Let's Get Organized!

Spring Cleaning Time

I've been meaning to organize my tiny living space. I love to re-arrange my home just to keep thing interesting, and I seem to find things that were missing while in the process. This means that nothing can be permanent, like shelves. I'm very pleased with my latest project.

Here's a before picture...



I had some 12 foot wire shelves in my shed that my plants were on during the winter a couple of years ago. I also have quite a few plastic storage boxes here and there around the house. I purchased three wood boards and a few stackable bins. Here's an after picture...



I especially like the way it's all streamlined along the wall. This makes my living room seem larger.

Happy Spring!

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I Love Richard Simmons!

Richard Simmons has always been an inspiration to me. I love his workout videos because the music keeps me moving.

Tonight Little Monkey and I "danced" with Sweatin' to the Oldies
. She makes the best workout partner....and 25 pound weight! I rarely did what was on the screen, which didn't matter because we laughed and danced and signed and tickled away an hours worth of exercise and stretching. Finished with big hugs and kisses :)

Happy Dancing!



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Home School Curriculum That I Use

I'm a Home School Veteran. When Amy and Anthony were babies, 22 years ago, I was introduced to this foreign concept of teaching your children at home. There were many good reasons for our family to do this. What stood out the most in my mind was a 2/1 student/teacher ratio. I knew that I could teach each child according to his or her own learning style and pace. I am a firm believer in doing what is right for each child at each stage in their life. So, yes, sometimes my children were enrolled in the public school. Anthony graduated from Slidell High and Amy graduated from Home School. LilyPad went to public school until 2nd grade. With the recent news coverage of the lack of safety in the public school, I will be keeping her and Little Monkey home schooled.

I have used many different educational approaches with my children. But, I keep coming back to Sonlight Curriculum. Sonlight was brand new when I first started and has grown along with my kids, which is kinda neat. They use REAL books to teach History and Geography and Language Arts. As the name suggests, it is a Christian curriculum, with Bible study. All your lesson plans are done! Discover Sonlight’s complete homeschool curriculum packages. When you order the package you get everything you need to teach for the year in one box.

I have found over the years that schooling all year is best for my family. We "do school" on days that are available to us. If someone is sick, or on vacation, or it's Sunday, we just have school on another day. This keeps our life very flexible and easy and stress free. I buy next year's books with income tax money. Soon, I'll be ordering the Eastern Hemisphere curriculum for core subjects and The Human Body for science. We use Saxon Math.

One of the things I love about Sonlight is owning real books that last for years. I have some of the books left from when Amy and Anthony studied this topic. I'll save these new ones for when Little Monkey is ready for them.

Little Monkey's "school" is learning American Sign Language with Signing Time videos, watching Sesame Street videos, playing with toys, and many trips to the park. I'll be posting more about Signing Time soon...until then please check out my Amazon Store below to see the selections.

Until next time....
God's Blessings

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Healthy Snacks Delivered To Your Door

I found this delightful company for healthy snacks. NatureBox
delivers a month's worth of snacks to you for $20 which includes shipping.

Last month Little Monkey and I tried the Mesa Chips (corn chips with flax seeds). She ate more than I did!

After your first order, you can go to your account and choose which snacks you want delivered, or let them surprise you. This month I tried the dried vegetable chips. I loved them....Little Monkey wasn't as impressed. I guess she prefers her vegetables whole and raw. I enjoy the dried fruit from NatureBox as well. (Little Monkey can choke on that, so she hasn't tried them.) When I want something sweet, a dried pear hits the spot. Somehow it's more satisfying than eating a fresh pear, for my sweet tooth.

The selection changes monthly with the seasons. It's fun to see the NatureBox come in the mail and enjoy eating the snacks knowing they are good for us and also make my baby smile.

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Toddler Breastfeeding Benefits

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