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
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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