Yummy Roasted Vegetables

I made roasted vegetables tonight. It was really good with our broiled salmon. Here are some pics! All i added to the salmon was Old Bay, garlic powder, and a tad of kosher salt.

Pretty simple.  I sorta followed an allrecipes.com dish but didn't stick with the veggies they suggested.

Pretty simple. I sorta followed an allrecipes.com dish but didn't stick with the veggies they suggested. I would have loved to have used fresh beets but didn't find them at my local grocery store.

Veggies tossed in balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper.

Veggies tossed in balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper.

Not the greatest photo but I can assure you the veggies and broiled salmon where yummy!

Not the greatest photo but, I can assure you the veggies and broiled salmon where yummy!

Indie’s first Cursive Writing

We always use placemats under the paper when we are using markers or paint.  I've had this cursive mat for a long time, and both Indie and Beluga have used it many times as a placemat but,  Indie finally discover what it is and tried cursive.  He did really well going over the lines, following the 1-2 directions.

We always use placemats under the paper when we are using markers or paint. I've had this cursive mat for a long time, and both Indie and Beluga have used it many times as a placemat but, Indie finally discover what it is and tried cursive. He did really well going over the lines, following the 1-2 directions.

I was impressed. :)

I was impressed. 🙂

School Planning

It’s that time again. Lots to do and think about before we officially start school again in August. We have been taking it easy for the past 3 weeks. Both kids finished up math. Indie is just finishing up the last few pages of his Explode the Code 2 1/2 book before vacation. The week after we return from vacation will be my big planning week. After that week, we’ll officially start first grade with Indie using Galloping the Globe. Beluga, 5 in August, will be doing Math U See – Primer, Handwriting without Tears – K, Getting ready for the Code – B (pre-Explode the Code). She’ll be Galloping along with Indie and I as well. Indie 6 1/2 – first grade, will be starting Math-U-See – Beta, Explode the Code 3, and he might do some handwriting with us as well. (Indie has GREAT handwriting but sometimes he forms the letters and numbers in strange ways. Like when he makes a number 9, he will first start with a line coming down, then will form the top of the letter (the C) from the bottom up. The end result is very nice looking but will be time consuming when he later tires to write more sentences, etc.)

I am not exactly sure how I will be tracking our lessons yet. Last year, I used a DonnaYoung.org 2 page planner that I really liked but I’ve made my own this year that has a little more room to write. I probably log too much information but I think it will be fun to look back on down the road. We have recently started using workboxes and at first I felt the need to track the workboxes 1-10 (we are only doing 10 boxes for now) so I also made a 2 page planner with numbers. Not sure that will work for me though. We’ll see how it goes as we start GTG.

Hopefully I get around to posting more of our planning and school happenings.

Workboxes! I love them!!!

We started a new way to do school. it's summer now so everything is pretty relaxed... This is the idea though. These are called Workboxes. Every night I fill them, each with something different, 1-12. It's like Christmas all day. Finding little things to do throughout the day. As they complete each box, they take the number from the empty box and put it on the board to the left on the wall (velcro). Today I have phonics sheets in one, play doe, then a fun placement, a find and seek book, 2 level readers to read aloud to me, then just paper and a pencil in the next with a note saying - draw something you find in nature...... The kids LOVE it. During the regular school year I'll have their regular curriculum in each bin, broken down with breaks and fun stuff in between. The possibilities are endless!

We started a new way to do school. it's summer now so everything is pretty relaxed... This is the idea though. These are called Workboxes. Every night I fill them, each box with something different, 1-12. It's like Christmas all day for the kids. As the kids complete each box, they take the number from the front of the empty box and put it on a chart on the wall (velcro). Today I start with a phonics sheets in one, play doe in the next, then a fun placement (insect ID), a find and seek book, 2 level readers to read aloud to me, then in one is just paper and a pencil with a note saying - draw something you find in nature...... The kids LOVE it. During the regular school year I'll have their regular curriculum in each bin, broken down with breaks, and fun stuff in between. The possibilities are endless!<br> After this one, Indie can take a break, following the instructions on the inside back of the bin. We tweaked the Sue Patrick's Workbox System and didn't but the $15 Reorganize brand wire rack from Target she suggested. We are justing using existing shelves we have in our schoolroom. The shoe boxes are $1 at Target. (Sorry, I tired adding links though out this post but links aren't working today.)

