Homeschool Mother's Journal: March 8, 2013

In my life this week:

After our recent Disneyland vacation, we have been trying to get back to our normal routines. Before the official "work week" started, we bowled two games at our local bowling alley. During the week, Aidyn updated his P.E. and karate classmates and teachers on his fun vacation. We slowly cycled back into homeschooling and began an Indiana Jones/Adventureland unit study.

In our homeschool this week:

We started a new chapter book read-aloud: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by Suzanne Weyn and learned about the seven continents using our maps, some worksheets and videos. Because much of Temple of Doom takes place in India, we are focusing our unit of "exotic locales" in that beautiful country. Therefore, we watched a favorite, Kipling-based animated short film, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

We still have been reviewing short vowels sounds in Sadlier Phonics, learning doubles in California Math, and speeding through Victory Drills.

Because our current unit study is largely social studies-based, our morning exercises have been as well. Here, I labeled his board "My Expanding World" and made three columns with the headers of home, neighborhood and state (California). We brainstormed objects we would find in each place and watched as our world expanded.

At his art class, which his dad took him to, he made a fire ant and began a bald eagle project. I'm excited to see how he will finish it next week.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
  
We had a bit of a rough day on Wednesday when Aidyn was just not connecting math patterns he was learning with new types of problems. I learned two things that day: to resist forcing him to see and use patterns in math before he finds them and understands them himself and to not take so personally his struggles. One thing that I dislike about this math book we are using is that it seems to force learners to see math patterns and put them into practice immediately. I would like to do more hands-on activities to help him see patterns on his own.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Aidyn is happy to be among his best pals after our long trip. He has spent nearly every afternoon this week outside with his troupe of buddies, riding bikes, playing with the Galactic Ooze he bought himself, running races, and playing games. His cousin came over one day, and he brought her out and introduced her to his friends. Besides the bowling alley and his extra classes, we have stayed pretty close to home in comparison to last week!

My favorite thing this week was...

This. 
My kiddo's favorite thing this week...

Our neighbor has a relative who works for Disney, and he brought all the neighborhood kids a copy of the new Wreck-It Ralph, which Aidyn has watched three times already. He loves it!

Things I'm working on...

I'm still trying to slow down and just enjoy what we do. But sometimes being the planner, the organizer, and the motivator makes this difficult. I need to always remind myself that we are all learners.

I'm cooking...

More meals from Miserly Moms! I made her Taco Soup, which was delicious, Mushroom-Onion Chicken (again because it's a hit!), and Homemade Chicken Soup. Every meal was cost-efficient, nutritious and delicious!

...and I promise I get absolutely no compensation for stating so.

I'm grateful for... 

The opportunities we have to learn and grow in this world. 

I'm hoping for...

The continued energy and ability to partake on adventures of all kinds.

I rewarded my kid this week by...

For some reason, Aidyn was exceptionally responsible this week, so I "bragged" about him to his dad and grandma (within his earshot) so that he knew how much I appreciated and admired his choices.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on...

A photo, link, or a quote to share...

:)

  








   

Mamatography 2013 Week Nine: Disneyland!

I am taking part in the Mamatography 2013 Challenge with Momma Jorje and Diary of a First Child to take a photo every day of our day-to-day life and post once a week.

This week, we visited our most favorite place on Earth: The Disneyland Resort. It had been three years since our whole immediate family went to Disneyland together, and Aidyn inched his way up to the required 46" to ride the looming Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

Day One:

Here is a less than bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed Mouseketeer Aidyn, having woken up at 2am and filled his own fun pack, as he waits patiently for us to head out the door.

Here's one of Grandma, Aidyn and Duffy the bear, waiting in line to get into the park just after 10am.

To celebrate his new growth (in height and mettle), we headed straight for Indiana Jones. Here is Aidyn and his dad snaking up to the entrance of the temple.

We were very careful not to step on diamond-shaped stones. We saw what happens when you do that!

Aidyn, his Granny, and I, near the projection room, where Aidyn is vowing not to look into the eyes of Mara...

Aidyn was the lucky driver for this adventure!

If he "survived" the ride, we promised him an Indiana Jones fedora...

Here's our proud adventurer, flanked by Grandma and Daddy.

Next, we headed over to Tomorrowland to ride Star Tours: The Adventure Continues.

Beautiful cacti and aloe plants outside the Rancho Del Zocalo restaurant in Frontierland.

After a second round of both Indiana Jones and Star Tours, as well as a ride on Matterhorn and Pirates of the Caribbean, we plopped ourselves on a bench in the plaza, people-watched, looked at these beautiful flowers and called it an early day.

