Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!


This is Ethan's shopping list. It says:
Cake
Brownies
Plates
Hot Dogs
Milks
Pop
French Fries
Soup

Saturday, December 13, 2008

hello

I just cannot seem to keep this blog updated. I don't spend a lot of time on the computer these days.
We are watching our niece this week. She has been so good, the first day she slept until 9:30!
We had carpet installed 2 days ago- in 2 bedrooms and the family room, then the old family room carpet was installed in the kids toy room in the basement. It was a nightmare taking all the furniture out of those rooms and finding places to put it all!
Ethan is doing really well with his reading. This week I sat down and started a schedule and planning our days in a way that would be easier to achieve and still make sure that we're covering every subject that we need to. Although, it was too busy this week with other things to really get to implement it.
Christmas is in less than two weeks! How did that happen???
Anyway, off to be the teacher!
He's got the cutest lips!

Friday, December 5, 2008

A Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...there is a light dusting of snow and more falling.

I am thinking...about our busy week, what plans to make for homeschooling and how to organise them and our sweet little niece in the hospital.

I am thankful for...my husband and the time we're able to spend with him right now.

From the learning rooms...Ethan is getting better and better at reading every day.

From the kitchen...there is a mess!

I am wearing...jeans and a sweater.

I am creating...sugar cookies soon and other Christmas baking.

I am going...to friends for lunch and to have a date with Perry tonight and to the hospital tomorrow.

I am reading...James Herriot.

I am hoping...to be able to finish everything I need to in the next week.

I am hearing...the Smurfs.

Around the house...we need to tidy.

One of my favorite things...hot chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I already mentioned some, also- my Aunt's 50th birthday party on Sunday, Perry is writing a test to get into the Boilermakers Union on Monday, we may be watching our niece for the week, we are having carpet installed on Thursday, which means I need to finish painting before that (but when?) among other regular everyday things!

Monday, October 27, 2008

i'm still here...

I have not been very good at blogging lately! The last three weeks have been spent living sometimes at our house and sometimes at Perry's brother's house with his family. Perry has been working at the plant that his brother works at Monday-Friday. He only comes home on the weekends and we go to stay with him about 3 nights a week. It is a little crazy, but we all get along really well. It's the kids who do most of the fighting. They have 3 girls and with our 2 boys we have 5 children under the age of 5! They usually get along really well, but what can you expect with so many small children?
Schooling is a little harder to do with our current circumstance, but I am pretty happy with Ethan's progress. In the last week he has started to sound out words so that he can write them on his own without asking how to spell things. He's done pretty well and we haven't even gotten to that point in his reading/writing lessons. So he's jumped ahead on his own. I'm seeing how many parents chose to unschool their children. That is essentially child led learning- it is amazing what children can do when you let them. Ethan was making 'machines' on the stairs today. He made a hot lava machine and a gumball machine. He was very proud of them!
We made pancakes for lunch today, which the kids really enjoyed.
I had some pics to share but my computer won't read my card...

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

tomatoes and the fair

Our first tomatoes from our garden:
We went to the fair last week with my sister and my nephew. We couldn't stay very long but the kids had a blast, they love rides! I can't wait until they are big enough to go to Cedar Point! We saw a sheep shearing, a cow milking and lots of animals and their babies.



Tuesday, September 2, 2008

menu plan Monday (on Tuesday)

*Monday
lunch- Tuna Salad Wraps (approx $4)
supper- Delissio Pizza (approx $6)

*Tuesday
lunch- leftover pizza
supper- spaghetti, cream corn, salad (approx $4.75)

*Wednesday
supper- Hamburger Helper, garlic bread, cauliflower+mushroom soup (approx $4.75)

*Thursday
supper- homemade chili (approx $10-11)

*Friday
supper- Campbell's Chunky soup, homemade dinner rolls (approx $4)

*Saturday
supper- pancakes, bacon, homemade bread (approx $4)

*Sunday
supper- grilled cheese (approx $4.50)

Not necessarily the healthiest list of food, but I am trying to clear out some of the food in the cupboards...

making bread and other things

Perry's 10 year old cousin stayed with us on Sunday night. She is really good with the kids, so it was pretty easy having her here. Maybe easier than when she's not. Although the kids were up 5:45 because they were in the same room...
We made bread yesterday. We baked one loaf and froze three, but I ended up giving A. the one we baked, so we'll be throwing one of the other loaves in the oven today. The kids love to make bread.

