Pretty up my Grocery Binder

So am I the only one that ALWAYS feels broke shortly after payday?? Yes? Anyone?

Well because I am sick of being broke I am (finally) taking charge. I have gone over our finances and made a budget for our family to stick to; one of the biggest things we needed to cut back on was food.

The hubster would buy lunch every day because we are too lazy to make it which is about $6-$10/day… no no boo boo, and of course I would go to the grocery store and spend way more than I should on stuff we didn't need.  

I have finally figure this out: I go to the grocery store, most likely Wal-Mart with both of my boys. They are chaotic. Lovebug can’t handle being in stores, his body freaks out. Turbo takes advantage of my attention being on shopping and keeping Lovebug contained in the cart while he is climbing out/throwing stuff/kicking me/whining and he in turns acts out by messing with his brother/jumping around/running into things/begging for everything. So now I have these two wonderful darlings creating chaos and instead of high-tailing it out of there, I subject myself to this torture by prolonging my shopping and go down every aisle looking at needless stuff thinking how much I could use that item to organize my chaotic life. Purchase said items and leave with $200 worth of junk, one night’s dinner and some snacks. THIS IS MY LIFE!! Still the only one?? Yes? 

So I am vowing to do better. And doing better is only fun if it looks CUTE! J

I made up my budget and gave myself $200 for groceries a week. Yes, I know that’s still a lot but I've got to work myself down. I also allotted $100/month for beauty and cleaning items.

I made this cute binder to make my grocery shopping easier. (I bought this really cute purple binder at Walmart for a couple of dollars and I had everything else on hand) I used 12x12 scrapbook paper of my picking, made up the labels on Word and glued it on, then stuck it inside the binders clear sleeve. So pretty now! 

The first thing in my binder is a clear zipper bag to hold my stuff:

•           highlighters (I buy most of my food at Walmart-yellow highlighter, and my fruits/veggies/chicken/deli meat at Publix-pink highlighter)
•   calculator
•             pens

The sheet directly behind that is a copy of my weekly dinner plan so I remember what I am making in case I forgot to add a side to the meal in my shopping list or something. I just made the dinner plan on Word. I wanted to add color to it so it was pretty but the hubster accidentally printed off a million papers and used all of my colored ink. waaa 

I added tabs to the next couple of sections.

The first tab is my grocery list. I got this from Organized Meg. She has some really cute AND free lists so go check her out! I love that it is sectioned off for me and most of it is written in already- who has time to write all of that EVERY time?! I highlight everything I need and then as I get it, I check it off the list. Here is where my highlighters come in handy. I highlight the stuff I am getting from each store in a different color. This makes it easier than writing stuff separately or forgetting what I already got! 

The Second tab is Notes. I just have some loose leaf paper in there. I write down items in a store ad to see if it’s a better deal than Wal-Mart. They price match and you don’t need the ad. So writing it down helps me remember so I can tell the cashier! Nothing fancy, just a quick note. J

                                 

  The third tab is a price book. Most of the time things are cheaper at Wal-Mart. But not always. I have not started my price book but I am going to. I will keep a list of the stuff I buy regularly and the price from Publix, Wal-Mart, Target, and Winn Dixie. That way when there is a sale, I will know the best price for it and where. This will also help with price match. I downloaded this price book sheet from here.            

                                                                   The last tab in my binder is Coupons. I do not do a lot of couponing. I don’t find a lot of coupons for the things I am buying and it is pointless to buy something just because I have a coupon for it. For me anyways. But I do find coupons I will use sometimes so I store them in these plastic baseball card sleeves. Pretty handy to see and flip through to find what I need.

    

So now that I have a cute binder to tote with me to the store, I KNOW I will be able to stay on budget! J

Oh yea, the hubster is off one weekend day a week so I have been getting up early and heading to Wal-Mart ALONE! Earphones in, binder with me, I ROCK these shopping trips now! And I come in each week under budget!! WooHoo!!!

 

• 
  

Leap of Faith

I am taking the plunge after so much stress, deciding, praying, discussing, and worrying. I have finally made a decision. We are going to homeschool our boys! Love bug will be going into kindergarten and Turbo will be going into 2^nd. 

I took this summer and slowly introduced some school work and routine to see how they would take to it and they love it! There are days when I have not done anything with school and Lovebug comes begging to do something!

That is my hope with homeschool, that they love it! That they love learning! My oldest loved going to school at first, then began to hate going at too young of an age. I think it sucks the life from them in a since. It sucks their love of learning, their creativity, their desire and curiosity that is innate to childhood.

So the decision has been made. Now on to the how’s and what’s of homeschool…

How will we set up the classroom? We will be using our dining room table for worksheets and writing, our couch or the floor or the trampoline or where ever else the kids are comfortable for reading. We are going to try the workbox system followed by so many http://workboxsystem.com/ and we have a bookshelf to store puzzles, games, manipulates, and of course books… lots of books!   

