School Year 2014-1015

It's that time of year to make plans for the next school year, which usually I start thinking about back in January. It takes a lot of planning, to get ready for the next year. It does seem to get easier as the years go by, as you already have an idea of what worked for your children so you try to stay with same curriculum!
This year I did a lot of soul searching though, I have been having a really hard time teaching my oldest. CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder), children have an awry of different issues and it has been getting harder and harder to teach her. She just doesn't want to do anything, will daydream half the day, gets distracted easy, and every thing annoys her, especially noise, which is something that is very hard to deal with, since I have three other children. It has been stressful, to say the least! I am thankful that this year is almost finished, Alhumdullelah! Even though I have been struggling to keep it all together, after lot's of tears, soul searching, asking Allah for guidance on what is best for our family! As well as talking to the professionals, it is better for my daughter to be homeschooled, as she is where she is academically because of it. Most of these children fail school, at least struggle with school. If I was to put her into school, it is recommended that we do a 504 plan with and IEP, as well as a FM headset, so she could get all the help she could get. Then again homeschooling her, is it worth taking the time from my other kids, to focus on one child. I feel I am not being fair to my other children! And this is what is making it so hard for me to make the best decision. After long talks, we knew we didn't want our kids to go to public school here in the States, all personal reasons, but we will never say never to the idea of public school. We talked about going to Jordan, and sending the kids to school there. They would learn to speak Arabic fluently, be seeing their family, all positives, except my husband won't be able to stay there due to work. Even though, we realize sending the younger ones to school there would work fine, it would not be a good fit for our oldest. Everything came back to homeschooling! We will still go to Jordan, since we haven't been there for 5 years, and my husband is losing hope that his children will be bilingual, so I have agreed to go to Jordan without him. The goal will be to homeschool, for at least six months to a year in Jordan. We'll see if we make it, and I am meaning the staying that long, not the homeschooling.
So, back to my planning of homeschooling, now I need to plan what we will do this coming year, but also, how to pack it?! Remember, I will have a 5th, 3rd, 1st and a preschooler, this coming school year! Crazy, and what makes it even more so, I'll be doing it outside the US, where it is not common, and most Jordanians have never heard of such a thing. This will be our new homeschooling adventure!
Most of the subjects are quite easy, since I know I want to stay with the curriculums that are working good for us. But...and there is always a BUT, there are a few that I know won't be easy to do overseas, so I will have to decide what I will do to replace those. I have also, decided that for history, geography that I will not be buying a curriculum, we will study Jordan, through internet, and living and hoping to be able to take a lot of field trips!
Just like I said before, I will never say never to public school here in the States, I will never say never to putting my children into a school over there. I do know that whatever I do decide in the future, I have to do what is best for all of my children, as well as, the well being of our family! There are always Pros and Cons to every situation. As for now, it looks like homeschooling is the right choice, it can always change.
Inshallah, I'll get everything ready for the next school year by the end of this week, so it is one less thing that I will have to think/worry about before our journey begins. The count down has begun, 96 days before our trip, 26 more days of school for this year, and 56 more days to finish up and get all our work sent in to be reviewed. So much to do, as well as all the other ins and outs of life. All I can say is BUSY, but I wouldn't change it!

Respect

RESPECT...I really am so surprised, maybe shocked is a better word, at how little people show respect to others. Everyone talks about how they want to be respected, but if you, yourself won't show respect, how do you expect it to come your way. Like most things, respect is a two way street.  I don't know, maybe I was raised differently, but I was taught to be respectful of other, to think how I would want to be treated, and treat others the way I would want to be treated.
I can't believe the things I have heard some women say about their husbands not respecting them, when most of what they are saying and how they are acting is not respecting their husbands. One time this woman went to far as saying cause my husband didn't get me the gifts I like, I decided to make a list and go make him get it for me.
It is true in Islam, the husband is financially responsible for the wife and family, but that does not mean you can go about spending all the money any which way you would like. Respect that he has worked hard for the money, and as long as your basic needs are taking care of be thankful. Then if you feel you would like something more, speak politely with your husband, and you may be surprised that he will more then willing get it for you. He might even surprise you with it as a gift in the future. It is much better to be respectful, rather than being demanding!
In Islam, everyone has rights, and we all have the right to be respected, but in the same time we need to remember that others have rights, too.

LOL...I'm Back!