Because we had company yesterday, I didn't get everything accomplished that I wanted. We didn't read our Bible story for the week, but we did teach the kids their memory verse and song and we talked abut what the story will be. Ethan did his reading lesson and they both had some time to play reading games on the computer.
Today is going to be crazy, too. We have a Not Going Back to School Day at the park at 1pm, a baby sitter to interview at 3:30, a house to clean for Bible study tonight, lessons to do and the list goes on. Hopefully, it will all get done!
Tomorrow night the kids start Wacky Wednesday at the YMCA. They are excited to go back after the summer.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

eating for less

I am trying to make a point of spending less money on food. Obviously, eating out costs a lot, so I am trying to make a menu of what we will eat each night and that always seems to help because I'm not wondering at 4 o'clock what I should make for dinner. Right now, I am going to try and use alot of the food that we have in the house. Then I am thinking of trying to do a week of dinners that are $5 or less! If we could do that once a month and still watch what we second the rest of the time, we would save a fortune! I have glanced at this blog and I love the idea and hope to get some meal plans from her, but I haven't had the time to really look through it.
Anyway, I will try to update with our progress and you can see how we make out with this plan/idea/whatever....
One thing I do to save money that I never really thought much about is to make my own chip dip. It's pretty much as easy as buying it and it can be used for veggie dip, too. I'm sure it's a fairly common thing people do, but I thought I would post it anyhow.
Chip/Veggie Dip
500ml (2cups) fat free sour cream
1 pkt dry onion soup mix

Happy Sunday!!


"It is good to give thanks to the Lord." Psalm 92:1

More Costa Rica

Here are a few more pics from our trip. This was a crocodile aafaria and horsebackriding tour! Lots of fun!




finishing the last post and some garden shots


Alright, to finish off where I started the other day. The other subjects I want to cover through out the week are Physical Education, Life Skills, Arts and/or Crafts, Music, Social Studies, and Science.
Life Skills- This would include things like baking, cooking, cleaning, laundry, sewing, money matters, etc. I would like to start baking our own bread every week. I have an awesome recipe that makes 4 loaves, so easily it can be frozen after the second rise and we will be able to have fresh bread all week. Perry used to be a franchisee for a bread company, but sold his route last month, so now we need to buy or make our bread!
Art and/or Crafts- make crafts or study artists.
Music- this one is a little harder to really study, as I don't know anything about music. We will listen to children's song and Bible songs. Maybe next year I will sign Ethan up for some kind of music lesson.
Science- fun little science experiments and simple facts.
Social Studies- looking at maps, learning about people before us and different cultures.
Physical Education- this is another area I don't care to focus too much energy into! the kids are signed up with the YMCA. Every week they attend three programs- 1st Wacky Wednesday (cooking, gym time and play), 2nd swimming lessons, 3rd Junior Y Kids which is kind of like 2 1/2 hrs of preschool, they do crafts, centres, outdoor play, story time, etc.

My goals for this year:
Ethan
-to recognise numbers to 100
-to read simple books
-to start becoming familiar with the scripture
-to become responsible for daily chores
-to improve handwriting
-to learn simple addition and subtraction

Gavin
-to learn letters and sounds
-to count to 100
-to start becoming familiar with the scripture
-to become familiar with months, seasons, calendar, sense of yesterday, today, tomorrow
-to learn phone number and address
-to write name


their version of the yellow brick road:

I had my zoom lense on and couldn't get back far enough to get a pick of our whole vegetable garden, so here's one tomato, lol:

I did not plant these morning glories, but they are gorgeous!:

