We've only just begun..

It's been three weeks since we started homeschooling. Cailin is now 1st grade. Ava is Pre-K.  Our first day of school was at Mama Tech's house. First day was great! Everyone was quite excited. Still adjusting because of Samuel's breastfeeding and nap schedule. We are currently using Sonlight, AOP Bible, Math-U-See, Apologia, Mystery of History, Achieving True Success, Liwanag sa Landas and One Country, One People. Then they do Jazz at Center for Movement ad Music and swimming Class with Coach Kriza.

First day. 1st Grade.

First day. Pre-K.

Distraction:)

I'm trying to balance the-kinda-school-like schedule and the relaxed, steady homeschool lifestyle. I have a schedule and i want to follow it, but its quite impossible with all the distractions and other homemaking/household stuff i need to do. So whatever we get done that day, we will just continue or focus on something else the next day.  Having to submit numerical grades is kinda stressing me out too. Quizzes and exams, eiiww.. but what can I do? DepEd requires it. Been taking a lot of pictures of the kids and putting their work up on the wall.

Experiment # 1: The Jumping Coin

We did our first experiment and the kids loved it. I learned from it too. i have never done this my whole life.

Cailin reading the next step

We also made our own Decimal Street for Math.

Making Decimal Street.

This is just the beginning. More to come...

Christmas Countdown

We saw a Christmas countdown board at a store in Tagaytay and asked if it was for sale. And sadly it wasn't. But, on the other hand, it wasn't so bad after all cause we decided to make our own! Looked on line for inspiration and there was just too much! There were countdowns made from wood, wooden blocks, dice, Christmas trees, etc.,etc.. We, (girls and I) decided to use a Christmas tree as the backdrop of the countdown.

Used the Cricut Joys of the Season cartridge for the tree and tags, my daughters beads for the Christmas balls and the other trimmings. I didn't know what to use for the hooks, so I just used a bobby pin and cut it in half then shaped it in to a hook where I could hang the numbers.

Excuse the TV and the other furniture at the back, took this while it was displayed at home. Also used those thingys for framing plates to display it.

As of today, there are just 42 days left 'till Christmas! Merry CHRISTmas to all!!! :)

Maybe you have a Christmas countdown you made for yourself. Share please :)

My Little Posers

What to do with all the photos from so many kids parties, weddings and birthdays.. put them in a layout! Yey!This one party we went to, the kids had a blast posing and trying on all the wigs and sunglasses they could get their hands on. We had so much and I didn't know what to do with them. Plus, they looked sooo cute and adorable with the wigs and glasses, I just had to display it.

Another budget project for me! The frame I used, I got it from a garage sale, P10 only! I just had to spray paint it (with spray paint I've had since 2009) and it looked good as new. Used a round puncher to punch the photos. Punched a few circles as well to add  to the circle 'theme'. Added a few sticker phrases, strips of scrap paper and mounted the family photos on white. Mounted the photos of the kids where they weren't wearing anything separately just so i could see their cute little funny faces clearer.

Trash to Treasure

Opened a few wedding gifts from 2005 and I didn't want throw out the boxes. What could I possibly use the cardboard for? AHA!

Framed some of our Hong Kong Disney pictures! :) Just painted the cardboard black then cut up the slots for the photos. Then matted the back with another piece of cardboard. It felt nice that I didn't have to throw anything away.

Plus also thought of using a toilet paper roll to make a Mickey Mouse head.

"Hidden Mickey!!" as my kids would say. I just cut up the roll into 3 pieces and cut 2 smaller pieces and used them for the ears.

It doesn't look perfect but its ok right? The family loves it! So I love it :) hehe..

Looking into more trash to treasure projects..

Goodbye Book ( is there really anything good about goodbyes? )

Made a goodbye book for my sister, niece and brother-in-law. Long story short, she and my niece were here for 18 months waiting for their papers. We kept praying for them to be reunited as a family, but when the time finally came for them to leave, ahhh!! How hard! I was in tears making this.

My My daughter helped in making it more special. This is her writing.

Posting just few of my favorite pages.

With Lola, when they were still very small.

Special pocket for her and the grandkids. Picture of them when they were older, inside the pocket.

My niece's 1st Birthday celebration. With her "YAYA KK".

My sister with my niece and my 2 girls. Missing you so much!

Zero waste with the kids

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