I have been an active participant

in every area of my life.

I have willingly loved and given my life to my family

therefore there is no room to be a victim.

I am always looking for a new way to organize the endless amount of tools I download from the internet. My most recent find was the Read, Build and Write mats that go along with All About Spelling/Reading programs.

If you are at all familiar with these mats you know you can get a different theme based on your interest and after awhile the letters and cards start to collect. Or your child has such a hard time sifting through the letters the perhaps fun project you have put before them is not fun at all.

I went on a quest to find an organizing system for not only these letter tiles but for all the letter tiles that come with the All About Spelling/Reading program.

That is when I found this;

It has way more draws then I need right now, but with a price of under $40.00 I could not pass it up (I added the tape and letters). I know the kids will not always need manipulative s for this particular program but I am sure I will always need an awesome set of draws like this.

The larger cubbies are for the themed “read” cards based on themes or books. I have Star Wars (shocking), Snowy Day, and Blueberries for Sal, so far in our collection.

I hope they will enjoy the process more in a more organized space. We shall see.

11 Things is a game that has been circulating through the blogs to help all of us learn more about each other.

Here are the 11 random things about me.

I hope I win friends and influence people because of this Super Mom.

1. Every night I set my electric blanket to HI and inevitably I have to wake up sometime in the night to turn it down because I am so incredibly hot. What I should do is set it before bed and turn it down after I get settled.

2. I always drive with my seat warmer on even in the summer time. I love the heat on my lower back.

3. I refuse to learn how to put chains on my car in the winter. I figure if I need to I’ll outsource that assignment to someone else.

4. Our dog Lucy is the 3rd child in my house. She sleeps on the bed, rests on the couch and needs to be held when you get home from an extended leave.

5. After 4 years of wearing the same running shoes and 2 half marathons later I think I need new shoes.

6. I like the soapy smell of Crayola Washable Paint.

7. My kids had a play date with their twin friends a few weeks back. The night before L was sick throwing up all night. I begged her not to say she had been sick because I did not want to reschedule the play date. No one got sick because of it, thankfully.

8. I really need pants to be 33″ long. Not 32″ and not 34″ what is wrong with there being a 33″ length??

9. I have tried to eat zucchini a million different ways and I completely dislike it. Friends always have a secret recipe that I should try but in the end I can still taste it and it is horrible.

10. I have never gotten a tattoo because I would never be able to decide on the design. Perhaps that is what the problem is and I would end up covered with tattoo’s because there would never be just one I couldn’t live without.

11. I have three calendars that I sync my life with. One Google Calendar that Fireman and I agree on. One homeschooling planner and one for my daily check list and reminders. If one fails they all fail.

And these questions are from Trying To Be Super Mom

1. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

I would like to be super fast, so I could get everything done I needed to and have time to play with the kids all day.

2. What’s your go-to comfort food?

A big glass of red wine.

3. If you could pick a color to describe you, what would it be and why?

Purple. When I think of purple I think of creativity, depth, warmth, intrigue, wealth, and wisdom, which I think perfectly describes me.

4. What is your favorite place you’ve traveled?

I love Disneyland and had the pleasure of going with Fireman for our honeymoon and 6 years later we went with our two kids. It was magical both times for very different reasons.

5. Where would you like to go someday?

I would love to see the Mediterranean from a sail boat and eat my was through Europe.

6. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a million different things every year of my growing up and I am sure the dreaming has not stopped. I wanted to be a doctor, zoo keeper, zoologist, artist….

7. What is your favorite book?

The Bible seems a bit cliche but its the only book I pick up daily (almost) and learn something new each and every time.

8. What is your favorite band/musician?

I am a big Rob Thomas and Sugarland fan.

9.    Would you ever go cliff diving?

Nope. I have way to much to loose if anything should go wrong.

10. If a homeless family walked up to you and asked for help for a meal or shelter for the night, what would you do?

I would try to help the best I could, and best being relevant to my checking account balance, the kids at my side, and what The Holy Spirit was prompting me to do.

11. What’s the one thing you can’t help but indulge in?

This is not your typical indulgence but its what I do everyday at 2pm. I put the kids down for a nap, get a snack, sit in my favorite chair with the computer on my lap and watch 1 hour of Glenn Beck on GBTV. It is truly the only thing I do with that much consistency just for me….and the crickets are chirping.

