Accountable Kids

We have been implementing Accountable Kids now for about a year & I think it is a really good program. Before starting it, I would have to constantly "remind" my children to do each & every chore. Now all I have to say is, "Did you do your cards?"
I have adapted them a little to fit the needs of our family, but I was able to get them (just the cards) while at a homeschooling conference for around $10! The peg boards are pretty with each child's name engraved on it, but kind of pricey. I decided instead to make my own boards, so I went to Walmart's craft section & bought 2 wooden plaques like this

only they each had 3 hooks on them. They were around $5 each. I took them home & painted them with the girls names on them & voila!:) Perfectly good personalized peg boards without spending a fortune:)
Here's how the system works: They have yellow cards for morning chores, red for afternoon & blue for evening. They are also great for children who do not know how to read yet because they have pictures on them. Plus they are totally customizable. I not only put chores on their cards, but I also put schoolwork categories, devotions, & character traits I expect them to show during the day. As they do their chores they flip over that card so that the picture is flipped over (indicating they have completed that chore). After all the cards of that color are completed, they earn a ticket. They have an opportunity to earn 3 tickets a day with their daily chores. Then, anything fun they would like to do costs a ticket (or 2-whatever value you want to place on them).
In essence, they don't get to do fun things they want to do without earning it. It really teaches personal responsibility & natural consequences. So instead of me being the "bad guy" & saying, "No" when they ask if they can do something, I say," That will be 1 ticket". Which is usually followed by, " I forgot to do something, mom. I'll be right back!" Hehehehe:)

Visit: http://www.accountablekids.com/default.aspx

Lil' Samurais- HiYa!

The girls are LOVING their new karate class! As you can probably tell by the BIG smiles:) Everyday they talk about it & practice (NOT on eachother;) what they have learned. They are learning a lot of great life skills & physical skills:
Life Skills
Focus, teamwork, self discipline, self control, basic child safety concepts, respect,
confidence, and listening skills
Physical Skills
Balance, hand-eye coordination, foundational self defense concepts, stamina, flexibility

If you are at all interested in checking it out for your child I highly recommend trying it.
http://www.kovars.com/

The Anti-Allergy Diet

by Victoria Stein Mar 25th 2011 11:00AM

With allergy season right around the corner, we've sought out the foods that will help ward off those itchy eyes and runny noses. Plus, a list of foods you should skip if you want to stay congestion-free.

Allergies are the immune system's reaction to generally safe substances in the environment (like ragweed and pollen). When allergens interact with immune cells in the blood, histamine and other allergic intermediaries are released into the bloodstream, causing familiar allergic reactions -- namely sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, skin rashes and stuffy congestion. Although no diet can prevent allergies all together, certain foods can help alleviate symptoms.

Red Wine, Apples and Onions
Quercetin, a flavonoid that helps the body fight against allergic inflammation by inhibiting the release of histamine, is found red wine, apples and onions. You can also get a dose of this ant-allergy antioxidant in berries, red grapes, black tea, broccoli and citrus fruits.

Grapefruits and Red Peppers
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and decreases the production of histamine. Oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, strawberries, dark leafy green vegetables, and sweet potatoes are also good sources.

Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are a great source of beta-carotene and vitamins E and C, which fight inflammation, scavenge for free radicals and help break down histamine. Sauté mustard greens with olive oil and garlic or use them as you would any other dark leafy green.

Flaxseed, Walnuts and Salmon
Eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help alleviate allergies by reducing inflammatory chemicals in the body. One German study showed that a high level of omega 3s in subjects' diet or red blood cells was associated with a decreased risk of hay fever. Other sources of this essential fatty acid include canola oil, pumpkin seeds, and cold-water fatty fish.

Brazil Nuts
Selenium is an essential mineral that is required in very small amounts. In the body it is incorporated into proteins to make important antioxidant enzymes that both strengthen the immune system and increase the effectiveness of vitamin C. Brazil nuts and tuna are among the best sources.

Green Tea
Green tea is rich in catechin, a polyphenol (antioxidant) that inhibits the enzyme that converts histidine to histamine. For maximum benefits, use loose tea leaves instead of tea bags and pair with fruit or vegetables high in vitamin C.

Cayenne Pepper
Hot, spicy foods thin mucous secretions which can help clear nasal passages. Try adding cayenne pepper, ginger, onion and garlic to your favorite dishes.

Garlic
Garlic inhibits certain enzymes that generate inflammatory compounds, has a kick just like cayenne, and is a good source of vitamin C.

