tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30764581272332845612024-03-13T11:15:03.751-07:00~ Zein's Pink Room ~You'll find a variety of topics in my blog from gardening to cooking to homeschooling to religious comments. My intention for having a blog is to share things that have been helpful to me or have enriched my life in some way. Please comment or follow me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-22978438161934790682018-03-31T10:11:00.002-07:002018-04-02T10:08:08.410-07:00Meal Planning Moment<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rereading my old blogs, I got inspired to continue my meal planning tradition of sitting for a moment with my recipe box and pulling out 5-7 main dishes to cook over the next week.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkL3o5sAc9g/Wr_BFmMJYuI/AAAAAAAABLc/rD2fm3VrY1MhV-hW7yBjY7JHZEjDPjXkwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1832%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkL3o5sAc9g/Wr_BFmMJYuI/AAAAAAAABLc/rD2fm3VrY1MhV-hW7yBjY7JHZEjDPjXkwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1832%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many years ago I made a recipe card for even the simple dinners we eat, not that I needed to follow the recipe for it, but more as a physical note of the meal. Once a week, usually Saturday morning while everyone is sleeping or doing their own thing, I sit with my recipe box (and my calendar for the next week) and pull out the cards of the dishes I want to make and keep those cards out, either on the counter or in a cabinet, but somewhere I can flip through them. I fill up the grocery list on the productivity app my family shares, and by Sunday night I usually have all the ingredients I'll need for the week. Having that list of meals plus their ingredients on hand makes getting dinner on the table easier. I tried assigning a meal to a certain day of the week, but I prefer to just cook what I have time for as each day comes. Some days I'll have more time than others, so I just cook the meal that seems to fit in best at the time. It saves so much time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When I'm done with the cards for that week, I file them in the back of their category leaving me with the cards of dishes not recently prepared. Yes, I do try new recipes, and if there's one that will make the cut into our rotation then I file into my box!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The calendar sits with me so that I get a realistic view of who will be home for dinnertime and which kids need hefty pre-game meals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These are just the main dishes; don't be alarmed at the lack of veggies! I usually make either an Arabic style salad or roast some vegetables, or both. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This week we travel Friday, so I'm not going to have as full of a list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">~ Zesty BBQ chicken (crock pot or Instant Pot) for lunches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strike>~ Meatloaf </strike> (won't be needed)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">~Musaka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">~Homemade Lasagna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">~ Chicken Shawerma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nope, we're not vegetarian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-70821930100840865132018-03-30T16:35:00.000-07:002018-03-30T16:35:31.830-07:00Paper Towel Swap Out<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I quit using paper towels for a while back in 2007. I kept a stash of cleaning cloths in the kitchen in a handy spot for everyone to reach. I showed the kids to use those cloths to wipe up spills and to wipe off countertops. It worked really well, but somehow over the past few years I've gotten back to using some paper towels. Once you start using some, you use more.. and more! So, I got some ideas from people trying to adapt a zero waste lifestyle and got a little solution set up for myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I borrowed some pinking shears from a neighbor, picked 5 old white undershirts from my husband's closet that he's been wanting to get rid of, and cut those suckers up into squares. They're not exact, but they are roughly 8"-10" square. I got over 60 squares! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I keep most of them stashed in a drawer in the kitchen and told everyone to go ahead and use them whenever they'd want a paper towel. They're small and easy to use. If they cleaned up something super gross then I rinse it out in the sink. If they're just kinda dirty then I toss them directly into a bucket I have stashed inside a cabinet. This bucket is a white dishpan I bought from Fred Meyer years ago. It doesn't have any cleaning solution in it or anything, it's just sitting there collecting the dirty rags. About once a week, or more often, I run the contents of that bucket in the laundry. It's been very convenient especially since there are well over 60 of those rags.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With some of the rags, I created a jar of homemade disinfecting solution that I stuffed about 20 of those little rags in. I found that recipe from another blogger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://naturesnurtureblog.com/homemade-cleaning-wipes/" target="_blank">http://naturesnurtureblog.com/homemade-cleaning-wipes/ </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Below is a picture of the cleaning solution jar. I used a quart jar which fits the liquid to cloth ration perfectly.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBe7bi9JNhg/Wr6d-MALZyI/AAAAAAAABKk/ykBV9oV3yUkNZg5KMe486xmLbim9DZdRQCLcBGAs/s1600/28278989_10160126082655118_7230653210243011345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBe7bi9JNhg/Wr6d-MALZyI/AAAAAAAABKk/ykBV9oV3yUkNZg5KMe486xmLbim9DZdRQCLcBGAs/s320/28278989_10160126082655118_7230653210243011345_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the cut up squares are in a handy drawer, and I've gotten all members of the household to grab these instead of paper towels (which are no longer found in the kitchen).</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8-rcGUAF8/Wr6eMO9fncI/AAAAAAAABKo/2QJahXwWGA0SZCOxxLfrp3c9pJ38mFyuACLcBGAs/s1600/28378518_10160126082660118_887870425680731803_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-8-rcGUAF8/Wr6eMO9fncI/AAAAAAAABKo/2QJahXwWGA0SZCOxxLfrp3c9pJ38mFyuACLcBGAs/s320/28378518_10160126082660118_887870425680731803_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's been over a month since I've adapted this and I feel so good about the reduced waste. Small steps!</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-74632151500342679982016-04-16T17:03:00.002-07:002016-04-16T17:04:06.519-07:00Lacrosse Season 2016 Beginning<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's funny to think that the last time I was actively posting we didn't even know what lacrosse was, and now we are like the poster family for the sport! So in the spring of 2014 Musa started playing lacrosse for the team as a 7th grader. We all quickly loved the sport, attended the games, and even formed nice friendships with the team families. 8th grade was another fun season, and now in 9th grade, it continues. Musa is on the JV team as a defender (the position he's played since 7th grade). He's really into the sport. He learned it so quickly and improved his skills quite rapidly as well. It's so fun to watch him play. They play 5 days a week. Here are a few pictures of him in action this year. Pictures are taken by some team moms with amazing skills!!! He's number 17.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTbjHi0fPhg/VxLPD-wa11I/AAAAAAAABIc/ejvV6sTtLJsY1y20_CLHB_4mGA7U-p1cACLcB/s1600/2016a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTbjHi0fPhg/VxLPD-wa11I/AAAAAAAABIc/ejvV6sTtLJsY1y20_CLHB_4mGA7U-p1cACLcB/s320/2016a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOeo2V77TO8/VxLPD5jgBXI/AAAAAAAABIo/H0TeNv1u4e8k850kkKTcj2fugUgjhSDHwCLcB/s1600/2016b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOeo2V77TO8/VxLPD5jgBXI/AAAAAAAABIo/H0TeNv1u4e8k850kkKTcj2fugUgjhSDHwCLcB/s320/2016b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3awO8eBWn8/VxLPDxj48CI/AAAAAAAABIg/y55GqzAO1M4bS_UAJUhyfvyoqxkrZXgPwCLcB/s1600/2016c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3awO8eBWn8/VxLPDxj48CI/AAAAAAAABIg/y55GqzAO1M4bS_UAJUhyfvyoqxkrZXgPwCLcB/s320/2016c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8BioFx-zts/VxLPEZ5cHkI/AAAAAAAABIk/QbuCedQ-yGsMBiuH2q78x9yPErOpBejmgCLcB/s1600/2016d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8BioFx-zts/VxLPEZ5cHkI/AAAAAAAABIk/QbuCedQ-yGsMBiuH2q78x9yPErOpBejmgCLcB/s320/2016d.