100th Day of School

Today is the school's 100th day of school.  My oldest son has his first dance today too.  Appropriately called "The 100th Day Dance."   He was kinda nervous, but he hasn't said so.  You can just tell.  He did wear his favorite button up shirt, it's a Orange County Choppers shirt LOL.

I hate to admit this, because I was such a huge butt about them returning to public school.... BUT  I'm actually glad I did.  Things have calmed down.  Both me AND Hubby have become more involved.  Making most all activities and becoming more of a voice for our children.  Instead of immediately taking the defense, we're opening a dialogue with the staff.   It's helped.  We're working on a great relationship with the principle especially. 

I'm very happy now because a lot of the feedback isn't negative about the kids.  We've addressed my sons ADHD and went about making sure his learning isn't compromised because of it.  My youngest is getting the hang of things too.  When at first it was very apparent he wanted to be home schooled, he's loosened up.
All 3 boys are involved with after school activities, so they're not home til 5:30pm.  Much needed break for me, and hugely needed interaction for them.

I'm glad we didn't give in and gave this a serious try.  I can't believe how far the school has come to meet us half way.  And vise versa.  Ultimately the children's education is what encouraged us all to play nicely.

So far so good.

I still really miss them.  It stinks that they come home with all these new ideas and learnings and I'm not the one responsible for it.  But that's my ego I think.   I still have the kids do projects with me.  Printouts and such on the weekends or breaks.  So I still have that little bit in my life.

Bitching and Hopping

I had my first "real" one on one with my sons teacher.....ugh!  I'm so damn frustrated.  OK my 1st grader really hated that he had to go back to school.  I didn't know this until lately.  I'm not sure if it's the environment, being away from me, having to be on a set schedule. I don't know.  But lately it's all he's done is complain. 

I've been getting notes sent home to me about his performance.  He can't spell simple words. ..... uh yea he can!  He can put words together to make a sentence...uh yea he can!  His writing is that of a Kindergartner ....uh OK yea it is.  But we're working on it.  All these complaints right.  So, when I get his work I look at it and I'm thinking this has to be from another student I know MY kid can spell that!  So I quiz him on the words.

On his paper it say "ur" {It's suppose to be for}  So I say spell "for"  he replies: F. O. R.

I say spell can, the, is, may... I go thru the whole dang thing asking him to spell them for me.  All but one he gets correct.

OK, so maybe he's not understanding the teacher, or her annunciation of it.  {She wear braces and has a lisp}...

Well, this continues for the next week so she asks me to come in.  Meanwhile, I'm like asking people to ask him random words to spell.  He does fine.  He reads the little books, does great.

So I get into his class and I'm ready to shut this lady up right.  I get him over and have him spell the same words he's been spelling to me...and he's like the dang frog from that cartoon that dances for the guy and then "Ribbit!" for everyone else.

He gets them all wrong!  UGH! So looking like a liar and a bad mom, I sit and listen.  While she brings in another teacher...  They all know they came from being home schooled so I feel like they're attacking the job I did.  Her excuse she kept using, "He's too young for the class.  He's the youngest in the grade, Oh well he's just young." 

I know he can do better and he does, only problem...  it's just with me.  I've had fellow home school moms say he wants me to take him out.  He misses me and he thinks by doing this, I'll school him again.   

So beyond frustrated!!  Ahh!  But I walked away with some nice advice how to help him and maybe hopefully by me being there more often it will help him.  I don't know.  It may hurt him more than help. 

Oh and hi!  if your new here from the hop.  Yes this is me :) I bitch and moan a lot. LOL  Read the "about me" if you'd like to know who what and why i am the way I am.  LOL Leave me a comment and ill be sure to visit you too!
{Psst. sometimes I'm funny too, }

Kids are in Public School :(

Well, I did it.  I really did it....Things were getting to hard to handle.  Not just with the schooling but with life.  A hard choice had to be made.  And I made the choice to put the kids back into public school.  And now....

Now I regret it.  I hate that I have a house not filled with laughing, goofiness and silliness.  I miss it.  I hate asking them, "so what did you learn today" Because I have no idea!!  None.