What curriculum will we be using? First, let me say I have researched a ton on this subject! I am a perfectionist to a point and I do NOT want to buy a bunch of stuff and then hate it and have to buy more. So I have been researching. I will not be using a box curriculum. Meaning you find one site that you like and use their whole grade level boxed set for Language Art, Math, Bible, Science, History, etc. I think there are certain companies that have wonderful curriculum for Math and another for Language Arts etc. So I have an eccentric idea for our homeschool. I have also decided on and then changed my mind a couple times so this may be a changing list J

Kindergarten:

Math- I am back and forth with this. I think I can print out my own worksheets from pinterest.com and teacherspayteachers.com and of course use a lot of play and manipulatives, but I also like what MathUsee has to offer.

Phonics/Reading- All about Reading level 1. I have heard so many great things about this company. I have checked out every sample they have and also joined their mailing list to get freebies and LOVE them! Definitely have not changed my mind on this one!

Handwriting- Again this one is unsure, I think I can just do printables and used sensory things (play doh and shaving cream) to practice his handwriting, but if you have any ideas of great curriculum that works let me know! I personally work best when I have a hands on guide of what to do. I do like Zaner Boser handwriting though.

2^nd Grade:

Math- I love Math Mammoth. Turbo is very excelled in most areas, math being one of them. I love How Math Mammoth teaches. We are starting with 2^nd grade workbook B.

Language Arts: I was back and forth on this one but finally found and love Learning Language Arts through Literature. We are using 3^rd grade as this is another area Turbo excels. This is another reason we love homeschooling. Last year Turbo just mainly read a lot because he was above what they were learning in class but the teacher (although I loved her) couldn’t teach to his level, had to stay at class level. So he would go in the back and read or get on the computer. At home I can just move to a level that challenges him!

Science, History, and Art will be taught together and we will be using Story of the World volume 1 for History and Home Art Studio Kindergarten level for art. Science is still up in the air. I was originally going to go with Apologia but then I found A Reason for Science and liked that it was more catered to the younger mind and had a lot of hands on science, Noeo Science was also brought to my attention for the same reason. So Science is still up in the air.

I would love to hear what you all are using and if you have any suggestions for this newbie please share! J

Note: I am not affiliated with ANY of these companies and have never used any of them before. This is just our journey though this life.

HOME SCHOOL DILEMA

I haven’t had a lot of time by myself to get on and blog… but I do miss it and the sanity it brought me.

I started working part time as a substitute teacher and I realized how much I absolutely LOVE it! I can only sub at the school my boys are in because my youngest doesn't qualify for the extended day program offered by his school. That doesn't leave me with many days to sub in our small school. I usually get in 1-2 days a week but have had the occasional teacher that needed to be out for longer. It is such a rewarding (and yes I am going to say it, FUN!) time. I love scouring the web, Pinterest and TPT to find fun stuff to bring. I have bought my own treasure box items and used it alongside the teacher’s behavioral plan. I created (going off of the idea of others on TPT) a fill in the area note to leave for the teacher of our day, and I have gotten to know so many amazing students and teachers!

So now to my dilemma...

The school we are in now is not our zoned school. We are there on a variance for both my boys because my Lovebug is in the ESE pre-k program. Next year he will be starting kindergarten and we will be moving to our zoned school. My middle has been at this school for kindergarten and first and will be switching to a new school for second. On top of this, we will be moving within the next year or two and may have to switch schools again! The idea of it breaks my heart! My oldest is in middle school, and although she is a great student. Ok she is a little too social at times and slacks on her school work, but for the most part she is wonderful. Her school and the high school she will be attending in 2 years scares the CRAP out of me! There are the usual fights that constantly break out everywhere, the make-out sessions and worse in the bathrooms, the drugs and cussing and bullies, then there’s the gun that two high school students brought on campus, the knife that was pulled out during a fight, and so much more that scares me.

So what should a mom do? I can’t protect my kids from everything, I have to let them experience life, I can’t shield them from all dangers… right? I love teaching and my kids would most likely benefit more from being homeschooled so I am contemplating doing that. I am weighing the pros and cons, trying to get all of the facts and opinions from as many sides as I can.

So far here is what I have:

PRO

CON

o   Home as a family to spend more time together o   More 1:1 learning than in a full classroom o   I love teaching so I think I will be good at it and not get burnt out quickly o   Without the social scene being a major influence in my eldest’s day I think she will learn and progress further o   SAFETY (They will not be exposed to the amount of bullies and hormonal kids walking around on campus)

o   Together ALWAYS o   Finding the right curriculum can take time and Waste Money on ones we don’t like or use o   Can get expensive between school supplies (I am a Supply junkie) and books, equipment, furniture, etc. o   I tend to start some projects and not finish (so What if this is one of them) o   Even though I know we can find other means of Socialization I worry that they won’t get enough. I will have to quit my part-time job and lose that income

So my question is: Do you home school? If yes, can you give me some pros/cons, If no, would you? If not, why?

Also I would love to gather as much info to make an informed decision, so if you do home school what are your top must-haves, how did you decide on the curriculum (what do you use) Do you plan on doing it through high school? What have been your biggest issues with home schooling?

Please leave answers in comments! :D

Thanks guys!!!

XOXO Angela

This is another reason why I am a little skeptical of home schooling... My kids are umm, little monsters sometimes. In the short time I was writing this my lovebug wrote on the wall (and his brother’s neck) my middle has been up and down picking fights with the youngest. SIGH...

That's got me thinking...

I wanted to explain a little about my life with autism. I have thrown myself into being an advocate for Ayden, which essentially means being an advocate for autism.


 Ayden was diagnosed with autism a little before his 3rd birthday. My husband and I took Ayden to our local Early Steps program when he was 2 because he wasn't speaking. He could only say mama and dada but he didn't babble, he didn't try to use other words and we were concerned. but only with his speech. At that visit he was painfully "shy" he didn't pay attention to the lady when she called his name over and over to get him to come sit down and attempt playing with him. Instead he found a bug crawling on the floor and got down on his knees to watch it intently. He also insisted over and over and over for the tic tacs in my purse. Ayden was VERY demanding of what he wanted and it was hard changing him from that thought process. 

 The early steps program provided us with a speech therapist and also wanted to keep an eye on his need for an occupational therapist. But we were also told that he showed signs of autism and they wanted to keep an eye on his progress. David and I were stunned, I insisted over and over that he was shy and a two year old. Ayden loved me, he showed affection towards me, he was smart, there was no way he had autism...or was there? We left that day feeling numb, unsure, confused, and a little hopeless. I assumed autism meant the child that walked around on tiptoes flapping his hands all day, well yes Ayden walked on his tiptoes but he smiled while he did it. So it was different. I also thought autism was reserved for the kids that didn't show any attention to anyone, they just stood there spinning or gazing at the wall or flipped light switches on and off. Well yes Ayden would bust into a spinning frenzy anywhere, anytime. Yes he lined toys up. Yes he didn't pay attention to other people or kids. But he would spin and giggle so he was doing it for fun. But he would line toys up because he was only two and didn't quite know how to play. But again he didn't pay attention to other people because he was shy. He acknowledged family, he would hug David and me. How could this child have autism?


 I threw myself into research. If you know me, you know I don't like not knowing, not understanding, not being in control of what was happening. So I learned and I understood. Autism is different for each child. Autism has so many different levels, so many different  challenges. Speech, sensory issues, social understand, repetitive behaviors, eating problems, this is just some of the constant challenges that come with autism.


 The more I read, the more little "quirks" I saw Ayden had. When you put all of his quirks together in one jar you realize they add up to alot more than just a "boy", a "two year old", "normal delays" Ayden has Autism. 


 When I finally understood what Autism was, then I learned what i could do. Not to "fix" my child, because I never though of him as broken. But to help him. He has sensory issues, and speech issues, eating issues, social issues. I want for Ayden what I want for my other two children, what every parent wants. For him to have the best life possible. We worked with his speech therapist and Ayden has jumped into speaking, he has beautiful words that he says everyday... My favorite of course is "I love you" They are not said everyday, and my heart melts each time he speaks them! We put him in occupational therapy because he is a sensory seeker, which is why he spins all the time, and he also is defensive. He doesn't like people to hug or kiss him, we still do :) And he doesn't like strong smells or loud noises. He is in an early pre k class to gain social skills that have to be taught over and over and he still barely grasps some. 


 Ayden is very bright, he is a mostly happy child, he is handsome, he is love!


 1-88 children are now being diagnosed with autism according to the CDC. That is a number that means so much. There is so much struggling and it will not stop. As soon as you defeat one challenge a new one pops up. This will be everlasting with our children. It is their way of life. People outgrow hairstyles, change their wardrobe, change careers. But autism will be a part of a person forever the same as their eye color. The more awareness there is for autism, the more understanding there will be. They will be the kids in your class, the adults at your job, at the grocery store. It is every one's responsibility to learn ways to interact with someone with autism and to show we are all different. But DIFFERENT doesn't mean LESS!

  April is Autism Awareness month, and April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day that many prominent buildings don blue light bulbs to show their support in raising awareness for autism, parents and family members show their support by changing their porch lights to blue. My house is blue, but I wanted to give you a better understanding of why I really do this! I live with autism and it's challenges everyday. But I also live with happiness, and innocents, and pure love- and that is all part of autism as well! 

A little home therapy for the day

I saw a blog (http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/search/label/Water%20Beads) that showed these water beads and it looked really cool. Finally went to Michaels and bought a couple packs. Put each pack in a huge bowl filled with water overnight. When we woke up I drained the remaining water out and put them in plastic bins.

The boys went to town playing in them. They stuck their hands in and out feeling the cool, wet feeling. They put their hands at the bottom of the bucket and let the weight of the beads fall on their hands. We added some toys and they played for a little bit with them, not too long cause they lack imaginative play. I took some beads out and put them on a tray and did a pattern with Tyler. Used them to ask addition and subtraction problems. Ayden enjoyed lining them up and semi counting them. They experimented with their feet to see what it would feel like, and they were using words to describe how they feel and the colors and what they like. They were also sharing and talking it out when they didn't want to share.

So very happy I finally bought these cheap,easy, sensory items!!