I want a new dress...

I have been on a diet for two weeks and I am very proud of myself for having lost 4 lbs already. It has been a combination of diet, running and strength training. My goal is to lose around 20-25 lbs. I would love to get myself something like these. Maybe I'll make one!

Shine and Dine Dress - Modcloth 

West Coast Spring - Shabby Apple

Pick of the Licorice Dress - Modcloth 

Which one would you choose?

Calling all who love art!

We joined a homeschool co-op this year for the first time in years. We have to drive 30 minutes to get to it and it is an all day thing. The reason I chose this co-op is because it offers classes for all of my kids from 1st grade all the way up to high school. I am teaching two of the classes (history and art for the 4th-6th grades) and while I don't feel I have reached my full potential with the history class, I think art is going well. Of course I did study art in school and have taught art for the last 3 years in a group setting so I would hope I have that class down.

Speaking of art... I would like to announce that in just a few short weeks time I will be releasing the 1st of my art at home DVD's. I am looking for a few families to try it out and let me know what they think. Once it is available for sale, it will be a monthly art program geared towards elementary age students. It will however include a few "bonus" lessons for the younger and the older (jr. high/high school age) crowds.

If you would be interested in being one of my testers for this program, please leave a comment below to let me know. Also let me know the ages of your kids that will be using the program. I would like to have all ages participating.

Kids Winter Wear For Sale

I have the following items available for sale. Contact me at cmahmhprz@aol.com if you are interested:

Boys Size 4/S Coat - Name Brand / Protection System
This coat is in good condition although there are a few small spatters of white paint in a few places, (on the front right, a couple on the sleeves. It is barely noticeable.
$8.00

Size XXS/4 Snow Pants Name Brand LL Bean

These pants are in excellent condition minus one small hole on the leg. It is in no danger of continued ripping. These pants are really special as they open from the ankle all the way up to the waist on both legs. You can see it partially opened in the picture below. 

$15.00

Girls Size 6X/Large Coat - Name Brand Rothschild
This coat is in good condition with a bit of discoloration on the sleeves from wear. It is hard to see. The coat has a lot of wear left in it.
$10.00

Boys or Girls Size 4/S Green Coat - Name Brand Lands End
This coat is in like new condition. No marks of any kind. It was worn only a handful of times. Inside pockets, fleece lining etc...
$20.00

Materials for Sale

For Sale:

Items do not include shipping. Shipping Prices: 1st Item - $4.50 Second Item $2.00 Each Additional Item $1.00 Contact me at cmahmhprz@aol.com All items are newest editions unless noted. Language Arts Sonlight: Fiction, Fairy Tales, and Fun For Little Learners http://www.sonlight.com/attachments/TCG/TCG-sample.pdf Like New $10.00 Tapestry of Grace – Writing Aids Hardback book Hardback Book – Like New $20.00 Vocabulary from Classical Roots – Level A Student Book – 3 hole punched Like New $6.00 If You're Trying to Teach Kids How To Write, you've gotta have this book! / Majorie Frank http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Trying-T...d_bxgy_b_img_y Good Condition $5.00 Language and Thinking for Young Children / by Ruth Beechick Like New $5.00 Christian Light Language Arts 100 Wall Charts (posters / phonics cards black and white version) NEW $10.00 Mathematics Singapore Primary Mathematics 1A (US Edition) http://www.rainbowresource.com/produ...c9e71e533e5f30 -Workbook (a few pages done in pencil) -Textbook (very good) -Home Instructors Guide (new) http://www.rainbowresource.com/produ...c9e71e533e5f30 $25.00 Science Exploring Creation with General Science Textbook Solutions and Tests for Exploring Creation with General Science Audio Book MP3-CD Multimedia Companion CD http://www.apologia.com/store/index....=index&cPath=2 Like New – Current Editions $75.00 for the full set Exploring Creation with Biology Textbook Solutions and Tests For Exploring Creation with Biology https://apologia.securesites.net/sto...=index&cPath=4 Like New – Current Editions $60.00 set Health Safety & Manners 3 (second edition) $5.00 Gizmos & Gadgets / Hauser http://www.amazon.com/Gizmos-Gadgets...os+and+gadgets Very Good $5.00 Fizz, Bubble and Flash / Brandolini, PH.D. http://www.amazon.com/Fizz-Bubble-Fl...bble+and+Flash Very Good $5.00 Science Scope / by Kathryn Stout http://www.christianbook.com/science...G&view=details Good $10.00 Adventures with Atoms and Molecules / by Robert C. Mebane http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Wit...bert+C.+Mebane Like New – Older Edition $5.00 Patterns of Nature set / by Rod and Staff http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item..._Staff_Science New $5.00 History / Geography The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (hardback) New $15.00 Around the World in 180 Days http://www.christianbook.com/around-...Q&view=details Very Good / 1st Edition $10.00 Miscellaneous The Art of Argument: an Introduction to the iInformal Fallacies http://www.amazon.com/Art-Argument-A...rt+of+argument New $18.00 Homeschool Helps Books Children Love / by Elizabeth Wilson Like New $8.00 Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe / by Todd Wilson Like New $5.00 A Virtuous Woman / Mast http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/1-2187/ $7.00 Life Management for Busy Women / Elizabeth George http://www.amazon.com/Life-Managemen.../dp/0736901914 $5.00 Discipline: The Glad Surrender / Elisabeth Elliot $4.00 Living with Passion and Purpose / Elizabeth George Bible Study Book http://www.christianbook.com/living-...ds&event=ESRCP $4.00 Beautiful in God's Eyes / Elizabeth George $4.00 With Heart and Hand: A Manual for Women in God's Service / Beneth Peters Jones http://www.christianbook.com/heart-h...G&view=details $3.00 I'm More than the Pastor's Wife / Lorna Dobson http://www.christianbook.com/pastors...G&view=details $5.00 Frugal Living for Dummies / Deborah Taylor-Hough $5.00 Home-spun Schools / Raymond and Dorothy Moore $3.00 Keepers of the Faith – Compassion Character Book http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/pro...acterBook.html $3.00

I wanted to give an update on Christian Light Math for this school year. We are still using it extremely successfully. This year I added my 1st grade son and I cannot emphasize enough how well it is going. He actually asks to do math first thing each morning and gets 100% nearly every day. 

I just asked him to tell me what he thinks about his math and he said, "I love it! Why would I hate it?" I think that is a great recommendation. I am very excited to have at least one of my children that get to start CLE from the very beginning. I wish I had discovered this program earlier. 

On another note, I want to share another wonderful resource. It is a math drilling website called xtramath.org . I love it for several reasons...

1. There are no distracting ads.
2. It has a pleasing, easy to read layout.
3. It is very systematic.
4. It repeats missed problems until the child gets it. 
5. It is low stress.
6. It tells you when to be done for the day and it only takes about 5 minutes. 
7. It continues to build, starting with addition going up to division.
8. It sends the parents weekly reports of their child's progress and how often they logged on. 
9. It is completely FREE!!!

Here is a screen shot of one of the problems. If the child doesn't put their answer in, it shows them the answer in grey. The child still has to put the answer in which helps them to memorize it. 

Youtube as a supplement...

I use youtube a lot in my schooling. It helps to bring the studies alive and provide variety throughout the day. Here are some of our current videos we are using in school.

Literature: Frederick by Leo Leonni

Music Study: The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II

Math: My skip counting videos






History/Citizenship : Star Spangled Banner and US Presidents Song. We also watch a video that shows a waving flag. We turn the volume down and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

I have also been using the website: Classics for Kids to teach more about the composers they are listening to. This week we will be listening about Strauss.