tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19441406733905791222024-03-12T19:21:55.137-07:00The Crazy Homeschoolers Next DoorSweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-66350114206891278802014-01-28T09:38:00.002-08:002014-01-28T09:38:40.629-08:00It's been a long time............I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I posted anything. Let's just say life happened. I'm going to revamp things a bit and try to post more.SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-4895623090352424652012-03-17T17:52:00.003-07:002012-03-17T17:56:45.682-07:00inspirational books<strong><strong>We've been in a rut lately,so I picked up a couple of books looking for a little homeschooling inspiration--Beyond Survival-A Guide to Abundant-Life Homeschooling by Diana Waring and Educating the WholeHearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson. They have given me a few new ideas and different ways to look at things. I also pulled out a few books from the bookshelf that I read a year or so ago for more ideas and inspiration--Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman and 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching & Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's. </strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-69880601009302638502012-01-29T12:42:00.001-08:002012-01-29T12:47:55.392-08:00New ScheduleHow's everyone doing getting back into school and studies after the long Christmas break? I know we took extra time this year-not sure if that's turned out to be a good thing or not. My son has had a hard time adjusting from vacation to study time. Instead of trying to do it all each day,I've decided to try and do an alternating schedule and see how that works. We will do a few classes each day and hopefully be able to get more done in the long run. And instead of sticking with the public school schedule,we going to start year round-I've been looking for a way to do that and think I'm just going to jump in and do it. We will of course take breaks when we need them. I think this will work better for my son in the long run. I've also discovered that although he doesn't like to do crafty things,he does enjoy cutting out things and pasting them onto something. So we are trying lapbooking and I've started more notebooking activities too. Anyone have any tips on notebooking or lapbooking? Please feel free to share your ideas or favorite online links. <strong></strong><strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-63051828501645351552012-01-01T11:45:00.000-08:002012-01-01T12:10:42.031-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHGzSFqMGfU/TwC9s0eHEMI/AAAAAAAAAmo/NDdSzLlxxdI/s1600/cage_chewie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHGzSFqMGfU/TwC9s0eHEMI/AAAAAAAAAmo/NDdSzLlxxdI/s320/cage_chewie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692758506693136578" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Crazy Homeschoolers Next Door would like to wish all of our other Homeschooling friends a HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope that 2012 is a great year for all of us. We hope to get back to our studies sometime next week. <strong></strong><strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-58331353989864471322011-12-21T18:27:00.001-08:002011-12-21T18:33:27.119-08:00Our New Family Member---CHEWIE<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAh51nxU-VY/TvKW0bDXV4I/AAAAAAAAAls/JQprLKAq5G0/s1600/chewie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAh51nxU-VY/TvKW0bDXV4I/AAAAAAAAAls/JQprLKAq5G0/s320/chewie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688775106681591682" /></a><br />Meet CHEWIE--she is soooo cute! She really likes her exercise wheel.<br /><br /><br />Zach has been wanting to get a pet for a while. The husband and I talked about it and told him he could either get a RAT or HAMSTER. We picked up a little black and white hamster today. Her name is CHEWIE. She was snoozing in the dinner bowl at the petstore when we saw her. Zach thinks she looks kind of like a cow (spots). She's settled in very well I think. Zach has been sneaking into the sewing room to pet her while I wasn't looking LOL. We plan on putting her in his room,but don't have a stand or extra table at the moment,so she's hanging out with me and the parrot in the sewing room/my office. Tinkerbelle has had her eyes on the new arrival all day. It's been funny to watch her watching Chewie! The husband texted me from work and said he's thinking about getting himself a RAT. I told him as long as he cleans it I didn't care. I swear he's still a 9 year old trapped in a 43 year old body LOL! <strong></strong><strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-84553937767892074402011-12-21T18:26:00.000-08:002011-12-21T18:27:11.566-08:00HAPPY HOLIDAYSMerry Christmas---and Happy Holidays from our family to all of our readers....Peace.<strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-62032713831807532752011-12-12T11:19:00.000-08:002011-12-12T11:20:40.580-08:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY,ZACHARY!!!!Zachary is 9 years old today....if you want to read about his birth story check out my other blog.....<br /><br /><strong><strong><a href="http://sweetmissmagnoliachat.blogspot.com/">http://sweetmissmagnoliachat.blogspot.com/</a></strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-88387360162648594912011-12-06T12:41:00.001-08:002011-12-06T12:42:21.942-08:00Merry Christmas.......<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4r1Lb3MNT3Y/Tt5-KPhpfsI/AAAAAAAAAjc/851pZvfim7o/s1600/merrychristmas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4r1Lb3MNT3Y/Tt5-KPhpfsI/AAAAAAAAAjc/851pZvfim7o/s320/merrychristmas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683118494219599554" /></a>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-79734308093504100292011-11-23T13:41:00.000-08:002011-11-23T18:51:04.619-08:00CHEESECAKES--Sweet Potato Pie----Dressing OH MY!<strong><strong>My son has been waiting days for me to make the pumpkin cheesecakes (or pumpkin pies) as he calls them. He loves them and this year I made an extra one. I have 3 pumpkin cheesecakes plus an experimental apple cheesecake in the fridge.<br /><br />Pumpkin Cheesecake<br /><br />1 graham cracker crust <br />8oz neufchatel cheese (softened at room temp)<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />dash pumpkin pie spice<br />8oz cool whip (room temp) <br />1 cup canned pumpkin pie mix<br /><br />Mix all together well and pour into pie shell. Let chill in fridge until firm.<br /><br /><br /><br />Apple Cheesecake<br /><br />1 graham cracker crust<br />8oz neufchatel cheese (softened at room temp)<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />dash of apple pie spice<br />8oz cool whip (room temp)<br />1 cup of apple butter<br /><br />Mix all together well and pour into pie shell. Let chill in fridge until firm.<strong></strong><br /><br /><br />Sweet Potato Pie<br /><br />1 pound sweet potatoes<br />1/2 cup butter<br />1 cup sugar<br />1/2 cup milk<br />2 eggs<br />heaping dash of cinnamon <br />heaping dash of nutmeg<br />2 unbaked pie crusts<br /><br />***Heat oven to 375*F<br />Boil sweet potatoes (skins on) until they are "fork soft"---rinse in cold water and <br />remove skins--place in large mixing bowl--add in the other ingredients mixing well--pour into pie shells and bake for about 55-60mins.<br /><br />***The original recipe called for other spices but I used these--the original recipe only made one pie--I guess I had heavier sweet potatoes. You can find the original recipe at <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-potato-pie-i/detail.aspx">ALL RECIPES.</a><br /><br /><br />My Family's Dressing Recipe<br /><br />2 boxes jiffy cornbread muffin mix<br />a few boiled eggs (I used 5)<br />2-3 chopped apples<br />1 bag of dried cranberries<br />1 large onion diced<br />1-2 bunches of celery chopped (with leaves)<br />1 small roll of mild sausage<br />chicken stock (I used about 2 boxes)<br /><br />***Heat oven to about 375*-400*F<br />boil,peel,and chop the eggs--add them into the muffin mix--add enough water to mix and bake until done---remove from oven and let cool----chop the apples,celery,and onion.--add the cranberries and apples to a large bowl--crumble in all of the baked cornbread----in large skillet saute the onion and celery until it is soft--add into the cornbread---mix it all together---in same skillet you cooked the celery/onions cook the sausage until it is done--drain well--crumble it into the cornbread---mix well----pour the dressing mixture into a baking pan and add chicken stock until it is moist---bake in oven until it is brown and bubbly (not burned)-might have to add more chicken stock to keep it from drying out.<br /><br />**Usually my family adds chicken into the dressing,but this year I am trying something different. Instead of the box cornbread mixes,you can certainly use cornbread made from scratch-this is just easier for me.</strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-50270326259946026442011-11-22T17:23:00.000-08:002011-11-22T17:35:34.111-08:00Apple Butter Cake<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGMzmv6cn9g/TsxLqMCZ5eI/AAAAAAAAAis/bCWhCzi7F3Y/s1600/applebutter_cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGMzmv6cn9g/TsxLqMCZ5eI/AAAAAAAAAis/bCWhCzi7F3Y/s320/applebutter_cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677996418365253090" /></a><br /><br />I found this recipe on a blog that I visit quite regularly-<a href="http://blessusolord.blogspot.com/2011/09/apple-butter-cake.html">BLESS US O LORD.