How to Start Planning for Next School Year

I think it’s that time of year for a lot of homeschoolers — the end of the school year is in sight (even if, for some of us, it’s still two months or more away) and we’re starting to get antsy to start planning for next school year.

Around the country, curriculum fairs and homeschool conventions have popped up and our visions turn toward next school year.  What will we study?  What books will we need?  What do I want to change?  What really worked for us this year?  Will we add in new subjects or courses of study?

It’s overwhelming and exciting, all at the same time, isn’t it?

Here is my plan for getting ready for next school year...

To view the rest of this post, please visit The Homeschool Classroom.

Dramatic Play with a Credit Card Imprinter

My kids, like many other children, like to play store or restaurant.  One of their favorite things to do during this dramatic play time is to write up receipts, thanks to a manual credit card imprinter that we have.

Here is one of their check out area set ups:

Not only do they all fight over who gets to use the credit card imprinter have a great time, but they practice skills like writing, doing math, and printing or writing their names (all depending on their various skill levels).

This is a great prop to have for play stores, and it's definitely something that all of my kids enjoy!  Manual credit card imprinters and receipts are inexpensive on Ebay or you might ask someone who has had a business for a while if they have one sitting around that they don't use anymore.  This simple prop just might add hours of fun and delight to your children's play!

On a side note: For those of you concerned about giving the wrong idea about credit cards to your kids, my kids ask each other for their debit cards for payment.








This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday.

7 Quick Takes: March 5, 2010 (Vol. 32)

~ 1 ~

I was about to suggest to a business owner that I knew that they absolutely needed to have a Facebook fan page set up.  Then, I realized, "Hey -- I don't have one set up for Many Little Blessings."  Sure, I have one for The Homeschool Classroom, but that's a cop out to suggest it to someone else if I'm not doing it."

So, ta da -- here is my Many Little Blessings fan page.  I would love it if you become a fan!  (Here is the Homeschool Classroom fan page, if you're interested in it, as well.)

~ 2 ~

I love watching late night television.  This whole Tonight Show thing has messed me up though.  I have nothing to watch at 11:30 now.  This week I have watched everything from David Letterman (whom I don't care for) to an exploding SpermWhale on the Science Channel.  (Yeah, I know there's a space in between the whale's name, but I don't need people coming here looking for just the other word.)

~ 3 ~

The kids and I went on a solo trip into the big city to go to a Children's Museum as a field trip for school.  Now, it's not like we hadn't been there before (we actually have a membership).  But, I had never taken them by myself.  (We have always either taken Eric with us or we went with my friend Amanda and her kids.)

We had such a great time!  In fact, it was probably the best we had ever had going to the museum.  I must have told the kids about four times throughout the day, "I am really having a good time with you guys here today.  I'm so glad we came."  (We had originally planned our trip with Amanda and family, but with a couple of sick kiddos, they couldn't come.)

The museum wasn't very busy at all, which meant that we got to take our time with all of the things that we don't normally get much of a chance to do.  It was fabulous!

The only problem now?  I have a strong urge to take them somewhere out of town again soon.

(Okay -- I'm a cheater.  In interest of full disclosure, the picture is not from this trip, and is not even from the same children's museum.)

~ 4 ~

Even though I was just raving about how great of a field trip we had, I am already thinking, "So, when are we going to take Spring Break?"  Of course, we don't have to take a Spring Break.  But, you know what?  We really do need it.

~ 5 ~

After we finished schooling today, the kids were all keeping busy and I was on the computer.  I heard one of the boys playing piano and thought, "Great!  Love it that they are doing extra practice!"  Then, Alouette started having some wrong notes.  Not really wrong -- I still knew what they were playing, but several mistakes and I wasn't expecting it.

I turned around to see which of the boys was having troubles only to find Molly sitting at the piano.  She was just pecking away at the piano and humming to figure out the notes.  I have heard her doing that before to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Hot Cross Buns as well.   That little girl amazes me all the time.

