AND... We're done.

We actually got done last Wednesday, but I'm just now getting around to posting about it. The school year is officially over. I have survived my first year of homeschooling and will be doing things a lot differently next year. Mainly, the curriculum. I ended up having a strong dislike for the 'package' we chose for this year. Next year will be filled with a lot more lapbooks and activities like that. That's how my daughter learns best. At least now I know.
 For the little boy: This summer I'm going to be doing Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I will also be reading him lots and lots of books.
For the girl: She is going to do a summer reading program and practice math a few times a week.
For the baby: Teach him the meaning of no. That's my goal.
I am relieved to be done. We've got a lot going on right now, and the stress of everything was wearing on me a little. This Saturday we are having a yard sale. We are thinking of putting our house on the market. It's a lot for me to think about right now, for various reasons. But, there you go. The year is through. Now, I've got to plan an 'end of the year' party for our EKWP group.  Maybe I'll think about that after the yard sale.

Planning

So, I'm not MUCH of a planner, but I've been trying to do it the last few weeks. It has actually helped. I usually just try to keep a mental list, which works, but being able to check things off is so fun. :) So I made myself a weekly planner:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9V8BtcPIlqxMVBVdEZHQW53SEE/edit

Let me know what you think.  I left some lines blank for you to fill out. My laundry schedule I've talked about before. My cleaning schedule: I'm still trying to get that figured out, but at least I've got a plan. And the morning routine: HA! Definitely doesn't always happen like that, but I've got it written down. :)

As For Me...

As for Me and My House, We will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. 

I found these super cute printable ABC Bible Verse cards. It is on the blog I Can Teach My Child. Here is the link for the post about them: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/10/abc-printable-scripture-cards/  
I printed them on cardstock, then got to play with my laminator. again. I love that thing. Anyway, I had the bright idea to do a craft with the first verse. Here it is:

This is the one I made. I love doing little are projects, I think more than my kids! :)

This is what I get when I say, "look at me and smile."

Again, "Look at ME, and smile" :) My little artist.

My Photo-cooperative one. He didn't make a house.

We had fun. It was a fun a different way to start the morning for sure. I had a 'no scissors' rule going on. Only tearing and folding and gluing.

How its Going

Homeschooling is FUN! We love it. Not every day is perfect. Not every day is easy. But every day is blessed. I am so grateful to God for this opportunity. I've figured out some things that work and some things that don't. I'm planning next year's curriculum choices and I am definitely making some changes. I'm not buying a one size fits every subject. We are pulling things from several different sources. I'm sticking with Math U See. The rest I'm changing. We are more than likely using Story of the World for history next year. For science we are going to use Apologia. BJU for English. And for Kindergarten for my little boy--still trying to figure that one out. These aren't set in stone. I haven't bought anything yet because I'm going to a ginormous curriculum fair in June. I want to explore all my options. I can look at stuff online all day, but I do much better if I can look at it in person. I get a better feel for things.
We've changed the homeschool space several times. Right now its 'okay', but not my favorite arrangement thus far. My daughter doesn't use her desk all the time. She prefers the couch for certain things. (Not everything) I am excited to one day have a specific room for homeschooling. Eventually we are going to buy land and build our own house. We have it all drawn up and ready to go. Our homeschool room right now is in our Living Room/Dining Room/ Kitchen. It's all one big room, which is kinda nice in a way, but I'd rather have a seperate space for school.
That's all the updates for now.

Field Trip

There is an OLD hotel in our town and we took a tour. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few. There were several presidents that stayed in this hotel. Also Louis Lamour stayed there and wrote the entire Sackett series.

A Pretty Chandelier

Everyone has arrived.

My Boy and I

Christmas Party

We exchanged gifts and made Christmas cookies--and for the record, this party was back in December--before Christmas. It just takes me till February to post it.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Check out this giveaway--from Candace Cameron Bure's blog--- It's for Confessions of a Homeschooler's curriculum, which you know I'd love to win!!!

http://www.roomag.com/social-media-blitz-giveaway-prizes/