Friday, August 29, 2008

agenda

Ok, so we are getting ready to 'officially' start school next week. I have made a list of subjects that I think we should cover every day. They are: Bible, reading, handwriting, letters (for Gavin), some small form of math and I also want them to start doing chores every day. Weekly subjects are: life skills (household type things- cooking, etc.), art and/or crafts, music, social studies and physical education.
Of course I will keep in mind that right now they are only 3 and 4 yrs old! If I put Gavin into a school, he would be two years behind Ethan. Now when Ethan went to Junior Kindergarten last year, he was only one month older than Gavin is now, so I have decided to teach Gavin as if he were in Junior Kindergarten and not preshool.
Here is a bit of a rundown of how I plan to follow my outline.
Bible: every week I will focus on teaching the kids one song. The vast majority of the songs we sing are directly from the scriptures and so they are learning to memorize the Bible at the same time and they find it fun, too!
Also, we will have one Bible story or context to learn about each week. And a Bible verse to *try* and memorize that is related either to the song or the story of the week.
We will also have prayer time every morning. Our boys already ask for prayer or pray for people when they are hurt and it is so beautiful to see, I really want to get them into the habit of praying daily for other things.
Reading: We are using the book Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. It is a wonderful book, if your child doesn't get bored with repitition. We tried it with Ethan last winter and we got to lesson 7 and it became to much of a struggle, he hated to repeat things over and over. And I am getting that from Gavin now- I don't necessarily think he's ready for it, but because his brother was doing it he wants to try to. Anyway, so I got Ethan to start doing the book again by promising him time on the computer at a website called starfall.com if he completes one lesson. Each lesson takes 10-20 min depending on how easily the child can do the tasks or how much they want to :) Also, each week we will teach Ethan a sight word.
Handwriting: Usually worksheets where they trace and then print the letters on their own. Ethan will be doing copy work which he actually enjoys.
Letters: We watch Leap Frog's letter factory and keep a leter of the week on our cupboards and talk about it's sound. We do activities based on that letter.
Math: Just learning numbers and counting for Gavin. Ethan basic addition and eventually subtraction.
Chores: we are using handipoints.com, but we just started this, so we will see how it goes! They are resposible to brush thier own teeth n the morning, make thier bed, clean their room, put all their toys away, make sure their shoes are in the closet and not to whine all day!
I will have to go into the other stuff another day! We're on our way out now!

"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Letters

I only have a quick minute, so this will be a short post.
I want to start posting more about homeschooling, since I am officially starting to school the kids now.
Gavin has a lot of trouble remember what letters look like and what sounds they make. I had heard great things about Leap Frog's Letter Factory DVD, so we picked it up a few days ago at Target ($9.99).
The kids love it! I was a little afraid they would find it boring, but they have asked to watch it several times in the last 24 hrs. Gavin has been coming up to me and telling me what sounds the letters make! Ethan keeps encouraging Gavin to tell him the sounds.
I would highly recommend this product, but the only downfall is that the letter 'l' in particular is pronounced very strangely in the video- 'ull'. Other than that it is great!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Costa Rica

We have been back from our trip for about two weeks now. I would love to do a really long post about our trip, but I don't think that I'll have time. We have been so busy this summer and Perry hasn't even been working! Here are a few pictures from our second day.
There were bars on every window in San Jose and most buildings had barbed wire on the roofs/fences. I was glad that we got to see San Jose, but I wouldn't want to stay there more than a night or two. It was really dirty, garbage everywhere. The roads and driving are terrible. There are huge holes in the sidewalks and if you look in them you can see the water in the sewers flowing just about a foot underneath.

This is at the Doka coffee plantation:

A sloth hanging on a telephone line:

Poas volcano- we were really lucky to have such a clear view! This was so gorgeous. The volcano had a small eruption about 7 months ago. There 112 volcanoes in Costa Rica and 7 or 8 are active. The Arenal volcano erupts almost daily. That pool of sulpher water changes colour depending on the conditions.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Itinerary

This is the trip we've gone with for our vaction to Costa Rica!! It sounds like so much fun! It actually turned out cheaper for us to stay an extra night, too!

