This has been quite a roller coaster of a week. I am not a royal enthusiast, but I happened to be up for the big wedding Friday morning (insomnia, it's a wonderful thing--not really). I think the couple is adorable. I enjoyed their seeing their relationships with their siblings as well.
I have friends in Vancouver who have been waiting for seven months to take their premature baby home. And finally that happened this week.
I have friends in Arkansas and Alabama who have lost homes, possessions, neighbors to deadly tornadoes.
My cousin and her husband will become custodial guardians (and eventually adopted parents) to a teenage girl who does not have a mother and whose father is dying of cancer.
I have a friend that has been struggling with eating disorders that may take her life. She also welcomed a beautiful grandson into the world this week.
I have friends who lost a baby last week.
I signed my baby up for preschool on Friday. He didn't talk during the testing (was awfully nervous about all these women who knew his name, but he didn't know them). He did awesome for the finger poke and lead test. We went out for ice cream afterward.
I have friends who are getting by on one income while the wife takes care of their baby and attends college. The husband found out this week that his teaching position will be cut next year due to budget cuts, thus cutting their only income.
My school still does not have contracts out due to uncertainty of state funds. I am still a little nervous about my job.
My sister and her husband will be having another baby around Thanksgiving. :)
I have good things happening in my classroom, that I can't really talk about here. And I am so thankful that my family is healthy and happy.
I know things will all work out. I have trust in God. But I'm ready for more ups than downs, my heart is heavy. If you, my readers, are praying people and any of these stories have touched you, please take a moment and say a prayer. I will try to work up a post that is a bit more positive.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Baking with Candy
Well, another holiday, another bucket (or 3) of candy. I like to bake brownies to take to work using candy to doctor them up a bit. Those Reece's eggs broken up a bit and sprinkled throughout a pan of brownie batter prior to baking, make for a yummy treat. Basically any chocolate candy would work for this, but don't mix in too many flavors in one pan.
Don't forget you can get Easter goodies at half off now (should be 75% off by the weekend). If you have storage and you don't forget where you hide it (both have been issues with me), now is a good time to buy Easter egg dying kits, Easter baskets/buckets, and other goodies (like pencils, stickers, stuffed animals).
Don't forget you can get Easter goodies at half off now (should be 75% off by the weekend). If you have storage and you don't forget where you hide it (both have been issues with me), now is a good time to buy Easter egg dying kits, Easter baskets/buckets, and other goodies (like pencils, stickers, stuffed animals).
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Weekend
What a busy Easter weekend! We hunted lots of goodies, ate lots of food, and spent a lot of time with family.
We started Saturday morning at the local Easter egg hunt. Pastor Chuck from the Assembly of God church leads the kids in some upbeat music on the bandstand. They tell the Easter story. Then the hunt begins. Each age group gets a small area that is taped off and eggs/candy are just thrown into the area. It is a crazy madhouse of a hunt that only lasts 2-3 minutes. They really need to double the size of the under 5 hunt area.
From there we headed home for a short nap for the youngest two before heading to Grandma and Grandpa Onn's (my parents). Mom always goes a bit overboard, but the kids love it! They get a couple full baskets of goodies that the bunny has hidden around the yard. This year the loot included candy, bubbles (normal, colored, and scented), candy, balls, candy, hats, and candy. We hung out together and spent time with Kayleigh, her parents (yep, you get second billing), my brother, and my parents. We had supper together too.
Grandma Feehan had come over earlier in the week to hide eggs in our house while we were at work and school. That was new this year and a surprise! What a treat for the boys to come home to a big sign on the front door telling them there were treats hidden throughout the house. Although, the boys have decided Grandma can't add since she mis-counted the eggs and they ended up finding more than what she said there were. :)
Sunday morning... We really should have our own Easter egg hunt here, but we haven't for a few years because we are always overloaded with hunts and candy. No one here has missed it. We got up and dressed up for church. This year the kids put on an Easter program in conjunction with the puppets. It was cute. Both of my older boys had their first speaking parts and pulled them off. My youngest did not even stay with the group, but came to sit with me and Mom. That was not a surprise. Maybe next year. The youth served a tasty breakfast. Reverend Stone had a very nice sermon and some great music for the service.
