Keeping It Simple

In my life this week… We are trying to find our routine. No matter how many years I do this (homeschool), getting back in the groove after a holiday is always a challenge. In our homeschool this week… We are back at Barton Reading and Spelling System. We finished our first level (level 3) a while ago, but it took a while to order the next level. While I find this method amazingly effective, it is not cheap! Helpful homeschool tips or advice to share… This post, 10 Ways to Simplify Homeschooling , at Happy Healthy Homeschool is just what I needed to read as I started the new year. While all 10 "ways" are helpful, this one stands out to me- 6. Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments, snacking, outings, phone conversations and the like. These sorts of things can easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and sap the family of time and energy. Worth reading! Places we’re going… Walking. Do you ...

In my life this week  last month… We ended October with lots of fun stuff-  Uncles putting nephews in crazy wigs, a guys' day at the Raider's football game, time playing games with a special cousin, a mom and son movie date (me and James), food at Mark's favorite eatery- the Black Bear Diner, an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese with Friends (to celebrate completing a level of Barton Reading), and Mark's new dog wearing his matching Raider's shirt.   Things I am working on… Forming new habits- we are trying to walk first thing every morning for about an hour. It has been... interesting. My boys think I am trying to kill them. We are on the beginning of week three and they still are not quite over it yet.  Of course, we are also reducing sugar, drinking almost no soda (my oldest kids never had soda!), and taking a break from electronics as well (where have I heard that before?). It is sort of a "mommy boot-camp".  At tim...