Apr. 18, 2008 - Passover starts tomorrow night
We are ready to prepare our Passover meal, finally, and if you hop over to Tavita's Purse, you can find out what to do with your leftover Matzah! Oh boy, I can't wait to make her recipe! She's planning to add 10 recipes, so you'll have to check back there to see what she has going on in her kitchen! Mostly, I am looking forward to our celebration I have planned for Resurrection Day. That's the BIG day for me.
I wish I had THIS resource a few weeks ago. Now I feel like I'll have to stay up till midnight tonight reading it all before Seder.
Did you know that the Feast of Unleavened bread are held in immediate sequence? Is God trying to tell us something about a connection between yeast and our health? Read more Here!
Here's what we were SUPPOSED to do today...unfortunately, we had a little unexpected chaos, so I never did get to school today. But I'm going to be playing catch up tomorrow...of course THAT'S never happened before!
- Bible lessons: Luke 23:39-46, Matthew 12:40, Luke 16:19-26, I Peter 3:18-20, 4:6
- Discuss and research revmoval of Chametz
- What's kosher?
- Read over The Four Questions
- Read book On Passover by CG Fishman
- Write: Why is Jesus called the Passover Lamb?
- What is an omer? What does it mean to begin counting the omer? Leviticus 23:15
- Keep lights off for a while (Plague of Darkness today)
- Preparations for Seder
Ho-hum. I wish things always went the way we plan them, but sometimes you just have to roll with the punches!
Apr. 18, 2008 - This Old Schoolhouse ~ Frugal Friday!!!
Wanna Save Money? Well, it's Frugal Friday, so what could be better than FREE?
I wanted to tell you about a special promotion the magazine for homeschool families is running right now. If you subscribe for just a year, you actually (while supplies last) will receive 25 curriculum-type gifts from various vendors. The value is huge – hundreds of dollars' worth of freebies to you. No strings attached – except that TOS only has about 2000 of these “gift baskets” left in their inventory. First come, first served. Here's the link which explains more, below. You can even view all the gifts and find out how they'll arrive. Hurry, though, they go really fast. Last time the magazine did this they sold out about two months early.
http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_60&products_id=1542
The above link will show you the pictures of your free gifts plus give you all the details. So, check it out. I LOVE The Old Schoolhouse magazine! We use it to research curriculum, get great ideas, and keep in touch with other homeschoolers. You can even sign up for their Freebie Friday newsletter, which has lots of great freebies and ideas too!
I was so excited to see that in the Freebie Friday newsletter this week, they had included a free 21 page Haggadah! It will go great with our current Passover study, and just in time for Passover tomorrow night and Sunday nights! I'm so excited! You can check out their Freebie Here! And to sign up for Freebie Friday go HERE!
Apr. 17, 2008 - Unit Study Continues...
I am really starting to look forward to doing some lesson plans that SOMEONE else has prepared! I think I must be putting too much on our collective plate! I shouldn't complain though, the lesson is really sinking in with the children, and though exhausting, it has been fun. Today's run down:
- Review yesterday's Bible reading
- Recite memory verses
- Sing our resurrection songs
- Plague of Locusts...pictures of locusts everywhere!!!
- Label the body parts of locusts, discuss what they eat and why they are pests
- Look at Egyptian pyramids and ancient ruins (various library books)
- Write an report on what you discover about Ancient Egyptian Pyramids
- Discuss how bricks were made by slaves
- Try to make a brick
- Get grocery items for Seder
In addition to our lessons today, we had to pick up some plants for the garden plus a few flowers for the front deck. We also ran to the post office and recycle center and now the children are helping my parents with some tree work in their yard. So, it has been a very full day. Thankfully, we already have our evening meal prepared, all I have to do is pop it in the oven.
Apr. 16, 2008 - Page with Non-toxic Recipes is ready
Ok, as promised...here's the link to my website page with my home cleaning recipes are. I will try to add more as I think of them.
