Teacher Knows Best: Parent Teacher Conferences

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com.

Parent –Teacher Conferences

This is the season for parent-teacher conferences. The set up varies by school and teacher, but here’s a general idea of what to expect.

-The teacher will talk about how your child is doing and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions you have.

-The teacher should have work samples to share with you and be able to give you an idea of how your child is progressing academically and socially.

-If you have questions, ask! You might not be able to get an answer right then and there, especially for questions about special education or gifted services, etc.

-Take note of any areas your child may be struggling in and make a plan with the teacher to rectify the situation both in school and at home, whether it is reading more or running through addition flash cards.

- Remember that teachers are meeting with many parents in an evening and need to stay on time as a courtesy to everyone. If you have issues that you feel need more investigation, please set up an additional meeting for another time. Most teachers will be happy to accommodate you.

For older students, I encourage students to lead their parents through the conference because it gives them ownership over their work and answers the questions parents always ask (“What are you doing in school?) and get the same answer to (“Nothing”).

Making costumes for less

When my son wanted to be a dump truck for beggars night my first thought was "yikes!". I wasn't sure how that would be possible or frugal. I just can't bring myself to buy really expensive costumes so I had to think outside the box. I thought I would share how I outfitted both kids for under what 1 costume would probably cost.

I took a box that I already had and spray painted it. ($2.50 JoAnn's spray paint) I then found some suspenders at a thrift store and spray painted those suckers as well. ($.99) The high beam lights I found at WalMart and can re-use in my pantry.~So I don't feel quite as bad about the cost. ~($5.00) Ad some scrap booking stickers I already had, along with some sweats turned inside out and whalah! A dump truck for under $7.

For little miss I found the cream dress at a second hand store for $3. I then bought some checkered material at 50% off. ($1.99) Add some cream ribbon (Around $.90) Sew that on the dress and pair with hose and shoes we had in the closet. I found this lovely Gymboree cape at the thrift store for $6. She can totally use this again so I think I got my moneys worth. Total costume: Under $12

ITS THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN

One thing I remember as a child is getting all geeked up about special holiday cartoons coming on tv. My mom would make BIG deal about it. We would be in our jams, popcorn made, giggling. We got to stay up later than normal and it was special!

I have kept the tradition with my kids and I almost get as excited as they do !!! This year I want to post reminders to y'all about any special kid friendly tv program on so here we go....

Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown: ABC Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00 EST

I will be posting Thanksgiving and Christmas specials so stay "tuned".

Teacher Knows best: Kids Memoirs

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com.

Getting Kids to Write – Memoirs

We often ask kids to write memoirs, stories from their lives. Students are sometimes confused by what a teacher means when they say “memoir” so we use mentor texts, example books.

There are a ton of books that are memoirs but one of my favorite things to use is one I’ve written myself. So in honor of Halloween, here is one of my memoirs. Enjoy!

My brother and I, Halloween 1986

I was robbed.

It may have only been a neighborhood costume contest, but still…

We had recently moved to a brand new subdivision. Not all the lots were built yet, so the neighborhood was still small. The Civic Association decided to throw a Halloween party; there would be apple-bobbing, face painting, and costume judging.

It was 1986 and I was four. My mom had always made my little brother and I’s costume and that year I had begged and begged for a witch costume. She made the most fantastic costume: a long dress, a cape, and a hat all out of the same Halloween print material. Halloween couldn’t come fast enough!

Halloween was cold that year, so I had to wear a sweatshirt with my costume, but that didn’t dampen my spirits. I practically floated from house to house collecting candy. Finally it was time to head to the party. As we walked down the sidewalk, my parents told us of all that was in-store. My brother and I had never bobbed for apples, but we knew what face painting was and I was old enough to equate a costume contest with winning a prize.

