When I was grocery shopping this weekend I decided to make a little "splurge" purchase. We're trying to cut down on our eating out but that doesn't leave a night off for me and we all know that we moms need a night off once in awhile. So I stopped by the deli and got a cooked Rotisserie chicken for $7. Then I picked up a package of Uncle Ben's rice that you cook in the microwave for 90 seconds for $1.25. The chickens are on the smaller side so our family of 3 ate half the chicken and the pack of rice for supper that night for a total of $4.75. Much better than a meal out at a restaurant that usually costs around $20.
The other half of the chicken I shredded up for some chicken soup. I didn't have any egg noodles but I had half a box of lasagna noodles in the cabinet , so I took the lasagna noodles, broke them up into smaller pieces and put them in a pot of water with the shredded up chicken. I added some chicken bouillon, garlic powder, onion powder, and some herbs and let it cook. The total for this meal was around $4.50 or so when you add in the price of the spices. Our family of 4 (we have a house guest, Chris' 10yr old cousin, this week) ate out of this soup and there is at least enough for one more meal, most likely a lunch for me, CJ and our house guest this week. So that brings the cost for one meal of the soup down to $2.25.
So this $7 splurge item gave us at least 3 meals. I think I'll have to "splurge" a little more often.
7.28.2010
7.27.2010
Chore Chart
I have been toying with the idea of making a chore chart for CJ. He loves to help do things around the house and he loves sticker charts so I decided it was finally time to give him his own chores. I took a piece of poster board, cut it down a little and used my yard stick to make a chart. I left empty spaces so that I can add new chores without making a new chart. I decided to go with the little star stickers because I can peel them off at the end of the week and start over. You can get a pack of 400+ for around $1 plus $0.50 for the poster board so it cost a total of $1.50 to make this chart.
Right now his chores are:
Get Dressed
Make Bed
Brush teeth (he gets 2 stickers each day for this one, one in the morning and one at night)
Pick up toys (2 stickers here as well, we do toy pick up after lunch/before quiet time and before bed)
Put clothes in hamper
Set Table (there is a possibility to get 2 stickers here as well, one at lunch and one at supper)
He also has some other "chores" that he helps me with during the day but I decided not to add those to the chart because they aren't consistent every day things he *has* to do, if that makes sense.
Sort clean silverware and put in drawer (forks, spoons, measuring spoons and butter knives only)
Take clothes out of dryer
Help Vacuum
Fold wash clothes and dish rags
One more thing I also started this week is quiet time after lunch. CJ gave up naptime way before he was even 2 and by mid-afternoon he is super cranky. So today I set the time for 20 minutes, turned on the TV in his room and put him in his bed. He stayed in there for the whole 20 minutes, laying quietly on his bed so I'm hoping this will help with the crankiness.
Last note- I'm going to be making a few changes to the curriculum guide tonight. I will leave up the old guide and repost the new one when it's finished. It's basically the same with just a few tiny changes.
Right now his chores are:
Get Dressed
Make Bed
Brush teeth (he gets 2 stickers each day for this one, one in the morning and one at night)
Pick up toys (2 stickers here as well, we do toy pick up after lunch/before quiet time and before bed)
Put clothes in hamper
Set Table (there is a possibility to get 2 stickers here as well, one at lunch and one at supper)
He also has some other "chores" that he helps me with during the day but I decided not to add those to the chart because they aren't consistent every day things he *has* to do, if that makes sense.
Sort clean silverware and put in drawer (forks, spoons, measuring spoons and butter knives only)
Take clothes out of dryer
Help Vacuum
Fold wash clothes and dish rags
One more thing I also started this week is quiet time after lunch. CJ gave up naptime way before he was even 2 and by mid-afternoon he is super cranky. So today I set the time for 20 minutes, turned on the TV in his room and put him in his bed. He stayed in there for the whole 20 minutes, laying quietly on his bed so I'm hoping this will help with the crankiness.
Last note- I'm going to be making a few changes to the curriculum guide tonight. I will leave up the old guide and repost the new one when it's finished. It's basically the same with just a few tiny changes.
7.22.2010
Preschool Week 1 Detailed Guide
This is our week 1 detailed guide for Preschool.
Theme- Animals
Life Skill- Proper Hand washing
Physical Skill- Walk in a straight line touching toe to heel
Cooking Lesson- Make PB Sandwich
Vocabulary- Letters A,B&C
Reading/Oral Language- Read a book about animals out loud together
Math- Numbers 1-5
Hands on Skill- Trace straight line
Handwriting- letters A,B&C
Craft- Animal Paper Bag Puppets
Monday-
Introduce new Life Skill: Show child how to properly wash hands. Continue to teach this lesson throughout the rest of the week until it becomes habit.
