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Browsing Tag: homeschooling

Amazon Bookcase Hack

Stuff happens. And you need a place to put it all. One thing that will help you keep your sanity, mamas, is to have a place for everything. Train your children to know that place, so that as they grow, they can put their own things away. I searched a few thrift and antique stores, looking for the perfect storage piece, but the school year was well on its way, I had not found the right thing, and I wasn’t feeling quite organized. Pressed wood to the rescue! I found this piece online.   I liked the look of…

Best Job Ever! free printable

Do you love words as much as I do? I am such a word-nerd. I’m awed by how much meaning can be conveyed in one little word or phrase. Whether it’s scripture, a line from a favorite hymn, an age-old quote, or your favorite phrase, just hang some words on your wall and you have meaningful art. 😉 (Read about easy, meaningful, one-of-a-kind art in this contributor post.) Last week, I shared my heart for the job we do as full-time mamas.  It is a joy and a privilege.  But it…

Dear (full-time) Mamas: 10 things you need to hear

Writing is a lot like standing on a stage in your birthday suit. You open up a very personal part of yourself for ridicule, and as your hand hovers over the publish button, you have to decide if it’s worth it. As a writer, you want to please everyone, but that’s not possible.  So you write for the ones who need to hear your message. This post has been on my heart for quite a while now, and I’m finally getting around to sharing it.  It really sums up a lot of the reason…

Free Sunshine Printable

“You are my sunshine…my only sunshine…You make me happy…when skies are gray… You’ll never know dear…how much I love you…Please don’t take…my sunshine away…” This song takes me back.  As in, back to kindergarten.  Amazing how something so small and simple can transport you across the years that way.  It’s also something I’ve sung to all my babies, as I’m sure most of you have.  Aaaand I have a little niece who is quite…

Children and Chores

This weekend I’m sharing a guest post for my friend, Keri, on her blog ONE MAMA’S DAILY DRAMA.  We all have our share of drama, don’t we? 😉  Head over and check out this idea on dealing with Children and Chores, that might make your day just a little bit easier!   &nbsp…

Homeschooling: Little Entrepreneurs

Guess what?   A few days ago, my daughter made this cute little bunny and I thought it was the perfect thing to welcome spring. Also, I was amazed at her cleverness.  No pattern or tutorial, just her imagination and creativity. Last year, the girls learned to crochet in art class, and it has become a favorite thing for them to do… like making these teeny tiny Barbie purses…   and keeping all the dolls well-dressed. They have been enjoying making things to wear…     to share…     and now to sell! They…

Who IS Patrick, anyway?

If you wear a clover today, you might want to make sure it has 3 leaves, instead of 4, if you want to be true to the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day. If you’ve never read about the real Patrick, of whom the day speaks, it is one exciting story.  I thought I would share a bit of it here today, by quoting an excerpt from our favorite history book, The Mystery of History (Vol. II): “Patrick was born in England in 389.  (He was not Irish as most people would think!)  His parents were…

The Original Valentine

You know I love books, right? And history. And learning of all kinds. I pretty much try to make a learning experience out of everything. Even holidays. I told you how much I loved connections. Holidays are a perfect opportunity for making connections. In the midst of the candy-buying, valentine-writing, and heart-making, you might just wonder why in the world you’re doing all of this… or more likely, your children ask you something like…Mom, why do we do this anyway? Bam.  Instant teaching opportunity. Share with them the story of St. Valentine…

Jazzing up January with New Books

We got new school books the other day. Please excuse the lonely little cotton stem; he needs friends. Yep.  In January. Adds a little excitement to the drab days of winter.  I mean, who doesn’t need a little sparkle amidst the gray? We’re conditioned to think that our students must begin a new textbook in September and be finished with it by May.  And sometimes it works out that way… sometimes, it doesn’t. The reality is, a child might speed through a book because they love it and be ready for the next…

Enjoy the Ride!

Homeschooling is… having to stop and think about what grade you’re in, because… it really. doesn’t. matter. Are you shocked? Homeschooling is having to stop and think about what grade your children are in, even though you are their mommy AND their teacher. Are you appalled? I might’ve been too, once. But that was before 15 years of homeschooling. Actually, home educating sounds so much better, doesn’t it?  Use that one when talking to the most critical critics. 😉 My children get asked this all the time.  Sometimes they answer right…