This Wasn't The Plan

Facebook and our teens

2012-02-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Raising kids in an age of technology sure presents some parenting scenarios that our parents parents would never have imagined. The talk of the day today is a video by one Dad addressing a letter written by his daughter Hannah.

This hit home for me, as I had a problem recently myself with my son posting a video on Facebook. However he isn't almost 16. I realize Facebook has a 13 years and older policy and my son is just 10, but I created an account (owned by me) for him to use so that he could share and chat with his father who lives across the province.

My son was angry with me (over a misunderstanding) and posted a 'I hate my mom' video to Facebook. My sister in law responded right away and I removed the video and discussed the 'Facebook rules' with my son. This morning he watched the video below because I felt it would help sink the message of responsible Facebook usage in a bit more if another parent sent the message home as well.

I work hard everyday to raise my children as 'WE people" in a ME world. Sometimes I think my children's generation should be called that - the ME GENERATION. This father had people telling him that he 'raised his daughter' that way in the comments of his video - but I am not sure. Once our kids are 13 if they are in school - they spend 6-7 hours a day with peers. Those peers WILL have a large impact in our children's daily outlook on life and we can't control how those kids were raised.

Sometimes a parent has to step up like this dad and draw the line.

Our jobs as parents is not to 'keep our kids safe first'. Our job as parents is to raise our children up to be healthy, contributing adults that can participatehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif in our society.

If you are struggling with your teens and their "ME outlook" I suggest getting them involved in Put the Children First. If their school doesn't take the kids to a conference - then step up and figure out how to get your kids and a group of their friends to a We Day conference. Let's raise leaders. Not more 'Hannah's'

No I am not Single

2012-02-08T19:20:00.001-08:00

DISCLAIMER: I am happily in a relationship ... I found this draft of an 'online dating profile' I created before Herb and I strated dating it sums up who I am quite well and thought it deserved a place in my blog;

My OLD OLD OLD dating profile

Interests
star gazing jazz music
family quadding reading
learning volunteering candle light
and quiet evenings at home road trips travel
cultural diversity bar b ques with friends movies
geeky gadgets Heroes CBC Radio
the Debaters

About Me

Vote People REALLY. People have died for the right. Don't throw it away.

Who am I?
Not your average girl, I am caring, ambitious, outgoing, flirty, intelligent.
I am not bound by borders, cultures or countries.

I set a goal and I go for it and look for that in others [:-)] Always see the good in every situation because there IS GOOD in every situation.

Essentially I am an independent single mom who doesn't need a partner but wants to share her life dreams, goals, and heart with the right person.

I am an enigma. As happy in the country as I am in the city (yes I am a Gemini).
That means I have lived on a ranch and found happiness and have lived in the big city as well [;)]

I am spiritual though not religious. I don't argue because I believe that if we are old enough to date really we should be old enough to work through issues in a mature way.

I am adventurous but responsible the best of both worlds [:)]
Sweet (I hear sweet a lot).
I believe in giving to your community (volunteering)

I am looking for someone who like me wants to live healthy - physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I am a size 18 not a skinny girl but a real girl.

I am looking for someone who will want to get out and get active [:)] No couch potatoes, people with anxiety or depression - I am sorry I have been there I just can't do it. I see the good in life and hopefully you do as well.

Please if you are looking to 'live with someone' this month I am not the girl for you. If you are *not* compassionate, optimistic, and caring, again I am not the one for you.

I am not about looks, I am about who you are. If you wake up each day excited about what the day may bring and see the good in life and people while still being realistic then maybe we should chat [:)]

Character is important to me. Intelligence is important to me. Compassion for others is important to me.

Tell me your dreams and who you are. I love words wrap my heart in your words and you may win me over.

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What I am looking for:
~Someone who will dance in the kitchen
~ Someone who can love with passion and their entire heart without 'owning' someone
~ Someone I can talk with about anything.
~ Someone who will enjoy the odd Sunday mornings drinking coffee and reading the paper in bed until noon even better if you will read it outloud to me EXTRA bonus points if you are ok with said bed being randomly moved to different locations and even countries.
~ Someone who loves music all types (with the exception of rap )
~ Someone who appreciates ongoing gestures of affection
~ Someone who loves writing and sharing their thoughts through written words. Even if they are thoughts of erratic ideas and nonsense [;)]
~ Someone who has goals and dreams and makes them happen.
~ Someone who loves to explore new places, ideas, and cultures.
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Please note, I do have children. They come first in my life. If you have children I would EXPECT them to come first in your life. I can only live two lives for so long [;)] So eventually I would hope you are open to being a part of their life, but I have no intention of exposing them to 'mom dating'.

New Snow White movie Mirror Mirror

2012-02-07T17:22:00.001-08:00

Oh my - Oh my - I am very excited about the NEW Snow White Movie 'Mirror Mirror' which has a release date of March 30, 2012. You can bet we will be traveling to see this this Snow White movie for the opening week.I just discovered that another Snow White movie will be coming out in June as well. Maybe in follow up to the success of the latest TV show also loosely based on Snow white?

Christy Clarks Family Day for rich families

2012-02-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Christy Clark hasn't won my support yet. Her mandate to put "families first" doesn't seem to really be helping this family. The latest; a new stat holiday "Family Day" in February.

It seems that Christy thinks that most BC residents are unable to work for FOUR entire weeks without a long weekend. February is already a SHORT month and the only month I don't have to struggle to find CHILDCARE on a stat holiday. Small business owners (many who have families) will now have to pay time and a half to thier employees, those who have children will have to find childcare, and really How many families will be able to get away for the 'long weekend'?

Here are my suggestions for helping average British Colimbia families Ms Clark:

1) Invest money in training for low income families
2) Help our kids get into post secondary education without a 30,000 prime plus loan
3) Put money back into HEALTH CARE so families in rural communities can have the luxury of a physician
4) Offer free counselling to families in crisis
5) Fund organizations that support ALL families. Not just those who need intervention from Social Services (think PRO active)
6) Fund community living for children, fund youth and children mental health services (because your VIHA youth mental health system doesn't work)

Just so you know this family will NOT have the LUXURY of celebrating 'FAMILY DAY'. Oh - and my children REALLY don't need more time off school. They need an EDUCATION that prepares them to be contributing members of society.

Moving

2012-02-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I am sitting here surrounded by boxes, packing tape, paint, toys, and somewhat overwhelmed as to where I should start!

I have three weeks to pack up the house, clean and paint in time for the young family moving into what has been my home for the last 7 years. Home ownership has it's up and downs, but I was rather proud to be able to say that I was a single mom who owned her own home (modest as it may be)in a safe, family friendly neighbourhood.

In the last two years though I have really found that home ownership has been holding me back. My mother recently made a comment about my cousin (one I have always looked up to as a person), apparently this cousin has told her mother that she and her husband have no intention to own a home. Instead, they are investing 'In their children'.

This struck my heart. Why is home ownership holding me back from time that could be spent with my children? Why am I feeling help to a piece of property when job opportunities out of my city, province, or country may provide more opportunity for my children.

So as part of my 'Three Year Plan', I have found a wonderful family to rent my home for 12 months, after which my home will be up for sale. The next year will be busy, but This year is looking to be one I will be able to count as meaningful and happy.

