Homeschooling/Unschooling: Counting!!!

Hey all!

So, this week, we are doing a recap over EVERYTHING she has learned up until this point.  We started on MATH!! Math is my favorite subject, so I thought it was fitting to recap with her on it!!

What I did for HOMESCHOOLING:

-- I had her count to 20 first!! -- She did just fine!

-- I then put out colored popsicle sticks on the floor (10) to have her point and say the number (VIDEO ABOVE) -- It was...interesting to say the least.

-- Her and I then went around the house and started counting doors.  Everytime she found a door, she'd say, "1 door, 2 doors, 3 doors, etc." -- We did that over and over again until we reached 10.  (I will do it to 20 next week)

-- We then went into her room and counted her baby dolls, stuffed animals. -- That was the best!! She kept giving them hugs as she counted them! :)

-- We then went to the flash cards and she called out each number as she saw it.

We had a BLAST doing this recap.  Since she is only 25 months, she tends to get bored VERY easily, so I made sure to break it up and have her do different things to keep her interested.  Worked out very well, folks! :)

What I did for UNSCHOOLING:

We decided to BAKE in order to learn more about math today!!!

-- We used  ONE cup of flour (she scooped the flour out of the container and said, "ONE")

-- We used 1/2 cup of sugar (she scooped the sugar out of the container and said, "ONE HALF")

-- We used 1/2 cup of flour *yes again* (she scooped the flour out of the container and said, "ONE HALF")

-- We used ONE cup of water (she helped me fill the cup up in the sink and said "ONE")

 -- We then mixed it all together and put it in a baking pan... Now, we baked it at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

As the 'flat bread' was baking, on paper, I wrote:

  1

+1

+(1/2 and 1/2)

------------------------------

I then explained to her that 1/2 and 1/2 equals one (which is something we will get into later in her homeschooling, unschooling and on the blog! :)

I then wrote:

  1

+1

+1

-----------------------------

I then had her count each one as, "One, Two, Three" -- She said, "Three! Three Ones!!"

How's that for addition??

We then took the bread out and it wasn't half bad!! :) HAHA!!





We had a blast and it shows!!

She was happy to learn and happy to be done for the day as well! :)

If there are any other ''tricks of the trade" that you know about, please let me and my readers know!! We'd love to get more information!! :)

Questions: CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com
Comments: Leave them here!! :)

Make sure you spread the word about the blog as well, folks!! Let's get the word out!!

Thanks!

Keep Watching,

Char~

70's Photo Shoot!! The BLACK Charlie's Angel!! (HAIR PLAY)

Hey all,

So, to continue from my previous blog (http://charlottesavenue.blogspot.com/2011/08/deep-conditioning-on-natural-hair.html), after my DC treatment, I decided to have some hair play!! I went ahead and gave myself an afro! I put on some makeup, got dressed in the most 70's outfit I could find in my closet, gave the camera to my husband, and went at it!!!! :)

You all ready?!?! Brace yourself now!! HAHA

Yes... I'm rockin' an afro... AND... Some specialty earrings that I made... You lik??

One of my favorite shots!!

Umm.... This one too!! :O)

Thinking about all the Jive Turkeys Imma have to deal with!

One of my favorite poses!

All for my lovely husband!!! He was doing great behind the camera too!! Took some great pictures!!!

 So, as you can see, I had a BLAST during this photo shoot!! It's nice to have my husband join me on things for the blog!!! Truly! :)

My hair is in such great condition too!!! I'm happy that it's growing, that it's healthy and that it's MINE!!! NATURAL HAIR ROCKS!!!!!

Questions: CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com
Comments: LEAVE THEM HERE!!

Make sure you spread the word about the blog folks!! I truly appreciate your love and support and don't take it for granted!! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~

DEEP CONDITIONING ON NATURAL HAIR!!!

Hey all,

So, it's been a long time since I gave myself a REALLY GOOD Deep Conditioning (DC) Treatment!  So, I figured...Why not blog about it! :)

What I used:

Proclaim Cholesterol Conditioner (with Aloe Vera Enhancer)

Proclaim Natural 7 Oil

One of the BEST mixes for my DC's!!