</a> It looked so good I couldn't wait to try it. It has the kitchen smelling so UNBELIEVEABLY GOOD. I can't wait to slice into it! I kind of tweaked the recipe to fit what I had on hand,but if you want to look at the original recipe,check out the blog.<br /><br />1 cup packed brown sugar<br />2 cups a/p flour<br />1 TSP baking soda<br />1 TSP baking powder<br />1/2 TSP salt<br />1 stick butter (softened)<br />1 cup sugar (splenda)<br />1 cup apple butter<br />1 TSP vanilla<br />2 eggs<br />1 cup sour cream<br /><br />***Heat oven to 350*F<br />Spray a 9x13" baking pan (or a bundt pan like I used)---mix together the eggs,sugars,vanilla,butter and apple butter---add in the flour 1 cup at a time stirring between each cup---stir in the baking soda and the baking powder---stir in the sour cream---pour into pan and bake for about 40mins or until toothpick (or knife) comes out clean.SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-58212432785498470972011-11-22T17:17:00.000-08:002011-11-22T17:23:44.282-08:00CRANBERRY POUND CAKE<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLCWrOv42s/TsxJ1paAiZI/AAAAAAAAAig/_r0VT3g5TGQ/s1600/cranberry_poundcake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTLCWrOv42s/TsxJ1paAiZI/AAAAAAAAAig/_r0VT3g5TGQ/s320/cranberry_poundcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677994416204188050" /></a><br /><br />I originally saw this recipe in TASTE OF HOME magazine (another magazine I'm crazy about). It's originally for a raisin pound cake and I've made that and it's delicious,but I decided to try it with cranberries instead. Here's a link to the original recipe <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Raisin-Pound-Cake">RAISIN POUND CAKE at TASTE OF HOME.</a><br /><br />Cranberry Pound Cake<br /><br />1 package of yellow cake mix (I used one with SPLENDA)<br />1 cup applesauce<br />1/2 cup water<br />1/4 cup canola oil<br />3 eggs<br />heaping dash of apple pie spice<br />1 package of dried cranberries<br /><br />***Heat oven to 350*F<br />In a large bowl,combine cake mix,applesauce,water,oil,eggs,and apple pie spice--stir in the cranberries---Pour batter into 2 loaf pans sprayed with non-stick spray----bake for about 45-50mins or until toothpick (or knife) comes out clean.SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-68875279569226296432011-11-22T17:05:00.001-08:002011-11-22T17:17:14.640-08:00Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Cake<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1kSzsvewL0/TsxHBePV3VI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Vw3IWQ1R7Iw/s1600/pumpkin_chocolate_chip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1kSzsvewL0/TsxHBePV3VI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Vw3IWQ1R7Iw/s320/pumpkin_chocolate_chip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677991320830205266" /></a><br /><br />I saw this recipe in the October 2011 issue of ALL YOU magazine (love that magazine). If you want to check it out here's a link...... <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cake-50400000116408/">PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE CHIP RECIPE at ALL YOU.</a><br /><br /><br /><br />1 Stick of butter (melted & cooled)<br />1 1/4 cups sugar<br />3 large eggs<br />1 cup canned pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie mix)<br />1 TSP vanilla<br />1 TSP baking soda<br />1 TSP baking powder<br />1 TSP pumpkin pie spice (I added more)<br />1/2 TSP salt<br />1 3/4 cups a/p flour<br />1/3 cup milk<br />1 cup mini chocolate chips (i used regular size)<br />1 cup nuts (optional)<br /><br /><br />**heat oven to 350*F Mist a baking pan with non-stick spray <br /><br />Whisk together butter,sugar,eggs,pumpkin, and vanilla---stir in baking soda and baking powder and pumpkin pie spice----stir in 1/2 of the flour and milk just until combined---stir in the rest of the flour (don't over-mix)---stir in chocolate chips and pour into baking pan and bake for about 55-60mins or until toothpick (or knife) comes out clean--<br /><br />***SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-77920251145258251102011-11-22T16:54:00.000-08:002011-11-22T16:56:11.587-08:00a week of rest.......We are taking a week of rest from our studies to celebrate THANKSGIVING and to enjoy some quiet time. We hope all of our homeschool and blogger friends have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!! <strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-2380505631003814162011-11-12T17:40:00.000-08:002011-11-12T17:47:47.705-08:00IF YOU DO MATH IN YOUR JAMMIES..... You might be a HOMESCHOOLER!