Saturday, November 30, 2013

Happy Thanksgivukkah~ Thanksgiving & Hannukah 2013

Happy Thanksgivukkah ~ Thanksgiving & Hannukah 2013
I would have posted this two nights ago on Thanksgivukkah, but the internet was down.
So Happy belated Thanksgivukkah, Thanksgiving, Hannukah to all!

Whether you had one of the these holidays or none, we hoped yesterday was a day of rest. 

I was happy to be with family. Honestly, being 3,000 miles away can take it's toll when it means being away from family. I applaud anyone who is away from their families the way we are ours. Our family and friends are so important and precious to us. Something for sure to be thankful for. 

My niece being oh, so shy. My nephew jumping up and down. My daughter counting down the days until her birthday party. My oldest son spouting sport facts like they were candy, and of course jumping and wrestling. My youngest son, being cute, shy, angry all when it suited him best. My mother and aunt taking the kids to rake up leaves, feeding nana's horses, playing with bubbles in the front lawn with great aunt and great grandma. My dad showing the play that my brother and husband were in (and he was in too), "Fiddler on the Roof" in which my brother was Tevye, and my husband Motel.


A full table is always nice!


At the end of a Thanksgivukkah dinner being able to drink (tea) by the fire was awesome!

I came up with the main menu items (besides the obvious traditional free range Turkey from Trader Joe's). Of course, I absolutely had to do Thanksgiving and Hannukah. One, Thankgivukkah, or Hanugiving, will not happen again for another 75,000 years. In fact, according to what I have read multiple places there have only been two times this has happen- November 1888 and November 1899. The next time this happens it will be so far past our generations I can not even count.

I was so super proud of myself- spent most all of the day on the menu items. It is amazing how long things take to make but pays off in how yummy delicious they are!

Our full table menu:
(recipes to follow and be linked)
Brined Turkey
Challah Onion Apple Stuffing
Sweet Potato Bourbon Kugel
Pumpkin Challah
Betty's Potatos (brought by my aunt)
Cranberry Sauce
Green Beans
Apricot Chocolate Gelt
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie

From our family to yours! :)













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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thanksgivukkah Menu With a Shopping List, For 12 (and a link for crafts)

by "Facebook"

So in lots of research this is what our Thankgivukkah, which is Thanksgiving and Hanukah put together, this is going what it is going to look like. This is such a rare holiday- so therefore, must be celebrated. So rare, in fact, that it will not happen again for another 77,000 years! Yes, those zeros are really there. 

I was trying to do some research on awesome dishes to try. I will probably use some as motivation but the pictures, ingredients, and names come from their original source which you can click on the name of the dish to get the full recipe.

The shopping list, or ingredients list, is at the bottom of the page.  After each named dish are the ingredients; it is there so if you want to add a dish to your existing Thanksgiving menu, you can. So you have both options.

I can't wait to have loud screams of 5 kids and 6 adults together to celebrate. 4 generations will be together under one roof to celebrate Thanksgiving and Chanukah. Because we have kids, and adults who are kids at heart, yes me, we will be doing crafts around Thanksgivukkah. You can see the "Thanksgivukkah Crafts with Shopping List" here.

This is what we will be eating my friends!

Appetizers:
by "What Jew Wanna Eat"
Ingredients:
- 6 tomatoes, cut in half and inside removed
- 4 matzo, ground well
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp herbes de provence
- 2 garlic gloves, chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- Olive Oil for drizzling


by: "Food.com"
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp honey mustard
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 4 tbsp red onions, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp capers
- 4 tsp dill, fresh
- 12 slices baguettes
- 8 oz goat cheese
- 6 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- olive oil

Main Dishes: 

by: "Oh My Veges"
Ingredients:
- 24 small carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced rosemary
- salt and pepper


by: "New York Times" 
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 pounds string beans
- 4 tbsp oil
- 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger
- 4 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

by: "New York Times"
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cranberries
- 2 cups water
- 6 tbsp sugar
- pinch of salt

by: "Buzzfeed"
Ingredients: 
- 1 1/2-2 pounds sweet potato
- 4 tbsp bourbon 
- 1 lb wide egg noodles
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 pounds cottage cheese
- 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups corn flakes
- 1 cup pecans, halved


by: "Buzzfeed"
Ingredients:
- 6 quarts water
- 1 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 3 tbsp caraway seeds
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp mustard seeds
- 10 cloves garlic, crushed
- 5 sprigs rosemary
- 4 lemons, halved
- 4 oranges, halved
- 3 750ml Manischewitz Concord Grape bottles
- 1 20 lb turkey
- 1 cup unsalted butter


by: "The Daily Meal"
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds plain Challah, 1/2" cubes
- 18 tbsp butter
- 6 large yellow onions chopped
- 9 stalked celery, chopped
- 3 tsp ground thyme
- 1 1/2 cups chopped parsley
- 9-12 cups vegetable stock
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3 eggs beaten


by: "The Shiska in the Kitchen"
Ingredients:
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 1 egg
- 6 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- pinch of cloves
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 7 to 9 cups flour
- 2 egg yolks (for wash)
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt

* Mashed Potatoes- "Betty's Potatos" (being brought)

Dessert: 

by: "Taste of Home"
Ingredients:
- 2 14 oz gingerbread cake mix
- 1 package vanilla pudding
- 3 cups 2% milk
- 1 29 oz can pumpkin
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 12 ounce frozen whip cream

by: "Welcome Home"

Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham crackers crumbs
- 3/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 1/4 cup crushed pecans
- 2/3 cup melted butter
- 4 (8 oz) cream cheese
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract


by: "Martha Stewart"
Ingredients: 
- 1 pound Turkish Apricots
- 1 pound Dark chocolate
- foil wrappers (optional)

______________________________________

The Shopping List for all your food!

-- 1 20 pound Turkey
- 6 tomatoes
- 1 Matzo box
- 16 garlic cloves
- Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Honey Mustard
- Dijon Mustard
- 1 Red Onion
- 6 Yellow Onions
- 9 Celery Stalks
- 24 Small Carrots
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 4 Lemons
- 4 Oranges
- Capers
- Baguette
- 8 oz Goat Cheese
- 22 Eggs
- 6 oz Smoked Salmon
- A bunch of Rosemary
- 2 1/2 pounds String Beans
- 1/4 Cup minced garlic
- Bag of Cranberries, enough for 4 cups
- Sugar
- Powdered Sugar
- Salt
- Kosher Salt (at least 1 1/2 cup)
- Pepper
- Bourbon, very small bottle
- 1 1/2 pound Cottage Cheese
-3 boxes unsalted butter
- 1 Box Butter
- 2% milk
- Whip Cream
- 4 8oz Cream Cheese
- Corn Flakes
- Bag of Pecans
- 2 tbsp herbes de provence
- Fresh Dill
- Caraway Seeds
- Fennel Seeds
- Mustard Seeds
- Ground Thyme
- Brown Sugar
- 3 pounds Challah
- 1 1/2 Cup Parsley
- Honey
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- cloves
- 12 cups Vegetable Stock
- 1 1/2 Cups Dried Cranberries
- 2 Packages of Active Dry Yeast
- Pumpkin Puree, 3 cups +29 oz can
- 9 cups Flour
- 2 14 ounce gingerbread cake mix
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix
- Graham Crackers
- Vanilla Wafers
- Vanilla Extract
- 1 pound Turkish Apricot
- 1 pound Dark Chocolate
- Foil Wrappers
 - 3 (750ml) Manischewitz Concord Grape bottles











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Thankgivukkah Crafts with Shopping List


Yep, it is that time of year again! 
Nope, not Christmas. 
Not even plain old fashioned Thanksgiving.
It's Thanksgiving with a bang!
It's Thanksgivukkah or Hanugiving!

So what is so special about Thanksgivukkah?
Well, not only is it not common, it is super rare.
It will not happen again for another 77,000 years!
Try to count that in generational-speak.

So, like many families gathering this holiday season, there are kids. 
Or adults that are kids at heart. Yes, I raise my hand here.

I have been piningfor a long time for ideas that were simple fun, and can even be used as gifts!

Shopping List- the full list is at the bottom and each craft has a link to the original poster with their picture and the materials so you can piece together what you want.


I am thankful for all my readers! 
Happy Thankgiving.
Happy Chanukah/Hanukah.
Happy Thanksgivukkah. 

by: "Pinterest"
- Materials: 
- tempura paint for hands
- paint brushes
- paper

Materials:
Plate
Paint
Tea Lights
Turkeys/Star of David cut outs

by: "Eighteen25"
Materials:
- A Keepsake Book
- Pictures
- Gel Pens

* Acorn Drediels

by: "Parents.com"

Materials:
- modeling clay
- acorn shells
- sticks or matches


by: "Martha Stewart"
 Materials:
- corn husks
- felt
- yarn
- buttons
- glue
- scissors
- paper towel

by: 42 Roads
Materials: 
- Recycled Paper Roll(s) 
- Crepe Paper
- Construction Paper
- Tin Foil
- Decorative Envelopes
- Magazines
- Glue
- Scissors

by: Makes and Takes
 Materials:
- Piece of Plain Fabric- 18x21, you can hem, or leave rugged
- Fabric Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Paper cups and plates
- Newspaper

by: "Etsy Seller"
Materials:
Plain Kippas or Fabric
Fabric Paint

by: Not2Shabby
Materials:
Plates
Paints
Potatoes
Chanukah/Thanksgiving Cookie Cutters