Free Valentine's Day Cards

2012-01-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

Looking for some free Valentine's day cards for your kids. Hop over to Vista print and get 10 free cards (including uploading your child's photo!) for free. Just pay shipping.

Of course you can also find alot of great free printable valentine's day cards for kids online.

Activity Village has some printable Valentines day cards. So does DLKT

Changes Changes

2012-01-23T09:06:00.000-08:00

This has been a great start to a new year! So many exciting changes. I know for some changes cause anxiety, not here. The last seven years have all been spent in the same house, in my home town. Every year for the last three years my friends have listened to me talk about a need for a change. A changes in work, a change in location, a BIG change.

2012 is the year of changes for us here. Maybebe things haven't gone as planned because I have been too busy complaining and NOT PLANNING. So we have a three year plan and the first two big changes... I am back to school in March and we are moving March 15th to a larger home.

Posts will be shorter this year - I have to find the study time somewhere!

Heading BACK TO SCHOOL

2012-01-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

All registered to head back to school via Thompson University here in British Columbia. It should make for few but onteresting mom blog posts starting in March. I went online last night hoping I could find some used textbooks for free so they arrive early and I can get started with the reading.

I know I CAN balance it all and that finishing off my degree is a MUST for 2012. But I can already foresee the increase of school drop offs in my PJ's. I think I will need to invest in some new PJ's and robes so I don't embarrass the new teenager too much.

Dear Kraft Canada

2012-01-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Kraft Canada,

I am upset with you. You see- I am a fan of your yummy Kraft Peanut Butter. I almost have an addiction to celery and peanut butter it is my breast feeding mom power snack. But alas Kraft Canada your peanut butter is making me not the happy peanut butter buzzed mom I use to be.

You see Kraft Canada - you decided for some reason that you should change the packaging of your peanut butter. Same Kraft Canada peanut butter label. It's the jar- yes the plastic recyclable peanut butter container.

The colour of your new Kraft Canada Peanut butter container (jar?) is causing me Mommy Misery.

Now I am impressed that you were able to match the colour to perfection (even better than the paint girls colour match paint at Canadian Tire) - but your new Kraft Peanut Butter jars are no longer transparent and they are now the exact shade of your delicious peanut butter.

Can you see where I am going with this? Just look at that picture to the left. Now isn't that a VERY FULL jar of peanut butter?

Here's what happened with the first jar; I don't think my new mommy sleep deprived brain even noticed that the jar was no longer transparent. I stood there next to the perky little coffee pot trying to get peanut butter on my knife for a good three minutes.

I was still a little confused with the second jar - I went to make sandwiches and there wasn't enough for all my children.

The third jar left me angry when I discover the empty peanut butter jar in the cupboard. Sitting there looking like a full jar of peanut butter from the outside. This afternoon I discovered that my jar of peanut butter is not going to make it through to shopping day.

See that photo on the right? You can't tell where the peanut butter ends and the jar begins :( Can you see all the sleep deprived new moms across Canada trying to scrap the inside of the empty jar with their mini spatulas?

So Kraft Canada - though I love your peanut buttery goodness - I have had to tell you that I am going to have to switch to JIF until you realize that jars of peanut butter are suppose to be transparent for a reason.

Please let me know when you fix your peanut butter jars so I can once again be your number one peanut butter mom fan.

Homeschool Giveaways Felt Boards

2011-12-18T11:28:00.002-08:00

I visited the greatest homeschool log this morning. I was looking for some nativity crafts and they have an entire page of nativity ideas.

They also have a great contest going on right now where you can win THREE Betty Lukens felt visual boards. DW is a bi told for felt boards (well I guess we could create some with higher subject content like maps)but Ryanne will soon be old enough and these look like a great way to occupy her while I am working :)

So go enter Mama to 3 Blessings contest Click here

ADHD is a gift Famous people with adhd

2011-12-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have adhd. Two of my sons have adhd. But in this house despite the challenges we realize that ADHD is also a gift. You see those with adhd are more likely to take risks that others won't and it's those risk takers who don't accept 'it can't be done' that change the world.

So the next time you think of ADHD as a curse, a disease or the worst thing that could have ever happened to someone you love - take a second look.

ADHD isn't a reason to 'give up" it's a reason to strive to achieve things not possible by the 'average joe'. Look it up - famous people with adhd - doctors lawyers business men politicians, rock stars, athletes ...

Here is a list of some famous world changing people who have or are thought to have had ADD or ADHD;

Jim Carrey
Jack Nicholson
Elvis Presley
Henry Ford
Bill Gates
Christopher Columbus
Lewis and Clark
Elvis Presley
Evil and Robbie Knievel
Sylvester Stallone
Robin Williams
Wright Brothers
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Benjamin Franklin
Ansel Adams
Albert Einstein (list comprised from names at adhd treatment website )

A challenge in childhood that needs support- but once the tools to manage life are there those with ADHD can do great things! Besides, according to Dr Phil and Stephen Covey - successful people manage their life ;)

Wordless Wednesday - brotherly love

2011-11-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

Getting Organized Mom

2011-11-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

It's time to get organized. I have always believed that to have a successful life - it has to be managed and well - the last few years I have been managing my business, and not my 'LIFE'.

So I have decided to start focusing the This Wasn't the Plan Blog on getting my home, family, and health organized and managed better.

I am thinking today I start with my home office. I had a 4o0 square foot office outside of home last year. However, knowing I had to balance my business, homeschooling DW, and baby Ryanne's arrival - I moved the contents of that 400 square foot office into an unfinished room in my basement. I still have stuff outside under the patio and haven't felt as though I even have a workspace for the last four months.

Then we need to tackle the living room, followed by the kitchen. Not to mention better household management tools. Some of you may remmeber my Organized Families website (sold long ago) I actually had customized a printable organization system for myself back when Liam was a baby (wow 13 years ago!) this time around, I am going to use what's already available :P

So here's to getting organized.

The Ultimate Homeschool Blog Roll

2011-11-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

In my goal to get connected with more homeschoolers - I joined the Ultimate Homeschool Blog Roll today.

I was actually looking for some other blogs by students that DW could trade links with. We have a blog that we use for tracking his lessons and so he has a starting point for the resources he uses each day. Maybe he will have to start one :-)

Back to the Ultimate Homeschool Blog Roll. I had to select a a 'homeschooler style'. I never fit into any sort of box, so I went with eclectic. I do follow cirrulumn outcomes for DW becasue we are registered via onlineschool.ca but we use a variety of online media, texts, workbooks, and freestyle learning tools everyday.

DW also has a funded teacher aid who helps with Science and Math. British Columbia supports homeschooling which means being regitered through a registered school, we qualify for funding which is great!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Butter Cream Icing

2011-11-20T15:35:00.001-08:00

** WARNING - no matter how amazing this tastes. Do NOT, I repeat - DO not grab a spoon and eat it all after you lick your finger.**

I made this to go on top of the Chocolate Banana Bread recipe at the Joy of Baking.

1 cup soft (very soft no cheating here) margarine.
1 large heaping table Spoon of smooth peanut butter.

Cream together -
add 1 table spoon of vanilla
3/4 cup of cocoa
Cream some more.

3 cups of icing sugar - add 1/2 cup at at time and cream between each.