Apr. 16, 2008 - Today's Unit Study Progress
Today's lessons included:
- Practicing our memory verses I Corinthians 5:7 and Exodus 3:14
- Practicing our songs: When I See The Blood
- Reading our Bible lessons for today: Matthew 27:1-51 and 57-60, John 19:30, Isaiah 53:3-5, Hebrews 9:11-15, 2:9-18, 3:1-2
- Today'splague is Hailstorm and Fire, so we studied how sleet and hail happen (see previous post to find out for yourself)
- Writing assignment: Why is Jesus called the King of kings
- For art we are going to make some Seder plate placemats
- If I get the time we will be watching the video King of Kings...but I don't know that we will be able to squeeze that one in today.
- I also had the children prepare menu's and grocery lists yesterday for a Passover meal, today we plan to do the shopping...although, I may have to put that off till tomorrow, since it is nap time for the littles and I hate going to the grocery in the afternoon or evening...maybe I'll just do that tomorrow morning
- We are still looking at resurrection in nature such as the sand dollar, "easter" lily, dogwood trees, etc. Some of these are "legends" that have no real proof or meaning, others actually do seem to "point" to God, as does all nature really!
Steve Green said it best in his song All Across The Sky, didn't he?
All across the world
People everywhere
Ask "How can I believe in a God I cannot see?
If there really is a God, why is there so much pain?
If I could only see, then I'd believe."
If you could only see that His
For His Love is written all across the sky
As brilliantly the stars all testify
For the glory of the God Who reigns on high
Is displayed in the world He has made
And as all creation seems to shout and sing
In wonder of the one Almighty King
His signature can easily be seen on everything
Take a minute now and take a look around
Can you believe that everything you see
Took place by chance?
The intricate design
Down to the last detail
And what about the mystery that cuts us like a knife:
"What is the source of life?"
For His Love is written all across the sky
As brilliantly the stars all testify
For the glory of the God Who reigns on high
Is displayed in the world He has made
And as all creation seems to shout and sing
In wonder of the one Almighty King
His signature can easily be seen on everything
Apr. 16, 2008 - Non-toxic Cleaners Works for me
Ok, here's just a snippet of information about what works for me. I promise to add a page to my website tonight when I get all the schooling and chores around the house done. So check back for the link to that.
WINDOWS:
Ok, first if you have been using windex type stuff, you'll first have to use the following formula to remove the waxy build up that they leave.
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent (I use Dawn or Joy)
4 cups of water
(I also like to add, but just for my own pleasure, a few drops of essential oil...like lemon or peppermint)
I mix all this up and divide it into several spray bottles and give them to my children...they love to "spray" things and this won't hurt them. I let them use either newspaper or squeegee's to remove the wet.
RESULT: sparkling clean windows and mirrors, and any glass
AFTER you have used all that recipe up, you can go to just straight Vinegar:
Take a spray bottle and fill it half way with vinegar and half way with water. You can always add your favorite essential oil (just a drop) to "cut" the vinegary smell.
By the way, you can also spray this into the air and it will clear up any odors, such as after you cook fish, or whatever stinky smells your house accumulates.
Another easy to use cleaner that is great for windows, but I only purchase it if it is dirt cheap (or cheaper than vinegar) is CLUB SODA. It is full of minerals that dissolve dirt. You can also add essential oils to club soda. Just don't drink the stuff!
Someone else asked me how I get by without SHAMPOO...
I put about 30 ounces of water (usually I soak some nettle leaves in it first then strain, but it's not necessary) into my container
to that I add about 4-5 ounces of Dr. Bronners castille soap (which I buy in bulk and it lasts for an eternity) then I add about 1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil, whatever is handy. Then I add whatever essential oil I'm into at the time. The girls like lavender, the guys like ylang-ylang. Shake it a bit before each use. Simple as can be.
For Conditioner I mix some aloe vera, jojoba or avocado or coconut oil, apple cider vinegar together and shake. I'm not sure about the amounts, I'll have to figure that out and post it on my website.
