Thursday, May 31, 2012

Wordless Wednesday–Shane is 4 Months Old!

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Shane had his checkup yesterday. He weighs 14.5 pounds (in the 45th percentile) and is 26.5” (in the 93rd percentile). He is starting to take baby zantac as of today to try and help with his spitting up/reflux; hopefully it will help! He smiles, he laughs, he eats his burp cloths. He is a joy!

~S

Linking up at:

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Tots and Me

Thursday, May 17, 2012

TOS Review–Go Science from Library & Educational Services

Speak Up Saturday

Recommended for ages 5-11

Even kids who claim an aversion to science will be engaged by the high-energy science demonstrations of Ben Roy! Ben teaches science methods at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is the former director of a science program on television. With this expertise, Ben captivates, motivates, and inspires students to be excited about science, while providing effective instruction based on science phenomena. Each spectacular demonstration of physical or chemical science has a spiritual application and points to our Creator!

More information about Ben Roy can be found on his website www.gosicencezone.com and Facebook.

We received two of these Go Science DVDs from Library and Educational Services, and have enjoyed watching them. Each DVD contains several short demonstrations to illustrate a principle or science phenomena.

The DVDs are very well done. Each segment is a good length, between 3 and 6 minutes, to keep the kids’ attention. The quality of the filming is good as well. Ben Roy is engaging and entertaining, although a bit cheesy.

The website states that they are appropriate for ages 5-11, but I did find them a little confusing for my 5 year old. She really enjoyed them, but had no idea what was going on. Also, the title of the segment, such as “The Bernoulli Effect”, is not really explained in most of them, just stated in the opening credits before the demonstration begins.

Given where we are in the study of science right now, these DVDs are not very useful, but they are entertaining. I feel like if I had time to come up with some accompanying material, such as a study guide, a do-at-home experiment, or some kind of follow-up, that these would be much more useful.

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Each DVD retails for $8.97. There are 6 DVDs in the series. Library and Educational Services offers many other products as well, which you can see here.

See what other crew members are saying here!

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product through The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wordless Wednesday–Riding Bikes

 

2012-05-13 Riding Bikes (3)2012-05-13 Riding Bikes (7)2012-05-13 Mother's Day (14)

And one of the baby, because he’s so stinkin’ cute! (Nate has a matching shirt, but he got katsup all over it from lunch before I could get a good picture)

~S

Linking up at:

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Tots and Me

Tasty Tuesday–Red Beans & Sausage

Tasty Tuesday

Welcome to another week of Tasty Tuesday here at The Young'ns!
There’s a recipe index under the food tab above if you’re ever looking for a recipe I’ve already blogged.
Every Monday, I plan on trying a new recipe. If it goes well, that’s what I’ll be posting on Tasty Tuesday. If not, I’ll post a tried and true (i.e. something I don’t have to think about too hard) ;)

I got this “recipe” from a friend, who brought it to me after I had Shane. I love receiving meals from friends for many reasons, but one is to get new food ideas for my family.

Red Beans & Sausage

{Ingredients}

2012-05-16 Red Beans and Sausage

{Directions}

  • Make Zatarain’s as directed. Cut up half of sausage. Put into red beans. Eat and be amazed.

Simple and delicious. Cheating? A bit, but ever so tasty. Thanks, Kayt!

~S

Menu Plan Monday–May 14th

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Late is better than never, right?

I think I may need to revise my weekly schedule, as I’m not really following this one anymore. But as long as I still have a menu plan, that’s good, right?

So, here’s what I’m making this week:

Mix-it up Monday (something new) ~ Shipwreck (Haven’t used this exact recipe, but something like it)
Taco Tuesday (Mexican or Oriental) ~ Baked Chicken Parmigian 
Wow Wednesday (Date night or something like restaurant food) ~ Texas Roadhouse date night 
Simple Thursday (Crockpot or less than 30 min prep) ~ Italian Meatballs (1/2 are going in the freezer) and spaghetti 
Favorite Friday (A family favorite) ~ Tacos
Lazy Saturday (leftover buffet) ~ Zatarains & Kielbasa 
Saucy Sunday (Italian) ~ Dinner at Dad and Stepmom’s, their turn to cook :)

So, what are you having for dinner this week?
Link up at Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie or leave me a comment!

