Saturday, July 20, 2013

Weekly Wrap Up {The Week We Started Paths of Settlement}




This week was our second week back to school.  Last week we just eased back into math and language arts type stuff.  This week we started Trail Guide to Learning Paths of Settlement {POS}.

I haven't mentioned it yet, but we are continuing with Trail Guide to Learning this year, which I am SUPER excited about!  We will be learning about some of the great men and women that helped make this nation great, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, as well as studying the states.

These past two weeks have gone pretty well.  We've been on vacation since Memorial Day, so it had taken the past two weeks to really get back into a routine.  I was really glad the Lord led me to ease back into school verses doing everything on day one.

This is also the first year that I am schooling all four kids, so that was a little bit of an adjustment for me. Little Bits has always done things with us, but now it is for real. {smile}  The girls are pretty independent with a lot of things, so that helps.




This past week with POS we started reading several great books!  As family read alouds we are reading Abigail Adams: First Lady of Faith and Courage (Sower Series) and The Courage of Sarah Noble.  The girls are both reading Ambush in the Wilderness.  My middle school gal was also supposed to start Calico Captive this week, but someone forgot to order it.  It will be here next week. 

We all love the books!  Trail Guide to Learning offers a wonderful selection of books and has never disappointed us. 


We also started our study of the states.  I looks like we are studying two states per week.  This week we learned many important and intersting facts about Massachusetts and Connecticut.  The kids worked on state pages, map and also enjoyed cooking!  


Paths of Settlement encourages you try foods from the different states.  The girls made Scrumptious Beef & Potato Casserole for Connecticut and Boston Cream Pie for Massachusetts, both were delicious!  We have already come across lots of great recipes in Eat Your Way Through the USA, that is actually where our Boston Cream Pie recipe came from.  I decided that I am just going to incorporate recipes from the different states in my meal planning through the year, the goal is one recipe from each state.  My kids are REALLY excited about the cooking part of POS, especially my girls.  


For science, we have all become weather watchers. The kids each made a weather book, basically a front and back cover for the weather observation print outs from POS.  I even let my little guy make a book, his has blank pages to draw a picture for the weather each day {he loves to be big like his siblings}. We set up a rain gauge and outdoor thermometer to help us.  Just this past week we've learned a good deal about how to observe and predict the weather, and some cool facts about our atmosphere.  

All in all, it was a great week!  How was your week?

          

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #31 Homemade Body Paint {For Outside Play}




I recently stumbled across a recipe for Homemade Body Paint, which is meant to be used in the bath tub.  I got to thinking, wouldn't it be fun to let the kids paint themselves, and each other outside with the garden hose near by.  


Photo Source

Things You Need

  • muffin tins or several small bowls
  • a few cans shaving cream
  • food coloring
  • paint brushes
Directions
  1. First, add some of the shaving cream into each muffin hole.
  2. Add a few drops of food coloring on to each mound of shaving cream. 
  3. Stir well.
  4. Start painting! 

CAUTION:  I would not wear a nice new fancy bathing suit to do this, remember it's FOOD COLORING!

The idea is to have a great time OUTSIDE and then wash off OUTSIDE! 






  Have Fun!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #30 Make Candy & Cream Freezer Pops




Here is a quick and easy treat, that also allows the kids to have a little fun in the kitchen.  Candy & Cream Freezer Pops are sure to have your kids saying "Mom, your the best!" or "Mom, you go relax, I'll do all the laundry today."  Ok, maybe I am getting carried away, a mom can dream, right? 

Photo Source

Don't these little babies look yummy, Candy & Cream Freezer Pops are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients
{this recipe makes about 15 pops}

  • 1/2 package sandwich cookies {about 12 to 14 cookies}, crushed
  • 15 peanut butter cups, crushed
  • 10 ounces M&M's {about 1 cup}, crushed
  • 1/2 gallon vanilla or chocolate ice cream, slightly softened {Breyer's All Natural is my favorite}
  • Fifteen 5-ounce paper cups - you know, Dixie cup size
  • 15 Popsicle sticks
 Directions
  1. You have two choices, you can either add a spoonful of the crushed cookies, PB cups and M&M's to have a mixture of flavors going on or you can just do one fixin' per cup.  So, fill your cups about 1/3 -1/2 way full of your goodies.  
  2. Next, fill your cups almost to the top with your softened ice cream.  
  3. Place a popsicle stick into each cup.  Place your cups on a platter or cookie sheet, then place into the freezer until the ice cream has re-frozen.
  4. Once they are completely frozen, tear off the paper cup and ENJOY!  
There are sooo- many different variations that you could do with these. Here are a few more ideas:
  • Banana, Strawberries and Chocolate Ice Cream
  • Hot Fudge, a Cherry and Nuts in the Bottom with Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Peaches and Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Your Favorite Candy Bar with Complimenting Ice Cream Flavor  


  Have Fun!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #29 Sprinkler Fun & Games!






The weather here has been HOT! HOT! HOT!  One way to get the kids to play outside for a little while is to say something like "Hey! Do you guys what to play in the sprinkler for a bit?"  Usually my kids are out the door in 3 minutes flat.  

Photo Source

So, after the sprinkler gets boring, and they've already played with the hose on the slide it's time to pull out the "big guns."

The "big guns" would be Sprinkler Games! 


Embrace Your Chaos share games like Simon Says, Water Limbo and Sneaky Sprinkler for your kids to enjoy.    

If you really want to get crazy, you could even make a DIY Kid Wash, like Totally Smitten did, in your yard.  You'll be guaranteed to have every kid in the neighborhood over to play! {he, he,he}

Do you all have any fun sprinkler games to add?  


  Have Fun!

Menu Plan Monday {Massachusetts and Connecticut Style}

 Apple Cranberry Chicken. Photo by Luschka


Wow!  I haven't post a menu plan in a loong time! 

We are continuing with Trail Guide to Learning this year, and moving on to Paths of Settlement.  I am sure you are wondering what in the world that has to do with meal plans, right?  Stick with me. 

A large part of TGTL is geography, and this year we are studying the states.  From what I can tell, we are studying about two different states a week.  TGTL suggests that as you study the different states, you could also enjoy foods from the different states.  

We are going to try to incorporate at least one food from each state this year.  We gotta eat anyway and besides, it sounds kinda fun!

Along with Paths of Settlement, we received Eat Your way Through the USA. There are lots of great recipes and fun facts for each state.  My kids love the fun facts, by the way.  I have already learned how lollipops and Tool House cookie came to be. {smile} 

This week were are learning about Massachusetts and Connecticut, so a few of our meals are either popular there or originated there.

Breakfasts
Cereal
Oven Eggs, Toast and Fruit
Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal with Banana Slices
Blueberry Waffles
German Apple Pancake a.k.a "Dutch Baby" (popular in New England States)
Banana & Apple Breads

Lunches
Hot Dogs, Boston Baked Beans (MA), Veggie
Bean Burritos, Salsa and Rice
Tuna Pita Pockets, Carrots and Apple Slices
PB&J's (my kids never tire of these), Chips and Fruit
Mini Pizzas (make from biscuits)
Ploughman's Platter {slightly more kids friendly}

Dinners
BLT's, Tomato Soup
Tacos 
Cranberry Apple Chicken (they grow lots of cranberries in Massachusetts), Asparagus, Parmesan Noodles 
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Hamburger, Corn on the Cob with Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Dessert
Not sure which one yet, but we will either make an Election Cake (CT) or a Boston Cream Pie (MA).

What are you cookin' up this week?  If you happen to be from MA or CT, please feel free to chime in with any good local recipes that you have. {wink, wink}

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