Homeschool Simplified

We're finishing up week 11 of our school year here at home!  So, since I'm technically NOT a beginner anymore, I want to share some tips and tricks that have simplified our school days!

DRUMROLL PLEASE.....

AND CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE TIPS....

(It's completely okay if your drumroll consisted of toddler demands or feet running through the house-that's how we roll too!)

1.  THE MASTER PLAN RULES!!!

Ready.  Set.  SCHOOL!!!  Many of us know that feeling!  I spent so much time and energy into getting ready for our first homeschool year!  It was all a learning experience and once the train actually started to roll, it allowed me many things to hang onto....and showed me what would be unnecessary!  So, for the sake of efficiency, I scrapped some of my original plan in lesson making and such!  However, I have clung to that MASTER PLAN and it has turned into one of my greatest homeschooling tools!  No matter what the week brings or life throws our way, I can change up the day because I am one of those crazy Mama's.....you know the kind that educates her OWN children!  ;)  And, because of my original Master Plan, I can do so with the confidence of being exactly where I want to be in our progress-give or take a day or two!

HERE'S MY 'MASTER PLAN' PLAN......

A.  Curriculum arrived....I oohed and aahed and flipped through the fresh books. 

B.  I then proceeded to break down each subject for each kid into the number of weeks I wanted our school year to consist of.  I chose to follow the flow of the local public school calender-except I choose what days and weeks to take off!  I used the Lesson Plan Section of Mardel-A Simple Plan's online FREE planner!

C.  Each week, I prepare an outline of what we need to accomplish to get where we need to be (using my master plan for guidance).  This is SO easy and I never have to wonder where we are because I simply grab my master plan!

Each kid has an individual plan of course!   This is a PRIME example of how a few hours of work before the year began has saved me immeasurable time, stress, and energy as the weeks go by!

2.  FLASH CARD BASICS

Drill.  Drill.  Drill.  Drill.  Drill.  Okay, since we have that established-here's my tip......

A.  Organize with a coupon/bill organizer found at any local retailer!  These come super cheap at dollar stores or you can let go of a few more pennies to buy one to better suit your style!  I have divided mine into sections by student/subject/covered/not covered.....you get the picture!

B.  Use page protectors to cover your full sized material!  For Kindergarten, I use many of these pages such as the Hundreds Chart (which I customized for Miss Priss as a reward), basic alphabet for handwriting and reference, and BLEND LADDERS!  We love our phonics curriculum, but I have added blend ladders for extra help and practice.  If your child is struggling with 'putting sounds together' or discouraged with pre-reading or reading in general....these are great memorization and drill material.  So great, that they gave my girl the extra boost of confidence!  We keep these all in one tidy little folder and they may even make it into a binder one day!  These exact blend ladders can be found at confessionsofahomeschooler.com.  Just click on the link to go visit and land directly at the post where you find these handy pages! 

 

C.  For the older kids-write the needed to learn term/concept on an index card.  Hand that over to them to fill in the backs as they read!  This helps to get said concept into that smart little brain and then they go back and drill with the same cards!

3.  FIELD TRIP IT!

Believe it or not, you do this already....all of the time!  Once you switch your family over to a learning 'frame of mind', you'll be amazed at how naturally and easily the teaching (and learning) will come, for all of you involved!  The local fair.  A seasonal fun day (think Pumpkin Patch or Tree Farm), local festivals (you wouldn't believe the local heritage and history to be found at such), a day at the zoo with friends (what is there NOT to learn), or a road trip to see family (reference THIS POST to see how a simple roadie binder turns this into a fun, real life geography lesson).  My kids know more about some states and their locations before they're even introduced to them in a school setting!

My point is....chances are that you and your children learn together already!  OWN that and claim it for what it is....learning life!  A simple change in how we see things with our kids opens up endless opportunity!  There's nothing better than a trip to the zoo turning into a simple biology lesson....on accident! 