Day Two:

The first thing we did on Day Two was see a young Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in Disney California Adventure. They had updated the entrance to resemble 1920s Los Angeles, as Walt would have experienced the area when he first came to Southern California.

We rode all of our DCA favorites: Goofy's Sky School (about five times!), Jumpin' Jellyfish, and Toy Story Midway Mania before relaxing for the Aladdin show. The show was amazing as always, and the Genie was a riot:

Genie (on his lamp-turned-phone): "Hey, you have your own reality show, you're famous for no reason, and now you're pregnant with Kanye's baby! Those are your three wishes! (hangs up)

A pretty pansy in Disneyland.

After our second day was nearly coming to a close, we thought the turbulent and wild Space Mountain roller coaster would be the perfect thrill ride to rejuvenate us.

How wrong we were (sorry for the camera glare!), though the lady behind us was clearly thrilled.

Duffy and Celebration Bear, ready to crash out in the hotel.

Day Three:

Aidyn Jones in front of Toad Hall for a ride on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

 

The beautiful Matterhorn Mountain, as seen from the Storybook Land Canals queue.

Gorgeous purple tulips in Fantasyland.

Aidyn, bravely sitting in the new individual Matterhorn Bobsleds seat.

And lastly,

:)

 

How to Save Money at Disneyland: The Food Edition

With ticket prices rising and gas costs climbing, finding ways to save money at Disneyland can be challenging, especially when it comes to slashing the costs of the food bill. Disneyland is filled with alluring aromas, everything from fresh candy apples, popcorn, corn dogs and turkey legs to enchilada platters and home-style fried chicken. It is easy to forget the $15 prices when confronted with those delectable options.

But there ARE ways to cut food costs while at the Happiest Place on Earth.

I have written a more general Saving for Disneyland Battle Plan and how to save money at home for a Disneyland vacation, so if you're looking to save money all around, you can visit those posts. This one focuses on saving money on food while vacationing at Disneyland.

Step 1: Do Your Homework

Before leaving for your trip, check if your hotel comes with a refrigerator and microwave. Plan to bring food from home if you are driving to the Park. If you are flying to Anaheim, check if your hotel is near any convenience stores, in which you can purchase cheaper food to store. Many of these convenience stores have fresh fruit available, which are nutrient-dense and much more affordable that the fruit inside the park.

Also, before leaving on your trip, check if any restaurants or fast food options are nearby. Along Harbor Blvd, which runs along the eastside of the Disneyland Resort, there is a Mimi's Cafe, McDonald's, IHOP, and Denny's. Further down Harbor Blvd near Katella Ave is a Subway and other dining options. Down Disney Way/Freedman Way is the Anaheim Gardenwalk, which is filled with many restaurants that offer free meals for those who join their mailing list.

Once you know which dining options you are nearby, go to the Anaheim, Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website, which offers free, printable coupons for local restaurants. With our coupon, we fed our family of three for $10.75. The previous day we dined at Rancho Del Zocalo in Disneyland for $27. Therefore, finding ways to eat outside the park is worth the extra trouble if you're serious about cutting costs.

Even if you do not use coupons, dining outside the park can save you some serious cash. Many of these restaurants offer discounts to AAA and AARP members. Two weeks prior to your vacation, join the local restaurants' mailing lists for free, and they will send coupons and free meal vouchers to your inbox.

Again, do your homework:

1. Stay at a hotel with a fridge and microwave and, if you can, a complimentary/continental breakfast.
2. Print coupons from the City of Anaheim's website.
3. Join mailing lists of nearby restaurants and plan to dine there during your stay.
4. Take advantage of membership discounts.
5. Eat outside the park as much as possible.

Step Two: Arm Yourself with Snacks

Don't go into the park "empty handed." While outside food is not really "allowed" in the Park, cast members do permit guests to bring in bottled water and snacks as long as there are NO glass containers.

So bring in outside food!

1. Bring bottled water to keep you and your family hydrated and refill at the many drinking fountains within the park (many of which are in lines leading up to attraction). A bottle of Dasani water in the park can cost as much as $4, which is about what a case of water costs outside the park.  
2. Bring nutrient-dense snacks like dried fruit, beef jerky, seeds, trail mix, granola bars, etc.
3. Snack while waiting in line or during downtime to curb hunger inside the park; don't wait until you're actually hungry or you might not care that that delicious-smelling turkey leg costs $9.

Step Three: Choose Filling and Budget-Friendly Meals in the Park

While you don't want to eat in the park for every meal if you want to save money, dining in Disneyland is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. In that case, some places are better than others; therefore, you should seek out the most filling and budget-friendly dining options.

