Wordless Wednesday- July 31

(Ok, not so wordless today!)  :-)

A friend of ours from church gave us tickets to the Philadelphia Eagles very first open Training Camp session at Lincoln Financial Field.

The older boys, hubby and I attended, as I didn't think it would be too much fun for the youngers.  It was really a learning experience to see how the team practices, what their drills entail and the rigors they are put through.  

I don't think the stadium/staff were prepared for such crowds during the pre-practice festivities, but hopefully, as time progresses, they will better accomodate the masses of people.  

The boys were very disappointed because the "Touchdown Toss" with the alumni that was scheduled for on the field after the practice had to be cancelled due to the terrible weather.  But, 8 of the alumni offered to sign autographs for them all.  It wasn't the same as being on the field with them, but it was still a special experience for the boys.

I'm sure you all heard/saw the reports of the weather in Philadelphia on Sunday.  8 inches of rain came down in less than 2 hours.  Luckilly, the weather held out for the practice itself, but after that, all 'you know what' broke loose.  We walked/ran almost 2 city blocks in it (through already calf-high waters) to get to our car and literally could ring out our clothes once we got to the car.  We did more laughing.  What else could you do?  Our boys had an awesome time and that is all that counts.  :-)

Herschel Walker ('92-'94)

Vince Papale ('76-'78) (did you see the movie "Invincible?")

A.J. Feeley ('01-'03, '06-'08)


Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers and A Sorta Fairytale

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- July 30

This week I am sharing an oldie, but goodie, my Chocolate Chip Muffins.

They are a favorite around here, and with honey and whole wheat flour, they are a recipe that I don't mind making over and over again for my crew.  :-)

Lisa's Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup milk

2-3 tablespoons of butter, melted

1 egg

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup oil

1 cup brown sugar (not packed)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

honey (to put in swirls around bowl)

Measure dry ingredients into bowl.  Add in wet ingredients and mix just until blended.  End with chocolate chips.  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.

I hope your family will enjoy them as much as mine does!  They never last long.  In fact, entire batches are gone almost immediately here.  :-)

Now for this week's features:

Golf Cupcakes from Melissa Kaylene

  

Turkey Meatballs over Rice Noodles at Homemaking Organized Blog

So many ways- cottage cheese and applesauce from Gramma's Cooking Lives On

Banana Split Ice Cream Dessert from A Delightful Glow

Baked French Toast from Little Homeschool on the Prairie

Mango-Spinach Salad with warm Bacon Viniagrette at Cook with Sara

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen and Family Fun Friday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop andAll My Bloggy Friends and Hearts for Home Blog Hop and Foodie Friends Friday and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party and Food on Friday

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up July 26

The last THMJ of July 2013!  Wow!  :-)  I cannot believe how quickly this month has gone.  And this has definitely been a busy and fun-filled week.

Kiddo #4 has had her camp at her old preschool in the morning (the theme this week was art, which is right up her alley!) and a sewing camp in the afternoon, so she has been especially busy, but loved every minute of it.

As I mentioned in my post on Thursday, she has made such amazing things.  The skirt and other items really are so impressive.  The two young ladies teaching the camp are terrific with the kids.

Also in Thursday's post was that we had company on Monday.  The kiddos were able to play with a friend, and I was able to have a nice afternoon with his mom.  :-)  It is so encouraging when you find a friend not only with whom you have so much in common, but with whom you share the same values and ideals.

On Tuesday, I hosted my weekly recipe linkup "Try a New Recipe Tuesday."  I shared Kiddo #4's Chocolate Cookie Caterpillars.  They were cute as they were yummy.  :-)  You can see her recipe and all of the others that were linked up here.  If you have one to share, feel free to join in.  The party remains open until Monday evening.

On Wednesday, Kiddo #1 got his braces on.  He has been quite uncomfortable.  Although it was over 30 years ago, I remember getting my braces on and wish I could tell him that there won't be any more pain.  But, I can't.  Not for a long while.  I can tell him in all honesty that it will be completely worth it someday.

On Thursday afternoon, after dropping Kiddo #4 at her sewing camp, my dad and I took the boys to my parents' church.  The church sits on a large, beautiful property.  The kiddos brought their bikes and badminton equipment.  The weather was such a pleasant and welcomed surprise after the extreme and intense heat we have had.  It was cool and breezy and a real joy to be outside.

