Father's Day Ribs

So. . .I have quite a bit of blog-catching-up to do! (I have a lot of other catching up sort of stuff to do, too, but don't we all???) Still trying to write about Father's Day?

Aside from all the good qualities that make my hubby a good dad, Father's Day a day of anticipation.My hubby was waiting and waiting and waiting. . .he wanted his ribs! We (and I say we, because when we have ribs, he is ALWAYS involved with the prep and making sure there are no leftovers!) have done ribs before, but since that is his all-time favourite, we have experimented a little with how exactly to make it. The last few times have been unsuccessful--recipes with too much cayenne and the like. This time, I had a little input! We made this Barbecue Sauce and actually put it in the Crock Pot for 4-6 hours before smearing them with a similar BBQ sauce (same sauce with a little more "kick" to it)on the grill.

So here is them enjoying a crock pot bath. . .

Here is them in their early stages of perfection. . .

And here they are, just about done. . .

And here are our kiddos enjoying hot dogs and ketchup. . .and annoyed at their picture-taking mom. One day they will learn to enjoy a higher standard of food than that. . .but until then, more for us!

Of course, I forgot to take a picture of "our meal" but it consisted of these ribs, baked potatoes and salad.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday again. . .what a great day! There was NO school to even think about!!! (And I still couldn't even get this posted early enough!)

Here we go. . .
Monday- Perogie & Sausage Casserole, (Spaghetti Sauce I occasionally use for this instead), salad

Tuesday- Chicken Strips, Baked french fries, veggies

Wednesday (Canada Day!)- left-overs (or BBQ or out)

Thursday (CP)- Meatballs in BBQ sauce, Scalloped potatoes, carrots

Friday- Hamburgers, Sundae Ice Cream Cake (for a birthday)

Saturday's Snack (Happy 4th of July!)- Lemon Blueberry Loaf (see below)

Sunday (BFS)- Dutch Boy Pancakes

Lemon Blueberry Loaf
(In lieu of the berry festivals going on at this time of year. . .
I got this recipe back in my "mowing days." I used to mow lawns in the summer for elderly people as part of a ministry in our church. Yes, once upon a time I could lift a heavy, old Lawnboy beast out of my clunky minivan (aka: the BABEmobile to my college crowd). We would mow about 9 lawns each day and also visit with some of our clients. Often time these people couldn't pay us, but this one particular lady would always invite us in for a snack or lunch (and we may have purposefully scheduled her house right around the that particular time). Along with her great hospitality, she would also give us copies of her recipes, typed out on these really pretty recipe cards. This is one of them! My hubby loves it because "it takes like blueberry muffins with lemonade on top."Judge them for yourself!)

Muffins:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
grated rind of 1 lemon (I just do some grated rind)
1/2 c. milk
1 c. blueberries

Topping:
1/4 c. sugar
juice from one lemon

Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter and stir in sugar a bit at a time. Beat in the eggs. In another bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and lemon rind. Add mixture alternately with milk to butter mixture. Fold in blueberries. Bake in a loaf pan for 1 hour. Remove from pan. Mix together topping ingredients and spoon over loaf while it is still hot.

This is the "Before":

And this is the "After"! (Of course I had to cut it where the blueberries all piled to one side! Hee-hee!)

Summer Learning

Well, it's summer already, and summer vacation is a day away for me.

Being a teacher. . .I should probably encourage a little learning/study time over the summer. And I do! The following is something that I've enclosed in and end of the year packet for my students (So . . . in reading it, you will find that most of it is intended for the upper elementary level. But--there are some websites that are very applicable to lower grade levels as well!)

I realize that many of my "points" are adapted from websites and the like, but if you intend to reproduce this, please credit it to Susan @ My Humble Words (and insert blog website). Thank you, kindly!

Interested in a Little Learning this Summer?

