Robot Costume

We have had a fun week talking, reading, learning, and playing with robots.  Our craft project this week was to make a robot costume.

I cut the bottom, arm holes and a hole for Aiden’s head in a box.  Then I let Aiden paint the box silver.

After the box was dry we made and added a fuel gauge,

a heart, which is hidden under a flap, and all sorts of shapes cut out of construction paper.

Daddy was nice enough to stop by Lowes and purchase some dryer vent hose for Aiden to wear on his arms.  We taped the ends with silver electrical tape so Aiden would be poked by any sharp pieces.  Then Aiden geared up and voile ~ his robot costume.

Super easy and Aiden LOVES it!

~Cindy

Little House on the Prairie Peg Family

Have you ever seen something on Pinterest and thought ~ I could do that!  Well, I found two cute little Little House on the Prairie peg families (here and here) and decided to make a set since we are reading the Little House on the Prairie books and doing the Prairie Primer.

Emily painted the log cabin (which came from Michaels) and I got busy painting the family.

I still need to find a small peg and paint baby Carrie but, I love the rest of our Ingles family.  I will admit that it took me over 2 hours to paint them due to a little mishap.  I had just finished Pa and set him to the side when I bumped him and he went face first into white paint.

I think they will be a fun addition to our Little House on the Prairie studies!

~Cindy

Our Homeschool Curriculum Choices for 2011-2012

We are actually in our fourth week of homeschooling for the 2011-2012 school year, but I have been such a slacker about posting ~  I figured I should write about our curriculum choices.

Emily is in 3rd grade and Aiden is in doing Preschool (and some Kindergarten). 

Emily ~ 3rd Grade

Emily is using the following daily:

• Teaching Textbooks ~ Math 3
• A Reason for Handwriting Transition
• Daily Geography Practice Grade 3
• Learning Language Arts Through Literature ~ Yellow
• Building Spelling Skills Grade 3

 

In addition we are going to be studying subjects in blocks this year (including grammar and math).

• 2 weeks for drawing ~ we started out our school year doing 2 weeks of form drawing using A Little Flower Garden DVD set.
• 10 weeks Prairie Primer ~ we will reading Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie.  During this time our main focus is going to be on preparing for winter, harvest, different fibers and handiwork. 
• 2 weeks Native Americans/Thanksgiving ~ our focus will be on Indian homes and Thanksgiving preparation.
• 2 weeks telling time and money.  
• 4 weeks (December) cooking/measurement ~ we are going to spend the month focusing on Christmas, baking and measurement (liquids and solids).
• 6 weeks Old Testament Stories ~ we will be using Christopherus Old Testament Stories Manual and Storybook.
• 4 weeks grammar ~ we will be using the World of Language books by Ruth Heller and lesson plans from Serendipity.  During this time we will focus on grammar, sentence structure and cursive writing.
• 3 weeks math ~ focusing on multiplication and division.
• 1 week Easter
• 4 weeks Prairie Primer ~ we will be reading Farmer Boy and focusing on farming and planting.  We are also going to do some building during this time.

Aiden ~ Preschool/Kindergarten

Our focus this year will be Before Five in a Row, along with the amazing Preschool Packs that Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations created. 

In addition to Before Five in a Row we will be using the following:

• All About Reading Level Pre-1
• Language Lessons for Little Ones
• Are You Ready for Kindergarten?
• ABeka Arithmetic K
• A Reason for Handwriting K
• A Child’s Seasonal Treasury ~ which has seasonal poems, crafts and recipes.

We will also be doing circle time together, but I’ll post more about that later.  I’m excited about our year and for once ~ I feel ORGANIZED and READY!!

~Cindy

3D Feel and Find World Icons {Guidecraft Mom Review}

We are loving Guidecrafts 3D Feel and Find Icons!

 

This has been a fun sensory toy that BOTH of my kids are enjoying. 

About 3D Feel and Find Icons

Guidecrafts 3D Feel and Find Icons canvas bag contains 20 different shapes with matching tiles.  The pieces are chunky, making it easy for little hand to pick them up.  Each piece is made out of eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with brightly colored dyes, which are child safe.  The product is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Our Experience

We started out talking about the different shapes and colors.  Then Aiden matched the pieces together.

We then selected a few tiles and put the matching pieces in the bag.  The kids took turns turning over a tile and trying to find the correct shapes.

Aiden found this a little challenging at first.  He kept trying to peak into the bag.

Emily had no problem find the correct pieces ~ without peaking.

My Thoughts

This is a toy that can grow with your kids.  You can start out using it as a simple puzzle, matching the shapes to the correct tiles.  Then talk about color matching, shapes and sizes.  My 4 year old found it challenging, when he had to find the correct shape in the bag.  My daughter, who is 8, had fun helping Aiden and picking tiles out of the bag.  That being said ~ I can see that it would be fun and educational for a wide age range.

Find Out More

The 3D Feel and Find World Icons can be purchased from Guidecraft or Amazon.

Win It!

Xenia @ Thanks Mail Carrier is hosting the giveaway!  Head over for a chance to win!!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

~Cindy

Bead and Water Blocks {Guidecraft Mom Review}

There are a few toys that I consider “must-haves” and building blocks are one of them.  Guidecraft’s Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks add a fun twist to traditional building blocks.

  

Each set of blocks contains eight blocks ~ four rectangle blocks and four half circle blocks.   My kids loved trying to find new ways to balance the half circle blocks.

I personally loved the beauty of these blocks and the fun noise the bead blocks make when you shake them.  Yes, I will admit that I had just as much fun as the kids playing with these blocks!

The final verdict ~ we love these blocks!  They have been a great addition to our building block collection.

 

You can purchase the Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks on the Guidecraft site.  You can also purchase the Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks on Amazon.

Want to win a set? Jolanthe @ Homeschool Creations is hosting the giveaway this month!  Head on over and enter to win!!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

~Cindy

Mud Pie Kitchen

I have many fond childhood summertime memories.  One of which is concocting mud creations ~ beautiful pies and cakes made from mud, sand, leaves and berries.  As soon as I saw the idea for a mud pie kitchen on one of my favorite blogs, Rhythm of the Home, I started gathering supplies.

Our mud pie kitchen has been up for a month and the kids have been spending lots of time, playing and creating.  Would you like to see?  Follow me.  Our mud pie kitchen is hidden in a corner of the yard.

It is the perfect location on a hot summer day to “cook up” some fabulous mud pie creations!   The two chiefs are busy preparing something in the kitchen right now.

I purchased two crates from Michaels for about $13.00 (using a coupon of course!). The rest of the items I found at Good Will or around the house.   I probably spent around $20 for everything.

In the hanging wire baskets you can find stones and shells. The kids are using the bottom basket to place bowls and such as they dry.

The shelf has pegs, where you can dry plants, or hang supplies.  The top shelf has a basket with tongs, spoons, etc. and provides extra space.

One of the kids favorite kitchen items is a mortar and pestle. 

I had the perfect container for dirt, just sitting in the garage.  Do you know what the container was original used for?  If so, please don’t tell my kids ~ and yes I cleaned it with bleach! : )I planted some good smelling herbs (mint, lavender, and basil) for the kids to use.  I have since discovered that we have a groundhog in our yard who is also thankful for the small herb garden.

One of the kids creations.

I just love summertime and mud pies!

~Cindy

Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups {Guidecraft Mom Review}

  

This month we have been playing with two fun, brightly colored math toys that we received from Guidecraft ~ an Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups.   

About the Fraction Action Board and Action Cups

The Fraction Action Board includes 18 pieces and a tray.  The Fraction Cups has 10 pieces and 4 cups.  The pieces all fit easily onto the board and into the cups and the pieces are big enough that they are easy for little hands to grip and pick up.  Both of the sets are made of eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with brightly colored low VOC aniline dyes ~ so they are safe for little ones!  The sets are recommended for ages 2 and up and included an activity guide with fun ideas to add to your math fun.

Our Thoughts

I love toys that naturally lead to educational learning!  We talked about shapes, colors and fractions {a little}.  Aiden had fun taking the pieces out and putting them back.

               

Of course there was lots of building and stacking going on!

My thoughts ~ this has been a fun math toy that I plan on using in our homeschooling for both my son and daughter.

Find Out More

The Fraction Action Board or Fraction Cups can be purchased from Amazon or Guidecraft.

Win It!

Mama Jenn is giving away a Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups.  The giveaway ends Saturday, June 25th.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy