Tropical Sorbet

Yes, not the best pic I know but it was delicious ;)  We had sorbet with our lunch today.  I was running low on fresh fruit so I decided to make the kiddos a treat....mushed fruit (lol!)  

Tropical Sorbet

3 cups Organic frozen fruit of choice    (Ours had mango, papaya, pineapple and strawberries.)
Water                                                       (However much needed for desired consistency.)

That's it, 2 ingredients.  Put the ingredients in the blender and blend until you reach the consistency you are looking for.

Delicious and healthy.....enjoy!

Cinnabun Baked Oatmeal....Delish!

This was an awesome warm breakfast on a cold morning.  Quick and easy!  The kids said it was a "Do Again" recipe and I agree!

Cinnabun Baked Oatmeal

• 1 cup oats (50g)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbls unsalted sunflower seeds 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 
• 1/2 cup milk 

Optional Ingredients: Fresh berries, extra splash of milk, sprinkle of brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine raw oats, spices, applesauce, and liquid. Pour into greased small ramekins. Add the sprinkle of brown sugar before baking if desired.  Cook for 15-20 minutes, or more until it’s firm. Finally, set your oven to “high broil” for 2 more minutes (or simply just bake longer, but broiling gives it a nice crust). 

After baking, top with a splash of milk and fresh berries. There are so many different variations that can be done with this.  Remember to keep it healthy with whole foods ;)

4 Servings

Recipe Adapted from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com

A New Year! 2012 - 2013 Curriculum

2nd Grade and Kinder!  Can that be true?  They are growing up so very fast and we are going into our 3rd year of homeschooling.  Who would have ever thought? ;)  We have been so very blessed learning, exploring, and growing together.  It really has been amazing!  We continue to be an eclectic homeschooling family.  Classically Charolette Mason?

Daily….

Bible  We are so excited to be using the Grapevine curriculum “Stick figuring your way through the Bible” along with their bible verses for Awana.

Math Saxon 3 & 1  Crew is half way through the 3rd grade book so I need to decide whether to stay with Saxon for the upper grades or to continue researching our options.  Saxon 1 for Goose.

Phonics/Grammar  First Language Lessons by Jessie Wise 2nd Grade, Explode the Code 5 & 6 for Crew.  Goose will be doing Explode the Code 1 & 2 and Parents Ordinary Guide to Teaching Reading 

Picture Study/Narration/Copy work  Language Lessons for the Very Young  and Language Lessons for Little Ones by Sandi Queen

Literature and Poetry  Charlotte Mason Help 

Daily Free Reading  Book lists found on Charlotte Mason Help as well as Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson.  We will also continue to use Book Adventure for reading comprehension.

Piano 

Weekly…..

History   A Child's History of the World by VM Hillyer  World History Overview (Ancients, Creation-100BC)

American History (Exploring America, Colonies)

Spanish In addition to the Spanish course they are taking at a local charter school, Crew will be using Mango Languages offered free through our local library.

Writing We are trying out Write Shop Primary Book B.  Goose has also been able to join us using this book so far.  We are on their 3 day a week schedule.

Geography We will be studying both local and world geography using a number of different resources.  Mostly books and maps :)

Nature Study  Charlotte Mason Help's schedule.

Art/Music  For music we will be studying Orchestra, Ballet and Opera.  Our artist study comes from Erica @ Confessions of a Homeschooler.

Handicrafts  Things we will work on:  Habits/Life Skills - Polite Moments by Plain Path Publishers, Cooking, Finger knitting, & Sewing

Computer  Typing & Carrot Sticks for math facts practice.

PE Gymnastics, yoga/Pilate's videos 3 days a week and of course lots of biking & running training for races.

The kids take a Science & Spanish class through a local program 2 days a week,  piano lessons with Ms. Rebekah and Awana.

Okay, I think that is everything.  We don't have a rigid schedule but more of a routine or flow to our day.  I am sure things will be added and maybe even removed as we go through the year.

We are 5 weeks into this curriculum and are really having fun and enjoying our time together.  Crew loves having his sister "really" (as he puts it) schooling with him this year.

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Junior Page Turner Book Club–Diary of a Worm!

We really do live in a wonderful town.  Okay, my heart is a bit sad that it is growing so quickly and I fear it will loose the small town charm soon but, there is so much to be thankful for.  Crew participates in a monthly kids book club at our local library for 1st – 3rd graders.  It is such a great program.  It is a small group limited to 12 kiddos and they meet once a month to discuss the book they are working on, do a craft and have a snack together.  Crew loves it!

He really loves this months book….Diary of a Worm.  This is right up Crew’s alley with silliness.  Throughout the month we have done some different activities with the book here at home too.  Both Crew and Goose are super familiar with worms because we have a Vermicompost bin with hundreds of worms so we didn’t do much science, but I did find some great Language Arts activities here…. Diary of a Worm.

One of the reasons we love homeschooling…..best friends!

Cause and Effect, Sequencing, Narration and more!

Need additional ideas?  Check out Pinterest by searching Diary of a Worm =)

Snowshoe Training Without Snow?!

Yes, I will be competing in my first snowshoe race this coming weekend and some have asked how I am preparing.  Well…I am running!  Not usually on snow either.  I have been out a couple times after the few storms we have gotten so far but for the most part I am running on the roads, trails or treadmill.  I am one of those slow and steady runners…you know the tortoise and the hare   I really need to get faster!!  Those of you that are not YET runners….keep reading!

For those that have a running base, I came across a training plan in my Sept./Oct. 2011 issue of Women’s Running titled “Perfect 5K PR”.  You can access the 1st plan online but the other two are print only. 

Perfect 5K PR

Not up for these plans yet but need a plan and would like to start walking or running?  Check out Couch to 5K or Beginner Triathlete's Couch to 5K.  A great book to encourage you this new year… Courage to Start by John “The Penguin” Bingham.

Leave a comment or e-mail me if you need the plan e-mailed to you for larger/clearer print.  Also, leave a comment so we can encourage one another in the new year!

Citrus Strawberry Green Smoothie!

I know looks very green and scary to some of you I am sure, but it was delicious!  Exciting Mom moment tonight when the kiddos didn’t even flinch at the color, and Crew immediately said “This is soooooo good!  What did you put in it?”  Well here it is….

Citrus Strawberry

• Chard (filled 3/4 of blender)
• banana (1)
• strawberries (approx. 6 – 10_
• fresh orange juice (1/2 to 1 cup)
• water (to desired consistency)
• chia seeds (2 Tbls.)

Yummmm!