So, I rinsed my hair with cool water to basically just get it wet and ready to accept these lovely products:

A nice cool water rinse!! Diggin' my kinks!!!

I then put my DC mix on my hair:

I was amazed at the different hair textures I have.  The longer it gets, the more loveliness I see!

After the DC application, I covered it up:

Yes indeed!! No shame!! AND, the bags are FREE... They also work JUST as good!! :)

I kept this on my hair for about 2 1/2 hours.  It was 105 degrees that day, so it really got a GREAT conditioning!! No need to put it under the hair dryer because I had a NATURAL one right here!! I sat outside and chilled on the balcony with my water and my laptop!!! :) HAHA!

I then rinsed it out...

So much texture and it was SOOOOOOOO soft, you guys!!! Loved it!!

This DC treatment was one of the BEST I've ever done.  The products are pretty cheap (I'm not about spending a bunch of money on hair products for natural hair...Just call me a Frugal Naturalista!! I shall do a blog on that soon!). It worked great and my hair SMELLED DELIGHTFUL folks!!! Something about these two mixed together is heavenly for the hair....smell and all!!

I then let my hair air dry and decided to have some hairplay...

Stay tuned for that...

Questions?? CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com

Comments?? Leave them here!!!

Please spread the word about my blog, folks!! I'd truly appreciate it!! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~

Product Review: CLASH OF DESIGNS

Hey all,

So, I wanted to come to you all today to give you a quick review on a new company called, "Clash Of Designs".  They are based off of facebook right now (http://www.facebook.com/clashofdesigns -- Check them out!!)

Anyway, I won a pair of earrings off of their site about a week ago.  They contacted me and asked me what colors I wanted in my earrings (I could choose up to three colors) and I gave them red, black and green (you all KNOW that's my favorite combination!!) -- Well, after the colors were given, I was contacted again stating the the red I wanted was not the one they had, and they suggested that yellow would be nice, and they could make it work. (See?? Most companies wouldn't let you know that they don't have the right stuff... they would just do it and if you like it, you like it and if you don't, you don't... not this company!) So, I went with the yellow...

Do you all know that I recieved my earrings yesterday and I AM IN LOVE!!! Okay?!?! My goodness! These earrings are VERY well made and look amazing.  They also hang VERY well on my ears!! -- You all KNOW I have some pictures!!!

Folks, I strongly urge you to go to her FB page and 'like' it... Once again, it's http://www.facebook.com/clashofdesigns.  Let her know Charlotte's Avenue sent you.  You truly won't be disappointed.  Her earrings range from $12.00 - $15.00 at this time, so jump on it!! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~

God's Unchanging Word! (Learn God's Word For Yourselves!)

Hey all,

I wanted to come to you all today and just give a few reminders.  When it comes to the bible, God's word does not change. Too often, people will try to change His word to fit their purpose so they feel comfortable in their decisions, etc.  We all know that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" -- Hebrews 13:8.  He doesn't change... His word doesn't change.  Doesn't matter if we all  didn't follow His doctrine.  We cannot change the unchangable to fit our purpose. 

Folks, please STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELVES APPROVED!! Please.  Don't follow what others tell you about the word of God.  Learn it for yourself so you can stand STRONG on your foundation and YOUR knowledge of the word.  Many will bear false witness... If you KNOW the word for yourselves, you won't become victim to that. 

Have a blessed and HAPPY Sunday, folks!!!

This is a little 'freestyle' song I did some months back... I LOVE the Lord with all that I am.  My body, my mind and my SOUL screams for Him... I couldn't do it w/out Him, folks!!! I hope you enjoy! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~

First Day Of School Style!!!

Hey all,

So, the first day of school commenced this week!!! My daughters were super excited to enter into this new year of goodness, and I cried like a baby because they were going to school... Yes... Even at their ages, I miss them when they are gone...

So, I decided to get some cute pictures of them, their outfits, AND THEIR AMAZING HAIRSTYLES...before they went to school!!!

CC rocked her beautiful twists with a very cute headband (shout out to Dollar Tree)... She had a very cute Vintage shirt on with some lovely jeans and the cutest shoes!!