4.  BREAK IT UP AND GO WITH THE FLOW

Morning break!  Aaaaahhhh, one of the best times of our day!  I get these kids in here and I work them....until I've pushed just enough to get their best of the morning without discouragment  You'll know that moment when it comes....TRUST ME!  Then outside it is.....

Fresh air, natural Vitaman D from the sun, plenty of exercise, spontaneous nature art, puppy play....what is there NOT to love about this!  Some days we go out and get back in 20 minutes later for a snack.  There's been MANY days we end up outside for an hour or more...and we go with it!  We believe in strong, sturdy, old fashion, hit the books curriculum!  We also believe in family, real life, and our kids learning to love the world around them!  So, the breaks and the in-between of formal school days is when you will find us "unschooling".

Favorite examples: 

Walk in the woods turning into plant and tree identification, taught exclusively by Daddy himself!

Squirrel season + break time + perfect coincidence= extended morning break to skin squirrel, spontaneous squirrel anatomy lesson, comparison to how God made our bodies anatomically, and discussion of how many chambers a squirrel's heart must have.  And yes, that did lead to us finding out for ourselves! LOL! 

DISCLAIMER:  If you have a problem with the above example-let me just state that at least our anatomy experiment served dinner as well, therefore we didn't waste the rest!  Also, God gave us domain over the animals, and permission to eat them for supper.  And last but not least....if ever without food, my kids could hunt, kill, and eat the little furry guys to survive!  Disclaimer complete!

Mornings that break turn into a family football game on the gravel road.  Priceless. 

A picture can say this so much better......

5.  ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE

Firm believer here!  The proof is in the pudding and we thrive on it...the kids AND this Mama!  We have a very firm schedule of early wakeup, breakfast, morning responsibilities, then meet me in the school room!  We basically school on a set schedule of 7:30-noon, give or take a few minutes.  Some days we get it all done and even more to be ahead of said master plan!  Other days, we've had a rough go of it, and things are left undone!  The 'set time' has given me the flexibility of having 2 great advantages.

A.  We often get ahead which lets us 'catch up' on future days when something comes up or you know....life happens!

B.  If you homeschool, or if you're a parent in general, you know that life NEVER goes as planned, we ALL have our down days, and sometimes things just don't work the way we want them to.  That's life!  That's also school!  So, when it's been rough-this allows us to just stop at stop time and go about our daily lives!

Option A covers B and B covers A.  It's a win win.  An additional bonus is that I have eliminated the sibling argument of who gets to be done first.  Yep....they have yet to accept the fact that that different grade levels mean different amount of works, which makes it fair.  Not gonna happen here, so this eliminates any need to address such argument!

We multitask 'individual child spare time' with online supplements.  ABCmouse.com for my K girl and PreK boy and typingweb.com for my 3rd grader.  Free kid time + I need to individually teach=wonderful time to sneak in extra learning!  Or, they just draw or create!


These simple concepts have made our days flow much smoother than without them!  And it's the PLAN and the ROUTINE that allow me the extra freedom to let each individual child grow, thrive, and learn outside of the classroom!  We are happy with these things!  For us....they work!   

Visit Here

  


 

One Down Already!

One quarter down....already?

We have officially completed our first quarter of Homeschool!

Wow!

My first thought is.....that happened REALLY fast!

 

 

This journey was only just beginning for us 9 weeks ago.  Today, I can't imagine being on any other!  Being home hasn't made our life perfect, but it HAS made it complete.  I don't want to be in any other place than I am right now, with this man and these kids.  I thank God daily for the joys he's given us.  This being one of the greatest.  I LOVE this lifestyle!

 

I've really gone against the grain, been the 'rebel', and gone the completely opposite direction the majority of homeschool families have gone in regards to 'schooling method'....TRADITIONAL!!!

 

  We chose this curriculum route for reasons my husband and I both believe in and stand by.  That part of the decision process is based on our beliefs about academics, accountability, and responsibility.

 

  I still have complete freedom and flexibility with approaching each child's individual learning style, strengths, and weaknesses.  That in and of itself is reason enough to be the ones in charge of their education. 

 

But the books are just the beginning.  Our whole family has fallen into a natural rhythm of learning.  The lessons are just the basics, the rest comes out in daily life.  We teach, they learn.  I learn from them.  They learn from each other.  Our classroom has only been a small part of that.... 

 

 

The field trips have been so much fun!  Endless opportunities right in our own back yard....and across country as it was! :)

 

 

The kids are HAPPY, they are so much more settled than they were in our former "hurry out the door" lifestyle!

 

 

Contentment...for all of us!

 

 

Curiosity and discovery!

 

 

Our little caboose has fallen in love with learning....and his big sister seems to have enjoyed taking over teaching him the basics!  It's so fun to watch them!  They love it and in playing school, she really is teaching him!  He will be ready for Kindergarten next fall, but for now he still comes and goes as he pleases.  BUT, he's in the schoolroom, or asking questions, or singing his ABC's and such more and more every day!

 

 

My Mama heart melts and swells at the same time with the confidence I see growing in each of them!  They're still kids-which means we still have our challenges!  What's been the blessing is that each one can get the attention, love, and discipline needed at that moment from the ones who know and love them the most.  It works!

 

 

Our family can be a family again when Daddy's home!  Not just on our "off" hours.  That may be one of my favorite things!  So is watching him teach them.  Usually in the woods, skinning a fresh kill, talking about tracks, ect.  But, he's been caught taking over a lesson or two!  :)  The kids get both of us.  And we get time with Daddy.

 

 

They're each other's best friends.  That is something money can't buy.  That's something that will last much longer than their school days.  We actually have MORE time to spend with friends than we ever did before.  And it's good, quality time!  The whole 'socialization' argument is actually pretty silly.  It's quality relationships that are more important-not the quantity of them.  And my kids are socializing with all ages-not peers alone.  Last time I checked, that's actually how the real world works and my hope is that this will nurture a natural respect for their elders and interest in everyone.  The last thing I want to build is a belief that only they and their peers are what matter.  Can you say 'fertile ground for entitlement to grow'.  Yeah-not here!

 

 

Our life and our schedule revolve around our family.  Because it's the focus, for all of us.  The world is not raising these children entrusted to us.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to live the life we have.  To have a husband that provides so selflessly to support us all.  My heart is at home and walking around in these 3 little people.  Because family is the center, we all have time to enjoy other friendships and activities on the side! 

 

 

He's here to hold his hand.  Not just today, but for the years to come.  Every little boy needs the strength of Daddy's hand. 

 

 

Memories are being made.

 

 

Guidance is being given.

 

 

Lessons are being taught.

 

 

Little ones are learning.

 

 

Footsteps are being followed.

 

 

Hearts are smiling.

 

 

All KIND of things are being learned! LOL!

 

 

Accomplishments are being made!

 

 

And life is being lived...together!

 

 

 

 

3000 Mile Field Trip

No.  You did not read that wrong. 

1500 miles one week....1500 miles home a few weeks later. 

Mama, 3 kids, 4 generations of love, and a mapped out route. 

But mostly, like last time, we will get there on

 

Gasoline & Prayer

 

Those last 2 aren't in order of importance by the way!

 

We've done this before and we'll be fine doing it again.  But let me tell you, it is a BRUTAL drive!  Completely worth it, but exhausting and trying all the same.  And to share the truth....it's kind of nice too.  In a liberating, I can do ALL things, something new and something free kind of way.  It is good.  It will be good again.  I will need another year to recoup after this trip too!  But all the same, it will be good.  Always worth it. 

 

Here's a list of my 'secrets' and a fun new DIY I'm super proud to have pulled together this year!

 

PRAYER...is the key!  I mean it when I say that I believe prayer carried us across country last year.  And I know that it will again.  Constant updates via social media and/or text with a location, thank you for praying, and reminder to friends and family to keep doing so.  This is crucial.  The rest are minor details in comparison...

 

1.  Planning.  Lots of it.  I have a folder just for my maps, instructions, hotel info, etc.  You may have a better sense of direction than I do.  But it doesn't matter if I'm a mile down a 4 wheeler trail or 1000 miles across country....chances are I will need directions EVERY time!  So yes, lots of planning.

 

2.  Comfort for the kids.  We roll with blankets, pillows, and designated STOPPING points on this ride.  They're courageous enough to take the ride....does that really count if they don't have a choice? LOL!  Safety first, which means seat belts the whole time.  That also means we dress and pack the car to make the best of it!  And lots of electronics....did I mention that?

 

3.  Comfort for Mom.  This is easy...Sunglasses, caffeine, cell phone with charger, something to chew on, and of course Audio Books!  Music relaxes me, so while I'll listen occasionally, I need TALK for 12 hour driving days!  Audible.com is this girls best driving friend!  Along with FocusOnTheFamily Podcasts and radio news!  I use headphones because it usually drives the kids nuts.  I'll have one ear bud in and the other out so I can stay tuned in to the little ones!

 

4.  STOP!  As mentioned above, we have designated stopping points, for two reasons.  The first is the obvious 'stretch your legs, get out of the car, potty break' reason.  The other is because in doing this, we stay on the road the rest of the time, making the miles  pass.  And trust me....there's WAY to many miles to be pulling over anytime it's not necessary!  So, we start early in the AM, stop a few hours in for a break at a nice truck stop, stop to eat a laid back lunch, truck stop again a few hours later, and then we call it QUITS for a late supper!  Food, hotel swimming, and a good nights rest, and then start over the next morning.... 

 

5.  Enjoy....the memories, the journey, and mostly in this case our destination.  Family, precious time together, and going home for a few weeks is worth the drive.  ANY DAY OF THE YEAR!!!!  We are exactly where God would have us, I love where we live...but I will always need my Mom, Grandma, sister, best friend, and the other hearts and faces that will welcome us next week.  So for us, instead of year long daily life together, we get treasured weeks.  Weeks that cost a marathon drive, but are worth every mile!

 

This year is different.  Our first year of homeschooling completely freed our scheduling for the trip home!  So, we go in September.  We journey out next week, and I've put together some fun for the way!  We will be taking school with us, so look forward to a post for tips and stories of how we made this work!  It should be fun!  But today, I want to share what I've put together for on the road entertainment....

Okay, get this.....

 

-Each kid-different colored binder & pencil 'box'

-Each binder partially full at the beginning of the trip

-Grandma wants collected items from on the road for a special scrapbook project

 

So, I've set them up like this.....

 

Each pencil box has an assortment of colored pencils (crayons melt) and dry erase crayons.  I've also included the dry erase wipe off cloth and a small pencil sharpener.  NOTE-this is the first time I've bought Dry Erase Crayons and I LOVE THEM!!!!  I will be buying more for the schoolroom when we get home!  They are completely not what I expected them to be! 

 

Each binder has a few page protectors toward the front.  These work perfect with the dry erase crayons (not markers, they'd stain).  Inside those I included everyone a mapped out route of our trip (not pictured for privacy reasons), a map of our country broken into states, an alphabet for the old 'find the letter' game, and a copy of road trip bingo!  (Printed from OOPSEY DAISY-awesome find!!! ).  For my older son I also included a list of pictures for each state's license plate for him to see how many he can spot!  These are in page protectors to be used over and over with the dry erase crayons!

 

The next section is for pages outside of the page protectors.  You see that I started with a state's outline.  This is for them to draw, write, or color on.  Facts of the state, memories of driving through, or just whatever will keep them occupied really.  What they don't know is that I have a copy of EVERY state's outline we will travel through for each of them.  So, when we cross a state line, I will hand them out.  But it will ONLY be done after our tradition of whooping and hollering "YAY ___(state name)___" when we cross a state line!  ;)

 

Finally, I have a Ziploc bag hole punched and included at the rear of the binders.  This is for the items they will collect along the way.  Now, we won't have time to stop and search for these collectibles because of the distance we are traveling, but will look for postcards at the truck stops, or small items of nature on the stops!  This will be fun for them and bring Grandma just what she's looking for to make their books!

 

And finally (yes, once again), I will add more basic activity pages to each binder before we hit the road!  I'm excited to give them these binders and let them start to work through them on the way.  

 

So, was this for education, entertainment, fun, or what?  All of the above really.  It's neat to me how homeschooling has already become a lifestyle of learning for us.  An unplanned, natural rhythm to our family and life.  It is joy.  It is a gift.  

 

Today I give thanks.  Today I am excited.  Today I thank God for his ever watchful and loving hand over my life and family.  For the gift of time together that we will unwrap and cherish in only a few days.  Here's to a safe trip....

 

We're Goin' to Grandma's!!!!! 

 

Visit Here

 

 

DIY Calm Down Timer

Self Control is hard, even for us grown-up people.  I've always loved watching my children as they begin to reach deep down into their hearts for the courage to follow instructions and find patience.  As my littlest one is trying so hard to be big (and doing quite well), I've came across a wonderful tool.  I'd seen pictures of the 'soothing bottles' all over Pinterest.  It makes sense!  You shake up the glitter, hand it over, and instruct them to sit and watch until the glitter all reaches the bottom! 

Perfect way to distract their attention from those high powered, little people emotions that can take over so easily!  It also gives them a visual of when the time out moment will end, and something to focus on until it does.  So, I've made us our own and will be the first to admit that so far, I've gotten more relaxation out of it than I've had to hand it out for the real deal 'calm it down' moments!  And, I changed the recipe to accommodate missing ingredients and it worked great! 

So enjoy the week in pictures, then get crafty if you please! 

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Whose teaching who?  My gift is the top picture-it's me, a heart, my duck, and their names and ages!  Next is Daddy's picture-see how tall they made him!  And the delivery crew in action!

Art Project~Chocolate Pudding Finger Paint!  This kept her busy for the longest time, and me entertained listening to her play!

Science experiment fun!  No greater way to learn than hands on, right?  I love his different expressions here!  This week we've made it rain over the stove, poured air into underwater jars, and learned about mixtures and compound/chemical changes!

 

 

Possibly my two favorite birthday presents of all time!  The top was designed and created by Gracie girl ALL by herself, and the bottom was made especially for me by my Cass!  And my other most favorite was waking up to breakfast cooked by Daddy and served by Aiden!  Yes, it was the perfect birthday!

Not everyone gets their very own custom made Hundreds Chart!!!  Little girl needed some motivation and this was my end of the deal for such hard work from her!  I found the cutest chevron print one but was informed that although cute, it wasn't really 'her'.  And this I must say, fits her personality perfectly!  So easy to make on Word with some clip art and inserted table!

AND NOW FOR YOUR DIY INSTRUCTIONS.....

 These instructions differ from all the others that I've found on Pinterest and on other Blogs.  They all seemed to call for 'glitter glue' as an ingredient.  I didn't have this on hand, so after a failed attempt at just mixing water, food color, and glitter, I finally did some reading on instructions and came up with this easily created solution!

If you don't have the glue-the glitter will stay clumped together and float to the surface.  To thicken your 'water' and make the glitter stay suspended longer, simply use clear glue!

 

Sometimes we just need something to focus on to calm us down!  But wait....I made this for the kids, not Mama!  Although I admit to already planning of making my own version of this little soothing machine! 

This is SO simple....

