Kitchen Makeover - House Crasher Style!

Remember my promise to you to post pictures of my kitchen makeover with the DIY t.v. show, House Crashers? Oops! I'm a bit late, I'm afraid! We weren't able (as in legally able) to post pictures prior to the show's debut in April 2011. Then, well, I kind of just forgot! So sorry!

Here is my before, all the work in between, and after kitchen, thanks to Josh Temple and his AMAZING House Crasher crew!

These are pictures of my kitchen before. Drab. Stunted. Cut-off and completely diffcult to work in for someone who cooks from scratch most of the time. You'll notice there are no doors on any of the kitchen cabinets. Yeah, well, that was our attempt at staining. That would become a two year nightmare. In fact, I never lived in this home with cabinet doors. We took them off prior to moving in to stain and they stayed that way until the dumpster was parked in our driveway by House Crashers!

Goodbye, countertops, odd island thingy and cabinets!

Kitchen is officially gutted!

They ripped off the ceiling with the intention of making the entire ceiling flush (because the fluorescent light box mandated the ceiling be dropped to fit it) but discovered that bathroom pipes from upstairs ran through the beams. It wasn't expected and in their budget to move those pipes, so the ceiling had to go back on. The yucky fluorescent light box is gone, though!

Old sliding door is removed and the opening is widened for french doors.

I have to point out that all of these pictures, where you see a man dressed in a dark blue, long-sleeve shirt and tan/khaki pants... that's Josh Temple. I have to say he is NOT just the host! He worked so hard and was involved in every step of the way!

Chris with the jackhammer. We had to move the pipes to our sink because the sink went into a new location!
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Josh Temple having fun with the cameraman, Quentin!

French doors being prepped and the floors being cleared of all debris for the new flooring being installed on day two. We had lots of great friends that helped us over the entire weekend.

Josh having fun with Chris' mask!

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The "before" pictures of my new china hutch! It was completely re-done! New paint, the scrolly things were cut out and wire was added and new knobs!

The new flooring being installed. We went from faux wood planks to real cherrywood floors. The wide planks are in keeping with the farmhouse style.

Now that the floor is in, the cabinets are being installed. The show works on a 3 day turnaround, so we had a TON of people streaming in and out of our home each day and many times, while working on one project, the next project guys were already there waiting in the background to jump in and get started! It moved FAST!

The apron sink is being fitted and the cabinets are being measured for the counter tops.

Each day, a list of work was posted and checked off as completed! It really kept us on task!

Goodbye, table!

Hello, new one!

Lots of people in the house but it made it SO MUCH FUN! They are a great group of people!

The new hood gets installed and the industrial pipes are measured out and installed for our upper "cabinets".

How it looks at the end of day two:

The apron sink is permanently installed, the subway tile backsplash is being finished while others are putting in the dishwasher.

The stove is put in and at this point and we are kicked out of the house for the next several hours while they finish the kitchen. The surprise at the end of the show is REAL! I left there with it slightly coming together and walked back into a completely finished, beautiful new kitchen! So, we took this opportunity to give our sincere thanks to each member of the crew and take a picture with them. I won't post all of them because there are A LOT but I'm so glad we got some time to personally thank each one.

And now (drum roll, please)... the finished kitchen! We absolutely love it!

The show still airs as a re-run (just aired on Feb. 6 and will again on Mar. 28). It's called "Farmhouse Kitchen", if you want to check out the whole episode! You can also watch it online too! They also did some 'tip' commercials at our house which run on DIY network throughout each day! Tips on painting, cabinets, changing out air filters... pretty fun to be watching DIY and your house and, sometimes, my husband, friend or me, is on the commercial! What a trip!

We had an amazing, exhausting, memorable three days and had so much fun with this crew! At the end of the 3rd day, Josh said some very touching, sweet things to both Chris and myself. He brought tears to my eyes. This was an AWESOME experience that we'll never forget!

