Homemade Pancake Mix & Syrup

So, I have been using a homemade mix for our pancakes for about a year now and it is very yummy.  Even though I found a great mix I have yet to master the perfect circle pancake with a golden brown color...Until today that is.

These pancakes with homemade syrup = YUMM-O!!

Just ask Codey...

I found a recipe for a homemade syrup on the Facebook of another homeschooling mom.  I didn't have the maple extract so I made my own combo-vanilla coconut.  It was sooo good, and very quick!  The next time I made it I did almond butter and it was delicioso as well!  Needless to say, we will not be buying mix or syrup again.

Homeschool Showcase 2011

We had the first ever Huntsville Homeschool Showcase last night.  This was an evening for students to show off a talent, particpate in a skit, science fair and an art show.  All of the kids did a great job!  Of course, mine had to participate in *everything*!


Here are Brogan and Christian working on their Science Fair projects...

Brogan tested which detergent worked best to remove stains.  She used a powder, liquid and my homemade detergent.  The powder worked the best.

Christian tested to see what would happen if you put white carnations in water with food coloring.  He found out that the blue worked the fastest and we talked about how a plants root system and stem give it nourishment and keep it alive.

Not only did they have to do their project but there was also a judge tha they had to explain the experiment to.  He asked questions about their experiment and gave them ideas on how to improve it.  It was really a great process for them.


There was also an Art Show...

I didn't have Rylen entered and he as very upset that he wasn't getting to do anything.  I thought that we would just finish up his alphabete book that we had been working on and enter that but "NO" he of course, wanted to do something different.  I went through one of my craft books and he saw this fish so that is what he made.  The mom that was putting everything together was so nice to let me add him, the week before of course.

Brogan found a craft idea in a book and decided to go with that.  It was great for her because she loves to draw.  We were supposed to set the pictures out in the rain but we never had any so we improvised with a spray bottle. 

Christian didn't know what he wanted to do so I thought a hammer, nails and a board would attract his attention.  I was right!  He told me what shape he wanted and we nailedthat shape in.  Next I showed him how to make a design with yarn.  He did a great job once he got the hang of it!


Brogan and Christian both partcipated in a skit "Noah's ark, well sort of".  Brogan was the narrator and Christian was one of Noah's sons.  In addition, Brogan read a poem that she wrote in our poetry class that we did in co-op and she played a piano piece while her friend sang.  They all did a great job!!

Cake in a Jar

For an end of the year gift for the teachers and staff at the school I wanted to do something that would be cheap yet fun and cute.  It also needed to be something that they might be able to enjoy.  I found this cute recipe and thought we would give it a try. 

We used:
24 1/2 pint jars
4 white cake mixes (and ingredients it called for)
4 colors of food coloring
3 cans frosting

We mixed each box of cake mix in its own bowl and added food coloring to it.


Once that was done we scooped colors into the jars and layered them.  The directions said to fill to 3/4 full.  We filled some to 1/2 full and that worked much better.  We also had less waste this way.

*This was very messy with Brogan and Christian doing it.  But, they did have a ton of fun.  If you prefer not to make a mess you can pour into the jar.  Just make sure to pour slowly so tha you can get the layers.


Once you have each jar layered put jars in a glass dish and fill the dish about 1/4 with water.  Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool all the way.  (I removed them from the glass dish to cool but I don't know if that is necessary).


They will rise and make a dome top when baked.  Once they are completly cooled you will want to scoop out the top par.  You only need to do this if you filled them 3/4 of the way full.  If you filled them 1/2 way then you should not need to scoop any out.

*Note:  The "tops" you scoop out are very yummy.  So they are not waste if you plan on eating them!


Now that you have some room in the jars put a scoop of icing in and top with sprinkles or candies.


Put lid on and you are done.  We added a simple tag and the boys handed them out at school the next day.


They keep in the fridge for several days or you can also mail these.  What a great treat for someone that lives out of town!



Here is what we did with our "tops" that we scooped out...

They were yummy with some melted icing poured over the top!  It reminded me of a big bowl of rainbow sherbert!

Cases of Joy Update

Well, Brogan's pillowcase ministry has taken off!!

If you haven't become a follower of her blog you may want to.  Especially, since when that gets updated I usually forget to update it on here also.  Go check it out to keep up with her on a regular basis...
http://www.casesofjoy.blogspot.com/

Here is a quick update:

First, our Wal-Mart is cutting back their material and craft section, yet again.  We went over there and they had material on sale for $1/yard.  We got over 50 yards of material and some remnant sections for very cheap.  They had some very cute prints and we are going to be very busy!