Handwriting: Show child how to write letters A,B&C. Practice writing these letters together using a dry erase board (or paper/pencil)
Coloring: Color animals together. Practice staying in the lines. Talk about each animal and their sounds as you color.
Tuesday-
Physical Skill: Demonstrate how to walk in a straight line touching toe to heel. Have child repeat the action.
Vocab: Worksheet- Find & Circle letters A,B&C on the page. Alternatively you can use pages from a magazine, newspaper, etc.
Wednesday-
Math: Count out loud to 5, Worksheet- color groups of animals. Count the animals while coloring.
Reading: Read a book about animals together out loud. Encourage child to repeat sentences or certain words.
Craft: Make animal Paper bag Puppets. [Supplies needed: paper bags, construction paper, glue or glue sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, etc to make faces]
Thursday-
Hands on Skill: Trace straight lines
Cooking lesson: make PB sandwich
Friday-
Review handwriting, vocab & math lessons from the week.
These are some sites I like for Worksheets:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm
http://www.kidslearningstation.com/
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/handwriting.htm
These are some additional items I'll be purchasing to use as an addition to our curriculum:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JZCG/ref=oss_product
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Wooden-27-Piece/dp/B000GIJ4Y4/ref=pd_sim_t_5
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Lace-Trace-Shapes/dp/B000O7KR0W/ref=pd_sim_t_3
Theme- Animals
Life Skill- Proper Hand washing
Physical Skill- Walk in a straight line touching toe to heel
Cooking Lesson- Make PB Sandwich
Vocabulary- Letters A,B&C
Reading/Oral Language- Read a book about animals out loud together
Math- Numbers 1-5
Hands on Skill- Trace straight line
Handwriting- letters A,B&C
Craft- Animal Paper Bag Puppets
Monday-
Introduce new Life Skill: Show child how to properly wash hands. Continue to teach this lesson throughout the rest of the week until it becomes habit.
Handwriting: Show child how to write letters A,B&C. Practice writing these letters together using a dry erase board (or paper/pencil)
Coloring: Color animals together. Practice staying in the lines. Talk about each animal and their sounds as you color.
Tuesday-
Physical Skill: Demonstrate how to walk in a straight line touching toe to heel. Have child repeat the action.
Vocab: Worksheet- Find & Circle letters A,B&C on the page. Alternatively you can use pages from a magazine, newspaper, etc.
Wednesday-
Math: Count out loud to 5, Worksheet- color groups of animals. Count the animals while coloring.
Reading: Read a book about animals together out loud. Encourage child to repeat sentences or certain words.
Craft: Make animal Paper bag Puppets. [Supplies needed: paper bags, construction paper, glue or glue sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, etc to make faces]
Thursday-
Hands on Skill: Trace straight lines
Cooking lesson: make PB sandwich
Friday-
Review handwriting, vocab & math lessons from the week.
These are some sites I like for Worksheets:
http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm
http://www.kidslearningstation.com/
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/handwriting.htm
These are some additional items I'll be purchasing to use as an addition to our curriculum:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JZCG/ref=oss_product
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Wooden-27-Piece/dp/B000GIJ4Y4/ref=pd_sim_t_5
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Lace-Trace-Shapes/dp/B000O7KR0W/ref=pd_sim_t_3
Preschool Curriculum
I have been searching and searching for a curriculum for our 3yr old. But everything I found was either too expensive or not what I was really looking for. So I decided to throw caution to the wind and create my own. Afterall, isn't that one of the advantages of homeschooling? At first I was hesitant about doing a more structured curriculum with CJ but again, one of the joys of HSing is being able to adapt the schedule as needed. This guide that I have created is just structured enough to give me a plan for the day rather than a set in stone curriculum.
So here's how it's broken down. Written out in a list like this it's going to look like a lot but it's spaced out over the entire week with no more than 3 lessons a day. It would be easy to change the days around, adjust the lessons for your child's needs, etc. My personal goal is to have the lessons done before lunch so the afternoon is free for free play, etc. Each week will also have a theme.