______________________________________________________

The Shopping List (for the materials)

Crafts
- Corn Husks
- Felt
- Yarn
- Buttons
- Glue
- Scissors
- Paper Towels
- Tempura Paint
- Construction/Art Paper
- Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Modeling Clay
- Acorn Shells
- Sticks or Matches
- Recycled Paper Roll(s) 
- Crepe Paper
- Tin Foil
- Decorative Envelopes
- Magazines
- Piece of Plain Fabric- 18x21, you can hem, or leave rugged
- Fabric Paint
- Paper cups and plates
- Newspaper
- A Keepsake Book
- Pictures
- Gel Pens
- Kippas and Fabric Paint
Plates
Paints
Potatoes
Chanukah/Thanksgiving Cookie Cutters
Plate
Paint
Tea Lights
Turkeys/Star of David cut outs

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

How I Chose To Homeschool: All About K12



(First and foremost, so you know, this post was not endorsed.)
How did I decide about homeschooling?
I chose to go with K12 as my (public) homeschooling option. Technically it is a public online charter school that we are going through, but to me, it is very much homeschooling. More like public homeschooling. They give me the lesson plans (just as if I had bought from them) and I teach it to them at home. 



Why?
I chose to do public homeschooling and k12 because it was accredited.


What does it mean to be accredited?
 It means that when my kids plan to go to college, they can list that they went to a public charter school online (public homeschooling). Meaning their chances to get into a school will be much higher than those that are traditionally homeschooled. I was very concerned about them getting into college if homeschooled. This was the only part of college I thought of. I don't care really what college they go to, because that is their personal choice but I did care for them to have a good chance to get in. Being accredited is super important to that. Accrediation is important for schools and it is important to do your homework to be sure it is accredited.



Can I supplement Lessons? Does going on field trips count as school? 
Yes. I supplement many lessons they do online to further the education of my kids.  I can take the kids to the zoo and count that for science or social studies. I can have them do a book report for what books they love and that counts for many lessons.


Do I have a lesson plan I have to follow? 
Yes, and no. You do have lessons to follow and as long as the child can do all their work, they are good. Meaning, your child has finished the lessons or shown proficiency. That is important to the school. They do receive money as if your child was in a seat.


Do I have to apply like a regular school?
Yes, you do. You have to go to the website for K12 and then ask them to contact you. They can tell you if you have a school in your state for k12 program. If not, you can also buy your own program. 

Is the program held to state standards? Is it challenging enough?
Yes and yes. It is based on your state and more over the schools are switching to common core. It is challenging. You can even have the child take the test and then move on to the next lesson/unit if your child can show they can pass with 80% or higher. I seriously wish I had known this before because the teacher who was overseeing me teach was hard on me about my son doing every single lesson. When I did, he would frustrate him because he knew how to read fluently. I later learned that I could have had him take the test and pass those that he did not pass.


How do the tests work? 
After certain lessons and the unit, they take an assessment test. Just like we did in school. If they fail it, which is below 80%, then they can go over the lesson and take it again. The kids do have to take the test themselves (sounds obvious but must be stated). For state testing, they have to be tested either online or by the k12 teacher.


Is it all online?
No. They have to do offline work as well.


Can I travel while doing this online homeschooling option?
Yes. I am doing it while writing this :) Makes it so fun to learn while traveling.


Do they provide materials?
Yes, they do for the very core of the materials. Rest you must supply yourself. This is better than buying your own curriculum and having to pay for all the materials. 

Is there support? Is there another teacher besides me?
Yes, You are technically known as a learning coach to them because you don't have a teaching degree. Though studies show that you are well equipped to teach your child! You have the school admin, the school teachers, and tutors. For the most part you are on your own but they do keep track of progress and check in with you. Sometimes they do field trips.


Do they have to attend school everyday? Can they have a vacation other than the school calendar?
Yes they do. Yes you can. Ours in DC runs just as if it were a public school- you have to attend everyday. If you are 'absent' for more than a certain amount of time, you have to answer for that. You can email the teacher if you have anything come up and also put it in the child's individual calendar that they are taking a vacation. The most important part is that they are on target for school. Even if I am traveling, I have them do work. Whether it be practicing word spelling in the car or math facts. You can count that.

