Written by kmantoan on 04/02/2012
Sharing Mealtime Secrets…more like airing dirty laundry.
Food . HumorDinnertime. Around here, I call it the witching hour. Both young ‘uns are up from their naps. The older ones are getting their second wind. I’m alternately staring into a refrigerator stocked with unlabeled plastic containers or a freezer stocked with unlabeled plastic bags. And every two minutes someone is coming into the kitchen and
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Written by kmantoan on 03/30/2012
{SQT} Bullets to Balls.
Humor . Seven Quick TakesI did a bit of traveling with the family recently and thought I’d use my first foray into the ‘Seven Quick Takes’ meme by mentioning seven things people put on their vehicles which mystify me. 1. Bullet hole stickers. I tend to see these on older, more, ‘lived-in’ vehicles. In addition to a fine patina
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Written by kmantoan on 03/27/2012
Lent Is The Perfect Time For Field Trips
Homeschooling . HumorThis photo shows my family outside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors Center with our bronze pal Abe Lincoln. It’s one of only two shots we managed to take and it was probably the only time I smiled all day. I love the idea of field trips. In fact, the flexibility to take
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Written by kmantoan on 03/23/2012
Extracting Narrations: More Stubborn Than Wisdom Teeth
Homeschooling . HumorMost days, I would rather visit the dentist than try to extract a decent narration from my older kids. I don’t know who suffers more; well, actually I do. I’m the one forced to endure my children’s never ending sentences, inability to capitalize anything when under duress, and repeated cries of “I don’t know what it’s
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Written by kmantoan on 03/19/2012
Things I Love; My Conquistador Lamp
HumorThe summer before my junior year of college I fell in love with a Spanish man. It made no difference that I was still dating my high school sweetheart. As soon as my eyes beheld the Conquistador’s thoughtful eyes, dark beard and pumpkin pants I knew I had to make him mine. Thankfully, he was
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Written by kmantoan on 03/14/2012
Don’t Cheat On Your Favorite Curricula
Curriculum . Homeschooling . HumorI try to do homeschooling on the cheap. Certainly, it is not always possible, but my husband and I always think long and hard before plunking down a wad of cash for a fancy boxed set of anything related to education. Through the years, people have recommended all sorts of programs that will supposedly provide
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Written by kmantoan on 03/11/2012
Lent is Penitential
Catholic . HumorI really struggle with Lent. This is one of those unfortunate years that I can’t use the ‘I’m nursing/pregnant’ excuse to skip out. The previous Lents in which I’ve attempted to go ‘hard core’ and give up something like soda or snacking between meals or sweets have usually ended with me devouring at least half
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Written by kmantoan on 03/09/2012
Homeschooling Secret Weapon!
Homeschooling . HumorI’m going to let you in on a secret about homeschooling. There’s one, just one thing you need to successfully homeschool all your children. You won’t find it at any homeschool fair or convention, and it can’t be purchased used. It’s cheaper than the $150 musical phonics program you tried three years ago and does
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Written by kmantoan on 03/04/2012
Things I Love; Old School Trapper Keepers
HumorOld school, 1980’s original, puppy dog adorned Trapper Keeper; you were the one cool and trendy thing my parents bought for me as a child. ( Okay you and a Cabbage Patch doll.) No kid screamed “socially awkward” more than me until highschool, but everyone respected the Trapper. I doodled on your crisp white inside,
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Written by kmantoan on 03/01/2012
Lesson Plans I Can Live With
Homeschooling . HumorIs it just me or does it seem that most lesson plans are written for the homeschooling mom with only one attentive student? These plans assume that you and your child can sit undisturbed for at least 8 minutes. Lately, it seems like I do most of my schooling in a semi-Quasimodo hunch over the
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Written by kmantoan on 02/28/2012
Random thoughts on something I love: Aprons
HumorI love aprons because I always decide to make homemade pizza on a day when I’m wearing black. Halloween or Easter candy opens silently in an apron pocket. I love aprons because worn over a denim jumper and stained t-shirt I can still pull off a ‘put together’ June Cleaver look if I brush my hair and