As mentioned more times then I can count, we use Classical Conversations as our primary curriculum and with that most people want to know how we do “memory work” here at home.

First I have downloaded all the memory audio into ITunes where I have made Playlists for each week and for individual subjects like Math facts and History sentences.

Then while the kids are building Legos, puzzles, or drawing I put a Playlist on and they sing along.

I have come to the realization that my son hates redoing a co-op experience at home and will throw himself on the ground in a tantrum if that is asked of him. However if the audio is going on in the background during playtime or meals he happily participates.

At first I was worried that without a more structured approach to memory work they would pick up on nothing. How wrong I was! I think these two memorize more when they are engaged somewhere else, and the best part is I can take 30 minutes to do housework while I am soaking their brains full of information.

Once the 30 minutes is done (or there about) we dive into math, phonics, writing and I pick a CC focus from our memory work. Today was listening to the Symphony and drawing a picture of what the music had you imagine. My son drew waves crashing on to a boat and L did not participate. Yesterday we did a fill-in-the-blanks Preamble to the Constitution which he knew every word of.

Sometimes we as parents and educators have such high expectations of how our children should learn that we rarely stop and pay attention to how they learn. I can be just as guilty as the next homeschooler who’s lavish plans come crashing down around them, or when you buy the most expensive wrapping paper to wrap a gift only to find out the bag you bought the gift in would’ve worked just the same.

In regards to CC and the memory work, my suggestion is, have it playing in the background of your house and in the car while you are running errands. Kids are sponges so make sure they are listening to what you want them to absorb.

I had put so much energy into the Blog Party last month that I ended up with quite a hangover from blogging. Has that happened to anyone else? I do apologize to all the new readers who signed up hoping for witty and engaging content but I have no good excuse. I am still here.

Spring has finally begun in the Sierra’s and I am almost convinced that the snow-blower can go back into storage, but snow has yet to fall on the Dogwoods.

I have 5 half wine barrels that need soil and seed so I need to start looking into that this month. Have you started your garden?

My son is starting his “social thinking” classes this month and I will continue to get counseling.

We are rearranging our gym downstairs into half gym half school room. I can’t believe how much stuff we have been keeping “just in case.” Boxes and boxes of books, old clothes, jackets, and an old tv will be donated to the church for the youth groups Memorial Day yard sale. I’ll post picture of the before and after school room.

We are getting a piano this week from Fireman’s grandparents.

Today is a bit random but that is how I am feeling. Have a blessed day.

Congratulations Amanda @ http://www.marocmama.com

You have won the Wildtree Meal Bundle.

Thank you for your comment and for participating “Came by from #UBP12 and subscribed!  A friend is demoing some Wildtree products this weekend and I’d love to try them myself.  (PS I also love Shakeology!!)”

A big thank you to all that participated in the giveaway and started following The Sierra Home Companion.

For the preschooler in the house we use The Learning Box Preschool 3-Day Curriculum package. I used it for J when he was 4 and because he could’ve cared less about crafts and school in general I gave up on the idea. L, however is very different from J, and asks everyday if she can “do school.” Those two little words are like music to my ears but I have no time to download and print curriculum for her.

That is where The Learning Box becomes one of the best resources I have found online. The entire package can be tailored to fit your school day. If you have more then one kid you can get supplies for the number of children you have. The curriculum is laid out in a 3 day format or 5 days. The crafts are fun and sturdy, the books are from scholastic so they can be kept for months and years to come, and everyday is conveniently packaged and ready to go.

This is L’s “meeting” board which we use 3 days a week and where she can display her crafts.

With your first purchase you get the Display Posters:

• Alphabet Chart
• Number Chart
• Flag and Pledge Card
• Calendar with creative calendar pieces for patterns, birthdays, or any holiday in the month (if you already own a pocket chart for the calendar these pieces fit perfectly)
• Weather Cards
• Game Pieces

The main curriculum guide book.

Each day has a list of materials used, and suggested supplies. This is your map for the day.

Art projects and music.

Math and sign language.

All of this comes in one box ready for preschool.

