In my quest to keep those little teeth clean, a homemade toothpaste that will clean their teeth and mouth and taste good too. Click here to read about our “Candy Cane” Toothpaste. It’s a simple recipe. Only three ingredients. And safe to swallow if you have little ones who don’t know how to spit out their toothpaste.
Kids
Easy remedies for ear infections and sore throats
Caring for sick child is one of the most difficult jobs that a parent faces. Ear infections and sore throats are some of the most common and most painful ailments to deal with. Here are some easy remedies to try at home to help your child when they are hurting. Ear drops for ear infections and Throat Soother for sore throats. Be well.
The Family Doctor: Keeping those little bodies clean Inside and Out
Continuing our discussion of food sensitivities, let’s discuss tips and tricks on cleansing your children’s bodies and their environment.
Keeping the INside and OUTside Clean:
Children with food sensitivities seem to have delicate systems. Thus I try to use homemade cleaners, soaps, laundry detergents, sunscreens, bug sprays, toothpaste and remedies so that I can know what they are being exposed to. This way if they have a reaction, I know what the ingredients are and can more quickly diagnose the offending agent. I also try to support their immune systems by giving them Well Drops daily. And when they have a reaction to a food I give them herbs (in tincture form) which helps support their bodies as they cleanse and heal. Herbs like dandelion (cleansing), milk thistle (liver support), yarrow (healing/cleansing), yellow dock (cleansing), catnip (calming/nutritious), and nettle (nutritious) are among my favorites.
More health topics to follow…. What health issue would you like to see discussed?
Make an air-conditioned sandbox
This is a bonus post this week in honor of the high temperature today in New York City reaching 100 degrees.
What to do when you’re stuck inside all week due to the heat?
Today we made an air-conditioned sandbox. Or an “sandbox” indoors. 🙂
Since we couldn’t go outside we improvised.
We spread a large sheet on the carpet (as pictured above).
Then we raided the pantry for all the partial bags of old
beans, rice, lentils that hadn’t been used in ages.
Dump them all in.
Instant “sandbox.”
We used the box that our building blocks are usually stored in, but you could also use a cardboard box, lego tubs, laundry baskets, dishpan, canvas storage boxes, an old suitcase or even a large plastic or stainless steel mixing bowl.
(Note: Obviously this activity would not be appropriate for babies or young
children who still put things in their mouths. Lots of choking hazards here.)
Add some colored toys or manipuatives and you have an
instant sensory, color sorting game.
Grab some cups and spoons and start digging.
Stay COOL! Enjoy your summer.
Homeschool Book List
Looking for some inspiration for your homeschool curriculum for this year? Here is a list of books that we have used organized by grade level. The list includes suggested books for Pre-K up through First Grade. If you’d like to see a list organized by subject, you can visit the Bookcase in the School House.
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Curriculum: 
Pre-K/Kindergarten:
Literature: (books to read aloud)
The Little House In the Big Woods
Little House on the Prairie
On the Banks of Plum Creek
The Little House Cookbook
Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie
Tarzan of the Apes
Math:
Right Start Math Abacus
Math Made Easy: Kindergarten Workbook
Math 1: Homeschool Kit (Homeschool Math Grade 1)
Phonograms/Spelling:
Writing Road to Reading
Reading:
Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
Little Owl Book Set 1-8
Little Books 1-10
Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection
Bible:
The Child’s Story Bible
Science:
Bubbles, Rainbows and Worms
First Animal Encyclopedia
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
Animal Atlas: Animal Passport
Geography:
The Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide
State-by-State Atlas
Art:
My Very First Art Book
Drawing With Children
Kindergarten/First Grade:
Literature: (books to read aloud)
Aesop’s Fables
Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories
Math:
Right Start Math Abacus
Saxon Math 2: Home Study Kit
Phonograms/Spelling:
Writing Road to Reading
Reading:
Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
Little Owl Book Set 1-8
Little Books 1-10
Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection
Bob Books Set 2
BOB Books: Sight Words: Kindergarten
Danny and the Dinosaur
Little Bear (An I Can Read Book)
King Jack and the Dragon
Caps for Sale
Nutshell Library (Caldecott Collection)
History:
The Story of the World
Past Worlds: “The Times” Atlas of Archaeology
Bible:
The Child’s Story Bible
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Bible Atlas
Science:
Know Your Body: The Atlas of Anatomy
The Body Book
Geography:
The Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide
Art:
Drawing With Children
Art: Over 2,500 Works
Art: A World History
365 Things to Draw and Paint (Activity Books)
Music:
Meet the Great Composers Book 1
Meet the Great Composers: Book 2
Older Grades:
If you have an older child and need suggestions for what to use with them consider these….
Curriculum:
Math: Saxon Math
Phonograms/Spelling: Writing Road to Reading
Reading/Literature: choose readers or classic literature based on their reading/grade level from the public library. The Book Tree
History: The Story of the World 
Science: Apologia Science offers rigorous science programs for elementary, middle school and high school. Note: this is a creation based science curriculum.
Geography: The Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide
Art:Drawing With Children
The Family Doctor: Food Sensitivities
“The Country Doctor” by Norman Rockwell
Food sensitivities are on the rise. How many of us have a child with a food intolerance? And if you don’t, I bet you have a friend who does. What do we do? The allergists can’t help us since they aren’t actually allergic to anything and finding a pediatrician or alternative doctor who has solutions is like finding a needle in a haystack. So, what’s left? You become the “expert” on your own child and help them as best you can. You are now the Family Doctor trying to provide comfort, promote health and find that elusive balance between protecting your child from offending foods and helping them feel like they live a normal life outside of their restrictions. Continue reading to find out what we’ve done.
Homemade hand sanitizer
Field trips, outings, all day playing with toy food at the museum – hand sanitizer is a must! Make your own hand sanitizer without alcohol and chemicals. Easy to take on the go to keep those little hands clean.
Field Trips: How to get into almost any NYC museum for free.
Museum admission can get expensive. But did you know that most NYC musuems have either days or hours each month where admission is free!? This site has a good list of museums listed by whether they are always free (pay what you wish), have monthly free hours, or weekly days or hours that are free. So, whether you live here or are coming for a visit, enjoy your Field Trips in the City. It’s less expensive than you might think.
Field Trips – see the places we’ve been in the City.
Central Park Carousel
A photo collection of the places we’ve been in the city. Join us on our Field Trips and see where we’ve been and get tips on where to go and what to do once you get there.
The Railroad comes to Maggie’s House
For all you train enthusiasts. The railroad has come to Maggie’s house. Come browse all of our train track configurations. Lot’s of inspiration for any little boy (or his daddy) who love’s Thomas and Friends. 🙂
Homemade mini-abacus
This is for all you homeschoolers out there! This abacus goes with the RightStart Math program. It’s small and portable which is great when you’re doing math on the go. It’s also good for little brothers and sisters who want their own abacus just like the big kids. Swing on by the Student Desk for the directions.
Keep your family healthy – herbal drops your kid will love!
Cold season is upon us. It’s time to boost up those immune systems and help fight off all those pesky germs that come around this time of year. I credit these drops for keeping my kids healthy and cold-free this past year. I give mine the Well Drops almost daily. And double and triple up if they are fighting something off. Rummage through the Herb Shed and read up on how to make your own. It’s really not that hard. All you need are the ingredients, a jar, a crock-pot and water. Stay healthy!
Remembering Maggie Lane 