Our Back To Homeschool Halloween Party

Today is October 4th, and we are having a party! No, it's not anyone's birthday. We are just embracing the fall season, by having a Halloween/back to homeschool party.

We didn't officially start school this year until October 2nd. We went to Disney World last month, and we all needed some time to recover before starting school.

A party is a great way to start your homeschool year. It gets everyone united, and ready for the fun that lies ahead.

For this party we baked soft gingersnap cookies. Also on the menu: lil smokies in a sweet garlic sauce, sliders made from ground chicken, popcorn with fritos chips and taco seasoning mixed in, apple slices with caramel dipping sauce, and homemade pumpkin donuts! For beverages we have ginger ale, lemon lime soda, and apple cider.

I planned activities that were easy, but fun. Darien did face painting for the little ones.

We played 'guess who'. Tape the name of a Halloween character to the back of someone's shirt. Make sure they don't see what it is. Once everyone has a character, they go around asking each other yes or no questions to figure out who they are. They ask a person three questions then move on to someone else.

We also listened to some not so scary stories on tape. I laid out a bunch of themed books for the kids to peruse throughout the day.

As a final activity, the kids painted, and steampunked their pumpkins!

They all had fun, and we made memories.

Holy Homeschool Haul!

A few years ago, I discovered the Book Samaritan. It's an amazing organization that provides homeschooling supplies, absolutely free. I said FREE! To those that have the need, that is. The organization is not for profit. You send a letter to them requesting material that you need, then if they have it, they send it to you for free, including shipping.

For a large homeschooling family, with six kids, and one income; every little bit helps! Recently, I sent them another request. So without further ado, here's what we received:

This picture shows everything that was in the very, huge box. Our first shipment from them had only a few items in it. Like I said before, it all depends on whether or not they have what you're asking for.

Five chapter books.

Government coloring, and activity books.

Read alouds, classroom planners, and a genealogy workbook. Perfect for Raven, our resident historian.

Oversized books are always a big hit with kids!

Highlights, and other magazines.

Bulletin board charts for grammar, and social studies! 

Yes, it was an amazing haul, and we are very grateful. If you're in need of curriculum for your homeschool, check out www.thebooksamaritan.com

Trail Markers

We've been studying the Civil War, in preparation for our trip to Gettysburg in the spring. We talked about slavery, and the underground railroad, and what it must have been like for a slave. 

A few years back I printed out a sheet of trail markers. It's typically used for hiking, or camping, but I'm sure such markings would've been useful to slaves as well.

As usual, my kids had a fun time making different symbols.

We imagined that slaves used symbols like these, to warn other underground railroad travelers. 

Frozen hairstyles with Zaira

Like most little girls, mine are in love with all things Frozen! Zaira, 6, is also very into fashion, hair, shoes...she's a very girly girl. So when I came across this book at the library, I knew it would be perfect for her.

We decided to work through the book, trying a new hairstyle each day! This is the first one we attempted. I think it came out pretty good.

Next we tried this one. My daughter recently got her hair cut, so obviously we weren't able to do the styles exactly.

So far, so good! Of course, you'll notice that there is always a mess around, when I'm trying to take a picture. Oh well, such is REAL life.

So this one was a little tough, but with the aid of bobby pins, not too shabby!


We had a blast with this book, and I spent some quality time with Zaira.

Sophie 's 3rd Birthday!!

Yes, it's happened again! Another child of mine has turned the BIG 3! Only one more child under 3 left.

Turning 3 is a major milestone; the toddler years are over, and the preschool years begin. Vocabulary is increasing, and I can actually understand her complete sentences. 

I'm very proud of my little blondie.

She instructed me to buy her a Frozen themed cake. So I came across this one while I was shopping at Walmart.

There are three snowflake rings, as well as a spinner with Anna on one side, and Elsa on the other.

After blowing out the candles, and some sibling shenanigans, Sophie received her presents.

Look at that smile. We just love her so much!! 

Happy 3rd birthday Sophie!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Anyone?

My kids, and especially my husband, are always trying to get me to make these fabulous cookies. Sometimes I do take advantage of those rolls of pre made cookie dough at the market. But it's so easy to whip these up, in practically no time.

 This recipe is perfect for a family of our size, but if you have a smaller family, make it and freeze, or refrigerate half for later.

The recipe:

2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup packed Brown sugar, 1 cup butter, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups chocolate chips.