Then it was off to finish my cooking, change into jeans, and head in for the Lewis family celebration. Way too much good food, lots of quality time with family, and another Easter egg hunt. Megan got to let everyone know that Kayleigh will be a sister by the end of 2011--yay! We also found out that my cousin is beginning the process of adopting a teenage girl who needs a good family. Another cousin is also pregnant and still another is engaged. So the family is growing by leaps and bounds. The Lewis extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins is closer than most families. We get together for every major holiday, and some minor ones. I have always felt as close to my cousins as I have to my siblings. Hopefully the next generation will feel the same.
Hope you all had an equally wonderful weekend and made some wonderful memories!
We started Saturday morning at the local Easter egg hunt. Pastor Chuck from the Assembly of God church leads the kids in some upbeat music on the bandstand. They tell the Easter story. Then the hunt begins. Each age group gets a small area that is taped off and eggs/candy are just thrown into the area. It is a crazy madhouse of a hunt that only lasts 2-3 minutes. They really need to double the size of the under 5 hunt area.
From there we headed home for a short nap for the youngest two before heading to Grandma and Grandpa Onn's (my parents). Mom always goes a bit overboard, but the kids love it! They get a couple full baskets of goodies that the bunny has hidden around the yard. This year the loot included candy, bubbles (normal, colored, and scented), candy, balls, candy, hats, and candy. We hung out together and spent time with Kayleigh, her parents (yep, you get second billing), my brother, and my parents. We had supper together too.
Grandma Feehan had come over earlier in the week to hide eggs in our house while we were at work and school. That was new this year and a surprise! What a treat for the boys to come home to a big sign on the front door telling them there were treats hidden throughout the house. Although, the boys have decided Grandma can't add since she mis-counted the eggs and they ended up finding more than what she said there were. :)
Sunday morning... We really should have our own Easter egg hunt here, but we haven't for a few years because we are always overloaded with hunts and candy. No one here has missed it. We got up and dressed up for church. This year the kids put on an Easter program in conjunction with the puppets. It was cute. Both of my older boys had their first speaking parts and pulled them off. My youngest did not even stay with the group, but came to sit with me and Mom. That was not a surprise. Maybe next year. The youth served a tasty breakfast. Reverend Stone had a very nice sermon and some great music for the service.
Then it was off to finish my cooking, change into jeans, and head in for the Lewis family celebration. Way too much good food, lots of quality time with family, and another Easter egg hunt. Megan got to let everyone know that Kayleigh will be a sister by the end of 2011--yay! We also found out that my cousin is beginning the process of adopting a teenage girl who needs a good family. Another cousin is also pregnant and still another is engaged. So the family is growing by leaps and bounds. The Lewis extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins is closer than most families. We get together for every major holiday, and some minor ones. I have always felt as close to my cousins as I have to my siblings. Hopefully the next generation will feel the same.
Hope you all had an equally wonderful weekend and made some wonderful memories!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Cooking with preschoolers
I plan a cooking experience every week for my preschoolers. We don't always squeeze it in, but when we do I try to include some science in with our activity. Cooking is chemistry, you know. It involves states of matter (liquids and solids) and combining (mixing) or changing them (with temperature change, for instance) to create new substances. I encourage the kids to describe the matter throughout the process and I use the terms 'liquids' and 'solids' along with other new terminology relating to cooking such as 'batter'. I try to include picture recipes to 'read' and measuring tools (cups and spoons) whenever possible.
We do always talk about safety when we cook. This involves not only hand-washing, but also safety around hot and sharp objects they might find in the kitchen. I often pose situations and ask the children questions relating to safety rather than just tell them the rules. As with other explorations, children learn best by relating things to their own lives.
'Cooking' in preschool does not always involve heat. 'Cooking' includes food preparation of all kinds in my classroom. Some cooking experiences we have had this year include using measuring cups and picture recipes to make various cereal mixes and 'GORP' (good old raisins and peanuts-the generic term I use to include throwing a bunch of stuff out of the pantry together and enjoying it), chopping sliced ham with butter knives and whisking scrambled eggs to make green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss week, and measuring and shaking Magic Leprechaun Powder to make pistachio pudding.
