Ari's 9th Birthday Continued

After our morning of French toast, we headed out on the town to continue to celebrate our girlie.

One outing that's become part of our annual birthday celebration for our girlie is a stop at Starbucks for a Venti 2% Decaf Caramel Frappacino with Whip.  Why, you may ask?  Well, we'd have to thank her great-grandma, a.k.a. Gommer P.  Gommer P. loves Caramel Frappacino's with extra caramel.  On one of her visiting trips she purchased one and gave a sip to the kids.  That was the end!  The kids LOVED it!!! BUT...they're about $5 each and $5 times 3 kids...is a spendy outing reserved for only for Birthday's.

And since Starbuck's is in our local Barne's and Noble store and I love to buy them books, it's one of our favorite celebration stops.

Professional Shopper

Happy 9th Birthday to Our Ari Girlie!

For weeks, our girl has dreamed of spending her special day at Disneyland.  Last night, as we were making plans we checked the Disney website and found her birthday (today) is BLOCKED OUT!  How sad!  It was heartbreaking to give her the news.  Her little face drooped and she slowly walked away.

Couponing Update: The Easter Score

A couple months ago a friend held a "Couponing" gathering at her home.  She had mountains of "Freebies" piled up in display around our meeting area.  She took us on a tour of her stashed finds.  She inspired us to conquer our couponing fears and take hold of the world of free, or close to free, goods.

I sat a bit overwhelmed as she laid the groundwork of "How To's."  I knew it could be done, but where to even begin.

Teaching Kids How to Make Chicken Pot Pie

Today I had a couple students from my book study class over to bake Colonial Chicken Pot Pie.  They all did such a GREAT job and I took a ton of photos.  Sadly, once again I forgot to put the memory stick in the camera and thus missed the photo memory making.

Luckily, I remembered before we cut into my girlie's pie.  We captured the following:

Chicken Pot Pie Colonial Style

Chicken Pot Pie (Print this Recipe)

When all's said and done and the kids move on to life outside our little homeschool I hope they not only take with them a love for learning, but a love for food of all cultures and time periods.  No matter what the region or time period we try to experience it through food.

Get Away From It All And Enjoy America's Favorite Past-time

Last year, my hub packed up the car and took us on an adventure to Arizona so we could experience Spring Training.  Despite my protests, reminding him of ALL the things we NEEDED to do, he insisted we get away from it all and relax.

Great Article on Stress

Here is a great follow-up article a friend sent today in regards to the effect of stress on the body.

As the article states, the first step is admitting there's a problem.

"I'm a stress junkie, and I have a problem."

Here's the link to the article:

http://whole9life.com/2011/11/stress-addiction-2/

Reducing Stress

A couple days ago, after running errands, I sat at a red light on a routinely traveled road, making a mental list of the many things I still needed to do in preparation for a get-together at our house.  In addition, to this mental planning, I'm sure my brain was also cataloging "to do" lists for the coming weeks and months.

World War Two Heroes

Today we participated in a field trip to Lyon Air Museum where we viewed amazing WWII aircraft and met some REAL HEROES of the Greatest Generation! I was excited for this field trip as we're beginning to study WWII, but I didn't realize we were going to spend the morning with these amazing veterans.

What's Your Impact?

Throughout your busy day, are your thoughts constantly wrestling with the multitude of philosophical questions plaguing society? I grapple consistently with so many topics bouncing around my overactive brain.  Perhaps, my obsessive tendencies cause me to return to these questions, or perhaps I just want to know the answers.  The world gives us one answer to life's questions, but God gives us a much different answer.  His Word tells us:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

For My Facebook Friend

Truth is... I really like Facebook.

Facebook has brought friendships that I never dreamed I'd have.  I have found common interests with so many unexpected people.

One Facebook friend whom I've never met in person is a gal who attended the same church we did in Washington.  I know her kids through AWANA back in the days when I was a leader.  She's an amazing woman and momma to 5 kids, most adopted.  She's also a single mom.  She's home schooled.  I admire her in so many ways!

Where is Home?

Where is HOME to you?


Where are your roots?


Hmmmmm....


These are questions often asked.


Makes me think and wonder...Where is my home?


Do we have a home? or a hometown?

Cookies in a Jar Valentine Style

Cookies in a Jar Valentine Style

Finished Product

Looking for a fun and affordable gift to give on Valentine's Day?  Here's an option from Bakerella via A Little Delightful.

Valentine's Day Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts

Cookie Love.

There are a couple cookies I make every Valentine's Day- Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts and Giant Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.  

Paleo West African Pork Stew

The cookbook I'm currently spending a week in is The Whole Hog Cookbook by Libbie Summers.  Of course, as timing goes, a photo of the mistreatment of little piggies is making the Facebook rounds.  Just before I began typing this post, I checked my Facebook page and saw a posting of poor piggies.  Apparently they were being prepared to be shipped, in China.  That little piggie was going to market, but not in a good way.  Sad.

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned This Week...Jan. 23-27, 2012

Science and science experiments prove to be the most interesting aspects of learning for the kids.

Ari

Water is denser than oil.

Gluten-Free Currant Scones

My mom is visiting next week.  It's time to brush up on the gluten-free recipes.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, she has celiac disease, but fortunately there are so many gluten-free options.  I'm trying some home-cooked-from-scratch treats...all gluten-free.

Lights, Camera, Action! Sportsmanship Award Night Out!

"Hello, Rock Star!  Welcome to Disney 365!"

Last night was a big night in our little girlie's life!  Along with the 8 girls from her soccer team, she was treated to hair, make-up and dinner on the town (Disney Downtown) compliments of AYSO and Disney.

Recap:

In November she entered a Cars 2 Sportmanship essay contest sponsored by AYSO and Disney. In one hundred words or less she had to write what sportsmanship meant to her.

Here's her essay:

Sportsmanship

By Ari

In soccer there’s always going to be a winner and a loser but good sportsmanship helps every player have a great time. This year our team used dance to bring other teams together. We did a dance called the “Cupid Shuffle.” After games, we’d ask the other team over and dance together. It was a great time to celebrate and have fun! While dancing we forgot who won or lost and just enjoyed the moment laughing. While walking off the field the girls always left smiling. That’s what having good sportsmanship is all about. 

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread

Last week, our history study touched on the Potato Famine in Ireland during the mid 1800's.  During this time period nearly one million Irish died and another million left the country.  Approximately 800,000 of those who left, emigrated to the United States.

Today, my girlie made traditional Irish Soda Bread as a cooking activity wrapping up our Irish Potato Famine study.  This bread is SO TASTY!  It would be a great addition to a St. Patrick's Day meal also!  We'll remember this recipe next month as we plan our special Irish meal.

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned This Week...Jan. 16-20, 2012

Last week was an exciting week.

Historically speaking, last week honored the birthdays of Martin Luther King, Jr., Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Webster, and Robert E. Lee!

On Tuesday, January 17th we were blessed to attend a presentation given by none other than Benjamin Franklin.  Coincidentally this happened to be the birth day of the famous American.

The kids also started 3-week courses on the Constitution and Earth Science focusing on geology.