2013-2014 Curriculum

We are starting school next week!  I am so excited about this school year.  If you are interested in why we are homeschooling click here and to see my homeschool room click here.  When I first decided to homeschool, I was overwhelmed with all the choices with curriculum.   I read about the different homeschooling options and really like the Charlotte Mason method.  However, this method is definitely less “structured” then I would like.  I feel with it being my first year, I was wanting to develop a planned, yet loosely structured day.  I wanted to be able to go with the flow, yet also have everything thought out, so I wasn’t scrambling around gathering materials.  

My main curriculum Hearts Of Dakota: Bigger Hearts for his Glory , Drawn Into the Heart Of Reading and for extra science, Earth Science.

I came across this website, Monarch Room and immediately knew this was what I was looking for.  She used a curriculum called Hearts of Dakota.  It is a planned, boxed curriculum, but using many of Charlotte Mason’s principals.  I liked the idea of having a plan and checklist my first year, to keep me on my toes.  Tara did an excellent job preparing and organizing her curriculum and I will just say I basically followed her method to a T.  I found so many resources on the HOD:BiggerHearts For His Glory Facebook page.  Science notebooking pages, poetry books, timeline sheets, supply lists, everything you need to start your year off smoothly with HOD. 

Bigger Hearts for his Glory, provides guided instruction for history, geography, language arts, storytime, bible, science, poetry and lite activities in art, music and math.  Math, English and reading suggestions are offered, or you can choose your own.  We will be doing Hearts of Dakota, Drawn Into The Heart Of Reading  program and I went ahead and purchased all the books we will be aiming to read for the year.  I organized them by unit and who would be reading them and what genre they cover.  

 All of the history and science books needed for BHFHG are gathered and placed together too.  I have filled this little Ikea cart, with all these books so they stay in one place and I have the ability to move them around the house if needed.  I also placed all the books the boys will be reading in here along with my teaching guides.  

For math we will be using Teaching Textbooks 5 for my 9 year old and supplementing with IXL for both boys.  My younger son will be using a variety of books in the photo below. 

Instead of using the Rod and Staff English books HOD recommends I will be using the below books for grammar, writing, vocabulary and spelling for the boys.   I also purchased composition books, for dictation, spelling (not shown) and poetry.  I do not plan on pushing my 7 year old hard on the writing, spelling or cursive, those are for my 9 year old. 

Along with a weekly co-op (for earth science, astronomy and art), swim /PE class and karate, the boys will be taking Suzuki piano lessons and be involved in Awanas and scouting.  We will also be working on social and life skills each week along with health.  

I have also set aside time each week for a Nature study or field-trip of some sort.  I have packed bags with trail guides, magnify glasses, bug catchers, notebooks, sketch pads and field guides for fun outdoor adventures.  

I found many of these How To Draw books at Goodwill and have time set aside for my oldest to work his way through these.  

For myself I have prepped by reading lots of books and really getting some routines and home organization systems in place.  These are a few of my favorite reads.  

And of course, what homeschool mother doesn't have a good binder, keeping track of lessons plans, calenders and planning tools and the proper documents for a successful school year.  I purchased the teaching planner from Tsh at Simple Mom, it was only $4.00!! I have a link on my side panel to purchase.  My HOD: Bigger Hearts for his Glory Planner, is very much like Tara's at the Monarch Room.....seriously, Tara was the biggest lifesaver for me in regards to planning.  Girl, I need to take you out to dinner as a thank you!!

So that is it.  I am sure I over planned and purchased more curriculum then we can sanely get through in a year, but I feel very prepared and organized for the year ahead and in my book that is a way better feeling then confused and overwhelmed to start. 

We are off to have some last few days of summer fun!  Each kid gets to plan all the activities for a day, where we go, what we eat, the whole bit.  We also have a fun and exciting "field-trip" coming up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that!   Enjoy the rest of your summer.  

Spring Decor and My To Do List

I am completely in awe of you bloggers that can find the time to post every few days, especially you homeschoolers.  Where do you find the time?  Do you only require 6 hours of sleep a night?  Do you have a housekeeper or cook?  I just can't do it all.  I have been homeschooling my middle son in the mornings for the last month and it has taken over all my free time.  As I plan for next year and the possibility of homeschooling all three, I wonder when I will ever get a chance to post with frequency or ever do a DIY project again.  If you have any secrets please share. 

So, with public school getting out in less then a month, I am suddenly panicked by all the projects and organizing, I had envisioned finishing this school year and is still not complete.  So, I am going to make a list of all that I want to accomplish in the next month, with the hopes that posting it in cyberspace, will make me more accountable.  I will also show you some pics of my decorated living room for Spring, it is finally here!! 

      To Do List

• finish organizing pics on computer
• get software for computer safety for kids (any recommendations would be appreciated)
• organize all closets and switch clothing for summer
• organize all hot spots (places where piles have accumulated)
• sell all that stuff on ebay/craig's list
• find that lost library book
• purchase Scout stuff-I am going to be donning a stylish Scout leader shirt...you are jealous I know ;)
• organize all my jewelry and make/purchase something to hang necklaces from
• update account password sheet
• catching up on ironing
• plan summer vacation
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  I'm sure I have forgotten something, but this is a good start.  What's on your to do list before school gets out?
  