After an hour or so of wet heads and painted cheeks, the sun had gone down and it was finally time for costume judging. I was pretty confident in my chances of winning seeing as I did have the best witch’s costume ever. They lined up kids by age group and we marched around in little circles to be judged. They pulled kids out of each circle until only two or three remained in each. In my circle, only two children were left: me, in my homemade witch’s costume, and another girl in a store-bought witch’s costume. The judges stood off to one side, just out of ear-shot, trying to make a decision while we danced around a little, trying to keep warm and fight off sleepiness. Finally they announced the other girl had won.

In my disbelief that someone had a costume better than the one my mom had lovingly made, I started to cry. I was crushed! Heartbroken! How could a chic who had bought her costume at a store beat my custom costume?! I cried the entire way home. Nothing my parents said could console me. My beautiful costume went into storage. Never to be seen again I hoped!

Many years later, I was a college freshman and my roommates and I were getting ready for Halloween. We were telling stories one evening and this tragic tale of woe came up. My roommates suggested that I seek costume contest revenge and dress up as a witch. I was a little hesitant at first, what with what had happened the last time, but even my mom thought it would be a good idea. She again made me a long, black dress and the most fantastic cape.

I proudly wore my second mom-made witch’s costume that Halloween and though I didn’t win any prizes, at least I wasn’t robbed by a store-bought witch.

Mama Knows Best: Sanitize what?!?!?!

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Somehow we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

My hubby is a fireman and paramedic. He looks great in his uniform. :) He also encounters alot of sickness. (Hey, you take the good with the bad!) So, since we are at high exposure risk to the creepy crawlie bugs, I sanitize. The thought of my little ones getting the flu makes me get the heeby geebies.

Someone asked me the other day what I sanitize so I thought I would share my list of common things that we often forget. (That carry alot of germs.) It will take a couple minutes but could save you alot of heartache. Happy cleaning y'all!!

Light switches

Electrical outlets

Phone

Tea Kettle / coffee pot handles

Doorknobs, out and in

Remotes

Faces of DVR, DVD players- anything you may touch alot

Toybox lids

Fridge and freezer handles

Microwave face

Your kitchen sink handles

Handles to all cabinets

Lamp switches/knobs

Bathroom sink fixtures and soap dispensers

Shower door handles

Alarm clocks buttons

Kitchen /dining room chair arms ( If wood )

Can you think of something that I have forgotten? Leave a comment and share!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com !

Where does time go ??

My son is 3 and in a two day pre-school program. I am AMAZED at how much he has learned in the few short months he has been in school.

Last night he had an open house where the whole school marched throughout the isles of the auditorium in costume. ( They had a "book parade" where they dressed as the characters of a book they have been reading. ) My darling boy was an ice cream man. I had made the costume and dressed him but was not prepared me as he came marching down the center isle.

I felt hot tears stinging my eyes. He looked so big. He proudly marched with his class, his eyes searching for us. Ice cream scoop in one hand, a play ice cream in another, wide grin plastered on his face.

My mind saw him as a fussy infant in my arms, nursing at my breast. Who was this boy? Surly, he had not grown this much, so soon? I suddenly wanted to slow time itself. I envisioned him walking an isle, several years from now with a cap and gown and my heart hurt.

Once again I heard that still small voice whisper to my heart. Slow down, enjoy, relish. They don't stay little for very long and they are gone in the blink of an eye.

I am sure the people around me thought I was a total nut. ( Big surprise !! ) I was sniffling and trying to look composed. I suddenly did not care because I was looking at my life on stage singing his heart out. At the end he waved and blew a kiss. I thought a stretcher was going to have to take me away. :)

I know there will be so many more moments like these and I am thankful. I am thankful for gentle reminders to this mama to get my priorities straight, listen and enjoy.

Until they are on my last nerve and I start to pray for full day school....hey, I am not a saint!

Kroger bargain recipe of the week : Hawaii pork chops

I usually pick recipes with few ingredients, but this one looked too good not to try! Yes, there are tons of ingredients but most are things that you already have in your home..woohoo! Happy Eating Y'all!!!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand. W/C means with coupon.

