Tuesday's Top 10: Why I Blog

When we first began our homeschooling journey, my mom mentioned that I should blog about it.  At that time I wasn't a big blog reader (except when researching something), and I didn't really have the desire.  But the idea took root and not longer after that, I decided to begin a blog about our homeschooling life. 

Top 10 Reasons Why I Blog

1.  It is a form of scrapbooking.  It is a place to keep all of our pictures and memories.  I can go back and look at old pictures and remember our time together.

2.  I am able to share with family and friends what we do in our daily lives.  It also shows people that we do do something. ;)

3.  It is a way to organize my ideas and a form of record keeping.  It is like a virtual filing cabinet and lesson plan book for future years.  

4.  I can share activities, ideas, thoughts, and thematic unit ideas with other moms, homeschoolers, and teachers.

5.  My wish is that this blog inspires and encourages moms on their homeschool path.

6.  I can reflect on our activities.  As I blog about our learning, I can think about: what we accomplished, how it turned out, what could I add or delete, how I could make it better, and how I could extend it for another grade level in the future.

7.  I want to tell our story and document our journey.

8.  I want to honor God...to show how He is working in our lives.  I hope this is a place where He is glorified and all of the praise is given to Him.

9.  I enjoy doing it.  I don't have tons of followers, and I don't make any money. I just enjoy doing it.

10.  It's my ongoing project.  I am one of those people who always needs a project and a to-do list.  After one party is over I begin planning the next one.  After reorganizing one closet, I begin looking for the next cluttered room or closet.  So this gives me something to do that doesn't cost a dime. :)

Jenny

Chores: Our Helper Chart

For a while now I have been working with the kiddos on responsibilities around the house.  We practice cleaning up after ourselves, helping with the pets, preparing for bedtime, and other daily skills.  But we have never had an organized chart to keep everyone on track.  We once tried a sticker/reward chart for Old Crow...that worked about 4 days and then was forgotten about.  So I read a little more and thought A LOT more (my brain has been in overdrive this past month, but that is a post for another day) and finally came up with something that I think works perfectly for our family.  

We call it our Helper Chart.

I wanted all the kids to be on one chart together and NO STICKERS.  I want them to just know this is a responsibility and find joy in their completed work...not in earning a prize.  So this layout works great!  The "chores" stay the same and the kids are rotated every 2 weeks (or until they master their skill).  Their faces with names are attached by Velcro and can easily be rotated.  Once everyone is doing great and has had a turn practicing all of the skills, a new chart can be made with added chores.

It is important to note that I have to schedule the time for chores.  That chart can hang their all week but unless I set aside a time for us all to do our chores they will not get done.  So Mom and Dad are key to it working.  I have to remind myself of this...I am training them and cannot just expect them (at this age) to complete their chart daily without any reminders.

If you are wondering about the "Getting Ready for Bed Checklist" mentioned on the Helper Chart:  this is a checklist I created for the kids to hang in their bathroom.  It goes step-by-step and helps them personally prepare for the day or for bedtime.

And as for the "Stations" mentioned in the Helper Chart:  I read a blog post (and for the life of me cannot remember where) about a mother who suggested using "stations" to help clean up every night.  I divided our house into 4 stations (the 4 most commonly used areas)...keeping room, living room, playroom, and kitchen.  Each night before bed we are all in charge of one area or station.  I will always do the kitchen and the kids will rotate stations as seen on the helper chart.  It was so fun explaining all of this to them.  We went room to room and discussed how to clean up and prepare it for company...toys picked up, pillows on the couch, chairs arranged properly.  Each night before bed, we want the room to look fresh, clean, and ready for a new day...like we have company coming over.  :)  We turn the praise music up high and for 10 minutes we clean up our area.  Then afterwards we go to the stations and clap and cheer for how well everything looks.  It is too funny to hear Memphis Belle talk about her "station".  :)

All in all, I think this system we have going will be a keeper.  Some things fade out or just don't work, but for us this is working and working well.  I'm fascinated by how much they can do and help if we just let them.  Tonight I just stood back and watched them for a minute...and then got out my camera of course.

Crazy Horse helping to feed and water the dog.

Crazy Horse helping with the trash.  He surprised me by doing this one day all on his own, and then I knew this was something he was capable of.

He also helps with the bird cage.

Little Miss Memphis Belle gets out the vacuum cleaner, plugs it in, and goes to town.

 She also loves to help with the dishwasher!

 Way to go, little helpers!

Hopefully, this will be of some help to someone...someone looking to bring a little order into the home, someone wanting to teach their kids responsibility, and someone who just needs a little help keeping things straight.  I know I sure did!  ;)
Jenny

Tuesday's Top 10: A Few of my Favorite Things

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  There are so many traditions, events, and programs during this month that our calendar gets quickly filled.  But we always try to make time for a few favorite activities.  This list is dedicated to those traditions and activities that keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas. 

Here is one of our favorite quotes from How The Grinch Stole Christmas...

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store,

Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Tuesday's Top 10:  Favorite Christmas Activities

1.  Cookie Day

One Saturday each December our entire family gets together to bake ALL day.  The women and children are in the kitchen and the men pop in occasionally to "taste test" everything. :)  After all of the goodies are made, we create baskets and tins to give to friends, neighbors, church family, etc.