~ 6 ~

For the record, Molly told me today that when she grows up, she wants to be "a tap dancer, a ballet dancer, and an art maker."  I love that girl.

~ 7 ~

We bought a retractable clothes line this week!  We're going to put it up in our screened in porch.  Sure, we won't get as much sun, but it should also keep out some of that pesky pollen.  I can't wait to give it a try.









This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

Cheaper Solutions for Lunch on the Go

We have to eat our lunches in the van sometimes.  I like to think that's not uncommon for families, especially those who decide to homeschool. 

Although there is always the temptation to fill that lunch with burgers and nuggets (which we honestly do sometimes, I won't lie), I also sometimes bring lunch along with us.  When I first started doing that, I used Ziploc baggies, though I hated seeing so much waste, when each of the three children (plus myself) were using a few bags for various food items.

One day, I realized that I had three reusable containers that were all the same size.  And, that size was perfect for putting in a sandwich, something like Goldfish crackers, and a small treat.  Plus, they made a great "tray" for the kids to just hold on their laps.

Easier to maneuver than several plastic baggies, no baggies to just throw away afterward, and saving money on buying food from out -- it is a perfect solution for our family when lunch has to be on the go.

Do you have to take meals on the go?  We seem to do a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches -- do you have any great on the go lunch ideas?







This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday.

Pizza Hut Book It! Program for Homeschoolers

The sign up page for participating in Pizza Hut's Book It! Program for Homeschoolers is open now! If you have homeschooled students in kindergarten through 6th grade (for the 2010 - 2011 school year), be sure to go sign them up.  You'll receive certificates for them to get a free personal pan pizza for each month from October through March.

Language of God Grammar Series from Catholic Heritage Curricula

Language arts covers such a dizzying array of subjects — from spelling to composition, from grammar to vocabulary, just to name a few.  While, for whatever reason, we have gone primarily with secular sources for much of our language arts materials, we happily use Language of God for Little Folks from Catholic Heritage Curricula for grammar instruction.

(You can read the rest of my review at Curriculum Choice)

7 Quick Takes: February 26, 2010 (Vol. 31)

~ 1 ~

I've been a total Olympics junkie.  Since I'm always a fan of late night television anyway, I have had a fabulous time watching it.  Have you been watching the Olympics too?

I have to admit to being emotional when I watch it though.  Eric would say, "When aren't you emotional?"  But, I swear -- if any of those Olympians cry, I think I'm contractual obligated to cry with them.  I just can't help myself.  I cry with them in both victory and defeat.

I just love the Olympics.  I'm already looking forward to the summer Olympics in London.  (Although it is a little unsettling to realize that when the Olympics open in London in 2012, I'll be the mother of a teenager.  Wow.)

~ 2 ~

Molly and I have been talking about what instrument she would like to play when she is older.  Having never taken any kind of lessons when I was growing up, it's funny to me to just automatically think that she'll take music lessons.  But, with two kids already taking piano lessons, it seems like a given.

I told her that she has to start with piano, since she can start that the earliest.  Then, we were chit chatting about the possibility of the cello.  I always wanted to play the cello.  Of course, I should probably just take lessons, rather than live through her.  But, our piano teacher does those lessons as well, and we were able to look at her cello not too long ago.  Molly was pretty impressed.

This discussion made me think about a comedian we watched online talking about how much he loved playing the cello.  Well, except one particular song.  You must go watch the video (and then come back, okay?).  I would embed it, but that has acted funny lately.

(Just a heads up: It's just over five minutes long.  Up until four minutes, it is totally clean.  After that point, he does use three curse words.  All are ones that could be aired on primetime television, I have noticed.  However, that still doesn't mean that kids should watch it after that point.)

~ 3 ~

Why is it that once I turned 30, I had to start having pimples again?  Seriously -- that's not right.  I didn't have them very often when I was a teenager, and I felt lucky.  Flash forward and here I am with breakouts.  Boo!  So wrong.

