Cats On Tuesday: O Christmas Tree

Here is our Christmas tree this year.  It’s a beauty, isn’t it?  Go ahead, take a closer look.

Closer…

Wait.  What’s that beautiful decoration under the tree?

Aw, my cutie pie Winston.  He’s come a long way from his kittenhood when he would actually climb into the tree.  Now he just juts his precious white paw out at passersby.  For more cute kitties head over to Gattina’s.  Happy COT!

Something To Ponder

As we prepare to launch into the holiday season full swing, I would like to pose a question.  Look deep into your heart and ask yourself…

Which is worse?

Easter grass?

 

Or Christmas tinsel?

It may be too much for you to handle on a Monday, but I thought I’d throw it out there anyway.  ;)  Merry Christmas Vacuuming.

Thanksgiving 2009

And no, I couldn’t come up with a more clever title, thank you.  ;)  If I see one more dirty dish I’m running away from home.  Other than that, we have had a wonderful day with friends and family.

My niece and one of her twins.  Sorry I couldn’t resist, the finger up the nose is priceless.  And it looks like he’s got the other one poised and at the ready lol.

Just check out all those sweets!

My Mom and another twin.  Or possibly the same one, minus the finger in the nose.

 

Well would you look at that…all four of my boys in the same photo.  That hasn’t happened in a while.  And they are all looking at the camera (although one does have his eyes closed.)

This was the gorgeous view on our way home on the interstate bridge.  Really makes ‘ya feel blessed.

The sun setting on our blessed day.  Hope everyone had a great one!

Cats On Tuesday

I think it is so sweet that Mimi and Winston get along so well.

Smokey and Katy?  Not so much.  Actually Smokey and anybody not so much lol.

It’s a good thing for Winston that Mimi is so tolerant…

I mean, not many friends will share the chair with you when you take up as much room as Winston does.  And let you lay like this lol.  For more kitty fun stop by Gattina’s.  Happy COT!

MFW Kindergarten: Gg for Goat

Finally we got back to somewhat of a schedule with school!  We hit a rough patch there with illness (nothing serious) and last minute hurricanes (again, nothing serious.)  Just little things that get in the way of school big time lol.  This week has had it’s own challenge as dh is out of town but the boys and I have been coping pretty well.

I don’t have many pics this week.  Ds1 had my camera for most of the week and then ds3 hijacked it to make Lego videos.  Now there are dozens of pics of Lego figures I have to sort through to find my one or two school pics lol.  Anyway, here is ds4 working on his worksheets.  Note the inside out pumpkin shirt we made for Halloween.  ;)

 

We had a special guest this week…meet Crabby.  Ds4 got Crabby for his bday and he agreed to visit us while we studied about crustaceans for ds3’s science.

Check out how he covers the entrance to his shell with his claw.

Most all the pics of our special guest are blurry.  He was really enjoying the new found freedom from his little habitat lol.

Both the boys did some sponge painting as part of our study of France. 

On the left is ds3’s and on the right is ds4’s version of impressionist paintings in the style of Monet.  Not sure that Monet ever painted apple trees, but for some reason they both were inspired to do so.

I found a goat lapbook at Homeschool Share…it is a little above ds4’s level right now but we were able to use a few of the minibooks from it.  Ds3 also seemed to enjoy learning a little something about goats this week.  I am impressed with how they are 4 years apart but still enjoy working on the same subject.  For example, for blend ladder practice I have ds4 use his blocks with his MFW worksheet.  This week ds3 actually helped him and joined in spelling his own words with the blocks (something I figured he would have found “babyish.”

 

We didn’t have any crafts for this week’s theme, mainly worksheets and minibooks.  And lots of fun reading!

Head over to Mishmash Maggie’s for more Homeschool Highlights.

It’s A Moth!

Remember Poopers?  The caterpillar I found on my hibiscus bush and have been keeping in a jar?  Well, he finally did his thing and cocooned and tonight…he’s the most beautiful moth I’ve ever seen!!!  I am bursting with surprise and excitement.  After months of feeding this guy and cleaning up his messes it has finally happened.  :)

He’s huge, white and has black spots.  He is still hanging out in the jar.  The kids are freaking out…I have no idea why but the thought of a moth in the house is too much for them.  They hid in their rooms until I moved the jar to the garage.  Can you believe that?  I guess it takes a mother’s love.

Here is a view of his back.  I found out he is a Giant Leopard Moth.  I have never seen one before, and now I’ve seen one actually grow.

Here my assistant, Mimi, inspects the jar.  I can’t believe we’ve been banned to the garage lol.

Here is what is left of the cocoon, still hanging on the jar lid.  Well, I’ll miss him, but I am so glad I got to see Poopers in action.  Hmm, I know you are thinking, “This crazy lady gets excited about the weirdest things!”  My dh and kids think so, too.  :)

Need Some Input

We did do school this week I promise, I am working on the weekly report for MFW Kindergarten.  However, I am seeking some advice.  I am shopping for a planner.  I have used Amy Knapp’s planner for years now and it’s okay but not quite what I want.  I’ve done some internet surfing and found some products but not many.  Tell me, what planner do you use?  How long have you used it?  Tell me why you like it or not.  I want something that I can use for pretty much everything…keep track of dates and appointments, log my fitness, meal plan, maybe even journal a little.  Anyone seen anything like this?  Thanks in advance!

Christmas Around The World Lesson Plans

I am so excited about this unit I am planning for the boys for the month of December.  As part of the Galloping The Globe curriculum we are going to study how Christmas is celebrated around the world.  I am also incorporating a study of Christmas symbols and the boys are going to make ornaments for their very own tree based on our studies and various Christmas books.

The first week we will cover the following:

Christmas in Japan
Make a fan ornament
Learn why we have ornaments for the holiday (this link has all the info for all the symbols.)

Christmas in England
Make holly leaves ornament
Listen to The Holly and The Ivy carol
Learn about holly as a symbol for the holiday

Christmas in France
Put up our manger scene
Discuss manger scene as holiday symbol
Read Snow Cat and make snowflake ornament
Away In A Manger carol

I am only covering 9 countries for this unit, and plan on “visiting” only 3 a week.  I don’t want the boys to feel like it’s just too much crafting or have Christmas overload lol.  Here are the plans for week two:

Christmas in Germany
Tree as a symbol
Read The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree and make a tree ornament
Oh Christmas Tree carol

Christmas in Mexico
poinsettia as symbol
Read The Miracle of the First Poinsettia and make poinsettia ornament

Christmas in Spain
Bells as symbol
Read Jingle Bells and make bell ornament
Jingle Bells carol

Final Week:

Christmas In Russia
St. Nicholas as symbol
Santa Clause ornament

Christmas in China
Paper chain ornament

Christmas in Nigeria
Christmas carols as symbol
Little Drummer Boy carol
Drum ornament

I’ll be sure and post all the international Christmas fun.  :)

Product Review: Froot Loops and Apple Jacks With Fiber

Thanks to Mom Central and Kellogg’s, the boys and I were able to test out some of the new Kellogg’s cereals with fiber added.  We got a box in the mail with both the regular and fiber added versions of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. 

First things first.  I think it’s great that Kellogg’s is recognizing trends in children’s health and taking steps to help.  Think about what would be harder…getting your child to eat a new or different fiber rich cereal (Here, son, have some tasty bran flakes.  No way, Mom!), or simply adding more fiber to a cereal they know and love (Who wants Froot Loops?  Me, me me!)  Yeah, you know it lol.

This was the easiest taste test ever.  I never even had to ask the boys to try it.  I simply stocked the cereal shelf in our pantry with the new boxes with added fiber.  You are going to think I’m making this up, but I am not.  Last night we had smothered steak, mashed potatoes and broccoli for dinner.  Afterwards my 14yo asks, “Can I have the Apple Jacks for dessert?”  “Uh, sure hon.”  Of course you can see where this is going…ds3 and ds4 quickly piped up and asked for the cereal as well.  They downed their “desserts,” put the bowls in the sink and headed out to play.  Never even noticed a difference in taste, texture, anything.  I’d call that a success.  :)

I eat cereal for breakfast myself, and was pleasantly surprised to see that I could easily fit these brands in to my new “diet.”  The Apple Jacks only has 100 calories per serving…a whole cup mind you.  Plenty to fill me up, tastes great, and now even helps up my fiber intake.  It’s great that the kids and I can have the same breakfast!  Makes my life a lot easier.  :)

Kellogg’s has a cool website to highlight the nutritional values of many of their products, including the cereals.  There is even a fiber tracker to help you get an idea of just how much fiber you are getting in a typical day.  Very informative!  Many thanks to Mom Central and Kellogg’s for the chance to try out these great new cereals.

 

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s and received boxes of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Cats On Tuesday: The Cute Mimi Edition

 

We are riding out Tropical Storm Ida right now.  I was looking through my pics to see what I had to offer for this week’s COT.  Here is Mimi in all her cuteness (although she is not so cute right now, as she keeps going in and out and getting soaking wet.  Ugh!  Oops, she just read that, I am in trouble lol.)