Cookie Day 2011

2.  Picking our Christmas tree

Each year we love to set aside a day to trim our tree.  We haven't gone the path of artificial trees like most of our family. ;)  So we head outdoors to find the perfect tree. And then begins the fun of looking through all of our ornaments and remembering when and where they were bought...or who created them. 

3.  Setting out the Nativity together

Growing up I can remember setting out the nativity scene with my mother every Christmas.  As I would set each person and animal inside the stable, she would retell the Christmas story.  Then when I sprinkled the hay all around it was complete. :)  I love doing this with my own kids so much!  They listen as I tell the story and now they add the people with careful fingers.  And then Memphis Belle give Baby Jesus "sugar."  (That's a kiss for anyone not from the south).

4.  Riding to look at Christmas lights

We all load up in the car (once we all piled into the RV) and go on a hunt for the most decorated neighborhoods.  We love seeing the beautiful homes and streets covered in bright, merry lights.

5.  Watching Christmas Musicals

Hearing the Christmas story told in song is wonderful...whether by children or adults.  We enjoy these each year and look forward to them.

Crazy Horse in 2011

6.  Giving to others through our advent calendar

This year I am working to focus our attention on giving to others.  Yes, the kids still make a list.  But we want them to know the joy and blessing of giving to others and not just in receiving.  Here are some ways we are doing that:  Giving our time to ring the bell for Salvation Army, leaving kind messages and goody bags for neighbors, giving a thank-you note and candy to the garbage man, etc.  More of these activities will come as we continue with our advent calendar (each day is a way for the kids to give, help, and share with others).

 

Old Crow in 2012

7.  Reading our favorite Christmas stories

Let me paint this picture...cozy fire crackling, soft Christmas songs playing, fuzzy pajamas on sweet-smelling babies, all cuddled together on our clean couch.  That's how I'd like to picture it too, but usually it isn't quite so picturesque.  :)  But no matter how cluttered the floor is, active my boys are, and that the weather is 80 degrees we love to sit together and read our favorite Christmas books.  Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, J is for Jesus, The Christmas Story, The Spirit of Christmas

8.  Our 25 names for Jesus ornaments

We are only on day 4, but I love our time together with this activity.  We sit around our smaller Christmas tree and add our new ornament with another name for Jesus.  Today was Mighty God.  We read Isaiah 9:6 and discussed what it means to be mighty.  Oh, the answers I get from 2 little boys. :)  You can read about our 25 Names for Jesus Activity here.

9.  Packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

One movie the kids love is VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas: The Story of Joyful Giving.  At the beginning of this movie is a clip about Operation Christmas Child.  It tells of this ministry and shows children in other countries receiving the gift-filled boxes.  So when it came time to fill the shoeboxes we would send, they were excited and new exactly what our goal was.  We headed to the store and the boys thoughtfully (with a little redirection) picked items to go in their shoeboxes. 

10.  Buying through the Gospel for Asia catalog

I love when the Christmas gift catalog from Gospel for Asia comes in the mail.  We are all able to look through it and see how both the spiritual and physical needs can be met in unreached people groups in Asia.  They can see what a few chickens, goats, lambs, and cows can mean to someone.  We then decide on what we would like to buy and give.  Take a look at their catalog. :)  

Well those are a few of our favorite things!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Jenny

P.S.  You can check out other Tuesday Top 10s at Many Little Blessings link-up.

Tuesday's Top 10: Joining a Bible Study

Today is the first Tuesday since my small-group Bible study ended.  Our 8 week study of the book of James  was a wonderful and mighty experience, and now that it is over, I'm feeling a little bereft.  I miss having my girlfriends over for dinner, sharing sweet girl talk, and listening to Beth Moore as she brought the life and message of James alive.  After a short break, we'll begin a new study and I'm looking forward to that time together again.  

As today began to draw to a close, I couldn't think of a topic for my "top 10."  The more I reflected over our recent Bible study, the more I realized this would offer a perfect Top 10.  Some of you may wonder, "What in the world does this have to do with homeschooling?"  Well...Mama is an important factor in the homeschooling equation.  She needs to be filled with wisdom, grace, and the Holy Spirit.

So I go to the well...where I will be filled.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Join a Bible Study

1.  You grow and mature in God's word. 

2.  You can commit scripture to memory.

3.   You are able to fellowship with other believers and build a community.

4.  You can develop relationships and friendships with other women.

5.  You can eat good food.  

And even if you miss the meal, you'll never leave hungry. :)

6.  You can share your concerns and troubles with others.

In a room of Christian sisters, you'll be wrapped in love and mercy.  This love and encouragement is so precious!

7.  You are able to pray and offer praise together.

8.  It allows an outlet for you to serve and minister to others.

Meeting the needs of those in your group & working together to meet the needs of those in the community. 

9.  It offers a level of accountability.

10.  Because it's Biblical.

Jesus used the small-group strategy in teaching his disciples.  Luke 6:12-13

The early church began in small groups.  Acts 2: 46-47

We are encouraged to meet together.  Hebrews 10:25

I'd like to hear why you love your small-group Bible study!  And if you haven't joined one yet, I urge you to find one and begin an awesome journey with the Lord. 

In His love,

Jenny