When the birdie got stuck in a tree, Kiddo #1 tossed a racquet to knock it out.  Lo and behold, the racquet didn't come down.  Oops.  Now we had a racquet and a birdie up in one of the church's trees.  It really was quite humorous watching my father and three sons tossing their water bottles at the tree over and over again.  I guess I was glad that no one was around since we were making quite the spectacle of ourselves, but boy was it hilarious.  Kiddo #2 finally knocked the racquet down and Kiddo #1 followed shortly thereafter with the birdie.  :-)

At least it's never dull around here!  In the midst of all of this, I am planning next year's curriculum, writing a lot of reviews and planning for vacation.  Phew.

Hope your weekend is filled with much love, faith and family!

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party

TOS Review- Circle Time

Today I am reviewing Circle Time from Preschoolers and Peace.

Some years back, when I was the director of a Montessori school, little did I know that the experience was laying the foundation of much of my homeschooling philosophy; an integral part being the importance of mixed age grouping and children interacting together, not in an artificially created environment stricly based on exact calendar age.  In real life, we interact with people everyday who are of different ages than ourselves.  When I had that position at the school, I had to supervise staff, some of whom were young enough to be my children and others old enough to be my parents.  I considered many of them friends, some with whom I remain in contact until this day, yet not a one was the exact same age as I.  This is real life.  If we are preparing our children for success in the real world, we would be doing them a disservice to rear them in an artificial one.

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the relationship that siblings develop, learning and loving together while also supporting and assisting each other.  Circle Time stresses the importance of including children of different ages in a family learning time together.  It gives examples and resources (and even has printables!) of how this can work in any homeschool, with any learning style, family size or age of children.  This can be accomplished for a short-time (morning prayer, discussion of the day's events) or for longer amounts of time (unit studies with all of the children working on the same subject area, but on levels appropriate for each of them individually).

In our homeschool, we have worked around a table together for some time, whether on the same subject or on different ones.  If some are doing independent work or reading on the couch, they leave the table, but it has always worked for us to have that central location together where we begin and end our days.   There are definitely subjects that can be done all together.  In our homeschool, the children learn Italian, some history and some Bible work all while sitting around the table with each other.  Although the olders are always given more detailed or indepth assignments, it has always amazed me how much the youngers have learned by this format.

When someone thinks of "Circle Time," our minds seem to instantly go to preschool where the calendar, weather and tasks for the morning are discussed.  That certainly could be the case, but bringing children of all ages together can be so much more, as is stressed in the book.  Kendra gives wonderful ideas for bringing families together, not just ones with preschoolers, but families with children of all different ages.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I was happy to realize that I already utilize some of her suggestions, but am looking forward to implementing others.

The book is an easy read, being 33 pages long, but is packed with so much information and good ideas.  It is $4.99 and can be quickly downloaded in PDF format.

TOS Review- Homeschool Programming

Today I am reviewing Kid Coder: Beginning Web Design from Homeschool Programming.

Kiddo #2, who is almost 14 and very interested in all things computer related, was happy to give it a try.

Luckilly, he doesn't overwhelm as easily as I do, as just the idea of computer programming of any kind coupled with a 234-page instruction manual would scare me away.  Not this kid.  :-)

Each chapter takes the student through the process incrementally and explains each step in detail.  There are also tests to ensure that they are mastering the material.  I love the fact that there is no programming experience at all required, just an eagerness to learn.  Kiddo never really had to come to me with any questions.  It was all laid out and explained so well for him in the course!  But if he did, there are files for the parent, complete solution guides to test questions and a help desk that is always ready to assist with questions or concerns.

It is hands-on and self-guided, two things that Kiddo said made the product get a "thumbs-up" from him.  And to see a young man eager and interested in a course and asking for the 2nd half definitely earn it a "thumbs-up" from this mom, as well.  :-)  That 2nd half, entitled "Advanced Web Design" is due out in August.  The company states that it is for students in grades 4-12, just like the Beginning Course.  I myself would not attempt this with a child at the lower end of the range, as I think it is a bit more advanced than that, especially with an instruction book of over 200 pages and at the technical content of the coruse itself.  I would personally recommend it for junior high and high school students.

You can click here for a demonstration video to see it for yourself.

The students get to make a website on raptors as they learn how to write HTML code.  What a good and necessary skill to have in today's world!  I am looking forward to Kiddo #1 taking the course, as well.  I think it will be amazing that both of my sons will be proficient in producing code while still in high school.  I recently read that executives at both Microsoft and Google were lamenting the fact that many of their applicants do not have these skills and if they did, they would probably be hired on the spot.  Good to know!