When cleaning floors, I take my bucket and put in about 2-3 gallons of water and about 1/2-2/3 cups of distilled white vinegar...sometimes I add a very small drop of Dawn or other dish detergent (not dishwasher detergent), use with a mop. If your floor is super dirty, like built up grease in the kitchen or something, you could add to taht about 1/4 cup washing soda before the warm water. But I would not use this on WAXED floors. (There are other formulas for waxed floors...but I don't have waxed floors, so I would need to look them up somewhere)
I don't have a problem with mold where I live, but I used to when I lived in Florida. For that, this is what I would do. Fill a spray bottle with some water, say about a cup. Then add about a teaspoon of tea tree oil. Shake and spray on the moldy areas. Don't rinse off. Just let it dry. It will smell really strong at first, but it will go away fast. I usually would open the window or turn on the fan while using it. Also, do not spray on painted wood. I did that once... it peeled the paint right off! But it works great on tiles and showers and bathtubs. I have even used it on a set of moldy concrete steps and it worked amazingly.
If you do not want to purchase the Tea Tree oil, you could always use Borax. Just mix it into a paste with water and scrub on there, leave it on for a while and it will kill any mold. But remember, Borax is very harsh on your skin, so I use gloves. It is a lot safer than just about anything else you can buy, but you still don't want to get it in your eyes, a cut, etc. By the way, if you ever have a flea infestation, just sprinkle it everywhere on your carpet etc. Let it sit for the day while you take the children to the park. When you get back, just vacuum it all up. That will usually kill fleas dead in their tracks AND their eggs.
The best way to clear a slow drain, your children will love. Just get as much baking soda down in the drain as you can! Poke it down in there with a chop stick or something. Then add some vinegar and watch the fun. I usually do this to all my drains once a month just to keep them clear. Prevention is best. I just shake some baking soda (which I purchase in bulk) into the drains, then we all go around pouring about 1/2-1 cup of vinegar in the drain with the baking soda, it sizzles and bubbles and keeps the drains sparkling clean!
Well, I really have to get to my day. I will stay up late tonight to get that page added to my website. But there are several books you can get at the library, or at a bookstore that detail a million ways to use baking soda and vinegar to clean your home. Adding essential oils is a bonus.
Apr. 15, 2008 - My Dream Yard
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyXFcbFoAd8
Apr. 15, 2008 - Save a tree, skip the coupons
Ok, we've been trying the coupon thing and I have to say, sorry, coupons just aren't worth it! 
I'm sure this won't be a popular post, but I promised I would check it out and report back, so here goes nothing. There's a lot of information in this post. I could have added lots more websites, etc. but I have many more responsiblities, so I tried to just sprinkle in a few of my "reasonings" behind each of the products that I do not purchase. (to read why I don't use certain products just click on the product name)
I checked my cost per person per meal before I used one single coupon and it was $1.02 and that did not include snacks or the packed lunches I sent with my husband, so if I factored those in, I know it would be much less than $1 per person per meal.
I scoured and scoured the coupons for ANYTHING that we would use in our home...zip...nada... Cold cereal, canned biscuits, cookie dough, instant potatoes, frozen "meals", carbonated sugary beverages, "light" drinks?? No! Toothpaste? Nope, don't use it. Anti-perspirant, deodorant, hair spray, nope, nope and uhhhh nope! Over the counter medications? Nope. Prescription drugs? No. Disposable diapers or other sanitary products? Rarely. Laundry detergent? No. Drug store make-up? NO WAY! Are you getting the picture? (By the way, I asked around what was considered a "good healthy cereal"...the answer, Special K. Well, I checked the ingredients, and since when was High Fructose Corn Syrup healthy?
Now, I know that most people out there DO buy those items and for those folks, I say, if it is something you ALREADY purchase, fine. In my experience that hasn't been the case. Although, there have been a few exceptions. I do use my Staples Business Rewards card (we purchase supplies for the mortgage company) and from time to time I get something good from Staples, like free pens or $$ off of a case of paper, etc. I use those. I also got some toilet paper for pennies per roll by combining a coupon with a store sale.
