Feeding the Ducks

We have a great duck pond near us!  The girls were so excited to find baby ducks there Monday.  They came quite close to us and the daddy duck even ate out of Ross' hand.

I recently learned that bread isn't the best food for ducks.  We bought a big bag of cracked corn to use instead.  (Super cheap at the local feed store, $5 for a big bag.)  I keep some in this recycled coffee container in the van so that we always have duck food handy.  The ducks gobbled it right up.

I love being prepared for spur of the moment duck feeding!  :)

It works for me.

Math Mammoth Review

I like math.  Really, I do.  I want my kids to like math and understand it.

We've been using Singapore math so far (first Earlybird then 1A and 1B).  I liked the idea of it, but feel like we need more practice and explanation.  Lucy was able to complete the math pages with lots of prompting from me, but wasn't understanding the concepts fully.  Heart of Dakota has some hands on ideas we enjoyed that correlate with 1A and 1B.  Even so, part way through 1B we just couldn't go any farther.

I'm not sure how I came across Math Mammoth.  At first I was just looking for some additional practice or help, knowing that we couldn't move on to 2A yet.  I also didn't want to stop math for the summer and have Lucy forget these concepts she was barely hanging on to.  Cathy Duffy gives Math Mammoth a great review.  She compares it to Singapore Math in some ways, and really praises it.  After looking into it, I purchased their level 1 and began right away.

We just started, but so far I love Math Mammoth!  It seems to explain concepts thoroughly and from different angles.  Each page has plenty of problems on it, but remains uncluttered looking.  The beginning of each section contains helpful notes to the teacher, games to play with your child, and links to internet sites with online games relating to the topic.  The teacher/ child games are occasionally scheduled in the textbook also, which is great.

Math Mammoth is available as a download, or as purchased books.  I bought the physical books: worktext 1A, 1B, tests and reviews, and the answer key.  I like that the instruction is contained in the worktext.  (They call it a worktext because its both the textbook and the workbook together.)  We have found it very easy to use.  Even after getting through Singapore 1A and most of 1B, Math Mammoth's level one is a good place for Lucy to be.  She is able to complete the math pages, but it takes some thought.  I'm glad we did not keep going with Singapore Math.  I feel like with Math Mammoth she is going to thoroughly learn the concepts.  If she struggles, I appreciate the additional resources - games, websites, and even an online worksheet maker for additional practice.  Maria, the author, was also quick to respond to an email from me with a question that I had.

If you are interested, definitely take some time to browse the Math Mammoth website.  I found some good information, including how to use an abacus as a teaching aid, and great kindergarten math ideas.  The emails they send out are informative and fun as well.  Homeschoolmath.net is also run by the author of Math Mammoth and is an amazing resource worth checking out too!  I am very impressed with Math Mammoth and all that it has to offer.

I purchased Math Mammoth on my own and did not receive anything in exchange for this review.

See The Homeschool Curriculum Review Roundup for more reviews.

Mei Tai Baby

Isaac loves to be in the mei tai.  He will fuss and fidget all day long, but if I put him in my mei tai, he is perfectly happy and settles down for a two hour nap.  The mei tai (Babyhawk) is super comfy to wear.  I love that I can be hands-free and still meet his need to be held.

My girls were not as happy to be in a baby carrier.  I would put them in one when we were shopping or out and about, but around the house they weren't interested.  They wanted to be held facing out so they could see what was going on.  I think they also felt a little trapped or squished or something.  Isaac loves it though.  He tucks his head in between me and the strap and goes to sleep.  After wearing him for a long nap he is happier and more settled the rest of the day.

The mei tai is definitely my favorite baby carrier right now.  It goes with me everywhere.  I love my mei tai baby!

Wubbanub Review

When I first saw Wubbanubs, I thought they were a crazy bad idea.  Somewhere along the way I found my Amazon-addicted self reading reviews of them.  Now we have one and love it.

Okay, I thought this was a beanie baby with a pacifier attached.  Not so much.  They aren't really that heavy or big.  We have the lamb, and it is very lightweight.  You can see in the photo below that even if I put the paci in backwards so the lamb is over his face and nose, he is still perfectly fine.  It compares more to a pacifier ribbon in weight than to a beanie baby.

The Wubbanub helps keep the pacifier from falling, just because it is easy to hang on to.  Also, if it does fall, the pacifier doesn't go bouncing across the room and under the coffee table.  Isaac is just learning to hold on to things, and its super cute to see him snuggling his little lamb!

The lamb smelled a bit "new" at first so I put the whole thing through the wash.  I used the delicate cycle and air dried it; it turned out fine.  We've had several people comment about how cute the Wubbanub is and what a great idea it is.  The only problem is that there are so many adorable ones to choose from!

Isaac likes his Wubbanub lamby!

We received the Wubbanub for review.  All opinions are my own of course (and Isaac's).  :)