Hawaii Pork Chops

1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon onion salt
dash cayenne pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops (On sale $1.49/lb) $2.24
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped onion $.25
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup pineapple tidbits (Dole on sale $1) $.10
Hot cooked rice (Zataraines on sale $1) $1

In a saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside. Season pork chops with salt and pepper. In a skillet, cook pork, onion and garlic in oil until meat is browned. Add water and reserved sauce. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink, adding more water if needed. Stir in pineapple and heat through. Serve over rice.

Total Cost of Meal: $3.59

Add Roasted carrots (On sale $1) Total Cost of Meal: $4.09

Add roasted carrots and French bread (Kroger on sale $1) Total cost of Meal: $4.59

Teacher Knows best: Halloween books for the right age

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com.

Halloween Books

It’s time again for some seasonal book selections! Happy Reading!

Preschool:
Inside a House that is Haunted: A Rebus Story by Alyssa Capucilli
Five Little Pumpkins by Iris Van Rynbach

K-1st- 2nd
Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler
Cinderhazel: The Cinderella of Halloween by Deborah Lattimore
Meet Molly: An American Girl

3rd - 4th- 5th
Hallo-weiner by Dav Pilkey
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson

All Ages
Skeleton Bones and Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween by Amu Sklansky
Halloween Is… by Gail Gibbons
Halloween Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family by Donata Maggipinto

Menu Plan Monday- errrr .... kind of

So. Y'all know I love me some menu plans. I think that they save you a ton of money, headaches and time. They keep this mama sane and that is saying alot.

However I have been in a serious season of conviction. One of these convictions is my love of coupons and stockpiling. If I can find Knorr noodles for $.10 a package, I buy 5. Do this alot and 2 things happen.

1.) You go over your budget almost every week. You tell yourself its ok because your saving money in the long run.

2.) You can't find anything in your pantry because you have so much stuff!

So after a shopping trip in September filled with $.20 shampoos and a super great deal on chicken, my saint of a hubby did not say a word but gave me "the look". I knew what he was thinking because I was thinking the same thing. Stockpiling was worthless unless you actually take the time to live off of it and reap the savings!

So I can proudly tell you that I have not been to the grocery store in 4 weeks. My goal is to simply get creative and live off the stockpile. When we need milk, eggs and fruit... I send hubby. I am too weak. Bargains know my name and scream at me when I walk by. Its just too much....

So my menu plan this week is simple. Use what I have and enjoy. Maybe I won't have tomatoes for the taco's. But I am using shells I forgot I had, seasoning I found behind a can of peas and cheese I got for a dollar and had frozen. It makes me feel good. It makes me think outside the box and try new things. I am also excited to use some of the stuff on my baking shelf so that when Christmas baking comes around I can know everything I have. ( Compared to trying to reach the sprinkles through expired Graham cracker crumbs and an old can of evaporated milk. That evaporated a long, long time ago.

My goal is to not go back to the store till November and I am pretty sure I can make it. Wish me luck!

Mama Knows Best - What to do with those apples!

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Somehow we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

My sons pre-school teacher just gave me this tip and it was too good not to share!

A couple of us room moms were talking about how we went apple picking, or were given an abundance of apples! I recounted my 4 hour struggle to core, peel and slice 20 lbs of apples. Then I soaked them in Fruit Fresh water and then bagged and froze them. WHEW!

My sons teacher said that her mama would fill a disposable pie pan with the apple slices and cover them with foil and freeze them right in the pie pans.

When she was making a pie, she would make her pie crust and place the bottom crust in a glass pie pan. Then she would remove the pie pan from the freezer and just pop the already pie shaped apples right into the crusted pie pan. (She had already mixed the cinnamon / spices into the apple mixture.) She would then cover the top with pie crust or pie dough cut into shapes of leaves. Wahlah- a pie ready to go!

