workboxing wednesday

 

 

 

Okay.  I’ll come clean.  I’ve been a L.A.Z.Y. slob this week! 

 

But that’s okay when you’re on summer break.  For a couple weeks anyway… 

 

:: wink ::

 

While we don’t have official workboxes going right now, the kids are all hooked up with summer activities.  Reading.  Basketball.  Baseball.  Dance.  Speech Therapy.  ABA Therapy.  Swimming at Grams’.  And the list goes on. 

 

The 4th Grader was all butterflies and nerves over the first day of basketball camp today!  Actually, Grams’ called first thing this morning to see if she could borrow The Littles.  Um.  Lemme think about that.  YES!  The best part (other than the not having the schlep them with) was when I felt moved to shut down the music and just spontaneously pray over Toby.  Side Note:  I need to do that more often.  I pray for my children daily…but most often it’s when I’m alone.  Toby’s response to my prayer was so beautiful and sweet (he was clearly moved) that my heart pricked me again.  I need to do that more often.

 

He asked me to stay for a few minutes while he got to know the kids.  Turns out most of the kiddos in his group have played a sport of one kind or another with him before.  The butterflies fluttered away.  But I stayed any how.  Cause it’s hilarious adorable watching 10-13 year olds do calisthenics! 

 

…danielle    

 

 

I’m joining in the fun at…

 

how can you stay mad at that?

Trevy’s vocab just continues to blossom.  Much of what he says is still unintelligible to the non-Trevy trained ear.  But it’s coming along.  Among his newest words is - bad. 

I’ve used it tons while we’ve been iPad surfing YouTube.  Cause.  Well.  You just can’t believe the crap out there!  I mean seriously?  Who comes up with Dora killing Elmo?  Why, people?!  So I’ll say, “No watch, Trevy…it’s bad!”  Or something to that effect.    

Somewhere along the way his little mind wrapped around the meaning.  Suddenly he was self filtering the baaaaaaad  (he has this super cute way of dragging a word out) Barney videos without mommy prompting.  He even makes judgment calls on the goodness or badness of a video based on the very first image.  It’s so funny and interesting that he gets it.  Of course he also uses it to his advantage by labeling baaaaaaaad anything that even remotely smacks of “work”.  Stinker.   

So tonight Jonathan was giving him a bath and had evidently turned his back for a second.  When he turned back around there was Trevy dumping the entire (brand new) bottle of baby shampoo into the water.  J snatched the bottle away with a frustrated NO Trevy!

According to Jonathan it was hard to stay mad when Trevy flashed him the puppy dog eyes and asked…

Baaaaaaaaaad? 

…danielle 

sneaky (and FREE) math

If you have an iPhone or iPad…the math apps by McGraw Hill are a must have!  Especially when they’re just in time for summer and free!  What’re you waiting for?  Hurry up and download them already! 

:: wink ::

  Name That Number – FREE today!



  Tric-Trac – FREE today!



  Top-it – FREE today!



  Beat the Computer – FREE today!



  Monster Squeeze – FREE today!



  Equivalent Fractions – FREE today!



  Baseball Multiplication – FREE today!

…danielle

click the picture above for more fun math ideas!

he’s not the only one either!

I made the team too!

I’m thrilled about being chosen to join the TOS Crew!  And excited to share my thoughts (and here’s hoping for products too!) with you guys!

…danielle

making the team!

 

 

 

Toby and his friends were our town’s Little League Champions this year! 

 

It was a great season with wonderful coaching and kids.  And it was super special that Toby struck out the other guy’s best batter to end the inning.   

 

Oh…and we get to mark one off our Summer Bucket List.  He made the AllStar team too! 

 

Am I beaming? 

 

:: wink ::

…danielle

iPad app(s) of the day

  AutismXpress – FREE

OMGoodness emotions have never been SO cute!  Adorable little faces representing 16 different emotions from happy to hiccupy complete with sound effects.  Trevy’s faves are “gassy” and “sneezy”. 

  ilearn with Poko: Seasons – FREE

Tanzanian memories!  I think this show might be South African based?  I just remember it was one of the few children’s programs we had access to in The Bush.  And now there’s an adorable iPad app so Trevy can walk down memory lane!  Explores weather conditions, what to wear and activities.  We haven’t played this one yet…but it looks fun!  FYI – I couldn’t find the free version to link in but all you have to do is visit the app store and search for ilearn with Poko and it will pull up for you.   

