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Friday, October 23, 2009

.A Little of This, a Little of That.

I just finished my fifth week of my first year of homeschooling. I am doing preschool with my Cadi, and it could not be going better. We are having so much fun! I cannot imagine sending her to school and missing out on the day-to-day learning and fun. I think our relationship has developed and strengthened in the last five weeks as well.




Our "letter of the week" was E, so we played a folder game focused on the ear which entailed Cadi sorting through cards figuring out what items she can hear and what items she cannot hear. She was very creative with some of the cards. For example she placed a picture of a can of peanuts in the items one can hear category. When I asked her why she simply stated, "because if I shake the can, Mommy, I can hear the peanuts." {grin}



In math class, we have been working on sorting and patterns for awhile. This week we used some homemade beads that we had made a few weeks back. They look ugly, but they do the trick! {wink}

Each week we do creative/dramatic play. I set up a scenario that ties into something we are studying, and then we just play. This week the scenario was going to the doctor's. Cadi really got into it! Jim was working at home a few days this week, and he so graciously gave up a few moments to participate in some school activities.



This photo cracks me up. Cadi was asking her daddy what was wrong and why he was needing a doctor visit. Jim answered that he had diabetes. Cadi said "let me put a band aid on your throat and give you some medicine!" Too funny, and maybe a little too close to reality! {wink}

Then it was Cadi's turn to be the patient.



Something about this photo squeezes my heart a bit.


The really neat thing that I have noticed about our creative/dramatic play times is that it encourages Cadi to be more creative in her independent play times. Yesterday she had all of her baby dolls lined up on our couch waiting to be seen by the "doctor". I also found a band aid on the back of Scotty's neck! I can only assume he must have been a patient of Cadi's at one point! {grin}

We also made edible play dough this week. It was peanut butter dough. I am guessing you could use nut butter instead, but I had some natural peanut butter that I wanted to use up.
The recipe is really easy.

1 Cup peanut butter
3 T. honey
3/4 C. dried milk

Stir all ingredients together - slowly add in the powdered milk just until dough is pliable. Refrigerate for two hours before using. The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.





Cadi enjoyed making (and eating) letters out of the dough.


This week I saw such a huge improvement in Cadi's fine motor skills and pencil work. I think we were both really encouraged and excited! I still am struggling with correctly having her position her paper for a lefty. If you have any tips or ideas jump over to my blogfrog community and reply to my latest forum - teaching a lefty-help! I would love to hear what some of you lefty's have to say! {grin}



Besides schooling Cadi this week, I tried out a new recipe for whole wheat buns. Now normally I would prefer something with 100% whole wheat flour, but I was getting low on the flour. These would be really great for a family that is just starting to convert to whole wheat recipes.


Honey whole wheat buns
1/2 C. water
2/3 C. milk
1/3 C. honey
1 large egg
1 1/2 T butter - cut into pieces

2 2/3 C bread flour
1 1/3 C whole wheat flour
1 T plus 2 tsp. gluten
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1T yeast

Throw all into bread maker according to manufacturer's directions. Set to dough cycle. When finished, dump onto lightly floured surface and squeeze out air bubbles. Shape into 8 round balls and place on greased cookie sheet - spread widely a part. Spray and cover with saran wrap. Let rise for 45 minutes, then bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. These make nice size hamburger buns.


I had to use my Kitchen Aid to make bread this week - for the first time ever! I have made pizza dough, but never bread. I had several people tell me that it was just as easy and produced better bread. Well, it was not just as easy, but it was easy. I must just be lazy! {grin} And the bread tasted the same - good, but the same. I have been praying for a bread maker, and guess what?! An old high school friend contacted me and is offering me her nearly new one for free! She had read some comment I wrote on face book - isn't God so good?! So next week we will meet, and I will have a bread maker again!

Can you guess what I am making today???

We have a busy weekend, with friends over tomorrow and then our annual trip to The Meadow lands to see the NY football Giants! Should be fun, and hopefully not as cold as last year. But I hope to post a tutorial tomorrow about what I spent the day making so that you can make some, too!

Photobucket

13 comments:

Carrie said...

I'm glad homeschooling is going so well- I love doing Tot School with my little guy & hope to homeschool someday, too. :) Looking forward to your recipe tomorrow! :)

Katrina said...

That's so great homeschooling is going so well! The pictures are adorable. I really want to try the edible play dough with my son! Too cool!!

I couldn't help but laugh when I read you've been making wheat buns. We must be on the same wave length. We've been making whole wheat bread all week and I can't stop eating it. I love melting butter on it and sprinkling a little brown sugar over it. It's so good!!

Have fun at the Giants game. :)

Richele McFarlin said...

What a wonderful day! Preschool is so much fun for the student and the teacher! :)

Richele McFarlin said...

Before reading your blog, I didn't see your sidebar with your BEAUTIFUL family! I love that personality that shines through with your daughter. And that little boy...hey if you ever put him on Ebay, let me know. lol.

Taking Heart said...

Thank you for your sweet comment! I think your blog is lovely, and your family is beautiful! Hope to see you around!

Kess said...

Such precius moments! Home schooling looks like so much fun. I love your blog! You've got a beautiful little family there :)

Thank you for visiting my blog, and your lovely comment :)

Son and Julie said...

I love your homeschooling ideas. I have a 6 month old & we are prayign about what we will do when he reaches school age. I just can't imagine sending him to public school where we live, and private is so expensive! Home school is an option, but I just don't feel qualified:)

Tiffany said...

Son And Julie - Don't sell yourself short!! You can do anything with the help of the Holy Spirit. I understand that it is not right for every family, but don't neglect the idea thinking you are not qualified. {grin}

Sugar and Spice said...

Thanks for your comment! She is adorable and has amazing hair!! :)

Pineapple Princess said...

I adore your blog! I think you are the best mom!

brandy said...

I just love seeing pictures of you homeschooling your daughter! You gave me some great ideas as I was looking at them! We also homeschool our children! My son is almost 4 and daughter is 2 and we started our 1st year of preschool also! Though we are doing preschool next year again and I plan on being a little more creative/structured next year! I also love it that you are in to eating healthy/organic and whole grains! And although I don't persoanally blog it is awesome to read about others and get encouragement through their words! Thanks for your encouragement! :-)

Unknown said...

Those buns look yummy!

Cadi looks just like you, especially her eyes. Where do you get ideas for her fun hairstyles... they looks so unique!

Shannon

Jenilee said...

I do love your blog! :) another homeschooling mommy! and, did your hubby go to baptist bible college in springfield mo? we went to central bible college in springfield mo. BBC and CBC basketball rivals. :) :) I'm going to try the peanut butter playdough. looks like something my girls would love!

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