I have no control over the lesson plan, I have no control over the hours for Anthony who needs extra breaks for his attention.  I feel like I threw them to the lions den.  Because I know its just a matter of time before the calls start.

I just felt so lost and helpless this year.  It started out completely new and different with the way the online part of school was.  And we fumbled and fumbled and tried.  But, it just got the best of me I guess.

Being behind put stress on me, which put a kink in my patience, which put an attitude in the kids.  I felt like we'd never catch up.  Or catch my breath.

Here's the funny thing though.  All my kids are at at least 80% in their level, ok.  The standards for our schooling is not what it is in their current public school.  You need a 60% and you're left alone and considered fine. What eva!  My youngest came home from school today and I asked "what did you learn in school today".....  "My teacher said the 'Earth is like a basketball'....."

Uhmmmm OK.....

And....

"And thats it."

Well, you know the Earth is round.

"Yea, but the other kids didn't."

OK.  So my 1st graders class is just now learning that the Earth is round...  Isn't there something wrong with that?  Where I left off with him is the capitals of countries!  He knew all the continents by name and site by the end of Kinder!

UGH!!!  I could just scream!  My older son, Anthony{my 6th grader}, the one that was having trouble ALL THE TIME... yea well, now he's really going to get into trouble, because he says he's bored in class.  I checked his homework, and OMG, this is stuff Im was teaching Cody {my 4th grader.}.

I'm so regretting my decision.  But, I needed need a bit of a break.  Home schooling 4 kids with things the way they were was not healthy for any of us.  So for now, I must keep my mouth shut, smile and nod at this whole situation.

On the bright side my house has never been cleaner!  Well, until they come home.

Free School Stickers!

You may think why do I need "property of" stickers...Well I have a mess of duplicate supplies, and to avoid the drama and fighting, I use these handy dandy stickers...Well not these ones yet, but as soon as I get more sticker paper for my printer I will!  Its simple to print stickers, just use sticker paper in place or regular.  Line it up and print the size you need.  I use my image setup like for pictures so I can arrange them to fit as many as possible on my paper.

If you can use them great! ENJOY!

I left these big so you can size them to whatever fits you ☺ Click to enlarge, save to your computer then you can edit and print....Since we will soon be having a few new -to -us computers I'm putting them as desktop backgrounds too. LOL

Homeschool Charts

I've created homeschool pages of helpful ideas, tips, tricks etc. if you want to take a looksy, just click.

If there is one thing we've strive to do here is be somewhat organized and scheduled.....although, that can be hard.  VERY!!!  Then things get ugly.  Mama gets ugly...mama don't like no stress!

So, I've purchased some scrap kits (Just So Scrappy and Delicious Scraps are my favorite sites to buy from) and designed some pretty neato splendito charts.  (If I do say so myself!) 

Feel free to use them if you can.  I love sharing! LOL. Click on any to enlarge then right click "Save Image As"  then edit or just print when you want.

Perfect To Stay On Top Of Progress or Notice a Problem.

I L♥V Making These!!

Great Individual Or Group Schedule

Sticker Chart

I just made these and they'll be going into the Homeschool Tips Page.  I always welcome links from you all!!  If you have a neat idea that other Moms can enjoy I would love to post/list them (even if its a just link to your page).  

These are great to print out on harder paper and pin up.  Or like with the sticker chart I laminate (PFT! I use clear box tape!) And put on a bright poster board. 

Homeschooling The New Year

Today finished our first full week of home school.  And holy wow!  I really am glad I stuck with this!  This year k12 launched a whole new  way of doing things.  Before it was mainly me reading off lessons, interpreting and relaying, teaching and checking, blah blah blah.   With 3 kids it was overwhelming!  But fun.  I must say that.  Fun.  Well, this year it's more interactive.  The computer is doing all the teaching, well most of it at least.  Reading and Math. 

Click to enlarge

After they complete their lesson I go on with my password and check their scores.  Plus, it all goes right to the teacher.  Between voice recordings, emails and data input, most all is out of my hands and postbox!  Eliminating wasteful paper correspondence. 