  Handmade Mother Goose – FREE

Just for funsies app.  Brings snippets of mother goose poems to life.  It’s not super exciting but there are cause and effect-ish things happening.  It’s worth the price.   

  PBS Kids – FREE

Can’t say enough about this app…just go download it already!

  My Underwear – $2.99

I found this app when it was free but I would probably pay for it!  It’s that much fun!  Especially with a kiddo who is addicted to potty humor!  Games include designing your own undies, putting the undies on various animals (Trevy rolls when the go on the head!), helping a monster catch and eat the undies (Trevy amazed me yesterday by actually learning how to maneuver the monster and hold him in place to make the catch!) and of course the always fun undie matching game.  The colors are fantastic and the games are a blast!  Five stars if you ask me! 

  Moody Monster Manor:  Free!

The only emotions more adorable than the app waaaaay up at the tippy top of this post…would be the ones belonging to these monsters!  The graphics are super poppy cute and the sound effects make Trevy giggle.  The games are little over Trevy’s head.  But this is definitely on my must-have-that-app list! 

  Whizzy Kids – Free!

Another must have!  This game was designed and developed by a teacher and she’s totally got her finger on the pulse!  Games include: 

• Body part matching – this is more for Bristel’s age group
• Monster matching – a very simple tap and match game.  Trevy doesn’t “get” it yet…but I have no doubt he’ll catch on soon!
• Letters and Sounds
• Can You Remember – you get 10 seconds to study a group of pictures before another group pops up.  You then have to tap the pictures that don’t belong.  Way over Trevy’s head…but great for Tobes and Bri!
• Puzzles – I love that this one starts with just one piece missing before moving on to more difficult levels!
• And our very fave Finger Mazes – wonderful wonderful fine motor training!  Trevy needs hand over hand to complete this…but it’s just SO fantastic!

  Day Night Black White – .99 cents

Another one I found when it was a freebie.  It’s cute.  Moves through flashcards of opposites.  All touch based and the graphics and voiceover are decent.  I may pay for it?  Maybe?  If I had some mulah burning a hole in my iPad app pocket.   

  Moms with Apps – free! 

Because it’s just awesome when someone else does the work for you! 

See more of my app recommendations by clicking the links below

• 1st edition
• 2nd edition
• 3rd edition
• 4th edition
• 5th edition
• 6th edition

Enjoy your Pab (Trevy Speak: iPad)!  

…danielle

final essay! summer here we come!

“underneath the poor grammar and atrocious spelling lies the heart and soul of a great writer”
-- quote from a movie







Baltimore Orioles
by Toby

My favorite bird is the Baltimore oriole. Not just because I like the team but because it is graceful and beautiful to me. If you are like me and want to see an oriole. Just put jelly, peanut butter and other things in the bird feeder. Baltimore orioles eat caterpillars, blossoms, fruit, and berries.

The Baltimore oriole grows about 7 or 8 inches long. That’s big! The male has an orange or yellow flamed stomach and has dark black hood. The female has a burnt orange stomach and a brown hood. If you ever go to the mall in Baltimore they have banners of them everywhere.

The Baltimore oriole lays 3-5 eggs in a cocoon shaped nest. There is a hole in the middle of the nest just big enough for the eggs to lie in. Once the babies hatch they can start flying in two weeks. I just love Baltimore orioles.

********************

Mommy Notes

I was VERY impressed with his essay!  This is his rough draft.  I always love his content…it’s just his grammar that drives me crazy.  I was just over the moon with how well put together this essay turned out.  Very little corrections needed!  Guess he really is ready for summer break!  

…danielle  

proof

 

exhibit A. 

 

 

Just in case you were wondering.  Yes.  My house looks just like yours.

 

This is what fell out of the back of my couch when we were hunting for the lost remote. 

 

Slim Jim wrappers.  Half munched cookies.  Cheerios by the bowl full. And more. 

 

…danielle

workboxing our style (final project!)

 

 

The Gullies are Back

 

This isn’t a normal thing. My mom made me write a blog post. So it’s me ,Toby, writing today.  Monday night was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  My brother Trevor got to run out on the field and  I ran with him. We were paired up with a Gulls player and he played CF[center field].  Before Trevor and I ran out on the field this lady asked if Trevor wanted to do between inning competitions.  Dad was out there too. Dad said no Trevor did not want to do any competitions, but I did!  I was going to do a game in the third because a kid did not show up. But after a while he came.  I ended up doing something in the fifth and it was a pitching game.  I had three tries to hit a target.  The first one I missed and my tension was building. The second one I threw I hit the target and the stadium blew up cheering for me!  I won a $25 gift card  to Sears. And that’s why I had fun at the Gulls game on Monday. My mom was going to make me write about a topiary garden but I thought that was boring. Hope you liked this post.