Subhan'Allah! I guess when I take a break, I take a break, lol! Seriously though, life happens and my family is the most important thing to my heart, besides of course Allah!
Lot's of things have happened, we moved, we had my oldest tested for different things, and have found that she has Auditory Processing  Disorder. I have taken lots of time reading and getting as much info as I could on it as well as taking her to therapy. I'm so thankful after a year of therapy there has been some improvement, we are still not where she should be but we are hoping in time to get there. In a future post I'll write more on what  Auditory Processing Disorder is, and the therapy that my daughter has been doing, In sha Allah!
We are still homeschooling, which is taking so much of my time, and can be so overwhelming at other times. We are finishing up another year, the count down is on, 29 more days, In sha Allah. Then of course I have to make 2 portfolios this year, this is the choice I chose for my State. This can be time consuming and not fun, but it is nice to see a years worth of work all rolled up in one book. My oldest likes to look at her other portfolios. Then of course I need to get ready for the next school year. I will have 5th, 3rd, 1st, and a preschooler, it will be a busy one! Not only this, but we will be schooling in Jordan, not sure for how long we'll be there, I guess that will depend on how long the kids and I can handle not being with our father/husband. I'm sure that will be an interesting experience.
We got a cat, and all I can tell you that was the biggest mistake I ever did. She was very cute, but so annoying. I tried hard to not let it bother me, when she would get on my counters, table, on my clean dishes in the dish drainer...but when she decided to start urinating on my sofa, that was more than I could handle. I did everything I could to clean it, and even though we didn't seem to smell it, the cat still would urinate on it. After 3 days, I said she is going, but my kids cried it broke my heart, and I was willing to give it a new chance. I mean, we have had the cat for about 7 months, and she never did anything like this before. I even blamed it on happening because my son had an accident on the sofa. But...she just won't stop, so I said she has to go. There is no more and's, if's or but's,she is gone! I'm not really mean, she is just going to my mother's so the kids will get to still visit and see her, but I'll be able to live in my living room again.
I really did plan on keeping the blog updated, and In sha Allah, from here on out I will!

My Girls are Growing Up!

I know that I haven't written for a while, but I am giving little tidbits of things that have happened recently.

My 7 year old, wanted to make Pumpkin Chip Cookies, all by herself, and then her 5 year old sister wanted to help her. It was quite the amazing thing to watch, my kids growing up, Masha'Allah! My oldest was reading the recipe as well as measuring the ingredients, and then having her sister pour them into the bowl. Both girls did the mixing, and of course got help with putting them into the oven.
It's kinda bittersweet seeing your children grow up, knowing they getting more and more independant, need you less and less.
I am just sad that I didn't run and get the camera that day, but at least I have the sweetest pictures in my mind.
I just love my kids so much. Thank you Allah, for blessing me with them. Ameen!

My Break!

Assalam Alaikum,
   I am trying to get back to somewhat of a routine after having my little one, which has been more difficult this time, with having to school two kids right after having him, as well as kinda schooling, entertaining my pre-schooler. I have been lacking on the home front, and the house seems to have taking the brute of my time. We have just completed our 1st quarter of school, alhumdullelah, and it is just before EID-Al-Adha. I am thankful that it is working out this way, so we are taking a week break, YEAH!!!
I would love to say that I am really going to be able to relax, but that is just not possible, so I have told the kids this is the plan. I will clean the house for the next 2 days (because really I have neglected it), Then the we will all work together to get ready for EID, which will be fun inshallah. Then inshallah, I am all theirs, LOLS. I have agreed to play what they want, read stories...whatever they would like. Well, almost whatever they would like! :)
I still have do the homeschooling Portfolio, but am hoping to work on this after Fajr, when the kids are all still sleeping.
Being a Mother equals no breaks, but being a Homeschooling Mother definitely equals no breaks!

Science Curriculum

Assalam Alaikum...I wanted to share with you our science curriculum, I love it for it is easy to use, as well as being fun, but the best part is that my children love it and are learning a lot from it. We are currently using R.E.A.L. Science (LIFE). It was writing for non-scientist parents, and it is a lot of hands on. If you ask my oldest what her favorite subject is, it is Science, and she would love to do it everyday.
If you would like to check it out, click HERE !

Sharing one of our projects with you!

Plant Cell

                                        

Animal Cell

It's fun, and children learn best by having their hand invovled with the learning, other than just reading and writing.

