#22/365

A little project i did today..

I got the printable & idea from this Website

How To Find {Good} Free Kindle Books

Hi Everyone!!

I don't know about you, but i love to find free kindle books to read. But Amazon sure doesn't make it easy to find the good ones.

If you were to search on Amazon, free kindle books,  it will give you a list of some pretty boring & just plain crappy books.

I recently discovered a way to find the good free books, so i thought i would share it with you step by step.

Here goes!


Step 1:

Go to www.amazon.com

Step 2:

They have a shop by department button, once you click on it, pick Kindle E-readers & Books as highlighted below.

Step 3:

Once you have picked Kindle Books it will bring you to a page that looks like this one below. Click on Kindle Best Sellers as highlighted below.

Step 4:

Once you have clicked on the best sellers, it will bring you to that page and you will see a page that looks like the one below. Click on Top 100 Free as highlighted below.

Step 5:

Once you have clicked on Top 100 free, it will bring you to a page like the one below. From there you can pick any category you want (i.e. cookbooks, business, health, romance, religion, etc.) and it will give you the top 100 free books for it. *Keep in mind these lists change daily, if not every couple of hours, so if you see a book you like grab it while it is still FREE.*

I hope this helps make finding good free books less confusing.

~Veronica~

Pregnancy *28 Weeks*

Hi Everyone!!

I'm 28 weeks pregnant, only 83 days to go!!

28 Weeks


Baby:

Baby is about the size of a large Eggplant.
Baby should be measuring about 14.8 inches.
Baby should weigh about 2 1/4 pounds.


Mommy:

I'm feeling pretty good, again not much to report.


Hopes for this week:

To pass my glucose test! (It's one of my least favorite things about pregnancy!)


~Veronica~

#20/365

This was taken on Saturday.

Spending time with my boy, on a rainy afternoon! :-)

#19/365

This was taken on Friday

We are going to have Butterflies soon!!!

Kindergarten Checklist {Free Printable}

Hi Everyone!!

As a Homeschooler, i often wonder if i am teaching my kids everything they need to know for that school year. So i did a lot of researching online and i found out what is expected of my kids to learn in each grade. I then decided to make a handy printable checklist to go along with each grade.

Today i'm sharing with you my Kindergarten checklist.

This is everything your child should learn in Kindergarten, that way you know if they are ready for 1st grade or not.

I'm planning on adding a list of Sight Words to this checklist too, so stay tuned for that update.

In the meantime, you can download my Kindergarten Checklist for yourself HERE


~Veronica~

Top 10 Things To Stock Up on When You Have Kids

Hi Everyone!!

Today i'm sharing my list of things to stock up on when you have kids.

These are the things we are always running out of.

1. Toothpaste - They go through it like crazy.

2. Toilet Paper

3. Paper Towels - You will always be cleaning up spills and messy faces.

4. Hand Soap

5. Shampoo

6. Laundry Soap - Laundry piles are never ending with kids.

7. Dish Soap

8. Clothes - It's always good to have the next size up on hand, especially with newborns they grow so fast.

9. Food - Kids eat a lot, enough said!

10. Kleenex Facial Tissue - Runny noses happen a lot.



Those are my top 10 things to stock up on, what's on your list?

~Veronica~

#18/365

I'm Pregnant! {Now What Do I Do?} - Part 2

Hi Everyone!! Last week i shared with you, in Part 1 ,the steps you should take after getting a Positive Pregnancy Test.

This week i'm sharing with you things you will need/want to have on hand while pregnant.

Let's get started shall we!


1. Prenatal Vitamins - I talked a little bit about this last week, you will want to start taking them right away.

2. Saltine Crackers - They really to help with morning sickness. Munch on them throughout the day to keep nausea away.

3. Peppermint Hard Candies - They also help with morning sickness and further on in your pregnancy they will help with heartburn. (I've also heard peppermint tea helps too.)

4. Toilet Paper - Seriously, stock up on this big time, cause for the next 9 months you will be going and going and going.

5. Heating Pad - Comes in great having one of these, to help soothe your sore back. (Just make sure you don't put it on your stomach.)

6. Books, Journals, etc. - Books on pregnancy, breastfeeding, parenting, etc. all come in handy to have while pregnant. A journal is also good to have to write down thoughts and feelings on your pregnancy.

7. Healthy Snacks - Lots of fresh fruits and veggies are great to have available to snack on. Nuts are a good snack too! Do you love smoothies? Check out my recipe for a healthy Green Smoothie HERE!!

8. Pillows - They sell these whole body pillows, which i have heard are great, but i haven't tried them yet. Having extra pillows is great support for your belly and also to lift your feet with them to reduce swelling.

9. Maternity Clothes - Sure you could get away with just wearing regular clothes, but maternity clothes are way more comfy and they fit better!

10. Lotion - To help prevent stretch marks.


So that's my list of things to have while pregnant, what's your favorite thing to have available while pregnant?

~Veronica~

#17/365

I found this great deal at Office Depot yesterday, this handwriting tablet was on clearance for $0.73!! 

~Veronica~

My Favorite Homeschooling Blogs

Hi Everyone!!

Today i thought i would share with you, my favorite homeschooling blogs.

I go to these blogs for ideas, information, resources, enrichment, etc.

I just love them & i'm sure you will too!



1. Confessions of a Homeschooler

2. 1+1+1=1

3. The Unlikely Homeschool

4. This Reading Mama

5. My Joy-Filled Life

6. 123 Homeschool 4 Me

7. Watch Me Homeschool

8. Teaching Mama

9. Proverbs and Pacifiers

10. The Purposeful Mom


~Veronica~

#16/365

Look what came in the mail today! :-) I'm excited to do some reading tonight!

Tot School Update

Hi Everyone!!

Today i thought i would share how things are going in Tot School for Jelly Bean.. Here is some of what she has been up to lately..

                                                                    Coloring

                                                                    Lots of Coloring

                                                     Color sorting with candy

                                           Matching, this was her working on the Sheriff Callie one.

She spends most of her days coloring, playing, and we are working on having her learn her ABC's.

~Veronica~

#15/365

Green Smoothie {with Recipe}

Hi Everyone!!

I've been meaning to share this recipe for awhile now, I've been enjoying these delicious green smoothies for about 2 years now!!

Not only do they taste great, but they are also good for you!

Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 large Banana

½ cup frozen mango chunks

½ cup frozen peaches

1 cup water

1 handful fresh Spinach

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into a glass and enjoy!

The kids love this smoothie too!!! 

You can download & print out the recipe HERE 

~Veronica~

*I originally got the recipe from this Website *

Pregnancy *27 Weeks*

Hi Everyone!!

Today i'm 27 weeks pregnant, only 13 more weeks to go!! :-)

27 Weeks


Baby:

Baby is about the size of a head of Cauliflower.
Baby should be measuring about 14 1/2 inches long.
Baby should weigh almost 2 pounds!


Mommy:

I'm feeling good this week, not much to report.


Hopes for this week:

To read up on everything about breastfeeding (how to, foods that help with milk supply, etc.)


~Veronica~

#13/365

Sheriff Callie's Wild West - Tot Pack {Free Printable}

Hi Everyone!!

Today i'm sharing with you a project I've been working on for awhile now.

Ever since it's debut on the Disney channel, my kids instantly fell in love with Sheriff Callie's Wild West.

The catchy songs, lovable characters, and good story lines keep them wanting more.

My 2 year old especially loves Sheriff Callie, so therefore i thought i would make a Sheriff Callie themed Tot Pack for her to work on.

Included in my Tot Pack is:

1 Pre-writing Page
1 Spot the difference page
1 Create your own sheriff badge
3 Matching card pages
2 Puzzle pages
3 Do-A-Dot pages



                                   Here she is working on the matching cards. She loved this!!

This was just my first attempt at creating a tot pack, so there are a few things i would change/do differently. But overall i'm happy with the end result and i hope you will be too!

You can download my Sheriff Callie Tot Pack for free HERE

I used clipart from HERE.


~Veronica~

#12/365

I'm so excited, my kids have no idea this is going to be happening tonight.....

~Veronica~

I'm Pregnant! {Now what do i do?} - Part 1

Hi Everyone!! I know a lot of first time moms (and sometimes even us experienced moms) wonder what their next steps should be after getting that Big Fat Positive(BFP) on a home pregnancy test.

This might be your first or maybe you had your last baby years ago. Either way i'm sure you are wondering what comes next {or maybe you just need a refresher}.

So today i thought i would share what i think are the next important steps to take after you get your BFP.


Yay! I'm Pregnant, now what?!

1. Call {and/or find} a doctor - Make sure when you call, you know the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). This will be asked a lot during your pregnancy. This helps them to determine your due date.

