It's Official

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The other day while Abby and I were at Target, a young man that worked there looked at me strangely. I smiled back at him and didn't think much about it until he said, "Did you used to be a teacher?"

"Um, NO!" Ok, I said it nicer than that, but he then says, "Oh, sorry I thought you used to be my teacher."

USED to be? Does that mean I look like I could be retired now? I sure hope not. Of course, Abby said, "You're my teacher, Mom." LOL!

The saddest part is I thought he was about my age. Guess not. I'm 29 and he was probably only 17 or 18 now that I think about it.

It's official, I must be getting old.

What's That Sound?

I purchased this book at the Homeschool Expo back in March. Abby has been struggling with her listening skills recently, so I thought we'd give this a try.

There are 3 different learning concepts in this workbook:

1. Aural Identification (identifying animal sounds)
2. Classification (same/different)
3. Counting (1-10)

We did a few of the aural identification pages. Abby would circle the sound of the animal she heard on the CD and then write the word for it on the lines under it.

She had fun listening to the sounds, but didn't like the writing part that much. She gets frustrated when she doesn't know now to write a letter, but the short words are good practice.


I can't find a link to this book anywhere, but I recommend it. It's good to know that she can actually listen when she wants to! LOL!

It's from Lorenz Educational Press, but their site is under construction.

Works For Me Wednesday: Singing & Learning

This is more like a "Works For Abby" Wednesday!

I recently stumbled upon a product called HeidiSongs. I will admit, I watched the demos and was laughing at how silly it was. However, Abby would love it!

If I make up a song, Abby learns it really quickly. We have songs for:

Days of the Week



Months of the Year



Holidays


**I included our Branson vacation trip in September as a holiday**

and the order of birthdays in our family . Most recently, Abby had me make a song up about weddings in our family! LOL!

I use the same tune for each song and she learns them so fast! Dave just started a song with Abby about counting by 10's to 100.

We sing the songs during the day when we are driving and she requests them at night after we read books. And by request, I mean I have to sing ALL of the songs.

Check out these awesome resources I just found about learning through singing:

Songs for Teaching

Music Education Lesson Plans

Another product I am looking into is Sing, Spell, Read and Write : Kindergarten Level 1 Combo Kit. It was one of Kathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. It's a little on the expensive side though, so we stick with our amateur singing.

What works for you or your kids? Head over to We Are THAT Family to participate.

That's Not My Princess

Don't you just love Usborne books?

This is the first full book Abby has read correctly. Usually she gets frustrated when trying to read and puts the book away.



The "I love my Daddy the best" sentence isn't part of the story. LOL!

Here is one of our other attempts to make this video:



That is so Abby. Yep, that's me laughing at the end. She cracks me up sometimes!

A No Go

Well, so much for having plans to plant some flowers this weekend.

Saturday morning, we opened the garage to head out to the store only to be greeted by tons of wasps, bees and yellow jackets! Right then and there I decided there was no way I could spend the day outdoors. It was also in the upper 80's.

After waiting for the 2 wasps to get out of our garage so we could close the door, we went to Walmart.

I bought this:

However, I wish they had some of this at Walmart:

Seriously, this lady has to be on something to be able to just lay out in the grass. Especially with her eyes closed!


This Spring seems to be really bad as far as bugs go. I never remember seeing this amount of bees, wasps and yellow jackets in April. Usually, we get the aggressive ones in September. However, not this year. They are everywhere. My Mom had a wasp in her bathroom yesterday and my sister and I saw a man kill a yellow jacket INSIDE the mall on Friday.

What's going on this year? Is this happening where you are too? Or do I just need to move?

Random Picture Challlenge

Today's Random Picture Challenge from 4 little men and girly twins is:

2002
8th folder - July
25th picture
**if you don't have any that far back, use the next closest**

The pictures on my laptop only go back to 2004, but I do have photo albums from previous years. This picture is a picture of a picture:


South Seas Resort July 2002. Dave and I stayed there for a few nights as a gift from his parents. Hurricane Charley destroyed it in 2004. It has since been rebuilt, but my in-laws who live in Fort Myers Florida say it is not the same. Now it is more upscale and not as family friendly.

Join the Random Picture Challenge here.

Hooked On Fridays: Spring Planting

This week, I'm hooked on visiting nurseries to scout out which types of plants we should buy for our landscaping. Abby and I went to 3 nurseries this week and took lots of pictures.