1. Rancho Del Zocalo, Disneyland- Frontierland

This restaurant is usually not very crowded, leading to a relaxing dining experience. The prices are not too outrageous for what you get. They offer Mexican cuisine like fish tacos, fajitas and enchilada platters as well as fruit and dessert options. The most expensive plate is around $14.99, but the tacos are only $9.99 and a heaping plate of fresh fruit is only $5. The servings are generous, so plates can be shared with children. The easiest to share is probably the fajitas, as you can make many servings and divide among your party.

      2. The Plaza Inn, Disneyland- Main Street (near the entrance to Tomorrowland)

This restaurant serves generous helpings of home-style food like fried chicken and pot roast. Even with their $12/plate prices, you get a lot of food for your money and food can easily be shared with children in your party.

       3. Pacific Wharf Cafe, Disney California Adventure 

This place serves clam chowder and shrimp Louie salads inside large and hearty sourdough bread bowls. Meals can easily be shared and will keep you full for most of the day.

Step Four: Resist the Food Carts

The food carts that are sprinkled throughout the park serve salty and mightily expensive goodies. A box of popcorn can cost you $6 and have you craving a Coke soon afterward. Instead, stick to the snacks you bring with you. If you really want popcorn, bring some from home. We bought a bag of popcorn at the local Dollar General for $1 and munched on that at night.

Step Five: Always Enter the Park with a Full Belly

Even though you might want to rush into the Park first thing in the morning, it might be better to eat something before going in, whether it's a morning snack brought from home, continental breakfast, or a sit-down breakfast at Denny's. You are likely to walk and move faster than expected while in the Park, and doing so on an empty stomach, will more quickly lead to fatigue. Fill up first!

If a family of four ate in the park, for every meal, they could possible spend:

$15/plate for 3 meals x 4 people = $180/ a day.

By eating outside the park, using coupons, and choosing budget-friendly meals, guests can significantly lower their food bill and have more money to spend on souvenirs (which will last much longer than a turkey leg!).

Homeschool Mother's Journal: March 1, 2013.

In my life this week…
What a fun week! Our family visited the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. We left on early Monday morning and arrived around 10am. For the next few days, we traversed both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and returned to our hotel each night with sore and tired legs. We had many exciting firsts on this trip:

• Aidyn's first ride on Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

 

• Grandma's first ride on the new Star Tours: The Adventure Continues.
• David was the Rebel Spy on Star Tours.
• Then I was the Rebel Spy on another ride on Star Tours!
• Aidyn and Grandma's first time seeing The World of Color show at California Adventures.
• Our first ride on the new Matterhorn bobsleds (individual seating now!).

• Aidyn and Grandma's first ride on Goofy's Sky School. Grandma hated it, while Aidyn rode it about seven times, over and over.
• Grandma's first time on Jumpin' Jellyfish at California Adventure.

• Grandma's first time seeing the Aladdin show at California Adventure.
• Aidyn participated in the Jedi Training Academy show at Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland.

 

In our homeschool this week…
We put all our Disneyland-related unit studies to use while visiting the park! We still have more to enjoy, but our learning adventures brought Tomorrowland to life! Every night, Aidyn practiced his writing skills by penning his favorite moments of the day on Disneyland postcards. He also was in charge of his own camera and took pictures of his experience, both of which we will use for his Spring Festival Project.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Memory-making is such an important part of learning. Education is not only about math drills or scrawling our way through phonics books but being out there together, enjoying each other and creating fond memories.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We've "been" everywhere this week! From the primeval world of the dinosaurs (aboard the Disneyland Railroad) to the once-secret underwater world of the Gungans (on Star Tours), to 1920s California, parasailing over California, bobsledding on the Matterhorn, plunging to deep recesses of the Caribbean, to the Hundred Acre Wood, among other places, I feel like we have seen it all!

We met Goofy, in a sweet private moment near the Tomorrowland Railroad Station when the park was about to close, Darth Vader, as Aidyn battled him in the Jedi Training Academy show, Indiana Jones, who begged us for a way out of the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, friendly cast members and fun-loving park-goers.


My favorite thing this week was…
There were so many favorite moments this week that choosing is difficult. Riding Indiana Jones with our whole family, for the first time, ties with watching Aidyn get picked for and participating in the Jedi Training Academy.


My kiddo's favorite thing this week was…
I asked him a few times, and he usually said that riding Indiana Jones was his favorite moment.


Things I’m working on…
Definitely slowing down. We rushed, rushed, rushed every day, but I tried to slow down our time by taking pictures and resting on benches whenever possible.

