~Controversial thought for the day~

                                       ~Controversial thought for the day~ 

         Why are schools no longer focusing on cursive writing? Cursive is actually easier than print to learn and trains your hand eye coordination better than printing. Thus improving all other hand eye coordination skills. Which seems to me like a particularly good thing.... 

Here are a few interesting links on the topic:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/what-learning-cursive-does-your-brain  


http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/cursive-vs-printing-is-one-better-than-the-other.html

Book review of Mary had a Sleepy Sheep!

    

         Book review of Mary had a Sleepy Sheep!

  Julia has done it again!  In this story little Mary has a sheep....but this is a narcoleptic sheep!  The sheep aptly named Sheppard is unable to stay awake through his daily routine with Mary.  So in desperation Mary takes us on a giggle filled ride trying to wake Sheppard up!  Mary spins Sheppard around the dance floor...entices him with spicy food,even douses him with water among other antics with no result.  So upon deep contemplation; Mary decides to do the opposite of humans and have Sheppard count humans to stay awake! Did it work??  Well you will have to read a copy to find out!!  
This book is easy to read and full of fun rhymes which are great for young children learning to read.  Not only is this a great book but the illustrations are very captivating! A gentleman named Wilson Williams Jr. was the artist who brought Mary & Sheppard's story to life in amazing detail.  He recently passed away but he will live on through the beauty that he captured on these pages!
Mary Had a Sleepy Sheep will be available for pre-sale now until 9/4/13 and will be available for sale live on 9/5/13 from Amazon.

(I received a digital copy from the author in exchange for an honest review)


http://www.facebook.com/MaryHadASleepySheep
http://juleloves2write.com/

Adventures in Laundry Detergent Making!

 So I decided to try my hand at making laundry detergent!  I collected these.

And this!

Instructions:

Grate 1/2 the fels naptha bar and 1/2 the zote finely with a cheese grater
Add 2 cups washing soda and 2 cups borax and the grated soap in to a bucket, put on the top and shake to mix.
Add 1 tablespoon to each load, in the wash itself not in the detergent cup. For really dirty loads add 2 tablespoons.



This is the final product:

  I am soo in love with this!  I made this the first of June and still have a bunch left.  It works on all our clothes, leave zero residue and does not break out my super sensitive baby's skin!!
 

DIY Baby Wipes

reusable wipe box
baby wash cloths

wipe solution:
1 1/2 c distilled water
1tbs coconut oil
1 tbs baby wash of choice
the insides of 5-6 vit e caps or 1/4 tsp vit e liquid

pour on top cloths.

yum

Steel Cut oats, raw pumpkin seeds, strawberries & mango

Warm Vegan Potato Salad

              Warm Vegan Potato Salad

I diced up some fresh baby red potatoes and boiled til tender, sauteed fresh red onions then added them to the potatoes the dressing was Veganase, spicy stone ground seed mustard, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard and 2 dill spears diced. pour dressing on and serve right away

Stuffed Strawberry Crepes

Made the crepes with Bisquik, egg replacer, & coconut milk
Filling: Tofutti cream "cheese", sugar & vanilla
Topped with fresh strawberries 

Smioke In Your Eyes

I received this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program. I never dreamed when I first settled in to read this book that it would punch me in the gut and deeply affect me the way that it did. Jennifer D'Angelo takes the reader on an epic and at times heartbreaking journey through the life of Addy Bristol. I think the story is so touching because many elements are extremely relate-able to your average woman, myself included. The back cover essentially gives you the synopsis of a woman whose childhood dreams have seemingly came true, until events bring up past secrets. However this brief description in no way prepares the reader for the incredible story of struggle, star-crossed love, loss, joy and hope that is contained within it's 211 pages. In my opinion Mrs. D'Angelo's writing style is comparable to Jodi Picoult and perhaps a nod to Nicholas sparks. This book deserves to be on every bestseller list!

Author website:   http://www.jenniferdangelobooks.com/index.html
Where to buy  :    http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-In-Your-Eyes-ebook/dp/B00457XI12/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377734883&sr=1-1

Blucy: The Blue Cat

Review for 
Blucy: The Blue Cat
By:  Julia Dweck

As soon as I received this e-book from the author, my boys and I dove right in! And who wouldn't? The cover illustrations are magnetic! Julia Dweck takes you on the perfect adventure for a child, adopting a cat. Filled with fun rhymes and silly situations. Little Mandy finds the perfect kitty and names her Blucy. Mandy quickly learns that Blucy is extra special, unique and a bit mischievous. In the end Mandy and Blucy learn they are perfectly imperfect and just right for each other! The illustrator is Erika LeBarre and she did an amazing job bringing the story to life in vivid colors and imaginative designs. This book is perfect for a wide range of audiences, and will become a staple in my homeschooling preschool curriculum!



http://www.facebook.com/BlucyTheBlueCat 

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