Here are a few ideas of how learning can continue in the summer. Short learning sessions throughout the summer can be very productive and very fun! The following activities are some ideas that enhance learning that could be done at home:
* Explore a summer reading program at your local library.
* Use a children's cookbook to read and follow directions to make favorite foods. Directions in cookbooks can be simplified by numbering them to assist with sequencing.
* Encourage child to read the newspaper. Some newspapers have special pages for children. *Encourage reading of any type. Reluctant readers might enjoy books on tape to listen to as they read.
* Read to the child and talk about the book or stories.
* If possible, have child read books that could be used for book reports next school year.
* Improve vocabulary by learning three new words a week. Post the words on the refrigerator and talk about them each day. Encourage vocabulary improvement through use of "Word a Day Calendars."
* Have the child write post cards to grandparents or friends. Make "child size" post cards using 4X6 cards. Divide one side in half using a dark line. Make lines on one side for the address and lines on the other side for the message. Have the child draw a picture on the reverse side or cut one from a magazine.
* Older children could write in a journal each day. Encourage two or three sentences. Read about places that the student will visit on vacation. Have the student write about them in a letter or journal
* Write a letter to family or friends. Reluctant writers benefit from filling in the blanks or dictating the letter to an adult and then copying it.
* Use computer games to learn math facts, improve reading and vocabulary.
* Listen to math facts on tape or CDs (this can even be done in the car).
* Match or sort coins depending on child's age or add random sets of coins
(Adapted from http://www.ldaamerica.us/aboutld/parents/help/summer.asp)

Some websites to explore for Summer Learning:
· http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/family-learning/36089.html
· http://www.thinkfinity.org/su,,erfun.aspx
· http://www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer
· http://www.kidsturncentral.com/summer/summerfun.htm

"Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children."-Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education

Reading Activities
A LIFETIME OF READING -- Encourage lifelong reading. Read with your youngsters by taking roles in stories and acting out dramatic poems. Whenever possible, tape record these sessions. Then listen to and enjoy these performances together.
STREET SMARTS -- Put reading skills to practical use. Gather bus and subway route maps and schedules to a special place in your area -- the zoo, a museum, a football stadium. Let your child plan a trip for friends or family. Figure out the travel time required, the cost, and the best time to make the trip.
TV AND THE WORLD -- Connect current events to TV viewing. Post a world map next to the TV set. Watch the TV news with your children and have them locate world news spots. Keep reference books such as dictionaries close by.

Writing Activities
PICTURE STORIES -- Develop imagination and creativity. Have your children select four or five pictures from magazines and newspapers, and put them together to tell a story. Ask your children to number the pictures -- 1,2,3, etc. First, ask them to tell the story with the pictures in numerical order. Rearrange the pictures & tell a new story.
WRITING INSTEAD OF TALKING -- Exchange notes instead of words at different times during the day -- when getting up in the morning, at dinner, or at bedtime -- or whenever the noise level becomes too high.

Math Activities
A TRIP TO THE SUPERMARKET -- Plan ahead with the 3 R's. Ask your child to choose a dish to prepare for a meal -- a pudding, a salad, a sandwich. Have your child check to see what supplies are on hand and then make a shopping list. At the supermarket, let your child select the food on the list. First, your child decides which items are the best buys and makes selections. Also have your child write the price of each item on the list and if possible figure the total, checking the prices against the sales receipt.
ON THE MOVE -- Sharpen math skills on trips. Use even short trips around town. For example, at the gas station, ask your child how much gas you needed and the cost. On the highway, ask your children to read the signs and check the different speed limits. Then ask them to watch the speedometer readings and notice how fast or slow the car is going. Have your children estimate distances between cities and check the estimates on a road map.
NEWSPAPER MATH -- Use the Weather section to check temperatures across the nation and the world. This is good geography practice, too. Discuss baseball and football scores and averages on the sports pages. Who are the high scores? What are the percentages?

Social Studies Activities
A CLOSER LOOK -- Help your children become aware of family responsibilities. Make a chart of family chores, including the name of the person responsible, the days and time required, etc. Discuss changes or improvements of these jobs.
HISTORY TIME LINE -- Record history at home. Stretch a roll of shelf paper along the floor. Use a ruler to make a line about three feet long. (Use a separate sheet for each child.) Ask your children to fill in the important dates in their own lives, starting with their birth.
THE FOREIGN TOUCH -- Travel abroad at home. Visit ethnic shops, food stores, and restaurants in your community. Before the trip, have your children find on a map different countries you will "visit." After the trip, encourage your children to talk about what they have seen.
(Adapted from http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/rec4-5.html)

Words from Wednesday (Devotional)

Creation

One of the things I love about my hubby is the way he loves nature. Long, long ago, I remember that we had gone on a hike into the mountains. I was very new to the area so I loved all the adventures we went on. At one point, we steered off of the pathway, out of the trees and mulch and moss, and came to an open creek. It was flowing very quickly and was surrounded by huge rocks. He just sat down on one of those rocks and breathed in and out and said, "Isn't this great? This is perfect!" He just sat there. Looking. Listening. That is all he did.