 

**mommy notes – Toby has completed Science, Civics and Geography for the year.  Our workboxes are running on fumes with just a few writing projects left.  He chose to write about a really special treat we were given last Monday night.Trevy’s Challenger team was invited to open Monday night’s game with the Newport Gulls.  The Gulls are an All Star college team.  Many of these guys go on to play in the Major League.  My husband is a serious baseball guy and reminds me often that Cardine’s Filed, where the Gulls play, is historically rich.  Hall of Famers, like Satchel Page, have played on that field.  Gulls games are one of the absolute best family friendly things to do in our area!  Click here to learn more about The Gulls.**

how lucky am I?

How lucky am I that my best friend also happens to be the daddy to my (unless they’re cheeky…then they’re HIS) children?

Happy Father’s Day, Babe…

…danielle

iPad (this can’t really be fun?) math

Math Go 2 HD is FREE right now!  Hurry up…go get it!  Especially if you’ve been looking for a good speed drills to help reinforce foundational math skills.  You child can choose from the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  They are then given 120 seconds to answer as many questions as they can!  Can I just say…I’m addicted to this game! 

Math Merge is FREE today!  Fun for adults and kids alike.  Balls fall from the sky and the player must combine three to equal the sum of 10 or 20 before falling outside the dotted line.  

Math Ninja is FREE today!  Okay…so we haven’t played this one yet.  But really?  Who wouldn’t love using math induced ninja moves to defend their treehouse against and hungry tomato? 

Other games in our math folder include:

Everyday Mathematics Divisibility Dash

Everyday Mathematics Subtraction Top it

Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions

Everyday Mathematics Baseball Multiplication

Everyday Math Name That Number

Submarine Math

I’m a believer in the Ecclesiastes Principle (I just made that term up…but I think I’m gonna keep it).  There’s nothing new under the sun.  Sooooo…by all means feel free to share anything you find on my blog and like enough to think it’s worth sharing on yours.  I ask only that you link my blog in (in your post, your blog roll, grab my cute little button on the side…be creative ) and be kind by following me if you don’t already. 

…danielle

Click the Math Box below for other really cool Math ideas!

workboxing our style

 

 

 

We’re on a more relaxed schedule right now as the year is winding to a close.  Also…because Bristel is a very cranky sick kid!  In fact, my Hubs says to me last night, “we need to marry her off as soon as she’s legal!”

 

:: smile ::

 

No pictures of workboxes today.  Primarily because they’re almost empty!

 

He’s completed Science for the year! 

 

He’s completed Civics for the year too! 

 

Today he’s working on Reading (George Washington’s Spy) and his Monarch Language Arts.  We might squeeze in some Saxon too.  We’ll see what the day shall bring... 

 

Hopefully less sickness!

 

…danielle

five faves (3rd edition)

Home Grown Mommy’s

Wonderful ACE summary.  She offers tons of insight and info to help guide your thoughts about whether ACE is the right fit for your family or not.  She put words to a lot of my own thoughts.     

Printable Geography

I’ve been thinking and mulling and searching for what I wanted to do with Geography next year.  When I stumbled on this wonderful online tool thanks to a fellow workbox poster!  The best news is…it’s free!  She’s already done all the work by listing books and other resources needed to study each country.   

ABC-ya

Holy Moly do I LOVE this website!  SO many wonderfully fun games.  A great “play to learn” spot that needs to be bookmarked. I’m even planning to dare Toby to a USA map off to see which one of us can complete the puzzle first!  But shhhhhhh don’t tell him that I’m practicing up!  

Creative Chore Plans for Kids by craft, interrupted

These chore charts are Oh My Goodness adorable!  Now I just need to make friends with a crafts-y mommy who can hook me up with the garden themed one.  Cause it’s just too cute! 