There is now a DVD component of the program available, which I think will be a priceless tool for those who are visual learners.  It just came out this past week and it looks very well done.

Some of the topics included in the course (beginner and advanced):

Website layouts and files
Using Symbols and Lists
Styling of text
Internal and External hyperlinks
Using Komodo Edit
HTML 5
Presentation Layers
Essential HTML symbols
Document Object Model (DOM)
Using borders
Introductory Java Script
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS3)
jQuery
Animations and Video
Using Forms

Beginning Web Design (course only)- $70
Beginning Web Design (course and video)- $85
Beginning Web Design (video only)- $20

Web Year Pack (entire course, both beginner and advanced)
Courses only- $120
Courses and video- $145
Videos only- $30

Beginning Web Design works on both PCs and MAC computers and there is not anything else (software, etc.) to buy.  Everything that is needed comes in the package.

There is nothing like seeing the smile on your child's face and their sense of satisfaction when they are able to accomplish something, and in this case, putting together a basic web page.  I can't wait to be able to have the time to do the lessons myself, as I would love to be able to actually understand what some of the code means when I am making a blog button or making adjustments on the blog.  :-)

Thankful Thursday- July 25

I really enjoy participating in this linkup each week (or as often as I am able) because it really does me good take a few moments to focus on being grateful.  Even if it is a stressful week (which this week was not, thank goodness), when I take the time to be thankful, it puts everything into perspective.

This week, I am grateful for many things.  They include my children's imaginations.  In a day and age where computers and video games seem to have robbed children of all of that, I love when they still can really think and play creatively.

The kids got to have a friend over on Monday for swimming and fun and I got to spend a wonderful afternoon chatting with his mom.  Isn't it wonderful when you have a friend who is of like mind and values and who has a son the same age as yours?  :-)  :-)  I'm just sorry I didn't get any photos of the kids playing.  I was enjoying myself just as much since we have so much in common to talk about!

I am also grateful for a fun sewing camp that my daughter has attended in the afternoons that she is enjoying SO much.  The things she has made have amazed me.  So far, they include a headband, pillow, bag, zippered pouch and even a pretty skirt to match the handbag she had made a few months back.

I am also thankful for the steady and talented hands of the orthodontist in putting my son's braces on. (yes, my oldest now has braces and this mama was a nervous wreck)  There is much work ahead to do, but we are keeping our eyes on the "end game" and know that it will all be worth it.

I wrote last week about the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar that we found outside.  He(or she) has since become a chrysalis and the kiddos have really been interested in learning more about this type of butterfly, as we have only raised the Painted Ladies in the past.  I was so glad that I was able to find a farm that sells Black Swallowtail caterpillars.  The kiddos, hubby and I set up a little ecosystem for them and we were happy to put the new "babies" in their home.  What a fun learning experience for us all.  And, I just saw a couple more of them on our parsley outside.  We will hopefully bring them in to join the others tomorrow.  There is plenty of room in the inn!  :-)

Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Just the Stuff Ya Know , the Fontenot Four and A Sorta Fairytale and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- July 23

This week, kiddo #4 made us all "Cookie Caterpillars." They were very good (and with chocolate AND Nutella, how can you go wrong?), and they also looked SO cute :).

Dough
2 sticks of butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons light packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour(in this recipe before you put the flour in, mix in unsweetened cocoa powder)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the egg; beat until well blended. Add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time. (don't forget to mix in the cocoa with the flour first)

 Shape the dough into a disc; wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.


Preaheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Roll out the dough to 1/4 thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Cut out circles with a 1 1/4 round cookie cutter.

Place the ciecles 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet.

 Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the tops of the cookies are dry to the touch. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Use 3 or 4 cookies to make the caterpillars. Stick them together with nutella. Then decorate the face with eather m&ms, oreos pieces, or chocotate chips. Then put legs and antennae.

Now for today's features, which are all sweets in honor of the Chocolate Caterpillars:

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups @ Something Sweet Winnie's Blog

Snickers Ice-Cream Pie @ A Delightful Glow

Strawberry Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze @ Cook with Sara

Coffee Cake in a Mug @ One Tipsy Chick

Red Velvet Cake Truffles @ Adventures in Culinary

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen and Family Fun Friday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop andAll My Bloggy Friends and Hearts for Home Blog Hop and Foodie Friends Friday and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party