Did I Mention We Got a Turtle?

Because obviously 3 dogs, 3 hermit crabs and 2 hamsters aren't enough for us, we got a TURTLE. 

We have wanted a turtle for a while.  I am included in the we, BTW.  Friends of ours had a turtle (maybe a box turtle) and every since we saw them feeding it little worms we were hooked and really wanted one. 

I looked into getting a turtle over the summer.  I found out that my county doesn't even sell turtles because of the salmonella risk.  So I just kinda dropped the subject.  Then, one day last week an ad came across my email from someone on freecycle for a turtle.  A Red Eared Slider to be exact.  The 20 gallon tank, light, filter, floating island thing and food were all included, FOR FREE. 

I emailed the lady and 3 days later we has a turtle.  His name is Bowser - isn't that the King Turtle's name from Super Mario Bro.s circa 1990?  Just sayin.  Not sure if the kids are going to change his (assuming that it's a he).  There have been some other names floating around, like Crush from Finding Nemo, Franklin and Tuck (Wonderpets) but nothing conclusive.  we are up for name suggestions if you have any.

The turtle is really cool and fairly low maintenance.  So far we know that he really likes assorted lettuce leafs, carrots, apple and celery.  When it is a little warmer I am going to send the kids out hunting for worms. 

The girls have already done some research about Red Eared Sliders (Science) and we found some cool videos on youtube (don't you just love youtube!).  Like this one, and this one.  This one is the coolest, the turtles are eating worms.  Red Eared Sliders are semi aquatic and omnivours, in case you were wondering.  : )

Bow Ties with Sausage and Sweet Peppers

This recipe is from my friend Marta.  I made it Monday night and it absolutely scrumtious!  I am so glad that I made extra, we love having leftovers for lunch.

Here is the recipe:

8oz of Dry Bow Tie noodles, I used the whole bag
12 oz of Itailian Sausage, I used 2 packages of Sw. Italian Chicken Sausage
2 medium green peppers, I used a green, red and orange pepper
1/2 cup of Beef or Veggie Broth, I used Veggie
1/4 tsp of Pepper
1/4 cup of Fresh Parsley, I forgot to but fresh so I used a handful of dry


I also added a sweet onion, a package of fresh mushrooms and salt to taste.  I also shook a little bit of Grated Parm Cheese on top of mine.


Cook your noodles.  In a large skillet brown sausage, peppers (onion and mushrooms if you are added them) until the sausage is cooked and browned.  Add the broth, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add in the noodles and parsely.  Mix and serve (this is the point that I added the parm cheese on mine).

Please Pray for Logan

I belong to a community email group for my area and received a prayer request this week that I really had to pass on.  The request is for 4 year old little Logan who has been battling against cancer for the last 6 months. 

My heart goes out to this little boy and his family.  It is hard to imagine an adult having to endure this trial, much less a young child.  Cancer is such a battle and it really grieves me to hear about children having it. 

I am praying for Logan and his family.  Most of all I pray that Logan and his family know the Lord and that we will surround them with His peace and comfort during this time.  I also pray that the Lord will heal Logan and restore his health. 

Will you please pray with me?

Menu Plan

I feel like things have been a bit stressful busy around here lately.  The Hubs and I went away for a weekend (tell about it soon), the Hubs got into an accident with our family van, I had a minor surgery and we got a turtle. 

Sooo, I finally feel like we are getting back into the groove of normal.  I actually went to the grocery store and did a real grocery trip for the first time in 2 weeks on Friday.  

A good friend of mine actually wrote most of my menu plan for the week (thanks Mar-da!) and I gotta say she came up with some yummies.   Here they are:

Monday
Bow Ties with Sausage and Sweet Peppers - this was SOOO yummylicious!  I will post the recipe this week.

Tuesday
Tacos w/ Corn and Fruit

Wednesday
Sloppy Janes w/ Fries and Broccoli - I have never made them before but from what I understand, Sloppy Janes are cut up hot dogs with baked beans on a hot dog bun.  If they are good I will post the exact recipe.

Thursday
BBQ Chicken Legs w/ Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

Friday
Homemade Pizza - well sort of.  I buy my dough in a little bag already made from Trader Joe's.  It is only $.99.

Saturday
Chicken Stuffed Shells w/ Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce

Sunday
Meatball Subs with Fruit Salad

TOS Crew: I See Sam

We were asked to review the I See Sam books from Academic Success for All Learners for the TOS Crew. 

The company graciously sent us levels 1-4.  When our box of books arrived a was initially a bit over whelmed, because I wasn't real sure where to start or what to do.  Once I opened the box and started reading the Placement and Assessment Manual I knew that I was going to use the program with Computer Girl.

Computer Girl is in 2nd grade, and read pretty well prior to using the I See Sam books.  We did not use these books to teach phonics as she already has a firm phonetic foundation.  We used the Little Books more as readers to help give her the confidence that she lacked in reading and speed.   

Here is what I found from using the program with Computer Girl:

• The Placement and Assessment Manual showed us exactly where Computer Girl needed to start.  She started in level 3.
• As Computer Girl would read to me, the reader would prompt me to Praise and Encourage her.  When ever I would say Great Job! or WOW!  That was Perfect! her little eyes would just light up and she would smile ear to ear!  While I did praise her prior to using the I See Sam books I don't think i did it enough.  The extra praise was working, it slowly but surely helped to build the confidence that she needed. 
• When we read together I try to set time aside so that it was just her and I. with no interruptions and she would just read and read.  There have been several times that she sat and read me 3-4 books in one sitting.  She really enjoyed the stories and they really kept her interest. 
• While she did start in level 3 she quickly improved and moved on to level 4. 
• As her confidence improved so did her reading skills.  The once shy reader now begs me to let her keep reading.  Here is an example, when we do Bible together I have both the girls read along with me.  I used to only have Computer Girl read 1 verse, 2 at the most.  Now she likes to read verse after verse!  Now I have to tell her to stop hogging all the reading.  : )

I plan on continuing to use the Little Books with Computer Girl and plan on using level 1 with Alpha Boy next year when he starts Kindergarten.

I would recommend Little Books from the I See Sam series, but not as a stand alone phonetic program.  The kids enjoy them and they really do seem to help improve reading skills.  They have 8 sets that take you from a Kindergarten to 3.6 reading level.  Each set contains up to 27 Little Books and costs $30. 

Each set of I See Sam Little Books also have a set of flashcards to accompany the readers.  You may download them for no charge or purchase them all ready made for $15 for sets 1-4 or 5-8.

If you would like to see for yourself what the I See sam Little Books are all about, you may request a FREE Sample Book.

Please check out what other members of the TOS Crew are saying about the I See Sam Little Books.

We recieved the I See Sam Little Books at no charge for review purposes.  This did not in any way influence my opinions of this product, the opinions expressed here truly are my own.