Fall Hike

Today we are taking the classroom outdoors.   

Brant is off, the weather is amazing and a hike is just what we need to finish out this week!! 

The backpacks are ready to load up with water and energy fueled snacks.  The legs are ready to walk and climb.  The mind is ready to be in open spaces and see God's creation.

You could say, WE ARE READY FOR A FALL HIKE!!!!!!

Happy Friday to you!  Get outside and do something FUN!  And while your at it....eat something with PUMPKIN in it!!!!

Pumpkin Spice Latte-from the archives

Sorry Starbucks!

You have to give this a try.  I posted the recipe for this cup of frothy goodness last October.  Yesterday I was in the mood for one and had thoughts of running up to Starbucks.
Then it hit me..I would pay anywhere from $3-5 for a cup of everything I had right here in my own home.  And I know how to make it!!!

So I made me a homemade pumpkin spice latte!  And it was good!!!  It may take a few steps to make it and sure it is a little work, but there is just something about homemade.

Things I did different this time:
-I used Pumpkin Spice Coffee
-had homemade whipped topping
-added a tad more sugar to the recipe

You can find the recipe here .

Enjoy your pumpkin today!!!!!

Fabric Pumpkin and Pumpkin Browines!

Look at this precious little pumpkin!(I didn't make this one, but mine is almost as precious!)

I have been so anxious to make one just for my Month of Pumpkins!  Last night I finally sat down and made one as Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies were baking.

You can also make one!!  Check it out at Happy Hour Projects .

A no-sew project?  I can do this!!!  Now check out mine.

Cute!  I had this fabric in my stash and thought it was perfect.   Not a perfect shape for a pumpkin, but I usually go for the odd shape real pumpkins anyway.  Now the boys want to make one!!  I thought I would make a couple smaller ones to go beside this one. 

Check out the link above and let me know if you make one.  I would love to see it.

While I made the fabric pumpkin I filled the house with the smell of pumpkin and chocolate.
I made Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies.  I love these!!!

On Sunday when I took a nap I had a dream about pumpkin and chocolate.  OK well I am not sure if I had a dream, but I woke up thinking about pumpkin and chocolate. 

I knew I didn't have a recipe for anything pumpkin and chocolate so I went straight to the web. 

Because I was unsure of the two together I really did not want to spend a lot of time or money on ingredients.  This recipe found me and it proved to be just right.

Anything in an 8inch pan is just the right size to give a try.

These little brownies reminded me more of a little snack cake rather than a brownie.  But did not disappoint.

Not too sweet and just enough pumpkin and chocolate.

You can find the recipe here .

*Changes from the recipe-I did not have Allspice so I used Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Also when certain brands are listed, I ignore.  I use whatever I like best or have on hand. 

More PUMPKIN to come on Thursday.  See you then!!!

Fall Garden

Saturday morning we finally got our Fall garden planted.  We were very late this year and hope it takes off. 

I am not sure you can make out all we planted in the picture above so I'll give you a run down of our "Salad Garden".

*Five different varieties of lettuce
*Carrots
*Radishes
*Broccoli(our first try)

Oh I do hope we were not too late in planting.  A fresh salad is the best!  And the boys love steamed broccoli(I'll share my very easy way of steaming it another time).

We went from 6 raised beds like this......

To one BIG bed like this............

We gained more growing space and rows that the boys find lots of fun to walk through.  They also had a good time following their Daddy as he prepared the new garden.

And as always they enjoyed getting in on the planting. 

So now we just watch and wait.  And pray we were not too later in planting.

Are you planting a garden this Fall? 

Fall Party-Apple Nachos

Yesterday we welcomed in the 1st day of Autumn by having a Fall Party. 

What do you call it Fall or Autumn?

The day before Matthew was busy helping me make a few decorations for the party.  I already had all my Fall things out, but he thought we needed garland somewhere. 

Last year I had purchased some really cute bulletin board cutouts from a teacher's store......Fall ones.  These were just perfect to make garland!!  I simply used a hole punch to thread jute through to make the garland.  And this is what we came up with.  Simple and just what Matthew wanted.

That was not enough. He thought we needed to add more Fall decorations. His eye was on the art niche.  He did this all by himself.  The child has an eye.  I will hire him for a sweet price.

These little touches of Fall along with a few others things here and there and we were set for a party.  OK like I told a friend, I can simply say "party" to the boys and "simply" have a special food, put out decorations, make up a craft and such as this and it IS a party to them.  BTW we only had three guests.  It was not a big party, but a perfect size for us to enjoy everyone that came!

I served Pumpkin Pie Bars(look in the recipe tab)and Apple Nachos. Oh and candy!!!  You can't have a party with children without a little candy. 

Before I served the sweets we all took a cutout(the leaves, corn and pumpkin above)and wrote down why we are excited about Fall.

Matthew-leaves

Ryan-candy(he just wanted to eat that Tootsie Roll sucker)

Now on to the Apple nachos!!!  I have had so many folks ask me about these Apple Nachos.  I first saw them last year on a blog I follow.  They quickly became a hit with us.  You can do just about anything you like on the apple nachos.  Here is what I had out for toppings.

(Homemade whipped topping not shown)

And here is my scrumptious plate of apple nachos.

You could do chocolate sauce, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, sprinkles(which I totally forgot to put out)etc.  Just let your imagination run wild!!!!!

So that is it.  The Fall Party that caused so much excitement.  We really are just simple folks that enjoy simple times.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Happy Fall and a month of PUMPKINS!!!!

Our new farm-HA!

Happy Fall 2011!!!!!
(And Happy Friday too!)

I will admit I get a little excited about Fall.  And so do the boys(thanks to me!!!)!  It is just how we do things around here.  And we like it!!!

We are all up early to get ready for our Fall party later this morning. The table is set, decorations are out and lots of goodies just waiting to sink our teeth into.  Pictures to come soon! Sugar high around 11AM.

 I just love welcoming in this season.  The colors, the changes in nature, the chills to come and oh the great food that comes with Fall.

And you know one food I am anxious to talk about.........PUMPKINS!!!!  

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Make sure to check in on Tuesdays and Thursdays through October 23rd for a good old pumpkin time!

I have a few of our favorite recipes to share and some new ones I will try out too.......if you love pumpkin come back and check them out!

Before I share the Pumpkin Pie Bar recipe I wanted to give you a little history about pumpkins.

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Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C.
References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was changed by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin."

Native American Indians used pumpkin as a staple in their diets centuries before the pilgrims landed. They also dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. Indians would also roast long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and eat them. When white settlers arrived, they saw the pumpkins grown by the Indians and pumpkin soon became a staple in their diets. As today, early settlers used them in a wide variety of recipes from desserts to stews and soups. The origin of pumpkin pie is thought to have occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and then filled it with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in the hot ashes of a dying fire.
********************************************  

Perfect ending to go right into the Pumpkin Pie Bar recipe. 
This recipe I found in an old Kraft Foods magazine and was in luck to find it online too.  I tried another recipe out last year and this is almost exactly the same.
You can find the recipe here .

I don't know about you but when I eat a slice of pumpkin pie it must have a dollop of whipped topping.

And these bars are the same way.  They are not the sweetest bar I have ever had, but neither is pumpkin pie.  I love them!

Photo courtesy of Kraft Foods

All my guys thought it needed more sugar, but I intend to leave the recipe as is.  I am happy Brant reminded me of the whipped topping to sweeten them up.  It was perfect!!!!!
Add a healthy dollop of whipped topping, homemade of course, and you have a perfect Pumpkin Pie Bar!!!!

Hope you can try them soon!!!!

What are you planning to make this weekend?  Something pumpkin?  Please share....tell me ALL about it!!!

Happy Fall!  Get outside and do something FUN!!!  And don't forget to come back and check out all the PUMPKIN madness!!!!

It is almost here!!!!

The countdown is soon to be over!!!! 

Are you ready for Fall and my blog to become PUMPKIN land?!?!

Pumpkin recipes, PUMPKIN crafts.....maybe pumpkin facts. PUMPKIN candy!!! And of course lots of pumpkin pictures!!!!!! 

It is my favorite time of year you know.  FALL!!!!  I am so anxious for cooler weather.  And can not wait to sit and watch the leaves fall.

