A Catch Up Of Sorts

 

How can it possibly be May?

I can't decide what to post about first, so I'll share a bit of a recap:

• We had a quiet and uneventful January, as usual. I decided to re-arrange our living room and master bedroom to better accommodate our book shelves. I have enjoyed our new set up.
• Our read aloud time together has been my favorite thing this spring. We have read through Farmer Boy, Understood Betsy and The Hundred Dresses. We just started the Betsy-Tacy series, and the girls are enjoying it. I have not read them before!
• The girls are winding down their dance year. We have chosen the girls to have one outlet each year and ballet won. However, next year, I am hoping we can find a more non-competitive dance route. I have so many thoughts on that. Maybe another day, I'll share.
• A couple of months ago, I discovered the world of Podcasts. I must live under a rock. It's a new addiction that I'm rather fond of. Ha! I enjoy listening while I'm washing dishes or driving.
• We've been considering moving again. It's a complicated situation as the housing market is still insane. I know that He will close doors or open them. Praying accordingly.
• I also started an online bookshop. It has been fun hunting for much loved book titles and thinking through marketing idea. I really needed a new hobby, and this is perfect for me. ;) You can find me at @thekindredbookshop

I'm off to formulate a few other posts! My coffee must be kicking in today. <3

A Monday

Today, we are having a much needed stay at home day. We traveled quite a bit for Thanksgiving and I’m feeling it! So, laundry, coffee and a bit of re-arranging are in store. 🎄

 

Costume Fun!

 

I love watching the girls excitement over dressing up for Trunk or Treat! 😍

Just A Happy Little Post

September is here! And with that comes all things pumpkin and fall decor. Which makes me so happy. And these little every day things means so much right now.

That is all. *wink*

Finding Joy

 

The last few weeks have taken a toll on my heart. The news. The hate. The heartbreak of lives lost in Afghanistan. The heartbreak of knowing what others are facing. 

I found myself needing a slower pace. Quiet days at home. The gentle hum of everyday life. I want to be faithful in these small things. In doing so, I’m embracing the freedom and opportunities that others have given up their lives for. It’s an honor to be here, doing these ordinary, everyday things. It’s my own way to deal with grief.

And I will continue to pray for the mothers, fathers and spouses whose world has been turned upside down. For the underground church in Afghanistan, the courageous leaders who are still working to help those left behind. 

American History

 

I adored history as a kid. I was homeschooled and history was a big part of our life. We read books, took field trips and watched a plethora of historical films. I remember cooking meals from an old White House cookbook, and tasting Peanut Soup at Mt. Vernon!

I also vividly remember going to the library and scouring the historical biography section. People and events came to life and my love for history was born. My fondness for library editions has no bounds. They are such treasured gems! 

Needless to say, my book collection whole heartedly reflects my nerdiness. Specifically, American history. 

I’m excited to share my love for American history with my girls! A few of the series that we will be working through:

•If You Lived Series: These are perfect for young readers. Just enough information to peek their interest without going into a lot of detail.

•D’Aulaire Books: I hemmed and hawed over this purchase because they can be very expensive, but ya'll...they are worth every single penny. I binged on these books when they arrived at my front door, and have now made it's way to the top of my favorite books ever list.

•Corerstones of Freedom: I enjoy collecting vintage books and these are newer to my collection. I will probably wait until my girls are older to read these. 

We have also enjoyed The Who Was series as read alouds, although at times they needed to be edited.

When it comes to collecting my books, I tend to shop second hand. Thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales and E-bay. I occasionally have found them through online yard sales as well, but they sell quickly!

Do you enjoy history!? What are some of your favorite favorite resources? I love getting new ideas.

First Day of School

Today, we started back to school! This momma is ready. We follow a year round method so that we can enjoy a nice fall break and a longer Christmas break!

Ella starts Kindergarten and Evie starts 2nd grade. We are using a mixture of curriculums. I also implemented morning menus for our “magic hour” also known as a morning basket.

I’m so thankful for the freedom to homeschool. Our time together is so precious to me.

 Happy Monday, friends! 

Garden School

This morning, we clipped herbs and flowers to make a little bouquet. I think garden school is exactly what we needed this year. We can chalk up this lesson to sensory, fine motor skills, fresh air and following instructions. 😉

We planted zinnias and sunflowers from seed. It’s been a lesson on patience and waiting. It has made me so incredibly happy watching each flower bloom.

I love seeing the unique and intricate details of each flower. It’s been a simple reminder that all creation points back to our Creator. He is magnificent. 💙

Happy Friday!!

 

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The Weather

Today was cloudy with intense humidity! 

Right now I am...

Trying to organizing our curriculum for next year! I have most of our subjects mapped out, but will finalize everything this week. I'm ready for school to start back. We all strive on structure and routine.

Thinking... 

About our plans this week with friends. Splash pad and church activities! 

On my TV...

We have been watching Full House beginning with season 1. I don't think that we have ever watched the series all the way through. It has been a fun flash back to our growing up years.

What I'm Reading... 

"Adventuring Together" and a handful of middle grade books! I've been trying to pre-read books to collect for the kids. We are also reading aloud from "My Father's Dragon." It's pretty cute so far.

On the menu for this week...

Mini Tacos with Salad

Chicken & Rice with Veggies

Pizza & Salad

Beefy Taco Soup

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

On my to do list...

I have been sorting and pricing items for a local consignment sale...again. I feel like it sneaks up on me and I'm always trying to get items entered in last minute.

One of my simple pleasures...

Key Lime Sparkling Water as I wind down for the night. Coffee in the morning before get my day going. Making sprouted grain blackberry muffins.

Linking up today with Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

A Family Project

 

Finding hobbies that we can bond with our girls over has been a huge priority for both Josh and I. 

So this summer, we set out to learn more about gardening with our own little raised garden beds.

During the early days of spring, we loaded up and headed out for a long day of driving from hardware store to hardware store. Supplies were already running low at most of the stores! Cue newbie alert: buy early. *wink* 

We set up flower beds and four raised garden beds. We spent hours watching gardening videos to give us a better visual on how to accomplish our goals. It's been such a fun learning experience for us all and I hope it becomes a sweet memory for our girls as they grow up.

We planted a variety of tomato plants, squash, zucchini, zinnias, sunflowers and more. We've enjoyed fresh lettuce, tomatoes, herbs and we are not so patiently waiting on squash! 

However, my favorite part has been watching the girls check on the garden. Their squeals of delight over plants that are blooming from a seed that THEY planted is a joy like no other. 

It has also been such a simple reminder to the Goodness of God. What a miracle to watch things slowly grow and bloom, together, as a family. So thankful.

Fun With Pumpkins

 

It’s pumpkin week around here! I thought I would share a few simple and easy Pumpkin inspired activities that don’t cost a lot! My girls are ages six and four, but these should work for a wide age range, too. 🧡

•Arrange pumpkins according to size. Talk about the color, shape, size and texture. Engage the senses!

•For a quick science experiment, see if the pumpkins will float or sink. 

•For a sensory activity, give the pumpkins a bath! 

•Have the kids draw pumpkins on black paper using chalk or pastels for a simple art activity. 

•Check out a few pumpkin related books at your local library. Here’s a few of our favorites: