Making Waffles!

I've been having fun experimenting in the kitchen and watching all kinds of cooking shows on The Food Network. One of my favs is "Good Eats" with Alton Brown. His episode about making your own waffles was intriguing since we go through a good amount of waffles per week here in the Bailey household. During one of my weekly phone calls with my grandmother, we got on the subject & long story short - she sent me her mother's old waffle iron (that would be my great-grandmother).

Wahoo! Brian & I anxiously waited for the UPS man to deliver it and were so excited to have homemade waffles for a fraction of the store bought kind! So today I made a triple batch to freeze. The recipe and photos are as follows (Remember this is a triple batch):

3 Cups each of All-Purpose & Whole Wheat Flour

9 Tbs Sugar, 3 tsp Kosher Salt, 3 tsp Baking Powder, 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

6 Cups Buttermilk

9 Whole Eggs

6 oz Melted Butter

Mix the dry ingredients together first then whisk eggs in separate bowl. Slowly whisk melted butter into eggs, then slowly add buttermilk. Add wet ingredients into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients and gently mix together.

While still lumpy, let the mixture rest for 5 minutes

Turn on & preheat your waffle iron

Spray with nonstick spray and scoop mixture into waffle iron.

When (and only when) the light indicates the waffle is done, open and see your delicious waffle!

Let cool completely & slice apart.

Freeze & never buy Eggos again!

Clearly the kids enjoyed them!

Time 4 Learning Product Review

I recently had the opportunity to let Joshua test the Time 4 Learning online curriculum and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Joshua has always loved using the computer so I knew this would be a good fit. He finished half of the Level 1 Preschool units on the first day! I had trouble getting him to only do a few units at a time because he loved them so much.

The small issues I have:

• Subjects - Being that Joshua is Preschool aged, the amount of subjects are limited. I would like to see that level expanded. (There are tons of units for K-8)
• Reports - It seems that there are no reports available for the Preschool level and I would love to be able to track his progress more. (I understand reports are available for K-8)
• Passing A Unit - Joshua had particular difficulty getting the hang of patterns. When given the choice of what comes next, he would often choose the wrong one first. Then he would choose the right one because there was no other choice. He did this for almost every question, but was still given a "check mark" that he finished that unit. I would love it if there was a way to not give a child the "check mark" until they answered the questions correctly at least a passing percentage of the time or if there were a report showing that he does not have comprehension in that area, so I know to make him go back & do that exercise again.

Things I love:

• Each lesson was fun, kept his attention all while teaching him fundamental subjects.
• Ease of use! This is such an easy and comprehensive curriculum!
• Joshua LOVES it. And that really says it all. Joshua is retaining the things he's learned and having a blast at the same time, so to me - it's completely worth the money.

I highly recommend this as a comprehensive curriculum to anyone homeschooling or looking to enhance their child's public school learning.

Wanna see if Time 4 Learning is right for you? Visit their website and sign up. They have a money-back guarantee. I believe you'll be glad you did. I sure am!

Homeschooling Adventure Begins...

With back-to-school around the corner I've been researching Pre-K curriculum and I've been invited to try Time4Learning's online curriculum for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own so be sure to come back and read my experience with Time4Learning's educational program. Click to find out more or if you would like to apply to be considered for a review.

Rebekah's First Field Trip

We took a field trip to ride the train and play at Brackenridge Park. It was Rebekah's first big trip out. She's still so tiny in her car seat!

Cousin Tyler & Cousin Ryder
Auntie Heather & Cousin Summer

What you talkin' bout mama?

Cousin Ryder & Uncle Chris

Joshua sitting in a seat named after him!

The family minus Brian (he was at work that day)

Beans!

My sister & the kids all came over for a playdate. We decided to bust out the Bin-O-Beans to keep the kids busy. Home made sensory games at work!

Rebekah Grace has arrived

Rebekah Grace 6lbs 7oz and 20 in

Born at 10:15am on Easter Sunday!

Rachel's 2nd Birthday & Joshua's 4th Birthday

Rachel in her 311 shirt

Wondering what we're all doing...

Seriously, what are you guys doing?

Time to eat cake!

Presents with cousins & Granny

Fire Hoses & Faces

We went on a tour of our local firehouse today with my MOMS Group. Heather, Chris & the kids came along as well. We had lots of fun learning about fire safety and when to use 911.

Here are the kids with Fireman Eddie.

Here is Joshua with Fireman Eddie.

Rachel is smiling as usual.

Ryder is....well I'm not sure what he's doing...

Such a happy girl.

The kids listening to Fireman Eddie talk....well Heather was listening.

Joshua was so excited to sit inside the Fire Engine.

Watching how they attach a hose to the engine to pump water.

Rachel trying to wink at the firemen.

Tyler got to shoot the fire hose! It really made his day.

See I was really there too.

The whole group in front of the Fire Engine. Rachel isn't too sure about Fireman Eddie, even though his mannerisms reminded us of Dad.

That was our first field trip to a fire station. We really enjoyed it and can't wait to go again in the future!

Sibling Rivalry?

We have been blessed with two children who get along for the most part. Oh sure they have their moments, but they are finally to the ages where they can play together. Here they are the other day playing in a box. Remember back in the day when we would in boxes or built forts with blankets & chairs? I love turning off the tv and letting the kids just play with their toys and their imaginations. They come up with the funniest stuff!

Learning is Fun!

My sister and I took our kids back to The Witte Museum for some fun and learning.

Here is Rachel playing in the water.

Check out the red highlights in her hair!

Joshua watching the water fall out of the top of the turbine.

Joshua spinning the wheel to close the waterway.

Tyler

Summer

Rachel & Ryder