Reading Station

Last but not least... Our Reading Station. Readers, devotionals and classic poetry. I need more pictures to hang. 

I'm On My Knees

Mom Station

My computer, easel, printer and bulletin board. The blue thing  on the right is our schedule (like how it is empty?).

On the left is school planning stuff and all the white drawers are my craft supplies. To the right (not pictured) is our main bookshelf. 

Computer Station

This is the boys' computer, they sit on an ottoman and that is an end table. It is positioned so I can always see what they are doing.To the left it my computer desk.

Math Station

The window above the desk is a look through that you see our front door through.

Our calendar, 100 chart and weather.

100 Chart, number words, clothes pins for number matching.

Money sheet and shapes are from The Old Schoolhouse Primary Planner.

A basket of activities; lacing, glo-doodle, number flashcards, telling time flashcards and books, worksheets, Learning Palettes from Usborne and books. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets

Language Arts Station

Language Arts Station (math to the left)

Sight Words, ABC Poster and Explode the Code Wall Chart.

Desk and Box Full of Activities.

Handwriting Without Tears ABC Chart and The things on top is a  desk name tag that I put in a sheet protector. 

Learning Palette from Usborne, Magnet Letters, Letter matching, Notebooks, Letter Flashcards, Whiteboard and Markers. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets.

Art Station

Art Station with beautiful artwork. Paint, clay, brushes, etc are in the big tub.

Crayons, scissors and glue. In the organizer are art books and activities. In there are also folders for each kiddo with daily/weekly worksheets.

Puzzles and some activities underneath. The mat is great to sit or kneel on and also for exercise.  All I need is a tablecloth!

Classroom Makeover

On the right is the boys' computer, then you can see my desk with PC and printer and easel, white plastic drawers on the left are my craft supplies.

Art station with puzzles underneath, mat is also used for exercise. Reading station on the left.

Math and Language Art Stations, hutch (that has no other home). 

Over the next few posts I will be breaking down our new and improved classroom stations. Here is the whole room. We are so blessed to have excess space and I finally finished unpacking so now we can utilize that space.

Popsicle Sticks!

If you are not on Pinterest may I just ask why not?? If you need an invite just give me your email and I'll send one asap!

Anyway... yes, there is a point to my obvious obsession with Pinterest. Besides decorating my imaginary house and designing my fantasy wardrobe, I also find loads of great homeschooling ideas. I recently found this one and was excited to try it out. So I made some of my own but I added more. I did three sets of 1-20, front and back. We are nowhere near multiplication and division so I just did equal signs, a plus and a minus. I also did an alphabet set with A-Z; upper case on one side, lower case on the opposite side, consonants and vowels in different colors. I'm thinking of numerous ways for both boys to use  them. Here they are...

Letters

Numbers

Yep. she is.

Items For Sale

I am cleaning out and getting rid of some things. Please let me know if you need any of the items listed. I will give you a good deal. Make an offer that includes shipping. I live outside the US but we use USPS, so it will take a little longer but the cost is the same for shipping. Thanks!
My Father's World-Kindergarten Deluxe Set Sold as set, cannot break up. (does not include student worksheets)
This is what I have...

• Teacher's Manual and Literature Activity Guide (comes with Lit pack) no Literature included
• Lauri Letters
• Cuisenaire Rods and Alphabet Book
• What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?
• A-Z Cards
• Classical Favorites CD
• Hide 'Em in Your Heart Vol 1 & 2 CDs
• For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
• Ant Hill and Butterfly Habitat (These are BRAND new, never used but my children opened the packaging and the packaging is not in the best shape)
• These are from the student pack and I will include them rather than just throw them away... ABC Game Cards, Bingo Set and Short Vowel Song Cards

BOOKS-

• Usborne Internet Linked First Thousand Words in Italian (like new)
• Berlitz Kids Italian Picture Dictionary (also like new)
• Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading (Brand new condition!)
• Bible Crafts & More for Ages 2-4 by Standard Publishing
• More Faith-Building with Preschoolers by Prenzlow & Candreva
• First Picture Playground Games (fun preschool, early childhood games)
• Usborne Preschool Activities Animal Fun (fun preschool age art projects)
• The Usborne Baby and Toddler Treasury (Rhymes, stories and activities to share with little children)

Lasagna a la Crockpot

Super easy and it actually tasted better than I thought it would!

• pound or so of browned ground beef (or turkey or left over pot roast, whatever you want)
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dried basil 
• 10 ounces of diced tomatoes (Italian are good)
• small can of tomato paste (or you can use jar sauce, whatever you have on hand)
• 1 cup real parmesan cheese (not Kraft powder), half will go in the mix and half will go on top
• mozzarella cheese (real mozz! see picture if you don't know what real mozz is) 
• 2 or 3 strips of lasagna noodles, uncooked
• 1 cup or so of water
• black pepper to taste

I browned the meat and then mixed everything in my crock. I broke up the pieces of lasagna noodle and mixed them in. I added the water but probably didn't really need it. I was afraid it would get dry. It took about 3.5 hours to cook on low, then I turned it off and topped it with parmesan and more mozzarella. Put the lid back on and let it get all gooey. 

Not the most attractive picture but it was super yummy!

This is the most real mozzarella cheese I could find here. If I was in Italy or even some stores in the US I would get Buffalo Mozzarella that comes in water. It is nothing like the mozz in the states. YUM!

The Gentleness Challenge

As you read last week, I have been struggling with some things. I felt like my umbrella had blown inside out and it was hailing. My husband got me a new umbrella and reminded me that I don't have to hold it all by myself. God is holding the umbrella and my husband is holding my hand. It is day by day, digging out and getting ahead. Satan knows what brings me down, he knows how to hold me there. I have to make the choice to get on the right path every day; every hour; in each challenge of the day.
Today I read two blog posts that lit a path for me. Sam at Sam's Noggin posted about returning to our foundations. And Courtney at Women Living Well is doing The Gentleness Challenge. Go read their posts and be inspired to get on the right track like I was.

Therapy

I know I have been MIA quite a bit lately. I've felt a bit like I need a padded room and maybe some magic happy pills but I had a long talk with [my wonderful] husband and I am feeling better about it all. I don't have one overwhelming stressor, I have a hundred small ones. I know the first rule of being a mom is to never compare yourself or your children to anyone else but it is hard not to. I have friends with real issues; divorce, children with special needs, deployed husbands, single parenting, cancer. I do realize how truly blessed we are. And sometimes I don't feel like I have any room to complain about things. So, occasionally I have a melt down because I don't have the release of stress. I was ready to sign myself into a nice cooshy funny farm. But my [wonderful] husband reminded me that I need to take some time for myself. I am constantly under stress of some kind from some direction and I was never giving myself a break. Therefore breakdown ensued. I cried, I yelled, I shut down.

"Abundance"

I prayed... a lot. And after talking to my [wonderful] hubs I felt so much better. We talked about me getting back to the things I love and having some Emily-time daily. I could take a bubble bath or have some crafting time or reading. Something that allows me to turn off and not have to think. I put on my big girl panties and moved on. The next day I got out my new (I have never painted before) acrylic paint set and painted for about 4 hours while the boys watched Leapfrog and Dinosaur Train. Sometimes we really do need the electronic babysitter. And therapy of some kind, whether you talk to someone or just get those emotions on paper. You'll feel better. Do it.
So this is my first ever painting. If anyone wants to buy it just message me. :)