This one has instructions to complete two pages... it's his Explode the Code book... The book is out of the bin because he was doing it as I took this photo.

This one has instructions to complete two pages... it's his Explode the Code book... The book is out of the bin because he was doing it as I took this photo.

IMG_0198.sized

I cut out, then laminated the numbers.  These were a download after googling - workbook numbers.  I printed out 2 sets of numbers per child. The first one I cut up, the second one I used as the wall chart where the kids place the numbers after they have completed a workbox.

I cut out, then laminated the numbers. These were a download after googling - workbook numbers. I printed out 2 sets of numbers per child. The first one I cut up, the second one I used as the wall chart where the kids place the numbers after they have completed a workbox.At first I bought these velcro dots but they went too fast and were $5 for 32. I decided that a roll of velcro for $10 would be better and I'd have extra around for future projects.

I hung this on the wall right next to Indie's Shelves so he can visually see what he has to accomplish for that day.  Today, I only filled 9 boxes so you see 10-12 already on the chart.

I hung this on the wall right next to Indie's shelves so he can visually see what he has to accomplish for that day. Today, I only filled 9 boxes so you see 10-12 already on the chart. This is a great yahoo group I joined that has great people and neat files shared for ideas.

April

waiting for Beluga in ballet

waiting for Beluga in ballet

Indie and I sometimes walk the fitness trail

Indie and I sometimes walk the fitness trail

We love this game.

We love this game.

Beluga getting in on the skateboard action.

Beluga getting in on the skateboard action.

Helping Mama cook dinner

Helping Mama cook dinner

garden field trip

garden field trip

We joined the YMCA so mama can get a work out!  Here they are hanging out in kid watch, drawing.

We joined the YMCA so mama can get a work out! Here they are hanging out in kid watch, drawing.

Lately, Indie's new obsession is Lego Star Wars.  Here, he's made his own ship

Lately, Indie's new obsession is Lego Star Wars. Here, he's made his own ship

Ahhh,  Indie is adding new items to his diet weekly these days.  Finally! :)

Ahhh, Indie is adding new items to his diet weekly these days. Finally! 🙂

family Fun

family Fun

This winter Indie really gained in confidence with his reading.  It's awesome to catch him reading to his sister.

This winter Indie really gained in confidence with his reading. It's awesome to catch him reading to his sister.

Playing dress up.  Here they are "marring" each other.  They are really dancing. :) Cute.

Playing dress up. Here they are "marring" each other. They are really dancing. 🙂 Cute.

More dress up.

More dress up.

Bought this b-ball goal from a neighbor for $10.  Daily fun!

Bought this b-ball goal from a neighbor for $10. Daily fun!

Indie has lost 4 bottom teeth and now, his top two teeth are loose.  :( Growing up so fast!

Indie has lost 4 bottom teeth and now, his top two teeth are loose. 🙁 Growing up so fast!

Square Foot Garden

We started a square foot garden this past weekend. I transfered my starters into it. Lets hope the plants take off! There isn’t a lot more time for us to grow lettuces here in South Florida, it’s going to get too, hot very soon!

my husband made me the frame out of 1x6 boards.  each 4'.

My husband made me the frame out of 1x6 boards. each 4 feet long.

We also took apart our kids old sandbox/slide for more garden area.

We also took apart our kids old sandbox/slide for more garden area.

put cardboard on the bottom to keep weeds and bugs away for a while.

Put cardboard on the bottom to keep weeds and bugs away for a while.

added good soil, then attached twine to form 12" squares

Added good soil, then attached twine to form 12" squares

then transfered the veggies we started from seed out of the containers into the squares.  A couple i just bought as plants as well.

We then transfered the veggies we started from seed out of the containers into the squares. A couple I just bought as plants as well.

Let's hope these plants take off for us.  I'm ready to eat some lettuce and spinach

Let's hope these plants take off for us. I'm ready to eat some lettuce and spinach