Painters Tape

You know that blue tape you’re supposed to use when trying not to accidentally paint your trim the same color as your walls?  Let’s just say I need it by the barrel full!  I’m a sloppy (or it could be impatient?) painter.  Which is why my Hubs usually does the painting around here.  But a teacher friend tipped me off to another fantastic use for it that I just have to share with you…  To hang projects and papers on your classroom (or whichever room) walls!  How much $$ have I wasted on those silly (read: wicked pricey) poster hangers that claim to not damage the walls?  Too much, I say!  But no more!  Now…I grace our Wall of Fame with Painter’s Tape holding the works of art up!  It’s so much less expensive and won’t damage the (lovingly painted by Daddy) walls that I’m more generous about letting the kids build an art studio in their room.  Love the stuff!     

• Five Faves 1st Edition
• Five Faves 2nd Edition

...danielle

educational netflix-ing

Some new things we’ve discovered available on Netflix’s instant watch:

Fundamentals

• Leapfrog:  Let’s Go to School

Language Arts

• Leapfrog: The Amazing Alphabet
• Leapfrog:  Talking Words Factory
• Leapfrog:  Letter Factory

Math

• Leapfrog:  Numbers Ahoy
• Leapfrog:  Math Adventures to the Moon
• Basic Math. Covers many topics including measurement, statistics and probability to name a few.  This is not instant watch. 
• Newton’s Wagon

History & Geography

• Mrs. Brown
• The Revolution.  Toby is watching an episode right this minute.  I chuckled when he asked me if we could snuggle up and watch together.  “You know I’m a history dude” was his response! 
• The Young Victoria.  A great date night watch!  Or for highschoolers. 
• Geography Tutor

Science

• Understanding Science.  Eco-Systems
• Understanding Magnetism.  Earth is a Giant Magnet
• Dolphins IMAX

Click here to see more Netflix watches I’ve recommended.  And always make sure you preview the suggestions yourself first!  We may not have the same ideas on what is acceptable for little eyes.  For instance, The Revolution does have some violence.  My personal fave go-to movie filter tool is Plugged In. 

…danielle  

this counts as art, right?

Bristel is so sick that school for her brother today is more or less…

Ummmm…

Whatever keeps you occupied, Kid! 

I didn’t even have time to prep for this week over the weekend.  She’s just been sick as a dog!  But like a good 4th Grader he’s been working on his Monarch studies.  The finish line is in sight!   After about an hour he asked if he could try and find printable MLB mascot pages online to color.  I said go for it.  Already proficient at Google he was successful in no time!

   

Then he hit a roadblock.  No printer paper.  I gave him verbal instructions which he (to my surprise!) carried out with zero coming back for further help.  Until roadblock number two.  He’s never printed anything for himself before and wasn’t sure what to do.  I again gave him verbals.  He was successful yet again!  And proudly came to show me his printouts!  He’s now busy being artsy with markers and crayons and such. 

I’m totally counting this as Art and Computer Science class for today!  And it doesn’t hurt that he’s entertaining himself either!   

…danielle    

one sick puppy!

The doctor is thinking Mono…

I’ve already told her NO kissing til’ you’re married!  But with a face that cute…guess I can’t blame the boys for trying…

…danielle

Dream Night at the Zoo–Check!

 

Every June our local children’s hospital hosts a very special event for families battling chronic childhood illnesses on a daily basis.  Free food…free fun…fabulous exhibits!  It’s always so special and wonderful!  This year’s was no exception!  My eyes started misting at the gates! 

 

And no wonder Dream Night made our Summer Bucket List!

 

 

Even more fun than all the animals are all the extra hands-on exhibits exclusive to Dream Night! 

 

Trevy & Bristel had a blast with the music station.  Of course you couldn’t find Toby any where near!  He’s too cool in the 4th Grade after all!

 

: wink :

 

 

There is always an art station where the kids are encouraged to add their flair to a piece that will be displayed somewhere really neat.  Last year’s found it’s way to the nation’s capital!  I believe this year’s will grace the walls of our local Children’s Hospital.   

 

 

Hands Down Family Fave is the jumping center!  Little arrows mark how far various animals can jump.  Our kids tend to be very competitive and love daring each other to a jump off!

 

 

A wonderful way to check off a Summer Bucket List box!  

 

…danielle  

the brain-no brain miracle

The content of this post may be most appropriate for older students.  Particularly those who are studying anatomy, and specifically, the most amazingly complex organ – the brain.   

I don’t usually post Trevy specific stuff here.  He has a blog of his own for all that jazz. 

But this. 

Well, this is just too amazing not to post everywhere I possibly can!  He’s daily a testament to the amazing Wonder of our Creator.  It’s just easy to forget how much so now that a wavy mop effectively covers his scar. 