We are looking forward to the PUMPKIN Patch too!!!

I will not go off the deep end here.  I do intend to still post about other stuff.  Life, school, gardening and such.  BUT I will have some fun with PUMPKINS!!!!!!.

So make sure to check back every Tuesday and Thursday for some sort of PUMPKIN post.

Today we are planning our FALL party for tomorrow.  We will be busy making decorations, shopping for our refreshments and making up some yummy treats.  Something PUMPKIN of course.  I'll share the recipe tomorrow as we kick off  FALL!!!!

PUMPKIN Patch 2010

A change is in the air!

Don't you love this time of year?

The weather slowly begins to cool off a bit.  It teases us with a mild day and nice breezes.

You just feel it!  A change is in the air.

I know it is so because the boys are playing outside more often.  With the brutal temps we had this summer they were indoors a lot.  It is nice to see them outside enjoying the change in the air.

Yesterday evening they had an idea to fill the little pool with dirt.  They both came running in with excitement in their voices.
"Momma, Momma, can we fill the pool with dirt?!!  Then we don't even need a sandbox!" 

I thought about it.....it's just dirt.  So I said yes.  And this is what happened.

Boys and DIRT!  They just go together.

As this was going on I would walk out back, take a look at the mess and turn around and walk back in.  This went on for about 2 good hours.  They were having so much fun IN the dirt.  They were acting so silly it literally seemed like they were drunk!

I finally put an end to it around 7pm.  Needless to say they needed a shower badly! 

But what a FUN day to feel the change in the air!

Reading with Legos

Well we made it through the first week of school!!!! 

That first day was amazing!!!  Everything went just perfect!!!

Day 2 was alright and by Wednesday I was certain the curriculum we are using is a big flop!!!

I am talking about the phonics curriculum.  It is so preschool for a 1st grader.  And the boys know it!!
So to avoid spending more money I am coming up with things on my own. Trying to make it more fun too.  And hopefully a little more challenging at some point.

Reading is my main goal for them this year.  I have one that is reading pretty well.  And the other who is only interested in playing. 

I also have two boys who LOVE Legos!  
So when I saw this idea at Filth Wizardry I knew I had to give this a try.

We have a TON of Duplo Legos!!  I found white address labels and cut them down to size. I was now  set to make reading with Legos a fun addition to school!  Or anytime for that matter!!

And this cost me $0.00!!!!  We had everything right here at home.

I sat down last night and started coming up with words.  Sight words, small words and FUN words. And Matthew thought we should add our names.  We still have plenty of Legos to keep adding new words as they learn.

We'll start using them today and my hope is it will appeal to a certain little boy.  I hope he can see that learning can be fun! 

What FUN things do you use for learning?  I would love for you to share!

FUN Friday-Recess!

It doesn't matter that the boys have a nice size yard to play in.  And have a play system in their own backyard with a gang plank to walk up to a fort, a rock wall and a picnic table under the fort.  Nope, they still love going to the park.  Maybe it is the open fields and lots of room to run and play. 

They had been asking for months to go to the park.  The weather is just now getting nice enough for us to head that way.  So yesterday after school we took recess to the park.  NO ONE was there but us.  They ran and played on the play system at the park as if they had never seen one before. It was a ship at one point.  And then turned into a Star Wars space ship.  After a while they were ready to play some ball.  We played baseball.

These little guys can hit!

We were playing by a tree that produces these green balls you'll see in the picture below.  We call them horse apples.  BTW-if you know what they are really called please tell me!

The boys had a great idea to play ball with the horse apples.  Of course once they hit the horse apple it would break into pieces!!  And fly everywhere.

And then the cheers and laughter would begin!

I love to watch them play. I love to watch them pitch! And I love to watch them HIT!

And the park has the perfect tree to climb!!!

And one thing they do not have at home is a slide for two!

Fridays may very well be a day at the park from now on. 

5 Things That Get Me Through Homeschooling(non-school things)

OK granted this is only my second year of homeschooling the boys, but I have already learned a few things about making it through our day.  I know I have to be at my very best for these little guys!  Otherwise our day is just the pits.  Here are a few things I have learned and what helps me get through our day.