I'm loving it!  All except for the whole tying up the computer thing.  We are desperately in need of another couple computers.  That will be taken care of next payday.  Of course there are so many great refurbished computers out there!  And since we only need them to run online school stuff, that's the route we intend to go.  Why spend a grand on a new computer when you can keep one from going to clutter up a landfill right?!

Another change we had this year was every week they have mandatory assemblies.  Their teacher goes over the weeks goals, any upcoming events and afterwards they take a mini assessment.  To let the teacher know if there's any problems!  Yay! 

But as usually everything is still centered around us and our schedule.  We still get to have late mornings and evening sessions.  M-Su whenever works for us.  I love that!

This year my son started at only 33wpm in reading and is already up to 59wpm.  So I know this new way is really having a positive effect on him.  (He should be at 80wpm )  To have that kind of boost so quickly, I know it has to do with the fun graphics and interactiveness of it all.  What a relief because if you've followed me since the beginning, you know reading and phonics is his problem area.  A huge reason I'm so disappointed with this district here.  Just push them along to become next years teachers problem.  That needs to change everywhere.  But he and I along with K12 have worked really hard to get him up to date.

Wordless Wednesday?? HA!

Yeah right wordless, today is the first day of school.  So its gonna be anything but wordless......


So, Ive been slowly gathering everything and putting away, organizing, planning......Thinking oh Ive got a month, I got weeks.... I got days before school....ITS HERE!! Its TODAY! Am I ready???  Hell yea! Woo Hoo!!! 

Ive enjoyed summer.  No schedule, no bedtimes, whatever goes.... Now Ive gotta get these kids butts in gear for the new year.  Something about schooling them is just friggin awesome.  And no matter what the subject or grade lvl, I still find stuff I didn't know.   It occupies my time too quite nicely. LOL pft! Yea that part not so much.  I'd like to have 6 free hours a day.... well maybe not that much I wouldn't know what to do with myself.  But maybe per week would be awesome! 

Ive made a promise to the kids...This year is going to be packed with more laughs, tons more fun, definitely more craziness and we may learn some new shit! HA!  We're gonna have fights yes, we always do.  There will be tough love, but its with love.  We have a newbie in the class, sort of.  Baby Lady Catie will begin Pre-K.  So thats Pre-K, 1st, 4th and 6th! WOW! What the H-E-Double Sippy Straws am I thinking right?!?! 

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

BEST PART OF HOME SCHOOL???  You always sit at the cool table during lunch! 

  HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL THOSE WHO START ☺

A Saturday For Me *Update*

OK Im taking a day off from promoting giveaways and reviewing... But if you havent already entered into a giveaway ...uhhhh what are you waiting for?? I have some good ones!


OK OK OK... The kids school stuff just arrived...like last weekend and OH MY GAH! I think they have more boxes than last year! 17 in total for the 3 boys. Now remember I do K12, so they send me everything. Well, not paper, pencils, etc. But all workbooks, reading books, art supplies. Basically whatever a teacher is supplied at school. I still have to buy the parents usual items.

I was going back and forth with home schooling them this year. But I just can't not do it. I know its going to be harder trying to work a little and school the kids, but I feel like I would be doing them a huge disservice if I stopped. I think they've grown and learned so much being with me, than they did at that school.

Matter of fact when the UPS gal was dropping off my stuff, she mentioned she had other people in my immediate area with the same K12 boxes to drop off.  I said it just shows you what kind of school we have out here.  This school has had so many people transfer out  they had to shut down their pre school and space out their bus stops because of lack of funding.  And spacing out bus stops here isn't like in town....  Most the kids live off at least one dirt road if not more.  With multiple washes to cross. And no buses will drive off the black tops.  But now they're making them walk even further.  Funny thing is, my taxes are higher out here than in town, is what I heard.  I have no idea where they're going either.  Our main road is "patched" horribly, we have no library, our community center has short hours... I don't know.  Things you should of looked into BEFORE you buy!

