Mini office binder, # homeschool Help Book

I recently talked about the mini office binder for Cameron. Well since this is our week off,  I decided to start putting the binder together.

I started off my finding some coordinating scrapbook papers and some sticker letters (I didn't have enough of the right letters so I mixed and matched but Cameron liked it so that is all that really mattered.)
We are using a 1 1/2 inch view binder so I inserted trimmed scrapbook paper to fit. (The paper he choose is an older pack from Close to My Heart and the letters are an older style from Creative Memories)

I pulled out a pack of 8 insertable tabs that will get labeled as we added categories.

Next I added a Quick Spelling Guide I had from years ago (I'm pretty sure it was a Avery thing from college). This will come in handy as he is writing stories and such. I really wanted him to have something that is slightly above his grade level that will last a long time.






Next I added a Cursive and Manuscript Letters chart we had been using as a guide.

We will add the remaining things under the tabs as we introduce them next week. I want Cameron to finish putting it together since this binder will be for his use.  It may sound silly but I really feel that his ownership of the binder will be stronger if he is actively involved in putting it together.

Repurposing project to help organize

I love finding new uses for things and repurposing them.

Here are my latest.
First: re-purose a pencil pouch

I had several of these pencil pouches left from a Children's Claritin  event, wanting to use the leftovers but needing to make each one a little different I decided to paint them.

I painted over the logo using some Glidden paint testers I had left over from some other DIY project.  It did take a couple coats to cover the logo, but that wasn't an issue, I used my hair dryer to promote the coats drying faster. It took 3 coats of paint to get the look I really wanted.



The boys and I decided the paint over looked like a post-it note and would be perfect for labeling the bags.This one has Primary Pencils and their sharpeners in it. The second one has regular pencils and the third one is empty but only temporarily , I know if I don't fill it my husband/ principal will find a use for it in the sound gear.

The second re-purposing project:
The Huggies Diaper Wipe box.

Again a couple of coats of the Glidden Sampler Testers  and we have a marker pens box that has a nice large "label" on the front.



Now the Crayola Marker pens will have a nice home. I do have a different box of the Crayola PipSqueak Markers that needs a make over but I will save that for another day.

The Children's Claritin items mentioned in this post were part of a sponsored activity where I was provided with product for an event, however their use and mention in this post are unrelated to that activity. This post is  a personal post of my opinions, experiences, and ideas.

AmyAdele personalized label review

The boys love getting mail and are beginning to write cards and notes to people so when I had the opportunity to try some personalized labels I decided to have address labels made for Nathan. 

His birthday is coming up and I want him to write Thank you Notes and mail them out so these will be perfect.   I've always just made my own labels on my printer so I was a little impatient at the idea of waiting for them to arrive. I was happily surprised at how fast the shipping (standard) times ended up being and now neatly packaged the labels came to us. 

AmyAdele labels and stickers are a fun and afordable option for mailing labels. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: What's This A-Z Blogging Challenge I Keep Hearing About? a guest spot from author Elizabeth Mueller

I know it is a ways off, but I am already planning for the Blogging from A to Z challenge in April.

I figure it I get a head start in at least the planning of it, I might actually get all 26 posts/ letters tackled this year... We are going to cover a lot of ground come April with articles about homeschooling, programs, products, trials-n-tribulations, as well as some fun things like crafts, games, and general musings. See you then

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: What's This A-Z Blogging Challenge I Keep Hearing About? a guest spot from author Elizabeth Mueller:

Happy Hanukkah and Christmas Blessings

The students and staff at Unionvale School wish all our homeschool friends a blessed Christmas and Hanukkah season.

The World's Greatest Stories #bible stories on CD

We tend to use the KJV for most all our Bible study except when the kids are really having trouble then we fall back on the Children's NIV, so when I saw The World's Greatest Stories coming through for the Homeschool Crew I was very intrigued.  We selected Volume 1 the Prophets and started listening to it as soon as we received it.  Mr. Sarris' voice is very warm and he does an amazing job altering his voice for different characters and situations.
I loved that we were able to listen to the stories in the car running errands or at home while doing art or just having play time. Volume 1 has 5 stories on it and the stories are read straight out of scripture nothing is added which I appreciated, especially as I am teaching the boys that they can read the Bible to find answers and don't always have to get someone else's perspective just their own. If you visit their website you can even listen to sample clips of the stories.
Each CD retails for $7.95 but as I am writing this article there is a deal on the website if you order 6 or more CD you get free shipping, which is perfect as there are 6 CDs available. You can also choose either KJV or NIV as well as CD or Cassette.

If you would like to learn more about the artist MR. George W. Sarris check out his blog
Check out what the rest of the Crew thought of these amazing CDs HERE
I received 1 CD from the collection to review as a member of the Old SchoolHouse Homeschool Crew

Life Math in #homeschool and #Safeway

 

Normally I post all coupon related posts over on Unvlmom's Spot, but since C made the purchases and did the math I decided to share it here.

Yes, learning Math is part of life, especially when it involves coupons and food the boys love as a treat.

So how did he do it?  We headed to Safeway to pick up the Big Cup of Noodles (they were on sale last week 2/ $1.00) and the Chef Boyardee ($.99 each if you bought 3). Cameron saw the Jarritos soda on sale for $.99 plus deposit and was super excited because that is less then he usually pays at the corner market. I also had a coupon for the S & W black beans with Jalapenos.
Now Cameron had the following coupons:
$.50 off 2 S & W beans
$1.00 off 3 Big Cup of Noodles
$.50 off Chef Boyardee (3 coupons)

We had divided the order up so he would pay for his sodas plus the Cup of Noodles. I gave him the coupon plus a Double Coupon. His total after coupons and bottle deposit was $2.08  ($.99 x 2 + $.10 deposit + $1.50 - $1.00 coupon - $.50 double coupon)
Our second half of the groceries I had intended on paying for with my debit card...  3 cans of Chef Boyardee and 2 cans of beans with coupons and double coupon total was $.97. I can't see having a retailer pay service fees on a transaction for $.97 so Cameron gave me a dollar...  Normally you are only suppose to get 1 double coupon per family per week but the cashier was nice and saw the lesson I was teaching Cameron (economics, math, etc...) and let us slide. If she hadn't it would have cost us $.49 more is all.

Since that shopping trip just a couple days ago, Cameron has been asking me more and more about what is in the coupon box.. I am so Thankful that he gets it and appreciates it now.