Fun Friday

I saw this while doing some research on some fun things to do. I actually had another idea but I'll post that for next week. ;)

My youngest, A, loves to paint. I thought, "What a great way to spend a Friday!"

Gather up any large piece of material you can find - cardboard, butcher paper, fabric - and paints. You might want to make sure they are water based so they clean up easy! Wear old clothes or a paint smock and then just let them go to town!

In my experience this is best done outdoors!

If being outdoors is not an option you could do a smaller version of this inside. Just spread out a bunch of newspaper on the kitchen floor or an old table (we use an old folding table that we set up in the kitchen). As long as she is not flinging the paint across the room I let her have free reign for artistic expression.

It's fun to see what they'll come up with!

Blessings,

Dana

Little Chores

So, even with a total of five kids, I was wondering when I should start making my 4-year old do chores. Thinking back, I remembered that I had started teaching my boys (who are now 21 and 22) how to do their own laundry at age 8. This was when they were old enough to reach the knobs on the washer and dryer without using a stool. <<>>

I didn't want to overburden A (the 4-year old) with too many chores to start out with. I could always overburden later, right? (just kidding!) I remembered seeing a tv show about a homeschool family with more kids the me (not the Duggars) and how the mom used charts to organize everything they did, including the chores for each child. <<>>

With A, I knew I couldn't just give her a chart to follow. She needed to feel like she was doing something important. So, I went to our local teacher supply store and bought a laminated chort chart.

I listed three things that she has to do everyday: Make her bed, brush her teeth, and pick up her toys. I chose these three things because 1) I want her to have a sense of ownership with her own room - hence the bed making, 2) sometimes she forgets to brush her teeth and with everything else going on around here I forget to tell her to do it, and 3) she ALWAYS has toys scattered around the house and her room tends to look like a tornado hit it!

I also added one more chore to three days of the week: Shake out bathroom rugs (I figured this was something fairly easy she could do), bring her laundry basket to the laundry room on her day for laundry (I don't make her actually do it yet!), and straighten the movies on the shelf. I think this will get her used to doing "house" chores like her sisters do.

So far, for her first three days it's working out great. After she does her chore she comes and puts a check mark next to that chore. And she's EXCITED about doing it!

She even asked me yesterday why there were no chores listed on Sunday! Of course, I told her that Sunday was God's day and we would just concentrate on Him alone that day.

If I'd known she would be so amenable to doing chores I'd have started at age 2!

;)

Fall Treats

While doing a search for some fall recipes I came across these and they looked and sounded so yummy I wanted to share!

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

(Who doesn't like apple butter???)

Ingredients:

1 cup apple butter
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Cook's Notes:
-If the crust begins to burn, place tin foil around the crust and lower the temperature of the oven.
-A tasty topping for this pie is praline pecans.

Pumpkin Waffles with Maple Walnut Apples

Ingredients

Waffles:
1 cup cake flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup melted shortening (transfat-free)
1 large egg
1 large egg white

Topping:

2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 crisp apples, peeled and sliced thinly
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup toasted walnuts

Directions

Special equipment: standard 4 x 4-inch waffle iron

For the waffles: Preheat a waffle iron to medium heat.

Whisk the flour, wheat germ, sugar, baking powder, spice and salt together in a large bowl.
Beat together the milk, pumpkin, melted butter, and melted shortening, egg and egg white, in a large measuring cup. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Whisk together to make a slightly lumpy batter.

For the topping: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples and let cook until slightly browned, but still crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the maple syrup and walnuts and toss to coat.

Pour and spread about 1 cup batter into the waffle iron. Cover and cook until crisp and a rich golden brown, about 7 minutes. (Try to resist the temptation to open the waffle iron too soon. Steam will puff out of the iron while the waffles cook, when this stops the waffle is cooked.) Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve hot with the apples.

Halloween Treats: Saw this short video clip on Food Network (dot) com and thought these were cute.

These receipes came from Foodtv.com. They have some really great ideas for the holidays!

Enjoy!

Homeschool 101 - College Bound

Several months ago I started a second blog - Homeschool 101 - and had really great intentions for it! I wanted to introduce homeschool families to other homeschool families, educate people about homeschooling, provide tips and networking, and other stuff. Much to my chagrin - although I shouldn't have been surprised - I couldn't keep up with both of my blogs and everything else I had going on. So, I recently decided that instead of getting rid of Homeschool 101 altogether, I would incorporate it into this one. What a novel idea, I know!

So, each Tuesday I will have something related to Homeschool 101 and I hope it will be a help to all you homeschoolers out there. I'm constantly getting questions about this or that from new or prospective homeschool families.