Eight days with an abundance of thrills and adrenaline, designed specifically for people who love adventure.
Don't miss this unforgettable experience! You will explore active volcanos, coffee plantations, tropical rivers, and lowland rainforests, ending up at a perfect beach on our Pacific Coast.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Arrival) Arrival in San José. A representative from Costa Rican Trails will meet you at the airport and will provide transfer to your city hotel.
Overnight at the Don Fadrique Hotel standard room, breakfast included.

Day 2 (Poas Volcano–La Paz–Sarapiqui river– Braulio Carrillo)
We begin our journey driving by the city of Alajuela which is proud to display the monument of our National Hero "Juan Santamaría". We now begin our assent to the national park where we soon will relax and enjoy an authentic cup of Costa Rican coffee accompanied by a delicious tropical breakfast. You will feel a change in temperature and the lush vegetation becomes apparent, preparing us for the pleasures of the exuberant cloud forest of the Poás Volcano.

On a clear day the view of the main crater is admired by all visitors, its diameter is considered one of the widest in the world. As we continue towards the Caribbean zone, we will stop to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a Nature Park where we will walk on the truly spectacular trails that will lead us to Magia Blanca Falls (the largest and the most spectacular of the falls in the area). At the Park you will also witness the largest enclosed butterfly observatory in the world with a beautiful collection of tropical jewels. After a terrific lunch we will continue to Sarapiquí and on our way we come across the La Paz Waterfall, where we take some time to enjoy the splendid view. Less than a mile away we will encounter yet another waterfall surrounded by virgin forest, which becomes a great photo opportunity.

Once we arrive at Puerto Viejo (Old Port), we will be ready to enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiquí River, just sit back and observe the wildlife that is around you. Before returning to San Jose we will drive through the unforgettable rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important rainforest reserves for Costa Rica.
Overnight at the Hotel Don Fadrique, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 3 (Villa Lapas – Canopy Tour) Today you will pick up at your hotel and you
will be provide with a shuttle bus transfer to Villa Lapas Hotel.
Afternoon tour, where you will Fly through the Rainforest. Fly over exotic trees and flora and see birds, monkeys and other exotic animals firsthand, while experiencing the energy rush of “jumping” from one treetop to another, Tarzan-like style (although we must admit Tarzan never had it this good).
Overnight at the Hotel Villa Lapas, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 4 (Jungle Crocodile Safari & Horseback riding)
Jungle Crocodile Safari offers a tour specially designed for adventurers and bird watchers, yet safe for the whole family. The adventure takes place on the Tárcoles River, one of four rivers flowing out into the Nicoya Peninsula, and home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild with individuals up to fifteen feet long. In addition to the crocodiles, over fifty different kinds of birds can be seen on site, including the very rare scarlet macaw and a great variety of resident and migrant waterfowl. Iguanas and Jesus Cristo lizards are very common as well. After this tour continue the Horseback riding adventure through the jungle where you can see the spectacular flora and fauna in this area.
Overnight at the Hotel Villa Lapas, standard room, breakfast.

Day 5 (Sky Way – Manuel Antonio)
In the morning you will enjoy the raw power of the rainforest through our Sky Way walking tour. Of 1.5 miles (2.5 km) in length, this all-ages tour lets you observe a wide array of exotic flora and wildlife firsthand. Make yourself one with the jungle!
After this tour, you will be picked up at your hotel and you will be provide with a shuttle bus transfer to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park.
Manuel Antonio is considered to be Costa Rica’s most beautiful park, with enchanting white-sand beaches ideal for swimming, and tropical rainforest forest alive with wildlife. Watch for the monkeys and iguanas who share the park with you. Most hotels are small and intimate, set high on a hill overlooking the rain forest, endless beaches and the national park.
Overnight at the Casitas Eclipse Hotel, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 6 (Coastal Kayak – Snorkeling Tour)
Come experience one of Costa Rica´s most striking coastlines by open- seat ocean kayak. Paddle to Biezans Bay for a refreshing swim and delicious local snacks. Feel free to have your bilingual naturalist guide direct you to the best snorkeling spots as you experience threes small but growing, active, and astounding coral reef systems nestled very close to the shore of Biezans. Or just relax and enjoy the tranquility of a private white sand beach. After an unforgettable experience at Biezans, continue kayaking towards Manuel Antonio National Park and wonder at the nearby nesting islands where exotic boobies and frigates call home year round. Finally, a rewarding hot meal in typical restaurant.
Overnight at the Hotel Casitas Eclipse, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 7 (Manuel Antonio Tour- San José)
After breakfast, Pick-up at the hotel and transfer to the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Have an experienced nature guide take you on an informative hike through the park. Our guides know where you are most likely to encounter sloths, monkeys, etc. they will also provide a great deal of information on the history, flora and fauna during this easy 2 % hours walk. Snacks are offered during the tour, and guest may remain in the park after wards.
After this tour, you will bed picked up at your hotel and you will be provide with a shuttle bus transfer back to San José.
Overnight at the Hotel Don Fadrique, standard room, breakfast included.