Unfortunately, I can't get tulips because of the deer, but aren't these beautiful?


I'm loving these huge pots of azaleas. That bright pink is awesome!


During our Spring Getaway, the hotel my sister and I stayed at had these lovely Vincas as ground cover. I really want to use these under the tree in the front yard.
We have several Spireas that we cut back pretty far this year in hopes that they would grow back thicker. If not, I really want these Magic Carpet Spireas! The ones we have now are the green that you see to the left.


The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, so hopefully we can get started.

What are you hooked on this week? Check out Hooked On Houses to participate!

Update on the Dolphin Lapbook

I pulled out the dolphin books we picked out at the library last week.

Face to Face with Dolphins (Face to Face with Animals)

Is a Dolphin a Fish? Scholastic Q & A (Scholastic Question & Answer)
(Scholastic Question & Answer)

I also showed her the materials I had for the dolphin lapbook. Here's how it turned out:

It didn't! Abby said it was a great idea for me to do a dolphin book while she makes a book about Peep, as in Peep and the Big Wide World.

I have to say, this picture cracks me up. She did pretty good from memory. This is what they look like:


Bummer about the dolphin lapbook, but if she's going to be obsessed with something right now, I'm glad it's this show. It's so cute and educational. I was searching for pictures to post here and found some awesome things on the Peep and the Big Wide World site.

Activity Pages

Coloring Pages

Anywhere Activities

Peep's Explorer Guide

I'm so excited that I found these! Peep, Chirp and Quack is all she talks about and now we can have a Peep and the Big Wide World unit study.

It's a good thing they don't sell party supplies or we'd have to change our plans for a Littlest Pet Shop party! LOL!

Works For Me Wednesday: Weight Watchers

Today I want to share what has worked for me the past 2 years.

Weight Watchers

This is the picture that made me decide to join WW with my Mom and younger sister:

Abby's 3rd birthday party in May 2007

After seeing this picture, I was sad. Yes, I gained 50 pounds with Abby, but it was 3 years later. There was no excuse now. Plus, I had just lost my Memaw a month earlier to complications of diabetes and I decided I did not want to get diabetes. It runs on both sides of my family and that scared me.

I joined WW on June 11, 2007 at 160.8 pounds. My BMI at the time was 24.3. Not quite overweight, but if I gained only 5 more pounds I would be. I decided to make my goal weight 148 pounds. "There was no reason for me to be over 150 pounds", I told myself. I was 137 pounds when I got married only 6 years earlier, so I knew it was possible.

I started counting points and changing my eating habits. I still ate what I wanted to, but not as much. For example, at Taco Bell, I used to get:

2 hard taco supremes
1 nacho
1 soda

I changed my order to:

1 hard taco supreme
1 tostada
water

and saved 11 points!

I really wasn't that into exercising, so I did a lot of things around the house. I started mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, washing the cars, etc. I felt good knowing I was getting something done and exercising at the same time.

Here I am 1 year later at Abby's 4th birthday party:

I was down 30.6 pounds, weighing 130.2 pounds!

It is now almost Abby's 5th birthday and I am happy to say that I am at 131 pounds. My BMI is 19.9. I don't even count points anymore. Once you count points, you remember what to do and what not to do. I also joined a gym in January to make sure I keep off the weight and try to tone up a bit.

Has anyone else joined Weight Watchers? I'd love to hear your stories! If you've been hesitating to join, I say GO FOR IT (does anyone else remember that game? I loved it) and good luck!

Head to We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday posts.

Lazy Monday

Abby's at the end of her cold and now I'm starting to have a lot drainage and stuffiness. So, we kind of had a lazy day.


We went to Kmart and Target and then came home to play outside. Abby flew her kite again and then we tried to find things in the clouds. Here's what Abby saw:

a scooter

a flower

a dragon

This evening, we had a little static electricity science lesson with our cat.

Abby thought this was hilarious. We were all laughing. Ditto kept coming back for more. Of course, our other kitty wanted nothing to do with it and ran off before we could even try it.

Hopefully we'll be feeling better tomorrow, so we can work on the dolphin lapbook.

I'm Back! What a Fun Weekend

My sister and I had a great Spring Getaway weekend! We headed out Friday and went to the mall. Heather was able to get Matthew and Andrew some clothes and I found Abby a pair of PJ's on clearance at The Children's Place.