Too cute for her own good!

BB rocked her hair in some cornrows in the front with a ponytail and 'bang' in the back!! She wore a VERY cute Vintage Tee and some lovely jeans, with her cute shoes too!! :)

Alright now, BB!! :)

I then decided to put some collages together so that their hair would stand out and you all can see the loveliness that is their hair!! :)

CC's awesome twists!!!!

BB's awesome cornrowed elegance!

I really love that my daughters enjoy who they are and have confidence in who GOD made them to be. It makes me so happy as a Mommy!! :)

Now, we can't forget about the little homeschooler, who started school as well... :)

ABC time!!! :) HAHA!

It was a great first day of school and I look forward to what the school year brings!! :)

Hope you all enjoyed this quick little post!!!

Questions? CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com
Comments? -- Right on below!!! Les'Go!! LOL

Keep Watching,

Char~

My Beaded Up Beauty!! --

Hey all,

So, I decided to take a break from Choca's signature TWIST STYLE, and go back to what I used to do with her when she was a bit younger... BEADS!!

The finished product!! :)

What I used:

Water

African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer Lotion

Proclaim Emerald Bergamot Hair & Scalp Conditioner

Red, Black, Green and White Beads

I started on the back row, cornrowing her hair down into EIGHT cornrows.  I then put white 'heart shaped' beads on them. (using a black bead to close them off)

:)

I then went up to the middle row and used the same process, cornrowing TWELVE cornrows, and putting the same white 'heart shaped' beads on those braids.  (using a black bead to close it off)

Whew... I'm getting there!!! Almost done... ALMOST!! :)

During this process, Choca wasn't the HAPPINESS camper.... She then went in her hair container, got a comb, took her doll and got to doing hair herself...

Whew!! Talk about a life saver!! HAHA!! This really helped my plight!!! :)

Alright... Now to the front... I cornrowed it into 17 cornrows, and gave her more of a colorful pattern to top the style off!! You all know me... Nothing plain about me and my style esthetic!! :) So, she was 'outfitted' with red, black, green and white beads to make the style complete!!

How cute is this style!?!?!? After it was all said and done, she was SOOOOOOOO happy!! She got to whippin' it back and forth and just enjoying EVERYTHING about this style!! She was extra pleased, and I was ecstatic because I was done! :)

Greatness!! :)

I hope you all enjoyed this post.  If you have any questions in regards to it or anything else, please email me @ CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com!

Comments?!?! Go ahead and leave them... I love them.. AND I ALWAYS respond! :)

Don't forget to spread the word about my blog folks!! I'd appreciate it! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~

Homeschooling: Let's Go!!

Hey all,

I wanted to do a quick intro to my new Homeschooling section of my blog.  I will be doing blog posts on how I go about homeschooling my 2 year old (I've been homeschooling her since she was a new 1 year old), and how I help her to retain the information. 

Choca doing her ABC's!

I'm really excited to take you all (and anyone you decided to share my blog with) on this journey with me.  There will be highs and lows, but we'll all go through them together and help each OTHER through this time!! :)

I will also be giving you all my "TIPS 'O' THE TRADE" in regards to special tricks to help out in certain areas!!! -- We will bring you into our field trips and just fun and exciting projects... ALL that will help her (and anyone else that is involved) in learning and getting the knowledge that her brain seeks!! :)

Come on in, take a seat and inhabit your space on Charlotte's Avenue: Homeschooling!! -- It'll be a fun ride!!

Choca w/some of her teaching tools!!! Are you all ready!?!?!?

I TRULY look forward to sharing with you all!

Questions: CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com
Comments: Leave them here!! :~D

Keep Watching,

Char~

Charlotte's Avenue Rest Stop! (1st Visitor)

Hey all!!

Welcome to Charlotte's Avenue Rest Stop!! Come on in, take a seat and TALK to a Sista!!!

Today's visitor is none other than my NT (Name Twin) Charlotte Wright-Bruce!! We've been chopping it up at this rest stop for a while... and we got on the subject of her BEAUTIFUL daughter and her hair... Let's listen in:

1. Name/nickname of your baby and age:

*~*Charlotte Nicole*~*

***3 years old***

(something about this name makes me happy and is SOOOOOOO familiar to me...)