Second, Brogan was invited to set up her display and introduce wha she is doing at a Veteran's Conference here in town.  There were some officials coming in from Washington DC to find out how they could better serve and support veterans and soldiers and how the veterans and soldiers could in turn support the community.  It is a good thing she doesn't fully understand rank and titles because she meet with some pretty big people while she was there.  They even gave her donations to go buy material and supplies!  We didn't even ask for them.  Someone just stuck some $$$ in a decorative bucket she had on the table and then more people began to donate.  CrAzY!!!!   She was very nervous but she did a great job!

Third, she has been invited back to the Veteran's Museum to participate in ther Memorial Day Salute & Celebration.  This time she was told to bring a donation jar.  Did I already say....CrAzY!!!!


Fourth, the children's group at church has agreed for Brogan's ministry to be their first service project of the summer.  They decorate pillowcases ad make goodie bags for the kids next week.  She will make a short presentation about what she is doing and why and then the will go to work.


Fifth, a church in Louisiana has agreed to support her ministry as well.  We go there on June 7th to help the kids make travel pillows.  Everything they make will be donated to the family center in San Antonio!


Sixth, we are trying to nail down a date to make our first delivery.  Hopefully, that will be at the beginning of August!

Meet the Bag Family

They played with these bagsfor at least 2 hours.  In fact, I know it was longer because I took this photo at the 2 hour mark and after this made belts and hats to go with their heads.  They had a blast!  I am never amazed at how much fun they can have with something so simple.  It is the exact reason that we don't buy toys.  They always seem to find something to do that is so much more creative!

Ellen Trout Zoo

Brogan's final assignment for her Animal Kingdom class was to classify and report on 8 different animals.  To do this her teacher arranged a field trip to the zoo.  We went to the zoo in Lufkin rather than having to deal with Houston traffic.  Since I grew up going to the Houston Zoo, it isn't a big deal to go down there for us.  I had never been to the zoo in Lufkin but it was great little zoo.  We did the entire zoo in about 2 hours and the kids saw an animal at every corner.

Here is Brogan doing her assignment.  And I just had to get a picture of them drinking out of th lion water fountain.  There used to be one a the Houston Zoo when I was little and I even have a picture of us by it.  I couldn't believe they had one and the kids thought it was cool.

Just some of the animals.  This was the biggest raccoon we have ever seen!

I got on the website before we went and it said they had a baby wallaby so, while we were there we looked for it.  At first, we couldn't find it and just as we were about to leave it stuck its head out of the momma's pouch.  We hung a around a little longer longer and got to see it jump out and eat.  The kids thought that was super cool!  So, did I!

Once we were done with the zoo we rode the train thru the park, had a picnic lunch and played on the playground.  The kids slept all the way home!  What a fun day!!



Cinderella went to the ball

It has been a busy 5 months but now Cinderella is over.

Brogan had so much fun!  It was almost 5 months of practices, rehearsals, promotions and shows and she loved every minute of it!  She is ready for a break but already talking about trying out for the one in the Fall.  We will just have to wait and see what happens then...

Kindergarten Graduation

That's right!  That says Christian Julius Winston is a Kindergarten Graduate!!  Wow!  That is so very hard to believe but he did it and he had a great year!

There were four kiddos that participated in the ceremony.  It was lead by a very special woman who homeschooled her children also.  While they are now grown, she so very nicely agreed to give these kiddos their awards.  She also gave a very touching tribute and said a very special blessing over our children. 

Christian was soooo excited and had been ready this whole week.  He kept asking when he got to graduate and when the night was over he said "Momma, I'm in first grade now!"  with a huge smile!  Way to go Christian!  You had a great Kindergarten year!!!

TAPPS State Baseball Semi-Finals

The AOA baseball team made it to TAAPS state for the first time in three years.  They knew they would have a tough game in the first round against Shiner St. Paul to get to the finals.  These wer the two best teams in the tourney and they ended up playing each other in the first round.

The Lions lost but played with heart.  Way to go guys!!

Glass Slippers

Cinderella is off to a great start this opening weekend with rave reviews and sold out crowds!  And, I know Cinderella herself is supposed to be the belle of the ball but, there is one mouse that is just adorable and in my opinion steals the show!  Way to go Rosie (aka...Brogan)!!!

