How I Homeschool: Lesson Planning

It has been requested by a few beautiful ladies that I share more of how I homeschool. You're in luck! I love to homeschool and I love to talk about it with friends. So feel free to chat with me, ask questions, share ideas!

This will be broken down into a few topics over the next week or so:

Lesson Planning
Curriculum: Kindergarten (Year 0) and Year 3
The Potter's House (letting God sculpt our days and be the center)
Morning Gatherings
Projects we will include this year (art, handicrafts, notebooks)
Nature Studies
Life in a Day: what our daily life looks like
Organizing


Today, we will start with lesson planning!

I usually over think things to the point where it overwhelms me and then I get stuck and do nothing. Please tell me I'm not the only one? ha

This is our 4th year of homeschoolilng and every year I grab a lesson plan book and fill up the first few weeks with what I plan to get done and then I fall behind. After that I realize I'm writing the same thing over and over again....Monday: bible, math, reading, science or history. Tuesday: bible, math, reading, science or history...you get the idea. I'll throw in a few project ideas, or verses or chapters to read, but that's about it.

It's complicated and stressful when I fall behind because something came up and we didn't get all of our Tuesday work, but am now staring at what needs to be done on Wednesday too. So, this year I decided to do my own thing and simplify. What may work for one may not work for another. I'm just sharing what works for me.

So instead of buying a $20 planner, I grabbed this $2 notebook and called it a day.



It's small enough to grab and go if needed. It's filled with book lists I can take to the library, and projects and supplies I can grab while at the store. All in one place. I know planners have places for that, but the thing about this one is that it's laid out the way my mind works haha, so it works for me.

When you open it I have our daily schedule written out.
*this is ideal but doesn't always happen*



I will go into more detail about our schedule on another post.

Then I have the tabs. These are sticky tabs you can pick up in the office supply section of most stores. The first tab is Brighton's Kindergarten tab.



This is where I put the Math games and activities about what I'd like him to know throughout the year. I will just start at the top of my list and play games and find activities for whatever it is we are working on at the moment. On the back of the page I have specific games and activities I have found on Pinterest or in books.
That being said, I do NOT over do it. I write out the projects I think will benefit us most and I know I can get done without a hassle.

I write out lessons I'd like to get done with him in literacy, plus a few extras we can do if we make it to that point. Again, I'll share more on my curriculum post.

And then I have a literature list of books we'll read together that will make library trips and amazon orders much simpler. I leave space to add to it...but not too much space!

Next tab is Tristin's goals for year 2/3.



His subjects are divided by tabs, and what I'd like to get done and use in each one. Brighton does participate in some of these.

 Tabs:
Bible
Morning Gatherings (which include habits, memory work, fine arts, geography)
Literature
History
Language Arts
Nature Study



In the rest of the notebook is room for me to take notes, write out field trip ideas, do record keeping, and whatever else I feel I want to add.

I LOVE this notebook. It's simple and easy to get an overview of the entire year. I simply open it and choose what we'll work on that week, and get it ready before hand. We will work on it until we're ready to move on.

Goals

It's no secret that I like setting goals. I love lists, and I really like checking things off those lists.

I have pretty simple goals this year. Things I had already started working on, and some new things.
Over the past few years I have been setting goals and checking most of them off. That's a big deal for me because I seem to enjoy the planning and list making a whole lot more than the doing part (grin).

Reading:

Read the whole Bible.
I have read more of the Bible than ever the past few years, but this year I want to read the whole thing.
I want to turn to His word more than I do others' words and opinions on His word.

I also want to read a lot more books in general. From the library. I want to read hard books, and to learn more.
I want our home to be a reading home.


Health:

Drink more water, eat less sweets, do Pilates 3 times a week, go on a walk when it's warm.
That's it. It's very doable.

Cleaning:

I love a clean house.I think better and feel better in one.
I have made a schedule, I have been working on it a few months with great results, but still need to organize and stay consistent.
I will continue decluttering, and not adding more.
No more excuses or laziness in this area from me!

Family:

Just simply loving them and spending more time with them. Playing games, going on walks, serving them.
And NO griping. Really.