Well, to me that is all he did. See, you have to understand that I was always that nerdy type--the one who studied and learned things from books. I have always appreciated nature, but not the way he did. When he sat there, he was really doing much more than just sitting there. Now that I know better, this experience reminded me of the song, "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen. He gives many examples of the things in nature that my husband would just sit and enjoy. Wind blowing, rain falling, singing birds, mighty trees. And then he sings: How could I say there is no God? When all around creation calls!!

And then there was one line that I think I had missed out on up until this point. Doerksen goes on to sing: I feel your presence there.

I am thankful that my husband has taught me a thing or two about taking in God's creation, and not just seeing it. He has helped me to know God through the glory and beauty we are surrounded by, not just by the things I have been taught or the things I have learned. He has taught me what it means to "behold," and its is not something you can learn from a book. Part of enjoying God's creation is knowing and feeling God through your interactions with His created world.

Bible verse to look up: Genesis 1-2, Psalm 104, Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:19-20 & Colossians 1:15-17

Application:

My kids and I went looking for creation again. We like to do that. This creation was just in our back yard though. And it helped us realize that God is everywhere. And that God gives us an opportunity to know and feel Him everywhere.

Camera Cozy

So. . .
Look what my hubby got for Father's Day. {smile} It was exactly what I--I mean--he wanted!!!
(Okay, you have to understand, we bought our previous digital camera in that era where there was both a screen and a view-finder. It was HEAVY! It was BIG! This one will fit into our pockets! This one didn't add weight to my already packed purse! And that made him--and me--happy.) One problem with it. . .it didn't come with a case and we forgot to buy one at the time. I'm a little OC about certain things. . .and one of those certain things is that cameras need cases. So, being in a crafty mood, I went online to find tutorials on this. I found two that i liked. This site was more plain and this one was the one I decided to make.

At least, that is the one I tried to make.

First, I made my own little pattern. Cute, eh? Purple paper and all. This part turned out GREAT!
And I proceeded to make it. But here is the thing. I have learned a very important lesson about myself. And the lesson is this: Even if you have an urge to be creative after writing report cards and feel this could be a great stress release, DON'T do it!!!!! I may have made a boo-boo. A very big boo-boo. And all you fine quilters out there are not allowed to laugh at me. Especially if your kids are in my class this year! When the instructions at Sew-Mad said to do the quilting stitching, I got a little excited about this and missed the instruction where it said keep the lining separate! And I know after I sewed it all, I thought it was odd that everything was quilted together (duh!) but still common sense didn't strike!

On top of that, the fabric I picked looked okay. . .until I started making it. Then I realized that my hubby could be quite embarrassed holding such a case. I even thought of him and put the key ring on the back and all. . .but yah. A case like this needs to be pink and flowery and accompanied by a pink camera. Sew-Mad is a genius. I'm not.

In the end, I landed up finishing it just so I could feel somewhat accomplished and have a "toy" for my kiddos. I made some bias binding using some kinda-terribly matching material I had and finished my boo-boo-ed camera cozy that way. I had to do a lot of hand-sewing. Blah. I did not decide to add a strap or anything else.

This is how it turned out. (Try not to laugh. . .or cringe)

The back. . .the key-ring part. Pretty good idea huh? (Just ugly as can be!)
So. . . in the end, I still wanted a case for my camera. . but didn't want to go out today. . .so I threw together this nice little black pouch to use now until I do get out to the store. I will now happily leave projects like that for people with funky cute cameras. . .and for people who haven't just finished writing report cards!

Smoothies

With the recent warmer weather, we have been a bit addicted to smoothies over here. Its amazing how much fruit can be consumed once it is all blended up! Our favourites over here have been:
*Strawberry Kiwi
*Strawberry Banana
* Raspberry
*Tropical Fruit

Then, last Friday they were giving away free smoothies at Orange Julius (with a coupon and ID!!! Who needs to be ID-ed to get a smoothie?!?!?) Guess which two of us actually enjoyed 95% of them? (And guess who couldn't resist pulling out the camera?)

Hmmm. . .which one should I drink now. . .

See my feisty little girl wanting it all to herself??? It sure made for an enjoyable family trip to them mall. :)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday again. . .almost summer vacation for us teachers! Just a few more days. . .

