Spur-of the moment Lakeshore trip!

We love Lakeshore Learning.  We have one that is about 25 miles from our house.  Yesterday, we had some plans fall through, so we decided to take a trip out to Lakeshore during their sale.  Natalie used some of her birthday money to get the magnetic fishing set.  We have already played 3 of the Phonemic Awareness folder games!  Thanks for looking!

Organizing our learning materials by theme

I've been fretting over getting my learning materials organized.  I happened upon these sterlite file boxes at walmart for $6.97 each.  Had my label maker ready and started pulling out the boxes and boxes I had filled with learning materials.  I was using large manilla envelopes (with huge labels) and had things in numerous boxes.  took a while to get it all organized but, OH SO WORTH IT! Our bookshelves are getting crowded so I was able to put just a few books into the file boxes to save space on the book shelves. Got everything from ABC BUNNY to ZOO!!!

Garage Sales, Resale Shops, Bargains & Hauls for Mama

Went yesterday to a new upscale resale store that opened in the next city over.  I thought I did really well.  $107.75 including tax=12 pieces of clothing, 1 denim jacket, 1 pr of boots, 1 bracelet, 1 ring!

Haul for Mama: 
1 denim jacket NWT,
1 pair of suede boots NWT,
1 black cardigan,
1 grey cardigan,
4 short sleeve shirts (2 NWT),
2 Long sleeve shirts (1 NWT),
1 black turtlenck shell,
2 black shells,
1 white shell NWT,
1 bracelet for me,
1 ring for Naters (she's very into BLING!!!)

Very happy with my bargains!  Thank for looking! 
Becky

public Kindergarten or homeschool?

What have we been doing all Summer?  We have had swimming lessons, lotsa time in our pool, playdates with friends, playgrounds, picnics, just ENJOYING THE SUMMER TIME!!!  Planning Naters birthday party.  She turns five this month.  As parents, we've been trying to decide between public school or homeschooling.  I have been pretty resistant to homeschooling Naters since she is basically an only shild.  She does have a step-brother who is 44, so basically she in the only kid at home.  I've just been worried about her friendly personality changing if he were to stay home and have me homeschool her and also her just being at home with me day in and day out.  It's been such a difficult decision because the most important issue for me is to do what is best for her!  Easiest for us is to put her in public school where she'll go to Kindergarten five full days a week.  Full-day Kindergarten is mandatory in our school district.   On the pro-side I've seen that she has educationally done very well with the tot schooling and preschool we've been doing at home.  On the negative side, I feel that I am not qualified to teach her to read.  I had trouble learning to read, went to remedial reading and wasnt able to catch up to my own grade level until nearly the end of the third grade.  That is a big mental hurdle for me to over come.  Will post our decision in just two weeks since that is when she'd have to begin public school.  She goes for her KRAL on August 14th.