Daddy Has Himself A Catcher

It looks like Daddy may finally have himself a catcher after all of these years....

He has tried to convince Joshua, Codey & Brogan to catch and none of them have wanted to.  Now, Christian may seem to be the one!  He loves his catchers gear!!

Cinderella is ALMOST Here!

Isn't she the most beautiful mouse you have ever seen?

HCT's production of Cinderella is just 5 days away.  I can't believe it!  They have been preparing since January and now it is time!  Dress rehearsals have been going great and everyone is doing an awesome job.  The word is getting around and there is buzz all over town.  I can't wait to see the crowds!

The fairy godmother with her fairies and animals.

Headed to State

This is one very handsome coach and bus driver...

 and one very tired little boy...

 and one very talented young man...

 and one winning team...

 and one great cheerng squad...

Alpha is headed to the TAPPS State Play-offs in Waco this week! 

Way to go Lions and good luck in the final four!!

Lions Club

The Huntsville Community Theatre has really been promoting the upcoming production of Cinderella throughout the community and with many different organizations.  The Fairy Godmother and the kids have been to several organizational meetings to do a small scene and answer some questions.  Brogan has really enjoyed it!  This week they went to make a presentation for the Lions Club and I finally got to take them.  This is a great group of kids...

Barber Shop

Today I found this outside...

They were playing barber shop and you guessed it...Brogan was the barber.  I tried not to let them see me but it only worked the first time.  They are just so stinking cute!

Book List

I have thought a few times about adding a reading list to my sidebar.  Then I thought about the fact that I am not an avid reader.  Instead, I read in spurts.  Sometimes, most times, books sit on my shelf for many months until I get to them.  I can read and at times I like to read.  In fact, on a trip down to Galveston and back a few weekends ago I read an entire book and still managed to carry on very lengthy conversations with Jeremy.  It is just not all of the time like Joshua or my sister that I choose to spend with a book, or Nook, or whatever your choice may be.  With all that said, I guess I thought I would feel silly if my reading list stayed the same for a while, and I mean for a loooong while.

Lately though I have been reading a new blog of an old friend.  I admire how she is being so open and honest with her writing.  I have thought about writing like that and you know what, every time I sit to write like that I end up erasing what I want to say.  I guess in a way, I find it rather easy to escape behind my kids.  It makes the world less complicated.  People get to see the "Momma" me and don't have to know the "me" me.  It's just easier.  Maybe one day I can shed my skin and just go for it.  This is one step.  Right?!

Then today a friend messaged me on Facbook.  I didn't know she knew about our blog but she said she really liked it.  We have shared a couple of books and she suggested I add a reading list.  So, I am taking her suggestion.   I have added a reading list and, well, if it stays the same for a while that's just how it is going to be!  I hope you might be able to find some new books to read and if you have any great ones that you have read then please let me know.  Maybe, just maybe, I too will become an avid reader!

To the two ladies that I spoke of...I hope you know who you are from reading this and I thank you both and love each of you dearly!!

Now, go check out the sidebar!!!

Cases of Joy

I can't believe that I forgot to tell everyone about Brogan's new project that she started.  We have been working on it for awhile but she just started her blog last month.  It is great for her for several reasons 1: She gets her own blog, which she has been wanting, 2: She is serving others, which she loves, and 3: She gets to write, which I love because she can do it and not feel like I am making her.

So, now you are probably wondering WHY she has a blog and WHAT she is going to write about, right?  Well, she picked out the name, really, she did, all. by. her. self!  And, it will hopefully do just what it says...bring Cases of Joy to lots of people, big and small.

So, what exactly is it?  She is sewing pillowcases to be delivered to the Family Center in San Antonio for Wounded Warriors.  We are hoping that by the children being able to pick out a new pillowcase, it will also help them to heal, even if just a little, while they are waiting for their parent to recover.  Maybe it can bring just a little bit of joy in a not so pleasant situation.  And, the great thing is...everyone can help!

Make sure you check it out...

www.casesofjoy.blogspot.com

Pre-K Co-Op Activities

For our Pre-K/K co-op the last couple of weeks we have been reading books about flowers and gardens.  This week we read...

We painted flowers with flowers...

 We decorated pots and planted seeds...

 We made a collage of a flower...

JH Sports Banquet

Junior High Sports Banquet was a success!  Here is Codey with two of his buddies.