I still think a better way to save money is to use less stuff. It is not only a way to save the money currently in your wallet, but to save your health later on. You can clean your entire house with just a bottle of vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. If you want you could even use some of the money you are saving from not purchasing all that other garbage that pollutes your body and the environment, to buy some great essential oils!
We use lavender in the rinse cycle to make clothes soft and sweet smelling. We use lemon, lime, or tangerine in our vinegar to spray on countertops...better than Pine Sol any day! A few drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract in your dish rinse water will kill bacteria. For polishing furniture, nothing beats pure olive oil and you can add one drop of lemon essential oil to make it smell like that old familiar Pledge! Pre-treating laundry stains? Try hydrogen peroxide, borax, club soda, or just plain old soap!
Trust me, if you clean up the home environment and get rid of those toxic fumes (Glade Plug ins, Febreeze, Oust, etc. etc.) you'll save the money you've been spending on those products, plus the money you've been spending on your allergies and other ailments caused by your toxic environment! Start your research today, make it a unit study, a home school report, add a page to your website, spread the word! And just say no to those coupons...save a tree!
Apr. 15, 2008 - Sleet (not hail) comes early or late
Yesterday afternoon while the children and I were reading about the plagues it started sleeting. We actually didn't realize it was sleet, we thought it was hail...(what's the difference?) We all ran outside to have a look and started talking about how it was the cattle plague day, not the hailstorm and fire plague day 
Here's a peek at what all we have been doing today:
- Read our Bible verses: Mark 11:20-26, Matthew 26:17-19, Luke 22:13-20, Matthew 26:21-25, 30-75
- Practiced our memory verses
- Practiced our Resurrection songs
- Listened to Passover music on a Jewish website for kids
- Studied the map of modern day Egypt
- Wrote up a "prescription" for natural cures for boils
- Made a menu for a Passover meal and grocery list too
- Watched 1/2 of The Greatest Story Ever Told (available on Netflix)
- Copied a passage from our Bible lesson in our best handwriting
Today was not a real heavy work day. More to come.
Apr. 14, 2008 - Learning about the Passover is FUN
We are having a great time learning more about Passover and the Resurrection. So far we have gone through the first five plagues...this morning when the children woke up all the stuffed animals in the house were lying "feet up" so to speak... We talked about murrain and what that meant. Here are some other things we did over the weekend and today... (scroll down to see some of my Passover Props)
- Read several books about Jewish Culture, Customs, People, Synagogues
- Labeled and colored a map of Egypt
- Reviewed the Hebrew alphabet and wrote our names in Hebrew
- Read over some Yiddish phrases
- Looked at the anatomy of a frog, fly, and lice. (to dissect a frog online go HERE)
- Studied the genealogies of Jesus and Made a family tree for Jesus (Matthew and Luke)
- Wrote an essay on the symbols of passover and why signs are used in the Bible
- Talked about Nomadic people
- Continued to work on our timeline
- Read about what Jesus was doing x days before crucifixion
- Looked at some Passover cookbooks and recipes
- Made flash cards for our memory verses
- Practiced songs for the resurrection "When I See The Blood" (to listen click here then scroll down to the song and click on title) and "Are You Washed in the Blood?"
- Watched Via Dolorosa on youtube (not for young...)
Here are some of the FUN books we have been using. We really like the story of the run away Matzah and absolutely LOVE the cookbook!
Apr. 11, 2008 - A Day Off
Well, without meaning to, I took the day off from school. I had some appointments and errands this morning, so Haley and I went to town together. By the time we got home it was after 1 o'clock. I just had laid Harmon down, thinking I would start straight off on our lessons for today when my sister, mom, and pretty much everyone started calling to tell me we were under a tornado watch. (We got rid of our TV's years ago) So, we went over the emergency plan together and made sure we all knew what to do. After maybe 10 minutes the watch was changed to a warning. I went to get Harmon out of his bed and we all went to the safest place in the house to wait it out, while listening to our local radio station. Thankfully, after about an hour or so the warning was lifted. Harmon wasn't excited about only getting a 20 minute nap 
We came out and waited for the watch to end...by the time it did my mom stopped by on her way home from work to check on us...after she left I had to start on supper and now here I am at the computer. So, no school today. I guess we'll have a make up day tomorrow. Life is good.