Last week we studied the farm and my favorite cooking activity to go with this theme is to make butter. This is actually so easy, it's kind of pathetic, but it becomes almost magical to the children. All you need it heaving whipping cream (found in the dairy case at your grocery store), a dash of salt (optional, I usually just have this in the container when we start), and a container with a tight seal.
As we pour the whipping cream into the container we talk about that it is a liquid. I ask the kids what liquid it reminds them of and someone always compares it to milk, thus starting a conversation about the dairy group, animals that produce milk, and whatever other related tangents we travel down. Conversation is important not only to make the connections but to keep the kids' minds off the fact that the making of butter is a bit boring. As we talk we pass the sealed container around taking turns shaking the heck out of it. I always make sure I get a turn as well so that it gets plenty of good shakes and also so I can tell where it is in the process of becoming butter.
As we shake it the liquid becomes a froth, then a gel-like solid, and finally separates into butter (solid) and buttermilk (liquid). This is when it is done. We compare the way it feels when we shake it as we take our turns. And when it is finished we have it on bread, muffins, or other treat with our snack. I always offer up a taste of buttermilk for the brave students too. I talk about that buttermilk is used to make things like pancakes, biscuits, and brownies, (which many of us love) but many people do not like the taste of it by itself.
Cooking lessons teach lifelong kitchen skills, but can also include nearly every other area of the curriculum: science (chemistry), math (measurement, counting, time), reading (a recipe), safety, vocabulary, fine motor (or gross motor, in the case of butter, which uses lots of arm movement) skills, language (both receptive and verbal), social studies (where our food comes from), as well as making connections to the children's daily lives and of course enjoying the products we create. Yum!
We do always talk about safety when we cook. This involves not only hand-washing, but also safety around hot and sharp objects they might find in the kitchen. I often pose situations and ask the children questions relating to safety rather than just tell them the rules. As with other explorations, children learn best by relating things to their own lives.
'Cooking' in preschool does not always involve heat. 'Cooking' includes food preparation of all kinds in my classroom. Some cooking experiences we have had this year include using measuring cups and picture recipes to make various cereal mixes and 'GORP' (good old raisins and peanuts-the generic term I use to include throwing a bunch of stuff out of the pantry together and enjoying it), chopping sliced ham with butter knives and whisking scrambled eggs to make green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss week, and measuring and shaking Magic Leprechaun Powder to make pistachio pudding.
Last week we studied the farm and my favorite cooking activity to go with this theme is to make butter. This is actually so easy, it's kind of pathetic, but it becomes almost magical to the children. All you need it heaving whipping cream (found in the dairy case at your grocery store), a dash of salt (optional, I usually just have this in the container when we start), and a container with a tight seal.
As we pour the whipping cream into the container we talk about that it is a liquid. I ask the kids what liquid it reminds them of and someone always compares it to milk, thus starting a conversation about the dairy group, animals that produce milk, and whatever other related tangents we travel down. Conversation is important not only to make the connections but to keep the kids' minds off the fact that the making of butter is a bit boring. As we talk we pass the sealed container around taking turns shaking the heck out of it. I always make sure I get a turn as well so that it gets plenty of good shakes and also so I can tell where it is in the process of becoming butter.
As we shake it the liquid becomes a froth, then a gel-like solid, and finally separates into butter (solid) and buttermilk (liquid). This is when it is done. We compare the way it feels when we shake it as we take our turns. And when it is finished we have it on bread, muffins, or other treat with our snack. I always offer up a taste of buttermilk for the brave students too. I talk about that buttermilk is used to make things like pancakes, biscuits, and brownies, (which many of us love) but many people do not like the taste of it by itself.