Add
4 tablespoons of light cream - a bit at at ime until icing is light and fluffy.

Remove beater - savoir the icing left on the beater and try to please refrain from eating all the icing before you get it on the cooled cake.

3o RaNdOm DaYs oF gRatiTuDe

2011-11-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

1) The dedicated leaders ay Navy League
2) Warm coffee in the morning
3) Ryanne's perfect little Baby Toes
4) A co workers great help!
5) The wet cold rain!

30 (random) days of gratitude Day 5

2011-11-07T13:03:00.001-08:00

1. DW's creativity - Just saw swords in hand go running past the window
2. Knowing Ryanne has the best childcare giver !
3. Time spent with Liam studying and that he was happy to do so
4. The extra hour provided by daylight savings this weekend
5. JohnPaulII - and knowing that Abbie & Liam are provided with a great learning environment

Homeschool Spelling resource

2011-11-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

I was a bug fan of Big Iq Kids, but their changes made it a bit time consuming for me. So I have been in the market for some new spelling practice websites for DW and Abbie.

I found Click n Spell this week and while it was not quite what I was looking for I have to say I LOVE the phonics! If you want to establish your child with a solid phonics base then this is a great affordable website.

Their spelling program goes up to grade 6 and would be a great supplement to a homeschool spelling program.

and I found an online coupon for their phonics and spelling program!

Buy ClickN READ Phonics & Get 50% off ClickN SPELL
Use Code:holidaybogo
$25 Value! exp. 11/30/10

30 (random) days of gratitude Day 4

2011-11-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

1. A warm cup of tea with a new 'kid playdate mom'
2. Herb's mistake which means a nice night out on the town
3. Ryanne sleeping
4. Coffee - I love coffee thank you for coffee
5. Darryl's friend

30 (random) days of gratitude Day 3

2011-11-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ok I had to change this 30 days of gratitude up as I don't seem to remember to post everyday! But what do you expect... four kids, a baby, homeschooling, a business - I guess I am just grateful I get to shower every day!

So here's today's items in no particular order
1. That I had 5 minutes of quiet meditation today
2. For the crisp snow smelling air (with no snow )
3. A Finance who is considerate enough to check and make sure I don't need his help before making plans with the guys.
4. Coloured Post its
5. Great Networking opportunities

30 days of gratitude Day 2

2011-10-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

1. That summer heat is gone and leaves are turning orange!
2. That I have two beautiful daughters!
3. For Ryanne's giggles
4. For vinegar (don't ask)
5. For Liam's red hair - because I always knew I'd love a red head!

30 Days of Gratitude: Day 1

2011-10-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

1. That my 13 yer old still thinks I am ok ;)
2. That my Finance is so supportive.
3. For my dear friend Danni who loves me unconditionally.
4. For my wonderful childcare provider Melissa.
5. That I have my very own home that keeps us warm and dry.

Sick children Sick mommy

2011-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Oh it's not even flu season and it has hit. This morning DW dropped like a fly. The last in the family to fall victim to a nasty flu like? virus.

Starts with a low grade temperature that bounces all over the place, followed by crankiness, and one sleepy kid. For mom it also graciously (not) attacked with a sore throat and stuffed nose. Sometimes I wish that we'd all just get sick on the same day, this one followed by the other is exhausting!

So this week we said hello to the 2011 / 2012 flu season.

Bed Time Drama

2011-09-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

I use to love bedtime but lately bedtime around this home has been crazy. The back to school routine has helped but... I NEED quiet time at night. It's not something I want. It's a requirement for mental function (along with at least 5 hours of consecutive sleep).

I need to work on more night time routine. One of my biggest hangups is the two middle children wanting to be outside playing with the neighbourhood children. If only they could be book nerds like me wanting to stay in and read I wouldn't have the whining to go back out and play.

And video games - WHY did I ever give in on the video games with Liam. WHY ?! OK - tonight he was good about getting them turned off....

OK I am going to go and see if the children actually are in their beds now, say prayers, pull up blankets and get the baby ready for playtime. So she will go to bed at 12:30 and hopefully I will get close to five hours of consecutive sleep !

Sunday Drive The best park ever

2011-09-21T01:03:00.000-07:00

Sunday resulted in an impromptu drive. The kids fell asleep in the car and I decided a nice warm coffee and music for an hour would be a nice 'mom break'. The children were ecstatic to wake up in Nanaimo and Ryanne enjoyed her first every visit to a playground.

I think I should drive somewhere every Sunday and share a photo ...

This could be a good Blog event 'Sunday Drive' better then Wordless Wednesday ;)

Plum recipes - Plum Clafouti

2011-09-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

OK so when I went looking for Plum recipes I had no idea what a Clafouti was. I did however think the photos looked YUMMY. Wikipedia describes a clafouti as;

"Clafoutis, sometimes in Anglophone countries spelled clafouti, is a baked French dessert of black cherries arranged in a buttered dish and covered with a thick flan-like batter. The clafoutis is dusted with powdered sugar and served lukewarm."

All I can say is yummy. Served warm with a tiny bit of icecream and soooo easy to make your family will think you slaved in the kitchen!

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Plum Clafouti

6 tablespoons white sugar (will be divided between batter and dish)
14 Italian prune plums, halved and pitted

3 eggs
1 1/3 cups milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

oven to 375 degrees F *It's important to PREHEAT the oven for this recipe!*

Butter a 10 inch pie plate
sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar in bottom of pie plate.

Place the plum halves, cut side down, covering the entire pie plate bottom.

Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the the plums.

In a blender, combine the last 3 tablespoons of sugar, eggs, milk, flour, lemon zest, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.

Blend about 2 minutes until very smooth. Pour the batter over the fruit.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until firm and lightly browned.

Dust with confectioners' sugar and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Plum recipes - Plum Loaf - Quickbread

2011-09-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Plums Plums Plums. Everywhere is plums. Usually It's zuchinni that people drop by to our house this time of year. However, this year we have been drowning in plums. Yellow plums and dark plums.

Which has led to a plum recipe research and baking project. I am not a fan of fresh plums, they are too squishy when ripe and to tart when firm. The following two plum recipes have turned me into a plum lover!

The first is Plum Loaf - it is moist and everyone in my family LOVED it. Great for the lunch box. I was able to slice it p and store individual slices in the freezer for lunch boxes.

The second is a QUICK dessert that will leave your family thinking you slaved in the kitchen and that you must be a professional baker! Great for potlucks! Not really a lunch box idea - bit ohh so delicious. Watch for the post next week!

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Plum Loaf * doubled recipe

Ingredients

1 cup sugar - 2 cups
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp grated lemon peel

4 cups of flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups of buttermilk
3 cups pitted, chopped plums

Directions

Combine the sugars, oil, egg and lemon peel in a mixing bowl.
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt.
Add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk.
Stir in plums.
Pour into four greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing and placing them on a cooling rack.

** note: I added more plums than suggested. Of course there's always a risk when changing up a recipes - I successfully added 1/2 cup of extra of plums but the change is not represented in the above plum bread recipe or photo.

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Do Something Little, Help Something Big

2011-09-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

Not that long ago I posted my concern about how so much of Ryanne's baby stuff uses batteries. It stemmed from my concern of over consumption and it's effects on the environment.