~ 4 ~

This week, Noah came out on the Wii Fit as being "at risk for being overweight."  I was pretty distraught by this.  He is a big kid, but he's also a really tall 10 year old.  He was pretty bummed, and so was I.

All of the sudden, in the middle of the night that night, I said to myself (outloud), "Hey!  We've never changed his height in Wii Fit!"

Yep, that's what it was.  The next day, I measured his height (4'11", if you're interested) and then we went in to Wii Fit and added in his extra inches.  Apparently he was 4'5" when we got the game.  Let me tell you -- six inches makes a pretty huge difference in BMI measurements.  He was pretty thrilled, and so was I.

We also had to change Jack and Molly's heights, as long as we were at it.  Jack had grown five inches since we first bought the game, and Molly six inches.

~ 5 ~

I told the kids that I forgot about changing heights in the Wii Fit because I am not getting any taller.

"I'll never get any taller than this," I told the kids.

Jack chimed in, "Yeah - but I have heard that when you get older, you shrink."

Thanks, kid.

~ 6 ~

My sister-in-law has been sending us some videos of their new baby, Elizabeth, with their new flip camera.  Does anyone have one of these?  (The flip camera, not baby Elizabeth.)  Do you like it?

I go between thinking it might be something fun to have and we don't really need it.

~ 7 ~

Watching the Olympics has reminded me that I need to teach the kids the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.  It's funny the things that you realize that you need to teach the kids when you homeschool.  For this very reason, we started doing the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of our homeschool co-op this school year.

It may not be a surprise, but singing The Star-Spangled Banner makes me cry.








This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

photos by: Olympic Rings - Miss Barabanov / cello - FaP ;-) / wii fit - nataliej / American flag in Chicago - Angie @ Many Little Blessings

7 Quick Takes: February 12, 2010 (Vol. 29)

~ 1 ~

I still haven't gotten caught up from Blissdom 2010.  I promise that it is my intention to write about it very, very soon.  But, here is a sneak peek of my Blissdom experience (one of the few pictures I got)...

 

That's me, George Duran (formerly of Food Network's Ham on the Street and now on TLC with Ultimate Cake Off), and Holly from Saving For Eight (who is super sweet and was a pleasure to meet).

~ 2 ~

In my quest to get caught up on life after Blissdom, I was almost relieved to have not one but two snow days this week.  I have a strong stance on taking snow days in our homeschool, although by the second day, I did ask the kids if they wanted to go ahead and do school anyway.  I was not surprised to get an immediate, "No," from them.

~ 3 ~

In all the busyness of getting ready to go out of town, being out of town, and then trying to get caught back up, I have over 800 entries waiting to be read in my Google Reader.  *gulp*

Have any great tips for working through it more quickly (short of just hitting "mark all as read")?

~ 4 ~

I have a confession to make.  I am 33 years old, and I bought my first pair of high heel shoes about two weeks ago, per Eric's request, after we went through and got rid of about 1/3 of the clothes in my closet.  They are about 2.5 inch heels, and that allows me to wear them and be a lot closer to looking Eric right in the eye.  Very fun. 

And then, after wearing them to church one evening, along with a dark pair of flaired jeans, a black blazer, and a red top, I got several compliments (including someone who noticed that I had lost some weight).  This was definitely a sign that we were right in trying to cull some of the things out of my closet and find better choices of what to wear.

~ 5 ~

Are you a Catholic homeschooler or Catholic Mom of children who are still at home?  Would you be willing to check out a cool resource that we've been working on?  If so, drop me an email.

~ 6 ~

I'll never be one of those women that can go to the grocery store and get $400 worth of groceries for $1.85.  It's just not going to happen.  But, I was thrilled this week to go to Kroger and get $300 worth of groceries for $200.  WooHoo!

Between some great coupons, Kroger plus card sales, and then a deal they were having where you got $5 off for every 10 items you bought from a certain list of items, I saved us $94 on our grocery bill. 