LOOK AT THIS BABY!!! Oh my gosh!! She's so beautiful!!!

2. Tell us a little about yourself and your child.

She is starting to love fashion as I do! She loves gospel music. She and her twin brother learn thru music.

(Folks, when I tell you this woman can dress, I ain't lyin'!!! She is flawless on her clothing game!! Learning through music... One of my favorite things to do with my babies!! LOVE THAT!)

Can she get any cuter?!?!?! My goodness!!! She is gorgeous!

3. What is your hair regimen?

 Weekly Silk Elements co-washes (she plays hard!) Mix of Jojoba oil, coconut oil and shea butter and Doo-Gro (every other day) canola/olive oil (opposite days, moisturizer spray (everyday)

(Mmmm... you KNOW I'm a canola oil fan!!)

Look at those babies!!! Little Chocolate Loves!!!

4. At night, what do you do to protect your child’s hair for bedtime?

 Silk scarves (which normally are off by the AM for her)

(Indeed... I had to start using a du-rag on Choca's head... Nothing else will stay on that head! :)

5. Do you have any concerns when it comes to your child’s hair?

 The growth, which is slow as mines was at her age. But it’ll come.

(Yes ma'am.. It most certainly will! Your hair is FIERCE right about now, so she has good genes!!)

Ummm... Why isn't she on the front of Baby Gap yet?!?! Hello!?!?!?

6. When your baby is having a ‘bad hair day’, what is your solution?

Wash and start over. Her sweat from playing and the oils used become too much.

(If at first you don't succeed, wash and start over!)

Play, baby...PLAY! :)

7. Tell us about your child’s clothing style.

 I try to dress her as 3 yr old should be dressed, comfortable and fun. Her shoes MUST match (that’s my addiction). But because I don’t like the color pink, she does not wear it as much unless someone else purchases it. Yellow, lavender, green, peach…etc are the colors spring/summer 2011 for her..

(Ha... I'm not a pink person either... But, Miss Charlotte Nicole can rock anything!)

8. Any other information you’d like to add?

 Charlotte Nicole has a very lively personality. She keeps her twin brother RJ motivated to learn despite his disability. She is the main reason for much of his very nature.. She is just as much a teacher and caregiver for him as I am. I can truly see her making a “positive” and well-known name for herself.

You can tell by this picture that she loves to protect him!!! Something about babies that love on each other makes me SMILE! <3

How beautiful is this baby?!?! Look at her EYES!! OH MY GOSH!! She is gorgeous!!

A special shout out to her beautiful and amazing mommy for coming into our rest stop and sharing her hair story with us! :)

If you know of anyone who would like to come on in to the Rest Stop and talk to a Sista, please contact me at CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com and give me your name and who you'd like to chat it up about! :)

Comments?!?!? Leave them here! :)

Don't forget to spread the word about my blog folks!! :) I'd appreciate it greatly!! Share it on your Facebook, your Twitter, all around!! :)

Thanks for all your love and support!!

Keep Watching,

Char~

Lovin' On My Family...

Hey all,

As I sit here this evening... I am TRULY thankful for the family that GOD blessed me with... My amazing HUSBAND... A BEAUTIFUL BLACK KING whom I adore and even after all these years... We are HAPPY... genuinely happy... Not tolerating each other... Not putting on facades for others... TRULY HAPPY... Why?? Because GOD put us together... GOD gave us each other... That gives us joy KNOWING that HE felt us perfect for one another!! Our beautiful babies who light up our lives daily... Even in their good and bad moments... They are amazing... We have some AMAZING God Babies that are truly a joy as well!! <3

You know.. We always (at times) take for granted what we are blessed with daily... From waking up in the morning, to staying out of harm's way throughout the day...Life is NEVER going to be perfect and you'll always have good days and bad days... But, you're able to go through those days, folks...  We are truly a blessed people, whether we accept that or not!! I know I am blessed and highly favored and I'm TRULY thankful for it!!

