Working Wednsedays - Label the Animals

This is an example of an activity from the Handwriting Without Tears Language and Literacy curriculum.  The activity can be found on page 160 of the language and literacy teacher's guide.

I modified the activity for our theme and made these farm animals.

I couldn't have asked for this activity to go better.  It was nearly perfect!  The credit for that really goes to my aides for their skills running this activity.

Here is the link to the curriculum - Language and Literacy

Food Friday

Tortilla Soup  (link to Pinterest)
-Tried this recipe several times.
- Needs a little more spice than it calls for.
-Easy and quick.





















Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad  (link to GoodFoods)
- Bought at Costco
-Packed in my lunch for the week.
- Tried it with Naan bread and Salad.

Skotidakis Greek Yogurt Dip - Dill & Cucumber
-Delicious
-Great with veggies, Naan bread, tortilla chips
-Good change from my normal ranch dressing
- Also from Costco

Planters NUT-rition for Snack Time
-I love individually packaged foods.  No portion control to worry about.

Time out Thursday

My parents came for a visit last weekend.  My mom had an interview with the school district.  My dad is staying here for another week before going home,  I of course had to go back to work but my husband and my dad have been fishing and doing whatever it is guys do.

Currently 

Watching-  playing house on USA and Silicon valley on HBO

Reading -just finished Reconstructing Amelia - interesting mystery/thought provoking.  This book leads to some serious thoughts about bullying and parenting in the digital age.  (Not that i am remotely close to the parenting thing yet!)
                          



Listening -  XM radio in my new car.  I love the country station and blue collar comedy.

 Making - starting to make some things for a friends vary shower.  I am thinking of making my first diaper cake on my own. I have been cruising Pinterest for inspiration and support
         ¥. "Easy Peasy diaper cake"
         ¥ Mini diaper cakes
 

Feeling - sunburned!   I am hoping the coconut oil will help.

Planning - ....for next school year.  Hard to believe it is that time already.
       ¥ No wasted space in this room

Loving -  my husband.   He has been extra wonderful lately.  He even made Neva stack of breakfast burritos for the week while he is out if town.  

Make it Mondays - Minky Blankets

I know, I know everyone is making Minky Blankets.   Not that exciting.

                                 

I saw a garage sale sign and it said FABRIC.  So of course we went to the sale.  There was bolts and bolts of fabric.  I got some Minky and some other cotton fabric in purple of the future.

           I made two blankets for a friend of my husband's that has twin girls.  The girls just turned one this month.  Since they aren't dressing them identical or anything I wanted the blankets to be different.  The backs are green and the the fronts are different. 

                                      

Working Wednsedays - MatMan

Our preschools are now implementing Handwriting Without Tears!  I have been extra excited to begin this curriculum because I know it and have used it before.  Everyone knows change and starting new job is hard enough but to have something I know makes me feel at home here.  

Below are a few pictures of our MatMan.  MatMan looks different everyday.  One of the ways I use MatMan is to have students ask for the part they want.  I also have them come up and pick up the piece they asked for so I can double check comprehension. 

Below is the link to Handwriting Without Tears - MatMan website and a video of MatMan begin built.  

MatMan

YouTube Video

There is also some other examples of MatMan from our classroom.  

                                

                               

                               

                                  

                                      

Keep tuned for more wonderful examples of MatMan!

Make it Mondays - Down Home Tote

I have been working on a bag for my Mother in-Law.  I wanted something heavy duty, simple and bright.  

Here is the link to the bag pattern -   Down Home Tote

I originally got this pattern at a small shop in Nevada.  My mom and I took a class together to make this bag.  It was our first class together and it was surprisingly fun.   I now have at least 3 of these bags.  They are easy, quick and fun to make.  

I found the tutorial for the larger wallet here  - Large Wallet

This is a great step-by-step tutorial with a picture for EVERY step.  This was the first wallet I ever made and it was easier than I expected. 

I found the tutorial for the smaller wallet here -  Small Wallet

The small wallet was fun and change from normal zipper pouches.  It is small which makes it a little harder to work with. 

Working Wednesdays - Mrs. Wishy Washy's Farm

 Mrs. Wishy Washy's Farm.

During our farm unit we spent a week with Mrs. Wishy Washy's Farm.

I went to Hobby Lobby for something else and found all this wonderful stuff!  I got two of each animal, the barn and the little pail.  

We talked about same and different, and which animals where in the book and which were not.  

Track Break Adventures

It has been a busy couple weeks.  I went on track break on a Thursday and we immediately went to Las Vegas to help my parents.

We cleaned out their whole storage unit in two days and moved it to Travis' parents house.

We left for Washington D.C. with Travis' parents. We spent a week in D.C. and wore ourselves out.  I had a great time but was ready to come home.

All of our luggage, looking for Super Shuttle.















We took the Old Town Trolley on our first day and got to see the monuments.   Great way to start our
trip.

Ford's Theater and the box where Lincoln was shot.

 Petereson House - Replica of where Lincoln died.


















Walking through a Butterfly Garden.  

American History Smithsonian - Ruby Slippers from Wizard of Oz

- Part of the Twin Towers from Sept. 11.














Travis and I went for a walk after dinner one night.  Nice and peaceful.



















We were able to get tickets for a tour of the capitol from Senator Reid's office.  It was an educational experience in so many ways.
 On the right - spot that is supposed to bring you luck.












We got to see the T-Rex on the last day before the exhibit was closed.

We went to Arlington National Cemetery.
We got to see changing of the guard and the eternal flame at the Kennedy's grave site.  

















We took a boat to Mount Vernnon on Sunday.



Clearly a little early for some of us.

Mount Vernon is a beautiful place.  Everything is blooming and bright.

One day Travis and I walked to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.  It is always touching to see my Father's name on the wall.  It was even more special this time because I got to show it to Travis and because the Color Guard was practicing for the big ceremony in May.

On Tuesday we went to the zoo.  It was raining so we didn't stay long.  This Cheetah was the only animal that was out in the rain.

As soon as we got home we had to set up for a garage sale to sell some of my parent's stuff.  My parents have decided to move up to Utah to be closer to us.  After my dad's stroke my mom needs some more support.  There aren't any pictures from the sale because I was too tired to think about it.  But I did find this one -

My dad ended up taking Travis' recliner and bringing his chair to the sale.














Before and afters of the grass.  Before we left Travis planted grass seed and by the time I got back it was out of control.