Overview of the week-
Life Skill (personal care, manners, new chore, etc)
Physical Skill
Cooking lesson
Vocabulary
Reading/Oral Language
Math
Hand's on lesson
Handwriting
Craft
Monday-
Introduce new Life Skill
Handwriting
Color Page (that goes with the week's theme)
Tuesday-
Physical Skill
Vocab
Wednesday-
Math
Reading
Craft
Thursday-
Hand's on lesson
Cooking lesson
Friday-
Review of the week's lessons
The except to this guide is the last week of the month. (or every 4th week) This entire week will be a chance to review all the new things we have learned. So it will look something like this:
Monday-
New Life Skill
Coloring Pages
Tuesday-
Review Physical skills for this month
Review letters/words
Wednesday-
Review numbers (or math lessons)
Reading
Craft
Thursday-
Review hands on skills
Cooking lesson
Friday-
Fun Day!!
This day will be dedicated to focusing on doing something fun.
I will post the first week's detailed guide soon.
So here's how it's broken down. Written out in a list like this it's going to look like a lot but it's spaced out over the entire week with no more than 3 lessons a day. It would be easy to change the days around, adjust the lessons for your child's needs, etc. My personal goal is to have the lessons done before lunch so the afternoon is free for free play, etc. Each week will also have a theme.
Overview of the week-
Life Skill (personal care, manners, new chore, etc)
Physical Skill
Cooking lesson
Vocabulary
Reading/Oral Language
Math
Hand's on lesson
Handwriting
Craft
Monday-
Introduce new Life Skill
Handwriting
Color Page (that goes with the week's theme)
Tuesday-
Physical Skill
Vocab
Wednesday-
Math
Reading
Craft
Thursday-
Hand's on lesson
Cooking lesson
Friday-
Review of the week's lessons
The except to this guide is the last week of the month. (or every 4th week) This entire week will be a chance to review all the new things we have learned. So it will look something like this:
Monday-
New Life Skill
Coloring Pages
Tuesday-
Review Physical skills for this month
Review letters/words
Wednesday-
Review numbers (or math lessons)
Reading
Craft
Thursday-
Review hands on skills
Cooking lesson
Friday-
Fun Day!!
This day will be dedicated to focusing on doing something fun.
I will post the first week's detailed guide soon.
7.11.2010
This week's menu and budget total
Let's start with the menu for this week.
Sunday- Tacos
Monday- Chicken & Rice
Tuesday- Swiss Steak
Wednesday- Cheeseburgers, Fries
Thursday- Homemade Pizza
Friday- Baked Potatoes, Salad
Lunches:
Corn dogs, Hot dogs, Pasta, Leftovers
Snacks/Desserts:
Magic in the Middle Cookies, Chocolate chip pound cake
And now on to the grocery total:
Walmart-
1 gallon milk 3.18
freezer bags 2.48
juice boxes 1.68
cheese 1.96
bacon 2.08
hot dogs 1.50
sour cream 1.12
salsa 3.00
tortillas 1.14
pasta .88
bell pepper .98
3lb onions 2.98
Angel Soft 1.18
juice 3.47
pull ups 8.47
paper plates 2.48
plastic cups 3.00
5lb flour 1.58
5lb sugar 2.54
cheese 2.50
can pineapple .67
juice boxes 2.88
1# hamburger 2.48x2
tomato sauce .56x2
tomato sauce .26x2
carrots .88
corn dogs 4.47
total 63.70
Sunday- Tacos
Monday- Chicken & Rice
Tuesday- Swiss Steak
Wednesday- Cheeseburgers, Fries
Thursday- Homemade Pizza
Friday- Baked Potatoes, Salad
Lunches:
Corn dogs, Hot dogs, Pasta, Leftovers
Snacks/Desserts:
Magic in the Middle Cookies, Chocolate chip pound cake
And now on to the grocery total:
Walmart-
1 gallon milk 3.18
freezer bags 2.48
juice boxes 1.68
cheese 1.96
bacon 2.08
hot dogs 1.50
sour cream 1.12
salsa 3.00
tortillas 1.14
pasta .88
bell pepper .98
3lb onions 2.98
Angel Soft 1.18
juice 3.47
pull ups 8.47
paper plates 2.48
plastic cups 3.00
5lb flour 1.58
5lb sugar 2.54
cheese 2.50
can pineapple .67
juice boxes 2.88
1# hamburger 2.48x2
tomato sauce .56x2
tomato sauce .26x2
carrots .88
corn dogs 4.47
total 63.70
5.11.2010
5/10-5/16 menu plan
Yesterday I had plans to make a birthday dinner for my hubby. But since he had to work late that plan was nixed. I ate soup and grilled cheese and CJ had pizza at my mom's. I am glad we celebrated his birthday on Saturday with the family rather than waiting for his actual birthday. I'll just have to save his birthday dinner for this weekend.