Monday- Blueberry Pancakes and Breakfast Sausage

Tuesday-Tacos with Salad (seasoning recipe)

Wednesday-Wraps or Leftovers (or wraps using leftovers!)

Thursday (CP)-Asian Shredded Pork, coleslaw, buns

Friday-Soup and Sandwiches

Saturday's Snack- Cool Veggie Pizza

Sunday-BBQ (I'm bringing a salad. . .ever had Committee Salad? It's yummy!!!)

So. . .I linked all the recipes this time. . . they are all pretty basic this time. . .no recipes to type out here. . .

BTW: I'm busy looking into OAMC. . .not necessarily to use every day, but to at least have one or two freezer meals a week. (I know, the school year isn't even over and I'm thinking about the busyness of the Fall!) Up to this point, many of the OAMC recipes I have used have turned out quite soup-y, or I've been overly nervous about not cooking things all the way. . .especially meat. My success has been in doubling casseroles and freezing them. That's it. So. . .I'll let you know what I discover and decide to do. If anyone out there has any great input, please leave a comment!!!

Words from Wednesday (Devotional)

At the End of the Year

It’s the end of the school year. Things are winding down. I’ve collected all the assignments and projects. I've written some grades and comments on the report cards. I’ve made my page of ideas to help the students continue learning over the summer. I’ve made my "memories bookmark" for each student. In just a few short days, this school year will be over.

As I was thinking about this, I’m hoping and praying that the things that I have taught my students won’t all get lost in the busyness of summer or float off in the warm breeze or splash away in the oceans and pools. I’m hoping some of it sticks with them.

I am reminded of Jesus and his disciples. He invested so much time into teaching them about His Father: about His grace and His love. He taught them using the Scriptures and parables; as they sat to eat and as they walked about. Teaching, teaching, teaching. If any one wanted what he was teaching to stick, it was Jesus! I think of the many times He had to sit back and re-explain his teachings and the teachings they grew up with. Or tell His disciples that they were thinking of their own agendas, not God’s plan. Or tell His mother, Mary, that His time for glory had not yet come.

I wonder if He had moments like this—where He prayed everything would just stick with them. That they would get it. That they would have grown because He had invested in His disciples.

They must have finally gotten it, because He sent them out to tell the rest of the world that same message for which He had even come to the world. “Then Jesus came to them and said, `All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

So now, at the end of the school year, when I am thinking of what will stick with my students, I am reminded of my great God who sent out the disciples with confidence that His salvation message would spread to all nations. I am reminded of my God who said to His chosen Israelites, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip form your hearts as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them . . . so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10) and He still says this to us today. I am reminded of a God who has His Holy Spirit working in the hearts and minds of the people who hear His saving message and believe. And I praise God that His message sticks.

Other passages to read: John 8:31, John 14:23-27, and 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17


*I found this poem at a site available to teachers. It's a little "gushy", but I thought I would share anyway.

This Hand I Hold

This hand I hold I touch it now
For all eternity,
And the knowledge that I share
I give from me to you.

In hope that all you do and say
Reflects the lessons learned,
And all the awards that you receive
Are ones that you have earned.

I am your present teacher
And your true friend,
But when the year is over
My thoughts of you won't end.

For in my dearest memory
Forever you will be,
And when you go I hope that you
Will take a part of me.

This hand I hold I touch it now
For all eternity,
And the knowledge that I share
I give from me to you.
(Poem found at http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems56.html)

Menu Plan Monday

Oh well. . .a little on the late side again today. The benefit of that is that I tried the Chicken Bacon Pizza (Monday) and it is de-lish! Mine even looked like the yummy picture from the link! (And with my garden starting to grow like crazy, I used all the herbs from there!)

So. . here is what my week looks like:

Monday-Chicken Bacon Pizza (from last week), corn salsa

Tuesday-Honey BBQ Salmon, rice, mixed veggies

Wednesday-Sirloin Veggie Stir Fry (A Rachael Ray Recipe!)

