Here Are Our "E"asy Cake Cookies

I know it is a stretch to use this as an "E" activity, but I really didn't have a better plan. I was boggled with what to do for many of my "E" activities. Some other ideas were eclairs, elephant ears, and eggs. Ummm, this is for a 2-3 year old to do so I opted for the "easy" activity. My sister-in-law Rochel came over and she shot most of these pictures.

Katie cutting.....

Katie dumping the cake mix.....

Katie very proud!

All the ingredients you need.....1 cake mix, 2 eggs, 1 stick of butter...... oh and chocolate chips.

Katie mixing.....

Katie pouring in chocolate chips....

Oooooh Katie sneaking in a chocolate chip or maybe 2!

Did they see me? Uhh we have a camera on her.

Katie stirring the chocolate chips into the mix.....

Cute tippy toes!

Good girl helping mommy with the clean up.

She has to learn the whole process, not just the fun parts.

Patiently waiting.......

Sweet rewards!

Ooey gooey chocolatey goodness.....what a mess!

Beautiful "Easy" Cake Cookies

Are You Excited For "E" Week?

We are excited for "E" week. I have to tell you that "D" week did not go as well as the 3 previous weeks. We had a few interruptions in our schedule and took time to do some non-d related activities.

We took a walk almost every morning. We made donuts. Katie drew letters during her bubble bath. We read books. I told her about David and Goliath. She was a David fan immediately as she does not like giants. We read in her children's Bible all the stories about David. Katie counted on her calendar and can now count to 31 with minimal, if no help. I plan to teach her to count backwards and then by two's. I wrote all that to explain that we did do learning, but it varied a little from my normal planned week and I think that is okay.

I have a feeling this week is going to be a little off too. It is "E" week. I am excited to finally know what I am going to teach her that starts with the letter "E".

Memory verse:

"Encourage one another, while it is still today." Hebrews 3:13

Monday: Recipe: Easy cake cookies ( I will post the recipe later.)
Tuesday: Art: edible play-doh (peanut-butter play-doh)
Wednesday: Bible lesson: Eve
Thursday: Language: beginning sounds "e" and reading
Friday: Science: elephants (Since Katie loves them we can learn more about them.)

Some of our everyday activities include: taking a walk and talking about anything new we see, calendar math, reading books, watching Leap Frog Word Making Factory video, saying our memory verse and practicing our old ones, playing games like Memory and Candyland, and cutting and pasting.

I hope you have a great "E" week. May it be exciting, energizing, easy, effective, enlightening, enjoyable, excellent and extraordinary!

Donuts Today

Today is "D" day #1

We make a recipe every Monday and today we made donuts. At first I was quite hesitant because it sounded like a lot of work. But these fried treats were so easy. However, since they are so rich in fat and calories I will not be making these often. Here's the recipe in case you want to give them a try.

Ingredients:

refrigerated biscuit dough (not a flakey one)

oil for frying (I used canola)

1-2 cups powered sugar

1-2 tsp vanilla

2-3 tbsp milk

2-3 tbsp water

sprinkles

Open the biscuits and lay them out.

Cut out the centers with a small circle shape (ex. cap from water bottle) or a biscuit cutter.

Then lay 3-4 in the pan of oil on a medium heat. The oil should come up half way on the donuts. Watch them closely. It should be about 3-4 minutes per side.

Flip them and then take them out when both sides are golden brown.

Add the remaining donuts and repeat.

After the donuts are cooked up golden brown place them on paper towels to absorb any extra oil.

While the donuts are cooling mix up the icing.

The measurements are loose because it depends on how much icing you need/want. Mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 tbsp milk and 1 tbsp water. Then add 1 tsp of vanilla. Add milk or water if it is not runny enough. Mix with a spoon until smooth. It should be runny, so it will drip and ooze all over ther donuts.

Katie helped put the icing on most of the donuts....until she fell into "lick-the-spoon" temptation.

Spoon or drip the icing on the donuts however you want it.

Ooey gooey icing on a hot fresh donut....hungry yet?

You can also use food coloring to make pretty colors. Other variations; add sprinkles, dip them in powdered sugar, sprinkle them with cinnamon, or ice them with chocolate frosting.