Which runs from crown to nape.  That’s how big the scar would be if you had 1/2 your brain removed.  Like he did. 

click here if you’re curious what the scar would look like without a wavy mop covering

I have the MRI scan (from a week ago, Saturday) to prove what a miracle he is!  

Before surgery Trevy’s quality of life was one ginormous seizure.  His brain seized from the time he woke, until he laid his head down again. Sleep did not bring respite.  His seizure disorder is even more aggressive when the brain is trying to rest.  His EEG pattern looked like a toddler’s scribbles.  There was no organization (learning).  Only chaos (the inability to learn).

It has been nothing short of miraculous watching him blossom post radical brain surgery.   A year and a half ago, Trevy survived a subtotal Left Hemispherectomy.  As the name implies…it is the removal of one hemisphere of the brain.  In Trevy’s case, his Left was the most damaged.  Click here for further research purposes but beware the pictures while amazing, may be too graphic.

Trevy should not be able to walk.  His motor cortex (the area of your brain which controls movement) has been extensively insulted.  He doesn’t just walk…he runs!  And climbs.  And plays baseball (with lots o’ help).  He should not be able to talk.  The language region of his brain was removed entirely.  Prior to surgery he had no language.  Today he has more words than I can keep track of!  His understanding is daily growing.  And just this morning he told our doggie she was “bad dog!”.  So many things he should not be able to do…and yet… 

We are living with the Discovery Channel  toddling around our house! 

I share Trevy’s story to highlight the miracle which Science alone cannot explain.  Seriously.  The neurologists cannot tell us why removing half our son’s brain could be a miracle for him.  They have no explanation.    Trevy points in One direction only – God. 

…danielle

more than math

As this school year is nearing an end…

And I’ve started prepping for the next.  Rabbit Trail alert:  Have I mentioned that I still can’t believe I’ll have two at home next year?!  This from a girl who swore she’d never homeschool her kids.  Isn’t He funny?  Lately, I’ve found myself dwelling and mulling over my desire for them.  The purpose of our choice to educate them at home.  Academics are important.  And central to the focus of our homeschool.  But my desire for my children is more than Math.  And such a scary joy it is to have such a deep level of influence over little hearts.   

Trevy played his 2nd baseball game on Sunday.  Bristel begged to go too. 

Watching Trevy play baseball isn’t exactly fun.  Although the cute factor is huge.  But the truth is…he doesn’t have a clue out there.  It’s takes a lot of (sweat inducing) work just to get him to keep his little glove on his hand.  For more than 2 seconds in a row.  It’s the complete opposite of watching his big brother (who hit his first homerun the other night!) on the field.  His big brother who at the same age Trevy is now was not just playing baseball like a big kid, but was teaching little Tanzanian children how to play the great American pastime.   

Trevy is very cute.  Very sweet.  Very beautiful. 

But he’s also very broken. 

(I believe we all are.  Trevy’s sin-scars are just more visible to the world at large than my own.  I believe that our true, complete Healing is waiting with Jesus in Eternity.)   

He’s not a typical baby brother.  He doesn’t talk like a typical baby brother.  Though we are all becoming fluent in Trevy-ese.  He doesn’t play like a typical baby brother.  Though he will swing for awhile beside them.  He doesn’t behave like a typical baby brother.  It can be a little embarrassing when he goes all crazy-happy (think: puppy) to see you in front of your friends.   

 

He needs more love than most.  He needs a brother and sister who cherish him and his silly crazy-happy ways.  Who support him.  And cheer for his successes.  Who will take him by the hand…and with love and patience walk beside him through Life. 

All these things were tumbling around my heart on Sunday as I watched her reach for him.  With no mommy prompting.

And I haven’t stopped thinking about it ever since.  How the deepest educational desires I have for them really have nothing at all to do with Math…

…danielle

Poptropica + Magic Treehouse = gobs of fun!

Just in case you have a Magic Treehouse fan in your house…

Who also happens to be a PopTropica fan…

Today a new Magic Treehouse game was launched!  Click here to play or learn more about Poptropica…

…danielle

project #9: we made our own postcard!

Any guesses what their body contortions are supposed to be? 

Hint:  You can find it on our State Flag (click here for help)  

Click here to see other states or create and add one of your own

…danielle

SO proud of himself!

 

Grams works with Trevy every Monday.  This is a picture she sent me after one of his lessons…

 

 

That “so proud of myself” face is just too much! 

…danielle