Apr. 10, 2008 - Library Day and more unit study fun
Ok, I admit I am a few days behind getting to the library... but we got there today and the children came across some great books. We also got a huge pile of free magazines...one I really think we'll like called Victoria. There were stacks of those free for the taking...Macey is really into that type of thing right now.
I think I finally put the finishing touches on the entire unit study plan! Whew...it was a lot of work. We should wrap it all up by April 27th, with our big Field Day event as the Grande Finale!
For today's studies we:
- Put red food coloring in all the water (flower vases, water jugs and bottles, cups sitting out, etc.) to imitate the water turning to blood as in 1st plague, and discussed what else they could drink...
- Reviewed Exodus chapters 12-16
- Observed our molding yeast bread
- Located Midian, Sinai, and Arabian Desert on a map
- Discussed Bible Signs and named some
- Discussed what is meant by Authority, who has it and why
- Discussed the meaning of various numbers in the Bible
- Watched Genesis with Max McClean on Netflix Instant Viewing
- Looked for signs of the resurrection in Nature
- Decided on our Memory Verses I Corinthians 5:7 and Exodus 3:14
- Listened to some music about Passover
- Practiced our songs for Resurrection Day on piano and singing
So, that is what we managed to do for our schooling today. It looks like a lot, but it didn't take as long as I thought. We also did some fun stuff, like a passover word search, Exodus crossword puzzle, Elijah maze, and some art stuff just for fun. We also watched a video on Youtube of Mark Shultz's song I Am. I don't care for that type of music, but I really like the words.
Apr. 9, 2008 - Day 3 Passover Unit Study
I think this is the funnest study I've ever created. So far today, we have:
- Made more voabulary flash cards
- Listened to Hebrew Music
- Located Egypt and The Red Sea on a map
- Read Matthew 21:1-17, Luke 19:1-28, John 12:1
- Made a flash card for each of the ten plagues with the following information on each card:
1. Number of Plague
2. Name of Plague
3. Verses in Bible where plague is described
4. Our description of plague
5. On the back, each child drew a picture depicting that particular plague - Discussed Bible Genealogies as God goes into detail about these in the Bible, what is God's design for the family and what family structure looks like.
- More website's for fun and information
- Worked on creating a timeline starting with Abraham and ending with Moses' death
Later I am planning to run to the library with the children to pick up a few more books to fill in what I am missing. Right now, Harmon is taking a nap, the four older children are working on their zones, and I have only a few short minutes of computer time before we all begin our quiet time. So much I want to do, so little time to accomplish it all.
Apr. 9, 2008 - Passover Unit Study
I have been preparing a unit study to use for most of this month. We started it this week and so far this is what we have done. 
- Read Exodus 1-15
- Watched Charlton Heston's The Ten Commandments (Netflix has it)
- Went over passover vocabulary words and made flash cards
- Researched the Feast of Unleavened Bread and leaven, how it works, why God uses leaven as a symbol of sin.
- Baked some yeast bread (object lesson for previous) and left out one slice to see what would happen to it
- Watched three short videos about Matzah, Seder, and wine
- Looked at and discussed the Jewish Calendar and how it differs from ours
- Visited several Jewish websites
- Studied the Seder
- Did some notebooking about what we have learned so far
Today we will be continuing our study and I will post again later today about what all we went over today. Hopefully, I will get to add some neat links to this post as well. Tomorrow I will begin a study of the 10 plagues, in the order they occurred. I'll definitely add pictures of that! I have spent a lot of time preparing for this unit study and hope to share as many details on here as possible... although this does seem to be such a busy time of year, doesn't it? Garden prep, outdoor activities, finishing up the school year (so to speak), etc. 
If you are doing any special studies on Passover, or have any tips, ideas, good books, etc., please add them in the comments so we can all share and benefit. Thanks!
Apr. 2, 2008 - Announcements
Lora Lease is the winner of the baby blanket give away! Congratulations!!!!