Day 8 (Departure)
Transfer back to the International Airport.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

lots going on

It's been awhile since I posted. I probably won't even remember all we've done in the last little while! I'll try:
We went to Niagara Falls last month with the kids. It was alot of fun, but keeping the kids quiet in the hotel was not fun at all- especially when they woke up at 5am!
We went to the Fallsview Indoor waterpark two days in a row, the kids loved it. It was raining the second day, which was when we were going to walk over to the falls. So, we decided to drive by and Gavin fell asleep before we got there! And he as the one that was so excited to see them. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner the first night.



We got a new computer a few weeks ago and I love it!!
I also got braces about 2 weeks ago, they are just starting to not hurt and I am starting to get used to them.
We are planning a trip to Costa Rica at the end of July. I can't wait. The tour that we are interested in includes 7 nights and 11 tours including a Crocodile Safari, a Jungle Skywalk, a Canopy Tour (ziplining through the jungle canopy), kayaking, a trip to a volcanoe, horseback riding and lots of other stuff.


Sunday, June 8, 2008

...

Just edited this picture, love the difference.
I hope to hve real post soon... very busy here.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

playing

with noodles.

G- "Can I eat one?"
Me- "No, they are old and yucky and not cooked."
1 min later
G- "Can I eat one?"
Me- "I already told you- no."
1 min later
G- "Can I eat one?"
Me- "No." [rolling eyes]


Look at this smile. He was so happy when he saw me take these out.

He gets to practice pouring, sorting and when he's done- cleaning (he doesn't know that part yet).

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

my sister


Her name is Brittany. She lives an hour away. She has a boy two weeks younger than Ethan. We are nothing alike. She is a friend that I don't often see. Or lately talk to. I miss her.
Random:
-When our bedrooms were next to each other, we would tap the wall with messages we probably didn't understand, when we should have been sleeping.
-I threw a snowball at her once. I had hidden a piece of ice in it. It wasn't pretty. I don't even know why I did it.
-She tried to run away when I was babysitting her.
-She used to mimic my tap dancing.
-We used to make home movies with our cousins. She did some great commercials. :)
-She wore the most awesome and 'her' oufit to her Grade 8 grad.
-She threw her diaper over the fence at some boys.
-She also threw my hamster.
-We shared a room at times. It was messy.
-We played dress up together.
-She couldn't keep a secret as a kid. She told our mom that dad bought her some birds for Christmas and they were at our Grandma's.
-She loves animals and has fostered and owned many.
-She has awesome lips.
-She is 3 years younger than I am.
-She rode her bike to the convenience store when she was three or four. By herself. No my mom didn't let her.
-She has a tattoo and a tongue piercing.
-She is beautiful.
-She probably doesn't know how much I love her.

Monday, May 5, 2008

***image heavy***

Just some random pics from this weekend.
My garden:




My boys:



Ethan's squirrel house (an idea from The Creative Family):
Ethan building his squirrel house:


Desi:
Some craft time yesterday:
Ethan loves to create things, Gavin loves to play with the supplies.


The kids and I made some awesome bread this morning. It was a recipe from soulemama.com called WHO bread (wheat, honey and oats). It was sooo good, and it used ingredients that I had on hand, which was nice since I haven't been shopping too much lately.