Cutie Pie!

Okay its "D" week.... Donut darling!

Oh the temptation.....

I love that I got this on film.

I was standing right there and she still gave into the temptation.

Look at my donut (half).

I refused to give her a whole one.... way too much sugar and fat for a 2 year old.

You can just see the satisfaction in her eyes.

So yummy!

She loved it.

Hope you have fun making some yummy donuts!

Week #4 The Letter "D"

Instead of Charming, curly-haired, cutie...I have to say darling, dainty, doll baby!

It is "D" week.

I list my lesson plans here as a record for myself and to offer up ideas that you may want to try. But you must know that I do more than these activities with her. If I think of something that fits in our week I do it. Like last week we gathered up tons of stuff and took it to Goodwill. I told Katie about charity. I figured that was good use of a "C" word.

So let me start this weeks plans by saying there will be some dancing going on in our house this week.

Memory verse:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
(I cannot even express what that verse means to me. I love that the Lord is touching my heart through this too.)

Monday: Calendar math (morning) and Recipe donuts...yes donuts. I will post pictures!

Tuesday: Art: Drawing

Wednesday: Bible: David

Thursday: Language "d" words, beginning sounds and puzzle book

Friday: Science: oohh let's get dirty: dirt and digging!

I look forward to dancing, digging in dirt, making donuts, drawing, and daring to dream.

Life is a gift so enjoy each and everyday!

Mmmm.....Cake!

Today's cake making experience was interesting to say the least. We do in fact have a cake, but it was not any easy day. We had a lot of crying. Let's just say it was a small catastrophe. To start off Katie fell off the kitchen stool (landing on her feet-no injuries) and when she fell the plastic white bowl and the 3 uncracked eggs went with her. She looked at the eggs splattered on the floor and then at me. With confusion on her face I placed her on the couch and told her to watch her show while I cleaned up the mess. She then burst into tears and repeatedly told me that she was sorry. I was not upset with her at all. I just wanted to clean the mess. Poor kiddo! Then the cake bakes and Katie takes her nap. When she wakes up it is time to decorate the cake. I trim the top of the cake so it would be a nice flat surface. I let Katie eat some pieces of the cake "scraps". She was so happy. I saw her grab some more as I went to get a plate. When I looked back she had taken a fist full of cake out of the side of the cake! I guess I scared her, but I didn't mean to. I told her she was supposed to eat the cake on the plate...not grab the whole cake. Poor baby, she lost it again. With cake in her mouth she began sobbing. Again, I wasn't upset with her, but she knew that she did something wrong. I got her some cold milk and talked her down from her pitiful state. Then we decorated the cake. It turned out so cute! She was very proud of her cake and couldn't wait to show her daddy. Yay for cake!

Our cake mix....

Katie adding the mix to the bowl.....

Ta-da!

It was very colorful and yummy!

"C" is for Cutie

We are ready for "C" week. I am thrilled at how well things are going for us in our homeschooling. Part of the reason it is going so well is because my little curly-haired cutie loves learning! So often she is learning something new and doesn't even realize it. She will be 3 next month (which I will not dwell on) but while she is two we are certainly taking it easy. I know there are kids that start reading when they are 2 or 3 years old and parents today want some kind of super genuis, but that is really not my intent. I will be thrilled if she is a good reader when she is ready for kindergarten. That would be an excellent start for any kid.

Pushing Katie hard now will only force her to grow up too fast. I want to cling to every day not rush her development. Many times you can't rush their development and that will only frustrate you as a parent. Kids will learn to read on their own time. It really won't matter if Suzy can read at 3 years old and Charlie starts to read at 6.

As a parent you need to decide what your child needs. If your child can read then by all means buy them books, but if they just want to play then let them play and be kids. This doesn't mean you never expose them to reading concepts. It is not necessary to get out the flashcards everyday and fret over learning each word now.

When I was teaching first grade, I was bombarded by parents who wanted to know what more they could do at home to help their kids in school. My answer was READ to them. Your child will learn new words, phrasing, concepts of print, story patterns (beginning-middle-end) and so much more just from hearing you read. You are modeling good reading skills. Next to reading I would say if you want your kids to excell in learning you should talk to them. I don't mean..."What do you want for breakfast? Which show do you want to watch?.....Make time to sit and talk to your kids. Take them for ice cream and talk. Go to the playground and instead of talking to your adult friend chase your kiddo, play, and talk with them.

Our Plans this week for the letter "C"

Memory Verse:

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Monday: Recipe: Colorful Confetti (Funfetti) Cake and icing

Tuesday: Art: Collage

Wednesday: Bible: Creation

Thursday: Language: Make and take little "C" books and other "C" reading activities

Friday: Science: Colors-Mixing and making colors

What a fun week!! I added a few other ideas on the sidebar. Many of these concepts can be used with a variety of age ranges.

A Beautiful Day!

Today was such a great day I have to brag (just a little). I am not sure if it is considered bragging when your child learns how to do something that you have been teaching them, but it feels so good to see growth. I am just beaming with excitement for my little precious one.

Last week we started our homeschool preschool plans and it went well. Each day I lead our lessons, but it is such a basic set of skills that I wonder if I am really doing anything. Also since it seems so much like play I am not sure if my "teaching plan" is teaching her anything of value.

I suppose all I needed was to see some growth. But how can I expect to see growth after nine days?

This morning was just beautiful. We did our language and reading skills lesson. There were a few moments of frustration on my part...not Katie. But soon after we completed the lessons I thought we should recite our memory verse. Last week she said the verse with me and it has pretty much been the same this week. I figured by December she would figure out that it was a "memory" verse and she would remember it.

Surprise, Surprise!

My little pumpkin, who is still officially 2 for about 6 weeks, knows her first memory verse!!!!!

All I did was ask her if she wanted to say her memory verse and out of her mouth comes the verse from last week. Honestly, I hadn't even mentioned that one this week. Maybe on Monday, but we have been focusing on this weeks verse because I didn't want to confuse her.

I have been praying that God would planted His word in her heart and I would faithfully give her the verses each week. I know that God's word is being firmly planted in her heart. She has even related her Bible and memory verse to prayer. She was able to learn what a blessing is this week. That was our Bible lesson on Wednesday. Katie told me that her blankie and her clothes are a blessing along with every person in her life that she can name. I know she makes God smile.

You would think I won the lottery I am so excited. It is a big deal not only to see your child learn and grow, but to have an open heart towards God and the things of God. That is my purpose on Earth...to advance God's kingdom. I feel that my calling right now in life is towards my family which I hope will be growing in the near future. (Calm down, there are no double pink lines over here yet, just praying and waiting.)

Thank you Lord for such a beautiful day!

This week we are doing activities that start with the letter "B". I started my day with coffee and Breakfast Bread (from Publix). Katie watched Dumbo (not a "b" but fun). Katie played with beads and made a bracelet. We read many books; including Biscuit and her Rhyme Bible. Later we painted with the beads completing 4 bead art paintings. Tonight after finishing the banana pudding Katie and I took a bubble bath. Soaking in the suds was a peaceful way to end our day. I am realizing more and more as each day passes that my baby girl is actually a big girl now.

Here's a bowl of beads. She filled it as full as she could.....and only spilled it a few times!

Katie spent a lot of time looking at her beads. When she found the heart shaped one she held it up and said, "look mommy a heart....WOW!" Rereading that sure doesn't sound that cute, but it was! Everything is new and fresh when you are two.

Katie sharpened her fine motor skills today. She spent about 20 minutes just sorting and stringing her beads. She made a bracelet and I made one for her too. She really wanted mommy to play with the beads.

Of course mommy had to spell out her name and take a picture. (I love my new camera!) She liked it so much that I made a bracelet out of it. Who knew beads could make someone so happy?

Katie recognizes her name in print so when I put her name together in her bracelet she was thrilled.

Next, I showed Katie how to paint with beads. We put beads in cups with a small amount of paint. Then I put the beads on paper in a metal baking pan. Katie held each side and watched them roll around.

