Help for Homeschooling?

I've been talking to JoAnn, at Shiny Distractions, a little bit about home schooling. She also has another blog at Homeschool Distractions. Her latest post has helped out in so many ways.

I've learned quite a bit from looking at some other sites as well. Homeschool Help Web , and Home School Legal Defense Association I've learned about what lap books are. I've learned about different curriculums and way to make it fun for my children. I'm just curious what's everybody else's opinion on home schooling.

Do you think home schooling stops of children from socializing with other children? Do you think they're missing out on specific skills? Do you find it difficult to go on field trips that are both fun and learning experiences? What are some field trips that you can do that actually are a learning experience?

How can I make Pokemon of good curriculum to teach many of the things my child needs to learn such as Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Reading?

One of the key things that I need to do with my son before we can start homeschooling is work on our communication. Is there a curriculum or some ways that I can do that to start off in the right direction that you can think of?

I think I have some things going already.

Peanuuuuut, Peanut Butter

I love saving money, but then again who doesn't? Come on! Admit it, you like to save money. See, I knew you did.

18 ounce Peter Pan Peanut Butter is on sale right now at my local Spartan Store for $0.79. Then there is a dollar off coupon in January 6th Sunday insert. That's free Peter Pan Peanut Butter.

Check to see if it is on sale in a store near you.

Where Tube?

I grew up with a television in the home. Not completely glued to the screen but "Little House on the Prairie" was one of my favorite shows, and I'm positive God created Saturday morning for Saturday morning cartoons. As much as I enjoyed television, I was most always found with a book in hand. Now I'm seeing televisions everywhere.

You can find a television and a shopping cart for a small fee, just for the convenience for your children. You can find a television in the checkout lines when you pay for your purchase at many stores. You can find televisions in the back seat of cars as you ride down the road or even preinstalled at the car lot.

My question is, has anyone seen a television at a gas station?

Let me tell you, I have. Do you think is it more so for convenience to keep up on the times while fueling or is it trying to get you to purchase just a little bit more gas because you are not paying attention to the pump?

And the winner is... Drum Roll Please...

It was so nice to see so many "faces" at my site. As much as I wanted to give you all a wonderful gift, it was just impossible. Since I couldn't give you all one I used random.org to chose the comment that won my giveaway. Now, I also assumed that the winner may not contact me within 48 hours. I allowed random.org to choose the first runner up and third place winner.

True Random Number ServiceRandom Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

85
109
112
Timestamp: 2008-02-04 02:27:49 UTC

First Place is 85 mama zen congratulations. Be sure to watch for my email.
First Runner Up is 109 karina Just in case mama zen does not contact me, keep an eye out for an email from me.
Third Place is 112 Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings I'm sure you know how it works, but hey, you never know, watch out for an email from me.

I had so much fun with Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter '08 Edition. I'm sure that I will be participating in the next one.

Thank you all for coming to my site, and I do hope you come back.

Mandi

EDIT: I have emailed our winner. I shamefully laugh at the many typos and mispelling. Sorry about those mama zen. Congratulation.

Yeah, Free stuff...

I'm joining in the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter '08 Edition

What will you win?

(1)Melt away stress with this 24 hour moisturizing wash, new by Johnson's soft wash
(2)Melt away stress with this body lotion new by Johnson's soft lotion. Johnson and Johnson is finally making a product for an adult.
(3)LypSyl, a lip moisturizer that is made with pure Swedish beeswax, it's got organic shea butter, pure vitamins A and E and coconut oil.
(4)Secrets Of The Vine, Breaking Through To Abundance by Bruce Wilkinson, author of best-selling The Prayer Of Jabez.

Sorry, I don't have photos, but I do have the prize, I promise.

Who is Eligible to enter?

Everyone is eligible to enter, as long as they are in Contintental United States. Unfortunately, it is to costly for me to ship elsewhere.

How to enter?

All you have to do is to leave a comment on this post, it's that simple. You don't have to have a blog to enter this contest, but please make sure you leave a valid e-mail address. If I can't get a hold of you, I can't give you the prize.

When does it open and end?

This contest is open now. I'll leave this open all the way until Sunday February 3, 2008 at 6:00 o'clock.

I'll chose a random comment by using random.org on Monday and the rest is history.

How will I know if I win?

I will e-mail the winner at the end of the contest. The winner must contact me within 48 hours with their full name and address and I will mail you your prize. Please do not enter if you do not want to give me your name and mailing address. I cannot send your gift without it. If I do not get contact within 48 hours I will have to choose a new winner.

Be sure to click on this link to sign up for many other contests. Right now there is almost 900.

Thank you and good luck.

EDIT: I have noticed a few entrants that I cannot find an email address for. Giving your address is as easy as allowing your profile to be viewed with a valid email address until after the sweeps. You can then edit your profile to hide it again.

By doing this, you allow the other blogs that are giving away a prize to contact you if you are the winner. All at one time. You won't have to go back into each blog and add your address.

Thank you again and good luck.

EDIT: Comments are now closed. Thank you for playing. Stay tuned for the winner.

Paying it Forward

This post will be about passing on your unwanted items. Why?

Well why fill up a landfill with unstained still useful clothes? Why throw away anything that someone can really use.

I'm fond of a free program called Freecycle. You can find a Freecycle Group in your area. Each area may have different rules and regulations. For example, in my area you cannot post an animal for free. Become acquainted with your areas requirements, because there are reasoning's for these rules.

I've heard of great results using another free program called Craigslist, although I have never used it.

By way of BabyCheapskate I found a small fee program called Freepeats. This is another I have not used, but it is filling up quickly.

In addition to your passing on something that someone may need, you can also look for something that you may need.

I passed on to a new young mother all of my baby things from my last pregnancy. She was more than happy to accept my 0-3 months clothes, a swing, and many other items.

Every little bit helps.

They sprout up so quickly...

Jenn over at Frugal Upstate has a wonderful idea on how to get over the high prices of hot house veggies.

I never would have thought to grow sprouts to eat, but I've seen them sold at leading grocery stores at a pretty penny.

Jenn makes it look so easy with her how-to.

Thanks Jenn

An Amazing Rack

By way of GoodyBlog I came across this amazing spice rack at vaughnaustin. I think this may be one of the most amazing ideas out there.

If you have any other ideas, this would a great time to post a comment.