But the kids are real excited!  They wanted to open their boxes the day they arrived!   I'm not ready for all that.  I need a summer vaca too.  SO I told them we'd open them in a couple of weeks, but that it meant we were to start school.  They were fine with that.  I've been printing out worksheets for them to kinda keep them busy.  They've played games on Zoodles.  So they're still learning. 

You know here's a tip I don't think I've shared with y'all yet.  Maybe I have, not sure.  But maybe your new here, LOL.  I put captions on the TV so when they watch TV they read it too.  I don't think I can even help reading along.  Hubs said it's very annoying but he's gotten use to it.  It's really helped all of them with their reading skills.  I learned this little trick from an awesome woman I use to do Respite Care for.  She is the grandmother (70's*ish*)  and she is raising her 2 grandkids.  They have multiple issues.  ADHD, Autism, breathing problems, gastric....  The kids weren't suppose to make it.  It was touch and go for years. They're very underweight and were told they'd be behind in learning....  But this Granny wasn't hearing any of it.  These kindergarten kids can read at a 6th grade lvl.  Very smart kids.  One of her tricks was leaving the captions on.  Sometimes without volume.
♥  So I pass that on to you!  Try it out,  let me know what you think.


I'm always looking for ways to increase the power of learning, if you have any tricks, tips, ideas or comments feel free to leave them (with a url if you have one) I want to list them as links at the bottom of my page.

State Exam Time Almost Here!

I can't believe how long its been since I last blogged!!  Time has surely flown these last couple months.  I had renovations and schooling galore!  The kids are gearing up for the yearly state exams and I've been going over anything and everything to make sure they're well prepared.    I didn't think I would be this nervous about THEIR testing, but I am.  I guess because it's a reflection of me and my teachings. 

With Cody our concentration has been on reading and reading comprehension.  Since finding out he was way behind on his grade level its been our main focus.  Which wasn't until after I pulled him out and started home schooling.  He was already in 2nd grade!!!  No idea phonics weren't in play there.  I can't believe public school teachers would just pass along students even if they weren't up to level as they should be.   What happened to tutoring after school?!?!  Or letting parents know?


Then of course with Anthony its been his concentration.  He gets bored easily and loses focus quickly.   So, were training his brain to "focus".  He studies one subject everyday and nothing else.  All history all day. Or all reading all day, etc. We were doing just the opposite.   To keep him from getting bored we'd do a little of this and a little of that.  It wasn't helping anything and he would get frustrated.  So, hopefully this way of doing things continues to work.  I have him set a little and do his work without stopping, then add a little more time and so on. 

Of course with these kids we still have to make learning a blast.  Lots of interaction and involvement.   Complete with a reward system lol.  Yes, I'm one of those bribing parents. I almost have to be!  My kids are competitive and if they see a chance to win something they'll go for it!!  We have a reward chart.  For a days completed work they get a sticker.  5 stickers in a row, they get a small prize from the prize box.  For a month of non stop stickers they get a cool prize from the prize box.  No duplicate cool prizes so first one there gets the pick of the litter.  Works for us.  Gets the work done. ☺

We have about two weeks before the state exams and we'll be pretty busy.  I know these kids are looking forward to them...     O_o      ...... Ok maybe not so much, but then its summer vacation just around the corner! 

Wordless Wednesday

Pattern Blocks don't you just love them. They entertained the kids for a full 2 hours....  And they actually worked together on it!!  Gave for some much needed adult time. NO!!! Not that. Happy Wordless Wednesday!

BookSwim.com

I love the local library we have here.  Being a home school family it's become a monthly visit. Just about.  But I live 20 miles from town so it's not really a convenient one.  I'm often late on returning them.  But what choice do you have when an assignment requires reading.  And with all my kids at different reading levels it can become quite a task just gathering the literature for them all.  Also keeping track of who's book is due when!  Although we do have a book mobile that travels out here, its not always for sure, and sometimes they don't have the book needed.