Thursday (CP)- Hot Chicken Sandwiches (see below), cut up veggies

Friday--Last Day of School!--left-overs or out

Snack for Saturday-Pizza Muffins

Sunday--Father's Day--BBQ

2 recipes for you today:

Pizza Muffins

I know I linked one, which looks good (never tried it yet!), but here is one I love:

2 c. Jiffy Baking Mix

3/4 c. milk

12 cup muffin pan

Filling:
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce

1 can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 small green pepper (I use coloured ones)

1 package sliced pepperoni, cut up

1 package shredded mozzarella

*Preheat oven to 400F. Spray muffin pan and set aside. Blend baking mix and milk to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead about 20 times. Roll into rectangle about 1/8" thick. Cut out circles with 4" cookie cutter. Press circles into prepared muffin pan. Combine sauce and filling ingredients (not cheese). Spoon in each dough-lined muffin cup. Sprinkle on cheese. Bake 15 minutes or until brown. Makes 12 treats.

Hot Chicken Sandwiches

*This recipe came from my friend Mandy, back in our visiting days (can't wait 'til this summer!). It's easy and quick!

8 c. cooked chicken or turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

1 c. chopped celery

2 c. mayo

1 c. cubed American cheese

Buns

1. Combine all ingredients (except for buns) in crock pot.

2. Cover. Cook on high for 2 hours.

3. Serve on buns.

*You can easily half the recipe. Cooking times may be less.

Enjoy. . .I'm posted at http://www.orjunkie.com/ again!

Final Reading Responses

First. . .pretend it is still Thursday! Oops . .just a little late this time. :)

Then. . .here are some ideas to use at the end of a novel study. These ideas came from a colleague of mine. He said they were originally from a book of long ago (that I just can't site because we don't even know what book it came from!), but changed to suit his novel studies. These are great ideas to use instead of a "final test" as they cover the same kind of information, but are done in a more creative way.

This first one is called a "Title Summary." It obviously works better for books that have longer titles, such as Owls in the Family, by Farley Mowat. For younger grade levels you can also use this idea to write information about the theme you are studying or a math concept.

Similar to an Acrostic, this activity requires the student (or the teacher on a page--see below) to write the title of the novel vertically down the page. Then, each student needs to write a sentence about the novel that begins with each of the letters. After this is all completed, the students should have a summary of the events or themes in the novel.

Here is what a sample page might look like:

Here is a close-up of the instructions my colleague made:

The second idea focuses on the characters in a novel. Using the categories Intelligence, Honesty, Friendliness, Obedience, and Sense of Humor (or any other traits related to the novel your students are reading), each student needs to assign a letter grade to the character, and then under the comments section, they need tell why (give proof as to why) the character deserves the grade assigned. What events in the novel show the character displaying this trait? What was the character thinking about? Why would you assign a high or a low grade to this character?

When I have used this, I asked my students to write page numbers in brackets behind each "proof" if they could (which can also be used as an enrichment, because it was difficult to do!)

So. . .just two quick ideas to use in your novel studies or themes of study. Sorry, no finished pages to post just yet! Stay tuned. . .

Words from Wednesday (Devotional)

A Coffee Date

A while back a friend of mine posted her status on FB as this: “{This person} is having coffee with a good friend. God is good!” For some reason that status statement struck a cord with me—did she mean she was having a coffee with God?

And the sad reality is that my next thought was: “I wonder what that would be like.” Yep, that was a reality check for me. Obviously I am in need of more one-on-one time with my Saviour! But imagine with me for a minute what it might be like . . . to actually have a coffee—or tea, or ice cap, or whatever you want—with God. Sitting right there on the chair across from you. Maybe He would get to use your favourite mug, or maybe you’d still save that one for yourself because He’d understand, right? Would I sit in utter awe of his presence or would I dive into my LONG list of questions I have for him? Would I be smiling with contentment or filled with guilt over the sins I haven’t confessed yet? Would He reach over and take my hand or calmly reassure me with His words that He still loves me, even still, even more than I can understand?

That is when I opened my Bible to Psalm 119: 9-48—a wonderful bunch of verses to reflect on for some quiet time with God. They were very fitting for the writer of this Psalm, but also for me today. How can I keep my ways pure? Live according to God’s word. Seek Him with my whole heart. The writer of this psalm continues to meditate on God and His law in the verses that follow. So I sat and read these verses and then read them again.

And I came back to those first few verses. How can I keep my life right? To live according to His Word and to seek Him with my whole being. It’s that simple. But simple is also asking me to not just read these verses, but meditate on them daily. Simple is asking me to actually live out Ephesians 6:18—“to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Simple is asking me to “pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Simple is asking me to stop trying to be my own best friend or filling my time with other people and projects, but instead let God fill that space. It is asking me to give up planning, controlling and manipulating things that I have no control of and placing my fears and anxieties on Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). It’s asking me to be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

So, I now have a coffee date—not with my husband, an out-of-town guest, or my girlfriends. I have a long-overdue coffee date with a Good Friend. God is good!