Curriculum Highlights

I don't have a post up of the curriculum we're using this year. I just didn't get around to it. Besides, it feels so permanent when put in a blog. What if I end up not liking it mid-year? What if I changed my mind and went with something else? What if? What if? What if? Ahh, that never ending nagger and creator of indecisiveness. This question (or some variation of it) stops me dead in my tracks more times than I'd care to cover here. So, I didn't write a curriculum post at the beginning of the school year.

With half the year over and safely tucked away, I feel confident in showing you what has worked for us and are "keepers" in our school.

For my oldest, a 7th grader this year, I opted for this program to lay a solid foundation on worldviews and logic. It is meaty, in depth and challenging.. and we love it! It references media and movies all over the place and (if you know us well) this is right up my and Chris' alley! We are big proponents of being conscious of the messages being sent with a movie and not just plop down in front of something and absorb it all without thinking it through and discarding what is truth and what doesn't align. This curriculum does that. It teaches middle schoolers to know what they believe and WHY (not just because mom and dad said to believe this). It also teaches them to apply logic to the messages bombarding them.

This wonderful curriculum is called "Lightbearers" and is created by Summit Ministries. It is a two thumbs up here!

Next up is our Grammar and Writing curriculum. It was introduced to us by a friend and we love it. We have taken our sweet time with this Level (4) because it is SO advanced and so concentrated that you can and there are only 8 levels, so what am I to do once we're done?! Eek! I've got to milk this baby! As someone who hold a degree in English, I have to say, this is the most comprehensive, organized curriculum I've seen that makes grammar and writing approachable! I can't imagine NOT using this curriculum. Ever! I wish I had been taught this way when I was in pubic school. I can't say enough great things about this curriculum! Now, don't get me wrong, the jingles are VERY corny and makes us raise an eyebrow at times BUT (and this is a big but) THEY. WORK. So, corny or not, I don't care. The boys retain the information through these jingles. So, it's a keeper in my book!

The curriculum I have referred so many friends to is Shurley English. It is EXCELLENT! Even when I purchase curriculum with built-in grammar or writing, I skip that (usually) because they usually pale in comparison of Shurley English's presentation of the material. I love, love, love this curriculum for its thoroughness and it's ability to make normally dreary topics into manageable chunks of information that is easily retained! Two thumbs up again!

I am definitely an eclectic homeschooling mama. There isn't one "style" that I'm particularly drawn to and feel the need to be 100% faithful to. I pick, what I consider to be, the best components of several styles and see what works for my kiddos. If it works, it stays. If it doesn't, it's gone and we find something else that works better. I am not compelled to stick with any one particular style because I don't think any of us fit into an exact mold or box when it comes to styles. I found this curriculum for our Bible time at a convention two years ago. It wasn't at its own booth nor was it being raved about from any one workshop. It was just quietly sitting on a shelf of a vendor with a wide-range of curriculum. I bought it and implemented it in our school. Since implementing, I'd started and stopped it, going to other curriculum suggestions friends have given me over the past year and a half but I always end up back here. We just love it.

Am I the only one who does that?! Stop something that is working because something that LOOKS better comes along?? Why do I DO that?!?! Well, I'm learning and I learned this lesson big time through this subject matter. The curriculum I have loved is called "God's Great Covenant" created by Classical Academic Press.

There are several things I don't really like about the Classical "style" of homeschoolng but, in this topic and in this season of our children's lives, THIS. WORKS. I know it works because they retain more knowledge in going through this curriculum than in any other we've tried to date. It is multi-age friendly. It is chronological. It is in-depth but in a kid-friendly in-depth kind of way. It. just. works. Why I stopped and started this curriculum a few times baffles me but I have learned my lesson. Don't throw out what is working!

