This week in homeschooling: I need to buy some peanut butter

01/15/2016 Nichole

In retrospect we had a fine week, but it felt like a slog while we were in it. The kids seemed to be struggling to focus, and they asked for lots of breaks every day. In the spirit of trying to be less stressed (and less stressful), I acquiesced. They did get most of their work done, but drawing the school day out far into the afternoon wasn’t terribly enjoyable for any of us. Poppy missed out on an impromptu playdate because of it, and I felt like I was on a treadmill all week. I’m sure it didn’t help matters that I stayed up at least an hour too late every night this week.

US Geography

Did you know that Atlanta is the most densely forested city in the United States? I’d noticed that there were a lot of trees around the city, but I didn’t know it was the most tree-filled until we studied Georgia this week. We also read a picture-book biography of Martin Luther King Jr. this week. I wanted to read about Eli Whitney and President Jimmy Carter, too, but it didn’t happen. I may need to spend more than a week on each state if I want to get through more than one biography.

Our state-specific recipe this week is the simple and delightful peanut butter cookie, which we have not yet made because I don’t have my act together today.

Language Arts

Reading

Pete and I started taking turns reading “The Jungle Book” to one another this week, and Poppy is reading yet another “Warriors” book. We’re also still reading “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”

Grammar

The kids finished “Grammar Island” this week. While I continue to hem and haw over whether to buy “Grammar Town,” the kids and I will be reading and doing exercises from “The Giggly Guide to Grammar.” The first exercise we did had us liven up some sentences to give the reader a more vivid mental picture. Here’s what the kids came up with:

My weird neighbor has a house full of strange stuff.
My weird neighbors Joe has a shack spilling over with expired snacks, ceramic kitten plates, mismatched treehouse materials and empty Keurig pods.

My crazy relative talks to inanimate objects.
My crazy cousin Sam has long conversations about financial planning with his cigarette.

The athlete demonstrated his strength by tossing a huge object.
Odell Beckham Jr. demonstrated his strength by launching a 2015 Ford Explorer across Nottingham.

The “Giggly Guide” exercise was, in my opinion, the most enjoyable thing we did all week.

I’ll be working to rediscover a happy medium next week, both in my sleep routine and the kids’ school schedule.

How was your week?

Wanna read more about homeschooling? Check out the Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers weekly linky thing!

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Macy’s marks sixth year of partnership with Haitian artisans

01/12/2016 Nichole 4 Comments

Recycled Metal Trays from Macy's Heart of Haiti product line — Recycled metal baskets from Macy’s Heart of Haiti product line

A few months ago I told you about how I spruced up our holidays with a Heart of Haiti piece. This month, Macy’s sent me a late Christmas gift to further beautify our home. I’m taking that as a kindness rather than as a suggestion that I need extensive decorating guidance. Although — who am I kidding? — I definitely need extensive decorating guidance.

Anyway, they sent me one of their Heart of Haiti recycled metal baskets. The pieces are made in Crois-des-Bouquets by metal artisans who forge bowls, lanterns and other decorative items out of recycled oil barrels. Here’s a short video that demonstrates how it’s done:

I didn’t know much about Macy’s Heart of Haiti initiative when I first agreed to write about it a few months ago. The more I’ve learned about it, though, the more I love the idea.

Macy’s started the program after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti as a way to help the artisans rebuild, and for many it has become a sustainable livelihood.

Heart of Haiti was and still is a “trade-not-aid” program. Rather than a one-time charitable event, Macy’s program is an ongoing partnership with individual artisans in Haiti. Today is the 6th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake, and the Macy’s program is still giving back. Specifically, the Heart of Haiti artisans get 50 percent of the wholesale cost of their handmade goods, which helps them feed their families, send their children to school and help support their extended families.

The Heart of Haiti line is available online and at select Macy’s stores.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Macy’s Heart of Haiti line in conjunction with Everywhere Agency. Nichole was given a product from the Heart of Haiti line in exchange for the post. All opinions are Nichole’s own.

menu plan Monday

This is a menu plan

01/11/2016 Nichole 1 Comment

Monday: Chicken Parm Meatballs: These little fellas have become a regular feature on the Butterscotch Sundae dinner table. I’m serving them with angel hair pasta and salad this time.

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner: I’m turning this week’s BFD over to Rockford, King of Pancakes.

Wednesday: Cheesy spinach wreath: I’m not sure whether or not this is going to be a great idea for dinner. I’m rooting for you, spinach wreath.

Thursday: Coconut curry chicken: I got a gift card to Whole Foods for Christmas, and I treated myself to a jar of Lavanya’s simmer sauce. It’s a splurge, but it’s so simple and delicious.

Friday: ???: We have a homeschool co-op event in the early evening, and my brother and his family will be visiting. I don’t know what time the co-op thing will end, and I don’t know what time Perry Mason & Co. are arriving. So dinner is a bit up in the air.

More Monday Menus at OrgJunkie!