lost as to what to do with her for when she enters 7th grade. Sniff. Sniff. I can't believe we are almost at this stage in her life already.
Summer sure is flying by fast. Before we know it fair time will be here and the start of another year of school. I have pretty much the stuff we need for our new school year. Marilyn and Katie will be homeschooled ,and I will continue with our K12 cyberschool with Hannah because it has worked so well for her. I am excited to be able to use the curriculum that I want to use for the girls this year that will work for them.
Maggie will join along and color in her Kumon workbooks. She loves to play games on the computer. I found a cute Fisher Price game that she can play. She likes it when Hannah 'plays' with her Headsprout so she feels she should do the same. Its so hard because Maggie wants to do everything her big sisters do, yet at the same time I just want to let her be my baby girl.
This week(July-9.09)the girls finished up Cheerleading camp. This was the third year of cheerleading camp that has been set up at our high school. It began as a fundraiser to help costs for the cheerleaders and has grown to be a huge and popular program in our area. This is also Marilyn's third year and Katie's 2nd year. They truely have a lot of fun with this camp and its great exercise.
The one other thing I realized this year is that next year will be Marilyn's last year of the summer camp and last year of Vacation Bible Schools. I'll admit I feel a little lost as to what to do with her for when she enters 7th grade. Sniff. Sniff. I can't believe we are almost at this stage in her life already.
Summer sure is flying by fast. Before we know it fair time will be here and the start of another year of school. I have pretty much the stuff we need for our new school year. Marilyn and Katie will be homeschooled ,and I will continue with our K12 cyberschool with Hannah because it has worked so well for her. I am excited to be able to use the curriculum that I want to use for the girls this year that will work for them.
Maggie will join along and color in her Kumon workbooks. She loves to play games on the computer. I found a cute Fisher Price game that she can play. She likes it when Hannah 'plays' with her Headsprout so she feels she should do the same. Its so hard because Maggie wants to do everything her big sisters do, yet at the same time I just want to let her be my baby girl.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
VACTERL Conference 2009
Hello everyone. We had a wonderful time in Philidelphia. Other then the fact that we had a small stint of getting lost we had a wonderful time.
We met so many wonderful and amazing families, and their wonderful and amazing children.
Each of our children are just so unique that its truely possible to go to the conference and not find another child like our own.
We did take some video and some photos while we were there. I will say that I'm a little sad because some of my photos disappeard that I had taken. I'm not sure why or how. But what I do have is fun to see.
I am still working on the video of the conference and it will be made available really soon. I promise. Just a lot of work to edit stuff. LOL.
I can truely say that I miss everyone already. I knew that the conference would come soon and it went as fast as it came. We have met so many wonderful families online and at the conferences that our friendships will last a lifetime that is for sure. I really can't wait for the next one where ever it maybe.
Hope you enjoy the pictures I do have.
We met so many wonderful and amazing families, and their wonderful and amazing children.
Each of our children are just so unique that its truely possible to go to the conference and not find another child like our own.
We did take some video and some photos while we were there. I will say that I'm a little sad because some of my photos disappeard that I had taken. I'm not sure why or how. But what I do have is fun to see.
I am still working on the video of the conference and it will be made available really soon. I promise. Just a lot of work to edit stuff. LOL.
I can truely say that I miss everyone already. I knew that the conference would come soon and it went as fast as it came. We have met so many wonderful families online and at the conferences that our friendships will last a lifetime that is for sure. I really can't wait for the next one where ever it maybe.
Hope you enjoy the pictures I do have.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
HeadSprout Reading
Hannah has steadily been making progress with using Headsprout. I am still very happy with the program, and am glad at seeing that Hannah is making progress with her reading now. I decided to video take Hannah reading her stories today. Hannah was very proud of herself and she loves to put her stickers on the chart to see how far she has gone with her reading. I paid for all 80 lessons so I am hoping that by doing the lessons everyday Hannah will be reading at a 2nd grade level by the start of the new school year.
I hope that everyone can hear Hannah reading. I accidently had the background microphone off on the camera and didn't know it.
Hope everyone enjoys:
I hope that everyone can hear Hannah reading. I accidently had the background microphone off on the camera and didn't know it.
Hope everyone enjoys:
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