2. Stop bad habits - This would be the time to quit smoking, stop drinking, etc.

3. Take Care of yourself - Start taking prenatal vitamins, get lots of rest, and eat healthier.

4. First Appointment - This will probably take place when you are 6-8 weeks along. They will ask you a TON of questions about you & your significant other's medical history. They will also take your weight, height and blood pressure. And do a blood & urine test. They will give you a due date & maybe even do an ultrasound.

5. Ask questions - Make sure they take your insurance (or they except self pay), where will you be delivering, how does their practice work (will whoever is on call deliver your baby or your specific doctor), do they support natural childbirths, and ask about any other concerns you have.

Good luck, and i hope you have a happy & healthy pregnancy!!

~Veronica~

12 Years!!

Hi Everyone!!

Today Hubby and I are celebrating 12 years together!! This is the day we officially became a couple (as in dating).

Where has the time gone?! It feels just like yesterday and then it also feels like it was such a long ago. Such a weird mixed feeling.

Anyways i am truly grateful that i met my Hubby.


I know that no matter what life has in store for us, as long as he is by my side, we will get through it.


I love you babe, Always and Forever! Thanks for taking a chance on a shy girl from Alaska. :-)

~Veronica~

#10/365

They took advantage of playing behind the couch, while Hubby was vacuuming!

Spring Bucket List {Free Printable}

Hi Everyone!!! Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, so i thought i would share with you my Spring Bucket List Printable.

Last Summer we did a bucket list and i thought it was such a good idea. Plus it's a great way to keep track of all the fun activities/things you want to do/accomplish for that season. So i decided i would do one for each season.

So here is the Printable Spring Bucket List

Enjoy!!

*Clipart used from MyClipArtStore*


~Veronica~

#9/365

I took a picture of this same tree last week (i believe it was #3/365), i'll randomly be taking pictures of it to show how much it's changed.

Seasonal Allergies

Hi Everyone!! Today i thought i would talk about seasonal allergies.

I've been a long time sufferer of seasonal allergies.

Pollen and fresh cut grass are my 2 major allergens.

Here is what i do to help with my allergies.

1. Avoid fresh cut grass like it's the Plague - Seriously, if i don't do this; my eyes water & itch, also any part of my body that touched the grass clippings itches, my nose runs and i go on a crazy non-stop sneezing spree.

2. Everyone must take their shoes off before walking through the house - Allergens can stick to shoes and therefore can get into the carpet.

3. On high pollen days don't open windows - You can check your local pollen count HERE

4. Take allergy medicine every single day during allergy season - Over the years I've tried out lots of different medicines, the best one (for ME) that I've found is Alavert. I love this stuff, it works great & no side effects (unlike Bendaryl which just makes you drowsy). You can read more about Alavert HERE **

5. Wash clothes & take showers - Just like with shoes & the carpet one, allergens can stick to your clothes and body. So after a day out having fun in the sun, come home and put your clothes straight into the washer and go take a shower.


Those are just a few of my tips for dealing with allergies, how do you deal with them?

**I'm not a doctor so please don't take this and/or any medicine without consulting a physician first.**

~Veronica~

St. Patrick's Day 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Here are a few pictures from today..... (I'm also counting this post as my 365 picture, cause all of these were taken today)


                                                            My Handsome little guy

We made rainbows out of colored navy beans.. To make colored navy beans, you just add some white navy beans to a Ziploc bag and add 15 drops of whatever food color you want to use. Seal up the bag and shake until all the beans are covered. Then pour them out onto paper towels to dry.

                                                          This one was Super Guy's.

                                                          This one was Boogie Man's

                                                     Here is Jelly Bean working on her's.

                                                    Super Guy enjoying his milkshake!

                          Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles!!

~Veronica~

Pregnancy *26 Weeks*

Hi Everyone!!

I'm another week closer to meeting my little guy!! :-) Here's all the info for 26 weeks!

26 Weeks

Baby:

Baby is about the size of a Scallion.
Baby should be measuring about 14 inches.
Baby should weigh about 1 2/3 pounds.


Mommy:

Still having some Braxton Hicks contractions and some spotting here and there, but other than that i feel good.


Hopes for this week:

To start some sort of work out regimen and start eating a little bit better.



~Veronica~

#6/365

#5/365

Stress

Hi Everyone!! Today i want to talk about stress. We all have stress in our life, whether it's; work, family, money, etc. We all have to deal with it.