Do you set goals? What are they? Let's chat.

Sprucing Up the House

We have a lot to of shelves in our house and I've been ignoring some of them. They were cluttered with stuff I didn't know what to do with so I just left it. Well, we've been here 5 months now and I was really sick of feeling like we just moved in while looking at those shelves. Oh, and quite sick of coming up with excuses like, I didn't have anything to organize or decorate them...come now?!

These shelves are above our fridge. You can see I had some candles and coffee filters etc up there. You know, just whatever.



I wanted it to look pretty, with pops of fall colors, so this is what I came up with. And the coffee and filters are in the basket on the left.

Then, in the back room we have this little computer area that I barely have a picture of because it just wasn't nice, but you can see the chords etc on the shelf above. Pretty much what it all looked like.



Chords in baskets, books and papers in the crate, and printables I had printed for free online a few months ago, but never used. I think it looks much better and feels better too! I also framed a painting of the sun that Brighton did a few weeks ago. Brightens up the spot a bit!

We Are That Family

Working on the Boys' Rooms

I've been slowly working on the getting the boys' rooms in order. I had fun plans and then pretty much threw them out the window for a few reasons.

1) it's just not necessary
2) we were given some furniture, so I worked with it
3) because they started hanging up their drawings and stickers on the wall..and well, they love it.

I only have a before picture of Brighton's room. This was with the stuff from his old bedroom which they all shared, and curtains left here from...maybe the 80's?



We were blessed to get and old chest of drawers that my grandparents bought when they married. My dad and uncle tore down an old ICE sign from their gas station when they were little to make the shelves on top. My grandma then painted it green.

I love the history of this piece, and am so proud to have it in our home!



Here is the back (the old ice sign)



The shelf happens to match the little green desk I bought years ago at a yard sale.



I happened to stop in (ha) IKEA while we were in Austin a few weeks ago and picked 1 package of curtains (and cut them in half) and the $10 duvet cover for his bed. It all turned out so nice!



I never showed a picture of Tristin's room, only because it had absolutely no storage whatsoever. It was a mess. I moved the old white shelf from Brighton's room to  Tristin's room and added a desk I picked up for $40 at IKEA. His favorite color is orange..if you couldn't guess.



We used an old bunting we had and the old vintage chair I picked up for their old room from another yard sale. I love those things ;)
This boy loves to draw, so the desk is a wonderful feature for his room!




I did add some orange and teal Chinese lanterns over his bed that I picked up for .50 at Michaels. I'll have to share a picture when I take one.

We are working in Jaiden's room next, so hopefully I'll have that post up this week! It's all coming along!


Between Naps on the Porch

Whats On Our Shelves

One of the biggest reasons I choose this home is because of the built ins. They are wonderful! Even though I loved them so much, we didn't have a ton of stuff to put on them, and I didn't quite have the stuff to put at the very top. You know...the stuff you don't really need goes up there because you can't reach it ha.

I worked with what we already had. I added all of our school books, or these babies would be bare.
I really love the way they came together. Take a look, up close and personal.



This is right by our reading nook. I placed a lamp, and the basket holds our family devotionals and Bibles.
There is a picture of a Van Gogh painting for our "something to think about" (more on this and the Charlotte Mason method tomorrow).
Pictures of the boys we made a few years ago for father's day. And, a tiny picture of my husband when he was a boy.
We have decor and garden books on the bottom,  and rich literature and bible study books on the second shelf.






On this side we have fine arts, geography, children's bibles, and read alouds. We added pictures of some of our sponsored boys and a flower pot full of OLD thread.



This shelf has some wonderfully aged literature, letter "B"s and mercury glass.



This last shelf has a lot of nature inspired items. Birds and our nature collection, as well as another picture of a sponsored child and an old army picture of my Papa.

I love filling our home with things we use and love.

Across the room are some more built ins that are not organized, so you don't get to see all of it. But, I did want to show you that we put our home computer there, and there is another set of stairs there. How fun haha! The boys are up one set down the other. All day long.