But, don't feel bad if you're not a great grocery shopper -- I'll spend way too much money next time I go, I'm sure.  So, it will all even out in the end.

~ 7 ~

A tiny little Blissdom take away message that really spoke to me (about why people come to your blog)...

They come to hear your voice.

 

 

 

 

 

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

photos by: shoes mania  /  piggly wiggly supermarket

In Defense of Taking Snow Days

Three of my favorite words when I was a preteen up through my high school years were “blowing and drifting.” My husband and I still joke that those are magical words.

What would be so special about these words? It’s not so much these words by themselves as what those words mean together with words like “Four to six inches of snow.”  Since the school district that both my husband and I attended has many areas that are into very rural areas, blowing and drifting of snow would often make roads in the country difficult to pass and would cause a snow day for all of us. 

(You can read the rest of my post about why we still take snow days, even as homeschoolers, at The Homeschool Classroom)
 

Four Months Makes a Big Difference in Our Backyard

It's hard to believe that in just four months, our backyard and vegetable garden will look very similar to the above picture.

This is the picture that Eric took of the same general area of our backyard tonight while he went out to fill our bird feeder:

Today, we had a more hands on school day (after our math was done) -- baking zucchini muffins, playing games, checking out the window at the constant snow fall, and gleefully keeping an eye on the full bird feeder becoming empty by the end of the day (having fed many, many feathered friends today).  It was also a day where we all stayed in our pajamas, only changing out of them in the evening to put on new pajamas for bed.

So, while it's hard to not look at the green picture a little wistfully, today was a really nice day.  Without a doubt, I would say it was definitely one of those finer things in life.

7 Quick Takes: December 18, 2009 (Volume 25)

~ 1 ~

Today I was so excited to finish up school with the kids before starting our Christmas Break.  The kids were excited too, but I think I might have been even more excited.

The house was kind of messy, and so when we finished school I told them we all had to clean up and as soon as the house looked good, Christmas Break would officially start.  I kid you not -- I have never seen them clean that fast in my life.

~ 2 ~

Speaking of Christmas Break, I'm taking a little blog break until after Christmas.  So, while I may be working some online off and on, I won't be writing for a little over a week.  I thought it would be wonderful to take a nice break.

If you're a blogger, do you plan on taking time off for Christmas? 

~ 3 ~

It would seem that this is going to be 7 Quick Takes -- The Christmas Edition.  So, let me just continue with that.

I downloaded the Relient K Christmas album - Let It Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer.  What a fabulous collection of songs!  If you like to rock out while listening to Christmas music, you just might love this album too.  The other day, I also downloaded Third Day's Christmas album, but I can't quit listening to Relient K long enough to actually listen to it more fully.

~ 4 ~

I actually heard Third Day's album when I was over at my friend Amanda's house this week.  We had a fabulous "school Christmas party" one day with her family and our family.  We did Christmas crafts, watched some Christmas movies, ate pizza (and carrots and apples), and just had a wonderful time.

I don't know how we would survive homeschooling if we didn't have such amazing friends that also homeschool.  (In fact, the day before that, in the afternoon, the kiddos and I went and played at another homeschooling family's house and had a fabulous time.)  We are so blessed to have a wonderful Catholic homeschool group in our area!

~ 5 ~

My Christmas cards have not yet been mailed.  I only just picked them up on Monday, and was very disappointed with how one thing on them came out.  Oh well -- what can I do now?

I do have my postage now though, so I have to get busy with working on a Christmas letter this weekend so I can hopefully get these darn cards to people before Christmas.

~ 6 ~

This week, we delivered lots of home baked goodies as Christmas gifts for religious ed teachers, church staff, several people at Eric's work, and so on.  I just love giving out tasty treats as gifts.  My kids, on the other hand, kept asking why we weren't keeping one of the goodie tins for home.  I stopped myself from saying, "Hey kids -- there's a reason that Daddy and I just bought an elliptical trainer."