Cooking lessons teach lifelong kitchen skills, but can also include nearly every other area of the curriculum: science (chemistry), math (measurement, counting, time), reading (a recipe), safety, vocabulary, fine motor (or gross motor, in the case of butter, which uses lots of arm movement) skills, language (both receptive and verbal), social studies (where our food comes from), as well as making connections to the children's daily lives and of course enjoying the products we create. Yum!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Be Frugal with your Gas
Gas prices keep climbing. They are $3.69 here for ethanol. Since we live in the country we have to drive at least ten miles to get anywhere. The last time gas prices were this high, a couple of years ago, one of the morning news shows had two cars leave Chicago and drive to New York. One drove normally--speeding slightly, starting and stopping normally, etc.-- the other drove with science in mind and saved gas, got there just a couple of hours later. I don't remember all the details, but a few facts stuck with me and I try to abide by them, especially in times when gas prices are up.
Whenever you will be sitting idle for more than 30 seconds (like in a drive thru), shut off your engine. Thirty seconds is the magic number. If you will not be idle that long it actually takes more gas to restart the engine than to sit idling for less than 30 seconds.
Fifty-five is the speed that your car runs most efficiently. This has to do with drag and aerodynamics. The details bore me, but if you go slower or faster you will be less efficient.
Starting and stopping should be done gradually whenever possible. I try to watch my rpm and keep it in check. This also has to do with physics and inertia. (One of Newton's Laws of gravity, maybe. High school science was so many years ago...)
Coasting down hills and refraining from running heat or AC if possible, both also help your gas mileage.
I know there is debate about whether it is better to run AC (uses more gas) or to drive with windows down (creates drag, thus uses more gas). If I remember right it depends on your speed and duration of the trip.
One thing that I heard and haven't really been able to prove is that Wednesdays are the best day to buy gas as it tends to go up as the weekend nears.
Keeping your tires at the right air pressure will help your gas mileage. Check them regularly. Also take care of the fluids so that your engine is running at its best.
Plan your trips to be most efficient. If you are going to be near the grocery store, get groceries then instead of making a separate trip later.
I believe any little thing can help. I certainly don't do all these things all the time, but I do try to be mindful of them. I hope you see something that will help you. Please share other tips you have relating to gas prices, gas mileage, or similar topics.
Whenever you will be sitting idle for more than 30 seconds (like in a drive thru), shut off your engine. Thirty seconds is the magic number. If you will not be idle that long it actually takes more gas to restart the engine than to sit idling for less than 30 seconds.
Fifty-five is the speed that your car runs most efficiently. This has to do with drag and aerodynamics. The details bore me, but if you go slower or faster you will be less efficient.
Starting and stopping should be done gradually whenever possible. I try to watch my rpm and keep it in check. This also has to do with physics and inertia. (One of Newton's Laws of gravity, maybe. High school science was so many years ago...)
Coasting down hills and refraining from running heat or AC if possible, both also help your gas mileage.
I know there is debate about whether it is better to run AC (uses more gas) or to drive with windows down (creates drag, thus uses more gas). If I remember right it depends on your speed and duration of the trip.
One thing that I heard and haven't really been able to prove is that Wednesdays are the best day to buy gas as it tends to go up as the weekend nears.
Keeping your tires at the right air pressure will help your gas mileage. Check them regularly. Also take care of the fluids so that your engine is running at its best.
Plan your trips to be most efficient. If you are going to be near the grocery store, get groceries then instead of making a separate trip later.
I believe any little thing can help. I certainly don't do all these things all the time, but I do try to be mindful of them. I hope you see something that will help you. Please share other tips you have relating to gas prices, gas mileage, or similar topics.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Gardening with Kids
Gardening with kids is a way to kill two (or more) birds with one stone. Growing and harvesting your own food helps your budget and creates a bit of self-sufficiency for your family. Having your children assist you in the garden builds the teamwork within your family, creates great family memories, and teaches children where their food comes from. When children grow their own produce they are more likely to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables they need to be healthy. Making gardening a habit at a young age begins healthy habits for a lifetime.
It is just the beginning of planting season here in Iowa. So far we only have a few hills of potatoes planted. Good Friday is traditionally the day to plant potatoes, so if you are looking to start a garden, this week is a great one to begin to make plans. Other early plants to sow include lettuce, radishes, snap peas, and onions.
