I love the beach. I enjoy bird watching. And I’ve learned so much about nature studies for our homeschool from Barb-Harmony Art Mom. So what a true gift it was to have each and every one of these things mixed together in one BEECH Retreat trip! Something deep in all of us yearns for God’s […]
Search Results for: christmas art
Toontastic iPad App Fun
Toontastic is a fun app from Launchpad Toys where you can create your own cartoon. My brothers and sisters and I have had so much fun making cartoons with our own voices and creating stories. WARNING! Toontastic is a free app but it requires in-app purchases. There are $0.99 purchases you can make OR you […]
Homeschooling High School Update
We are homeschooling preschool, elementary, middle school and high school this year. It’s our first official year of high school as I shared way back in August in my Homeschooling High School at Hodgepodge. I have been nervous and excited about this high school adventure. And now, here we are half way through the year. […]
When the Homeschool Schedule Allows for Rest
We’ve been acting like homeschoolers over here. See, I’ve always loved the freedom of a homeschool schedule. This time it has afforded us rest. While we are usually full swing back to school, we’ve been taking care. Coming directly off the heels of most of the Hodgepodge with a month of flu, Littlest Girl had […]
GOD is NOT dead NOR does HE sleep!
GOD is NOT dead, NOR does HE sleep!! Isn’t that FANTASTIC news for those that belong to HIM through HIS son JESUS!! GOD is NOT dead, NOR does HE sleep!! Come on read it again, but out loud this time…. GOD is NOT dead, NOR does HE sleep!! Doesn’t it have an incredibly sweet ring to it…. GOD […]
Prep for a New Homeschool Semester
Remember I mentioned that I’ve been planning here and there over Christmas break? Just 15 minutes to half an hour a morning for each child. Then the rest of the day with family and a Hodgepodge of other things. This magazine rack type shelf over the family room couch is very handy. I decided that […]
A Hodgepodge December and a Chalk Pastels ebook
It’s been a Hodgepodge sort of December. We’ve collected many happy memories even though we were hit with sickness starting early in the month. The flu was staggered with each of our family of seven – lasting 10 days to two weeks for each of us. So far, only one escaped. The sick ones were […]
Staying Healthy and Active During the Holidays
I have struggled with my weight for 10+ years and have been on many diets and programs, none of which were successful in the long term. I decided in January to make big lifestyle changes. I have changed the way I think about food and am much more active. In less than a year, I have lost […]
Homemade Gifts
(my brother’s homemade gift tags – small, free hand pieces of art we look forward to each year) Part of the fun of giving gifts each year is making them! We set aside some afternoons – spread apart in December – to spread out supplies and make gifts. Permission to paint and create! Sometimes we […]
An attitude of anticipation
“I predicted yesterday that today would be great. My estimate was correct.” ~ Littlest Girl A weary Mama at the end of a very full day sure needed to hear that. And doesn’t He know just what we need? Maybe I should always anticipate the great, count all the good. The daily gifts… A link […]
The Habit of Tradition
When your ancestors boarded the ship and set sail for America, they brought with them some of their earthly possessions, loved ones, memories, and traditions. As the generations have passed, many of those possessions may be deteriorated, the loved ones passed on, the memories forgotten, and the traditions cast aside for new ones. These are […]
Homeschool Organization Beyond Stacks
I’ve accepted it now. Organization is simply a huge part of homeschooling. I’ve reluctantly shared about my stacks before. Even how we have a Filing Fridays habit with Papers, Stacks and Hole Punches. And we’ve completely been through a homeschool makeover, making it more comfortable, creating natural easy learning spots. I’ve used those IKEA baskets […]
Help for Reluctant Readers
Heather recently asked: Do you have any advice for VERY reluctant readers? They are 11 and 12. They are both great readers, but do not enjoy reading in their free time. Heather, I would suggest… Frequent trips to the library. Make it a weekly habit while you are already out. Daily practice. Afternoon quiet time. […]