Holy Week Daybook

Outside my window...Sunny and 52*

I am thinking...When is the raging child going to stop raging. Ugh, this gets so old!

I am thankful for... Some time with hubby doing some Easter shopping.

Learning all the time…the kids Science stuff is coming in still. All of them will be learning about Human Anatomy this year and I am pretty excited myself.

Learning the Liturgical Year at Home… It’s Holy week and we will be at Mass quite a bit this week. Caleb will be watching the Passion with us on Good Friday. He has been very hesitating on doing this, so I was surprised when he said he would watch the movie with us this Friday. Caleb also was hoping to see the play “Passion”, however it looks like it won’t be playing near us any time soon. :0(

From the kitchen...Sunday is soup and sandwiches. Monday its Seafood Linguini and tossed salad. I don't have a plan for the entire week yet. I hope to make some sweet bread for our tea time with some great history read aloud.

I am wearing...long sleeve tee, jeans and clogs. I love my clogs, love them.

I am creating...lesson plans (still) and I have been working on binders this week. What a task this has been!

I am going... to share this link with you, a must read from Elizabeth Foss.

I am reading...Still working on that same stack of books. I have started our History program again and that means mom reading aloud to the little ones; gosh we have missed this time of slowing down and listening to great books. We are about 6 months behind on History as our move has set us back. But will it really matter since we do summer school, nay, I don't think so.

I am hoping… Too survive a very chaotic week.

Pondering these words…
Prayer for Holy Week
Jesus, in death you became like us to the end,
and in resurrection you point the way to what we will be.
In bad times give us confidence and faith,
in good times give us hope and joy,
and in all times give us love,
for you are love and hope from God. Amen.

I am hearing... a bit of nothing at this moment and it so nice to have quietness. ;0)

Around the house...kids are back and the house is thrashed, need I say more?

One of my favorite things...Shopping for Easter clothes. I love all the pretty dresses, hats and crisp white girly shoes. Oh and those toddler boy shorts with cute v-neck vest. I could go broke during Easter time, no wait-I did go broke this Easter season.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I have a busy, busy and very busy week planed. I will be indulging in a lot of coffee.
Monday-Day care kids and Baseball practice
Tuesday-softball practice (might have grandson in the afternoon all week)
Wednesday-Baseball practice
Thursday-Baseball practice, Mass
Friday-Dance, Softball practice and Mass
Saturday-Knights of Columbus Easter egg hunt, Visit friends farm and Mass
Sunday- Easter Mass

Sharing a photos moment…

Tay bug out at nap time, but I had to take a picture of those yummy cheeks!

Crochet Dish Cloth

I have been making a few handmade gifts for Christmas this year. One of the gifts I been working on are dish clothes. These are so simple to make and they turned out very nice I must say. I did a double crochet on these completely by accident, however; they turned out just fine. Here are the instructions to make these dish clothes.Enjoy and Happy Yarn Along!

DISH CLOTH
Chain 29.
Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across – 28 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each single crochet across.
Repeat last row, until piece measures 10 in. (25.5 cm) from beginning. Fasten off.

Spring Break Daybook

Outside my window...It’s cold and gloomy outside today.

I am thinking... how much I miss my little ones who are in Mt Vernon visiting their oldest sister.

I am thankful for... some alone time with Firecracker for a few days.

Learning all the time…School stuff is still coming and making plans for teaching Firecracker.

Learning the Liturgical Year at Home… inspired by Shower of Roses
Only wish I had the energy and planning skills this women has.

From the kitchen...Fun foods for Firecracker this week. He has been quite a big helper in the kitchen.


I am wearing...long sleeve tee and pajama pants. Staying home today, so I have no need to get dressed.

I am creating...lesson plans for Firecracker.

I am going...to stay at home and being a hermit this week for the most part. Firecracker has an ear ache that landing us in ER, so it’s the perfect time to slow down and get these sick little ones healthy.

I am reading...The same stack of books. Firecracker has been keeping me busy, so that means no time or energy for reading.

I am hoping… to get those lap books printed up and make some file folders games for Firecracker this week.

Pondering these words… Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

I am hearing... Mike the Knight on Nick Jr.

Around the house...for the most part this house has been pretty clean since three of the kids have been gone on Spring break. Looks like Firecracker isn’t the guilty one when it comes to messes!

One of my favorite things...was being able to take a nap with Firecracker. I’m feeling very rested!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Spring Break! I hadn’t planned on taking one this year as we are behind on studies. However, Sweet pea had other plans and took a few kids with her to visit Pumpkin who lives in Mt Vernon.

Sharing a photos moment…

Spring Break in Mt Vernon with our oldest daughters.

A Review by Captain

“The Life of Fred Fractions”, unlike like all other math textbooks, presents itself in the form of vary humorous novel. The story surrounds the adventures of a morning (meaning that literally) of the 5-½ year old Math professor, Fred Gauss. Unlike other math textbooks that shows pictures of young children at play (not quite sure what children at play has to do with math) “Life of Fred Fractions” shows pictures that actually go along with the story being told. For example, when Fred is walking along the side of the side of the street, the picture shows Fred walking along the side of the street, not a 6-year-old girl playing leapfrog with her friend. So, enough of the over view, since this is a review, I’m going to name the pros and cons about this book, then I’ll give my final verdict.

