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Mama’s Morning Basket
Many homeschooling families begin their day with morning basket time. What is morning basket time? It usually starts with a literal basket. Mom has packed the basket with books. She carefully selects books for spiritual growth, books for inspiration and encouragement, and books that tie family studies together. Mom rounds up her young ones, sometimes at the breakfast table and sometimes later, and they pull a book out their basket and begin the day. Some families start with a hymn of praise, prayer time , and the devotions. This moment of intentional worship creates the school day’s center and focus. It encourages bonding between siblings, between mom and child, and more…
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Family Service
As a Christian Homeschooler my goal, for my children, has never been intellectual greatness. Sure, there are times I get wrapped up in the right now and push my kiddos harder than I should. There are days I get too focused on checking off boxes, mastering Latin, being the best debater or writer, and keeping up with the other schoolers. It makes me look and feel good when people mention how smart my kids are and how much they know. This mama can morph into a pride-fueled puffer fish, in an instant. But she can also jab and poke at her students like no one else. However, it doesn’t take…
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Our Classically Mason Day
Let me say first off if you haven’t yet read the post Classically Charlotte Mason you may be a bit lost. Second, I’ll add, we don’t have a true schedule. What follows is our routine. Subjects shift in order from day to day and their instruction times flex as needed. The schedule below is using our Jr. High curriculum. This is just our basic every ordinary homeschool day. I hope it encourages you to make your family homeschool your own. Bible and Reasoning We try to do this in the evenings as a family and so it doesn’t’ feel like actual “school work” even though it is. It takes about 15 minutes…
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Just Released
A writer’s life is never boring. Mostly because we stuff every peaceful moment with imaginary drama. Or maybe that’s just me. Whatever the reason I’ve got a new book to share with you. My first Christian cozy mystery just released on Kindle, with the paperback soon to follow. Based in a small town called Honey Pot, the mystery follows three homeschool mommas as they deal with Christmas drama while searching for a missing teenager. Though all the characters are fictitious I hope you can spot a bit of your life in one of theirs. Thanks for checking it out. I aim to make this new book a series. So, come back…
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Our School’s Stuff
Every homeschooling family runs differently. Each child within each family learns differently. As a Christian homeschooler, I do my utmost to put Christ at the center and leave the rest up to Him. Our family curriculum has changed and changed again. Our routines are in flux from season to season. But with our core fixed on the Lord, we can’t go too far off the deep end. Here’s a peek into our year. (DISCLAIMER: I am an affiliate of some of the following but not all. I refuse to promote products I don’t believe in!) 2019-2019 What we’re using: For most of our needs, we participate in Classical…
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Cozy up this Summer
Temperatures are in the 3 digits. Backyard pools and inflatable floaties are filled to bursting. Sunscreen scents the entire house, where there never seems to be enough ice or sweet tea. What’s a mama to do? Why not chill out and cuddle up with a cozy mystery? Cozies offer friendly places to visit, just enough drama to keep one guessing, and a happily resolved ending. Usually, they are light on the violence, easy on the language, and leave the hot and heavy to one’s imagination. So, go out have fun, with the kids, during the breeziest times of the day. Then head indoors to an easy to read, hard to put…
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Summer Break From CC
Whether the core of my home school year was 24 weeks or 30 weeks long, by the time end of year celebrations roll around I’m exhausted. My brain has absorbed as much new data as it can store and the time has come to reflect, relax, and reboot. My kiddos feel little different. They too are drained and strained to their limits. They may be sad to say goodbye to the weekly promise of friends but inwardly they’re done with the push. One tiny problem… in most states 24 to 30 weeks does not a school year make. Add to that the tension and worry of summer time’s sieve…