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyNDgDfVRc8/Tr8g4em_-DI/AAAAAAAAAiI/PDs8Uuusmj0/s1600/zpjs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyNDgDfVRc8/Tr8g4em_-DI/AAAAAAAAAiI/PDs8Uuusmj0/s320/zpjs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674290210171516978" /></a><br /><br /><strong><br />And we do---quite regularly!!! We spend alot of time in our PJs when doing our home-studies. I saw these jammies a few days ago and just had to get them for my son. I thought they were so cute. I wasn't sure he would like them--a few weeks ago he stated that he was "too old" for SPONGEBOB. But actually since he said that,he has started watching again LOL. GO FIGURE! We looked for some more footed pjs in his size when we went shopping last week,but they didn't have any. Yesterday,when I went shopping,they had more so I grabbed 2 more pairs---a grey camo print and a blue pair. They are just perfect for those chilly autumn/winter days when you are staying in and studying! </strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-5249296079300641652011-11-12T07:36:00.000-08:002011-11-12T07:39:57.796-08:00I'm thankful for.......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmiQJmXshYM/Tr6SyLkEOSI/AAAAAAAAAh8/nYiZfSHjFYw/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmiQJmXshYM/Tr6SyLkEOSI/AAAAAAAAAh8/nYiZfSHjFYw/s320/scan0001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674133971328579874" /></a><br /><br /><br />To get my kid into the THANKFUL spirit and to kind of change up our handwriting routine this week,I had him make a list of things he was thankful for. I guess it's good that we ranked higher than tv and the dog LOL.SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-44243947350823428972011-10-30T08:45:00.000-07:002011-10-30T08:48:31.215-07:00OCTOBER HOMESCHOOL BOOK CLUB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHsqkqjbp18/Tq1xpHpM4_I/AAAAAAAAAg0/O9804TVir18/s1600/dewey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHsqkqjbp18/Tq1xpHpM4_I/AAAAAAAAAg0/O9804TVir18/s320/dewey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669312457169757170" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOgej-u6e7s/Tq1xkXRbyGI/AAAAAAAAAgo/mS-WyLresZQ/s1600/z%252Clauren%252Csophia2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOgej-u6e7s/Tq1xkXRbyGI/AAAAAAAAAgo/mS-WyLresZQ/s320/z%252Clauren%252Csophia2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669312375465691234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>For our October book club,we read about DEWEY THE LIBRARY CAT. I think all of the kids really enjoyed this book--we're a group of animal lovers! We all decided that we want a cat for our library,too--ha ha just try and get that past the city council! (inside joke) </strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-67539118431446141742011-10-23T17:45:00.000-07:002011-10-23T17:49:06.720-07:00a few updates......<strong>Over the past few weeks,Zachary has started doing studies online at TIME4Learning. It is very handy and fun. He has learned about VIKINGS and hopefully this week,we will learn a little about HALLOWEEN-not just the commercialization of it but the real history of it. Now that the temps are alot cooler,he has spent ALOT of time out on his swing. He loves to sit and swing and listen to his favorite tunes or look up new jokes to share. I don't know which is funner-the jokes or listening to him laugh and get so tickled over a joke that he can't quite get it out! </strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-47644737550330916182011-10-10T15:44:00.000-07:002011-10-10T15:48:09.409-07:00I want a Columbus Day,too!I had the intent of using today as a catch-up/get ahead day for our homeschool studies,but the kiddo saw online that today was a holiday,and that area students were out of class. When I mentioned homework,he just about revolted stating that he wanted a Columbus Day off too! LOL We did do the basics,but he spent alot of time outside swinging and listening to his favorite music on his dad's phone.I swear my child would listen to music and swing 24hours a day if I would let him. What is your kid's favorite thing to do?<strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-89336243542186583112011-10-02T08:39:00.001-07:002011-10-02T08:42:20.385-07:00a picture says a thousand words.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH1nxvL7CyI/ToiGHemMVwI/AAAAAAAAAfo/0TxL_tZIPoo/s1600/study_time.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zH1nxvL7CyI/ToiGHemMVwI/AAAAAAAAAfo/0TxL_tZIPoo/s320/study_time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658920394821490434" /></a><br /><br />a few cuddles from Tinkie always helps with math.......<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-iajb8T2kA/ToiF1yHFpKI/AAAAAAAAAfg/j8iHq6GjZOI/s1600/game.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-iajb8T2kA/ToiF1yHFpKI/AAAAAAAAAfg/j8iHq6GjZOI/s320/game.