I got these for only $5.47.

We also went to Max & Erma's for lunch. Their nachos were delicious!

We stayed at the Drury Inn and it was so clean and nice. Seriously, it was right up there with the Sheraton Kauai for cleanliness, not for the view though. LOL!

Saturday, we woke up for the free breakfast. Then we ran some errands. Isn't it strange how fast you can run in and out of stores without kids? The Drury Inn had free beverages and snacks from 5:30 to 7 p.m., so we sat at a huge round table, snacking and cutting our coupons! I bet we looked so silly. Oh well, it was fun. Our Kmart is participating in the Super Double and Triple coupons this week and we wanted to be prepared.

After breakfast today, we headed to Kmart and got some great deals. I got $75 worth of stuff for only around $30. Heather saved $50!

We really had a nice weekend. I came home to this:

Abby decorated a sign that said, "Welcome Home, Mom". It was so cute. They bought balloons and crepe paper for me. Abby even picked out a card and bought me a box of Junior Mints at Walmart. I love Junior Mints!

Abby also had a great time with Dave this weekend. They went to the Science Center on Friday. By looking at the pictures, I can tell they sure had fun!


After the Science Center, Dave took her to the Cathedral Bascillica. It's a beautiful old church downtown and Dave wanted her to see it.

She looks so little!

Today was a rainy and gloomy day. Here's what they did while they waited for me to come home:

Well, I'd better get moving again. I need to get caught up on laundry!

Random Picture Challenge

This week's Random Picture Challenge at 4 little men and girly twins:

APRIL 2008
or
13th folder
42nd picture or 4th if you don't have that many

This is Abby learning how to ride a tricycle last year. This is so funny to see, because just this past Thursday she was riding this tricycle and I noticed that her legs are almost too long for it. I asked if it were to small for her, but she said it was fine. However, I'm thinking she's going to be needing a bigger bike by the end of the Summer.

To participate in the random picture challenge, head to 4 little men and girly twins.

Lost & Found

You will never believe what I found today!

Does anything in this picture look familiar?


Yep, that's Abby on the right and my cousin's daughter Lauryn on the left. But in the background is...

the QUILT!

You may remember this post where I was desperately searching my house for it. Well today, Abby took her whole bed apart. The sheets, pillow, blankets, etc.

I decided since I had to straighten it up, I might as well change the sheets while I was at it. I grabbed the decorative sham and went to put it on the bed and something made me wonder what was in it. I looked in and the QUILT was folded up in there instead of a pillow!

Now, I've changed her sheets since the quilt has been lost, but for some reason today was the day to look inside the decorative sham? LOL!

I honestly don't remember putting it in there. Dave figures that Abby must have been congested and I stuck the quilt in the sham to prop her head up more in the bed. It must have been in the middle of the night, because I do not remember it.

Oh well, the QUILT is found!

I'm heading out for my Spring Getaway now! Have a great weekend.

Hooked On Friday: Tag Games

This week, I am hooked on blog tag games. Some of these are so funny. The funniest tag game I have yet to find was the Prom Picture Tag It that Jen participated in at Tatertots and Jello. It was so cute to look at everyone's old prom pictures. I didn't go to prom, so no scary pictures for me! LOL!

I also like how these games make you take a minute or two and think about positive or fun things. I haven't seen any depressing tag games. LOL!

Hadley from Life of a Diary Queen just tagged me to play 8 is enough. So here we go:

8 things I'm looking forward to:

1. Hanging out with my sister this weekend on our Spring Getaway.
2. Nice weather.
3. Abby's 5th birthday party.
4. 4th of July fireworks
5. Our annual family trip to Branson that is in only 5 months! LOL!
6. Homeschooling Abby for Kindergarten this Fall.
7. Watching my nephew Andrew grow, he's such a sweet heart.
8. Field trips with Abby and Matthew next Fall.

8 things I did yesterday:

1. Bought a kite at Walmart.
2. Went to the gym.
3. Tried to find Easter clearance at Walgreens
4. and Hobby Lobby
5. and Kmart, but no luck.
6. Colored with Abby.
7. Watched some TV.
8. Used the computer.

8 things I wish I could do:

1. Sew
2. Pay off all of our debt. (we're getting closer)
3. Have the carpets cleaned.
4. Go to Hawaii again.
5. and Kauai.
6. Stop biting my nails.
7. Remodel the kitchen.
8. and we might as well add a sun room while we are at it.
   