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJJ5kXejTNc/VxLPEu-JbaI/AAAAAAAABIs/8t47ucEiBR0NrNK1gEqto5K8a2gXcXKqQCLcB/s1600/2016e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJJ5kXejTNc/VxLPEu-JbaI/AAAAAAAABIs/8t47ucEiBR0NrNK1gEqto5K8a2gXcXKqQCLcB/s320/2016e.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ucFx7ffOGg/VxLPExrKNoI/AAAAAAAABIw/ygneAPYMYnoxycJUkajp6bq_PraKFHkuQCLcB/s1600/2016f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ucFx7ffOGg/VxLPExrKNoI/AAAAAAAABIw/ygneAPYMYnoxycJUkajp6bq_PraKFHkuQCLcB/s320/2016f.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Quite unfortunately, there are not ANY team moms on Heba's team to spoil us with such professional quality action shots! Heba started playing last year as a 7th grader and is enjoying it even more this year in 8th grade. They practice 3 nights a week and have weekend games. She's been playing on the offense this year as Attack and has scored a few goals! Therefore.... I have only a couple of 'homemade' shots of her, and obviously, she's the one wearing the hijab :D</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8zFH6P4bEI/VxLQvFLw_yI/AAAAAAAABJA/FY4nmgLIAmcgaUYYiCuBt-iq-j0LaVfowCLcB/s1600/2016a.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8zFH6P4bEI/VxLQvFLw_yI/AAAAAAAABJA/FY4nmgLIAmcgaUYYiCuBt-iq-j0LaVfowCLcB/s320/2016a.PNG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBgbNHya3cE/VxLQvT02bbI/AAAAAAAABI8/NY6inGGZHWgwzo-NlxQWriC2scwuyIuCACLcB/s1600/2016b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBgbNHya3cE/VxLQvT02bbI/AAAAAAAABI8/NY6inGGZHWgwzo-NlxQWriC2scwuyIuCACLcB/s320/2016b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And last but not least, our youngest monkey Aisha has started her lacrosse journey this year as a 1st grader! She's had a couple of weeks of practice and they're hoping to line up a couple of games for this age group. She LOVES it even though it's girls' lacrosse and not boys' lacrosse. She got so used to playing with Musa the past two years that she was hoping to play on his team when she got to first grade :D How cute. I'm going to wait for a better picture of her than the one I have right now. Hopefully I'll remember to post it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading this far!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-42765925640598194962016-04-15T07:55:00.000-07:002016-04-16T16:37:48.326-07:00Spring Planting<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Assalamu alaikom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Coming out of winter always takes me some extra getting used to. While most people around me are so excited for the longer days with more sunshine, I get a touch of anxiety adjusting to that feeling that I have to be more productive and have to deal with heat, sun, longer work hours. I realize that's totally a personal perception, but I get those feelings especially in late February and early March when the time moves forward an hour. It happens so fast here in Seattle that the days go from being from 8am-4:15pm to being from 6:30am-7:00pm. I'd be happy to get rid of Daylight Saving Time! That would definitely help ease that seasonal adjustment; plus, sunsets after 9pm are just too late!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now that it's April, I'm on board with spring and have started my garden. My level of gardening varies year to year, but when I have a younger school aged kid I like to give them a lot of exposure, and this year my youngest is 7 years old which is great for involvement AND learning! This year we are planting from seed, from store-bought starts, and we're putting in flowers and herbs in addition to veggies. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">below: lavender with snapdragon flowers in back</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWMYtrgymIw/VxD8-zx7-JI/AAAAAAAABF4/FUjaSB1E3AUK8bojSHH0FkOe8VCqqPk0QCLcB/s1600/2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWMYtrgymIw/VxD8-zx7-JI/AAAAAAAABF4/FUjaSB1E3AUK8bojSHH0FkOe8VCqqPk0QCLcB/s320/2016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">oregano and rosemary sharing a pot with snapdragons</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vW1b6D5_asI/VxD8_cmdR6I/AAAAAAAABF8/qsJg3yqZdqknkJlP83rbKmREcWD1UpnsACLcB/s1600/2016b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vW1b6D5_asI/VxD8_cmdR6I/AAAAAAAABF8/qsJg3yqZdqknkJlP83rbKmREcWD1UpnsACLcB/s320/2016b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">mint from last year</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8B_QAVi5vs/VxD8_A4mozI/AAAAAAAABGA/fBs_bIi7T-MTqeJMoth5AZev3CFGHiTVgCLcB/s1600/2016d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8B_QAVi5vs/VxD8_A4mozI/AAAAAAAABGA/fBs_bIi7T-MTqeJMoth5AZev3CFGHiTVgCLcB/s320/2016d.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My friend scored some lemon balm from a community facebook page for free, and she kindly shared a bunch with me after I told her I wanted lemon balm to repel mosquitoes on our deck. I potted some of those transplants: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The pot on the right is lemon balm. Spearmint on the left</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLpGPSZC2jg/VxD93S5mGhI/AAAAAAAABGM/D-wqEKuqYCgHYvzhxPvkPXMuI8dIcswIgCLcB/s1600/2016c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLpGPSZC2jg/VxD93S5mGhI/AAAAAAAABGM/D-wqEKuqYCgHYvzhxPvkPXMuI8dIcswIgCLcB/s320/2016c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">in the center is lemon balm. looks dinky but will be rockin in a few weeks insha'Allah</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNv9JDRQbUU/VxD93QraTLI/AAAAAAAABGU/rciY7rF-ws4-w5YHCkDO0cF6KHA9sqbtgCLcB/s1600/2016g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNv9JDRQbUU/VxD93QraTLI/AAAAAAAABGU/rciY7rF-ws4-w5YHCkDO0cF6KHA9sqbtgCLcB/s320/2016g.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I went ahead and clipped my tulips to make a bouquet for inside (plus, I'm ready to use the pots for the herbs without those tulips shadowing over the little starts)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhwJ8E5E4Iw/VxD-szT6uQI/AAAAAAAABGg/vP2VP4xMMJkvronSK4M2AqeBqJIcDrNrQCLcB/s1600/2016i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhwJ8E5E4Iw/VxD-szT6uQI/AAAAAAAABGg/vP2VP4xMMJkvronSK4M2AqeBqJIcDrNrQCLcB/s320/2016i.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And finally, here's a look at the Mammoth sunflower seeds we're starting indoors in hopes of repeating our 8 foot tall sunflower from two years ago!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFLPWBMfphA/VxD-_cnaWPI/AAAAAAAABGo/m8yKBKGZoM0JxqcisOX9q46oXwFWSmmeQCLcB/s1600/2016h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFLPWBMfphA/VxD-_cnaWPI/AAAAAAAABGo/m8yKBKGZoM0JxqcisOX9q46oXwFWSmmeQCLcB/s320/2016h.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'll post about my actual vegetable garden another time!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #333333; font-family: "oswald"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #333333; font-family: "oswald"; line-height: 32px;">"And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe." (</span><a href="http://quran.com/6/99" style="color: #319421; font-family: Oswald; line-height: 32px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: inherit;" target="_blank">Qur'an, 6:99</a><span style="background-color: #f0f0f0; color: #333333; font-family: "oswald"; line-height: 32px;">)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-28228970424263905322016-04-12T18:32:00.001-07:002016-04-12T18:34:36.013-07:00meal planAssalamu alaikom. I know it's been ages since I've posted anything, but I'm just going to jump in and start posting stuff.<br />
<br />
With lacrosse season in full swing I've been better at meal planning. By full swing I mean that Musa plays 5 days a week, Heba plays 4 days a week, and Aisha play 2 days a week. Lots of extra driving around on top of regular errands and homeschooling classes.<br />
<br />
Normally I pull out my recipe box on Sunday (or Saturday) morning and plan what I need from the grocery store for the week in addition to the regular items that always rotate on our grocery lists. I pretty much sort the meals in my mind as to which days would be better to prepare each one depending on how my 'at home' time looks. About my recipe box: a few years ago I wrote down even the meals I prepare by memory so that when I meal plan I can pull that card out and keep it on the counter for the week. It's not always used as a recipe card, but more like a name card.<br />
<br />
We're on spring break this week! This week's plan:<br />
<br />
Meatloaf (some kids put the sliced meatloaf in burger buns); Mixed veggies that were already cooked like sauteed cabbage, roasted brussels sprouts.<br />
<br />
Roast chicken with potatoes and garlic; (roasted at 450 degrees.. wow!)<br />
<br />
Grilled chicken skewers<br />
<br />
Mejaddara (lentils cooked in rice)<br />
<br />
Sloppy Joes<br />
<br />
