D is for Daddy reads a story

Ever since my oldest, who is now 17, was a little bitty baby, I would read to her and all the kids that followed. I have a slight obsession with books and tend to buy them before other necessities and when we started homeschooling, I wanted to find a way to include dad in the scenario. I decided it would be great for him to do a "reading time" every evening. Hubby came from a non-reading family so this was new to him, but he gave it a go. For years he has read, almost every night, to the kids. He has read Little House (the whole series), Winnie the Pooh, 21 Balloons, and the list goes on. It has been heavenly for the, now older kids, to have memories and reminisce about all of the stories dad has read. It has been a great, yet very simple way to incorporate dad into the homeschool experience. Coming from the single, working mother home that I did, it always brings tears to my eyes and a reassurance when other stresses press in, that my kids at least have a daddy that takes the time to read to them. It's a bonding that can't be replaced and has helped instill a love of reading in ALL of my kids. I just can't recommend it enough.

And if this is a new idea to you, and you need some jump starting, here are a few awesome read aloud ideas to get you started:

The Francis collection by Russell Hoban These make all of us giggle every single time!

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne  "A very long time ago, about last Friday" -one of the best written lines ever!

Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois  This is one of my all time favorite books!



Hank the Cowboy has always been a favorite as well. Especially on Summer nights outside or while camping!

And if you think your kids are too old to read to them, give it a try. You would be surprised how interested they get with a bucket of popcorn and the right book!

Bubble Time and a wee bit of sunshine

Remember that ONE nice day we had last week? Neither do I but apparently we had one because I have a bunch of pictures of the kids outside and it does look like the sun was shining. If it weren't for said pictures, I would have thought it was a dream. I am thinking it might be nice to remind myself of days to come. A reminder of sometime in the future when the sun shines everyday and not just once a month.  So here is a bit of outside fun to wistfully gaze at keeping that little dream of warmer weather and blue skies alive!

Megan made some huge bubble wands and homemade bubbles based on these instructions from Family Fun magazine. She used bamboo garden sticks instead of the wire coat hangers mentioned in the article. All I can say is WOW! I was very impressed with the results.

Even the teenagers (including boys) got into the action.

Happily dreaming of warmer days ahead!

C is for Community

                                                                              
Over the years I have drifted in and out of different homeschool friendships, groups, and communities. There have also been times of going it alone. What's so amazingly sad to admit is that even after  many years of homeschooling experience, I would still find it difficult to feel comfortable in a group of homeschoolers. I actually found it easier to be the lone homeschool family. I was always prepared to meet and deal with all of the responses that came with being "the only one". I was familiar with and felt most comfortable with that scenario. What I wasn't so comfortable with is to be with several other homeschool families that all inevitably started comparing themselves with each other. Instead of feeling like it was a safe, friendly environment, I had come to expect a judgemental atmosphere that bread jealousy or contempt depending on who was feeling threatened. I don't mean to sound harsh, but homeschooling families (especially in the christian community) can sometimes act like middle school cliques. I say this because I used to act that way myself. It's horrible to say but unfortunately true. So when I speak about this, I know what I am saying, trust me. I think it is truly sad when we cannot come together as a community of homeschooling families and give each other support no matter our differences. Now I know this isn't always the case but for some of us, it has been a long, somewhat lonely journey. Count yourself extremely blessed and be very grateful if you have a good support group. If you happen to be a part of a group with cliquish tendencies, become a vehicle for change because it desperately needs to happen. And if you're a loner, be open minded about finding community. You may be surprised to find great support in unexpected places. Think outside your box and look into groups that may not use the same curriculum as you but could possibly offer encouragement none the less. Let's all become the support we would like to receive without having to convince someone else our way is the only way.

Proof That I'm an Awesome Homeschool Mom

Just in case anyone ever thought I was sitting around eating bonbons all day.

 Science experiments that don't work but are pretty none-the-less.

                   Science experiments that are not remembered except for the great bug-eyed photo-op.

Stories that are read with a 30 minute follow-up to organize the animals "just right". You would never know they fought about it the whole time.

The really cool globe puzzle stayed together for at least 30 seconds.

Gracious daughter capturing forever mom's loss at RISK.

My brilliant idea of a game right before bedtime to help them relax...

A full day's worth of "Lego guy" building that silly mommy took apart and put away that same night. I felt bad on that one.

This one makes me really cool! We all stayed up until midnight watching the full lunar eclipse.

Cookies I promised to make with the kids for our "Winter Tea Party" only to pass off all the work to the 2 oldest girls. They did a much better job than I would have!

Field trips in the back forty. 

Actually, these are just a few things I am really, really grateful for. My family and my time with them. Can't imagine life without them. Thank you munchkins for the happiness you bring to my life!