Our first day of home school

Day 1, Second Quarter (Jan. 6th):

• From 8 - 9:30 am ELA domain 5.1A listening and learning “The Maya: A Harvest & Hurricane”
• Discussed the vocabulary words
• Hurricane, Harvest, Maize, Canoe, Shore
• Looked at image of:
• Hurricanes (from space and ground)
• Maize
• Canoes
• Shorelines
• From 9:30 - 10 am ELA domain 5.2A listening and learning “The Maya: Journey to Baakal”
• Discussed the vocabulary words
• Noiselessly, Plain, Temple, Thrilled
• Completed about 60% of the domain before stopping due to MacKenna inability to remain focus
• Broke at 10 am instead of going until 10:30 am due to MacKenna having a tantrum
• From 10:30 - 11:00 am Watched 30 minute video on the Mayans and some history of Aztec
• From 11:00 - 11:10 am Colored for 10 minutes
• From 11:10 - 11:30 am Cleaned-up the dining room(classroom) and living room for lunch
• From 11:30 - 12:30 pm Lunch
• From 12:30 - 1:00 pm Free time/break time, MacKenna choose to color and draw
• From  1:00  - 3:30 pm Spelling, grammar, reading, writing
• From  3:30  - 4:00 pm Played a counting game with her brother

total time: 6.5 hours with an hour break

Preparing to Homeschool

As of January 6th, MacKenna will be homeschool until we decide that going back to public school necessary.  It wasn't a decision that we lightly because NY state has a lot rules and regulations dealing with homeschooling.  We did involve MacKenna in the decision to do it because we didn't want her to feel like we were just making choices about her education without her.  So, for the last month I have been collecting/buying curriculum, workbooks, supplies to start this coming Monday.  Our dining room has turned into a classroom.

I have several workbooks for her to do busy work/practice work from.  I have downloaded the Common Core Curriculum as we will be following parts of it as to stay on the same that she was on for school so if/when she goes back she will have the same knowledge as her classmates.

2013 review

January, February, March -  were typically months with the exception of celebrating William's Birthday in February and my Birthday was in March but, I don't typically celebrate mine. 

April - Bill and I ran our first 5K of 2013, I PR'ed my time and we both did well overall.

May - William was evaluated by a behavioral developmental pedi and was Dx with Mood Disorder NOS as well as Asperger's.

June - Scott turned 3! MacKenna graduated from Kindergarten

July - Bill and I celebrated our 10 year Wedding Anniversary, we ran another 5K together, I ran my first half marathon, Bill ran another 5K.

August - wasn't quiet until the end of the month when William had a manic episode that last for 4 days, it was very scary to watch and knowing that there was little that we could do about it.  We ran 12K race as well.

September - William had a re-evaluated and was re-classified as Bi-polar disorder with Asperger's.  We ran a marathon relay, which was interesting.  The kids started school.

October - MacKenna turned 6!  I ran my second half marathon and PR'ed by 14 minutes, which was awesome!  Bill and I got to hang out with my some of my college team mates, which was fun.

November - I started a spiritual journey/renewal, realize that there things that I needed/wanted to change. We celebrated Thanksgiving by doing a family walk in Troy with my SIL, FIL, BIL, and their foster child, it was cool.  MacKenna told me after we finished that she thought she was ready for a 5K now.

December - Bill's Birthday but, we didn't celebrate it because we don't celebrate adult Birthdays in our house.  December was kind of crazy in getting for Christmas and dealing with business as well as making the decision to start homeschooling MacKenna, which I'm still very nervous but excited about. 

A new journey

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a step back kind of reviews things in my life as far as relationships, the past, where I am now as a person, and where I wanted to go.  And I kind of realize that I didn't like some things that saw.  I finally after almost 6 years I realize/accepted why it still hurts so much that my mother in law passed and it is because she always treated like a daughter and I didn't like it at the time but, I do truly miss it now.  I have accepted that I can't change past and moving forward I understand that I have forgiven for it, which has brought me peace that I have known in quite some time.  I'm learning to accept that there is a plan for me and our family, granted it maybe not the plan that I thought it was going to be or even the one I had set for myself or us as a family but, it is slowly be shown to us.  I'm learning that is ok for me to be spiritual person and reading Bible verses to our children isn't a bad thing because there are lessons that they can learn from there.  Just because I'm starting this "spiritual" journey and I'm reflecting on things doesn't mean I expect others to understand or accept the changes I'm making whole hardheartedly in that I understand and accept that some people will not understand it.  I'm just happy and at peace to be where I am right now and I love the fact that I have understanding and loving husband that is willing to stand by me while on I'm taking this "spiritual" journey.

Taco Blend with Rice

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef or turkey
1 packet of taco seasonings
1 can of diced tomatoes with juice
1 1/2 cups of frozen corn
2 cup of uncooked white rice
2 cans of black beans, drained
2 1/2 cups of water

Directions:

1. Brown the ground beef or turkey in one pan, in another pot bring to a boil 2 1/2 cups of water; once
    boiling pour in 2 cups of uncooked rice, then turn heat down to simmer, cover 20 minutes (stir
    occasionally)
2. Open and pour in the taco seasonings and can of diced tomatoes, mix well with the ground beef or turkey
3. Mix in black bean into the ground beef/tomato mix, blend well
4. Mix in corn in the mixture, blend well
5. Let mixture simmer for about 10 minutes
6. Once the rice is cooked, let stand for 2 minutes and fluff with fork

Serves about 8 people****
****less if it is all adults****

Running/cycling shirts

I have been for just over a year and in that time I have tried out quite a few shirts none of which were exactly what I was looking for a running/cycling shirt.  I wanted a shirt that would have enough pockets that I could carry 2 - 10.5 oz, my phone or MP3 player (I dislike armband and holding it in my hand just isn't comfortable), GU, and hidden pocket for license/debit card/credit card.  I also wanted a shirt that wicked the moisture, a zipper in front so if I get too warm/hot during the run that I undo it get airflow.  Also need to have reflective ribbon/straps so, if I run at night then I'm safe. In the midst of researching different types of running/cycling the average retail price was about $40 - $50, which is to me is just insane.  What I love about these shirts is that if I ever choose to get into Triathlons, I could easier wear this for all 3 events because it is an activewear fabric that wears like a swimsuit when wet but, wick moisture away while running and cycling. These are shirts that I finally came up with:

 

This is what it looks like on:
From the back there is 4 pockets, 3 pockets with elastic opening (middle has a snap for closure), 1 zipper pocket.  Reflective ribbon/strips on the zipper pocket and another one at the top.

From the front, there is 8" invisible zipper with a v-neck opening and reflective ribbon/strips at the bottom of the zipper. 

Pumpkin Spice Dip

Ingredients:
  1 can     -  pure pumpkin
  2 pkgs   - small instant vanilla
  2 TBSP -cream cheese frosting (for flavor - not required)
  3 tsp     - pumpkin spice (add more for more flavor)
12 oz      - cool whip

Mix well, serve.