Friday: invited out.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-911329092426640952014-10-22T15:00:00.000-07:002014-10-22T15:00:16.721-07:00sample day<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Every once in a while I get questions about what a typical day might look like for us as homeschoolers. Since I'm sitting on the couch watching my two homeschoolers doing a yoga DVD, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share what we did today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I have a 9 year old and a 5 year old right now at home. The 9 year old got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and was starting her math lesson by 7:45 this morning. (she usually starts at 8) Math takes about an hour. While she worked independently, I had my own breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen, and swept and mopped the kitchen floors. 5 year old stayed in bed quite a while today and didn't get up till maybe 8:30, but she was dressed when she came down. After she ate breakfast, I had her use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bear-Counters-102-ct/dp/B0006PKZ7W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414014816&sr=8-1&keywords=teddy+bear+counters" target="_blank">teddy bear counters</a> to demonstrate adding concepts. Then she and her sister emptied the dishwasher.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">We all went up to the school room and stayed on task for a while. Subjects that gone done: Spelling, Handwriting, Writing, Grammar, Morning Meeting (memory work and religious studies). Got a phonics lesson in with the 5 year old, then we all took a chocolate milk break. I sat next to the 9year old and knitted while she did some map work and a puzzle for history. 5yr old played with some toys nearby, then I did a short activity with her about the sequence of a library visit (picking a book, checking it out, taking it home, and then returning it) where she got to cut and write. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">After that the girls went to the other room to do a yoga DVD I have checked out from the library, and I sat down to make a little blog entry! This is not a very typical day because we normally eat lunch around noon, but the rest is a typical day here if we're not going out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-2076544196599729392014-10-09T21:25:00.002-07:002014-10-09T21:33:25.651-07:00Turkey Chili<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I made turkey chili for the first time today, and it was well liked by boys and girls alike in this house! Wow! I found halal ground turkey at Trader Joe's and figured I'd give it a try. After looking at a couple of recipes online, this is what I ended up putting in the pot:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1lb ground turkey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1/2 white onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1/2 red onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">4 cloves garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">2 thin carrots, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1 red pepper, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">2 14oz cans diced tomato</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1 14oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">2 Tbsp homemade taco seasoning (<a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/11/23/misleading-products/" target="_blank">taken from 100 Days of Real Food</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">salt, pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Saute the vegetables in a bit of oil for a few minutes, then add the ground turkey. Crumble it up and drain if needed. Add the tomatoes and beans along with two cans full of water and the spices. Let this simmer an hour or two until the liquid reduces to your desired thickness. I would also transfer this to the crock pot once I browned the turkey and add everything else in the crock pot and let that go for a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I set out some toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, jalapenos, freshly chopped onions, and the leftover crumbs of our gluten free chips. You could make cornbread or eat this over burger buns :D</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-737583875837989682014-09-15T15:13:00.001-07:002014-09-15T15:14:28.834-07:00This weekend's work<span style="font-size: large;">Some weekends I am really on top of things and get a lot of good food prep done. This was one of those weekends. I will recap for the sake of offering suggestions and encouragement to others and to remind myself of what things work for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first good news is that the gluten free mix I make myself and store worked wonderfully in our standby pancake recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook that is a tradition in our family. This good news goes perfectly with the other good news which is that I found and used the griddle attachment to our stove top which has been sitting in the garage since we moved in two years ago. (You know some of those pancakes went to the freezer for after school snacks during the week) To continue with the gluten-free theme, my daughter made a batch of iced cookies that just really hit the spot, and now we are both so excited to continue experimenting with our homemade flour mix in other dessert items.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So I got out my biggest pot, bought a 105oz (or so) can of tomatoes, an almost ridiculous amount of tomato paste, and 4 pounds of ground beef. I stirred a pot of tomato sauce for a few hours on Saturday to achieve 4 portions of meat sauce for the freezer. Some for lasagna and some for spaghetti dinner. I'm really excited about those. That was a lot of meat sauce.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another exciting adventure was making yogurt with one of my daughters Friday night. It was a success and we are all enjoying the yummy yogurt even though it is not very thick. I hear this is a common issue in homemade yogurt. Still working on that one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To continue, I boiled and shredded a chicken breast to be dressed up and used for lunches, stocked up on fruits, veggies, and a few obligatory salty snack foods for the kids' lunches this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I found a few recipes for the crockpot and made one of them. It was a sesame chicken recipe that turned out kind of plain. No one is going to ask for it again, but in a bind I could use it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a lot of cooking and food handling. Throw in a trip to Costco and Safeway, and we should be good for a while! Tonight, Monday, there will be leftovers from the not-so-great sesame chicken plus some leftovers from the lunch restaurant we ate at.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-91421633590604296262014-09-10T10:46:00.001-07:002014-09-10T10:46:08.831-07:00Kindy Science getting done/file foldersI've made a goal this year to do one experiment a week with my kindergartner. I used the great book <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/007638/" target="_blank">More Mudpies to Magnets</a> as a starting point. The experiments are simple and give the parent and child an ideal environment in which to use science terms and to share scientific ideas. Because I'm using a file folder system (I got my ideas from <a href="http://happydayhomeschooling.blogspot.com/2014/07/planning-year-system-that-works-even-if.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/2009/06/the-care-feeding-of-the-file-crate-system.html" target="_blank">here)</a> I am able to print out the experiments that interest me and just tuck them into week after week of folders in our large box. Bam, I've just done all the hard part (planning ahead), and all I need to do is make sure to actually do the experiment each week with my little one which shouldn't be so hard since that's kind of the idea of homeschooling. Since all the details are at my fingertips, I can easily plan ahead for any materials or things I need to have on hand.<br />
<br />