It goes over Hebrew words and terms, the overarching theme of the Old Testament, and details how the OT points to our coming Savior, Jesus Christ. It is SO in-depth that it will take you two years to go through the Old Testament systematically and 1 year for the New Testament.
The Old Testament 1 book is written for a 2nd grade level but that is a surprise to me. It challenges the kids to remember many facts and is universal to several grade levels.

I will be adding another component for my oldest soon. Something for him to do on his own but this works wonderfully to lay a solid Biblical foundation.

I have to mention my love for Apologia. We have used their books since the first year we began homeschooling (4 years ago now!!). They are user-friendly, full of knowledge and LOTS of hands-on activities and makes science interesting for kids. It is also from a Biblical worldview which is a plus for me. We have thoroughly enjoyed working through the "Exploring Creation" series!

Last but not least, I must tell you about Truth in Science. I found this curriculum last summer, somewhere on the Internet and began researching it. Not much is written about it and I couldn't find any blog that was using it that could give a solid recommendation. So, I went directly to the publication company's website and began researching. Once my hesitations were answered and overcome, I ordered this curriculum for my 4th grader for this year. WE. LOVE. IT! It is systematic, thorough, methodical in presenting the two main worldviews on science (even to early elementary grades) and it encourages lots of important skills such as creating visual and oral presentations (which includes research and documentation) in addition to learning the material presented. Jake is enjoying it and I'm very impressed with this curriculum. And in case your wondering, yes, he does this AND the Apologia (we do Apologia on a MUCH slower schedule since both boys have their own grade-level science curriculum). I just couldn't give up Apologia this year!
My biggest disappointment over Truth in Science is that I didn't find it before my oldest moved into middle school. Currently, their curriculum only addresses Grades 1-6.

So, there you have it! The keepers of our school curriculum! I like others but these are the ones that I wouldn't want to do school without!

What is your "can't do without" curriculum?

Weekly Wrap-up: January 30- February 2

This week started strong but by Tuesday afternoon, Jake was running a high fever and none of us were feeling it in the school department. We did manage to get our Nutrition science experiment in with Dad at the lead as well as some other learning.

Josh stayed on target, after all, he wasn't the one who was sick. He finished the week with all assignments completed and on track. It's hard to convince the oldest that HE still needs to do school work while the younger one cuddles on the couch reading, resting, and feeling yucky. I must admit, it's hard to resist the urge to join in on the cuddling and just call it a day!

No one feels like reading or trying to retain information when they have a fever and battling head congestion! So, each afternoon, Josh and I joined Jake on the couch and learned via documentaries, thanks to Netflix streaming! We learned about Mt. Everest, Denali National park in Alaska, hidden secrets of several U.S. monuments, how the states got their shapes, the lost ships of Rome, the history of cornflakes and the Kellogg brothers, and one that only Josh and I watched, "Bhutto".
(We had a whole week of sickness, folks. The poor kid still isn't over it). :)

"Bhutto" is about the rise and death of Benazir Bhutto and it was a fascinating look at the power struggle that is going on in Pakistan. This documentary is highly recommended. It was frustrating, enlightening, moving and troubling, all at the same time. It resonated with me for days and it was an excellent conversation starter with Josh regarding history and struggles of Pakistan. I do not recommend this documentary for anyone under 12. It is definitely a case by case basis of the maturity, understanding level and awareness your child displays. It is also graphic at times, showing footage after bombings or other killings occurred.

Normally, when we watch a documentary or educational movie, I have the boys fill this out.

This may look like busy work (and to some it may be) but it has one purpose - to help one of my children (who shall remain nameless) focus. You see, when the t.v. comes on, no matter what, this particular son goes into the 'zone', especially when it's 'educational'. He isn't present during the film and couldn't tell you a thing that he learned. Because I want what we do to be purposeful, he needs some guidance in this area. Thus, the 'fact finding' sheet! He is now engaged in anything we watch for school and it has become a game to him! He's listening and looking for facts and now, at the end, can discuss what he's learned about that topic. Yay!