Tongue-Tied!

Assalam Alaikum...I can't believe that it has taken me this long to get back on here. I have been super busy, mostly doing research, as well as homeschooling, and taking care of my family. My son was born tongue-tied, it was the 1st time anyone in our families have ever heard about it. I started looking things up, question our pedi, and even though he is bf'ing fine, we still thought we would have him clipped. Our pedi, and everything I have read made it seem so simple, and harmless precedure.
Anyway, our pedi, said she won't do it in the office, because if you don't do it right they could have speech problems. So she referred us to and oral surgeon. Well, my dh and both didn't really like him, not very personal. (We also felt it was because we were Muslim, we could be wrong though.)  He looked at it, and said they like to wait over a year, because they put them under, and if you do it earlier it affects their brain.
I asked about a local and clipping, and he said nope we can only do it when they are under and with laser. He said or we could wait until he is 12 and do laser.
I told dh, I will not put him under, even if he had speech problems, because speech prolems aren't serious.
   After seeing the oral surgeon last week, I called my pedi, and she then referred us to an ENT. So, yesterday morning we go and the nurses and the dr, we all so nice. They looked at my son, and explained even though he's not having and issues now doesn't mean he wouldn't in the future. That he could have choking problems while eating, speech problems (more likly a lisp)...He told us it is so much better to have it clipped at a young age. He told us he could clip it right then and there, or we could come back, but recommending it done sooner than later. Dh, and I agreed to have it clipped then.
Oh my how I felt like I had a knot in my stomach, and started tearing up. Dh, held him, while a nurse held his head and the Dr. clipped it. He did bleed for about 5 mins, but I was able to nurse him after that. He had to be held all the time after though, everytime, I put him down even for a second he would scream top of his lungs. He has given me a few smiles, but hasn't cooed like normal, and actually miss it. We usally have conversations a few times a day. LOL! So, hoping that today he will be back to cooing.
He did stick his tongue out which I was happy about, but you can tell that his tongue feels weird to him, because of the way he moves it, and then looks after. Dh and I agree that his facial features have changed a little too.
For the most part we are happy we did it, but I wish he never had to have it happen in the 1st place.
By the way, the ENT Dr., did mention that 95% of the time this is all that needs to be done to correct it.

Homeschooling!

How did I forget to post this?  LOL!

I can't believe that we have already completed a month of school. Time sure seems to be flying lately. I have to say I am very happy with my choice of curriculums this year, the only one I'm not in love with, is the second grade reading and phonics from Horizon. I like both K and 1st grade, but the second so far is just reviews, and it looks like it could be that way through the whole curriculum. My favorite curriculum is our science. R.E.A.L. Science (LIFE). It has been alot of fun with lots of hands on. My kids are all learning a lot from it. It's mostly for my 2nd grader, but I use it with my K'er and Pre-K'er, just don't give them all the paper work.
We have been doing what seems like a lot of projects with more to come.

I'm Back!!!!

Assalam Alaikum...I can't believe how long it has been. Life happens, that is why I haven't been around. I just didn't think that it would be this long.
So a little that has happened, I found out I was pregnant and was having morning sickness, I was just having trouble getting my normal things done, that I started staying away from the computer. Then my in-laws came and visited for 3 months. It was a wonderful visit, but extremely exhausting to me being in my last months of pregnancy. I had my baby and after getting the family adjusted had to get back to school. I am just starting to get my life back to normal. LOL!!!

Free Audio Kids Books

Assalam Alaikum! I know that I have been neglecting my blog, but I have just been so tired lately. I know it's not really an excuse, but I have been struggling to get through my homeschooling day. As well, as doing all the other household duties.
I have found some free audio books, that has some nice stories for the kids.

Teeth

In science, we started learning about teeth. We talked about the molars, cuspids, canine, and incisors. What each  of them were used for. I had my kids look at their teeth in the mirror and then had them try to make each tooth out of clay.  They had fun, and I had fun watching them express their creativity. 

My Free Leap Frog Book!

