Canada and Snickerdoodle French Toast

Now that we are back in school we have started our Monday co-op back up. Each Monday one of three moms hosts and makes a lesson of their choosing. Since I was first, and I didn't want to do Science related topics I picked Geography, a little Math and Life Skills. I will be continuing with this on the Mondays that are mine to do.

I started with Canada because I figured that would be the easiest to locate on a map. Everyone found it easy. Since each class should be less than two hours, I have to consolidate what to learn. First though, we always go for a walk.

After the walk we all sit down and I read a little bit to everyone. Since we have ages from 6-16, I have to keep it simple yet engaging. This can sometimes be difficult. I used Kids World Travel Guide, for our reading pleasures.

Then each kid colored a map of Canadian provinces, in their own unique ways. This gives them time to socialize and discuss Canada, the size, and what they learned. There are more complicated sheets but the little ones find it too difficult, so I simplified it.

Then the best part, they got to make Snickerdoodle French Toast, which is a Canadian meal. I have to tell you it was the best French Toast I have ever eaten. We did leave off the cornflakes and did not bake it, but used a griddle. Since there are 9 of us, they had to double the ingredients, so there is some Math. Then they have to measure, mix, and cook the French Toast. They all took turns, and were quite proud of themselves.

The next class that is mine, we are going to do Great Britain.

Biscuit's New Safe Glow Dog Collar

Those of you who read my blog consistently, have already met Biscuit.  She is my 85 pound Lab mix beauty.  I was contacted by a company that makes Dog Training Collars, and asked if I would do a review of their Safe Glow LED Dog Collar.  Of course I said yes.  I love doing reviews.  Anyway I sent in my info and about ten days later I got the collar in the mail.  What you will read next might make you laugh, or you might just think I am a dingy blonde, but it is all true. 

So, the collar is delivered.  The kids are excited, a glowing dog collar, what fun!  We remove the collar from the package.  It is a very nice collar, good looking made of nice sturdy vinyl, with a lovely closing clasp that I must tell you is very durable.  I don't think a dog could get it off, I had a hard time getting it off, LOL!  Biscuit loves her dog collar.  When we removed the old one and put on the new one, it was like getting a new dress for my daughter.  Then we added her name tag to it, and her outfit was complete. 

So, we wait for dusk and out we go to check out the glowing collar.  It doesn't glow, as you can see in the first three pictures.  Nothing, nada, nil.  So, my son says maybe it needs sunlight, or some kind of light to charge it.  OK, makes sense to me.  So off it comes and we set it under a light for the next 24 hours.  The next evening, out we go to try the collar.  Nothing!  How in the world do you make it glow?  So, I said to the kids, I guess since I threw out the package I have to contact the company to ask them how to make it work.  Lucky for me, I kept the original email and it told me how to use it.  Whew!  If you look at the pictures, I am pointing to a nice square box on the collar.  I noticed the box when we first got it, but couldn't find an on/off switch, so I just thought it somehow held the charge.  Come to find out, as you can see in the next picture, there is a small round button in the center of the box that turns the collar on and off.  Poof it works!  Amazing what happens when you read directions.  So, out we go again and as you can see it glows nice and bright orange.  It has three speeds of light:  solid, slow blink and a very fast blink.  The camera doesn't pick up the blink but it is there.

Now, that we have been using it for about 9 days, let me tell you why I love it.  We have a fenced backyard.  Biscuit and Lucky are allowed to run and play at will, and are safe.  Biscuit is quite heavy, and even though she has been put on a diet, she could use some more exercise.  So, I want to walk her.  In the summer especially, we walk in the early AM or early PM.  This collar will keep me safe, and Biscuit safe, by letting people see us with the orange collar.  Also, Biscuit needs more socializing.  We want to visit out of state next year, and Biscuit will either have to stay at a doggy daycare, or we would like someone to stay at our home with her.  That means she has to be more willing to accept people into our home.  So walking will enhance her socializing as well.  Plus if she got out of the fence, and decided to go on a neighborhood excursion, we could find her if the collar was turned on, not a bad idea if you have a dog that escapes frequently.   The only one con that I can see, is that it is not 100% waterproof.  But, if you don't walk in the rain it shouldn't be a problem.  I don't walk in the rain, wet clothes gross me out.

Now more about the specifics of the Safe Glow Dog Collar:

-  It comes in three sizes:" small, medium and large.  On their website you can see the dogs recommended for each size.
-  Sturdy nylon collar
-  The Safe Glow Dog Collar uses a lithium battery that can be purchased at most stores.  It is a long lasting battery so you don't have to change it often.
-  It is lightweight only weighing about a pound.