  
  
  
  

Laundry/Craft Room Makeover

I have been working on this room for several months.   It held my cleaning and laundry supplies, but it was large enough to have a creative space in it too, I just need to find the right pieces to make the space.  So, below is how it was  looking  for about the last 8 months.   

I had the desk, it was my brothers as a child, and I gave it a fresh coat of red paint and new hardware.  The chair is from IKEA.  Behind the curtain is my mop, vacuum etc....not the prettiest stuff to look at, but I had this old curtain laying around and it was perfect to keep it out of sight.  I also used an old laundry basket to hold gift wrap, but I have since moved it too the basement, since I rarely need to use it. I made the fabric covered cork board and it holds my favorite pics and the kids are thrilled to have a wall highlighting their best artwork.  I didn't feel very creative in this space though, and it usually became a dumping ground for "stuff"  I didn't have time to deal with.  So I got busy, I wanted a space that inspired me to be creative.   

 

I am so happy with the outcome.  It is fun and energetic, I feel motivated and inspired and actually don't mind doing laundry as much, ok, I really still hate it, but I am motivated to do laundry, so the room stays nice and neat. 

 

The flowered fabric I purchased at Hancock fabric and just folded in all the edges and used no-sew tape, then velcroed it too my window frame....I had not unpacked my sewing machine at this point and did not want to have to sew anything....this worked wonderful! 

 

I organized these cabinets, with cleaning supplies, dog "stuff" and crafting supplies.  My vacuum, mop and broom are all hiding behind this curtain.  I added some french inspired prints I have had for many years. 

I found these baskets on clearance at TJ Maxx and adore them.  They  are so much cuter than plastic laundry baskets and hold twice as much.  In these cabinets are light bulbs, laundry supplies, towels and extra paper products. 

 

I condensed the art wall a bit and better organized all my art supplies.  I am absolutely in love with this space now! 

I made this wall art from some old canvas's I had laying around.  I covered them with chocolate/cream polka dot fabric and red burlap.  I had these letters laying around too and decoupaged them with scrapbook paper and then hot glued them to the fabric wrapped canvas

I found the shelf at Goodwill for $6, I painted it green that was leftover from my kids bedroom.  I couldn't be happier with the finished product.  I used a tension rod for the spools of ribbon and filled old mason and pasta jars with craft supplies.  On top of the shelf are old college mementos that are special to me. 

 This white cabinet was also found at Goodwill for $8.  It is solid wood and I was smitten with the sweet details of this piece, a fresh coat of paint was all it needed.    I cut out the flowers on the bins from left-over fabric from the curtains.  To spruce up some cheap plastic shoe boxes, I decoupaged leftover fabric to the lid   I glued a piece of scrapbook paper to a file box to add a little loveliness to that too. 

All in all, I spent very little to makeover my laundry room.  I have never been a big thrifter, until recently.  In an effort to become more green,  I am finding looking at a Goodwill first, is a wonderful resource.  I have some ideas up my sleeve for an Etsy store and now I have the perfect space to work in. 

I'm linking up to the following sites:
A Bowl Full Of Lemons
New Nostalgia

My Living Room

I don't know about you, but after the holidays I look forward to the simplicity of my everyday home decor.   

This is our living room, it is right off of our kitchen and dining area.  We are in this area of the house the most.  You can see where I get my color inspiration for my blog too!  I love teal/aqua and red, if you couldn't tell.  The  layout of our home is perfect for our lifestyle and  we can all be together while I'm cooking or cleaning up.  Our TV stand is from Pottery Barn Outlet and has wonderful storage, see what's in it at the end of this post. 

  I pulled this look together for my winter/valentine mantel.  I love my little owl perched on the "love" blocks, its my "love bird." The "WE are blessed" sign I found at Dollar General of all places.  I  made the garland from scrapbook paper and just hot glued cut-out hearts to some red yarn I had laying around.  The mirror above the TV is new, from Target.  That bare wall has been begging for some attention the last year and a half we have lived here and I finally went and found the perfect mirror.  I love the sparkle it gives the room. 

The picture of my boys is one of my prized possessions, taken by a dear friend when they were 5 and 3.  Another great friend, gave me the iron wall art last week, after she decided she didn't want it for her own home.  I think it looks perfect above my sweet boys.  The antique desk was in my childhood home and I am thinking about painting it, what do you think?  Color suggestions would be appreciated too. 

This little writer's desk holds stationary and photos.  I also keep my menu planner. notebook and organizer in it.  I have various treasures that are meaningful to me in it, homemade geodes by my son and a sweet pic of me and my honey in college.  I got the little coral boxes at Target over the summer for $1...I heart them so much!!

                   

As you can see, I love to display photos of my 3 little darlings!  These were taken last year and I hope to add to this wall over the years. The table and chairs were my husband's grandmother's and I picked out the fabric and had them reupholstered a few years ago.  

This table we got for about  at Rooms To Go about 10 years ago.  It took quite a beating with my boys, rolling matchbox cars over it.  Last year I painted a harlequin pattern on it and am thrilled with the look.  This table is also functional because it has two storage drawers, at the bottom of this post I will show you what is in them! 

 This little kitchen and table used to be set up in my kitchen, but after moving some furniture around I found this perfect spot for my little girls play nook.  It is out of sight, but still in the main living area. 

 

Our leather couches we got from Rooms To Go, 10 years ago, too.  While I am not a fan of the chilly seat a leather seat offers in the winter, I must say these are a must for little children and pets.  They can take a beating and they only look better with age.  Clean up is a breeze too. 

 This buffet we purchased at  Pottery Barn Outlet.  It holds my table linens and candles and little trinkets on the shelves.  I made a glittered heart and hot glued it to a platter for my Valentine decor. 

   
Our sweet little Cocker Spaniel, Maggie, was catching a snooze on her favorite spot.  The green pillow is from ShopKo. 

 Well that's my living room.  I must say I have moved the furniture in that room about 5 times in the less then 2 years we have lived here, but I really like the set up now.  And as a side note, my favorite place to shop for home decor trinkets/frames/baskets etc. is Hobby Lobby, I never pay full price either, I only buy the item if it is on sale.  I 'm linking up at A Bowl Full of Lemons.

2012 Holiday Planner

I don't know about you, but this time of year leaves me feeling rushed and frazzled.  All my kids are at a fun age, where I know they would enjoy doing lots of Christmas crafts, baking and even help with the decorating.  I want to be an intentional mom.  I want to do the things I say I will do.  I want to find time for the "fun" stuff of the holidays.  This year I'm on my game.  I have created a Holiday Planner.  I found a wonderful website called Organized Christmas that has tons of pages available FREE, to print, to make your own planner.  Inside my planner is shopping lists, wish lists, to-do lists, budget info, recipes, crafts, traditions I would like to start, events around town and menu planners.  You can tailor it to fit your needs.

This year,I also made a list of activites I want to incorporate throughout the month of December.  I went through all those pins on Pinterest and picked out my favs and made a list so I wouldn't forget this year.  

December Activities

1.       Make Gingerbread houses

2.       Make Ornaments from oriental trading

3.       Paper snowflakes from coffee filters

4.       Paper Christmas trees

5.       Ring bell for Salvation army as a family

6.       Adopt a family and buy them gifts as a family

7.       Use Pipe cleaners and buttons to make wreath ornaments

8.       Drive around and look at Christmas lights then go for ice cream

9.       Cut down tree and decorate while listening to Polar Express soundtrack, then watch movie when finished

10.   Popcorn and cookies and reading Christmas stories around the tree

11.   Take each child to dollar store to buy gifts for each member of the family

12.  Advent Calendar

Christmas Eve Activities

1.       Scavenger hunt  =Present with new pj’s, slippers,  movie, popcorn

2.       Hot coco bar

3.       Leave out reindeer food

4.       Santa foot prints

5.       Decorate Cookies

6.       Read The Night Before Christmas

7.   Church

Christmas Day Activities

1.       Christmas Can- Decorate a can/jar  to use year after year.  On Christmas morning each member of the family draws the name of another family member. They write a note to that person about why they love them, appreciate them, or anything they remember from the past year. Later each person reads their note to the entire family, and all the notes are saved in the Christmas Can from year to year.

2.       Read Christmas Story from the bible

3.       Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus

4.       Watch old family videos  and look at photo albums

5.       Stay in jammies and watch Christmas movies and play with toys all day.  Have all meals prepared ahead of time. 

I also made a list of what Elfie, our Elf on the shelf is going to be doing.  I can easily pull it out and cross off what we have done.  I also set an alarm on my phone at night so I don't forget.

25 Elf on the Shelf QUICK & EASY Ideas

1) Draw Faces on a picture with dry erase marker

2.) TP the Christmas Tree

3) Replace Stockings w/ Undies

4) Jacuzzi w/ Friends

5) Sipping on Syrup

6) TP Countdown

7) Glow Bracelets

8) Reading a Book to “Friends!”

9) Zip lining  from top of the Tree

10) Napping in the Tissue Box

11) Elf Locked Out

12) Elf eating a bowl of candy

13) Elf fishing for goldfish

14) Elf Leaves message if you did something naughty or nice

15) Rocking Baby Jesus

16) Roasting marshmallows  over a candle

17) Wrapping the Toilet with wrapping paper

18) Hungry Elf w/ Green Milk

19.) Elfie has a sick day- surround him with tissues and cough drops

20) Elfie traps kids in room with tape or streamers

21.) Elfie makes a snow angel with flour

22.) Elfie sitting on potty with yellow food coloring in toilet

23.)  Elfie having a tea party with other toys

24.)  Elfie coloring

25.)  Elfie writing a note in mirror

After finishing this little project, I can't tell you how much better I feel about the holidays.  Do you have any tricks to keep your calm this Christmas?  Do you have any fun traditions you'd like to share?