I’m cooking…
I'm grateful that I didn't have to cook! We enjoyed food brought from home and Disneyland food. We especially enjoyed mint juleps in New Orleans Square, fresh popcorn, and enchiladas from Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland.

I’m grateful for…
The kind of easy going, fun-loving family that I get to enjoy who genuinely loved every moment of our vacation, even the seemingly neverending car ride and long lines. 

I’m hoping for…
More local adventures now that we are not uber-saving for a Disneyland trip. I'm hoping for more day hikes, museum tours, roller-skating, and merry-making.

I rewarded my kid this week by…
Buying him an Indiana Jones fedora for "surviving" the ride. He also got a Mickey Mouse ice cream, galactic goop, among other toys, and lots of in-line cuddles and piggyback rides.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…
As it sits in my wallet. : )

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

Homeschool Mother's Journal: February 22, 2013.

In my life this week…
Disneyland excitement is currently pervading our household. Disney music fills our home and daily countdowns are performed. Aidyn, striving hard to reach the 46" requirement to ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, has become mightily interested in all things Indy.

He's been watching The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones and even checked out an picture-encyclopedia all about Indy. Within the pages detailing Indiana Jones' uber-cool persona, we found that he was homeschooled, too! That little fact excited Aidyn about his new favorite hero.

In our homeschool this week…
We have had a busy week with six extracurricular activities outside the home. On Tuesday, he attended a heart-themed class, in which they learned how the heart works and how to keep it healthy. He also participated in his P.E. class, where they played a game of soccer, and karate as well as a character class on flexibility. He made an octopus craft and started on a fire ant project in his art class.

On the homefront, we have started Level B of Sadlier Phonics, which starts with lots of review, so he's breezing through it. With math, he's learning to add sums to 12. In the mornings, we use Evan Moor's Ten-Minute Activities to get our brains energized.

I came up with another morning exercise to help him with counting on called Rabbit Ears Math. This helps him count up by 2, and so at the end he makes rabbit ears with his fingers. The more he practiced, the quicker his rabbit ears perked up!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…


Absorbing skills and facts and retaining them long-term happens best where excitement and emotion pervade. We remember best that which is new, exciting, and emotional. We usually remember special birthday celebrations and field trips but hardly anything about the day after. If we teach in funny, exciting and novel ways, the lessons are much more likely to be remembered.


Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We've had our friend Amanda and her son over for two days this week. I love (and need!) her company and enjoying talking things out with her and sharing vents about the world. She is also helping the time fly by this week as waiting for our vacation can make time drag.


 My favorite thing this week was…
Watching Aidyn's excitement over discovering a new hero, Indiana Jones. I love seeing new interests grow in him.


My kiddo's favorite thing this week was…
Definitely climbing trees yesterday. He came in, red-cheeked and glistening with sweat and excitement, and proudly proclaimed that he had climbed a tree all by himself (but with a little boost from a friend).


 Things I’m working on…
I'm still scrimping and saving for our Disneyland trip and finding new ways to cut costs where I can. Once we return, I'll be sharing money-saving tips and techniques here.


 I’m cooking…
Frugal meals from Miserly Moms.

Here is her Easy Mexican Casserole, which was easy to make and easy on the wallet. It cost me about $5 to prepare and fed us and a guest for dinner and lunch the next day.

 I’m grateful for…
My husband who works hard every day and even put in an extra day on Saturday. He deserves a vacation terribly, and I aim to make it enjoyable for him.

 I’m hoping for…
A way to slow time down just a bit so we can fully relax and enjoy our upcoming vacation.

 I rewarded my kid this week by…
Giving extra cuddles when he was upset and talking him through it. He rewarded me yesterday by picking me a new flower blossom from the tree he climbed.

 Something I am ogling or have my eye on…
Same thing as last week:

 A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
 I love TED Talks, but this one had me tears-- the good kind! This 13-year-old "hackschooler" passionately follows his interests and helps me remember why I choose to homeschool and to ignore those voices that express anything less than full-on support.

Mamatography 2013 Week Seven: Shhhh! Art, Dress-up, and a Bit of Science.

I am taking part in the Mamatography 2013 Challenge with Momma Jorje and Diary of a First Child to take a photo every day of our day-to-day life and post once a week.

I still suck at remembering to take pictures every day, but I'm trying!

Pig art.

Finn from Adventure Time--err, I mean, Aidyn. :)

Learning about consonant digraphs.

 

Playing Domino Rally.

 

Morning science exercises.

Sad to say that is the extent of this week's photos, but soon there will be massive amounts of whimsy and color with Disneyland vacation photos!