I have a recipe index, just for recipes that you can find on my blog. You can also get to it by going to the food tab above.

~S

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Wordless Wednesday–May 9th

Kahlen ran in a 1 mile fun run last weekend. It’s the first in a series of nine sponsored by Poudre Valley Health Systems. She had a great time and can’t wait for the next one. I’m hoping to be able to run with her next time, but Daddy got to run with her for this one.

2012-05-06 Colorado Marathon Fun Run (8)2012-05-06 Colorado Marathon Fun Run (15)

The crazy girl wanted to know what else there was to do when we were done. When I told her nothing, she wanted to know if she could go for a bike ride or go roller skating. Shouldn’t she be a bit tired after running a mile?? I guess it’s a good thing we’re already planning on taking her to run the Fire Hydrant 5K with us at the beginning of June.

And I couldn’t resist taking some pictures of my boys too…

2012-05-06 Colorado Marathon Fun Run (16)2012-05-06 Colorado Marathon Fun Run (21)

~S

Linking up at:

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Tots and Me

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

TOS Review–Homeschool Library Builder

Speak Up Saturday

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Your resource for affordable literature-based homeschooling.

Offering quality new and used living books at bargain prices -- selections recommended by your favorite curricula such as Five in a Row, Sonlight, Beautiful Feet, Tapestry of Grace, Ambleside Online, and others.

Homeschool Library Builder is co-owned by two veteran homeschool families dedicated to Christ-centered education. Our desire is to help homeschool families affordably collect books for their literary-based educational needs. We stock both new and used books found in popular literature-based homeschool curricula, as well as select titles to supplement your unit studies. Whether you're looking for educational or leisure, inspirational or reference, self-help, activity, or classic reading, we are committed to providing wholesome materials that will enrich the entire family. 

This online vendor is one that I wish I had found at the beginning of the year, and am glad that I now know about! Given that we are using the Tapestry of Grace curriculum, this retailer will be very useful to me.

They offer both new and used books at reasonable prices for several literature based curricula like Tapestry of Grace, Sonlight, Five in a Row, Heart of Dakota, and more as well as offering vintage & hard to find books. Also, for the month of May, they are having a site-wide sale of 25% off your entire order! They have a free membership where you can get points for your orders as well as being kept in the know about specials and other news.

See what other crew members are saying here and be sure to visit Homeschool Library Builder this month for 25% off your order!

~S

Disclosure of Material Connection: As part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew I was asked to write about the Homeschool Library Builder website. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Daily Photo–May 8th

Kahlen is taking Gymnastics lessons from a friend who used to be a gymnast. She likes it much better than dance, and it’s much cheaper for me than sending her somewhere (and easier too, this was in my back yard). They’re semi-private lessons, so it works well all around.

2012-04-26 Gymnastics (1)

This is Nate’s version:

2012-04-26 Gymnastics (7)

~S

Monday, May 7, 2012

Daily Photo–May 7th

Yay, Shane is almost big enough for my ErgoBaby! 2012-04-29 18.19.352012-04-29 18.20.03

(he’s not yet a fan…but he will be)

~S

Menu Plan Monday–May 6th

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I was feeling bad that I haven’t posted it over a week, but then I realized that I’ve taken 125 pictures in the last week. Must have been busy :-)

So, here’s what I’m making this week:

Mix-it up Monday (something new) ~ Freezer meal from Sam. Tasty Greek Chicken with Lemon Pistachio Rice, mmm.
Taco Tuesday (Mexican or Oriental) ~ Southwest Chicken Burritos
Wow Wednesday (Date night or something like restaurant food) ~ Pappardelle with Snap Peas
Simple Thursday (Crockpot or less than 30 min prep) ~ Shipwreck (Haven’t used this exact recipe, but something like it)
Favorite Friday (A family favorite) ~ Graduation party for a friend. Congrats, Shanole!!
Lazy Saturday (leftover buffet) ~ Leftovers or Chicken Couscous
Saucy Sunday (Italian) ~ Baked Chicken Parmigiana if I can find my recipe :)

So, what are you having for dinner this week?
Link up at Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie or leave me a comment!

I have a recipe index, just for recipes that you can find on my blog. You can also get to it by going to the food tab above.

~S