I recently discovered Bookswim.  It's like Netflix for books!  Pick your membership and load up your favorites.  Just like Netflix, once you've mailed it back they send another from your list! So you can list all the kids reading requirements in the order they need them done and they ship in that order! They have from 1 book to 11 books at a time memberships.  No late fees ever and free shipping both ways!  Exception: 1 book membership.


BookSwim has a wide array of book choices.  College textbooks, Oprah Book Club List, Childrens everything you'd find at a big bookstore.  Something for everyone in the family.

If you decide you just can't bear to let a book go, been there, you can choose to buy it!  

Bonus:  They're offering a $50 gift card to Restaurant.com to anyone who enrolls in the avid or devout readers plans!!

They also offer BookSwim.com Gift Cards

So no more rushing to the library hoping you get it in on time, and  no paying the late fees if your not done in time. No contract.  Cancel anytime!


For you greenies out there like me that love to see some good going on here's a bonus:
"Renting books, rather than purchasing, helps lower the number of trees cut down each year for virgin paper. BookSwim also plants trees for every gift card we sell.  BookSwim has planted or otherwise saved enough trees to reduce 10 TONS of carbon emissions! That's like taking 14,000 cars - all the yellow taxicabs in New York City - off the street... ...enough cars to fill a parking lot the size of 152 football fields!"  Straight from the horses mouth!

 So click on the picture below and give it a try.  Your under no obligation and may cancel if it's not all you'd thought it would be. 

*Summer's on its way and books are a great way to keep your child learning and busy*

Christmas Homeschool Style

Home schooling I've learned a lot of what I would normally do is counted towards school hours. Even before starting home school, I would make it a point to do something artsy fartsy with them for the holidays.

This year we made some really cool stuff I'd like to share and it's all so super cheap and plenty of fun!! I tried to get them all in one shot so it wouldn't take up an entire page. But some wouldn't fit.



We made an angel, snowflakes, and a Christmas tree.


A pine cone ornament.


A Christmas card.


Every tree needs candy canes, but if your kids are like mine then your tree starts out full of candy canes and quickly disappears! This is a great solution to that!


The angel (10 yr old) is a thin cardboard box from a box of pizza rolls (I save a lot of that stuff. Always something I can use it for.) We covered the cardboard with foil and glued it. While it was drying I had the Anthony cut tissue paper just as they would a snowflake. Then we glued that on top of the foil. Added some sparkly glitter and ta da an angel pretty enough to top your tree with!

The Christmas tree (8yr old): I had an old grass skirt from a Hawaiian birthday party we went to and Caitlin had it all messed up but I knew it would come in handy one day so I saved it! We measured out our length and snipped it. Then Cody gathered the top and taped it then stapled it to the paper. Cody made the star from a yellow pipe cleaner. Added glue and sprinkled glitter. To add a little something I had him color on it as well.

Snowflakes (all): Who doesn't love making snowflakes. I don't think theres ever been a year we haven't made these. They're so much fun and they're always different. We like to add glittery glue to it.

Pine cone Ornament(5yr &3 yr old): We picked up a lot of pine cones when we were on the truck with Daddy cruising America. This year we decided to decorate them for the tree. I had Wyatt and Caitlin drip some glue all over it and sprinkle glitter. Then I tied a ribbon on it . Easy for little hands.

Christmas card (all): This starts out as a regular snowflake, then you just glue it to some construction paper. Fold the paper in half and you have a card ready to decorate and personalize.

Candy cane ornaments (all): Two pipe cleaners. Line em up, twist one end together really tight. Then loosely twist the rest, then at the other end twist tightly again. Bend into a cane shape. Super fun!!

Some fun projects for any age I think. The key is to not go crazy if you can't see the floor through all paper clippings and what nots. Prep area if you particular. Me, I tell the kids go crazy and have fun.....they can clean it up afterwards! LOL. Little hands are very curious and excited and sometimes clumsy so plan their project accordingly. This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!! Tell stories of when you were little and you did stuff with your parents, or make new memories.

Home School Pictures Posted!

