Unschooling for the Summer

Repost: This post was from last year. As my children become older, they have their own projects and their own interests. I try to facilitate their interests as much as possible. My high schooler has a job now, and is pursuing his interest in drones and videography. He rarely participates in our read aloud. My…

Wax Resist Naturally Dyed Eggs

Dying eggs is just so gratifying, especially with natural dyes. When my children were young, it was overwhelming to use natural dyes and the best that I could do was a kit. As they have gotten older though, I am able to spend the time making the dyes, usually the night before. This year was…

Simple Mason Jar Candle Tutorial

For many years our family has participated in a regional art and craft fair that happens every year in our area. It’s a large event that draws in artist and craftsman from around the Southeastern United States. One of our favorite parts of this fair, of course, is that they allow children to participate by…

Homeschool Rhythms and Rituals

It’s afternoon.  We’ve just finished lunch and are clearing the table. My daughter goes to get a piece of chocolate, her daily treat after she finishes her lunch. I reach over and give her a hug and look into her eyes. “Are you ready for school?” “Sure.” “Want some tea today?” “Yes, please. Can I…

Using Songs and Music for Homeschooling

“Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning to you. Our day is beginning. There’s so much to do. Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning to you.” This song was the song that I sang every morning with each of my children when we started our our circle time when they were young. It was a great…

Homeschool Planning for my Daughter’s Year 4 Journey

We start homeschooling again in not quite two weeks. I finally settled down and finalized with a framework for our year will look like. I say framework, because in homeschooling things change, and it’s important to be adaptable. In the video below I go over the blocks we will be doing and why I scheduled…

Nurturing a Love of Reading

Learning to read is definitely one of the hallmarks of childhood, and a particularly special on for a homeschooling parent. Not only do you have the joy of a parent watching your child learn to read but also the joy as their teacher. Remembering the point for each of my children reading journey where they…

Planning for High School

You know that feeling you get when you feel like you aren’t doing enough for your kids?  The one that causes you to panic and doubt yourself, go look for curriculum, and then over-schedule your homeschooling days?  Yeah, me too.  Even though I’m a well-seasoned homeschooler that has been at this for over a decade,…

Slowing down for the Winter Season

When September rolls around each year, I have a sense of anticipation. The long hot summer days of Florida have started to wear on all of us. We’ve retreated into the recesses of our air-conditioned home to escape the bugs and humidity.  So when September hints at the possibility of cooler weather, which is actually…

Activity Advent Calendar

I want to share our favorite seasonal family tradition with you – our advent calendar. It’s far from the typical advent calendar where you open a window and have a piece of chocolate.  These little envelopes are filled with family connection, love, sharing, and adventure. My family loves them, even our teenager.  They can’t wait…

Seasonal Traditions

This time of year holds so many family traditions for us that make my heart grow warm at the start of the fall. I came to realize recently that these traditions serve as guide posts and memories for my children. I hope they seed a deep core of being cherished that guides through rough patches…

My Switch to Living History Books

  “Well, this one country, they were mad at this other country, because of this dictator, you know.” This was my son’s response to my question about what he had just read in history.  We discuss what he reads after he is finished to help work it into his memory and so I can judge…