House Updates: Kitchen & Entry

This is another progress post.

We have painted. It's amazing what a difference painting can make, and I'm so exited to show you! We still want to change the lighting and add decor, but it already feels so crisp and clean and I like that.


This was the picture I showed you when we first moved in. I know, the color was fine, but just not what we wanted.






This is what I had in mind:





We painted it a khaki-ish color, but sometimes looks gray.  The island is painted a shade of blue. Can you tell? Here is a closer look.






Here it is looking back from the hallway. We bought new curtains with blues and grays at Lowes.






And here it is from the back door:






Let's move to the entry shall we? This is when we first moved in.







Here it is with a new color, light, and rug.







And a peek from our living room into the entry and kitchen.






Stay tuned, because this room is almost done!!

Hoped you enjoyed the updates!










Between Naps on the Porch

My Craft Room: In Progress

We have a good size closet in our house. We weren't quite sure what to do with it. If you recall, I have a wish to learn to sew. Simple things like pillows and curtains. I've had a sewing machine for 3 years now and have never used it. It scares me. But, I decided to make this room into my own (well okay, I share with the boys) craft room! It fits our old computer desk and has plenty of storage and a door so I can shut it when it gets messy like the pictures I'm about to show you.


The room has come a long way since we moved in, but is nowhere near done, but I thought I'd share so you can see the progress in real time.


So, here we go.

Piled with frames that need to be hung and extra pillows, this room is still serving as somewhat of a storage room, you know how it is.


On the desk is a box of ribbon, and in the bottom of the desk is fabric that I will use for practicing.





To your left of the room is the boys' art station. They use it daily.





The 7Up crate is filled with markers, paint brushes, glue, twine, googly eyes...you name it.





And a small display of our craftiness.





I will post more pictures as I work on this little nook.

Why, Hello

I keep thinking I'll have some time to sit down and load pictures and write, but it obviously hasn't happened yet.

Over the last few weeks we have been camping in New Mexico, painted the kitchen and entry, started school (you see, we've had a big break during our move..so time to wrap things up in the school dept.), and I started selling Mary Kay (which I'm really enjoying)!

We are planning a Fourth of July party (yay)! I have also been on a frugal shopping and organizing kick. I mean, I got 4 pair of hiking, snow, and rain boots for my boys for $1 a piece! I also picked up plates and cutlery for our party at .50 a pack,  and I even found a favorite pair of shoes on clearance for $10 and I did NOT even get them because I didn't want to spend that much haha. What is going on with me?!

I will post pictures of our kitchen as soon as we hang the curtains. I can't wait for you to see it!

I've also been trying to go on evening walks as much as possible. I don't think I'll ever tire of this neighborhood and looking at these houses. I could walk for hours if my boys didn't get so tired...or wet their pants...a story for another time hahaha!

I will post pictures of my decor and organizing hopefully this next week! Look what i found:

I really want to make this..it looks SO good, especially on the 100+ degree days!

Why Hello Spring

It's been just beautiful here the past few days.
80* outside, boys in shorts, flowers blooming, yay!

Just one thing...
I woke up yesterday ready for the week, plans of spring cleaning, sleepover for the boys, a few girl days this week.
I was ready!

Then it hit.
My stomach started hurting.
Then, (to spare you the details) let's just say I had the stomach flu..and so did my hubby.

Boo.

It lasted all day, but am feeling much better today.
I don't have the energy I wanted to get my deep cleaning done.
But, possibly tomorrow? I hope so.

Today though, I did dishes, laundry, and swept the floors.
I am going to hang my spring wreath, and pull a few springy things out.
Then, I think I'll read..if you don't recall I have quite a reading list to get to!

Later this week and next, I will wash blankets, curtains, windows, and under big furniture. It will feel good.

Hopefully the weather is beautiful where you are?
Happy Spring!

Father's Day Gift

Our boys are outside playing on the trampoline with the sprinkler on and I have a watermelon to hand out as their snack, but I wanted to share what I was up to over the weekend really quickly!