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was great and you got to spend time with the family, relax and of course CHOW DOWN!! We had a very simple one here, a lot of us were sick still. Getting over a cold. But we managed to fry up a turkey and put some sides together.

Not too long ago I wrote how we needed to take the school out of the small room it was in and place it into a bedroom. We bunked up a couple of kids to do that.... Well we grew out of that room quickly! We have now moved it to one of our living rooms! Yup, it's like the blob! Homeschool will soon consume our total home!! Well, yes you do tend to acquire a lot of things when you home school but I think its so worth it and you know what I don't miss the old living room at all! We put a TV in our bedroom, I feel like a kid having it in there. The large sofa went to the movie room and the other sofa with tables went to the bedroom. It's like a hotel room now! *LOL* Hubbys thinking of putting a fridge in there now. Like 3 in this house isn't enough!
This is how it turned out...

Every drawer, nook and cranny filled!! I'm telling you, you acquire a lot of "stuff".


Nothing like seeing your walls on camera to make you realize how badly you need to paint!





Posters I made for the kids/with the kids for various subjects.. I printed out some really great NASA photos I'm dying to put up but how and where still stumps me.

The always goofy Cody showing off our kick ass American flag. We pledge allegiance and pray every day before school begins...as it should be♥

Kids just hanging out ☺

I love seeing homeschooling families posts pics of their set up..It always gives me ideas. I see things I gotta have or better ways to situate things.

New School Year

The kids have been back to school for almost a month now. I'll tell you, last year we were cramped into the smallest room in the house. Which I don't really think its a "room" I think it was just extra space the builder decided to close up slap a window in and call a room. But this year I turned a bedroom into the school room and bunked up a couple kids. So much better now. One of the families I visit does home school too and she has her dinning room converted into a mini classroom. So that gave me the idea. All day I spend with her kids doing home school and its just so much easier. Having the space to move around and have everything not an arms length away really makes a difference.

So Tuesday I started my quest to turn a bedroom into a classroom for all the kids. I figured I'd started both my 3 and 4yr olds out in Kinder together, and make it to where the older ones could enjoy it too. I put in shelves for all the books and supplies. Hung up some home made alphabet signs, which the older boys helped with, complete with picture, capital and lower case letters. We used construction paper for that. Of course we had to do classroom rules on poster board. Tacked up the world map, hung the globe, the corkboard and top it off with a flag. But my favorite has to be the table. I used some index cards as name placecards so they know where their assigned seat is and covered them with clear packaging heavy duty tape. So the little ones could use their dry erase markers to practice writing their name. That got me to thinking about making the whole table writable. So I taped down a clear white paper as their white board, their numbers, alphabet, and practice sheets from an old workbook. Now they have a huge dry erase activity center on the desk! SO neato!

We even have a class pet compliments of Anthony. He caught a cricket and put it in one of his tanks. We named our school mascot the "Hoppers". So cute, the kids really got involved and excited with this change. We held our first class in our new room yesterday. It was a huge success. The little ones learned the letter A and its sound, and got to color an alligator and put it on a Popsicle stick. In history we learned about the Wright Bros and they made their own plane. So all went well.

As for the old room, I'm thinking of turning it into my sewing room. It would be the perfect size for that, and it has such great light. My poor sewing machine has no home, its constantly moving around to the next available spot. With the season almost changing (ALREADY!) I have to get started on their warmer clothes. Maybe this year I'll be able to do their costumes early for Halloween! Maybe, but I'm such a procrastinator.

Home School Science Experiment Gone Yummy!

This week the boys are learning the 3 elements and the difference between a solution and a mixture... So I thought I would have a super fun Science experiment with them!!

Were gonna turn a liquid into a solid and combine a solute and a solvent to make a solution all in one YUMMY experiment!!

Solution: Milk and sugar
Mixture: Salt and Ice

This is what we need:


1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes


It's ice cream!

This is how we do it;


Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
Open and enjoy!

You've Awoken A Sleeping Giant... "MOM'S"......

And we don't get much sleep to begin with so watch out!


