If you are like us, a great deal of homeschooling takes place on the family room couch. Read alouds, math lessons, diagramming English sentences, literature and more. We’ve found more practical solutions in our continued homeschool makeover.
First off, the Pottery Barn book rack. This we’ve had for a decade. And it has served us so very well, right above our heads. The latest library books, magazines and even ever-present Mother Goose. We have another of these, upstairs on the wall, in between the children’s rooms. Easy for a quick stash of a book and to spark some reading interest.
But the most recent update are more of the IKEA expedit. Our dear end tables, beloved as they are, just weren’t doing the job. Don’t feel sorry for them though. They still have a place of honor, holding lamps on either side of the mantle.
Back to the newest members of the family, 2×2 expedits. One for either end of the couch. Their nice, wide tops are perfect for a coffee cup to perch early a.m. Plenty of space for a lamp. And the four baskets? Well, one expedit holds all of our quiet time necessities – Bibles, devotionals, journals and more!
The one on my side of the couch – is mostly just for me! Doorposts’ favorites to pull out, a hymnal, a few of my lists and, ahem, stacks (again). And one basket is even still mostly empty. Practical is perfect for me. For us. And it makes clean up so easy!
You might like to see the rest in our makeover series. Even more to come in future Friday weekly wraps:
- The Frugal Way: Family Room
- The History Shelf
- School Books on the Mantel
- Flag Art over the Mantel
- Workboxes update
- The Most Used Bookcase
- All Things Chalkboard (our school room)
- Red Wall School Room
Middle Girl researching the artist Velazques thanks to a free Harmony Fine Arts sample.
The rest of our week was a flurry of Valentines homeschool party, new Tapestry books from the library. 1. AiG Science Heat & Energy – a study of lightning and thunder | 2. A homemade party – with streamers, cardboard and kitchen towels | 3. Pancakes for supper from the Cook Box | 4. Go Fish Renaissance artists from Birdcage Press | 5. Valentine roses from Hodgepodgedad! | 6. Passing out Valentines at our homeschool group party | 7. Someone’s favorite Valentine | 8. Meds and Gatorade for Lil’ Buddy – he’s doing better now!
…and batching cooking for the family (pictured above Italian Stuffed Shells, homemade cookie dough balls, Southern Plate’s Rise and Shine biscuits and, not pictured – batches ground turkey). Plus I printed this peanut and nut free list from the SunButter site so that Nana and Hodgepodgedad would have snack ideas handy. You can find it in this post at the SunButter blog – sort of towards the bottom of the post.
(food for my favorite folks since I am in Florida for the BEECH Conference!!)
*One last bit of happy news – the Art for Homeschool Show results are in and we have a couple of winners! I encourage all homeschoolers to participate in this wonderful online art show.
Many thanks to our Friday hostesses…
Camera Phone Friday hostess Dawn Camp @ My Home Sweet Home ,
Weekly Wrap-Up hostess Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and
How was your week, friends?
When we redecorated our living room we used baskets/bins for the shelves and coffee table. I think for families they make so much more sense because we NEED things in our space but don’t necessarily want to look a them all the time. Clean up is toss and run….love it.
Roses are always the perfect gift. 🙂
I agree! It’s all there but tucked away until we need it. And, great point, clean up is quick!
You have a red couch, too! There must be some saying about great minds thinking alike when they have red sofas. Or maybe, we should just make one up. 😉
I love, love my red couch!! And, definitely – great mind think alike – red sofa buddy
You are really encouraging me to go to IKEA sooner rather than later! I like what you did in your family room!
Hope you had a great trip to FL!
Oh, I love that 4 tote side table! What a perfect addition to “hiding” stuff when you’re not using it! I need more of those things! LOL
Wish I could be as organized as you seem to be! Just not in my blood, I guess. We have had lots of sickness here this week…I am glad to hear that Lil Buddy is getting better. Looks like you had a lovely Valentine’s Day. Beautiful roses!! Love the photo of Middle Girl researching! Wonderful week to see.
I love the book rack over the couch idea!
Your room is so neat and organized! Those basket tables are a great idea. Maybe if I trade my green couch for a red one my room will look better. 🙂
Your makeover looks great!!! I just love IKEA. 99% of what’s in our school room is from IKEA.
I love it when there is plenty of space for organization. We do most of our schooling in my bedroom & I just recently got more shelves & now have all of my books organized on them. I love the neatness of them. My room looks great now. No stacks of clutter.
It looks great! Finding an organizing solution is always a joy, isn’t it?
We do so much on our couch, too. It’s close to the fireplace and some huge picture windows, so it’s always a cozy spot.
Tricia, ditto everything everyone else has said. I WISH I had a red couch! (Does that sorta count for the “great minds” thing? ha ha!) I got organized over the Christmas break, but things have slightly fallen apart what with the other stuff going on now. The second I turn my back, all our stuff flings itself around the various rooms of our house!
It looks wonderful! I just love the 4 tote side tables. We are doing some renovations to our home. I am going to have to show dh these tables for our living room! :-))) We spend lots of time on our sofa, as well. There is nothing like all cuddling together to read a good book!
Each Tuesday, I am hosting a linky called “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” It would be great if you wanted to share recipes for your tasty looking treats! Wow, even stuffed shells! Very impressive.
Have a blessed weekend,
Lisa
P.S. Stopping by via WWU. 🙂
Love your organization and the red couch!!
Looks like a great week:) I always enjoy looking at your photo collages. Glad your little guy is feeling better!
Love the Expedit shelves – looks great!
I’m also loving those expedit 4x4s… I’ll be having a look at them next time I’m in ikea for sure! Thanks for the inspiration (as ever!) 🙂