Thursday, June 21, 2012
$200 Cash Giveaway for Homeschoolers
You can enter to win $200 in cash from Homeschool Giveaways and Freebies by following the link and the directions. I think it is absolutely awesome that all of these wonderful people teamed up to do such a great giveaway. There are a lot of options for entries and plenty of extra's as well!!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
For the Sake of Sanity
Yes I have had cause for a sanity check and it comes in the form of deciding on the path of homeschool. For our 1st year, which was this past year, I went a safe route and chose to do K12 through our state with just a 1st grader. Well this upcoming year I will have a 2nd grader and Kindergartener plus a preschooler, therefore I am even more skiddish than previously. I am confident in the curriculum provided by K12 but worry that it is going to be too much?
I know that I can adjust accordingly and the curriculum is mastery based, allowing the children to work towards an objective not completion of work. With that said, I believe if I can get one more year under my belt I will have the confidence and piece of mind to go the traditional route and pick and choose my curriculum.
For fear of over emphasizing this topic and boring you to death, what are your thoughts? How did your journey start and what were the results of the first year? Did you make any changes mid year, end year, were you ever disappointed at your original choices? I would just like some feedback to help me make some more informed decisions.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Bucket List: Day 4
Today was Awesome! We went to the Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens and used our family pass that I purchased back in February of this year. Finally got there about 10am and sprayed everyone with sunscreen, bought some water when we got through the door, and had a blast.
One of their favorite things was riding the tram across the bridge to the gardens and walking through all the pretty flowers. The smells were unbelievable and I have to tell you it was just beautiful on the senses. My passion for being a mother is coming back more and more, because I have resolved to make every moment count with these precious children.
If you haven't done so, carve out some time to do something special with them. It does not have to cost money or be far away, something as simple as watching movies snuggled up on the couch one day, making a homemade pizza, or making homemade postcards to send to grandparents. Just as long as you are involved and give them attention they and you alike will benefit from the time together.
One of their favorite things was riding the tram across the bridge to the gardens and walking through all the pretty flowers. The smells were unbelievable and I have to tell you it was just beautiful on the senses. My passion for being a mother is coming back more and more, because I have resolved to make every moment count with these precious children.
If you haven't done so, carve out some time to do something special with them. It does not have to cost money or be far away, something as simple as watching movies snuggled up on the couch one day, making a homemade pizza, or making homemade postcards to send to grandparents. Just as long as you are involved and give them attention they and you alike will benefit from the time together.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Bucket List: Day 3
We went a little lazy on Day 3 and made it a write letters to our pen pals kind of day and skill practice day for Little E. I of course had Princess Aurora dictate to me her letter, and then she drew her a picture. Ben 10 wrote his own letter, but needed a bit of coaching, because he is definitely my child that does NOT like writing.
I am not sure if this is a boy/girl thing, because I have always loved writing, no matter what it was for. However, Ben 10 has got to despise writing about as much as he does taking a shower, haha!!
Little E did pages out of his Summer Bridge Activity book. I have him doing the Pre-K to Kindergarten book because that is as low as it goes and I figured at least it will help him get up to that level if nothing else. Princess Aurora and Ben 10 did several pages out of their book as well and again while Princess Aurora loved her pages, Ben 10 was against me?? That child is going to grey me prematurely, I promise you that.
Well overall it was a lazy day but we were productive and I kept them active to keep that summer boredom at bay.
I am not sure if this is a boy/girl thing, because I have always loved writing, no matter what it was for. However, Ben 10 has got to despise writing about as much as he does taking a shower, haha!!
Little E did pages out of his Summer Bridge Activity book. I have him doing the Pre-K to Kindergarten book because that is as low as it goes and I figured at least it will help him get up to that level if nothing else. Princess Aurora and Ben 10 did several pages out of their book as well and again while Princess Aurora loved her pages, Ben 10 was against me?? That child is going to grey me prematurely, I promise you that.
Well overall it was a lazy day but we were productive and I kept them active to keep that summer boredom at bay.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Bucket List: Day 2
Today was another indoor day for us and we had a lot of fun because Little E's best friend came over for a playdate and we had taco's for lunch. Our choice for today off the Summer 2012 bucket list was to "create a boxtown" and we definitely were not very creative, but with a 7 year old, 5 year old, and two 3 year olds there isn't a whole lot that you can do.