The company that offers the Safe Glow Dog Collar, also offers Dog Training Collars.  They have a wide variety of options available for you to browse at your leisure.  To check out the Safe Glow Dog Collar, or the other dog training collars, click any of the links in this article.  The only compensation I have received for this post is the dog collar to try on my dog, and the pleasure of telling you about an awesome product.  If you have any questions you can contact the company on their website. 

4H Photography Book 3

Day two of school and we are already having fun!  LOL!  This is DJ's third and last book for Photography in 4H.  The first chapter was on using different lenses.  Since we don't have interchangeable lens on our camera, we thought we would have to skip it.  But, lucky for DJ his mom is smarter than she looks, wink wink.  I will explain how we did it below.  The second chapter is all about special effects and easy affordable ways to achieve them.  We did one, which I will share below.  This chapter is a long chapter and will require some cheap purchases on our grocery shopping trip this week.  So be sure to check back next week to see what we did.  Please do not borrow, or steal DJ's images.  They are his sole property and I keep them all for personal records dated and timed for proof.

Today was another full day of lessons, with the second part of the day being History.  Caitlin is focusing on Native Americans and US Symbols.  While DJ is doing book three of The Story of the World and US History, so yes he is doing two History currics.  Plus a Marine Biology lesson everyday to be sure he can complete it in a year. 

This is Caitlin's sunflower turned green.  We achieved this effect by using a Chelsea Filter.  A Chelsea Filter is used in the identification of Emeralds which is why I own one.  Gemstone geek here.  It actually looks blue but gives the effect of green, and a very intense green if the object is already green. 

Caitlin looking like the Grinch.  Notice it doesn't really turn her green, but gives a green hue to everything.

Since we didn't have lenses to interchange, I let DJ use my 10X Loupe to take a shot of the inside of the sunflower magnified.  This is really a cool shot.  There is a better one too.

This is the clouds and the edge of the Crepe Myrtle tree using the Chelsea Filter.  For some reason my little cursor won't let me write next to the picture below. But as you can see it is the same exact shot without flash.

This is a dragonfly wing under the Loupe.  This is really cool.  Open it up to get a better look.

This is the dragonfly head under the Loupe.  This was a fun lesson and we had a ball doing it.  Caitlin wants to start photography in the next year, so DJ will get to be her prop in pictures.  Caitlin started her Butterfly book today as well.

Sunflowers, Toads and the First Day of School

Oh my it is the first day of school already. It seems like Summer Vacation was not nearly as long this year. We did accomplish a lot of cleaning and organizing that does not get done during the school year. This morning, nice and early, since it is still 100 degrees here by 10, not really more like 90, but I get to exaggerate it is my blog, we went for our morning walk. When we returned DJ noticed this huge toad sleeping on the top of the porch light. Now since he is sitting on his legs you can not appreciate the real size of this toad. See it looking at you? It must sleep with its eyes open. I wonder how long it has been there. I just hope he does not decide to jump on my head one of these mornings. That could end in disaster.

Caitlin's sunflower is finally starting to open, as shown in the picture. It seems to be taking a long time, but we have not had hardly any rain. People in neighboring counties say it rains everyday at their house, but for some reason at mine not even a sprinkle. So that means we have to water our garden. We did only fair with the cukes, I assume I did not water them enough, because they were awesome. I figure it is the rainy season it will rain, right, no not right. Tomatoes are still trying to get there. I had at least half a dozen tomatoes on the plant, and something ate them, and it was not me. Since I am trying to avoid pesticides at all cost, I put onion peels at the bottom of the tomato plant. That actually seems to have worked. Tomatoes require a lot of water, like inches a day, so of course I probably need to water them more. Tomatoes still have a lot of growing time here in FL, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Next year I am doing sweet potatoes. We did just plant lettuce and carrots, and I will share the containers we made to put them in, in a future post. Here in FL, you can grow a winter garden, and usually there are no bugs to worry about.

We are also doing the Earths Kids Club, since July, and we are working on some interest projects for that as well. That will be shared later as well.

Later this week I will be doing a review on a really cool dog collar, so be sure to check back for that. If you have a dog, you need it.

We did a full load of lessons today, no holding back, and it was a great day. Lots of fun ahead, so stay tuned. Hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day. We did, we didn't do anything!