Changing some things

So we're 11 weeks into our new school year. Things are going pretty well. However, seeing the boys just "getting by" with our current math program, I made the decision to switch to Teaching Textbooks. We've used it before and the boys did very well with it. I switched to Saxon this year, though, because it was cheaper and really is a good program. The explanations are just difficult for the boys to really understand well. I purchased the new programs this morning. Now we're just waiting for them to come in. The boys have done some sample lessons on the website, and they are very excited to get their new math.

 

I'll leave you with these pictures.

 

Current math

 

Teaching Textbooks

Hmm. I wonder why they're excited? lol

 

 

Sunday Worship

 

Jeremiah 31:3
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

 

Isaiah 53:5

"But He was peirced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,

and by His wounds we are healed."

 

Isaiah 53:12b

"For He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors."

Make it at Home

Lately I have been dabbling in making my own mixes, seasoning, and other things from scratch. It's fun, better for my family, and it also saves me a little at the store. There have been some trial & error, but overall everything has turned out well. A few things I have made include laundry detergent, pancake mix, brownie mix, cornbread mix, brown sugar/cinnamon seasoning mix, onion soup mix, and ranch dressing mix. I have also been trying to make my pantry pretty by storing my mixes and seasonings in cute little containers.

Here's my laundry detergent. 

You can find the recipe I used here.

This laundry detergent smells absolutely amazing! And my clothes feel very soft and even cleaner than when I used store bought detergent. One night my niece came over to do some laundry and I let her use some of my homemade detergent. She loved it so much that I sent some home with her. A few weeks later I recieved a text from her saying, "Urgent! I'm out of laundry detergent! I need more!" lol Yes, it is really that amazing.

 

Here's part of my pantry that I've worked at organizing (featuring some of my homemade mixes and seasonings).

 

My pantry is a bit dark, so please excuse the quality. I tried to lighten the picture up as much as I could. Since taking this picture I have actually put labels on the rest of the containers. To the left (barely visible) I have containers for cereal. To the right (not pictured) I have some shelves for boxes & such. This, however, is my favorite part.

The pancake mix in the container was actually not a very good recipe. The boys liked it ok, but I did not. I finally used it all up and have experimented with other recipes. I have found a new one, thanks to my sister at The Heartfelt Homemaker, that was a huge hit, but I'm not sure if I will be able to use it as a bulk mix. I'll have to experiment with that to find out. The brownie mix is divine and can be found here. The onion soup mix, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix recipes can be found here. The onion soup mix tastes wonderful, but I have noticed that it has a tendency to turn things a sort of greenish color. I'm not sure what that's about; maybe the turmeric. I may look around for a different recipe. The taco seasoning is great! My whole family loves it. However, the recipe says that 3 tbsp = 1 packet, but I found that to be a little strong, so I only use 2 tbsp. The ranch dressing mix is also very good. I would suggest cutting the salt in half and running the whole batch through a food processor or coffee grinder to make the mixture finer as you would get in a store bought packet.

 

I'm enjoying my adventures making my own mixes, seasonings, and other goodies to use around the house. I hope to have more "Make it at Home" recipes to share with you soon.



 

 

Random school stuff

Here are a few photos of what's been going on at Fishers of Men Academy this school year.

 

In March of this year we took a trip to Washington-on-the-Brazos to celebrate Texas Independence.

 

 

Fun with science

Jared & Justin learned about cells. They drew types of cells and models of cells. They did an experiment to see how a cell works. In this model the colander acts as the cell membrane. Salt acts as water that is able to penetrate the cell membrane. Pasta acts as larger particles that cannot penetrate the cell membrane. Jack studied atoms and drew a model of an atom. Also in this photo, though not science, is Jack learning the states and capitals.

 

In history:

Jared & Justin have been doing a unit on ancient Rome. Some friends are using the same curricula as us, so we decided to have a "Roman day" to do some of the activities together as a sort of co-op.

 

 

There have been lots more school fun going on, but sadly I either forgot to take pictures (I know, bad mom) or it just wasn't photo worthy. We're having a great year at Fishers of Men Academy, and I hope to continue blogging about all our great adventures in learning together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Back to School

Well, the 2012-2013 school year has begun. Today marks the first day of school for public schoolers around here. We, however, have been back at the books since May. We finished our last school year at the end of February and took March & April off for our "summer." I find that, for my family, this works best. We are able to get out and enjoy the fresh spring air and warmer temps without missing any schoolwork. Likewise, during the summer when the temps get unbearably hot and the kids just want to be inside all day anyway, we make good use of our time homeschooling instead of the kids sitting in front of the TV and video games all day. It's a good arrangement.

Jack is now in 8th grade!

Jared is now in 5th grade!

 

Justin is now in 4th grade!

 

 

The "blog bug" has bitten

I fell out of blogging for quite some time, but have recently been bitten by the "blog bug" once again. I make no promises of sticking with it this time, but I will try my best. I'm not sure why I stop blogging. I enjoy looking back at my previous posts, and I enjoy reading other blogs. I guess I just get busy with life and fail to find the time. Life has not slowed down here. In fact, it will soon be busier than ever with the beginning of homeschool group and co-op activities coming up. While these activities will make our days busier, they will also give me more to blog about. :p So, here we go.....again. lol

Lunch Boxes #2 & 3

I fell behind on my blogging once again. lol We're still using and loving the lunch boxes! Our most recent lunches:

BBQ Smokies, stuffed eggs, salad, and no-bake cookies

Crescent dogs (using nitrate/nitrite free wieners), sun chips, and apple sauce

Cubes: chicken, cheese, cucumber, and brownie bites

Frito Pie & avocado chocolate pudding

The kids were clueless about the avocado in the pudding, and they loved it!!

Ham/Tortilla rolls, cheese cubes, carrots & cucumber, and yogurt

ham/tortilla rolls: minced ham & cream cheese blended together & rolled in tortillas then cut into medallions.

Homemade Lunchables: rolled up lunch meat secured with toothpicks, cheese slices, pickles, and crackers.

This is a favorite around here for some reason. lol If I were to just put this out on a paper plate there would be fits to be sure, but in a lunch box it's the grandest thing ever. lol

Chef Salad w/Ranch dressing, and mandarin oranges

This is what Jared & I had. Jack & Justin won't eat any of it so I had to make them seperate lunches.

Corn dogs, carrots, & rice krispie treat

This is what Jack & Justin had when Jared & I had the salad box above.

To see what others are having for lunch, go HERE.