This week's the topic is: Homeschooling & College

I got a call a couple of days ago from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Since I'm listed as the president and founder of the South Georgia Homeschool Association I tend to get calls like this from time to time. But it just proved to me that colleges are LOOKING for homeschoolers. In order to find my contact information, this college had to search homeschooling sites. They were looking for us!

Why? In their words, they look for homeschoolers because they know we tend to be very self-disciplined and independent learners by the time we reach high school.

So - as a homeschooler How Do You Get Into College?

1. Keep good records. There are several good ways to do this.

• Use a software program like Homeschool Tracker, Homeschool Easy Records, etc.




• Keep a binder with tabs for Subjects, Reading Logs, Activity Logs, Extra Curricular Activities. A good source for forms is Donna Young.


• Create your own tracking system using Excel or Word.

We have done all of these methods. It just depends on what you think works best for your family. If you would rather just input information using a computer use a software program. These also help you create your own lesson plans.

Keep in mind that each of these methods takes times and planning. But in the long run, when your child is ready to take that step toward college you'll be prepared!

2. Keep a Portfolio. Many universities like to see the work the child has done. Keep samples of writing and other work done by the student. Here are a few ideas of things to put in the portfolio:

• Samples of work
• Copies of Attendance reports


• Reading Logs


• Logs for Outside Activities, Clubs, etc.

Grades

Here's an article about keeping Electronic Portfolios.

3. Standardized Tests. Many universities will require a student to have the SAT or ACT. It's best to try to take the test in the spring of their Junior year. This will provide them time to work on weak areas. Then, the student can retest in the fall of their senior year.

Many times a student can choose a 2-year community or technical college to start with and they won't be required to have an SAT or ACT. Most times all that will be required is that the student take the college's entrance exam (like the Compass test) like all other students. (Three of my five children either have or will do this at our local technical college)

Here's a great article by The HomeScholar about taking the SATs.

4. Check Your College. The best way to discover what colleges want from a homeschool student is to contact the college of your choice. Different colleges have different policies regarding homeschool students so it's best to find out first hand what they require.

And in case you're wondering which colleges accept homeschool students, here's a list for you! You may be surprised.

Colleges that accept homeschool students

Please let me know what you're questions or concerns are regarding homeschooling, especially if you're new to it or just considering it. I'll have a different topic each week, so check back often!

If you have questions on the current topic please email me and I'll be happy to try to answer them!

Blessings!

Dana

The Twirl Factor

Oh, the joys of being a girl.

Ainsley loves to twirl and even better than twirling.... twirling with a twirly skirt. :)

Fun Friday

I thought this little craft was so cute. I found it on this website. It doesn't list all of the instructions but it looks pretty easy to me. The kit came from Oriental Trading. I don't think you actually need to use the kit unless you're like me sometimes and don't want to have to search for the materials. But, I have to admit, occassionally it's fun to do that. Ainsley likes to pick out her own materials at times.


By the way, if you haven't been to the Oriental Trading website - you . should . go!! There are a ton of great things on there for a bargain - you know, we homeschoolers love a great bargain!


Here's the product list for the Scarecrow Craft:

Product: Wood Craftstick Scarecrow Banner Craft Kit

Category: Fun Fall Crafts

KidsAge: preschool, kindergarten, elementary: grade 1 - grade 6
(for searching on Oriental Trading)

A fun craft to make with kids out of craft sticks and craft foam. Mr. Scarecrow can warmly greet your guests if hung on your door!

Supplies needed (substitutes may be used):


Craft sticks
Googly eyes
Hat pattern
Flower pattern
Mouth pattern
Nose pattern
Yellow ribbon
Glue
Brown craft foam
Orange craft foam
Yellow craft foam
Blue craft foam
Permanent Marker

The kit comes with complete instructions, of course, but I know so many of you wouldn't need them - you're just creative like that! - and you could come up with your own super-cool patterns!


Here are some other cute craft kits I found at Oriental Trading.

Thought this one was adorable! It's made out of wood and can be decorated however your heart desires!

Happy crafting, y'all!

The Perry Georgia State Fair

We went to the State Fair in Perry Georgia this past weekend -look who we met! This is my husband's favorite police officer. ;) There's something to be said for small town policing, I can tell you. It's too bad we don't have more Mayberrys these days.

The weather was great for a fair. Hot and muggy! We actually expected it to be overcast but, alas, no, not for us.

This was a sign I just had to get a shot of. It was displayed proudly outside the bungee jump contraption that my four year old daughter JUST.HAD.TO.DO!! See pic below....

Here's a cute shot of one of my other daughters and her boyfriend who went with us. He won her this big bear that she named "Jeff" and later won her a little green frog, too. How sweet and mushy is that?!

And, here's me with the 4-year old again.