My hunch was confirmed at my ultrasound appointment last week...
Haley made these lemon cookies when she found out! They were pretty good as you can see in the next picture!
Mar. 28, 2008 - Frugal Fridays
Save money...pare down your beauty regime! A few years ago I read Kevin Trudeau's book Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About
That's when I started being more careful about what I use on my skin. I no longer have a counter full of beauty products and make up. It's amazing how little you can get by on. For instance, baking soda, cinnamon and stevia does a wonderful job of whitening your teeth and freshining your breath and it is safer and less expensive than regular toothpaste. Did you know there's enough fluoride in one tube of toothpaste to kill a small child? It's true.
If you have not subscribed to Dr. Mercola's free newsletter, I highly recommend it! He has some great articles on there that will keep you informed of the latest news in health related topics.
You can save a ton of money by paring down what you put on your body, and it will help improve your health. If you just can't live without some of the creams, oils, and balms...I recommend some healthier alternatives such as the ones from Earth Mama Angel Baby...click on the link below to check out some of their "can't live without" products! I especially like the Earth Mama Body Butter...great for preventing stretch marks, and the Angel Baby Lotion...
Mar. 26, 2008 - EARTH DAY PLANS
Ok, we're gonna make plans for Earth Day (April 22, 2008) in advance!
This year, I am planning a Field Day and Picnic for any and all children who would like to be involved! We'll be having three legged races, tug of war, 50 yard dash, egg on a spoon relay races, hula hoop marathons, jump-roping marathons, and LOTS more!
We're also planning to have some baking contests and art contests...we'll be passing out flyers about Earth Day and talking about how to save the Earth's resources. (Find out more about Earth Day here.)
If you have big plans for Earth Day, or a tip on how to take better care of the Earth God gave us, add your link below and don't forget to leave a comment, if you'd like to come to our Earth Day celebration, let me know!
Mar. 26, 2008 - Family Potty Seat Works For Me!
Since I started potty training Harmon at birth we needed a potty seat that we wouldn't have to put on and take off all the time. I found the best one EVER, especially for larger families. All you have to do is lift the child size seat for yourself, and lower it for the littles! As you can see below, Harmon is enjoying reading The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who...)
Mar. 25, 2008 - Money, Your Children and the Future
Having a family means more than just piano lessons, soccer and endless loads of laundry. It means being financially responsible. How can large families save money in a time when the dollar's worth is plummeting around the world? How do you implement money management when the economy is worsening on a daily basis? Being responsible with your loans is the first step. The second step is to simply be responsible. How does that work?
Financial responsibility means more than simply putting away a few extra dollars when it is convenient. With a large family, the question of college savings should be answered as soon as possible. How can you put away money for your family's future when you barely have enough to live on, as it is? The first thing that you need to do is ensure that any loan payments are met on time, every time. If necessary, short term loans can be used to meet this requirement, as long as they are paid off immediately. I have a friend who is scraping frantically to save for her daughters’ wedding, instead of enjoying this time of planning, preparation and last days with her at home. I first suggested a smaller, less expensive wedding, then perhaps a loan that she could pay back as the money came in.
Being financially responsible constitutes more than this, though. It means a drastic reduction in spending, for example watching movies at home as opposed to going to the movie theatre. It means looking at money differently than most of society. Our consumer driven society wants everything right now; I call it the “gimme-gimme culture.” With a family, that is just not possible. Responsibility will mean looking at each new purchase with a critical eye and asking yourself “how many hours will I have to put in at my job to pay for this?” or “Do we really need this?” You'll be surprised how often the answer is "no." While many new things are useful, handy or downright exciting, you don't need them.
Investments should play a role, as well. Putting money into investments when you have a family may sound difficult, and it can be. However, if you don't save, then your children's future might not be what it should. Your ultimate responsibility is to the welfare of your children and every financial decision you make should be geared towards that.
Mar. 24, 2008 - Win a potty seat
Just a heads up, if you want a chance to win a really cute potty seat! CLICK HERE! I have an entire page on my website dedicated to early potty training...