Tip: If you are having trouble getting the apples out, then just soak the bottom in some shallow warm water in the sink!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com !

Things you can only know if your a mama.....

There are certain things that you could only possibly know if your a mama!!

For Example....

Lost sippy cups found

The feeling in the pit of your stomach as you see a sippy cup under your car seat. You haven't seen that cup in a while and you start to pray you filled it with water. But you didn't.... of course. That funny smell you have been smelling in your car suddenly makes sense.

You reach for it and can see white chunks. You debate whether to try to wash it or just throw it away.

I am here to tell you that there are some smells that stay in your nose all day. Yep, this is one of them.

Binkies, Lovies, Blankies

You can just never, never, never have enough binkies or lovies.

I have spent many a night searching the Internet for another frog lovie that my child clings to. Now I just resort to hardcore prayer that we NEVER lose Frog or we are DONE.......

If you have a binkie baby you also know that no matter how many you own there are just never enough. My youngest has 10 in her crib right now as I type. If I could, I would put 231 more in there... just in case she would wake only to not be able to find one within her reach :)

Works for me Wednesday: Knowing there are cookies in that there Jar!

I looooooove to bake. My favorite things are cookies since they are mostly easy. (Except for the fancy smancy ones that my littles really don't like) I also love my cookie jars. They add some holiday flair to my kitchen, depending on the season. What I don't love so much is the fact that once said cookies go in the jar, people forget about them and they end up not being eaten!!!


To remedy the problem I have come up with this.



Its a simple photo/ place card holder. (This one is from our wedding) You can find them anywhere or make your own. ( I will be making one on the blog later in the month.) I then cut out a foam shape that I found in my craft pile. Oh the wonders of foam !!! But that's another post.... Its a green tree for Christmas or a red ornament, a leaf for fall, a heart for Valentines... you can use anything! They also sell pre-made shapes at craft stores if you are scissor challenged. :)

I write on the foam with a sharpie or gel pen and place it beside the cookie jar. I was amazed how well it worked! Now the sign catches the whole families attention. (Even visitors in our home asks for a cookie because they see the sign!) The cookies are eaten and nothing goes to waste! And that works for this mama....

To see more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

And the Winner is.....

The winner of the $50 Bob Evans Gift Certificate is JANE BUCKEYE.

The Winner of the $25 Mimi's Cafe Gift Certificate is Jen.

I will be e-mailing you ladies today to get your address! (You have until Friday to respond to my e-mail :) )

Thanks for all those who entered!

Hey all !!!

Hey ladies! As you know I have been taking a little blogging break to reflect on where I want the blog to go. The fam and I have been in New York in the midst of beautiful trees, horses and best of all.....quiet.

I thought I would get the shakes being disconnected with the "real world". No e-mail, no phone ringing off the hook etc. To my absolute shock, I was so peaceful and at rest. My hubby and I talked about how much better we felt and how much more connected to one another we were. It made me sit up and take notice.

Maybe this is the message that I have been searching for.

To be still.

To be present.

To enjoy playing in the leaves with my cherubs.

To hold hands with my hubby on a walk.

And NOT to be a slave to the phone, computer or commitments.

So in honor of being still (very hard for me, I assure you) I am cutting back some.

I will only be doing the bargain recipe of the week for Kroger. ( The store that I grocery shop.)

I no longer feel the need for "stuff" to fill this blog. I would rather post stuff that I really care about and love. Such as kids crafts, organization and home things. I am going to start featuring more guy view articles and stuff just for moms. ( Including a monthly feature by a esthetician who will give beauty tips :) ) I mean what mama doesn't need some beauty :)

So I am excited....now I am getting off the computer now so that I can enjoy a cup of tea while my little ones sleep. Because one day they won't take naps anymore and I will do a mental head slap for not taking advantage of this time.....