                                                                                             

   I received my Free Leap Frog Tag book in the mail yesterday. It's actually a very cute story. My kids loved it. I don't actually have the tag system, but we read the book. They also sent a $5 off coupon to buy the system. It is something that I have decided that I will look more into though.                                             

Homeschool Tracker

I am so bad at record keeping. Even though I don't have to formally keep records yet, for homeschooling,  I have wanted to for my own benefit, as well as to try to get into the habit. I keep trying but always seem to find myself a few weeks behind. Like now I am 3 weeks behind.  I found the Homeschool Tracker, it is a wonderful program. It keeps track of our school days, grade average for my children, daily journal, ect... I am so thankful for it.

INS

I really can't understand the INS, can they really be so STUPID! I don't have any issues with having people come to the US, but come on, there are just some people that really should NOT be here!!!
I personally know how hard it is to actually get through all the questions, and things to get someone a visa, but this is to keep out the weirdos, as well as to keep out the people who come here for wrong reasons.
Just tell me, how government agents can not tell a phony when all the signs are there. I mean, a man marries an  American woman older than himself, then divorces her, because she refused to help him get a VISA. So he finds an even older American women, as old as, if not, older than his own mother. She of course did everything she could to give this man his VISA. He comes here, never lives with her, but kept a few clothing and things of hers in his apartment, just in case the INS came  a knocking on his door. Then after a few years gives this man  the American Citizenship. A week or two later he divorces this woman, goes back to home country gets married, which his family all knew was his plan anyway. He starts right away on her papers to get a visa, and guess what??? 10 months later she gets her VISA, as well as has a 1 month old baby. The baby can't get the passport for a while, so it's ok, lets just leave this baby, because AMERICA, is so much more IMPORTANT THAN AN INFANT!!!!!!!!!!
Now this is just one story, there are millions more. Wake up INS, and HOMELAND SECURITY!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love my country, I really do, but can you ever think about why our country might be falling!

Twinkies

I am not really one that buys what I would consider "junk" food. Don't get me wrong I love to eat all kinds of baked goods, but buying is a whole other thing. One day I happened to be watching the Today Show, and happened to see them make Twinkies. Now, I am not really a "Twinkie" eater, but when I came across this recipe I just knew I would have to try it. It was so good, it did remind me of twinkies, even though it had been many years since I last ate a boughten one. We had extra filling so I let my kids put some on the top. :)

Islamic Curriculum

The other day a friend of mine was mentioning that she would love to do more Islamic Studies with her children, something that would give her more structure. I actually ordered mine from Iqra. They have great books, I looked in the school book section. I am really impressed with their books, and they are worth more than what I paid for them. Actually the Islamic Sunday School, that I am taking my kids to, are actually using the same books that I bought here. We are using We Are Muslims, and I Love Islam  for Islamic studies, as well as the Arabic Reader. As for Quran, I highly recommend finding a good Quran Reciter online, we are using Quran Reciter. Inshallah, my Sisters in Islam, find this useful.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

I also found these bars from Martha Stewart Living magazine. YUMMM.... I have been asked to make these multiple times.  Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars 

Date Nut Bars

 

I was in search of some healthy snacks for my family. We get the Family Fun magazine, and they had some nice looking recipes for kids school snacks. I decided that I would make these, and they were so good!
Date Nut Bars

Wanting to wish everyone a wonderful EID!!!

New Fridge!

Since last July our freezer has had a mind of it's own. Some days it would freeze and other day it would.... not be as cold as it should be. Well the other day it decided to really thaw, our ice cream was like soup. We had it fixed a year ago, with how much it cost to get a repairman out to just to look at it. We decided it would be better to just look for a new one. So refrigerator shopping we went.
It's hard to find a style, size, and price that is just right. My kids wanted one, but I thought another would have more space. They were a little upset, and said next time we would have to get the one they liked. Well, hopefully there will not be a next time, at least not for awhile.
While we were waiting for them to come, my oldest decided to find a way to keep them from coming in. A jump rope was used from the doorway to the kitchen cabinets. as well as being dressed up as a firefighter. All I can say is my kids do have a great imagination, which I am thankful for.  Of course, everything was picked up and put away before the delivery men came, but it gave me lots of smiles.
I was surprised even though it was a little smaller than the one we had, they had to take our front door off just to get the fridge in and the old one out. So that was interesting, having someone take our doors off.
We learned that they recycle refrigerators, and even they joked you never know this could be a new car. :)
Once everything was set up, my children were very happy with it. My only disappointment so far is even though it is 1/2 inch smaller than our old one, it actually doesn't have as much space. :(  But I guess, this should mean we will lose less food in the back of the fridge. :)))