My family has been gardening together for six years (at my best estimate). We are vendors in our small local farmer's market. The boys are very much a part of that, and probably don't remember a time when we were not a part of the market. My seven year old is a natural and cracks me up as he makes up little songs to sing when he is in the garden. He's already asleep so I'll have to share the song he created during last year's onion planting later this week. His dad and I can't remember it.
My preschoolers just completed a week-long unit on gardening. One of the books we read is a Caldecott Honor Book by Janet Stevens called Tops and Bottoms. To fully understand the book the child would need a bit of background knowledge about gardening, but I was able to supply that with a bit of discussion and some visual aids (vegetables) just prior to reading the story. In the story a clever hare tricks a lazy bear three times over the course of a season of gardening. It covers the parts of plants, the work involved in gardening, and several types of vegetables.
Other fictional gardening books include: Planting a Rainbow and Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert, The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss, and The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle. Since nonfiction is so important to young children, let me also recommend these books From Kernel to Corncob and From Eye to Potato by Ellen Weiss.
It is just the beginning of planting season here in Iowa. So far we only have a few hills of potatoes planted. Good Friday is traditionally the day to plant potatoes, so if you are looking to start a garden, this week is a great one to begin to make plans. Other early plants to sow include lettuce, radishes, snap peas, and onions.
My family has been gardening together for six years (at my best estimate). We are vendors in our small local farmer's market. The boys are very much a part of that, and probably don't remember a time when we were not a part of the market. My seven year old is a natural and cracks me up as he makes up little songs to sing when he is in the garden. He's already asleep so I'll have to share the song he created during last year's onion planting later this week. His dad and I can't remember it.
My preschoolers just completed a week-long unit on gardening. One of the books we read is a Caldecott Honor Book by Janet Stevens called Tops and Bottoms. To fully understand the book the child would need a bit of background knowledge about gardening, but I was able to supply that with a bit of discussion and some visual aids (vegetables) just prior to reading the story. In the story a clever hare tricks a lazy bear three times over the course of a season of gardening. It covers the parts of plants, the work involved in gardening, and several types of vegetables.
Other fictional gardening books include: Planting a Rainbow and Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert, The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss, and The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle. Since nonfiction is so important to young children, let me also recommend these books From Kernel to Corncob and From Eye to Potato by Ellen Weiss.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Can You Come Outside to Play? Halftime
Well, somehow the first half of April has slipped by in the blink of an eye. For the most part we have been very lucky to be blessed with fabulous weather for outside play. Here are some things we did outside during the first half of April.
Hmmm... I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's most of it. The weather has taken a turn for the worse lately. We have gone from 90 degrees early this week to 40 with wind and rain over the last couple of days. We did not make it out yesterday. We had rain and wind all day and the temps never got above 45. The rain looks like it has moved on for now. It is still windy and cold, but we will try to get out for a bit later this morning or this afternoon. The natives have cabin fever and will benefit from a short time outside to run the stink off.
Cleaned up the yard
Played on the swingset
Went on walks on the road by our house and on the bike path in town
Played in the sandbox, even digging a 'pond' for the rain to fill (they were disappointed that it didn't work)
Rode bikes and big wheels
Built a fort
Played at the park
Baseball practice
Played catch with Dad
Set up a refreshment stand at an auction
Planted potatoes
Tried to fly a kite (I bought this kite at a garage sale a year of two ago. We have never been able to get it in the air. I think it has some sort of defect in its design.)
Made 'kites' with plastic grocery sacks and twine and flew them
Climbed on the hay in Grandpa's barn
Grilled out and picnicked with family
Helped to feed the cows
Hmmm... I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's most of it. The weather has taken a turn for the worse lately. We have gone from 90 degrees early this week to 40 with wind and rain over the last couple of days. We did not make it out yesterday. We had rain and wind all day and the temps never got above 45. The rain looks like it has moved on for now. It is still windy and cold, but we will try to get out for a bit later this morning or this afternoon. The natives have cabin fever and will benefit from a short time outside to run the stink off.
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