Well I am excited to see that Energizer understands the importance of caring for our environment and they are hoping to inspire everyone to pledge to make some small changes each day. Best of all when you make a pledge to do so - they will donate $1 to EverGreen.

So I have decided to Make a Pledge with Energizer and hope you will too by visiting the Now That’s Positive Energy website.

First I thought I should share with you why I love this project! I live in a Valley community of Vancouver Island, which means I am surrounded by trees on all sides. (Yes that photo is my Valley home, taken from a mountain top by me.)

Although I see green all around me, I know that my community needs help when it comes to sustainable greening of communities and it's something I want my children to be leaders in - sustainable living.

So here are the five acts our household is planning to undertake over September:

1) We will set our dishwasher to wash during off peak hours.
2) We will all take shorter showers.
3) We will volunteer at our local freecycle store to help divert items from our landfill.
4) We will buy from our local farmers market to reduce carbon emissions from shipping.
5) We will ride our bike or walk home from school at least once.

and - I WILL raise up my children to be environmentally conscious and teach them the difference between wants / needs; and how our and our decisions and actions each day effect not just our local community but society on a whole.

So lets go - make your pledge right now - it will take 30 seconds. Click here

Disclosure – I am participating in the Energizer Canada & Evergreen “Do Something Little, Help Something Big” program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Energizer Canada & Evergreen. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The old blog header

2011-08-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, I managed to scratch creating a new blog header off my to do list. However, I thought for prosperity's sake I should make sure I uploaded the old one so we can remember when.

Derby Mom coming soon to a rink

2011-08-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Last spring a group of women here in my Valley (myself included) started the process of launching a Roller Derby League in our community. Being an 80's roller girl I was excited at the idea of a weekly practice on skates to help get me into shape. Of course I had to wait for Ryanne's arrival to get onto skates.

Well, this evening I took Ryanne to the local lacrosse box to test out my new skates. It is rather like riding a bike. After the initial 'whoooaaaaa' I got my balance and managed to do 5 laps with a modest amount of almost grace.

I officially will attend practices in September so I plan to take advantage of a week with just Ryanne home (her siblings are with their dad for a week) to get some skating time in. I just need some 'pavement time' so I don't embarrass myself completely at my first practice.

Abbie has her skates too - so when she's back she will be practicing with me (not at league times though as it is an adult league). Being that we live in a rain forest it's a good thing there are a lot of cemented covered areas at or local public schools for skate time.

No batteries - Baby Swing

2011-08-25T08:38:00.001-07:00

I hate batteries. OK, I don't mind gadgets that can be plugged in to recharge. But when I had to start shopping for Baby Stuff this time around- I have to say that I really wasn't happy that so much requires batteries.

Ryanne is my fourth child and the one thing I knew I would need is a baby swing - well two. One for our living space and one for my office. Our living room has a newer swing. Complete with sound effects of the ocean and four D batteries. The swing has been left 'on' after Ryanne has been taken out and we are on our third set of batteries at day 29 of Ryanne's life. I already do not like that swing and I am planning it's demise.

Three of my children had wind up swings. I loved them and I think there is something to be said for mechanical over electric. (Yes, I feel the same way about watches.) Batteries are not easily disposed of and are rather unfriendly to our environment and the new swings take up way too much room.

So imagine how happy I was when my mother found me a wind up Graco swing for my office. I am happy, Ryanne is happy, the environment is happy. Graco - please bring BACK the wind up swing ...

Homeschool day planners

2011-08-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

I managed to stop in at Staples yesterday to grab a 2011 teacher planner, which is my planner of choice for organizing DW's homeschool lessons, and daily activities.

I have found quite a few other homeschool planners, however, I love the layout of the teacher planners, which I first discovered while working as a nanny when I was - well lets just say a long long time ago.

Getting ready for September has always been crazy for me. Two of my children are attending a local independent school , so I have the 'school uniform and supply' to do items - including hemming pants, figuring out lunches ... Then I have DW's curriculum to plan and meeting with his teaching assistant (who is with him 2 hours a day). Lastly, I have the home management area to pull together.

I would like to try out some other homeschool planners this year, but for now I am sticking with what I know and will continue with Staple's teacher planner.

Homeschool Social Studies Grade 4

2011-08-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

British Columbia has some clear outcome requirements for Grade four social studies homeschool/school outcomes and it looks like I have my son's Social Studies outline and curriculum planned.

Sept- October:
World Continents and Oceans
Canada Map books

Oct 15- December 5:
Canadian Aboriginal communities and cultures

Jan -February:
Canadian explorers

April:
Geography: European countries

May:
What is Mass media? How does it effect our choices and stereotyping?

June:
Darryl's Choice

Getting ready for homeschool 2011 2012

2011-08-15T23:57:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe that there are only two weeks left until school is back in!

I have been enjoying that Old Navy commercial over the last month - the one where 'the kids are ready for show and tell' and mom states with a happy smile as they head out the door 'and it's only July'. I feel that way.

I am smiling about the school year starting. One of my children does homeschool and two attend a local independent school - but it's not them heading to school that I am counting down to. It's the return of routine.

Summer days are too long for this mom. Summer schedules - even the best laid ones- seems to go out the window by the sixth week of summer break. I am ready for the crisp autumn mornings, the early bedtimes without black out curtains and the morning routine that gets everyone up fed, dressed, and ready for the day by 8:20 am.

This week is homeschool curriculum ordering time. The main company I usually order from had their busiest day today (so I was told on the phone) after their site kept glitching and timing out on me. So tomorrow morning I am phoning in my orders (hard for this girl geek to not utilize online shopping).

Preparing homeschool curriculum is hard work and time consuming - but I will be smiling the entire time ;)

Find an amazing Childcare provider

2011-08-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

As a mom of four (yes I know I know) I fully realize it is unrealistic to consider working (let alone running a business) with out childcare. Actually I don't need childcare - I need Alice from the Brady Bunch. I suppose if you consider 'Mrs Brady' didn't work outside the home- every mom could - and deserves - to have an Alice.

I am not a mom who brought children into the world to have others raise them. My childcare provider / nanny /aupair 's job description is to SUPPORT mom over babysitting.

My newborn sits next to me in my office, I homeschool one of my children for 2 hours each morning, I don't need someone to do the important mom job but someone to support me in running the house, children's schedules and their belongings. So how do you find a super mom helper ?

Use the traditional nanny websites, but be sure you have a CLEAR job description prepared. Look for the applicants who focus on 'supporting the family' over teaching and childcare. My suggestions are: Great Aupair and Care.com

So how is my search going? I am happy to say I have found someone right in my back yard and she starts September 1 in time to get trained up before school starts!

Delighful Moist Choco Chocolate muffins or cupcakes

2011-08-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Photo: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffin batter

Muffins are my busy mom secret weapon, though I think these muffins should be classified as cupcakes! I think next time I may try to find a way to add some oatmeal or something so I don't feel guilty serving them to my children.

If you are looking for some moist chocolate chocolate chip muffins why not give these a try?

Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin pan with paper cups.

In a bowl combine the following DRY ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl combine (with an electric mixer) the following wet ingredients;
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients using electric mixer on med speed.