Here's today's making playdo activity. The book guides you to use science specific vocabulary as you describe the activity. She got her hands in the flour and salt, poured the liquids herself, and felt how sticky the dough was. Great fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2VFyG1VKYc/VBCNrkTbZtI/AAAAAAAABEU/NhQFgLPkIjg/s1600/aishaplaydo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2VFyG1VKYc/VBCNrkTbZtI/AAAAAAAABEU/NhQFgLPkIjg/s1600/aishaplaydo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this is a snap of the file box I have for the Kindergartner. I have a separate one for my 4th grader where I file sheets I want her to complete each week. There are all sorts of great uses for this method of filing! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRJrtXtLgmI/VBCNrm4cXHI/AAAAAAAABEQ/52NTtPXvbPs/s1600/filebox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRJrtXtLgmI/VBCNrm4cXHI/AAAAAAAABEQ/52NTtPXvbPs/s1600/filebox.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-70164233889067529752014-08-30T22:48:00.000-07:002014-08-30T22:48:43.895-07:00Kindergarten Reading ListI asked for, and received, excellent recommendations for bedtime or storytime reading for 4-6 yr olds. I needed to add some variety to our bedtime reading. I think I'll print this and keep it in my homeschool planner so that it's handy when I reserve books at the library. Also, I can just check off what we've read instead of write the titles in the book.<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Child's Garden of Verses<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Giraffe and a Half<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anansi the Spider<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andrew Henry's Meadow<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bats at the Library, Bats in the Band<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beatrix Potter stories<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Billy and Blaze books<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blueberries for Sal<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bread and Jam for Francis<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Caps for Sale<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chicken soup with Rice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cinderella version by Marcia Brown<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chrysanthemum, Chester's way - anything by
Kevin Henkes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Corduroy<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Crocodile Beat<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Curious George series<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Doctor DeSoto, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Elmer (David McKee)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eric Carle books (there are many)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Frog and Toad<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">George and Martha series<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gerald and Piggie books<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Granny and the desperadoes (Peggy Parish)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Harold & the Purple Crayon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Harry and the Lady Next Door<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Harry the Dirty Dog<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Harry Mouse & Tucker Kitten<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It's Not a Box<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jamela's Dress (Niki Daly)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">James Herriot's Treasury for Children<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jan Brett<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King Bidgood's in the Bathtub<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Little Bear<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Little Black, a Pony<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lost in the Woods<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Madeline series<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make Way for Ducklings<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mama and Papa have a store<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Max Velthuijs books<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Marshmallow (Clare Newberry)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Miss Rumphius<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My hen is dancing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Officer Buckle and Gloria<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Otis<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Owl Moon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Patricia Polacco<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter Spier<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peter's Long Walk<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Petunia<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rain Makes Applesauce<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rapunzel, illus by zelinski<br />
Richard Scarry books<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Robert N. Munsch books<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Robert the Rose Horse<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rumplestiltskin, illus by Peter Sis<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sam and the Firefly<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Seven blind mice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stone Soup by Marcia Brown<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stranger in the Woods<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tea for Two<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Barefoot Book of Monsters<br />
<br />
The Berenstain Bears series<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The drop in my drink<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Grumpalump<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Empty Pot<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Gruffalo<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Hiccupotamus<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Little House, Choo-Choo and Mike
Mulligan's Steam Shovel<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Monkey and the Crocodile<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Paper Bag Princess<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Snowy Day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Tiger Who Came to Tea</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The true story of the three little pigs<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There's an alligator under my bed<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tikki Tikki Tembo<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Train Song<br />
<br />
What is the Sun?<br />
<br />
When I was Young in the Mountains<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where the Wild Things Are<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why don't you get a horse Sam Adams<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Z is for Moose</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-34056983426103017642014-08-07T14:36:00.000-07:002014-08-10T16:12:55.201-07:00First Grade Homeschool ChoicesFirst grade is the year I begin more structured instruction. My child can sit for 20 minutes and engage in a topic with me. Reading the list below of the resources I use might seem long and overkill, but trust me when I say they get done in just a few minutes. First grade should need only about an hour of seat work per day. And it certainly doesn't have to be done all at once! Sometimes sitting the child down with spelling and handwriting while you get dinner ready is just the right thing. Here is a list of what I've used before for First Grade, and what I plan to use with my next first grader Insha'Allah. As always, I advise you, the parent, to preserve the relationship over the curriculum. While not all days are happy and smooth, you don't need your homeschooling hours to be full of stress, tears, and screaming. Make dua and start small. It's a journey for both you and your precious child.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Language Arts:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spelling: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/023941/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Spelling Workout A and B</a> (my first grader had already learned
how to read and level A was too easy for her) </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
(4 days a week about 10 minutes each)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Handwriting: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/007472/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Handwriting Without Tears Level 1</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
(daily for 5-10 minutes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grammar: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/013644/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">First Language Lessons Level 1</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
(3 days a week)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Writing: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/042779/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Writing With Ease Level 1</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
(4 days a week)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reading: Leveled readers from the library, practice phonics.
