Hasta la Vista (sort of)

Hey folks! I have come to the conclusion that I have too many websites and blogs. Yes, I've decided to consolidate. With the elementary kiddos, traveling monsters, high schoolers, ink slingers, AND technology posts to consider... criss cross applesauce is getting the ax.

Not really, it's just joining my elementary-ish blog...

[Mrs. Sol's Class Blog]

Heck, I may even combine them all into one, big, happy, super-rific site!

So check it out...

and I'll see y'all there!

Sunday School

Yep, I'm teaching Sunday School this year. I'm excited to create new materials and learn a few things! I'm teaching 5th grade, but have already found tons of fun crafts and ideas for all grade levels. Here are a couple of my favorites (so far!):

3 Wise Men - Mollie's Mom

Bottle Cap Crosses - Fave Crafts

Oh! So cute!

Now here's my first idea. Learning about the people we read about in the bible. What's the back story? How about a few interesting facts? So I came up with these activity pages...

____________________________________________________

Feel free to click on the image and download the free printable. Then, research and read stories about the Disciples and the Saints. Draw a portrait and write down a few interesting facts on each page. The projects can be combined into a book! I'll post student samples as well, so check back soon.

More to come!

Chore Charts for Kids

I made up these charts a few years ago when my kids were 4 and 5 years old. Now they are big kids and we still use them! Of course, I have modified the jobs over the years.  For example, when they were younger, "Do Dishes" meant sort the clean silverware and put it away. Now, they can load and unload the dishwasher on their own (Yay!).

Our charts are laminated and posted on the refrigerator. They have six chores each day:

• Make your bed
• Clear your plate after each meal
• Pick up your toys
• Put your clothes in the hamper at the end of the day
• Complete the chore that is listed on the calendar (by looking at today's date)
• Have fun!

We have a cat, so we have "Feed Cat" on ours. Two of the Chore Charts below are for kids with pets. The other two are not. You can click on each image for a larger view.

For free printable PDFs of these Chore Charts, visit Happy Apple Publishing.

Enjoy!

Meal Planning Printables

Hey folks,

Over the years, I have adapted this meal planner/to do/grocery list many times. I only want to go grocery shopping ONCE a week, so I map out our family meals and then head to the store.

I print the following pages back to back, 3-hole punch them, and put a bunch in my Grocery Binder. You can print them here. I like having everything in one binder, so I can jot down grocery items as I think of them and then grab the binder when it's time to head to the store. The binder stays in my kitchen for easy access!

FRONT:

BACK:

Clear plastic pages hold other things that stay in the binder, such as...

•  A list of dinners - I brainstormed as many dinners as I could think of. Sometimes I hand my kids or hubby the list and say, "Pick something!" so I don't have to think about what to make. 
• A long list of items I typically buy at the store - food, cleaning supplies, snacks, etc. Taking a quick look at the list helps jog my memory about something important I may forget.
• A map of the store I usually shop at. You can find these maps at the grocery store or online. They include a blueprint of the store and show where items are shelved.
• Coupons. I stick them in the binder pocket, so everything is in one place.

Do you know who admires my binder while I'm shopping for groceries? Old guys. Grandpas. The cute old men who are shopping with their wives have stopped me on more than one occasion and asked about my nifty list. Mom friends ask for copies too, so I decided to share with the world. 

[click here for grocery binder printables]

Happy (once a week) Shopping!