Fill large muffin tin cups right to the top with chocolate chip muffin batter, should make 12 LARGE chocolate chip muffins.

Don't overcook these muffins- be sure to check at 18 minutes to see how they are doing. They will take between 18-25 minutes depending on your oven.

Dust with confectioners' sugar (optional)

As I write this our chocolate chocolate chip muffins are baking, maybe I should go make sure we have some milk in the fridge ....

I need to update my header

2011-08-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

We have anew baby! Ryanne is almost two weeks old. She arrived at just over 8 lbs and her siblings are so in love with her. As are her mom and dad.

When we got engaged our plan was three years before we could combine our homes and get married, but being almost 37 we knew if there was to be one more baby in the family we should consider baby number 4's arrival. Un-traditional, yes, but she is a blessing like all of God's children even if she's a year or two ahead of schedule.

So I have to add 'update blog header' to my to do list. Yeah - you should see it done by Ryanne's third birthday ;)

Super Moist Blueberry Muffins

2011-07-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

This morning we made some super moist blueberry muffins for breakfast!

Moist Blueberry Muffin Ingredient List;

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 cups fresh blueberries

How to make these yummy Moist Blueberry Muffins;

Preheat oven to 375 & line muffin tin with paper cups

Mix the following in a big bowl:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder

Mix the following in a SECOND Bowl

2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Mix both bowls together

Add blue berries, scoop into paper cups and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Free garden stockart

2011-05-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

My son DW has been working really hard on his science projects.

The following images are taken by: Darryl McFarlane and you may use them (be sure to right click and SAVE), royalty free for any projects. But please link back to: http://homeschoolbyaccident.blogspot.com on your site and give credit to : Darryl McFarlane

Free Homeschool Spelling Program

2011-05-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well I have some exciting homeschooling news about DW. We finally managed to receive some funding and DW has an amazing teacher M-F for two hours. While she focuses on Math and Science, DW and I are focusing on everything else. Including Spelling.

We are working with Spectrum spelling workbooks and the free spelling program - BigIQKIDS.
Of all the free spelling programs, BigIQKids is my favourite. I simply add all of DW's spelling owrds every monday after his spelling pretest and he practices his spelling everyday (for free :) using Big IQKids.

If you have other free spelling spelling websites or homeschool spelling sites that I should know about please do comment and share.

Tsunami Day

2011-03-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

The terrible and heartbreaking day for those in Japan has had an effect here in our small town. Our town of Port Alberni is located at the end of inlet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The funnel effect of our inlet makes our town more susceptible to Tsunamis. We had one in 1964. We are one of the only towns on the west coast of North America with an actual Tsunami Warning system.

Our town is on alert and everyone is ready for the towers to blare with instructions.

The kids are home on their first ever 'Tsunami Day', snow days are a regular occurrence here in the winter but this is the first time they have had a tsunami day.

DW got the day off as well. I didn't think he'd be to happy if 'Homeschool' was open when all the other schools in our community were closed.

We have a local tsunami web cam in Port Alberni.
Our local radio station updates continuously while we are on alert.

It's a reminder to update our emergency kits. Living on a major earthquake fault line on an island means being very aware of the possible effects of an earthquake off our coast and anywhere in the Pacific.

Home School Spelling Curriculum List

2010-10-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Home School Spelling Curriculum List

1)All About Spelling Homeschool Spelling
2) Spectrum Spelling
3) Horizons Spelling (Alpha & Omega)
4) Spelling Power
5) Big IQ Kids (online)
6) A Beka Spelling
7) All About Spelling
8) Splashes from the River free spelling curriculum
9) Apples Daily Spelling Drills
10)A Reason For Spelling
11) Spell to Write and Read by Wanda Sanseri
12) Natural Speller
13) Spellwell
14) Rod & Staff Spelling
15) Mega-Words
16) Spelling Workout
17) Spelling Power (Castlemoyle Books)
18) Spelling Plus 1000 Words Toward Spelling Success
19) Calvert Spelling
20) Success in Spelling by the Weaver Curriculum/Alpha Omega
21) Building Spelling Skills
22) Steck-Vaughn Spelling Linking Words to Meaning
23) Beyond Phonics word pattern Stories
23)Tricks of the Trade & How to Teach Any Child to Spell
24) AVKO Sequential Spelling

Halloween craft - Homeschooling

2010-10-22T15:23:00.001-07:00

Homeschooler or not, these toilet paper mummies are an easy Halloween Art Project.

DW made four of them today and we will be adding some Popsicle sticks to make them into puppets later this evening.

Supplies needed:
Googly eyes
Paper rolls
Glue
Black construction paper
White construction paper

Step one, cut a rectangle area for eyes and glue on roll.
Step two, tear white construction paper into strips and glue onto roll leaving the black eye area showing.
Step three, glue on googly eyes.

Easy peasy Halloween art project for homeschoolers.

Planning your homeschool year - teacher planner

2010-10-19T17:49:00.001-07:00

It's great to have a budget for your homeschool supplies. However, it appears I lacked some planning. Our Online Home school school has some great free homeschool kits, however they have a waiting list. Which means I have to plan DW's lessons around when we can get the kits.

So I have purchased a teacher planner. It's not my one of choice but the local store lacks any Teacher planners in late October. I thought I'd share the photos. I don't need the attached 'grading sheets' Maybe I can find another use for them :)

What I like best about the Teacher Planners is the weekly layout. This one is lacking any sort of ' year long planning section' which stinks.

The planner is actually produced by Staples. I will have to take a look at some of the other teacher planners.

2010-10-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

With DW learning at home, I am trying to ensure that he receives some Faith based studies that would be similar to what he was learning in his siblings Independent School. The grade three Faith studies at their school would start with Isaiah 43:1, 4, God knows my name.

The theme begins with God’s knowledge and love of each person.

I created a worksheet on Isaiah 43:1, 4 (it's for boys) to help him put on paper some of the great gifts God has blessed him with.

Enjoy:)

Homeschool Fonts

2010-10-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite free homeschooling fonts...

Basic outlined font - great free school font for titles,headlines,and colouring in.

Penmanship Print - a free interlined font
Summers Notebook font is a handy homeschool font with each letter in a notebook. Here

If you are looking for Outlined fonts- you can find a list of free outline fonts here.

free blank multiplication table

2010-10-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Gearing up for DW's homeschooling and a solid foundation in MULTIPLICATION is on the homeschool agenda for October.

If you are looking for a blank multiplication table I have one to share. Simply right click and 'view image' to print the free blank multiplication table.

Homeschooling again

2010-10-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

This last month has been well - almost insane (at least I have been on the verge of insanity). Two of the children have settled well into our local catholic school. My oldest who I pulled from public school (middle school) last January is doing really really well !

Unfortunately DW is not yet ready for a classroom. We have some referrals for him to see an amazing OT, however, it will be at least 3 months before all the assessments required for him to receive in school funding can be completed. I have decided to school him at home for the year giving us time to do the assessments properly and to allow him to catch up academically.

So it's back to the curriculum search. The school I am looking at registering him with as a home schooler (required here in BC) has a wealth of resources I didn't know of. I amlooking into checking them all out including this one:

Reading A-Z

The Boy Who Changed the World - an inspriational book for children

2010-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

I received the most wonderful book in the mail last Thursday! The book 'The Boy Who Changed the World' written by best selling author Andy Andrews.