Read aloud from many suggestions found online or in First Language
Lessons/Writing With Ease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Math:</span> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I used <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/MMSET1/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Math Mammoth</a> which you download in PDF and print
pages. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check out Math U See and Singapore Math. The publisher
websites often have sample lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saxon Math is very parent intensive K-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">History</span></b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Story of the World <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/010992/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Volume 1</a>: Ancients with Student <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/010993/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Activity Guide</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Science:</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/039411/62437a8ae1a25d01edd3d72c" target="_blank">Real Science Odyssey</a> which follows the
recommendations in The Well Trained Mind, it’s just all printed up and ready to
go for you. Again, check publisher websites for sample lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There also <a href="http://eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm" target="_blank">Mr. Q's </a> science
which is easy and Level 1 (which you would use) is free. You download it to a
computer and print as needed or just read it together off the screen: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Art:</span></strong> crafts, there are
learning DVD’s you can use or just from library books.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Islamic Studies:</span></strong> <u>I Love Islam</u>
or a schedule of reading from some book you like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Quran:</span></strong> Sometimes, a morning meeting of 15 minutes at the kitchen table to recite memory work from the Quran is effective. You could use that meeting time for any Quran/Dua related memory work. Quran classes at the local masjid can be great at this age.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Arabic:</span></strong> </span><a href="http://www.ad-duha.org/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.ad-duha.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> is good for
handwriting and connecting letters. I used it one year and since the
instructions are in English, the kids could work on it themselves. I’m thinking
of getting a book for Aisha this year.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iGtuVdHHBM/U-PxFv-23zI/AAAAAAAABEA/WGqN8EAUwng/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iGtuVdHHBM/U-PxFv-23zI/AAAAAAAABEA/WGqN8EAUwng/s1600/kids.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-63224836978500098422014-07-16T21:00:00.001-07:002014-07-16T22:21:29.411-07:00Homeschool Help Part 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">From time to time moms approach me with questions about homeschooling. They are interested in starting it for their family but are unsure what it entails. The questions are usually all the same, just as their concerns and doubts are the same, too. I feel flattered that they seek my opinion, and I always tell them that this is just my own opinion and point of view because there are so many ways to go about educating your children. I decided to start a few blog posts on this topic since the questions come up so often.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The first thing important to mention is that homeschooling is a very personal, family decision. In the end it will be as successful as your family can make it. Have a meeting with your spouse and talk about why you want to start this and what kind of compromises you are both willing to make. The shift in lifestyle will affect your current routine, so it's a good idea to talk about some the possible changes. I don't recommend anyone choose homeschooling out of fear of what's "out there". Let's make our reason to homeschool an empowered and positive one rather than a fearful one, know what I mean?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Because you have to pick what works for you, I encourage you to read up on homeschooling from various library books. When I first thought about homeschooling I came home with about ten library books on the subject. I read through almost all of them and started to get an idea of what it actually was. Once I read </span><a href="http://peacehillpress.com/for-parents/the-well-trained-mind-revised-and-updated-10th-anniversary-edition/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Well Trained Mind</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I knew I could do it. Still now, five years later, I am following their method. The book is a blueprint for teaching preschool through high school, so I recommend you focus on the grade levels you are interested in rather than try to read the whole thing at once!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have 4 children. I started homeschooling when I had a 4th grader, 3rd grader, and KG. My baby was 20 months old. I ordered a starter kit from </span><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/catalog.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rainbow Resource</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> (they will send you a free catalog) which is what they recommend for new homeschoolers. I didn’t care so much about curriculum at that time and I didn’t even know about any of the different ones out there. I just wanted a proper work load to start. I bought the 4th grade, 3rd grade, and KG kits (like this one for 3rd Grade). And it worked very well to get me started, to see how to pace myself, and then to determine what I would like to change for the following year. Three months into the year I changed the Language Arts because I realized it was too easy and I wanted more for the kids. I researched from The Well Trained Mind and found a good solution.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The toddlers and preschoolers are challenging. They get into trouble and don’t understand you need to focus time with the older ones. Google “homeschooling with toddlers” and you will find sooo much advice! I used to have a box with toys only for homeschool time. The baby would play with them only during school time. I also bought her things to keep her busy especially for her according to her age from educational websites or stores. Some moms wait until nap time to get the hard things done like grammar or math, and then the whole family can do things like history, reading, science together.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The part about religious studies: I think we all have a hard time fitting in all the deen (religion) things we want. You could set some simple goals and just aim for getting something done. You can find links to fabulous Muslim homeschooling websites on the main page of my blog. You can make a simple outline for your year by month and print out worksheets and do them once a week or whatever you like. I’m thinking of printing things out by the subject matter (Islamic) and making one theme a month to learn (salah, wudu, seerah, etc..). It might be a good time to see what your goals are, actually, for your kids' Islamic education. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
Before I end, I would like to mention one of the main things that keeps things flowing, and that is a routine. It doesn't have to be set to a clock, but if you have a rhythm in your home, then everyone knows what they should be doing at a certain time. My kids know there is a time for school work, for electronics, for chores. This rhythm will change slightly as seasons and activities change, and that's good, too. Just keep things flowing. I found a lot of good advice from some home management books such as </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Large-Family-Logistics-Kim-Brenneman/dp/1934554499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405573754&sr=8-1&keywords=large+family+logistics" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Large Family Logistics</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One final thing worth mentioning is that I keep praying and asking God for patience, wisdom, and guidance. When I started this journey, I made my intention to please God and to raise children who feel comfortable in their faith and are strong in it. When things get crazy I have to sit down and renew my intention and ask for more help. Without the grace and mercy of Allah we could not have gotten as far as we have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
“And if Allah touches you with affliction, none can remove it but He: But if He bestows upon you a favor, remember that He is the Possessor of every power to do all that He wills.”
——— The Holy Quran, Chapter 6, Verse 17.