We took some basic boxes that Sportscenter(for future reference this is my luv) brought home were small and had wording on them, and used our rainbow of sharpie markers to decorate away. Ben 10 tried to replicate my house/building exactly, Princess Aurora did a very colorful display of mini windows and doors, and Little E with his best friend had some great abstract houses.
After we finished our boxes and were content with the end products we found some toy cars and people and drove around town for a while. However, the boxes ended upside down and the kids used them as a fun way to hide each other, by closing up the tops!! Overall it was a great day and I have to say they did not get bored, however my list is still full so I have lots to do.
We took some basic boxes that Sportscenter(for future reference this is my luv) brought home were small and had wording on them, and used our rainbow of sharpie markers to decorate away. Ben 10 tried to replicate my house/building exactly, Princess Aurora did a very colorful display of mini windows and doors, and Little E with his best friend had some great abstract houses.
After we finished our boxes and were content with the end products we found some toy cars and people and drove around town for a while. However, the boxes ended upside down and the kids used them as a fun way to hide each other, by closing up the tops!! Overall it was a great day and I have to say they did not get bored, however my list is still full so I have lots to do.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies
I found this wonderful site through another blog I follow called Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies and by clicking on the link you can enter to win a wonderful kit called "We Choose Virtues". I looked over the kit and thought it was a wonderful way to teach your children virtues, and right now I need all the help I can get.
If you want to go directly to the site where you can purchase the kit click here and you will be directed to the site. A very brief and to the point kit, that is fun and worthwhile. Saying a prayer I am a winner or may you will be?!
Bucket List: Day 1
Today was so amazing! I actually took time out to be with my kids and it made me smile like I haven't smiled in quite some time. We actually completed 2 items off our list today as we joined the Summer Reading Program at our local library (pictures to come throughout the summer for that) and we built a fort and lived in it all day (well at least until dinner time).
I am not as good at building forts as I used to be, when my brother and I were younger. However, I used what resources were available to me and made a pretty decent fort for us to use today. Prior to going in the fort we got lunch ready, and placed blankets on the floor. Once we finished eating we got all the pillows we could find and snuggled up under the fort while watching "The Labyrinth" on Netflix. For those 1980's children out there you totally understand the awesomeness that is David Bowie and his hair in that movie.
Here are just a few shots of our adventure today, and this is also part of the list, me taking Instagram photo's and they also wrote/drew in their journals to catalog our journey together.
I loved today more than I think I will ever be able to describe. Memories are worth the effort they take to make and I plan on making lots of them with those sweet faces :-)
I am not as good at building forts as I used to be, when my brother and I were younger. However, I used what resources were available to me and made a pretty decent fort for us to use today. Prior to going in the fort we got lunch ready, and placed blankets on the floor. Once we finished eating we got all the pillows we could find and snuggled up under the fort while watching "The Labyrinth" on Netflix. For those 1980's children out there you totally understand the awesomeness that is David Bowie and his hair in that movie.
Here are just a few shots of our adventure today, and this is also part of the list, me taking Instagram photo's and they also wrote/drew in their journals to catalog our journey together.
Monday, June 11, 2012
3 New Changes in God's Eyes
Thanks to Confessions of a Homeschooler I have made 3 what I hope will be big changes for the kids and myself in the days, weeks, and months to come. My prayer is that the changes become routine before school starts back in August.
The first thing I have implemented are a house rules list (that I also took from COH) which you can find here in her 10 Days of Homeschooling Enrichment. Now my kids are ages 7, 5, and 3 years so for us it was a bit of a trip to the dentist for them to sit and listen, however I hope that the consistency of these rules help that. My biggest failure as a mother since their father and I separated is the guilt I have felt and the inconsistency it has caused me in disciplining them and rearing them in the way that God would have me to raise them.
The second thing I am implementing are chore charts for the 2 older kids and a behavior chart for the 3 year old.For me the biggest issue is teaching the 2 older kids that not all of the housework is my responsibility and they must learn to be a part of the family. My youngest child is still learning some basic behavior patterns such as not doing things that can hurt him, such as climbing on the top bunk or using unkind words with his brother or sister.