Andy teaches life-changing principles and the power they can have in your day-to-day life and his website has a variety of tools for adults, but the this book is written for children.

The wonderfully illustrated book teaches the Butterfly Affect through a series of short stories linked together to present a time line that shows how one persons actions and choices can create a domino type effect through the lives of future generations.

Unfortunately we live in a society where many of our younger generation (my children included)that are 'we focused'. This book helps open their eyes and hearts to the idea that their choices impact everyone.

All three of my children (ages 7, 8,and my 12 year old son) all sat and listened with interest as I read the book with them. The last page was a great opportunity to an open discussion that was helped along by the list of questions Andy sent along with the book.

If you are looking for Christmas presents that will make a difference in the life of the children you care about - stop by the website and take a look. The Boy Who Changed The World is just $17and you can order all of Andy's books, and videos from his site. Right now they even have free shipping on orders over $50.

Back to school - School Unifroms

2010-09-03T18:49:00.001-07:00

My homeschooling time is coming to an end- the children are enrolled in an independent school and first day back is next Wednesday.

I wish I had the ability to keep Homeschooling, but as a single parent - I also have to pay the bills which means I have to work full time. Our local Catholic school seems to be the solution. An average of 15 children per class, a great sports program, yes, my son will receive his medication AND my nanny can even volunteer in the classroom if my children need a bit of extra support.

Did I say I was counting the days ?

Didn't you count the hours until summer break ?

2010-07-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

Didn't you count the hours until summer break ? As a child ? I did. We are day three into Summer Break and I am counting down until school starts in September. My homeschool adventure is over. My children will be attending an independent school in the fall and my learned techniques will help supplement their day time learning.

I wish I could take the summer off and spend hours at the beach. I wish I could afford a full time Nanny who would take the children to the beach when I cant. It's not in the cards for this single mom.

In some ways I feel guilty (oh no the ugly mom guilt rearing it's head again), however, I know that the kids will still have some memorable adventures this summer. Maybe just not as many as those children whose parents get time off in the summer otr those with a full time stay at home parent.

Ahh Summer warm days, tired kids, a lot of work for single moms :)

Affordable Piano Lessons

2010-06-10T18:03:00.001-07:00

My middle son loves music. He has two guitars but trying to find lessons - well prevents me with TWO obstacles to overcome;

1) The cost
2) The time and driving

We overcame language lessons with Rosetta Stone, but trying to find something to help him learn to play the piano in place of costly piano lessons has been hard.

It looks as though I have found a solution. I shall be shopping for a 'new to us' piano over the summer to get DW started on Piano Lessons. Ideally I will be starting him in October (after the school rush) with the Award-Winning Home School Piano course by Legacy Learning Systems.

In the mean time, I am going to be looking for some websites to help teach music reading ....

Working in my sleep

2010-06-10T16:59:00.001-07:00

I believe I may have crossed into the line of crazy. I have been sooooo busy working at night after the kids go to bed that once asleep I dream non stop about 'working' so essentially I am now working 25/7 with small breaks to parent and even smaller breaks to do other things ....

However, after the next crazy 6 months things will slow down and hopefully I can go back to dreaming about having super powers.

I registered my son for the IXL Math website today. Unfortunately he is NOT working at a grade three level in Math so I have to build a bit more foundation for him before he starts with TenMarks.com.

It's 5pm ... time to parent and think about what to cook for dinner !

Not enough hours in a day

2010-06-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to speak with another great mom blogger today while working. Sometimes speaking to people on the phone can just make or break a day and today- it made my day.

I am not a perfect mom. In fact, this weekend I spent an entire day on the couch with my kids (egad) watching a marathon of 'Merlin' from BBC. Why? Because I was EXHAUSTED. So I didn't make dinner - we ordered in. Lunch was crackers cheese and meat. Snack and juice boxes graced the coffee table ALL DAY.

But this one mom blogger gave me kudos for being a single parent who works and even homeschools one of my children. She said she is 'amazed' when she speaks to other single parents like myself.

Not perfect, none of us are. But this mom just received a pat on her back that will have me smiling all night. So THANK YOU Toronto Teacher Mom :) I send you some MOM kudos - because if more moms gave Kudos over criticism - we'd have many more healthy families out there!

2010-05-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a great homeschool resource site this morning. Actually it's a tools for educators site. They have a small network of sites full of great tools to help with homework, teaching, or homschooling. Many of their sites have generators that allow you to create CUSTOM worksheets :)

Custom Spelling Worksheets - in any language

Free Printable Flash Cards - high quality images

Free Custom Phonic worksheets

Hope you find some great teaching tools!

Throwing it all up in the air

2010-05-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it is because the clock is ticking towards 5:05 pm and I know 36 looms closer - but sometimes a girl just has to be real. My job makes me 'out there' online and it can be hard to blog because I have to balance my job (be professional) with well who I really am !

So today I decided to be real for anyone actually reading this. I use to have over 5000 readers at my formally organized blog / website. Here thus far, I am a lone blogger. Followed by less people then you can count on one hand. So maybe I should break out a bit.

So here's who I am - I use to be super nanny - OK not THE super nanny but the Canadian version of super nanny before there was a super nanny. Now I am a single parent of three kids who can't even convince them to get out of bed some days. (I recently purchased my own super nanny part time to do this for me.) Super Nanny doth not maketh a perfect mom - two VERY different job descriptions.

I am a geek - my first computer was a commodore vic 20. I was about 7 years old and my babysitter was a geek - he showed me how to write simple code. Which I saved on one of these:

I left home at 16 to run across the country (to follow my wonderfully nerdy university boyfriend). Which is the definition of strong willed and independent. That is a small part of why my marriage didn't last (just a tiny bit - but I admit my faults ;)

I love to work. I couldn't be a stay at home mom if I wanted to. (I applaud all stay at home moms though - it's a tough job.) So instead I work from home There is no line for me between work and outside of work - it's all part of life.

I am overly optimistic, a risk taker, and defined by others as A-typical. Which I was worried was a put down at first - it isn't. I am glad to not be a clone of normalcy.

I am giving, I volunteer, I care about my community, my faith, family, the environment but I am not an 'extreme anything'.

Remember that episode of Desperate Housewives when Lynette Scavo goes nuts trying to be the perfect mom and wife? Well I hit a point in my life where I could relate to that episode. That would be me. It was me.

I am not perfect and I bet if you are true to yourself you aren't either.

Oh I don't think that was directed at anyone person ...really. It may be directed at all those people who think they should judge others though - that's the ONE thing I do not like. People who judge others. That would be our creators job - I don't believe he has delegated that to any one person.

My goal as a parent is for my children to grow into contributing, compassionate, members of a global society. If I accomplish that I will pat myself on the back.

So that is me - quirky - smart - adaptable - caring. I am too often referred to as sweet - don't we outgrow sweet by age 36 ?

Grade 5 math - how to teach Long division

2010-05-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

My son spent a lot of time working on Long Division. It was never easy for him and he still struggles.... I found a great resource on teaching long division to your children.

Maria from Home School math explains what children need to have BEFORE they can be taught long division. I think this was my son's main struggling point. He didn't have the foundations he needed.