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckW5ijDSrBE/U8dcCV9tkfI/AAAAAAAABDw/o0jfBOAH9CI/s1600/homeschooling3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckW5ijDSrBE/U8dcCV9tkfI/AAAAAAAABDw/o0jfBOAH9CI/s1600/homeschooling3.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-70332001570209430462014-07-05T16:38:00.002-07:002014-07-05T16:39:11.862-07:00Ramadan Printable Magazine from Easel and Ink<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Assalamu alaikom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My friends over at <a href="http://www.easelandink.com/t2341-ramadan-magazine-1435-2014" target="_blank">Easel and Ink</a> have put out their third Ramadan magazine for FREE. It is a cute and interactive printable document that is fun for kids. There are little poems, word finds, articles, coloring pages, and tidbits of information all about Ramadan and Eid. It might be a little 'old' for the older kids, but I think up to about age 10 it would be a hit. Check it out!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.easelandink.com/t2341-ramadan-magazine-1435-2014" target="_blank">Ramadan Magazine</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-65706617829846798732014-07-04T13:23:00.002-07:002014-07-04T13:23:24.206-07:00Ramadan Enrichment Program Day 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Maryam went to the second of eight camp classes at the mosque and had this to share about their activities:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Today we made iftar bowls ( when we break our fast). We put dates, dried plums, dried apricots, and mini sunflowers. We hade a lot of fun doing that, after that our teacher told us a story about the prophet (salla Allahu alahyi wa sallam).It was very exiting! While she told us the story we had a mock camp out in the classroom with friends, we set up the whole classroom with blankets, and pillows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"> Here is a picture of the bowl.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQRbQyLdBcA/U7cLWm_fzBI/AAAAAAAAA_o/xZFxsmnwkcA/s1600/iftar+bowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQRbQyLdBcA/U7cLWm_fzBI/AAAAAAAAA_o/xZFxsmnwkcA/s1600/iftar+bowl.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-34346369980051677172014-07-02T14:46:00.003-07:002014-07-02T14:46:43.045-07:00Ramadan Day 5 at home<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Assalamu alaikom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Even though I'm fighting a painful cold, I really wanted to spend at least half an hour with the girls doing some things from our Ramadan pile of activities. I can't believe how many bloggers are out there putting out free printables and lessons for the community. It's easy to get into overkill and feel like you have to do it just right or do all the crafts, but luckily I'm not like that :D I have printed a few blog pages I like and am doing them with the younger girls for a few minutes daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Today we talked about the five pillars of Islam while Aisha colored in the page I found from <a href="http://www.amuslimhomeschool.com/p/printable-resources.html" target="_blank">A Muslim Homeschool.</a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NASZAeqO0j4/U7R83TwETVI/AAAAAAAAA_A/y_l4RRBdGAU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NASZAeqO0j4/U7R83TwETVI/AAAAAAAAA_A/y_l4RRBdGAU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And Maryam worked on her binder which has a nice printout also from A Muslim Homeschool plus other printouts. I'm having her practice Arabic writing by doing copywork in addition to reading verses related to fasting in Ramadan. I included some Quran reading tracking and fasting tracking pages. Here she is filling in one of those pages for some acts of worship she's done.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4aV08lf84s/U7R9MeyLOnI/AAAAAAAAA_I/UYqw0U6rSnY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4aV08lf84s/U7R9MeyLOnI/AAAAAAAAA_I/UYqw0U6rSnY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've enjoyed having some focused Ramadan activities to do. I find that a good time to do these are in the afternoon when it's too hot to play outside.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-39966129408446181482014-07-01T22:18:00.002-07:002014-07-01T23:55:08.073-07:00Ramadan Enrichment Program Day 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Assalamu alaikom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Our masjid is offering a class for various ages that incorporates crafts, songs, Islamic stories, and other goodies into a 2 hour, twice a week program this Ramadan. Today was the first day and was a hit with my 9 year old who is going to help me write the rest of this blog! She says:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">First, we sat in a circle and introduced ourselves. Then we talked about Ramadan, and our teacher told us a little story about Fatima (radiAllahu anha), the daughter of Muhammad peace be upon him. After that, we made thikr beads which will help us remember to say little prayers called 'dua' in Arabic. Here is a picture of my beads:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKxUSVU5i1Q/U7OUBOTnXLI/AAAAAAAAA-k/cMmlGQfPrZo/s1600/thikir+beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKxUSVU5i1Q/U7OUBOTnXLI/AAAAAAAAA-k/cMmlGQfPrZo/s1600/thikir+beads.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After that we made a box to put the beads in. I decorated my box with teal beads, and I put a moon and a star inside the lid of the box. We put a sparkly blue cloth inside of the box to make it look pretty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fuFv398_mc/U7OVAdOex4I/AAAAAAAAA-w/0GohvpHGXkc/s1600/thikrbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fuFv398_mc/U7OVAdOex4I/AAAAAAAAA-w/0GohvpHGXkc/s1600/thikrbox.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I had so much fun today, and I can't wait to go back on Thursday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-14794067988437251662014-07-01T12:15:00.002-07:002014-07-01T17:08:31.892-07:00Happy Ramadan<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Assalamu alaikom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It's the 4th day of Ramadan, we are back home after travelling to Dallas, and we're getting things back in order. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I'm using <a href="http://imanshomeschool.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/ramadan-curriculum-30-days-of-activities/" target="_blank">this blog</a> and the links in there (some of which are not working) to give us some Ramadan activities each day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It's a little hard to accept that my almost 12 year old and my 13 year old are past wanting to participate in the activities I want to do. I know they would benefit from some facts review and from a nudge in doing extra worship, but they are so resisting it. I will keep praying for their guidance and for their hearts to be steadfast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The 5 and 9 year olds are still up for lapbooking, worksheets, and coloring, so I am plugging away with them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">We're starting the Ramadan Lapbook from <a href="http://imanshomeschool.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/ramadan-curriculum-30-days-of-activities/" target="_blank">this website today.</a> Here's one page about the months in Islam.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3ia_-WTDHs/U7NNYUjsgCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/lzXRyhD7VnM/s1600/ramadancalendar2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3ia_-WTDHs/U7NNYUjsgCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/lzXRyhD7VnM/s1600/ramadancalendar2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r59VxuTlPFU/U7NNYFCarsI/AAAAAAAAA-M/WKCtiJDTvvI/s1600/ramadancalendar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r59VxuTlPFU/U7NNYFCarsI/AAAAAAAAA-M/WKCtiJDTvvI/s1600/ramadancalendar.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-76131438789346909342014-06-17T19:05:00.002-07:002014-06-17T21:32:57.143-07:00A "Crow"tastropheMy daughter saw a crow with his head stuck in the fence. Here's what he looked like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4RIxy3CtXU/U6Dy6aJ5g3I/AAAAAAAAA9c/_2n2Lokp6CU/s1600/crow2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4RIxy3CtXU/U6Dy6aJ5g3I/AAAAAAAAA9c/_2n2Lokp6CU/s1600/crow2.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbY4cfCHRlc/U6Dy6MLIcdI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/S5hHPQ_2FpE/s1600/crow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbY4cfCHRlc/U6Dy6MLIcdI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/S5hHPQ_2FpE/s1600/crow.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left">