In the summer they offer 6 week box’s for ABC’s or numbers.

We were on Spring Break this week although no one told this fact to Mother nature, because we are getting another round of snow. Fortunately all of our activities for the week were indoors, so the weather was just a side note. J was so excited to have a week off of school he didn’t mind one bit that we spent 3 days at doctors appointments and evaluations.

Our Classical Conversations Co-op is ending in 2 weeks and it will not continue in the fall. I am sure the end of this co-op has more to do with the cost of CC and our failing economy then anything else. We could drive 45 minutes away each week and be part of another larger community, but sense we are a Foundations family I think I will do CC at home and pray another option comes around in 3 more years.

April is a very busy birthday month for our families. We have 6 birthdays between our immediate family and our extended family in April which means birthday parties to attend, and cards to write.

We are joining our community tomorrow for an Autism awareness walk to support the Mind Matters clinic that we are now a part of. I still have a lot of mixed feelings about life right now, but I know we are blessed to have this clinic so close to home.

In my personal life I have been feeling like the world is on my shoulders and I am not doing a good job in any area of life. I am anxious about J’s diagnosis and what if I’ve been over reacting and come to find out I am just a horrible parent? However what if he has an ASD and I really do have to learn a new set of parenting rules? Then I have to find a way to share all of this with Fireman and pray he’ll be open to receive a new set of rules. I am tired to much and sleeping in to late. My house is cluttered and I am unmotivated to do anything about it. We need my businesses to start bringing in income to help pay for J’s new appointments and treatments but I don’t know where the time to do that will come from. This is a season and I pray God will use it to refine this heart of mine and make me more like Him.

My blog is participating in The Ultimate Blog Party and I am giving away a Wildtree meal bundle if you are interested in winning then head over to my party page.

Wahoo!! It’s time to party blog style and this being my 3rd year I decided to do something extra special and host a giveaway. I love parties and when I give my kids a birthday party I like to give my guest a bag to take home with them saying thank you for celebrating with us. Even though only one of you get this awesome gift you each get will get a chance to win.

My gift to you is a

Wildtree Easy Breezy Meals Bundle.

The bundle includes:

Hearty Spaghetti Sauce
Cheddar & Herb Skillet Meal Seasoning
Perfect Pizza Sauce Seasoning
So Quick & Easy Pizza Dough Mix
Stroganoff Skillet Meal Seasoning
Taco Seasoning Blend
Mexican Skillet Meal Seasoning
Just Like Mom’s Meatloaf
Cheesy Cheddar Soup Mix

What is Wildtree?

I’ll give you the cliff note version because you can read about my Wildtree business from my webpage. However I am so proud to be a rep for this company that I need to tell the world about their products.

Their Mission Statement is simple:

Wildtree offers the highest quality herbs, spices and culinary blends that are free of preservatives, additives, fillers and promote a healthier lifestyle.  We believe in the value of making cooking a quicker, easier, more healthful project for those who are short on time, and a fun, interesting adventure for those who wish to be more creative in the kitchen.  We offer our representatives the opportunity to earn unlimited income and have a home based business that allows them to live the American Dream.

My involvment:

I became a rep because my son, who we are learning has an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) needs to be on a special diet free from dyes, fillers and preservatives, and I love to cook. Wildtree was the answer to my culinary conundrum and helped fill a need while allowing me to be creative in cooking healthy.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Follow me and leave a comment letting me know you came by to party with me.
2. Like my Facebook Page and let me know.
3. Share my Facebook Page with your friends and let me know you shared.
4. Tweet this blog post

Each one of those counts as 1 entry. The party lasts from April 13-20th and I will announce a winner on my blog and I’ll contact you via email.

I hope you have time to visit more of my blog then this party page.

• I am a Fireman’s wife which I learned has a lot of similarities which I wrote about on an earlier post, Fireman and Moms.
• I have been homeschooling our 2 kids for 2 years now. We use Classical Conversations and you can read about that here.
• My first born son we are learning may or may not have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and you can read about the post I never wanted to write here.
• I do work from home in various businesses. Wildtree, and Beachbody. You can view these websites on the link.

Thank you for stopping by, following, and commenting. I hope to see you around the party.