8 shows I watch:

1. The Young and The Restless
2. Desperate Housewives
3. Corner Gas, it's hilarious!
4. Sometimes Nancy Grace.
5. At the Gym, I watch HGTV
   
6. and Bill O'Reilly.
7. Peep and the Big Wide World (Abby's favorite show)
8. more Peep.

8 people I tag to play along:

1. Newlyweds!
2. Kathalog
3. Lori at Special Connection Homeschool
4. Tonya at "Yes kids, I am your teacher now!!??" I just came across this blog the other day, but I love it already.
5. Schweri Stories
6. Princess With A Half Price Tiara
7. We Are THAT Family
8. Cindi at This is My Life

Have fun and thanks for playing along!

Check out Hooked On Houses to see what everyone else is hooked on this week.

Sick & Beginning Lapbooking

Abby woke up yesterday morning with a stuffed up nose and said, "I wish I had my old nose back." It's so funny, but so true.

Since she's not quite herself, we stayed in most of the day. The weather was so nice that by the late afternoon, we headed out to Walmart to buy a kite. They had lots of Transformers and other "boy" kites, but no girl themed ones. She picked this Elmo kite. It was only $1.

Being outside sure wore her out fast. She must not be feeling well, because she never asked to go for a walk or play with chalk.


Today, she is starting to feel better. She is playing with her toys and eating more. I'm so glad she won't be too sick while I am away this weekend.

She is really looking forward to her weekend alone with Dad. She has made plans to go to the Science Center, toy store, donut place, park and more. I'm not sure if Dave will actually be taking her to all of those places. LOL!

You may remember that last weekend, Abby said she wanted to learn about dolphins. I have started gathering materials for a dolphin lapbook. This will be the first time I've ever made one. Here are some interesting lapbook links:

How to Plan a Lapbook

Free Homeschooling Lapbooks

How to Begin Lapbooking

Have you made a lapbook before? I would love to see your lapbooks! Please share links or tips on how you made them.

Works For Me Wednesday: PB Jars

My daughter has so many little collections:

• rocks
• erasers
• jewels
• buttons
• critters

and more! I started washing out and saving peanut butter jars awhile back, but could never think of a good use for them. One day I had the brilliant idea to put Abby's collections into these jars.


Now, there aren't piles of small pieces all over my floor and she can see what is in each jar and easily open the lid.

Reusing peanut butter jar Works For Me! What works for you? Check out We Are THAT Family to participate.

Old Navy Deal and a 3

Today we went to the mall with my sister Heather and my nephews, Matthew and Andrew. I had a coupon for Old Navy that I found last week on the Old Navy Weekly site. It was for $10 off 2 girl's dresses. I found these adorable dresses on sale for $10 each this week, so I technically got one free!
I am so looking forward to Summer!

We then went to the library and picked out a few dolphin books. Abby told me on Sunday that she wants to learn about dolphins. I also found a few online resources that we will use:

• Scholastic's Wild Animal Watch: Dolphins
• First-School Dolphin Crafts and Facts

Unfortunately, Abby's throat starting hurting and now her nose is runny, so I'm not sure yet what types of activities we will be doing this week.

She did come home from the library and without even taking her coat off, she ran to the kitchen table and did this:


She wrote a 3 on her first try! Up until now, she's had trouble making 3's. They always came out as an S.

Look how proud she is! I was too and ran to get the camera for the picture to show everyone. She's also holding the pencil really well too.

Who would have thought a 3 could be so exciting? LOL!

Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter and an Update

We will be going to my Mom and Dad's to have a late Easter lunch with the family. We have 58 filled plastic Easter eggs ready for the Easter egg hunt.

Just an update, my 4 dozen hard boiled eggs went really well. The ones the kids broke while dying them were all done inside and made the yummiest egg salad sandwich. I followed the instructions from I'm an Unfinished Mom on how to boil the eggs.

Here are the kids dying eggs on Friday:

Abby
My nephew Matthew
My nephew Andrew
My cousin's daughter Lauryn
My cousin's son Jacob

We had a great time and it will be so much fun to watch them during the egg hunt. Plus, I'm really looking forward to the Dirt Cake and my cousin's pineapple upside down cake for dessert!

Have a wonderful Easter!