Teaching Tuesday: Eequalsmcq.com

Eequalsmcq.com is an engaging science curriculum site. There are several books to download for a fee and the elementary life science book is available for FREE download. Whether you want to use it as a main science text or for supplemental reasons, it is a very thorough, interesting and fast-paced text.

www.eequalsmcq.com

Yummy Monday: Blueberry Cream Muffins

Blueberry Cream Muffins are a favorite homemade addition to any meal. The kids love them and blueberries are such a healthy choice.
This recipe is easy to put together and the sour cream keeps them extra moist. It makes 24 muffins, but I usually half it.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp.baking soda
2 tsps. baking powder
2 cups (16 ozs.) sour cream
2 cups blueberries (fresh or thawed if frozen)

Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs.
2. Gradually add sugar.
3. While beating, slowly pour in oil; add vanilla.
4. Combine the dry ingredients; add alternately with the sour cream to the egg mixture.
5. Gently fold in blueberries.
6. Spoon into greased muffin tins.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Free and Frugal Friday: Home Depot and Lowes Kids Workshops

Home Depot and Lowes offer FREE kids' workshops to foster do-it-yourself skills, promote creativity and teach tool safety. The workshops are aimed at the 5-12 yr. old age group and the kids not only get to keep the craft they made, but will get an apron and certificate of completion. My daughter really enjoys these workshops and has made some handy gadgets along the way.

www.homedepot.com

www.lowes.com

Traveling Thursday: Kids Love Travel series

One of my favorite travel book collections is the Kids Love Travel series. A family traveling and discovering different travel destinations for kid-friendliness and interest. They give very helpful recommendations on navigating more popular tourist destinations as well as providing some information on often overlooked travel gems for families. I have the Ohio book and have used it extensively- didn't even know a few of the places that were listed even existed. There are more than a dozen books available and I have found many at our local library. It has been an invaluable resource for helping to plan our family travel.

www.kidslovetravel.com

Wonderful Wednesday: World Wildlife Adoption Gifts

A creative gift idea for kids and adults is to "adopt" their favorite animal from the World Wildlife Fund. While other organizations do this as well, the WWF seems to have the biggest selection of animals. There are different levels of price-points so for as little as $25 you can pick out a really creative and meaningful gift. So far, I have only done the panda and it was a big hit!

www.worldwildlife.org

Teaching Tuesday: Progressive Phonics

Progressive Phonics is an all-in-one reading program that is absolutely FREE! From learning the alphabet to advanced phonics, the program also includes worksheet and activity sheets to complement the lessons. I have used this and my daughter really enjoys the cute stories. I actually print them out and paste them into a blank journaling book for her to look at and read.

www.progressivephonics.com

Yummy Monday: Italian Potatoes

Great-tasting side dish that is quick and easy to prepare. My kids love this dish so it is a surefire way to get them to eat some veggies.

Ingredients:
4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 cup creamy Italian salad dressing
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs

Directions:
1. Toss potatoes with dressing, salt and pepper.
2. Place in a greased 13X9X2 inch baking pan.
3. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
4. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.
5. Uncover and bake 20 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender.

Free and Frugal Friday: House Party

Host a House Party and receive freebies and coupons and exclusive new products to try. Just apply for the party you are interested in having and once selected you will receive a party pack with the sponsoring companies' products. Invite your friends and family to come try it out and provide feedback based on the response to the product.
I have been to several parties, one for pizza and the other for Pull-Ups. A fun and easy way to get freebies and provide feedback on the products before they are fully marketed.

www.houseparty.com

Traveling Thursday: Science Museum Bonanza

The central and western areas of Ohio have a great selection of science museums for the whole family. Try out one of these 5 I have listed for a fun way to spend a chilly winter day. Even if you don't live in the area, consider making one of these museums a part of an Ohio vacation. Out of the five museums listed, three are part of the ASTC Passport Program: Boonshoft, Museum of Natural History and Science and COSI.
www.momswithkidsonthego.blogspot.com

We go to Boonshoft at least once or twice a month because it is the closest to our house and very kid-friendly, especially for the 3-10 age group.
www.boonshoftmuseum.org

One of the largest science museums and voted #1 science center by Parents magazine, COSI has something for everyone. Lot of themed areas to explore as well as a dedicated toddler and preschooler area.