The third thing I am implementing is a creative correction consequence chart which can be found here, again from COH. As a family, the 4 of us, we sat down and went over each sin/offense and although I know it is going to take take and probably multiple infarction's before they completely understand the chart I greatly appreciate the scriptures that are with each sin and I love being able to give them a concrete example of God's rule from the bible.
My prayer for these 3 changes is that I can become more consistent as a mother and feel more confident in my abilities, as well as giving my children principles to grow on and a stronger foundation than the one I was previously providing them with. What changes have you made lately? Is there something you see becoming a problem and that needs correction? How do you see yourself approaching and do you think it will be difficult or easy?
The first thing I have implemented are a house rules list (that I also took from COH) which you can find here in her 10 Days of Homeschooling Enrichment. Now my kids are ages 7, 5, and 3 years so for us it was a bit of a trip to the dentist for them to sit and listen, however I hope that the consistency of these rules help that. My biggest failure as a mother since their father and I separated is the guilt I have felt and the inconsistency it has caused me in disciplining them and rearing them in the way that God would have me to raise them.
The second thing I am implementing are chore charts for the 2 older kids and a behavior chart for the 3 year old.For me the biggest issue is teaching the 2 older kids that not all of the housework is my responsibility and they must learn to be a part of the family. My youngest child is still learning some basic behavior patterns such as not doing things that can hurt him, such as climbing on the top bunk or using unkind words with his brother or sister.
The third thing I am implementing is a creative correction consequence chart which can be found here, again from COH. As a family, the 4 of us, we sat down and went over each sin/offense and although I know it is going to take take and probably multiple infarction's before they completely understand the chart I greatly appreciate the scriptures that are with each sin and I love being able to give them a concrete example of God's rule from the bible.
My prayer for these 3 changes is that I can become more consistent as a mother and feel more confident in my abilities, as well as giving my children principles to grow on and a stronger foundation than the one I was previously providing them with. What changes have you made lately? Is there something you see becoming a problem and that needs correction? How do you see yourself approaching and do you think it will be difficult or easy?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The Beginning: Summer Bucket List 2012
After reading several Facebook status updates and seeing several mom bloggers who have done this or are deciding to do this it sounded like a good idea and wanted to give it a try. I remember summer's long ago where I spent many days doing so many things which were fun and memorable, and I wanted to give my children some of those same memories. Below you will find a list of 60 things we are going to complete this summer before we start school back in August and our days do not start until June 18th, because I will still be at work through this week. Please feel free to post your own ideas or link up with your own Summer Bucket List. I hope you enjoy!
Summer 2012 Bucket List
Have a Water balloon toss
Go to the Splash park
Have a Picnic at a park
Finger paint
Make Homemade rock candy
Try out geocaching
Make Homemade popsicles
Go Bowling
Take part in the Summer reading program
Make and enjoy Homemade ice cream
Make a slip n slide
Build a fort and live in it all day
Go to the beach
Zoo trip to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Edventure Children's Museum Trip
Go to Swan Lake for a whole morning
Paint rocks
Make and eat sno cones
Make treats and take to the Fire station
Take a Road trip/day trip with no destination
Make Glow Stick Lanterns
Start a Journal and write in it each day
Play outside everyday for 15 minutes
Make homemade bubbles
Make and decorate a cake together
Make a kaleidoscope
Build a sandcastle with the kids
Walk down the beach
Have a family BBQ
Take Instagram photos of everything
Make bottle cap necklaces
Make lollipops
Make spaghetti and meatballs and watch
Lady & the Tramp
Corn Syrup painting in the fresh
sunshine
Make July 4th centerpiece
Buy and shoot fireworks
Make a box town together
Make rainbow pops
Make pinwheels together
Homemade pizza and Netflix all day
Make treasure stones together
Make a homemade postcard and send it to
Paw
Take a picture of one of our adventures
and send to our penpals
Smore’s
Trip to the Aquarium
Donuts for breakfast
Buy white shoes & decorate
Make cupcakes & decorate
Freeze yogurt pops & enjoy
Decorate for our new school year
Pick out a craft at Michael’s and do it
together
Homemade Marshmallow shooter
Freezer banana pops
Make Rockets
Make Sponge balls & have a fight
Buy Board Games & play them all day
Go to IHop for a big breakfast before
school starts
Ø
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)