Summer Reading

I wanted to do a summer reading program with the kids, but couldn't find any charts that fit what I needed for the kids.  Plus, sticker charts have just not worked or us in the passed.  Not sure why.  My kids just don't find them motivating.  I happen to see a link for punch cards for completing school work and though, hey, we could do reading punch cards.  So, I made some.  They get a punch for every 10 minutes of reading they do. They can redeem each completed punch card for a reward.  Each card has more minutes than the last, so the rewards get bigger as they go.  While I was at it, I decided to try it out for potty training as well.  So far it has worked wonderfully.

December Bucket List

Every December I attempt a Christmas activity countdown.  I always have such great expectations.  I print activities out on little slips of paper and put them in the pockets of our advent calendar.  Then, we forget or just don't have the time most days, and end up just doing whatever we want anyways.  So, this year I decided to do a bucket list instead.  Things we can just cross off the list when we do them.  I figure it should be a short list, since realistically, we only have time to do one or two activities a week anyways.  So, here are our most favorite things to do during the Christmas holiday, along with some new things we'd like to try.

Decorate Christmas tree
Make ornaments to add to tree
Make and frost cookies
Draw  names and make gifts for siblings
Deliver treats to neighbors
Decorate gingerbread houses
Watch Polar Express in cardboard train, drink hot cocoa.  (In pajamas)
Make friend gifts and deliver
Read Christmas books
Read about the nativity in the scriptures (Christmas Eve)

I may or may not include some of the kids friends in the Polar Express activity.

Can you tell I'm excited for the holidays?

Pinterest Inspired Idea

We go on a lot of road trips.  Long road trips.  So, I'm always looking for fun knew ideas to keep the kids occupied in the car...besides movies.  Movies while traveling are a lifesaver, but I do like them to do things that work their imaginations.  I found this idea on pinterest.

 http://ifonlytheywouldnap.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/handmade-gifts-for-boys-lego-lunchboxes-for-on-the-go-building/


When we travel we like to get the kids a new mini lego set.  The problem is, peices frequently fall on the floor or under carseats, which ends in either me having to find it or deal with a crying kid.  So, this was a pretty brilliant idea.  Normally I do legos for Lou as well.  But lately she has been really into Polly Pockets.  So, I decided to look for a little travel dollhouse.  I found a couple on the internet, but they were WAY more than I wanted to pay.  I ended up finding really cheap lunch boxes and thought, why not make my own travel dollhouse, and since I'm using lunch boxes for the boys, why not use one for Lou.  So, I googled free furniture clip art, and kitchen clip art and printed it out.  I also found website that has really cute free printable dollhouse wallpaper.    I printed it up, glued it in with glue dots and voila!  Travel doll house.  :)  Easiest project I've ever done.

Wow.  Trying to explain to my children why this day is so significant is harder than I thought it would be.  They are a little confused about why I get choked up trying to explain.  I'm also finding it a challenge to teach them about it without instilling fear.  I have the kinds of kids who would develop a fear of planes after hearing the details.  (Not that we fly...ever, [for other reasons] but still.  One day they will and I'd like for them to do so anxiety free.)  I still feel the need to teach them about this day.  About the lives lost and sacrifices made, and still being made.

So, in honor of 9-11, here are some resources that I found helpful.

Never Forget Notebooking pages
September 11 A Day to Remember Coloring Book
The Heroes Among Us & Remembering September 11th

Here's a basic rundown of our day.  We start out with scripture study and family prayer.  Once a week we do the pledge of allegiance (We'd do it every day if I could get myself to remember.  Working on that one.) Then we do chores. 

Here are some things that help me get through my homeschooling day.  Anyone with children with ADHD will understand the frustration of trying to get your child to pay attention and "JUST LOOK AT THE PAGE AND READ THE WORD!  Is that too much to ask?!?  We could have been done HOURS ago."  This year I did my research and these are some things I decided to incorporate.

On days we do laundry, I read something science related to them while they work.  When we are done with chores, we eat lunch.  The kids take turns making it.  Then the kids go out and play for a half hour while I clean up and get everything set up for our stations.  The rest of the day consists of these stations and then some quiet reading time and read aloud time.  Stations consist of hands on manipulatives, math, reading, handwriting and draw and narrate.  They get a play/potty break after 4 rotations.  

Trifold boards to do "stations".  This way, they are not distracted by what the other person is doing or what is going on in  the room in general.  I also give the one I'm not working with at the time, headphones so they can't hear us, and will do their activity without wanting to come see what we are doing.  I work with one child at one station, while the other is at a station doing a work alone, hands on activity.  Usually, something like, matching words to objects.  Things like that.  We rotate around the table spending 15-20 minutes at each station.  I put this timer where both kids can see it.   So they know exactly how much time they have left.  It makes it easier for them to stay on task, knowing they are not going to be there forever.

Fidgets and a stability ball are also must haves.  When Jacob has something in his hands, it is easier for him to focus on what he is doing.  Same with the stability ball.  It's amazing how much better he pays attention when he is able to bounce.  

I also let the kids chew gum, drink water, and have snacks.  If I can see he just does not want to focus on something, I have him get up and do some jumping jacks.  Then have him come back and give it another try.  Some days, he just gets to the point where he's done and nothing I do is gonna get him to focus.  So, those are the days we get out our magic school bus, or whatever.

We've only just got started for the year, so it remains to be seen how long these tactics and tools will work.  I will keep you posted.  :)

Tiny Toads

We got back from our 2 week 4th of July vacation to find our baby birds had left the nest...sort of.  From the looks of the pile of bird poop on our front porch, I'd say they still live there.  Now I'm thinking of removing the nest and putting a rubber snake there to encourage them to build somewhere else.  Now that there are no eggs in it, I feel no guilt in doing so.  Well, not much, anyway.  :)  

We also came home to find hundreds of tiny toads all over the place.  They are adorable and we have had fun catching them.  Especially J.  I have to keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn't hurt them.  They are probably more resilient than I'm giving them credit for, but they just look fragile and I'm afraid he's gonna mush them.  lol.  These pictures are from our toad hunt his afternoon.  Except the first two.  I took those last night for my sister, so she could see how itsy bitsy they are.  :)

  Then we came inside and looked up the difference between frogs and toads.  Lots of fun things in our yard this year.

Baby Birds