To make: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream softened butter with the sugars. Add eggs, and vanilla. Combine well. Add flour, salt, soda, and combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by the spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheets. I use a mini ice cream scoop. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes until golden.

The kids decided to make ice cream sandwiches! Yummy.

Well what are you waiting for? Go make a batch!!

Abundant Art Supplies

Recently, my generous friend Diane called. She asked if I would be interested in some craft supplies that she was going to get rid of. Umm YES!

 My little girls ask me to make a craft on a daily basis, and I simply did not have the stuff needed. Now however, I have a wealth of materials, thanks to Diane!

So here is what she brought. There's a lot of scrapbooking materials, stamps, and a very fun box of buttons.

Here are the very first creations from Sophie, and Zaira; early Valentine's for dad.

They also enjoyed using the winter themed stamps, which are large and chunky, making them easy to hold. I didn't have any stamp pads, so I just spread out some paint, and allowed them to dip the stamps in. 

Afterward, they had a blast decorating their pictures with markers. 

Now if I just had a craft supply cabinet for storage, I'd be all set.
More crafty goodness coming soon...after I hit up Pinterest.

DIY Pickles

Ok, I love a good, crispy, flavorful pickle. I also love to make my own. However, I'm the type of woman, who wants what I want...when I want it! Is there a woman out there that isn't that way?

About two years ago, I tried my hand at canning pickles, and although the flavor was good, it was too long of a process. And I am not in the mood for a process!

So I decided to make quick refrigerator pickles. I made them in the morning, and they were ready to be eaten by 4:30! 

That's what I'm talking about!! 

So here's what I did:
Use what you have on hand. I had one large cucumber, unpeeled, that I sliced in half horizontally, then I cut each half into spears. Yesterday, I peeled and sliced another cucumber for snacking. I used it for the pickles.

In a quart size mason jar, I added about 1 tbsp of minced garlic, ( from the jar), a pinch of pepper, and I packed in the cucumbers. 
To a small pot I added, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp salt. 
Let it boil. Once it boils, pour it over the cucumbers, and close it up tight.
Give it a good shake, and allow it to cool off a bit before putting it into the refrigerator to chill.
I chilled for around five hours. 

My husband was the first to taste them, followed by my little girls. He said, "Goodbye Vlassic!" The kids all raved about them as well. Then I took a bite...and...SUCCESS!!!! They were killer. 

Give them a try, and let me know how it goes. You can use any veggie you have on hand. And don't be afraid to vary the spices. Have fun with your pickles!

One Snowy Day

This is what it looks like outside my front door this morning. Two or more feet of snow. Frightful! 

By the way, I hate snow. Now don't get me wrong, I do like the way it looks. What I don't like is how it hangs around like bad news; and forces you to go outside to move it from one place, to another. I like when it melts into the ground, never to be seen again.

Since it was so ridiculous outside, my husband, and daughter were home from work. He was in the mood for split pea soup. I informed him that two, or more children have had an allergic reaction to that particular soup. I offered ham, and white bean soup instead.

I started by peeling, and chopping a bunch of potatoes, and carrots. I added that, and some diced onion to the slow cooker.

Then I added two, drained and rinsed cans of white beans. Followed by cooked, diced ham that I made earlier in the week.

Then came the seasoning. Adobo, and Mrs. Dash. 

A large box of chicken broth, and about two cups of water.

All the while, I kept a plastic grocery bag handy to collect the empty cans, and peelings. It's cheaper than buying a bowl specifically for garbage.

After four hours on high, dinner was ready. It was so yummy, and perfect for this blustery day. On the left is the soup, as is. On the right is the toddler version; less broth, and chopped into smaller chunks.

Chocolate Strawberry Panini!

Let me just tell you how awesomely yummy this is!

 I decided to make this for my snack this afternoon. The kids were nearby, so I figured I should make extra. It's a good thing I did too, because these little sandwiches are so ridiculous...in a great way! 

I bought this Hershey 's chocolate spread, it does not contain peanut butter. We have some kids with nut allergies. Usually, I buy a chocolate soy butter spread, but I couldn't find it. But this spread is perfect! 

 So just spread some on two slices of good bread. Then add sliced strawberries, I'm sure any berry would work, bananas too.

If you have a panini, or sandwich press, grease it up!
 Of course you can just use a regular frying pan as well.
 Grill until golden brown. Slice into four triangles, and share with your kids.

I know it's hard, but it must be done. Next time, I'll add a little sprinkle of powdered sugar over top.