1.  Pour hot water into your jar or other pretty container

2.  Add your clear glue

(I used a solution of 1 Cup 2 Tbs. Hot Water to 1/4 Cup Clear Glue.  It takes about 4 minutes for the glitter to settle in this jar.  You can play with this mixture to change that up!)

3.  Add a couple of drops of food coloring.  A little goes a LONG way!

4.  Dump in some glitter

5.  Seal it up (Watch for glitter on your inner seal if you're using canning jars-it will cause a leak)

6.  Shake!  Shake!  Shake!

 

 

Remember to fill as close to top as you can so that you won't get a gap.

 

 

And that....is IT!  I did hot glue my seal and the ring onto the jar after I was done!

 

Visit Here

 

Back To School

We planned on starting our Homeschool year this coming Monday.  I knew Aiden would be healed well enough by then and it would be a good day to start a full week of work.  And then... life happened, and plans changed!  In a nutshell, my post-surgery son is RUNNING through the house (PRAISE GOD!!!) and hard to slow down!  Daddy left for work Tuesday, leaving us with a too-empty schedule, and we've been SOOO prepared and ready to start school for quite some time now!  So in perfect homeschool, do it our way style, we changed the date and began school on Wednesday!
 
Tommy and I decided to start with a 'half day' of work.  Things have gone so great, that we've done a complete day's worth of work each of these last 3 days and fallen into our new routine like we've always been in it.  I don't want to mislead you....we've had our 'hiccups' along the way and I'll get to those here in a minute.  But by the grace of God, each challenge has had an answer, and the kids have responded well to the way it's been handled!
 
So, I'm sharing our first days of Homeschool with you!  For family and friends alike to feel included, for back to school memories of our own, for anyone who wants homeschool ideas, and for those who want to know what a real day in our school looks like!  Enjoy :)

First morning was really surprising!  I expected kids who wouldn't want to get out of bed and get going for the day!  Instead, Aiden got dressed and ready before being asked.  Gracie woke up on her own, her first words being, "It's the first day of school!"

I start my day before theirs, giving me quiet time of MY OWN!  I wake them at 6:45 with a hot breakfast (they beat me to it one morning) at which time we do a family devotion.  Right now we're doing one part of our Homeschool Resolution each morning.  I find myself, and the kids, going back to these things throughout the day!  Breakfast, beds made, dressed for the day, NO TV or electronics in the morning, breakfast, teeth brushed, and then meet in the schoolroom....they've already done great with this!

And our school day begins!  I find Gracie in here playing often when it's not school time!  If that wears off with the newness of this journey, we'll get creative!  Or perhaps, it's fun because we already are creative?

Working away!  I've found that Phonics with Gracie first thing, while Aiden does independent Spelling and/or Handwriting works great!  After her Phonics lesson is complete and she's working on the worksheet, I switch to Aiden's English lesson.  Then the same for Math.  I've found if one finishes before time, they often come and listen to or take part in the other's lesson.  Especially with Bible!  During this time, Cass hangs out and does his own thing, as he always has in the morning time and sometimes comes in to join us!  After their recess break, we move onto History, Science, Bible, etc.  Starting next week we'll begin our own modified version of 'circle time' for Gracie and Cass later in the mornings.  This will include calendar time, fun songs, play time, and basic PreSchool learning time for Cass!  He's ready for that and Gracie will really enjoy it also!

The end of their first day!  I was amazed at how little time we spent with school compared to a traditional classroom.  I've always heard this from other homeschool Mom's so I wasn't alarmed.  I taught thoroughly and they did as much work as they would have in a classroom.  We do 10 minute 'recess' breaks in the morning after Phonics and Math.  We ALL enjoy that!  I also call them in individually after school is complete for the day.  With each one, I go over their work and review any concepts that need extra work.  This is done after I've finished grading and such.  Best of all, I know EXACTLY what they're learning and find it fun to teach through life experience throughout the rest of our day!  They've also enjoyed going beyond their lessons in searching online images for things they've learned about.  It's really neat for me too.
 
