9.29.2015

USAopoly Games~ REVIEW

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This post is going to be a fun one to write!   Because just a few weeks ago our Family was Blessed with the opportunity to Review not one....but two Awesome games.  You know we LOVE games around here.  I use them for those moments when I'm trying to get dinner finished, for teaching during our school time, cheer up a sad Kiddo, past the time when it's bad weather outside and let's not forget those fun Family Game Nights!!!  USAopoly graciously gave us Wonky: The Crazy Cubes Card Game and Tapple: Fast Word Fun for Everyone in exchange for Our Family's opinion.  (Each Retail for $19.95)

9.17.2015

Super Teacher Worksheets~ REVIEW


 
I spend a pretty big chunk of my time teaching the kids and preparing for their various subjects.  I love whole curriculum sets for the most part, but I love unit studies too.  So, I kind of do a mixture of both.  With that said I'm always looking for supplements for our unit studies and extra work for the kiddos to take along with them when we have days on the go.  I have heard of Super Teacher Worksheets back a few years ago, so when I was given the chance to Review their Individual Membership for a full year I had a skip in my step for days because I was so excited.   Super Teacher Worksheets is an amazing resource for both Homeschool and Brick and Morter Teachers.  With this one website for only $19.95 a year you have access to over 10,000 different worksheets on so many subjects and topics from grades K-5th(some can be used for a little older) you may never have to Pin something to an online board again! :)

9.16.2015

Stinky Kid Math ~REVIEW

We had the opportunity to Review a Math Supplement for the past several weeks.  This time it was for Mahala.  She has struggled with Algebra for a long time now and honestly am a little worried.  So, when I was presented the chance to try Stinky Kid Math from Stinky Kid Math I was like sign me up...this is something for us over here.  :)   photo Stinky Kid Math Logo_zpstzvcwjls.png

 
 
What's nice about this particular program is that it's Not a full curriculum.  Right now it's an online Math program that is designed basically to be a supplement to what you already have your child doing for math.   This video streaming service does offer some great worksheets that you will find connected with many of the videos, Love that!!!  This program covers both Algebra and Geometry, Mahala had no issues at all in the Geometry department.  So, our focus was the Algebra!!!
 
Right now she is using an online and workbook program for Math.  She uses it 5 days a week.  During the review period we decided each day she would start off with the Stinky Kid Math first and then continue with her normal Math routine.  Each day she would log on and basically move through section by section.  I know she's almost 16 with a bad case of undiagnosed ADD.  But, she just couldn't focus on the Teachers.  The zoo background and coffee shop were all too interesting I guess and her attention was always redirected to what was going on besides the words coming out of the Teachers mouth.  Some were better then others, but I will say that we Loved how we could go back and re-watch and had control of what we watched.  It was nice to see a real person and their facial expressions, but I think our Family needs a white board, monotone voice to get the facts.  I know....we must be weird! :)  Most days she would use the search bar and look for specific issues she was having,  And since the videos were fairly short she was able to watch 2 or 3 each morning and still have time to finish all her other work on time.  Most lessons have three components to them....the Video, Worksheets with Answer Key and some Games to play.
So, what did we think?  Well, like I said she had a hard time staying focused on the actual video.  She didn't retain what was being taught and need to watch it a few times.  For us at this point in her education I need to stick with a Math curriculum only and not sprinkle in too many extras.  I will say that Kaden who is 8years old Loved it, but he only listened to the videos.  With his Autism and sensory issues the videos were also distracting.  But, he wrote down pages of notes and diagrams.

I would recommend this program to a child that needs some extra tutoring or fine tuning in the Math This would be great for a child without Sensory issues or Attention issues.  This is strictly my own opinions.  The quality is great, it just didn't work with my Family.  Make sure to check out all the other Reviews by clicking down below and reach out to them on Social Media!
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Stinky Kid Math Review

9.13.2015

When Things Look Out of Control....


I Quickly wanted to share one of my Favorite Quotes that I heard a few years ago.  “God wont Protect You from What He will Perfect You through”.
This gave me a world of comfort and relief….I knew God had my life under control, even if at times it didn’t look like it to me.  Like that whole Tapestry story…..underneath the huge needlepoint tapestry is a huge mess of strings and tangled knots.  So many stray colors and lengths of thread, you couldn’t make out heads or tails of what the picture on the other side looks like.  But, when you walk around to the front you see the Beauty of His masterpiece.  It’s clear now….the storms are calm….You are His Masterpiece.  And He has created You for His work, to Love Him, to Live for Him, to Trust Him.
Your life may look like a mess now, but I promise God has a plan…..just Believe and have Faith.  Sending you all Love from my Heart and Praying Daily for You all……

9.11.2015

Breakfast for Daddy

Kaden is still doing fine around here...knock on wood.  :)  We have been making little changes here and there and trying to be as consistent as possible for his daily routine.  We had a few extra things to do this week that wasn't in the plans...but, we were able to give enough notice to smooth right over the possible bumps and meltdown craziness.
One of the things we had going on this week was my Husband's Birthday.  Kaden was so excited about it and wanted to surprise Dad with an omelet breakfast.  Yep, he was the sweetest little helper and I must say he was focused and willing to participate in every area of the morning.