Napping with her paws in the air.

Same position, different spot lol.  :)

The day Mimi discovered the hermit crab ds4 got for his bday.  She was interested for about 5 minutes and that was that.

All cuteness in dh’s desk chair.

Look Mom, I found the missing lego under the chair!

 

Please Mom, enough with the pictures!

For more kitty fun head over to Gattina’s.  Happy Tuesday!

In Other News

I seem to be in a blogging slump, huh?  I’ve been reading plenty of them and kinda posting in my head, but not getting much down for reals.  Yes spellchecker, I know “for reals” is not a real word.  So, for lack of anything better to do and to keep up appearances, let’s have a rambling post, shall we?

Well, it’s been a long stretch, but I finally have sickies in the house.  Ds2 stayed home from school Thursday and Friday with a fever and sore throat.  Dr. said he has fluid in his ear, but doesn’t think it’s infected.  He is feeling better.  Then all Saturday night ds4 was crabby and slept fitfully…turns out he had a fever and stuffy nose.  When we tried to give him tylenol around 3 in the morning he cried and threw up.  He has been eating somewhat today so I don’t think we are dealing with a stomach issue, just a virus.  If he is still running a fever tomorrow I guess I’ll head him in to the doc, which I really don’t want to do as he has issues with antibiotics and last time we went in for an ear infection we came out with the croup times 3.  And I don’t need that right now.  Sigh, ‘tis the season.

Ds1 and a friend went to Gainesville yesterday to see the Gators play Vandy.  He said he saw Tebow and Meyers and had a good time.  I expect him home sometime tonight and then maybe I can turn down the “mom worry” volume a little.   This is the boy who’s phone somehow is always dead when I try to call him and see where he is at midnight, but can sure get through to me to report that he got “within 10 feet of Tim Tebow.”  Hmmm.  A little suspicious if you ask me.  Just saying!

So it’s November, right?  Just checking, because we are under a stinking HURRICANE WATCH.  Are you kidding me here, folks?  Seriously?  We are supposed to get a little wind, a little rain, some storm surge, but nothing much.  Still.  It’s November for goodness sakes.  Somebody tell “Ida” please.

Okay I think I got most of it out.  Rambling post is over.  :)

MFW Kindergarten: Ii For Insect Week 2

I guess you can see from the total lack of posting that we took last week off.  :)  I did decide to do a second week of the insect theme with ds4 (week 1 here) as we had so many more resources to use that one week just didn’t do it justice.

Here ds3 is hard at work on his spelling, and ds4 is working on his alphabet with the Caterpillar ABC file folder game from KidsSoup.

   This was a fun little bee craft from KidsSoup as well.  You just paint a paper plate green, fold it in half and staple the sides, make a little bee out of construction paper, push a skewer through the plate and attach the bee to the skewer.  Now the bee can frolic all over the “meadow.”  Ds was anxious to play with this and did not want to take the time to embellish his “meadow'” with flowers or other such nonsense.  ;)  My little sweetheart falls in love with the strangest things…he named the little bee “Wings” and has carried it around (sans the skewer) everywhere.

He really liked this game.  I hid some little pics of insects around the room and he had to “hunt” for them and put them in a “jar.” 

Now he was supposed to glue them on the “jar” but like I said before, he gets attached to these little things so we used little velcro dots to make sure our insects could leave the jar.  Sorry, I can’t remember where I got this download.

Here he is putting the finishing touches on a bee hive filled with five thumbprint bees.

Isn’t this a beautiful craft idea?  You cover a butterfly printout with balled up tissue paper.  He and I had fun adding to this over the week…love the little happy face he put on the butterfly.  :)

A real life butterfly was sunning on my Hibiscus and allowed us a nice close-up look at his beauty.  He sat still for quite a while and we observed lots about him.

Another cute game, matching the insects.  While I can’t remember where I got that one download, the other projects came mostly from KidsSoup and Kinderplans, both of which require purchases but are so worth it!  I have used both resources numerous times with great success.  We came away from our two week insect study having had lots of fun together but more importantly, ds has learned a lot, from phonics to math to language arts to science (“Hey Mom, this ant has three body parts and six legs!”  Yep, I was bursting with pride.)  Next week is supposed to be Gg for Goat but I may substitute some Thanksgiving themes, haven’t decided yet.  For more weekly highlights head to Mishmash Maggie’s!