I received this email today:


Dear Parents,

You have probably seen the news that the State of Arizona is facing major budget shortfalls and the state legislature is in the process of cutting the state’s budget by $3,000,000,000. That’s not a typo it is $3 billion in cuts, with a hefty amount targeting education spending.

There is something you can do about it.

On Tuesday April 21st, concerned parents just like you are holding a rally at the State Capitol to let our lawmakers know how important it is to fully fund distance learning in Arizona and to not cut our funding.

I strongly encourage you to attend and to bring your children to this very important event. There will be free t-shirts and lunch all provided by Arizona Parents for Education. Our state lawmakers will also be there and they need to hear our voices.

To RSVP click this link:
blah blah blah! I received it from my kids virtual academy....


I don't understand what the heck they're doing over there?? Education is the last place they need to cut from. Right? I guess its so the next generation is too dumb to question the big guys. So while my kids are dumming down, CEO's are having big bonuses and lavish weekend getaways!

While the pen is mightier than the sword, having my butt have to wake up extra early to drive to Phoenix is well.. you can imagin.

What are we soppose to do, roll over and say "thank you Mr. Government sir."

And that "stimulus" misleading piece of toliet paper, why didn't EDU get a piece. It's not like they didn't know they might fall short on the budget, or maybe it was just for the "special needs" group. Cause I'll tell you Barney Frank seems real "special needs" if ya know what I mean!

So while Obamas out "campaigning" or apologizing for the big mean bully (U.S.) or denouncing our faith as a nation we're here losing our future....


What happened to "promote the general welfare"?







So that leaves me with also mentioning this:

You've probably already heard of it. But just in case, I thought this would be a good place to share it.



Just some facts:
Tarp = $750 Billion
Stimulus = $870 Billion
2009 Deficit = $1.75 Trillion
U.S. Dollar = WORTHLESS!


You might also want to check out my ticker..Right hand side.

Thanks for letting me rant I was so steamed ♥

Pre-K Home School

When we decided to begin home schooling our children, my 4 year old son was just starting Pre-K. He absolutly loved it! He came home every day with his little hands filled with the days learning. His head filled with new knowledge. And his little mouth kept talking all the way home. So when we took them out I thought that was it until K12 could supply me with Kinder lessons. Not true!

I found a couple of great sites to download worksheets. One is First School. This one has everything from learning abc's to numbers. Coloring sheets, booklets to make and holiday arts and crafts. Then there is ABCTeach with over 5000 free printable activity sheets!

I love the internet. Where you can find just about anything for free! Yeah this bill that comes every month to keep us connected, I'm thinkin's worth it!

Now my little guy can continue his learning!

Here's some of my favorite activity sheets:
http://abcteach.com/samples/bingo/basic_bingo.pdf
http://www.abcteach.com/free/c/count_to_ten_cards.pdf
http://www.abcteach.com/free/c/coloringpage_leprechaun.pdf
http://www.abcteach.com/free/c/coloringpage_pot_of_gold.pdf
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alphabet/handwriting/train-1-zb.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alphabet/handwriting/train-2-zb.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/alphabet/handwriting/train-3-zb.htm
http://www.first-school.ws/t/gamep1.htm



And what would PreK be without AWARDS:
http://www.abcteach.com/free/l/ladybug_cert.pdf
http://www.abcteach.com/free/m/my_address_badge.pdf
http://www.abcteach.com/free/a/award_birthday_balloons.pdf

☺~~~♥♥♥~~~☺

******March 12, 2009****

Addition

For more great worksheets my girl at Country Whispers did much more research than I did. I find a couple favorites and I'm good. But she has tons of varieties. I bookmarked them all. So go take a look. Theres even places you can make your own!!! She rocks!! Give her a hugh thanks too!

Go here

Country Whispers

Ready....... AIMS........ I'm Fired!

It's now 21 days til the AZ State AIMS testing begins. I think I'm more nervous about it than the kids are really. They're doing the regular lessons and I'm throwing them curve balls at every chance I have. "Quick what's the capital of Tennessee!" I blurt out, out of nowhere. "Cody, what does a spring scale measure it's weight in??? Come on Cody...you know this.....a spring scale....." What's wrong with me?