1. Get up early
Getting up early is no big deal for me since my body usually wakes up between 5:00-5:30 AM.  But regardless I need to be up and ready long before the boys get up.  Once they are up things start moving FAST!  If I am not up and dressed it all comes crashing around me.

2. Quiet time with God
Once I am up and dressed I make this my first priority.  Well I guess second since coffee is actually first, but you know what I mean.  I get my morning cup and sit down to have some alone time with my Heavenly Father.  Prayer time along with a daily devotion works best for me right now.  This can take five minutes or 30 minutes depending on how much I get into what I am reading about each morning.  Regardless of the time it takes, this is one of the most important things I'll do all day.  And for me it sets the tone for my day.

3. Breakfast
I'll just be honest here if I don't have breakfast you can bet I will act like a three year old.  Border line hypoglycemia is my excuse.  And really everyone is a better thinker if you have a full tummy.

4. Attitude
I can not stress enough how very important this is for a homeschooling Momma.  I have to mentally prepare myself for this every morning.  I refuse to let a six year old little boy ruin the whole day so I must be the adult and get on my game face.  Which is usually a BIG cheesy smile and lots of happy talk!!!!

5. Relax
If I am relaxed about the day, the boys will be too.  And that makes for a much more pleasant day.  Often times last year I wondered if I was being too hard.  I was pretty rough on the boys about cutting up, laughing(I know....I was terrible!)and getting those giggles that just will not stop.  I reached a point where I had to remember their age.  And specifically remember we were in our home.  Not is a public school.  They were completely comfortable and enjoying their time with ME!  So this year I am trying my best to chill a little more.  But don't worry I know there is a time for learning and a time for having fun.

If I can keep these five non-school things in check our "school" day seems to go so much better. 
What gets you through your day with your children?  Homeschooling or otherwise. 

First day for 1st grade

Before I tell you about our first day let me share some pictures of my class.......the students that is.
First up is Ryan......my first born.  Full of life, ornery and spunky, but not ready to learn just yet.  Unless it is learning about CARS!

And next up is Matthew.  My sweet and sensitive son, creative one, already reading and driving me nuts with projects. Always willing to help with a project like the picture sign they are holding. 

And then both of them together.  They are so much like their Daddy when it comes to taking pictures.  Silly and goofy in front of a camera.

NO!  You both look at me!  Right here boys!!!

And then of course the boys thought their teacher had to post a picture too!  So here is yours truly at my desk.  Matthew is my photographer!!!!

BTW....that is not a real website :)

We started our day with a simple breakfast.  The boys loved the table(you can see the table in the post below this one)and their treat bag.  They were very excited to get started so they quickly finished up and got dressed.

We started the school day reading an old book I fell in love with in 4th grade.  It may be a little old for them, but I am trying to get away from "twaddle" when I read to them this year.

They loved it!!!

 This is my copy from 4th grade....I am 43.  Do the math!

I had received lots of wonderful suggestions for read aloud books for this year.  And I totally dropped the ball and never went to buy one.  Yesterday I started searching our bookshelves for something I could use for today. So happy I had a childhood book I loved so much.

It was perfect to start the day with and one chapter was just enough for the boys to sit still and listen.  That was a first.  Listening and not having lots of pictures.  
After all our other subjects(math, copywork, RECESS/free time, phonics and reading...the boys' turn)we finished up the day with computer time.  This is new this year.  I have been reluctant to have computer time, but I decided to give it a try.  They only have 20 minutes and it is a phonics program.  Not just some computer game for fun!   They were split up...one on my computer and the other on Brant's.  As I walked back and forth watching them I couldn't help, but notice how old they looked.
Big boys sitting at a computer doing the work all by their self.  ((sniff-sniff))

It was a good first day!!!  I saw the changes in them from last year.  Good changes!!!!

And to follow a first day tradition the boys had cupcakes at our break.

It is going to be a fun week.  They are so excited to really get into the math.  I am excited to have a routine and am loving the reading part.  To hear them read is a major highlight in my life right now.  I plan to cherish this time we share reading.

So that was our first day for 1st grade.