He's a Geenjus

Isn't it funny how some of your children's names for things just kind of STICK...they are so precious that as a momma, you just wish that they always said it that way...well, such is how Pretty School came into being...one of my children called his preschool work pretty school and now, it stuck...
Well we have been working on DDs pretty school (yes, I know the difference between a ds and a dd...DD is what we call this child on my blog)anyway...I must say, he is a geenjus (DD's way of saying it...when you ask him what that means he will say, "Because I am a smart boy). I know...it is a momma's heart to think this way...and you can let me have jsut a few bragging rights here...DD is such a sweet boy and it is SO MUCH fun to see your child learn...so this past week or so, we have been working on "A" and he gets it...he sees them all over and it has been fun. He also learned about squares and made a cow from sqaures...I am not sure if it will show up or not, but I love his writing....and of course he had A LOT OF FUN putting one chocolate chip into each muffin cup...of course the best part was EATING them, but that is ok with me. He wrote A in cornmeal...read a poem, we read Ping...it is just fun.

TOS REVIEW: Molly's Money Saving Digest, Jan 2010

Another product from TOS to review...and I MUST SAY...I love this one SO much, I am going to look into downloading more issues of it...this was POWER PACKED with so many practical helps that I found myself wanting to know more, read more...
THe first thing covered in this was a surprise...again, I don't know much about this publication, but I want to know more...so anyway...the first part of this was about pies...making your own crust, tips and helps, step my step instructions with pictures and more...as if you were sitting at your Grandmother's elbow. It was VERY interesting...

The next thing I was intrigued by was the Molly Binder that seems to be the wife/mother/homeschool teacher's COMMAND CENTER and a few pages that can be printed to add to the binder, such as budget sheets, calendar page, to do list, FAMILY INVENTORY LIST (I have NEVER HAD ONE OF THESE, but can see the value of it...either in having an organized way of seeing what is needed and in avoiding TOO much in the drawers, which is the problem I have right now!) Very cool...
MY FAVORITE part of this digest came next...the author shared ways that she beautifully displayed Scripture around her home to help her focus and memorize the Word...she gave step my step directions for making an 11 x 17 canvas that I WOULD LOVE to make as a centerpiece for my home...I think I have a spot in mind...now for the right picture!
A menu plan for a week, a children's activity, lessons on having a checking account and tips to organize and prioritize your life finish this digest out, making it such a valuable resource and gets me checking out TOS Website for more...you can download your copies for $4.95 and bundle options make the copies even less expensive. I highly recommend this product.

TOS Review: Help, Lord, I'm Getting Ready to Start Homeschooling My High Schooler

WEll, I've been given an Opportunity to try out to be a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew...Selected members become part of a team that reviews products for the Homeschool community...it is a very sobering responsibility and one that I also find to be an exciting challenge. As a part of this process, I was given an eBook from the TOS line of products...I had great hopes for this book as I have a high school student and two more on the threshold...I remember VERY well my anticipation: What do I HAVE to do? What CAN I do? Can I teach my child Calculus and Physics and all the stuff I flunked in high school or never took myself? Will my children EVER BE ABLE TO BE A FUNCTIONING PART OF SOCIETY? A very rational thought...don't you think...
Anyway, I had very high hopes for this book. It is a 122 page book...a book of stories of people who have walked these steps before us...I found that the stories were encouraging, people wanting to follow the leading of God in their families, but there were TOO many stories...I was hoping for more PRACTICAL advice...what to do, how to do it, things that Mom's and Dad's are looking for where their children are between 6th and 8th grade as High School looms large and all of a sudden...everything COUNTS. If the stories of those who walked before you inspire you to continue the journey...this is THE book for you...but if you are looking for a little more practicality of HOW it all comes together, you will need to find another resource...
One redeeming part of this book, actually came towards the end...a list of books and resources that might be helpful throughout the high school years...some of which I have and find very USEFUL myself.
THis eBook sells for $12.45 on the TOS website

Miniature Memories

Well, the Principessa had her birthday...and her party...the party was a lovely day...we had several friends over to make dollhouse rooms out of shoeboxes...given the fact that there were many children there, and I have not asked permission to post pictures of them on my blog, you will only see pictures of the Principessa...
So dollhouse passion goes back A L O N G way in our home...when I was young, I LOVED miniatures...I'll never forget the year I was away (at camp, I think) and came home to a 3 foot or so dollhouse...I loved that house...as an adult, I have continued to love all things small...hoping my dad still had my dollhouse, I asked about it...somewhere through the course of time, it was no longer there...not sure what happened...so I asked my dad if he would make me another one...and he did...it is very special...and very large...when I have a good place to display it (or when my children are old enough to not cause damage), I will put it out and you can all see it...but I digress...so, over time, I just put this away until...well, I am not sure what I was planning on doing...
SO, last year, I stumbled across a post from a bloggy friend who re-ignited this passion within me for small things again, and I was determined the Principessa was going to have some sort of a dollhouse...well, that did not work out quite the way I had planned...so I settled my heart on making dollhouse rooms from shoeboxes and then I thought we could attach them to a tri-fold display board and eventually form a house...hopefully of more than bedrooms...she doesn't seem to keen on making a kitchen yet...so that is what we did for her party...made dollhouse rooms. We used scrapbooking paper for wallpaper ( I REALLY did TRY TO EXPLAIN that wallpaper is usually subdued and often the same on all the walls...but who am I to mess with creativity?), we made carpet from towels...and throw rugs too...that was actually much cooler than I expected...

a good friend loaned me her copy of "Tiny Treasures" from the American Girl Library...this book is VERY COOL...and shows how to make very miniatures from common objects. I highly recommend this book for daughters interested in making some neat things. Anyway...it really was quite a bit of fun.




Now, since this is my blog and it doesn't run in REAL TIME...I am saving the greatest surprise for last, but this was one of the first things that happened...so, my very good friend (the one mentioned above...), well she found the Principessa a sweet dollhouse...


I was really too stunned to think clearly...it is such a beautiful thing that we can work on together...I can't wait to go to the dollhouse store with the Principessa and oh and ah over all the beautiful little treasures...It is going to be fun...but...there was just this little nagging deep down inside me...I feel like I am often pulling her to the cool things I want to do...but one look at these pictures (taken by my very good friend...I hope you all have one, because they are priceless...)and I KNEW...
this was something we could do TOGETHER...Mother/Daughter Bliss....



Now, just so you do not get the wrong idea here by my over gushing....the Principessa was blessed beyond measure by all of her guests...dear friends who got her just the right thing...and we are working on some extra special thank yous...it might take a while, so please be patient...you are not forgotten at all...special things take time...and in our home, sometimes they take longer because I keep forgetting where I left my brains last...I am really excited about this last surprise though and you all will get them soon....maybe!