My life is extremely stressful; raising kids, homeschooling, working from home, husband being away most of the time, housework, difficult pregnancy. I could go on and on, but i digress.

Stress can also wreak havoc on your body.

Low energy, headaches, insomnia, and chest pain are just a few of the effects of stress on your body.

That is why it is so important to find ways to relieve stress.

So today i thought i would share some of my stress relief ideas. These are the things that help me feel less stressed/overwhelmed. And i hope they can help you too.

1.) Have a schedule - I just started this recently. I sat down once the kids had all gone to bed and made a schedule. I took into consideration all the things that are important and set aside a specific time for them to get done.
                        Here is just an example of what i'm talking about:

                     1:00 - School ends, get ready for the next day & clean up school room.
                     1:30 - Work in the office
                     2:30 - Time w/ kids and any errands that need to be done.
                     4:30 - Prep dinner

            I've made sure to schedule time with my kids (which is very important to me) and also time for work (also very important).

2.) Lists/Goals - I'm always making to do lists for everything; things around the house, homeschooling stuff, and also business stuff too. Without lists i would go even more crazy.

3.) Do one thing at a time - Once i have my list made i focus on one thing at a time.
                                     For example: (Household List)
                                                   Laundry
                                                   Dishes
                                                   Bills
              I sit down and focus on paying the bills and then i move on to doing laundry or dishes.

4.) Set aside "me time" - When making your schedule make sure you set aside time for yourself. My "me time" is once the kids have gone to bed. Then i can just relax, watch a movie,catch up on my favorite tv shows, read a book, etc.

So to sum it all up:

Make a schedule (make sure you set aside "me time" when doing so).

 Once you have that schedule, make to do lists/goals to accomplish for each section of your life (a household to do list, a business to do list, a school to do list, etc.)

Then when it is your scheduled time to be focusing on that section of your life (i.e. Work) grab out your to do list and focus on completing each task one at a time.

I promise you will feel so much better, i know i do!!! :-)


~Veronica~

#4/365

Kids Chore Chart

Hi everyone!! Today i'm sharing with you our chore chart.

I got this idea, along with the printable's from Confessions Of A Homeschooler.

We just started this on Monday, but so far things are going great!

They each have a set amount of chores to do each day and once they have completed their chores they get tickets for it.

At the end of the week they get to turn in their tickets for a reward from our reward box, which is filled with goodies (candy, fun school supplies, etc.).

 And if they complete all their chores for the day, they get a sticker on the Reward Card. Once their reward card is filled up with stickers they get to turn it in for a bigger reward (more kindle free time, ice cream, etc.).

The kids love it and so do I!!! :-)


~Veronica~

#3/365

Penny Prints {Deal}

Penny Prints are back at Snapfish, for a limited time only get up to 99 prints for just 99 Cents!! Just use the code PENNYMAR. But like i said this code is only good for a limited time (it expires 3/16) so don't wait!!

~Veronica~

My Favorite Homeschool Extras

*This post contains affiliate links*

Hi everyone!! Today i thought i would share with you all some of my favorite extras that we use in our home school. I call them extras, because they aren't necessary but they sure to come in handy.

1. Leap Frog: Letter Factory (dvd) - My kids LOVE this movie! It teaches kids the sound that every letter in the alphabet make. Not only is it educational it is also entertaining!

2. Pattern Blocks - Great for teaching shapes, making patterns, creating the alphabet, or creating your own designs, etc. The kids love them! Jelly Bean always wants to play with them.

3. Alphabet Stamps - Great for lots of different uses! Having them learn how to spell their name, upper case & lower case matching, etc.

4. Do A Dot Art Markers - These are great for little ones and less messy then having them use a paint brush and paint. My kids use these daily.

5. Leap Frog: Math Circus (dvd) - Another great movie by Leap Frog.

Kool-Aid Play Dough {With Recipe}

Hi Everyone!!! Today i thought i would share an awesome recipe with you.

I don't know about you, but my kiddos LOVE play dough!

So when i stumbled upon Kool-Aid play dough last year i was really excited for the following reasons.

1.) I knew my kids would love it.
2.) It was easy to make, i had all the ingredients on hand.
3.) It would smell wonderful, which regular old store bought play dough doesn't.

The colors are amazingly vibrant, the smells are wonderful, and it definitely keeps the kids busy for hours!

Here is the recipe:

And here is picture #2/365

~Veronica~