~ 7 ~

And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

~ Luke 2 : 10 - 14

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday and Weekly Wrap-Up.

photos by: gold Christmas ball by krisdecurtis  /  Christmas baubles by Chris_J  /  Nativity by Loci Lenar

Fun Christmas Craft: Paint Stirring Stick Christmas Trees

At the beginning of December, we went to Home Depot for one of their kid workshops.  We were very bummed that instead of getting to make a small wagon (like for stuffed animals), they said they had run out of kits more than an hour before the workshop was ending. 

I thought about just leaving, but they gave an alternate craft to make.  I saw what their idea was -- a Christmas tree out of five paint stirring sticks.  I'll be honest here, that made me come pretty close to turning around and walking out.  But, we were there and I figured, "Well, why not?"

We used three small nails (should have used four though), a hammer, and five paint stirring sticks.  It's probably hard to see, but there are actually two sticks running horizontally on the bottom, with all of the other sticks sandwiched in between them at the bottom.  This craft was super easy to make and very quick.  The cool thing was that we also got to decorate them at home (as a school art project).  Quite frankly, the craft would have been incomplete without what we did next.

We got out our already assembled paint stick Christmas trees, craft paints, sponge brushes, cotton swabs, and Sharpie markers (which we didn't end up using, except for to write the kids names and the date on the back of the trees).

Each of the kids picked their own shade of green and painted the tree with the sponge brushes.  They also used brown paint to paint the small bit of tree stump at the bottom.  (I assisted with painting the edges for those that needed help.)

 

 

I let each of the kids pick five to seven different colors of paint and put them on their own personal paint trays (or leftover baby shower plates, if you want to be technical about it).  They then painted with cotton swabs.  It was fun to see that although I had a preconceived notion of how these would look, the kids each came up with their own designs.

I just loved the way that these came out!  The kids had a fabulous time working on these, and I got a lesson in not being so quick to dismiss an alternative idea.  Who knew they would turn out so cute?  In the end, I was glad they ran out of wagons -- these will be Christmas decorations we will cherish for a long time to come.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday.

7 Quick Takes: December 11, 2009 (Volume 24)

~ 1 ~

I have recently read about a lot of people doing more relaxed schooling during December (or some portion of December).  I thought this sounded like a great idea, and so we started doing just that this week.  Of course, with having had a busy week, it was an easy decision.

While we have continued with math lessons and practicing piano each day (and social studies read alouds for the week), our days this week having also been filled with activities like: games, Legos, problem solving at the grocery store, going to Mass, a science lesson of watching someone's heart on an echocardiogram (thanks for taking one for the team, Jack), some video/TV watching (MythBusters one afternoon, and The Nativity Story one night after a Reconciliation Service), lots of free reading time, crafts, and whatever else pops into our head that has educational merit that is something we don't normally do.  Can I just tell you how fun it has been?

Next week, we are looking forward to doing some baking as part of school, as well as Christmas "party" school day with one of our favorite homeschooling families.

~ 2 ~

Happy Birthday today to one of the best men I know -- my Dad.  We love you like crazy!

~ 3 ~

 Why is it that my kids all name jobs that they want to do when they grow up that have nothing to do with going to college?  It's not that I'm a snob about it, but darn it -- I want those kids to all go to college.  When I was their age, I was saying that I wanted to be a teacher.

What do my kids want to be?

1. A Walmart employee (or maybe a hotel owner -- so there may be some hope for college there!)

2. A Build-a-Bear Workshop employee

3. A hair stylist, ballerina, tap dancer who works at Noah's hotel (see number one)

Good thing you aren't allowed to pick your profession when you're five years old, huh?

~ 4 ~

I love kids books that crack me up.  This week, we read Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, and that's exactly what happened.  Everyone in the house laughed about it.  It is such a cute story, works on rhyming, and is just down right hilarious.  (It would seem that Rapunzel just can't hear what Prince Charming is saying while she is high in her tower.)

If you haven't read it, be sure to either pick it up or check it out from the library.  Too cute!

"Rapunzel, do you have any rope?"