This blog is just to remind you that GOD smiles on you daily and He's so good!!! He blesses you daily and His mercies are forever enduring! :)

It's the little things sometimes, you know?? EVERY Sunday, before and after church, we make it a point to take pictures together!!! :) It's fun and it's a family 'thang' that we do!! :) As a photographer and picture person... I love it... AND, I love how my family accepts that about me and goes for it!! HAHA! :)


And now, my lovely family!! In all their glory! <3

MY KING AND I!! He truly balances me out... He keeps me sane, a LOT of the times!! HAHA
Truly thankful to GOD for my husband!! <3

Butterscotch Beauty and I 7.31.11 -- My little MEANIE ME... HAHA... She's a little firecracker...But, she's all mine!!
I'm Thankful to GOD for my MEANIE PIE! :) <3

Caramel Cutie and I 7.31.11 -- My MINI ME... My face, my sarcasm... HAHA... I <3 it... She's a spitfire too though..
Thanking GOD for my CC!

My lovely little ladies!! <3 8.14.11 -- Three of the BEST little God fearing ladies you'll ever see...
<3

My Choca & 1 8.14.11 -- My "Old Soul" baby... She's a sweetheart and very kind... She has her "OH NO YOU DIDN'T"
moments, but that's to be expected!! Thanking GOD for this little lovely!

My love and I 8.14.11 <3 -- US!!

Folks, love on your families.  Enjoy every bit of them!!! They are yours, afterall!! Have fun together... Laugh together, cry together, STAND TALL TOGETHER!!! It's a must!!!

I hope this blog encouraged you all to just enjoy life and all that it entails!!

Keep Watching,

Char~

New Hair Style & Outfit (MADE BY MY HAND) For Choca!! :)

Hey all,

So, on Saturday, I decided to TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS and be EXTREMELY productive!! -- I gave Choca a great hairstyle using:

-- Water
-- Olive Miracles Growth Lotion
-- Proclaim Emerald Bergamot Hair & Scalp Conditioner
--Eco Styler Gel

I call this hairstyle the: Nubian Styled Cassie Inspired Look. On the right side, I cornrowed it back into 8 braids, and the middle of her head and the left I twisted it into small twists.  It took me about an hour to do it, but it's going to last 2 weeks and IT IS GORGEOUS!!!

THE STYLE:

But, before that, I decided to put my fingers to my sewing machine and make an outfit for Choca to wear to church on Sunday... Why?? Well, it's simple... Because I wanted to!! HAHA!! I have known how to sew since I was young... But, I CANNOT sew my patterns.  I make what my MIND envisions... So, I decided to re-purpose an old dress of Caramel Cuties and an old jacket that Choca wore when she was younger...

THE REPURPOSED ITEMS:

Yes... My watermark is a bit...OFF... But, hey... gotta protect the lovelies, right??? Wrong or not!!! LMBO! :~D

Sooooo.. What's the finished product look like, you ask??? Well, I will show you:

A beautiful Maxi Dress (the straps were made out of the band from one of my old jean jackets... AND... A Bolero Jacket!! :) How cute, right???

Now, I KNOW you wanna see them on Choca, right?!?!? Well... You're about to!! Also, the flowers she has in her hair are handmade by me as well!! :) -- It's taking longer than usual to get my collection going... But, when GOD feels me ready, it'll come together, so I won't and don't complain!! :)

THE PICTURES:

Cheesin' really pretty!

<3

:)

Playing in her hair... My Choca

Choca is rockin' it!

She's selling this dress/jacket combo, ain't she?!?

Modelin' already?? YES!! I think so!

Her and that foot!! HAHA!!! That's when she KNOWS she's lookin' right!

HAHA!! Her sisters had her do this face! LOL

Awww man!! As you can see, it was a great weekend!! I made a lot, I accomplised a lot and I'm ready to do it all over again this week!! :) Leh'go! :)

Thank you all for viewing this blog post!! I hope you all enjoyed it!! Make sure you spread the word about my blog!! It'll be much appreciated!!

Questions: CharlottesAvenue@gmail.com
Comments: Hook a sista up right here! :)

Keep Watching,

Char~