I’ll name the pros about this book first. First off, since this math textbook is in a novel format, you read a bit of the story then you answer some questions. Because there is a story line attached to this math textbook, it’s more interesting to read then a normal math textbook. So instead of reading an insanely stupid question like “Betty walks seven miles a week, how many miles does she walk in an average four week month?” You read an interesting and funny story that shows you when you’d use the form of math you’re learning so you won’t think “When am I going to use this?” Second, the way the book is written is amazing! I’ve never had a math book written the way the “Life of Fred” math series is written. Third, there is a “The Life of Fred” math book for any age. And I’m serious; you can get a “Life of Fred” math textbook from the 1st grade, to your 3rd year in collage. Forth, if you struggle in a specific math topic, there is a companion book with extra drills corresponding with that math topic. Fifth, “The Life of Fred” math is affordable. And lastly, since you don’t actually write in the textbook, one textbook can be reused for siblings if you have any, thus saving your parents money.

Now I’ll name the cons about this math textbook. First, if you’re an audio learner, you’ll struggle with this math textbook because there is no audio. Instead, buy “Teaching Textbooks” since it is a computer program that gives you audio lectures on how to do different forms of math Second because you don’t write in the book, you have to write everything by hand. Third, as far as I’m aware, “The Life of Fred” math series is only in English. So if you can’t read and understand English, I wouldn’t recommend it. Forth, in “The Life of Fred Fractions” they only give you a maximum of ten math problems at the end of each chapter. So if you like doing a lot of math problems, this math textbook doesn’t provide that, so you’ll have to either get the companion book, or print more math sheets out from the internet. Lastly, people without a sense of humor won’t find this math textbook vary enjoyable.

So this concludes my review of “The Life of Fred Fractions”. I give it a 9/10. It’s a Very great math textbook, and I highly recommend buying it.

Captain

Basic Playdough Recipe

Basic Playdough Recipe
1 cup of salt
2 cups of flour
¼ cup of oil
3 teaspoons cream of tarter
Food coloring, spices, extracts, texture items (rice or Beads) kool-aid (great for color and scents)
************************************************************
2 cups of boiling water (I use the microwave to heat water)
Mix the above items in a large bowl while the water is heating up in the microwave. Pour the boiling water into the flour and salt mixture (add kool aid now). Mix until the dough is no longer sticky. Pour out onto counter and knead out all lumps. Now add whatever fun items you want to it, food color,rice, beads or glitter etc. Store in air tight container or in a zip lock bag.

Firecracker is my Playdough helper.

Simple Vegetarian Lasagna

1(16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles (cooked or use instant pasta)
1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese
16 oz ricotta cheese
16 oz of cottage cheese
2 cans of spaghetti sauce
1 cup of chopped onions
4 cloves of garlic chopped
Olive oil
1/3 cup of chopped basil

Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, then add sauce and tomatoes and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir in the basil and add salt and pepper to taste, and then simmer for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray the bottom of a deep casserole dish with Pam. Spoon sauce on bottom of pan to coat. Place a layer of dry or cooked noodles on top of sauce. On top of that, add about 1/3 of the marinara sauce, about 1/3 of the cottage cheese, layer of Spinach and about 1/3 of the mozzarella/chedder cheese. Sprinkle herbs over the top. Repeat the process. Finish with a layer of noodles, then top with tomato sauce.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a knife pokes easily through the lasagna. Remove foil; add a thick layer of cheese and bake at 450° for 10 minutes, or until the top is browned.

(Late) Lenten Daybook

Outside my window...It’s starting to look like spring with the weather in the upper 40’s.

I am thinking... I am thinking of all the things I need to accomplish!

I am thankful for... being a at home mommy. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Learning all the time…All of the school orders are arriving. It’s so exciting to see more books coming our way. Not sure the little’s are feeling the same enthusiasm.

Learning the Liturgical Year at Home… I found this lovely post at Wildflowers and Marbles to use for Religion. Amazon has the Angel Food books for Kindle for .99

From the kitchen...Vegetarian bean tacos and Lasagna this week as well as homemade breads. (I never take pics of the yummy food, need to work on this)

I am wearing...a skirt and long sleeve t-shirt.

I am creating... dish cloth's and such for a homemade Christmas this year.

I am going...to finish what I start, I tend to jump from project to project and nothing every gets done. I will complete one project this week! (baby steps)

I am reading...Blogs of course, plus I am still working on that teetering stack of books. I picked up a few more this week to add to that growing stack.

Charlotte Mason Companion book
US History
One Thousand Gifts
The Bible

I am hoping… To clean, clean and keep clean this house- at least one room. ;o)

Pondering these words… "A child is a person in whom all possibilities are present - present now at this very moment - not to be educed after many years and efforts manifold on the part of the educator" Charlotte Mason

I am hearing... The pitter patter of Tay Bug, pushing her new baby around in her doll carriage.

Around the house...I still have so much to do around the house it’s not even funny.Double UGH

One of my favorite things...going on a shopping date with hubby to the store and sharing an iced coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A mellow week for us is planned with no appointments.
Monday-School and work
Tuesday-School
Wednesday- School
Thursday- Dance
Friday-Mass, school and dance

Sharing a photos moment…

Leonardo's theory on life!