Rapunzel dropped a cantaloupe. 

~ 5 ~

 Just love the new Dockers "Wear the Pants" campaign that they started.  If you haven't seen it yet, go check it out.

~ 6 ~

 The baby shower that I threw for my sister-in-law last weekend went really well!  It was nice to have so many people over, and she and her husband got a lot of great things.

And, as a side bonus -- we got our house so clean!  Thanks to everyone in the house (and my Mom too!) for helping to clean the house and get food ready.

~ 7 ~

I've been working on knitting (with my loom) a blanket for Christmas.  Christmas is now two weeks away, and while it is the correct width, it is only about nine inches long right now.  I'm either going to have to get to work or I'm going to end up wrapping it still attached to the loom with an IOU with it.

Wish me luck! 

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.

Photos by: yarn shop - missteee / manipulatives -  jimmiehomeschoolmom

Starting a Homeschool Preschool Co-op

Join me over at The Homeschool Classroom to read tips about how to start your very own homeschool preschool co-op.  Even if you're not interested in homeschooling in the future, a homeschool preschool co-op may be a valid alternative to a pricey private preschool.

7 Quick Takes: November 13, 2009 (Volume 21)

~ 1 ~

Thanks so much for all of the kind words on my Grandmother's sudden passing.  It was so helpful for me to be able to write about it, and I appreciate all of the kind words that you guys have left.

We had the funeral last Friday, and spent this week continuing to clean out her apartment.  It has all been tiring both physically and emotionally, but it has also offered so many small moments of joy, as well as time to be with family.

~ 2 ~

In my quest to say yes to the kids a whole lot more often, I have found myself spending a lot more time doing things like listening to books that the kids have written (especially by Molly, who has to read them to me, since they are mostly scribbles with a "mom," "dad," or "cat" tossed in occasionally), playing rock paper scissors,  and drawing with the kids.

Though I have felt so behind in many things I need to do lately, it has also been nice to say yes a lot more often instead of saying "in just a little while," which becomes "how about tomorrow?"

~ 3 ~

  

Speaking of being busy -- how can I always be busy?  And, really -- if a person is always busy, then are they actually busy or is it just their normal?

~ 4 ~

After struggling with whether to get the H1N1 flu shot for the children or not, we finally had the immunizations.  They had been very scarce around here.  So, when the county had a mass immunization, I knew we just had to decide.  Since Jack has a heart defect (and Molly now has a small murmur), I thought that it was probably a good move for our family.

So far, so good -- no side effects.  And, while the shots were free, we did spend an hour and thirty minutes in line.  We also spent $16 on books for the kids as rewards (seriously -- what kid wants to wait in line that long for a shot?), and then $25 on lunch from out.  Those were some expensive shots!

~ 5 ~

The Homeschool Classroom has been nominated for the 2009 Homeschool Blog Awards!

Help us move up a few more places in the Best Homeschool Group or Family Blog category -- we would really appreciate your support! 

~ 6 ~

It was with a lot of sadness that I read this week that my favorite online scrapbook store, Lifetime Moments, is closing in less than a month.  Not only is this an amazing store with great selection and fabulous customer service, but their message board has introduced me to a whole new family and their yearly crops have left me with memories that will probably stick with me forever.

If you're a scrapbooker and have never shopped at Lifetime Moments, you might want to check out their closing sale.  They have 25% off everything in the store with the code of 25-011 at checkout.  Go quickly though -- they are already selling out of an awful lot of things.  To make it easier to browse though, it does appear that they are trying to keep up on deleting products that have sold out.

Goodbye, Lifetime Moments, I'll miss you.

~ 7 ~

One of my favorite song lyrics lately is from You, Me, and the Bourgeoisie by The Submaries:

Love can free us from all excess, from our deepest debts, 

Cause when our hearts are full we need much less.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

Photos by: [ henning ] (cemetery statue) / kelvin255 (stressed out doll) /  Brent and MariLynn (candy hearts)