Homeschool Ice Skating Day

On the first Friday of each month, the Oilers Ice Center in Tulsa offers a homeschool Ice Skating Day. We decided to go today even though I have a million other things I need to be doing ;-)

"M" ran into a friend she had made when we used to ice skate last school year and we had a few families there from our Homeschool Co-Op. It was pretty cold but it made us look forward to cooler weather and dressing warm!

Bounce U

Bounce U in Tulsa offered a free homeschool jump day yesterday so we were all over that! The girls had several friends there and got lots of exercise in. We love Bounce U - just wish it was closer. We're also really grateful for businesses that appreciate and acknowledge homeschool families. Our taxes already go towards public schools, then we have to purchase our own curriculum and pay for activities outside of our schooling. I'm not complaining - that's just how it goes when you decide to homeschool - but expenses do add up so we appreciate anything that's offered at a discount or free!!!

Flashback Friday

Me at 9 months old

Man, I was a fat baby!

I guess that's what happens when you start feeding a baby rice cereal when they are only 6 weeks old! I can't believe parents used to do that back in the day!

Wordless Wednesday

Baking Pumpkin Bread

I love cooking breads and cookies around the holidays. I love the smells it fills our house with and the good memories we make baking together. Even though Fall's not officially here yet, the girls helped me get a head start by baking our first pumpkin bread loaves of the season today. They turned out yummy and the recipe is listed below...



PUMPKIN BREAD

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
1 c. canola or vegetable oil
1 can pumpkin pie filling

3 1/2 c. flour
3 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Beat eggs. Add oil, water and pumpkin pie filling. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. Bake in greased and floured pans at 350 degrees for 1 hour. (We like to sprinkle the dough with cinnamon after it is poured into the pans and before baking.) Makes 2 large and 1 small loaf or 6 small loaves.

Shopping for Halloween costumes?

Thinking about Halloween costumes already?! Well, you HAVE to stop by Cracker Barrel and check theirs out! They are WAAAAAAAY cute & pretty affordably priced. I would have never thought to go there for costumes, but they have them and they are just too adorable. They also have really neat decorations for Fall - which I'm all about that!

Happy Birthday To Two Men In My Life

We went to OKC today to spend Grandparent's Day with my side of the family. We ate lunch with my sister and her family, along with my dad, step-mom and youngest sister, Rachel. My nephew's birthday is coming up and he's having a pirate party next weekend. We won't be able to attend, so we gave him his pirate present early. It's also my dad's birthday next weekend so we celebrated that, too. We then went to see my Mom and took her to dinner at Cracker Barrel. It was a busy, but fun day ;-)

Tulsa Air and Space Museum

Our homeschool co-op took a field trip to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum today. The girls enjoyed seeing the new "kid-friendly" exhibits upstairs and had fun trying out all the simulators and sitting in the planes. We also caught a show at the Planetarium, then had a picnic lunch at a nearby park. Gotta love homeschooling ;-)

Grady Nichols concert

We went to Utica Square last night for the final night of their Summer Concert Series. We saw Grady Nichols, who is one of Steve's favorites - I like him, too, but Steve's more into jazz than I am. It was a nice night for an outdoor concert & we look forward to going again next summer!

Our "usual" spot - right in front of Starbucks ;-)

It's safe to say the girls aren't into jazz. Toby Mac is more along their line of music. Here they are trying not to be bored so they decided to put their chair covers on their heads. Good thing some of their friends showed up later that night ;-)

Making a new friend. "A" really wanted to take him home. Please, Daddy, can we have one?!

One of the many penguins at Utica Square - of course, they chose the pink one to have their picture taken with.

Flashback Friday

"M" was born a month before my sister's wedding and she was the first grandbaby born on my mom's side of the family. If my grandmother was alive today, she'd have 9 grandkids!

Tostones

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have started learning Spanish this year as part of our homeschooling. I love it because it's hands on - complete with crafts and recipes. Well, today we got to cook "Tostones". It was fun to try something new and get some "culture" in us ;-)

Here's the recipe in case you want to try it at home...

Ingredients & Utensils:

* Plantains

* Cooking Oil

* Salt and/or powdered sugar

* Frying pan

* Spatula

* Knife

* Mug with flat bottom

Peel the plantains

Slice into thick slices

Fry in oil

Brown plantains then turn over

Place plantains on paper towel and allow to cool. Then smash the plantains with a mug.

Fry the plantains a second time on both sides. Do not burn.

Sprinkle with your choice of salt or powdered sugar. (We liked salt the best.)

Eat and enjoy!

Milk of Magnesia Mess

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been sick this week. I've got a stomach bug, possibly e-coli. Not fun - wouldn't wish it on anyone. Hey - I'm a poet and didn't know it. Okay, I must be feeling a little better.

Anyway, the doctor told me yesterday to take Milk of Magnesia. Yuck, yuck, double yuck. So I'm in the bathroom getting ready to shake the bottle and apparently the lid wasn't on very well. Milk of Magnesia went everywhere! All over me, the cabinets, mirror, door and floor - everywhere. Apparently I needed a good laugh.

Beanie Baby Olympics

I've been sick this week so the girls have had to get creative in their playtime since we've been stuck at home. So, they came up with the idea of having a "Beanie Baby Olympics".



"M" read the following opening statements (which she wrote as part of her schoolwork): "Those who are competing in the Beanie Baby Olympics are Meco (from Mexico and 5 times Champion), Fuzz (from Oklahoma and 3 times Champion), Kicks (from Iowa), and Princess (from Texas and 2 time Champion)."


Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance


Carrying the Egg on a Spoon Race

The winners were awarded medals that were actually given to the girls for Dance and the Library Reading Program ;-)

Goodbye summer, hello fall!

I am so ready for Summer to be on it's merry little way and for Fall to move on in! I can't wait to break out the sweaters & bring down the Fall decorations from the attic! I made this Fall swag last night & I have a few more Fall "projects" to work on this weekend. Steve said football season starts tomorrow - believe it or not, I did NOT know that ;-) It's no secret, I'm not a sports fan - HGTV's more my style - but I do love to hear football in the background. It just reminds me of cooler weather & Fall is just around the corner!

Here's a few links to some fun Fall crafts and projects...

Fall Vegetable Gardens for Beginners

Fall Wall Tapestry

Fall Decor Crafts w/Martha Stewart

Not So Spooky Halloween Crafts w/Family Fun

Great Decorating Ideas for Fall

Fall Decorating with HGTV

Fall Decorating Tips

Girls Club

The girls went to Girls Club this past Monday and had a blast! They are learning crocheting, cake decorating and life skills that are valuable for girls to know to prepare them to be keepers of their home someday. Can't wait until next month's meeting!