I've been thinking about a truly thoughtful gift for my husband for Father's Day. I came up with 2, and started planning and saving up for the supplies I needed. The first thing is what I'm going to share today because, he already got it. Yep. I planned on totally emptying and cleaning and organizing the garage for him. We had so much stacked up in there. Stuff to donate and stuff to organize. No organization whatsoever. None.

Well the other day I overheard him telling his mom that he was going to clean the garage when he was off next. SO that made me panic a bit, so while he worked on Friday I went out and bought the supplies I needed ($40 worth) and Saturday the boys and I woke up bright and early and set out to do some cleaning.

I made a place for every single thing in there. I also made a place for pet supplies, to hang our ladder, a shelf for garden stuff, and auto stuff. (that is on the side of the garage not pictured below)

But here is the before....I'm so sorry you have to see this hehe



Yes. I have to say, that was completely out of hand.

My little helpers really did help me out so much....for about an hour...



And here are the afters which include and old table we had in our backyard used for tools on top and under. The peg board actually put to good use. And just a good cleaning and organizing and stuff that needed donated, actually donated =]



It took me 5 hours. My husband was really thrilled when he got home! My car battery died, so when he came home he needed the jumper cables to give it a boost. He walked into the garage and said, "oh wow!" Haha, then I showed him where everything was. It is so nice to go in now!

Simplify and Being at Home

Man, I've been on a roll here lately. I am loving clearing our home of unnecessary stuff that was hanging around. Loving it maybe a little too much! I read that once you start and if you can get to where you have empty shelves or drawers in your home, you just might become addicted. Well.....I believe it.

Last week I showed you how I've simplified our toys in a way that makes life so much easier, especially the clean up!

This week I completely went through bathrooms. I find it so silly that I put things like this off, when in actuality it took me 10 minutes in one bathroom and about 25 in the other. I'm praying about my laziness...

Empty shelves!


In the boys' bathroom I keep toilet paper, cleaning supplies, toothbrushes/paste, comb,washcloths, a basket of bath toys, and 3 towels. (In their color) I also have a little bag with watches and sunglasses so we can keep up with those things.





Now to my bathroom. I grabbed a few drawer organizers at the dollar store and went to work. In the first drawer I put make up and face stuff, plus toothbrushes/paste and deoderant.



In the second I put hair stuff.



Under the sink, I put a basket with nail polish and remover.
All that I have on top of the counter is jewelry and some body spray. In each drawer is rings, earings, necklaces, and braclets.



I have really been enjoying getting our home in order. It feels amazing! Some days I don't do well with keeping our home, but I've been praying about it and asking God to change my heart. I've been learning to be thankful for the opportunity to stay home and have a family to bless. I am now loving to bless them with a clean home, organization, and good food. God is teaching me so much!

Lastnight I prayed for God to help me get up early this morning so that I can bless my family. This morning when the alarm went off at 6:00 AM I bounced out of bed (a little bit in shock at my good mood!) thankful that God cares about the little things and honored my prayer.

I asked Him to help me take exercise and health seriously. I'm the type that loves the thought of an active life, but doesn't pull it off. I don't like to push myself in this area, and I've come to the realization that I think I'll fail. I asked for forgiveness for that and for depending on my own will to accomplish this in my life. When I woke up this morning and was actually in the mood to exercise I was thinking pilates or something that I "can handle" God had other plans. He led me right to 30 Day Shred. I REALLY wasn't too sure about that. I've never made it through an entire workout without having to take a break which made me feel like I couldn't do it. I put it in and asked God to give me His strength, and He did. I finished the workout, good and sweaty!

I was energized to take my shower and to make blueberry pecan waffles for my family. I just love days like this, and am now learning that God just loves to be included in our daily lives. No matter what we're doing. If you ask Him to be there, He will.

I so love being home and being a mom. I love even more when I'm blessing my family in these ways that show so much love. I also love that in an effort to take care of myself, I'm given energy to keep up with them.

So, no. This is not just about getting organized or Spring cleaning. It's about blessing those around you!



When I got online this morning, this was in my reader. I just loved it, and thought it fit in well with how I'm feeling.