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658920090822091938" /></a><br />playing a "guessing game"-you had to guess what object was by asking the other players questions....SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-56467337528502076182011-09-28T12:22:00.000-07:002011-09-28T12:23:34.291-07:00I agree........How to get your kids to be fanatical readers--Sorry, moms and dads, but it's your job -- not the schools' -- to find books to get your kids reading and to make sure they read them. Read the full article at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/28/opinion/patterson-kids-reading/index.html">CNN</a>.SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-43583607144284239192011-09-28T12:20:00.000-07:002011-09-28T12:22:19.551-07:00Time 4 LearningToday was the first day that Zach used TIME 4 Learning as part of our daily studies. He seemed to really enjoy it. I knew he would-he loves learning on the computer and he was able to go into what ever lesson he chose. Today he did a science lesson and learned about dinosaurs. It's well worth the monthly fee.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/">Time 4 Learning</a>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-61169983251370223962011-09-24T06:57:00.000-07:002011-09-24T07:07:23.088-07:00A change in pace?I think we hit a snag in our studies last week. It's not that Zach is having difficulty in anything we're doing,but I think he might be overwhelmed by something. I think I'm going to ditch the schedule and see how it goes. I'm also thinking about maybe letting him do some things online. He has been working on math at <a href="http://www.khanacademy.org/">KHAN ACADEMY</a> and really seems to enjoy it. And of course,he loves anything on the computer. I found <a href="https://www.time4learning.com/index.htm">TIME 4 LEARNING</a>. It also keeps track of the progress and I like that. I think we will be adding it to our studies next week. What are some of your favorite "non traditional"-study aids? What are some things you do when you or your kids get overwhelmed with things?<strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-76023540256047986852011-09-19T09:41:00.000-07:002011-09-19T09:49:25.035-07:00Monday~Monday......<strong>I'm still questioning the schedule I set for our studies. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day or the week to get things done. Do you follow a SET SCHEDULE for your family's homeschool studies? </strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-26163541913947856202011-09-13T13:53:00.000-07:002011-09-13T13:59:09.484-07:00BOOKS-BOOKS-BOOKSI've been ordering ALOT Of books from Amazon lately and the latest batch came today. YAY! Now have to get kiddo busy reading. I made a schedule out for our studies and this has been the first week to try and get everything done on schedule each day. Today was HARD! Either we're going to have to work longer with fewer/shorter breaks or we're going to have to get up earlier and get to work earlier--or work later. Neither kiddo or I am morning people so I think the latter option of working later would work better for us. It takes a little bit for us to get going in the mornings. I'm trying my best not to give up on the schedule just yet-but it's tempting. Not quite sure what we'll end up doing. Maybe I can stick it out for the two weeks trial as I had planned and tweak it up some.<strong></strong><br /><br />EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS-----DEBORAH MILES<br />LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS----LAURA INGALLS WILDER (FOR BOOK CLUB)<br />LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE-----LAURA INGALLS WILDER (FOR BOOK CLUB)<br />ESPERANZA RISING------PAM MUNOZ RYAN (FOR BOOK CLUB)SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944140673390579122.post-24819802408052783612011-09-09T13:37:00.000-07:002011-09-09T13:42:38.656-07:00Beautiful weather this week.........Zach has spent more time outside this week than he has the whole summer! We aren't fans of HOT weather-and this summer has been a HOT one! He loves to go outside and swing and listen to PANDORA radio on his IPHONE. He has found music from his fave video game LITTLE BIG PLANET,so he has been listening to that over and over and over all day!<br />Tomorrow,we will finish our first 2 weeks of Writing With Ease and I must say that I think we both like it. Monday,we will start what I hope will be the schedule we'll be able to follow for the rest of the year. We will do the core subjects daily and then add in one other subject each day of the week-with Friday being a day for activities-library-or whatever we want. I've been easing him back into the habit of doing daily lessons for the past two weeks and I think he's ready to hit the books FULL TIME now....That's the plan at least.<strong></strong>SweetMissMagnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17894699438252915887noreply@blogger.com0