Rosemary
Rosemary contains a substance called rosmarinic acid, a polyphenol that is believed to suppress allergic reactions and inflammation. Try adding rosemary to roast potatoes, marinades, and tomato sauces.

Tumeric
Tumeric, a member of the ginger family, boasts anti-inflammatory properties. A central ingredient in curries and other Indian dishes, tumeric can also be used as a flavor enhancer for fish, meat, vegetable and pasta recipes.

Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds help suppress allergic reactions thanks to high levels of vitamin E and selenium. Vitamin E fights inflammation and selenium stimulates immune function.

In addition to choosing a diet rich in the allergy-fighting foods above, try to avoid pro-inflammatory, cross-reacting, and sensitive foods.

Pro-inflammatory foods increase inflammation, which may aggravate existing allergy symptoms. High-fat meats, fast food and packaged, baked goods are high in unhealthy fats (trans fats and saturated fats) and processed meats (hot dogs, sausage, bacon) contain chemicals called nitrates -- both of which are associated with increased inflammation. Even naturally occurring saturated fats, such as those found in meats, dairy and eggs, contain fatty acids called arachidonic acid, which may exacerbate inflammation in large quantities. Lean meats and low fat dairy products will not promote inflammation.

In the case of oral allergy syndrome, our bodies mistake a plant protein for pollen triggering a cross-reaction. People who suffer from ragweed allergies may experience similar symptoms when they eat certain seeds (sunflower), fruits (bananas, melon) and vegetables (cucumbers, zucchini), take the herb Echinacea, or drink chamomile tea. Individuals with grass pollen allergies may have difficulty eating melons, oranges, peaches, tomatoes and celery. And pollen from alder trees can cross-react with apples, cherries, peaches, pears, parsley, celery, almonds and hazelnuts.

To prevent or reduce allergy symptoms, stick with fresh, unprocessed foods and steer clear of any personal triggers.

The Manifesto of Joyful Parenting by, Ann Voskamp

1. Today, I will make our home a house of prayer. I will pray at set times. And I will invite our children to come move into an interior space that lives with God.

2. Today, I will transfigure all things into beauty, and I will refuse to see anything else.

3. Today, I will not have any emergencies. There are no emergencies! Only amateurs hurry.

4. Today, when stress mounts, I pray to dismount it with gratitude. My stress management plan will be intervention with verbal thanks. I can only feel one feeling at a time, and I choose to give thanks at all times. Fight feeling with feeling!

5. Today, I will pray to speak words that are only STRONG words, words that make these children feel strong. Grace words. Grace is the only non-toxic air. All other words I breathe are death words.

6. Today, I will pray to be consistently consistent. I will create safe rhythms that our children can find security in. I will create daily ceremonies because everyday we are CELEBRATING the gift of now!

7. Today, the moment when I am most repelled by a child's behavior, that is my sign to draw the very closest to that child.

8. Today, I will hug each of my children as many times as I serve them meals -- because children's hearts feed on touch. I'll look for as many opportunities to touch my children today as possible --- the taller they are, the more so.

9. Today, my priorities will be all Things Unseen.

10. Today, I will laugh! And I will let the little children laugh! I will create a culture of JOY!

Ann Voskamp @ www.aholyexperience.com

Asparagus Soup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
• 1 large shallot, thinly sliced lengthwise
• Coarse salt
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed, chopped, tips reserved
• 4 cups homemade chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp of fresh or dehydrated thyme

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add shallot, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are tender and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
   
2. Add chopped asparagus, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; continue cooking until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Add Thyme.
   
3. Remove from heat; Using a blender, puree soup while drizzling in remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Return to heat and cook until heated through; season with salt. Divide soup evenly between 4 bowls, garnish with asparagus tips, and serve immediately.
   
   
   Note: Recipe may need to be doubled for 4 people
   

Home Schooling and Socialization By Holly Van Houten

New research out this month provides documentation for what anyone who has ever been in school already instinctively knows -- bullying can and does happen to anyone and often it's linked to popularity.  It's easy to assume as most research on bullying up to this point has, that bullies are just individual, maladjusted, overly-aggressive kids, but in reality the popular kids are just as guilty -- though often, more subtle.

The New York Times article (linked above) reports on studies conducted on social "webs" in middle and high school.  The kids at the very top of the pyramid didn't "bully" others much, but those at the 98% mark were the worst offenders.  Experience shows us that clawing your way to the top of the heap is likely to draw blood, especially for girls.  This kind of bullying is more difficult to detect though because the bleeding is internal and caused by small, sharp jabs that may cut to the bone, even though they often go unnoticed by parents and teachers.

I homeschool my daughters for a large variety of reasons.  At the top of the list would be academics.  I know I can and do provide them with a far more meaningful, interesting and often more rigorous academic experience than they would get at a school.

Yet, the most common question I get about homeschooling is:  What about socialization?  This question always puzzles me.  My first instinct is always to answer sarcastically (but honestly), "Yes, it's a huge problem -- it's so hard to find enough time to study."  The ridiculous stereotype of homeschoolers as isolated, lonely and socially inept kids is amazingly persistent.  But in reality, homeschooling happens only in small amounts in the home.  Our learning experiences take us far afield more often than not.  Kids stuck in a classroom all day, seem to me to be far more isolated from real life.  My kids are out and about all the time, interacting with both adults and kids from all walks of life, in a variety of situations.  They also have many friends -- more in fact, than I can usually manage.  My biggest problem is that I have to find a balance between visits with friends and school work.  The big difference though, is that my kids have friends from multiple arenas.  They have friends from choir, friends from theater, friends from their homeschool co-op classes, friends from homeschool park groups, friends from church, friends from gymnastics, friends from the neighborhood, and I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

The one thing they don't have is a place where they are required to encounter (5 days a week) the same large group of kids (some of whom are friends), all interacting together with relatively little supervision.  They don't go to school.

And lets face it -- the "Lord of the Flies" social scene in most schoolyards never occurs anywhere else in life.  I never encountered anything remotely resembling it in college, grad school or the work place.  Women in groups may at times verge on being a bit "catty," but maturity has deadened the sharper edges of the claws they may have had as schoolgirls.  And besides, maturity works both ways -- women have thicker skin than young girls.

No, the social cliques of the schoolyard are uniquely difficult.  Yet people still insist that I'm "sheltering" my kids by not making them learn to fend for themselves in such situations.  To them, I must say -- yes, I AM sheltering my children from that -- just as I shelter them from wind and rain and every other hardship -- until they're old enough and mature enough to fend for themselves.  I teach them the survival skills they'll need for life, but I don't think learning to defend themselves against the subtle and manipulative bullying instigated by the "popular" kids in a school is a skill they'll have much use for in their lives.  Besides, as the recent studies show -- most kids defend themselves by becoming bullies themselves on the road toward "popularity."  That's NOT a lesson I want my kids to learn.

No, "socialization" is something I rarely need to worry about for my kids at all -- BECAUSE I Homeschool.

March 24, 2011 Set-Apart Living Part 1 Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV).

Friend to Friend
As Christian believers, we're called to live set-apart lives. To be holy as God is holy. To be in the world, but not of the world. God is the source of all holiness, and in order to live a set-apart life, we must spend time with Him so we can be fueled by His Holy Spirit.

I don't know what your days look like, but mine are pretty full. They start early and end late. Once the sun rises, it seems that coffee isn't the only thing brewing in my house. An invisible competition brews daily that vies for my time and attention. The competitors are often "good things" that end up to be "time-robbing things" that keep me from God's best and God's presence.

Today I'd like to put our computer lives under a spiritual microscope. I'm an e-girl. I love my MacBook Pro computer, my iPhone, email, instant messaging, and the World Wide Web. Though I'm admittedly fully immersed in the e-life, I'm also cognizant of the fact that the e-world has become a dangerous addiction and spiritual deterrent to many. I struggle with this personally. These electronic forums host a new and efficient opportunity for us to connect with other people 24/7. While much of the social networking, online surfing, and emailing is innocent, encouraging, and fun, they clearly present us with opportunities to sin and be distracted from set-apart living.
           
Over the past several years, Facebook, MySpace, blogs, instant messaging, and chat rooms have replaced many face-to-face conversations and, for some, devotion time. They have become a new source of temptation for us, an opportunity to live a fantasy or a momentary escape from the daily grind.

A friend of mine recently said, "My computer whispers to me." Yikes! Mine does, too! Though it's embarrassing to admit, I sometimes don't manage my time efficiently because I've given in to the lure of e-life by responding to the audio alert that indicates "I've got mail" or the notification that someone has left me a message on a social networking page of mine. As a result, I've robbed myself of productive time. Time I have wasted and spent unwisely.

We are warned against this in Scripture. "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV).

Now, hear me clearly on this. I'm not saying that electronic forums or computers are bad or evil in and of themselves. (For goodness sakes, you're reading this devotion because of the amazing electronic world!) I'm simply suggesting that it would be wise for each of us to pray about the amount of time and energy we devote to these things.