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How I decided to Home School


(First and foremost, so you know, this post was not endorsed.)
 Well, to be honest, like most parents choosing what college they want their children to go to from the time they are born, or the sports teams their child will be affiliated with, I was honestly just thinking about the schooling options from preschool on. I went through un schooling, child care into public brick and mortar schools, to homeschooling, to public homeschooling. 

Consider:
1) Your Location
2) The schools around you
3) Your Children
4) You!


1) Where are you located?
Location is everything. Are you rural? Are you in a city? Based on your location, can you get to enriching activities easily? If you are rural, some options are more or less available. For example, natural sciences flourish here. Agriculture, awesome science experiments that can't be done in a city. A city is great for more museums. Less for doing that soda bottle rocket you have always wanted to do. Also, with location comes schools.


2) The Schools Around You
How many schools are around you?
You can easily google schools in your area. You have the options of public school, private school, public charter school, Montessori, and many more.

 What are their scores?
You can go to Great Schools and see how all the schools in your area rate. You can see test scores, overall rating, parental approval based on the star system.

How do you apply to these schools?
You can contact the school and see how to apply.

Our school system to me is whacked. I see why they did it they way they did but still has so many flaws in the system. I apply each year to give myself the option of public brick and mortar school for my kids. Just in case. Because if they get into an amazing school, why not?

Here in Washington D.C., they have L.A.M.B. (Latin American Montessori Bilingual School). Yes it is a public charter school and boy are the waiting lists a mile long. And if you have a child that is already in K? Well forget about it. You have to get them early or not at all. The kids progress each year and eventually they will be taught primarily in the other language, in this cause, Spanish. In D.C., they have schools in most every language. Mandarine, Korean, Japanese, Hebrew, Italian, French. It is very amazing. But they are so hard to get into. Although, you can always put yourself on the waiting list.

For the normal brick and mortar schools in D.C., the D.C. Public School system works for some and not others. They do a lottery system. You know what that means right? Yep. They put my daughter and son in different schools and they were not remotely close at all. I would have spent all day traveling to drop off and pick up. And the schools were not the best schools or Tier 1 at all.


3) Your Children
Just like trying on shoes, you should consider what 'size' school fits your child best. Weird analogy, I know, but it works. Honestly, the questions you ask to see if 'the shoes fits' is different for each child. Even if you are like me and have 3 kids, 'the shoes fit differently' for each child. My eldest is a huge reader and was reading by age 4. My second is still learning to read and is 5. My youngest, obviously can't read yet, but is trying. My daughter, the middle child, is really good in math and the arts. So that is her strength.

Remember: You may have one child go to a brick and mortar and the other homeschool. Again, does the shoe fit best for them? You may change halfway. That is ok. Just as they grow out of clothes as they grow, so do their needs change as well. Be ok with that.

I will say this for mine. My eldest, doing the state measurements for testing for his school, figured out his scores. I expected him to be good in reading but he was out of this world! He, at first grade, was scoring sixth grade reading and third to fourth grade for most everything else. Would the best 'shoe' for him be public brick and mortar? I don't think so. Does that mean it is easy to homeschool him? Oh gosh, no, but it is worth it by far. I would not change it for the world. My daughter, I chose to homeschool because I was homeschooling my son and the 'shoe' would fit either way. It was hard to begin with but she is getting the hang of it and is doing very well. I am glad because her scores first were low even though she could do some things very well, just was not scoring well on what they wanted her to learn. It made it very easy for me to know what to help her with and that one on one attention, let's face it, does not happen in brick and mortar. So the one on one in home merits high value.

4) You
Yes, you. You should care about you. I know, put your kids first. I do, trust me I do. I care less about me 95% of the time, in all honesty. As I write this, I am homeschooling at the same time, and writing this in between lessons. And I am still in a bathrobe. Ha. 

The question is, can you do it? If you are single parent, this is not always an option. Or if you are 2 parent family but don't make enough money if one parent stays home or can't work from home, you can't do it either. It is not feesible. Do something you can do. You don't want homeschooling to be more work and bring more stress then the school itself. If that makes sense. On the flip of that, if you are like me and have 3 kids, you know you can not put kids in child care either. If I worked, all my income would go to putting one kid in daily full time child care. I could not do that. So, homeschooling makes sense both for my kids' sake and for the financial aspect of it. 

Can you put up with fits and bits? I am telling you, teaching is hard work if you are a parent too. Put in the hard work and it will more than pay off. 



What did I choose to do?
 Find out all the questions and answers for the online school we do on the article
  "How I Chose to Home School: All About K12".!

I chose to go with K12 as my (public) homeschooling option. Technically it is a public online charter school that we are going through, but to me, it is very much homeschooling. More like public homeschooling. They give me the lesson plans (just as if I had bought from them) and I teach it to them at home. 







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