Chris got in on the action of science experiments (I usually schedule them with him and the boys; it gets him involved in teaching and gives me a night off to do something I want to do). So, here they are experimenting with which fruits and vegetables provide the most Vitamin C. They made an indicator, used iodine and extracted juices from a lime, tomato, orange, and lemon. The filled out their hypothesis sheet and notated their procedure steps as well as the conclusion. I LOVE Apologia!

Jake finished up studying the state of Vermont for the Trail Guide to U.S. History curriculum. We began our study of Connecticut, which should end our unit on the New England states. He's moving along in our California State History curriculum too!
He mapped out the major rivers, capitol, and highest mountain in Connecticut.

This is on Monday, when he felt well! Poor kid!

Josh is learning about the Ancient History in Asia and the Middle East. So in addition to finishing up his reading of "The Children's Homer", I added "The Trojan War", as well as a library book on "Muhammed of Mecca: The Prophet of Islam" to his readings. He is almost finished with Muhammed even though we added it this week as well as "The Children's Homer".

We had a lighter week of learning this week while nursing one back to health while trying to keep it away from everyone else. Yet, learning still occurred! It's weeks like this that teach me to roll with the punches and enjoy my time with the boys!

I've linked up to the Weekly Wrap-up over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers! Come join in on the fun!

Weekly Wrap-up: January 23-27

This week was a great school week! We stayed on task (for the most part) and accomplished all that was scheduled to complete! Weeks like this feel good!

We fell behind in Jake's science over the fall but are quickly catching up... and enjoying what we're learning! He is in Step 3 of his Truth in Science curriculum. Have you heard of this curriculum? We LOVE it! It's an excellent presentation of the two opposing worldviews - Christian and Secular/Humanist and how both approach a scientific study with two very different outcomes. While they weave that in, they are also teaching science! I love that it is taught from a Biblical worldview but that also teaches from an evolutionary one - and points out the flaws in the theory. Each "step" (there are 12), requires the student to create a visual and oral presentation on a topic that is assigned at the very beginning.

Part of our hands-on activity in Step 3 is to plant some seeds and observe them growing. Luckily, I had on hand this "root viewer" that I bought awhile ago and had laying around!

We had to soak the soil disks in water overnight, first.

We planted carrot, radish, and onion seeds.

Look how tiny these radish seeds are!! Or were these the onion?? Hmm....

And now we wait...

We also resumed our Apologia Anatomy curriculum this week, after our Christmas break. We wrapped up our Nutrition lesson by discussing Vitamins and minerals.

Jake is still working on the state of Vermont. We hope to wrap that up next week and begin a new state!

Josh is working through his world history at a steady pace. He is currently reading "Children's Homer" and "The Mystery of the Roman Ransom".

Josh wrapped up his study of the world, in general, through the Trail Guide to World Geography curriculum and finished the unit with a wonderful hands-on 'old world map' project. He hand drew the map to be as accurate as possible. Colored and tore the edges and then we used some brewed tea to paint the paper, giving it that weathered, brown look.

We had a rainy day this week, which always makes me want to SLOW DOWN, cuddle up and not follow the plan! I'm happy to report I DID follow it, though, and we were finished early and was able to do a rainy day watercolor activity! So much fun! (Sorry they are sideways. I entered them correctly but blogger is turning them. Weird).
Jake's rainy day watercolor picture

Here's Josh's watercolor picture. He discovered he didn't like working with watercolors on this one and I discovered how much he NEEDS to work with this medium! It's his perfectionistic tendencies that got in the way and I need to address those.

My watercolor picture

We got this idea from a lovely little book put out by Usborne Books called "50 Rainy Day Activities".

The weather cleared up by Friday to meet a bunch of our co-op friends at the park for several hours of fun, sunshine and laughter! I love my co-op friends!

All in all, a good week. Fun week. A week filled with getting to know my sons better and looking for creative ways to teach them, build our relationship and grow as a family!