'Before a child is ready to learn long division, he/she has to know:

* multiplication tables (at least fairly well)
* basic division that is based on multiplication tables
(for example 28 ÷ 7 or 56 ÷ 8)
* basic division with remainder (for example 54 ÷ 7 or 23 ÷ 5)'

She then breaks down the steps for TEACHING long division and offers a video.

So... if you are struggling helping your child with their long division homework (or homeschooling) you should check out the lesson for the homeschool parents trying to teach long division at Home School math.

The best teacher in the world

2010-05-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

It isn't often I will squeeze in the time to participate in a blog event but education is VERY important to me. This Mom Central blog campaign is one I had to participate in.

If you asked me my goals as a parent I would say to raise my children to be compassionate adults that make a difference in society. My key to doing this is to install a love of learning. Through learning they will come to know their 'causes' and how to share the information they learn with others.

So to answer the question. I have to say the best teacher in the world is your child's parent. It's through the teaching we do in our own homes that leads to our children learning in the classroom.

As parents we install the basic lessons that are NEEDED for our children to learn. Whether that learning takes place in a school, a kitchen table, a car ride, church, or even online. Respect, compassion, an excitement about learning new things. These are all taught by parents who model the values and provide opportunities for discussion not always found in a classroom.

It is this teaching that leads to our children having the ability to be taught by the educators we choose to teach our children. The best teachers (parents) lay the foundation needed to build inspiring students in the classroom.

Now if I was asked who the best teacher in a classroom is it wouldn't be any one teacher. It would be the educators dedicated to recognizing the individual learning styles of our children. The ones who know acknowledge these different styles and try to incorporate all of them into their lessons.

Visual Learners - Auditory Learners - Kinesthetic Learners - three types of learning styles and no classroom of 20 plus students is going to have students with all the same style. The best teacher embraces new teaching ideas and tools that help students of all three styles to learn.

So where is this leading me? Well to all the great technology our classrooms could have to help these great educators in the classroom. Unfortunately, our schools don't always have the operating budgets to stay on top of the great resources out there.

So I encourage to check out the Smart Love of Learning Program and the Smart Boards 'Love of learning' Facebook sit e and enter to win your child's school (or the school of your choice) a Smart Board. I also encourage you to attend your next school PAC meting and advocate that they support new technology in the classroom.

Just imagine what a smart board could do for your child's classroom learning experience.

Check out the Smart board on you tube .

And we found a grade 6 Online Math Program

2010-05-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

I believe I have expressed my frustration of trying to locate a quality yet affordable Online math program for my son. Homeschooling is great when it comes to English and Social Studies, math basics no problem, I can even sling some Algebra. But ask me to TEACH Algebra basics to my 11 year old and we have some serious problems.

He effectively has determined that I the mom who once knew EVERYTHING apparently has some serious inability to breakdown and teach some grade six math principles.

I looked at Mathletics. Large initial investment. You have to pay for a year. Having a child with ADHD I have learned lets start with a month and see where we go BEFORE I make a huge investment ;)DreamBox only gets me through to grade 3.

Ten Marks Math has some great videos from a preteens perspective that helped my son to see the value of their program (BONUS!).

So if you are looking for an affordable online online Math program for homeschooling, an online Math Summer Program, or simply an online math tutor. Check them out.

homeschool geometry Transformations Rotations Transaltions Reflections

2010-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

My son didn't have a solid foundation on geometry transformations and finding quality visual videos on rotations, translations, and rotations was a bit difficult. Especially when the examples needed to be on a coordinate grid.

When I found this great site offering examples using the alphabet for geometry I thought I should share.

Learning the concepts of geometry transformations (rotations translations reflections) seemed easier if you could remove the polygons and focus on the grid, transformation concepts, and the degrees.

So here is a great site to help your child (including interaction) on a coordinate grid.

misterteacher <- Click there Teaching Transformations

Have a Homeschool Group ?

2010-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Trying to find local Homeschool groups in a small community is hard. It would seem many homeschool groups aren't Internet savvy. So if you do have a homeschool group, you may want to list it on a few homeschool directories.

The HomeSchool Directory

Homeschool Portal

Homeschool Directory - Not specific to any one group.

An interesting side point is the number of homeschooling groups that segregate themselves by culture or religion.

AHHHH homeschooling is hard

2010-05-14T14:49:00.001-07:00

Trying to get my son to sit down for more then 15 minutes to complete work is near to impossible. Granted, I am also juggling my own work and parenting two other children at the same time.

I think my mistake was thinking that it would be easier to use our local school districts curriculum from home. If I was able to be a bit more 'creative' woith te lessons and simply complete the tests we wouldn't be fighting so much ( my 11 year old and myself).

Too often the online resources I find do not match up to the 'text book' we have to follow.

I am thinking WORKBOOKS for homeschooling are something that would work better for our family.

I know we will be continuing straight through out the summer to make sure everyone is caught up and ready for September.

Horizon workbooks in Canada by Alpha Omega

2010-04-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

I spent some time looking for Horizons Mathematics Workbooks last night and thought I would share a list of the Homeschool / teaching supply stores carrying the Alpha Omega Horizons Workbooks in Canada that I found.

A+ Books Canada
www.aplusbookscanada.com
136 Gablewood Crescent
London ON N6G 2Z9
(519) 471-1034

Offers the kits at $92.00
Individual workbooks are between $15-17.00
Shipping is an average of $9.00 for up to 100.
The individual books aren't in stock so they would taje a week to arrive.
Nadine is VERY helpful and even offered other sources that may have them in stock.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canadian Home Education Resources
http://www.canadianhomeeducation.com/
(403) 243-4443
Horizons Math2 WorkBook 1 $16.50

Horizons Math 6 Workbook 1 $ 17.95

Shipping: Min $12 based on a percentage of cost.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canadian Academic Supply
$17.95 per workbook
12% shipping
Not set up for PayPal
Horizon Math Workbooks
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Heritage Resources
http://www.heritageresources.ca
Horizons Math Grade 2 Book 1
Shipping Flat rate to $75
Does not accept Paypal, though you can mail a money order.
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HomesSchool and Hearth
http://www.homeschoolandmore.ca
Horizons Math Grade 2 Book 1 $14.95
Flat rate shipping up to $100 of $10

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What was that !?

2010-04-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure out exactly what today was. I know I marked a few things off my to do list. But I am not sure how. Do you have those days? Days that are sort of just - a blur?

I knew today wouldn't be a ton of fun when my oldest son tried to tell me that since it was a professional day for his sister in public school that he too had a professional day last night. Which in his mind equals a day off.

Of course he basically completed no more then three days work last week and despite my explaining that a 'PRO DAY' is not a day off (like a holiday) but a day of professional development for teachers (which I clearly wasn't going to get) the day didn't see much accomplished.

I tried to pull in my family to help with some of the school work (my mom is WONDERFUL), but that didn't go so well.

I had an appointment with our pediatrician today who stated he DOES support my decision to not return my my middle son (DW) to school and simply just enroll him back in Grade three for September. So now I just need to figure out a school solution for September for ALL three of my children.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

2010-04-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. The Ultimate blog party started last night. I am officially a day behind visiting everyone's blog ( we went to see Alice in Wonderland last night).