www.cosi.org


The Cincinnati Museum Center houses three first-class museums, two of which are science museums. The Museum of Natural History and Science is probably the least well-known out of the three, but is full of interesting and educational activities for young and old. Highlights include the indoor cave, Ice Age trail, Nature's Trading Post, dinosaur exhibit and the kids' indoor sandbox perfect for those age 6 and under. You can easily spend 2-3 hours in the museum.
www.cincymuseum.org

Also, housed in the Cincinnati Museum Center is the Duke Energy Children's Museum. This museum is targeted for a little younger (under 12) audience and can be quite busy during the day. Some highlights include the Woods wilderness adventure, Kids' Town and the Energy Zone. Spend a few hours here and the kids will soon be completely worn out!
www.cincymuseum.org

The Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum is another Ohio favorite and highlights one of Ohio's favorite sons, Neil Armstrong, and his historic trip to the moon. Interactive and educational exhibits will keep all age groups entertained.
www.armstrongmuseum.org

Wonderful Wednesday: Chinese New Year Links

Since we celebrate Chinese New Year in our home, I am always curious to find new websites with activities, crafts and ideas for the holiday. This link has a nice variation of things to do.

www.kiddyhouse.com/CNY/

Teaching Tuesday: Lesson Pathways

Lesson Pathways is an innovative homeschool tool with over 900 educational units of curriculum, supplements and fun learning ideas. They provide "pathways of learning" for grades K thru 5 with 36 weeks of units for science, social studies, language arts, math, and phonics/reading. The best part of all is that it is FREE! I have found some excellent resources thru utilizing the activities and it can also be molded for afterschool or classroom use as well.

www.lessonpathways.com

Yummy Monday: Raspberry Rice Pudding

This recipe is quick and easy and very tasty. I actually adapted it from a recipe in an old Taste of Home issue.
Makes approximately 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cold cooked rice
1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Stir in the cooked and cooled rice and jam.
3. Chill until serving.

Free and Frugal Friday: Woot

I really like the website Woot, which is a one deal a day website. I personally think that it is one of the better deal a day websites around and have gotten some deeply discounted items thru them. Usually, there is a main deal of a day, a kids' item, home item, sellout item, wine products and a featured T-shirt. The shipping price is reasonable and while you should not expect overnight delivery, your purchase should arrive within a week.
www.woot.com

Traveling Thursday: Theater for Kids

Going to the theater can be such an enriching experience for young children and the earlier they become accustomed to attending performances the more appreciative they will be as they get older.
In the Southwest Ohio area, there are some great and inexpensive opportunities for kids to attend theater performances. The Victoria Theatre in Dayton and Aronoff Center in Cincinnati offer some great kid-friendly shows throughout the year. Since we homeschool, it is easier to attend the ones during the week, but we also have tickets for the Victoria Theatre's PNC Family Series, which are weekend shows. In fact, a subscription to a series of shows makes a wonderful birthday or Christmas gift.

www.victoriatheatre.com/series/2011-2012-family/

www.victoriatheatre.com/series/2011-2012-discovery/


www.cincinnatiarts.org/schooltime

Wonderful Wednesday: Free Disney Autographs

A fun surprise for your child is a Disney photo and autograph. All you have to do is send a request to the address below asking for a certain character's autographed photo and maybe a line or two about why you like that particular character (it makes them feel good).
Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

It is also a good idea to include the child's name as they might even personalize it for them.

Teaching Tuesday: 1+1+1=1

1+1+1=1 is a terrific website/blog with tons and tons of fabulous free ideas, activities, tot and preschool packs, tot trays and printables. I have found some awesome learning tools to use with the kids. This is definitely a bookmark-worthy site.

www.1plus1plus1equals.com

Yummy Monday: Classic Crunchy Chicken

Here is an easy casserole to put together that is also healthy and should take less than 20 minutes to assemble. It is economical in price per serving and reheats very well for leftovers.

Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 ozs.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 ozs.) chunk white chicken, drained
1 can (8 ozs.) sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 cups cooked wild rice
2/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup french-fried onions, optional

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients; mix well.
2. Pour into a greased shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
3. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
4. Uncover; top with onions.
5. Bake, uncovered, 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly.