Homeschooling update

Woooh woooh woooh wait a minute. This is kind of like when I had my first baby and left my job and it was winter time and we were stuck inside a lot and here was this little toddler of mine (toddler in size, but only days old) and I was now home without any ongoing socialization because uh yeah I had only left my job about three days before my water broke and so here I was a brand spanking new stay-at-home mommy--all my friends were working and my sister in laws were busy and my husband left me home all alone after just a week--and uh, yeah that pretty much sums up how I feel. Wow. Homeschooling is hard work. And, just like when I left my career to become a mom, I wonder, why didn't anyone tell me it would be like this? Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom and I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of being home with my boys all these years. And, I am privileged to be able to homeschool my boys. But, this is exhausting stuff. And, I still feel like I'm not getting enough done!
But, you know what, just as it was difficult to adjust to life as a mommy--I know that in time, I will cope and learn what to do in order to be a successful homeschooler. I know the resources are there--I know I have support from both family, friends, local and on-line homeschoolers. But, most importantly, I have the guidance and direction and strength from the Lord. I sank to my knees this week praying and sadly, I hadn't done that in a long time.
I also know that just because I struggle, it doesn't mean it's not working and it doesn't mean it isn't worth it. It's so worth it. I know that already.
When, I have time and a well thought out post, I will post about our curriculum and our first few days.

CAKE TOPPER

Here is a wedding cake topper that I recently decorated with Swarovski crystals.

It's such an honor to be a part of someone's special day. Can't wait to see pics of it on the cake.

CHILD's Window Mistreatment Nester Style

Ignore my cute husband, who jumped in front of the camera just to bug me--look at that window in the foreground...OK...I'll give you a close-up look:

These are inexpensive window shades ($6 maybe from Home Depot) and I painted them to match our primary color theme. I also hot glued those plastic paper clips to the curtain rod.


Here are two windows I mistreated in a little playroom. I used few pieces of fabric and just layered them.
Here I painted the sill red and stamped it with white paint, then hung some garland I had bought from the dollar store.

NEW PROJECT

This was completed for a twin...I still have to figure out his sister's letters.

This was painted to match the bedding pictured just below.

I added a tad bit of red to the top of the "n" b/c well I just think it needed to be done!

Some close-ups

I'm thinking about posting my web site or even to begin selling on etsy as one client suggested.

Not sure what to do--as of now I have just been taking orders

based on referrals and past clients. Hmmmm....

OUR HOMESCHOOL PLANNER

Stepping Stones Academy -- the Planner.

I created this planner in MS Publisher, but will add it here as a PDF for others to use if I can figure out how.Just tonight, while speaking with my husband about the boys' schedule, I realized tonight that I forgot to add "Computers" as a subject. He really wants to teach the boys Word and Excel--and at some stage teach them to build a computer from start to finish. So, if I were to recreate this, I'd add "Computers."This is similar to a planner I used two years ago and loved. I just thought I could customize it to better suit our school. Staples bound this with a blank cover page and then a protective plastic covering over that (40 weeks worth of copying) for under $9. Well worth it to me. I had each boy illustrate and label their own planner. You can see a partial of the cover below.

One thing I liked about this is that I could use the planner to teach my boys about scheduling. Even in Kindergarten, my oldest began to see his schedule for the week and I'd let him cross off what was completed. He even wanted to start to write in what was due. This year I'll plan to tell them what is due by the end of the week and allow them to write in what should be done in order to meet the deadline of what is due. Of course this won't work with all things, but it is like a class in and of itself, in my opinion--teaching time management and organization. I could use a lesson in this myself!

This planner is meant to be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, landscape, double-sided. The pages should face the other and lay as a two-page spread. Hope this helps!

Summer Pics

It's VBS week for us and we are very busy with Cosmic City! It's so fun and we always enjoy it. Our church shares the responsibilities with two other churches...it's great for unity! We're exhauted by lunch time though...!

Here are a few pics of the kids recently. The zoo with one of the cousins and then a trip to make boats and visit at the water lab to test them!




Ahhhh...summer is much too short. But, thankfully--because we homeschool, we'll be able to do daytrips more often.