How can we be set apart in our e-life? How can we establish healthy e-boundaries that will protect our purity and our time with God? Perhaps we could start by taking an honest look at the amount of time we commit to our social e-lives versus the amount of time we commit to spending in God's Word and in His presence each day. (Did that sting? Rest assured it stings me, too.) 

The good news is that we can turn to God for direction and wisdom in all of this. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5, NIV). Our gracious Lord longs for each of us to choose His best and live each day in His strength.
           
"God, make a fresh start in me.
Shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!"
Psalm 51:10-12, MSG

Let's Pray
Today I thought it would be fitting to pray directly from Scripture. "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light" (Colossians 1:10-12, NIV).
Father, we ask this in Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Let's get practical today:

• Spend some time in thought and prayer about this subject.
• Ask God to reveal to you any e-habits that are sinful, indulgent, or inappropriate.  
• Check your on-line notification settings and consider eliminating unnecessary email alerts.
• Remember that God longs for your time and attention. Be certain that you don't choose mundane activities instead of spending time with Him.
• Read Ephesians 5:1-20.

More from the Girlfriends
Hey, girlfriend! Last year it occurred to me that one of the biggest time-sucking e-temptations for me came from the homepage I had chosen on my internet browser. I used to have my favorite cable news network set as my home page. Every time I logged on to the internet, the headlines begged me to click their links. So I went into the settings of my internet browser and chose a blank page for my homepage. Though it's not overly exciting to have a blank homepage, it has helped me to be wiser with my time. Hope this spurs you on to similar responses!

Kale Chips

Kale Chips

1 bunch of fresh kale
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tsp of salt
1- 1 1/2 tsp oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash & tear kale into large chip sizes. Lay on cookie sheet & drizzle oil, sprinkle salt & garlic on kale.
Put in oven & bake until crisp.
Eat & enjoy:)

SIPPS-The BEST reading/phonics/decoding program-EVER!

For the past 2 years I have been using a program called SIPPS. (Systematic Instruction in Phoneme Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words) program, a solution for struggling readers, is a decoding curriculum that teaches the prerequisites for developing reading fluency and comprehension.)
I thought I would HAVE to get a colorful, flashy program for my ADHD child. I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to teach her to read, especially since she would not sit still for me longer than 5 min!:) But, after using this program my older daughter is now on the 3rd & final level called polysyllabic decoding (which is learning how to break up big words into smaller syllables), and my younger daughter is reading! It is such a great program. The daily lessons are short enough that she can can sit through the whole lesson & there is no prep work (except for at the beginning I had to read & understand the methods to teach) for me to worry about daily. The most important part is that they are both having success! I am so excited to watch my 2nd grader read at a 4th grade level & my kindergartner reading at a 1st grade level!  This program is AWESOME! I highly recommend it:)
To check it out online visit: http://www.devstu.org/sipps/

We LOVE Classical Conversations!

Thanks to my friends T & A for introducing me to this awesome program! While the majority of the families involved in CC participate in the co-op, we have chosen to do this program at home & find that it works perfectly for our family.
The 1st of the 3 levels is the one we are using called, Foundations. It covers 6 subjects: timeline/history, geography, math, science, Latin, and English grammar. Each subject is broken up into facts & every subject (except for science & geography) have a song that goes with it. Since I found that my kids learn better with words put to a tune, I decided to add my own tune to the science & geography facts!:) They have learned 25 facts for each subject all to the tune of a song! It doesn't stop there. We also incorporate hand motions/dance moves, games, maps,
manipulatives, worksheets, & musical instruments to expand their learning experience. This program has added such a rich foundation of knowledge that my kids will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Thanks CC!
To check them out online visit http://www.classicalconversations.com/index.php

Dec 2010

Fun in the snow

Little American girls-
The girls are really into American girls right now. We read the books, watch the movies. Our favorite is Felicity. It was really special when we got a call on Nathan's birthday saying the girls had won an American Girl doll from a drawing!
It was hard for the 2 girls to share the one doll though, so for Christmas C raised money (by helping me bake treats & selling them) to help buy her sister a doll too. She raised $65!

So we were able to get N a doll & present it to her on her birthday.

Thanks to my Grandpa, for getting me my very own sewing machine, and to my wonderful Aunt P for showing me how to sew. I was able to make this AG doll dress out of a shirt the girls had. I think it turned out pretty good. :)
Unfortunately, right after finishing, my needle broke:(
So, I took up a new hobby, crochet. Below is a picture of my newest hat. I only had to pull it out 5 times before getting it right! Thanks to my friend M for helping me over texts:)