We did this 4 times because she had so much fun playing with it. Pretty hard to believe, but I did this with her (she is 2 by the way) and we did NOT make a mess at all. It was neat and tidy. My mom would be proud. If you plan to do this with your kiddo make sure you use plastic cups and spoons. It makes clean up much easier.

Ta-Da!

Here are her four prints and she has already told me who gets each one!

Monkey Business!

This is a pictureless Blog!

Not because I didn't take pictures, but because there are no pictures!

I took a lot of pictures; cute pictures, cutting pictures, pouring pictures, mixing pictures, and even sneaky-eating-a-Banana pictures.

But for some reason there are no pictures on my memory card. So perhaps I did something wrong with the new camera.

I am boggled, bewildered, and bummed. Like my use of "B" words?

Perhaps I should "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Because really it doesn't matter in the large scheme of things. But imagine doing a photo shoot. You are excited to see your pictures and for no explainable reason....there are no pictures. I feel deflated and droopy!

So since a picture is worth a thousand words....I will write all about our Monkey Business! Katie and I set out to make banana pudding. I actually found a banana pudding mix. Usually I have to buy vanilla pudding and add bananas. We made the pudding. Katie cut open the packages and shook the powder into the glass bowl. Then I measured the milk and we poured it in the mix. After measuring and mixing in four cups of cold milk we started slicing the bananas. The pudding needed to set for 5 minutes anyway. Katie used her cute little pink polka knife to cut the bananas. She did so great. Then while I snapped the imaginary pictures I caught her sneaking slices of banana in her mouth. I just kept snapping the pictures and couldn't wait to see them. Of course I will never see them except in my head! We then added Nilla wafers to the trifle bowl. Katie wanted to eat them. So she did! Then I poured in half of the banana pudding, added some sliced bananas and more cookies. Finally I poured the rest of the pudding on top. I placed a few cookies on top so it would look pretty. It does look pretty, but can't show you and I think you know why.

Then I gave Katie a bowl of our banana deliciousness. She is a 2 year old and a picky eater these days. Due to that, she ate some and then played with it. She did like it, but not all mixed together. She wanted to eat bananas, pudding, whipped cream, and cookies without any of it touching. Ummm, I just went with it. Afterall, this is ALL for her anyway. I want her to have the experience to learn and enjoy. And, although I thoroughly enjoy doing cute activities with her, in the end it is not for me, but for her.

Katie got to measure, mix, cut, stir, and follow directions. I am very happy about how our morning went. I sit saddened that we don't have the cute pictures to show for it, but I didn't miss the experience while I was taking pictures. I just want to relive the experience and share it because it was so precious.

My little curly-headed cutie had fun and learned a lot!

Be happy, be flexible, be encouraged!

Beautiful and Brains

Yes, It is "B" week! Katie brings me so much joy each day. I love that I get to be home with her and teach her. We have many fun things planned for the week. Here are the plans.

Memory Verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Everyday we read 5-10 books throughout the day and do calendar math in the morning.
We also read a toddler devotional book. It is short and sweet, but shows her the importance of being in God's word and making time to spend with God. We've been praying with her for about a year now. She is so sweet and honest in prayer. I look forward to teaching her about blessings this week.

Monday: We will make Banana Pudding

Tuesday: We will playing with Beads making Bracelets and necklaces.

Wednesday: For our Bible lesson we will discuss "Blessings"

Thursday: This is our language day. We will look at words that start with the letter "B" and do various activities. Lots of reading too!

Friday: Field trip (sorta of) We are going outside to look for Bugs! I made a mini bulletin board with bug pictures and words. FUN!

This is going to "B" a fun week!!!!

Yay for Daddy!

Katie here...just wanted to let you know that my daddy is pretty awesome. He plays with me and makes me giggle a lot. But, this weekend he had work to do. Mommy really wanted some shelves in the storage closet. What a super guy! He put them up in few short hours. Mommy was so excited. She started moving things all over the place. She rearranged everything and it looks so nice and neat.

Thank you daddy! Now mommy can fit more toys in the closet (for me).

Here's my daddy with his drill. He makes it look so easy!

Poof! There are shelves! They are now filled with games, fabric, and toys!