Starting next week will be our 'circle time' as mentioned above with the little kids.  We will also start what you could call a 'freestyle' PE time.  I believe in keeping them active and this just means that I will work out the 'how' and 'where' of this instead of following a curriculum.  Another perk of our new journey :).  In addition to staying active, it will include the fundamentals for the little kids (mostly Cass), such as skipping, etc.



I've had a lot of fun with their lessons.  They really like using manipulatives for math.  We just grab what's close and the hands on experience really helps with the learning process and keeping them interested!  Gracie girl's pictured here with her new fashion design book she bought with her own money! :)  Knowing she would get to play with it after lessons helped keep her motivated! 

 For Aiden, it's LEGO's.  These are a great teaching tool for math, even though so far it's been review for my oldest little man!  These are also SO handy to have at his desk for those moments when his work is complete and he has to sit quietly until I'm done working with Gracie.

 

 

And we love our 'visits' from little brother!  If he wakes up later than us, the privilege of not being officially 'in school' yet is that he can run around awhile still in his jammies!  He wanted to do the same worksheet as his sissy!  It's fun when he wants to join in!  And can you say PHOTO BOMB!!!!!  Funny kids!

 

Have to have a picture of my oldest four legged baby!  Took Midnight to have stitches removed the other morning, AFTER school, but BEFORE town was busy!  Loving this perk already! 








CURRICULUM: 
I'm very impressed!  The teaching instructions are right on and the lessons are engaging for the kids!  We made a great choice!  We are using CLASS.

CHALLENGES & WHAT'S WORKED:

Complaining or not wanting to work-I tell them if they don't stop they're getting more work.  Only once have I had to send a child to their room before they came back with a better attitude.  Next thing I know, they were back and the work was done with no complaints.  Pretty great for the first week if you ask me!

Hurrying through work-Simple.  They hurry, they go back and re-do it!  Same thing for not following complete instructions. 

Loud and chaotic moments-This happens more outside of the school environment for us.  One of our 'Homeschoool Resolution' Devotions talked about chaos and peace.  I shut them down, ask them if their behavior is chaos or peace, then redirect them.  THEY LISTEN!  If not, to time out they go!         

Getting 'baby boy' to cooperate with our routine-This might sound crazy but we've found the magic key with him.  NO NAPS!!!!  We keep him awake all day and he crashes about 7:30 for a good, full night of sleep.  This makes him so much happier and better behaved during the day too!  Of course, he's THREE, and he acts 3, but this has been a TOTAL game changer in our home!!!

WHAT I LOVE THE MOST:

I'm home with my kids.  My day is spent being INTENTIONAL in parenting, teaching, and loving them!

The new rhythm of our home!  We have a 'chore' schedule and routine.  We can even pass over a thing or two most of the time because everything's been staying so caught up.  This keeps them, and me, encouraged about doing our daily work.

That I learn beside them.  I find that my responsibility of teaching them often doubles as a devotion for myself.  Every one of their subjects is founded in Christian teachings, so I get doses of Bible time every time I teach them!

That our daily routine is focused around our family. 

I am excited.  I am encouraged.  I am so very thankful to the awesome God that orders our steps!  I am prepared to face challenges under his wings.  And again....I give thanks for the happiness and completeness in our home!  It's been a wonderful beginning of our school year!  And the kids don't know it yet, but as they're finishing up their chores for the day, I'm waiting to go pick up their two best friends for a 'Back To School Sleepover'!  They're going to have a blast!  And after working so hard these first few days, the definatly deserve it! 

 

Here's to a great school year for all of us!  I've been praying for all of you my friends, and our amazing kids!  Whether they are learning at home or at a school this year, I'm praying for them to have a great school year filled with God's touch, blessings, and guidance!

Hip Homeschool Hop