Menu Plan Monday

This week. . .we might be a little heavy on the chicken. All these recipes just sound so yummy as I am doing my plans. . .and most of the stuff I have on hand. That means one less trip to the grocery store. That sounds nice. :)

Monday- Peanut Chicken Stir-fry (lots of veggies!), noodles, pitas

Tuesday- Chicken Bacon Pizza , salad

Wednesday- Spaghetti

Thursday (CP)- Taco Soup

Friday- Chicken Breasts With Sage and Mozzarella (BBQ Cooking) or left-overs

Snack on Saturday- Chocolate Chip Strawberry Shortcakes

Sunday (BFS)- Breakfast Wraps--or probably a BBQ :)

Snack for Saturday. . .I linked this recipe, so no recipe here. I made these with my sister and SIL (she had the recipe. . .again!) last summer. . .and they were phenomenal!!! We loved them. And they looked so-o-o nice. I felt a little gourmet! So, if you are having company or want to impress your spouse or just need to treat yourself. . . and they aren't actually that tough to make!

Creative Procrastination

So. . . I have a bazillion other things to do as the weather warms up and the school year winds down, but I was home alone on a Saturday night (ya, ya, poor, poor, pitiful me!) so I decided to use my new materials. I don't claim to be a super good card-maker, but I do still enjoy it. So. . .before I shy away from posting these. . .here is what my "new-to-me" stuff can do! (Stamps and paper are from Inkadinkado and Michael's.)

It's hard to tell with the bad pictures, but the pink I used in these two cards is actually an irridescent kind of paper.

A Great Find

I went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store this morning before work. . .and look what I found!!! Yes, half of it is still all in its original sealed packages! I couldn't believe it! I picked up 4 stamp sets, one single stamp, one corners scissor, a pack of card stock, one punch, 3 Fiskars embossing templates (I have the box that goes with it already!), a chalk set, a foam cutting board, and over 100 blank cards & envelopes!

Here are a few close-ups of some of the products--they are all "never-been-used stamps!

(Oops! This photo is kinda blurry! But these are those clear stamps.)
And. . .guess how much i paid for it all?? Less than $10!

Now i have to find some time to use it all . . .

So Tara and Hilda . . . when is the next scrapbooking night? I have a few things to bring along!!!

Enjoying the Heat

My friend invited us to join her and her kids st the Water Park. What a blast! We went nice and early--before the rush and before it got too hot!

My son enjoyed it and was running off with his friends in no time. He made up names for all the different places the water came from. . .most of them were the "fireworks" and he especially enjoyed the "candy cane" one (see, way in the background?).

My daughter, on the other hand, didn't like the idea of getting wet. ("No wet!") She would rather laze around with us moms and watch the whole ordeal.

Eventually she did go in, but just the small puddles. I was kinda thankful that she didn't have any unexpected "fireworks" sprays!

And then when we came home. . .what better way to cool down from the heat than SMOOTHIES!!! I had raspberries and bananas handy, so. . .that was our treat for the day!(Gotta love my Magic Bullet!)
I think the treat went over well. No left overs for me. So we had to make another batch . . . or two!

Poetry Books

I recently updated THIS POST about Grammar, and making Silly Sentences using the basic parts of speech. I added some pictures there of the finished product. Check it out if it interests you.

Today I am posting some pictures (the product) of THIS POST on Poetry. We finally finished up our work on poetry and making small anthologies. Here is my bulletin board (it was such a small space!!!) and the poetry books that the students made as a result of the poetry unit taught. (I just finished grading them all! Phew! That was a lot of work . . . but you can see that they obviously did a lot of work!!! We spent class time, computer time and art time working on this. Some of the kids also spent some homework time on it!) All the books are hanging on tacks so that we can read/look at the work done by our peers.
So, here are a few of the inside pages. First the table of contents (And, my students have the correct spelling of Biographical Poem in their books!)
And the following are some examples of the pages: the poems and the layouts that the students chose. They were required to include 10 poems, but the way they laid out the pages was completely up to them. (BTW, I have some future artists and scrapbookers in my class! Yay!)
Don't you just love some of these pages? The creativity in the decorations and the imagination in the pictures? Oh, it makes me so giddy as a teacher!!!

So. . .another idea or two for you. Enjoy!