This is our first year of testing while in home school. I've never been like this with any of their other state tests. I just make sure they do their homework, get plenty of sleep and remember to put on their thinking caps on the way out. So why now I ask myself.


I'm assuming I don't want to be fired. As silly as that sounds. It's a lot riding on the parent as the teacher I believe. Am I doing a good job? Are they understanding it? Am I having enough patience with them? Could I of explained it better? All thoughts that go through my head. What if I'm the reason they don't do well. Maybe I over help them. What if I haven't given them the confidence to know they'll do just fine.


I love teaching them, and I know they prefer it. I do not want to fail them. I guess I just need validation that I'm doing it right. These tests should give me the answers. Wish I didn't have to wait an entire summer for the results. Is this normal newbie thang?

The Wheel Of Knowledge

It's a cross between Wheel Of Fortune and Jeopardy. I'm in the process of making this game for the kids. It's going to have questions from every subject. Things we've learned and things we will learn.

I made the big poster board already to hold the big spinner. For some reason the bigger it is and more detail it has the more fun the kids have. Lots of painting and glitter to be done on that still. I'll probably have the kids do that so it can count towards their art class.

Each kid, since their at different levels, will have their own set of questions. I figure if a younger one wants a harder question they get extra points.


Then the prizes.... Hmmm well I have a 9 and 8 year old and two preschoolers. Of course cool erasers and pencils. Everyone likes those. But the younger ones are the only ones into stickers still. I'll just hit the Family Dollar and pick up little things. Those growing sponges are pretty cool.

It's fun for the kids and once again they have no idea their learning. A neat little trick to mix things up. No one likes reading books all the time. Scavenger hunts, games, field trips out of the blue for in person learning and hands on trial and error is what makes home school mountains above traditional schooling.

You Ask, I Show And Tell

I have gotten a few e-mails asking about home school. So, I thought I would link them back here and make it available to all at once.

The schedule is what you make it. States have their laws of how many hours your child needs to be in school per week so check that first. Along with that, you also must have your child state tested just like in traditional schools. They call it the AIMS testing. Or whatever your childs tests are called. We do a three day school week, with little bits of learning through out the week. Fun hunts, silly projects, cooking/ baking they don't know their learning. But, I'm implementing things they've learned or will learn.

Socializing is very important for a childs development. Learning how to handle conflict or interactions with others can't be avoided. My children are involved with different activites with the community. Scouting, church, sports, 4H etc. these are ways your child can hang out with other kids. It was a huge adjustment for my kids. They missed their friends.

Also with the K12 they have numerous outings, more so than traditional field trips. Museums, zoos, IHOP. Fun places for kids to get together. Atleast every month if not more often.

I chose to home school because I was just tired of the school making up stricter rules for the kids. It got to the point where my child was being "suspended" every other day. No, not for fighting, not for using foul language, but because he talked too much!! What??? He wasn't understanding the lessons, and would ask questions too often. So, they thought he was a goofball making fun. I walked into the classroom one day and noticed a desk all the way in the corner. It was my kids. I tried finding out what if he had a learning disability but they didn't really care. He was a problem kid and they were too lazy to see that he need special help! With me teaching him I'm learning how to approach things and how much he can handle. He's doing so much better. He's even helping with the littler ones! I'm very proud.





Well, I think I answered all the questions. If not, comment me. These are a some of the items K12 sent for their learning.


(Some are out of focus sorry)







For Art



For Reading Lang Arts



For Reading Lang Arts



For Science



For Science



All In Neat Little Labled Boxes!!
Also All Their Workbooks!!



Those are just a few of the tools they use. If I broke out all their subjects we'd be here a while!!
I hope this helped you all in making a decision, if not I have that link on the side that will take you directly to K12. Or click here. While they do provide a lot of help, it is still up to you on how you'd like your child to learn. In traditional schools you need a 61% to pass a course, with K12 you need an 80% or they don't let you move on. Another great point is they have a foriegn language course for elementary level. I just love it all around.