It was really a sad sight to see. Our whole family went outside to check it out. My husband was good enough to put some work gloves on and attempt a rescue:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwKtGYd8mZwZZ74Di8_GmzRWLYu5lnUARaq0GLC8OOo9gkTSvMaqgrnEFfjbZHVipM0v9KEKE3-N1G3NFZLfA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Poor birdie flew a few feet then was still for a while. We left it, and it was gone this morning when I went to look. Aisha promptly offered that a coyote could have gotten it. I was hoping it just needed a moment to recover and flew on his merry way :D</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After looking at those first two pictures a little bit closer, I took the girls and went back to the fence to take a closer look. I think the poor thing was badly injured and splattered and dripped blood around his body on the fence. It definitely looks like blood. A neighbor happened to be walking by at the time, so she and her two little ones helped us look and analyze. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-38884509230779213822014-06-14T22:53:00.001-07:002014-06-14T22:53:40.308-07:00Year 4 Wrap Up<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's a little bit hard to believe that I'm about to write about my 4th year homeschooling. I wish I were more eloquent and knew how to share the vast and varied feelings, happenings, ups and downs, but I will try my best for now to share what's on my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I often come to this blog, start a topic, and then delete it. I want to share about what we're doing, but I don't have the time to find cute pictures, clever captions, and witty enough prose. I keep the blog because I wish to keep a kind of journal of my own journey and also because I wish I could somehow inspire someone in one little thing. Lord knows I've been helped along by random strangers and their blogs and also by sincere friends and family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I want to whip up blog entries that talk about patience, prayer, renewing intentions and goals. I want to talk about the humbling experience of going through a big misunderstanding, and the even more humbling experience I had in learning how to let my daughter grow and spread her wings this year. I want to talk about what my children taught *me* this year because I almost feel like that was more valuable than what I taught them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">See, for me, homeschooling and parenting blur at many points. Homeschooling my children felt like an extension of parenting them. When others asked how I would manage all my different 'roles' with them, I didn't see how it would be any different than any other role I play in their lives. And it wasn't, for the most part. Being together in the homeschool capacity has been a normal rhythm of life that didn't take much adjusting to; it was very natural and the benefits flooded in immediately. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I want to talk about curriculum and things like books and educational philosophies. But I don't. I don't want to sit and type out a bunch of my ideas that I end up deleting because I think I end up sounding random or without a point. By the time I sit down to make a blog post I'm just too tired to put much effort into it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So here we are finishing up our 4th year of homeschooling. Praise God! What a big journey I never saw coming. It has truly been one of the best things that's happened to us as a family in many ways. Just the growth in character (mine, ahem) has been worth it. Now that I have two children out of elementary school, I feel like investing in the elementary years is really the way to go. Letting the kids play and grow at their own pace rather than be tied to an arbitrary school schedule is something I do believe in and think is good to provide if possible. I've seen both sides of that coin, and I know which one is less stressful and more rewarding! (my older two children went to elementary schools up to 2nd and 3rd grades while the younger two have never been).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Historically, the teenage years are when young people take on more responsibility and venture further from home. We know that in some times and cultures, teenagers married, worked, and had children. That's not how things go today here in the US, but I think that letting the kids further out of the family circle helps them to find their place in the world. They need to separate from their parents in order to see who they are, and I am not willing to set up various classes and opportunities for my teenagers to give them that balance, so off they go to the public junior high. God willing, with a strong foundation and continued family involvement and support they will make the best choices they can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I would like to blog more about my little ideas more often so that I don't feel overwhelmed when I do sit down to type. Maybe I will be better at doing that. I will be able to elaborate on any light bulb moments I'm having at the time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Thanks for reading this far. I guess I'll look back at this post one day and think how far I've come. Insha'Allah.</span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-55847026378751329782014-05-05T21:54:00.002-07:002014-05-05T21:54:35.231-07:00What's up with wheat?I can really hardly believe it. Last fall I had a meltdown about all the food do's and don'ts that bombard the innocent civilian; dairy is terrible for you, go vegan, sugar is inflammatory, gluten free, organic for the dirty dozen but other produce are ok, juicing, smoothies... and so on. I had had enough and quit reading any article or list about food for a long time. <br />
<br />
Earlier in the year I suspected that something I was eating was making me feel foggy, drowsy, and sluggish. I'd come back from outings exhausted and lie down in bed for up to 2 hours on a weekday. Yes, two hours! If not that, it would be lying on the couch around 11am just to give me a boost to keep going for a little bit longer till I could go take a proper lie down in my bed later. And I *always* felt extra sleepy after lunch no matter what.<br />
<br />
Well, after one particularly bad day, my mom recommended I try dropping one food and see if I felt better, and so I decided to eliminate wheat from my diet temporarily to see if anything changed. I started that towards the end of April (2014) and now it's been almost 2 weeks. I am astonished at my energy level and clear headedness. Today I realized that I haven't had to lie down and 'rest' for many days now. That is worth its weight in gold right there! Two weeks ago, when this started, I came back from a morning outing of getting haircuts and lunch. I collapsed in bed and was out of sorts with a headache the rest of the day. I was so sad about that; about my physical self not being able to just enjoy a simple outing and then carry on with the rest of my day. That was the day of change.<br />
<br />
So, while I am not into following these trends, all I can say is that the proof is in the pudding. I noticed that from Tuesday through Friday of last week I did a lot of tasks, back to back, without that "I'm losing it feeling" and with a good mood! Looking back at all the things I did today, I can say that I wouldn't have held up this well 3 weeks ago without my afternoon bed rest. During this time I've continued to take my daily iron and vitamin D supplements as I always do. I was sure to change only one thing at a time to see if it had an effect on me.<br />
<br />
Alhamdulilah, all praise is to God, for this discovery, but at the same time I wonder why is it that wheat has me feeling like it does.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-20007258783298903892014-02-03T17:09:00.005-08:002014-02-03T17:09:39.017-08:00Enjoying February<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A lot of people are moaning about the month of February; they feel in a funk, they are tired of the cold, or they're burned out on whatever they're doing. It's really common to hear the complaints from the homeschooling folks, especially, during this month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Today I noticed quite a difference in the morning light when I drove my son to the bus stop. It's like we had so much more light today than we did last week! This month actually uplifts me because the days are markedly longer, and here in the Pacific Northwest, every minute counts. The fact that I can still see outside on my deck at 5:00 pm is fantastic! I feel like I have a new lease on life and that I can start to think about spring. It's amazing how a half hour of light here and there can add up to such a big mood shift. I love it. February is welcomed happily in my mind regardless of the cold and regardless of the cloudy, drippy days (which we haven't had much of this winter). I'm just so happy to not feel like it's always night time!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-4528420925213302932014-01-17T22:25:00.000-08:002014-01-17T22:25:16.863-08:00Homemade Cream of Mushroom<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A couple of years ago I cut back on using canned cream of mushroom soup in recipes that called for them. Instead I started making my own just for the sake of cutting back on processed foods. It's been a while now since I've used a canned cream of mushroom and wanted to share the recipe I use in its place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Oh yes, mushrooms aren't something I keep in my fridge regularly so it is very likely that I wouldn't have any on hand when I needed the cream of mushroom soup. I just make it anyway without the mushroom, and while you do lose that flavor, I just add a few extra shakes of seasonings like onion powder and garlic powder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I plan to make a potato casserole tomorrow, Insha'Allah, and went ahead and made the cream sauce tonight so that I'll be that much ahead tomorrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">In a saucepan I melt 1/4 cup butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Add to that 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and saute till they are soft, a few minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Add 1/4 cup flour and blend well. Cook and stir over medium heat to blend it all well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Add 1 cup milk (I use whole milk) and stir until the flour has mixed into the milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Sauce will thicken within a minute, and then you can add about 1/4 tsp salt and some pepper. I like to use white pepper. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">That's it. You're left with a gloppy, goopy, creamy mushroom base!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Here's my picture... it's not glamorous!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5D-lkGArG8/UtoeJSAUn1I/AAAAAAAAA8g/t-5C75ycNFM/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5D-lkGArG8/UtoeJSAUn1I/AAAAAAAAA8g/t-5C75ycNFM/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-12442149547057270772014-01-17T22:13:00.002-08:002014-01-17T22:13:52.355-08:00Foamy Handsoap I Put Together At Home<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've recently learned about a line of essential oils called <a href="http://www.doterra.com/" target="_blank">doTerra</a> and was interested in their oils because of the effort they went to to get their oils labelled as therapeutic grade and that they've gotten a nutrition label on some of them that you can put in your food. I already am a user of essential oils in my home, so I was happy to find a good use for the oil blend called OnGuard whose oils are antimicrobial/bacterial/fungal in nature. They suggested we use OnGuard in a foaming soap! I fell for this great idea and set up three bottles in my house using some distilled water, liquid castile soap, and a couple of drops of the essential oils.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCkDjnjRcxc/UtoaWyGlQAI/AAAAAAAAA78/7S7ud3yW-WE/s1600/bottles.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCkDjnjRcxc/UtoaWyGlQAI/AAAAAAAAA78/7S7ud3yW-WE/s1600/bottles.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UgFeetjAx4/UtoaXFfSzhI/AAAAAAAAA74/FNelBvK3WQo/s1600/castille.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UgFeetjAx4/UtoaXFfSzhI/AAAAAAAAA74/FNelBvK3WQo/s1600/castille.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhn_-PAaYos/UtoaX24VFHI/AAAAAAAAA8E/qqeVv0fgUQA/s1600/onguardoil.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhn_-PAaYos/UtoaX24VFHI/AAAAAAAAA8E/qqeVv0fgUQA/s1600/onguardoil.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5TRW6PYSes/UtoaYdqx7CI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/2SfhkLCSn1U/s1600/soapmaking.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5TRW6PYSes/UtoaYdqx7CI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/2SfhkLCSn1U/s1600/soapmaking.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I filled each bottle with the distilled water nearly to the top. Then I squirted a bit of castile soap (on the internet you can find some recipes calling for up to 1/3 cup but I am happy with about 2 tablespoons if I had to estimate). To that I put 3-5 drops of the essential oil. I was happy to use the blend On Guard for health reasons, but you could always use an oil of your choice suitable for a soap... lavender, geranium, peppermint, lemon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I give the bottle a gentle swish back and forth before I use it just to disperse the oil in case it has settled on the top. Whether it is necessary or not, I don't know. In the meantime, I'm happy with a very inexpensive, easy to make, and enjoyable to use handsoap!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-715136102726766752013-11-17T21:21:00.000-08:002013-11-17T21:21:38.045-08:00One Batch of Play Dough<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One batch of homemade play dough transformed the moods and actions of my four children this weekend! I intended to make it for my four year old, but as soon as the ingredients were out, the older kids were calling what color they wanted their portion to be. Haha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">In a big bowl I stir:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">5 cups of flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1 cup salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1/4 cup cooking oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">2 Tbsp alum (I was out of alum and used cream of tartar)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">To this dry mixture (well, expect the oil) you pour 4 cups of boiling water. Stir it up and it will come together nicely once it cools off after a few minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">At that point I divide up the dough into however many different colors we want to make. Add the food coloring and knead well. Presto, all done! We store ours in Ziploc bags to keep them fresh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I tell you, all weekend they were rolling, making, building, and pretending with this stuff, and they played together a lot. Their favorite accessories this time were the rolling pin, plastic knife, toy cars, and Tinker Toys wooden sticks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The homemade play dough doesn't crumble like the store bought kind, so it's not as big of a hassle, but I admit, there are random pieces of colored play dough here and there around the kitchen floor. It's ok, this one was worth it.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3076458127233284561.post-23666856138819241382013-11-12T09:38:00.000-08:002013-11-12T09:45:16.181-08:00Ideas for improving Quran Classses<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There has to be a way to reform the way we teach people (children) to read and memorize Quran. Over the past ten years, we have tried at least half a dozen ways. And each time we run into similar problems and complaints:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* teachers have a heavy foreign accent and the kids have a hard time understanding them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* they sit around a table left to themselves for the majority of the hour (or hour and a half).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* they aren't given any tools to memorize except to read to themselves over and over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* they get yelled at.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* they get compared to other kids in the class or to one of their siblings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* other kids in the class are rude to my kids or just goof off because they don't want to be there either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* my kids come back with headaches and whine for at least an hour before and after.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* the teacher takes phone calls or texts a lot during the lesson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These are just a few complaints I have with the experiences we've had. I'm so fed up with it. I've tried incorporating memorizing Quran into our schedule, but it is much harder to follow through with it than you might think. Talking to an experienced Quran teacher once, she told me that she sends her teen son to someone else to learn because it just doesn't happen at home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So I was thinking that maybe I could form some kind of format or suggested guide to improve Quran classes. Since the teachers are usually volunteers with little experience in education or childhood development, they don't have the tools or resources to structure their class time with. I'm no expert, but I have taken an early childhood development class, I've been homeschooling for over 3 years, and I read up about education as a hobby. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Off the top of my head I would divide up the hour and a half into 25 minute clusters (or less) and do different things instead of expecting the child to sit for that long supposedly reading and memorizing on his own. Other things I would suggest (and I might just think more on this subject and come up with a formal packet and present it)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* have a cheerful attitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* respect the child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* take the age of the child into consideration including what skills he likely has and doesn't have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* realize they are coming to you at the end of their school day and are likely a little tired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* take advantage of multiple teaching methods: in pairs, have one student read along while another recites that sura from memory, then switch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* spend a few minutes actually showing them how to memorize and giving them tips and methods to memorize.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* realize that because they are young, you will want to repeat tips and instruction each time to drill it into them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* set realistic goals. or just set some type of goal instead of just showing up each time with no clear direction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">* show up 5 minutes before class starts so that you are there before the students. set the tone and get them busy as soon as they walk in with some type of warm up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These are just a few of my thoughts. I've been a little fired up about this topic (again) for a couple of days, and I really want to organize my thoughts so that I might present it to our Quran school. I don't personally want to teach the classes, and I don't want it to depend on me; rather, I want a successful model to be used by all the teachers so that the students and families can have a better experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbhaflQAoeM/UoJpEbrIfHI/AAAAAAAAA7U/zgLKQlAVC18/s1600/arrahim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbhaflQAoeM/UoJpEbrIfHI/AAAAAAAAA7U/zgLKQlAVC18/s320/arrahim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05478397502782152013noreply@blogger.com0