Some of you might remember my old blog 'Organized Families' which is still around but I actually sold it to a new blogger recently. This blog is new and a bit more personal. I decided I need a blog that cold reflect where i was at any one point of my life.

Right now that look like this. Sleep deprived single parent of thee children. Director of advertising at a new Internet Start up and owner of a PR and News wire for bloggers. ( I am looking for a Canadian business computer savvy mom interested in partnering in that venture could it be you? :)

As you can see my blog roll here is well empty- so if you would like to exchange some links... feel free to tweet me. I am especially interested in trading links with blogs around homeschooling, trying to live green, am mompreneaurs.

I was thinking about posting a video - but I am still in my PJ's ;)

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Simplifying

2010-04-09T16:23:00.001-07:00

I started a new job in the last few weeks and began to 'cut back' all my 'time consumers'. One of which was my long time blog Organized families (which is now being run by someone who has the time to make it a great resource for you). It seems that what is important to us one year isn't where we are in life five or six years later.

Six years later I am taking stock on whats REALLY important to me. Which is how I ended up here. Starting this blog to share the resources and stories of my current life/mom place.

I am not sure where this blog is going to go. My initial thought was that I would share homeschooling tips, but on closer look - I am hoping it portrays the importance of growing with your life and changing family needs. Because - no two families are the same and no one family will be living the same life year to year. Our children grow, we grow, our situations change and our blogs should maybe grow along with it!

Where was I six years ago? In a not so good place. I had a failing marriage, sleep deprivation, and a lot of unhappiness. Speaking of unhappiness, I was watching this video today about STUFF. It revolves around the US stats but we in Canada aren't too far behind... Do you know that the national happiness level (think mental health) of people started going down when the 'consumerism' model showed up in the 1950's. Here's a clip:

Watch the whole video here

I am not ready to move to the Kootney's to live in the Mystique Intentional Community, but I am ready to start being more aware of what I consume. Each day I assign a video to my son's Homeschool Activity log. He is 10 and I hope one day he will be a steward for social justice and making the world a better place for all of us. This video Story of Stuff is his video to watch on Monday ... maybe you migth want to share it with a leader of tomorrow in your life....

Math is a bad word

2010-03-19T10:37:00.001-07:00

Apparently, Math is a bad word here in our house. It's not that I hate math, I am actually ok at math. It's that teaching Math is not so easy. Especially to a student who spent the last five months learning to develop a huge hate on for math.

Like me - L see's things in a compartment type way. Draw me a flow chart please. One question at a time please.

Problem is these Math text books. They don't work that way. Squish all the lesson onto two pages, explain the concepts in writing. Not step by step. So I am finding myself spending a LOT of time photo copying the text and breaking everything down into steps. ( I feel like I am in Kindergarten with all the cutting and pasting.)

So for those of you like me creating 'workbooks' with scissors and glue - Here's a place to get some free chart paper (or graph paper to be more technical). Click here for free graph paper for your homeschooling math charts.

Homeschool Company?

2010-03-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

I found out yesterday that my BF's nephew is starting the same homeschooling program L is doing. Similar issues at school and Mom had enough. He should have all his books next week, so it looks like I might be able to help motivate L with some 'peer study time'.

I am thinking maybe they could work on a project together- meet each other for physical activity time ... that sort of thing. We also might be able to 'share a tutor' since they will be working on the same curriculum. I suppose I should also start looking for local homeschool groups to see if there might be activities he's interested in.

It will also help when I have to go out of town for work - someone for L to be with during 'school hours'.

In all the last few weeks have gone ok. We are back at square one in Science working on a different unit as I was unable to effectively explain positive and negative charged atoms ;)

I also learned the importance of marking work the DAY it is done.

A picture is worth a thousand words

2010-03-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

So I Was visiting Lisa's blog my little rembrandt today and her things I won't miss post gave me this great idea!

I have to add her photo (I hope she will not mind) go to her blog to read the whole post and see the full photo.

I am getting TWO corkboards. one labeled MOM LIKES THIS and one 'Not so much'.

I will take these photos and put them on the board for the kids. They say a photo is worth a thousand words ... maybe I won't have to nag anymore !

Getting there

2010-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

I am grateful that we are following a local School District open learning plan - but it is really basic. So I am working on adding a few things to L's Daily learning. Today he is researching one historical figure to research (A research project).

He tried to convince me that a drawing he found online was a historical person (it was a video game character). His argument was that people didn't know what these people looked like back then. SO I guess he googled and found a 'drawing' and said see that's what I mean. I said well that's a painting of a real person. 'really ? Well how is it then" I answered 'Beethoven'. The look on his face was pricessless when he checked who it was.

After this - I think I will pick one new historical person each week.

Math does not like me

2010-02-16T09:13:00.001-08:00

It has been an exhausting few weeks. Liam and I are already 1.5 days BEHIND in our homeschooling program (augh). English is going well and socials its science and mostly MATH that is tough. I am not a math person. But look - I found some great MATH videos online FREE. Liam is working on Medians, means, and MODES.

Homeschooling by accident

2010-02-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

I said no to homeschooling. I did.

So here I am and on Monday morning I will be homeschooling. I didn't come to this decision lightly. Though I always said I had hoped I would be able to send my children to private school by the time they finished elementary (I just don't have faith in public school at a jr and sr high level).

As a single parent of three children private school isn't in the books so I tried my VERY best to help my son (adhd & odd) succeed at his new school. Hi elementary was GREAT. We all worked as a team, the recognized his need for a bit of extra support during the first 8 weeks in a new class and by second term he always went from a 'c average' to a b+ average and became 'A delight to have in the class' though a bit too goofy.

I even attended the school PAC meeting the year before he joined the school - an sat as chair the year he started (last Sept). It didn't take long for me to see that despite my advocating the public school system at this level is just not designed to accept any child as an individual. After numberous trips to the councilor, discussions, with the principal and a three page letter the first day back after Christmas break was suppose to be a new start with a 9am meeting.

The little things got sorted out (like him not being able to get in his locker for three months). But his teacher still never received his team school reports, theres no contact from the school (even after a my son manhandled another student!) Our first appointment with an outside MCFD counselor results in my discovering that my son still after our meeting was not being given his afternoon medication at school.

I was told our community worked as a 'team' and at his elementary school this was true. The parent (me), the teachers, the administration, MCFD, his health care professionals, they all work together.

I am worried that other children may not be getting the medication they need, but I have nothing left in me to advocate fro the other 480 students in the school - so instead I am going to be my sons mother FIRST - community family advocate SECOND.

The next few months should be interesting ... We pick up curriculum Monday. Tuesday we are out of town with medical tests for AM and LC will have to accompany us. All while I am trying to launch a new business. Money is tight, time is tight, and all three of my kids have some serious issue going on.

There are days I just shake my head and say wow this is crazy. Maybe writing will help.

This video was on the new choices program (our local homeschool program that we have joined)... and it helped to reassure me I have made the RIGHT choice.

Today in between working - Liam and I ran the track (look its gym time!) and made chocoalte cake in a cup. This afternoon we are both setting up blogs - me to write about the challenges of being a single mom and the success that will accompany it - and him to journal his homeschool experience.