He cleaned and sliced mushrooms, made the spinach, shredded the cheese. stirred the eggs and poured them and flipped the omelet before he put it all on the plate.  He even walked it up while I brought the coffee and we served Daddy in bed.  I was so proud of him for showing love and compassion...he struggles with that.  But, today he was a super star and we all told him how proud we were of his hard work and participation in Dad's special day.  
Here are a few pics, I'll post more of that day later. :)




9.05.2015

The Old Normal Needs to Change

My sweet Kaden....I love that little cutie so much.  The struggle lies in his meltdowns.  I can live with the developmental delays, the quirkiness of his personality and I can even handle the lack of personal hygiene.  The thrashing his body around, hitting himself and throwing himself down the stairs....not so much.  He is almost 9 yrs old and not one broken bone yet....knock on wood.  But, I fear the day is coming that we can't protect him from himself.  What will we do in 8 years and another 75lbs?  
I talked with his ABA person yesterday and she knew this talk was coming....she's predicted it for 4 years now.  I refuse to put him anywhere, even for a few hours.  We are planning for the future when Dad and I wont be here, so he has money.  I know his Sister will be the one to take care of him.  She has loudly voiced that she gets him at her house and not Skylar's.  Kaden is closer with Mahala, so I can easily understand that.
I'm not saying he needs full time babysitting for the rest of his life.  But, in the past almost 5 years of testing, therapy and education Kaden is still consistently the same.  He's super smart, but socially and emotionally he has deficits.  They other day he misspelled alligator, by forgetting the second L.  He was so upset, started pacing the floors and slapping himself.  I tried to move on and expressed how it was a common thing to forget the other L.  No biggie, let's do something fun now?!?!?!?!  PLEASE!!!! :) :)
Nope, he went up the stairs kicking his feet along the wall.  Once upstairs he started throwing himself down, not even trying to catch himself.  The whole time he was crying and asking God over and over why he was so stupid.  That he should have never been born.  After letting him fall 3 times we stepped in.  We waited 3 times, because we try not to over react to this kind of behavior.  But, honestly this is not a typical tantrum.....he is mentally tortured with these emotions.  A typical tantrum a child is either wanting something or is trying to get out of something.  Kaden's meltdowns revolve around something new in his environment, a last minute change that's out of my control or when he feels like a failure.  And that can be as simple as his sheet coming off by accident in the middle of the night.  Yes, this has happened in the middle of the night and we were up dealing with his meltdown half asleep and scared to death.
So, back to the other day....after the 3rd time Skylar and Hubby had to restrain him.  Over an hour of Kaden fighting, pulling and pushing he decided to melt.  He literally rested for 3 minutes and then started talking about a character in one of the books we are reading.  The guys just look at each other dripping in sweat and wonder what the heck, but thank you Lord that Kaden is back with us.  Because when he is in meltdown mode you hardly recognize him.  It's so scary.....this is the part I hate about Autism. 
As he comes down the stairs with a stretched out shirt and sweaty hair I recognize his sweet little smile....my Baby is back.  He asks for some water and if we can play legos.  All of this like nothing has ever happened.  It takes us a little while, but we go back to normal.  But, it's traumatic....it's a crazy life.  But, I am so thankful God gave me him....I would never for a minute want him to be someone elses Baby Boy.  I just want to keep him safe....we Love our sweet Kaden.  We are going to go back to a strict gluten free diet again.  He did better when we were consistent with this.  During the Summer we have been lazy with that, eating gluten foods here and there.  I'm also looking into a few other types of therapy.  Pray with us as we tighten down around here.  Change is hard, pray for Kaden as we try new things over the next few months.

9.02.2015

Mayan Mysteries Online from Dig-It! Games ~REVIEW

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I'm thrilled to be able to share our experience with Mayan Mysteries from Dig-It! Games with you.  We were given the opportunity to Review it the past several weeks.  As you know Kaden is crazy about the computer, games and History facts.  How could this be any better?  Well, I could love playing it too......and guess what?  I do enjoy playing right along with him. :)   This game is recommended for Kiddos in grades 5th-9th.  There is Heavy Reading involved in this game and for younger Kiddos or those with learning disabilities they may need extra time and help.  I love the option they offer to have the passages read to you.