Search Results for: blog lessons to love holiday cooking

For the Love of All Things Not Math

My daughter is officially done with second grade. School is out for the summer and I couldn’t be happier. It was a rough year, but my daughter survived and even managed to score a perfect 4.0 on her report card. Straight “A”s, including in her least favorite subject-—math. When I congratulated her on the impressive accomplishment, my daughter noted that she was surprised that she had received an “A” in mathematics. “I hate math, Mommy!” she exclaimed. Translation: Math doesn’t come as easy to her as reading, spelling or Social Studies. It actually requires working a little harder to master … Continue reading →

Lessons to Love: Holiday Cooking

I don’t homeschool my daughter, but if I did I would definitely make cooking an integral part of the curriculum. The holiday season has given us the chance to not only make merry in the kitchen, but it has also afforded us a bevy of educational opportunities. Cooking with kids is the gateway to a litany of hands-on lessons, including: *Nutrition *Communication *Reading *Math *Learning about other cultures *Patience *Sharing *Personal hygiene Kids also get to fine tune their motor skills helping out with various recipes. What’s more, since the kitchen is the heart of the home, kids get to … Continue reading →

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading →

A Very Chocolate Christmas

Just because the CDC issued a warning not to allow kids to consume raw cookie dough, doesn’t mean you should put the kibosh on holiday baking with your little ones. My 7-year-old loves to help out in the kitchen, especially this time of year when she can fine-tune her cookie-creating skills. In addition to fostering your child’s creative side, baking also allows kids to sharpen their math skills. By giving them the chance to assist you in the kitchen, youngsters also get schooled in time management, teamwork, and depending on how well the recipe turns out, you will likely see … Continue reading →

Priceless Christmas Gifts for Parents

I smile every time I see the sign that reads: “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy.” You can usually catch the tongue-in-cheek threat hanging in stores, doctors’ offices and auto repair shops. I love kids to pieces and I firmly believe a baby is one of the best gifts a person can receive during the holiday season… or any time of the year. However, the cute creatures aren’t problem-free. They enter the world following the shedding of blood, sweat and tears, and the work that goes into raising them doesn’t miraculously dwindle when they reach … Continue reading →

It’s Kitchen Time!

Do you incorporate kitchen learning into your homeschool? I’ve found it a great way to teach my kids a lot of things, and not just about how to cook, although that is a huge life skill they should know. Far too many people are relying on boxed mixes and drive-through when they get hungry, and everyone should know how to make a meal with actual, real ingredients. You can do a lot of good for your children as you teach them these basic skills. But you can also teach them math as they learn how to double or half a … Continue reading →

Book Review: “My Gift to You” by Lori Nawyn

Trish Ingram has a secret. Beneath the facade of the perfect housewife lies a woman who is emotionally insecure, battling her own feelings of doubt and discouragement, wondering if she’ll ever really measure up to the standards she has placed on herself because of her past. Her need to remain in control at all times has alienated her from her family and friends, who feel that she is reluctant to give of herself. But if she opens up and becomes vulnerable, she’ll get hurt … so she believes. She maintains her distance for her own self-preservation until a good friend, … Continue reading →

Celebrating Black History Month

February is black history month and it is wonderful opportunity for any family, regardless of race, to enjoy and have fun learning a bit about African American History. I have a few plans, that center around food and music mostly, but also look to build off the lessons and events surrounding the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and the day of service organized last month in his honor. I intend to serve my wife and daughter a diverse menu this month, featuring some soul food: ribs, pulled pork (barbecue), sweet potatoes and more. We are going to talk about … Continue reading →

My Third Week in Review

Three times is the charm, right? I’ve had a lot of fun this week, celebrating Christmas, getting ready for the new year and blogging up a storm. Are you having a good holiday season? In case you missed any posts from my third week, here they are again. Reflections in A Dime Store Window: My first exposure with getting good deals happened early on in my childhood. Caught up in the holiday wonderland of Brooklyn, New York, the sort of magic that is captured by the song “Silver Bells, Silver Bells,” I would stare wide-eyed at the shops lining the … Continue reading →

5 Great Christmas Gifts for the Homeschooling Family on Your List

I am always looking for something that’s educational but is not the equivalent of getting socks and underwear to my kids. This is no small feat, but it can be done. Consider putting the following in the stockings or under the trees of the homeschoolers you love! 1. Educational Games Everyone loves a good board game. So why not pick up a gift certificate for an online store like Fun Again.com? Too many choices? I am personally partial to plunder chess. Leap Frog has also come out with a series of board games that help teach early learning skills. 2. … Continue reading →