So here is the menu plan for this week.
5/10- Grilled Cheese & Soup
5/11- Sloppy Joes, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans
5/12- Roasted Chicken, Sweet Corn
5/13- Pot Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
5/14- Tacos, Mexican Rice
5/15- "At home date night" Pizza & a movie
5/16- Maple Glazed Salmon, Rice, Broccoli
Saturday we will be having a yard sale as well. I am sorting through our entire house and doing a major declutter in preparation for our move at the beginning of July. It is such a wonderful feeling to be freeing the house of all our unused items. I am really looking forward to a house without all the clutter and am wondering what took me so long to do it. lol
I also wanted to share something we got in the mail on Friday, Laptop Lunch boxes. I purchased an LL before but never got around to using it. I think when I bought my first one CJ was really too little to really put it to good use, especially with me being a SAHM. So now, with the arrival of our second LL, we will each have one and I hope it makes lunch time around our house more varied and healthy. I put his lunch in it Monday and he really seemed to enjoy having his own little lunchbox with a variety of foods in it to choose from. I can't wait to put it to use again tomorrow. (We skipped today bc he was back and forth between our house and my mom's house all day)
Until next time...
So here is the menu plan for this week.
5/10- Grilled Cheese & Soup
5/11- Sloppy Joes, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans
5/12- Roasted Chicken, Sweet Corn
5/13- Pot Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
5/14- Tacos, Mexican Rice
5/15- "At home date night" Pizza & a movie
5/16- Maple Glazed Salmon, Rice, Broccoli
Saturday we will be having a yard sale as well. I am sorting through our entire house and doing a major declutter in preparation for our move at the beginning of July. It is such a wonderful feeling to be freeing the house of all our unused items. I am really looking forward to a house without all the clutter and am wondering what took me so long to do it. lol
I also wanted to share something we got in the mail on Friday, Laptop Lunch boxes. I purchased an LL before but never got around to using it. I think when I bought my first one CJ was really too little to really put it to good use, especially with me being a SAHM. So now, with the arrival of our second LL, we will each have one and I hope it makes lunch time around our house more varied and healthy. I put his lunch in it Monday and he really seemed to enjoy having his own little lunchbox with a variety of foods in it to choose from. I can't wait to put it to use again tomorrow. (We skipped today bc he was back and forth between our house and my mom's house all day)
Until next time...
5.05.2010
Birthday week & Menu plan
My hubby's birthday is Monday. So in the spirit of a tradition I started this year with CJ we are celebrating his birthday all week. Monday afternoon CJ and I decorated the kitchen and the table with birthday decor. The living room still had the decor up from CJ's birthday in March. Opps. Saturday night we will go out with our families and have dinner for his birthday as well as do a little shopping. I still haven't decided what to get him for his birthday though. So I think instead of a gift I'll make him his favorite cake, a special dinner and have CJ help me make a homemade gift for Daddy.
Now for the menu plan for this week:
Monday 5/3- Pioneer Woman's Sloppy Joes, Chips, Baked Beans
Tuesday 5/4- Chicken Tenders, Waffle Fries
Wednesday 5/5- Beef Tips with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes
Thursday 5/6- PW's Cajun Chicken Pasta
Friday 5/7- Tacos, Mexican Rice
Saturday 5/8- Dinner Out for Hubby's Birthday
Sunday 5/9- Family Mother's Day Dinner ~Cooking Glazed Carrots & Neiman Marcus Bars
Monday 5/10- Hubby's Birthday Dinner ~Maple Glazed Salmon, Rice, Broccoli, Refrigerator Cake
Now for the menu plan for this week:
Monday 5/3- Pioneer Woman's Sloppy Joes, Chips, Baked Beans
Tuesday 5/4- Chicken Tenders, Waffle Fries
Wednesday 5/5- Beef Tips with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes
Thursday 5/6- PW's Cajun Chicken Pasta
Friday 5/7- Tacos, Mexican Rice
Saturday 5/8- Dinner Out for Hubby's Birthday
Sunday 5/9- Family Mother's Day Dinner ~Cooking Glazed Carrots & Neiman Marcus Bars
Monday 5/10- Hubby's Birthday Dinner ~Maple Glazed Salmon, Rice, Broccoli, Refrigerator Cake
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