Looking back at 2013, there are a few posts that were my personal favorites or reader favorites. This blogging journey {since 2007} has been much fun, and I cannot express how much I appreciate all of you!

Your comments, thoughts, and questions mean so much. Your willingness to help others with advice – well, that’s a great thing to see in action.

:: Using Legos in the Classroom – Legos abound in our home. Here are a few ways that we incorporate them into our learning and  reader tips as well.

:: Snippets of Doubt – We all have moments when we wonder if we are doing a good job homeschooling, especially me. Here’s a peek into my thoughts. 

:: How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum – Not sure where to start in picking curriculum?

:: Weekly Routine: Managing My Time – Want a peek into my daily routine? Here’s a look at how my days and weeks are mapped out.

:: Talking to Your Preteen about Sex and Dating – Eventually, you’ll have to have that talk. Our time together turned out to be one of the BEST weekends ever.

:: How to Plan Your Homeschool Day – A step-by-step look at how we lay out our school year, organize that pesky paperwork, and planning tips.

:: Tips for Attending a Homeschool Convention – One thing I enjoy each year is attending our local homeschool convention, and there are a few things that I’ve learned over the years.

:: 25 Books We Plan to Read Aloud This Year – Between bedtime and daily reading, there are 25 books that we plan to read with the kids during our school year.

:: Learning Jar Activities – Here’s a look at how we fit in all those random little learning toys and activities during out homeschool day.

:: Homeschooling on a Limited Budget – When finances are tight and resources are limited, here are ways you can stretch your budget and cut costs.

Thank you all for being fabulous and for stopping by day after day to be a part of everything here at Homeschool Creations! I so appreciate you!

This past weekend included a few days of fun, relaxation, and memories for two moms. A break from the everyday. Some time to just laugh. Learn. Wander. Explore. And laugh some more.

While I was having fun at the Biltmore, I was following the #4 advice in this great article from Sally Clarkson {and yes, I have one of those children}. Take a few minutes today and click over to read it and be encouraged: What to Do With That Child Who Just Doesn’t Fit In and Who Pushes All of Your Buttons.

{Incidentally, the Biltmore was fabulous and we’re already planning a trip back with the whole family.}

Want to get your homeschool organized in the New Year? The Weekly Homeschool Planner is on sale for $12 {that’s an $8 savings!} Just use the code ORGANIZE14 at checkout. Click the “Add to Cart” button at the end of this post to take advantage of the sale price from December 16, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Be sure to click ‘update cart’ before checkout too!

Already purchased the Weekly Homeschool Planner? Then become an affiliate so you get a 25% commission using your affiliate link when you share the planner with others!

Can you help spread the word? Tweet about it, post about it, and share it on Facebook with your friends ~ hurry! The sale ends at midnight on Tuesday, December 31, 2013!

Grab the pdf editable Weekly Homeschool Planner for $12!

* This is an editable pdf file that you can save to your computer and use year after year. To learn more about the Weekly Homeschool Planner, click HERE.

This post was written by David Nunnery, owner of our sponsor Teach Them Diligently, a convention where I will be speaking and attending in 2014. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

The Heart of Teach Them Diligently

The point of Teach Them Diligently is to encourage and renew the vision of Christian homeschooling which is to disciple your children and equip them to go into the world and glorify God.  It is the Gospel that makes us distinctive.

After almost three years, Teach Them Diligently Conventions has ministered to thousands of families, and features some of the testimonies received on the front page of the website.  A favorite testimony from an attendee in Omaha in 2013 was that the “place was thick with the Gospel.” Many families say that Teach Them Diligently is the best homeschooling convention they have attended.

The Difference at Teach Them Diligently

As parents, our effort should center in preparing our children to go out and make a difference in the world and proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed.  The Gospel focus is the reason that even many non-homeschooling families also feel comfortable at Teach Them Diligently.  There are many different reasons homeschoolers start the journey of home education.  Far too often once we get into this adventure, we put our faith in some method that promises it will make our children smarter, more capable, or more “Christian.”

However, at Teach Them Diligently the method of homeschooling is secondary to the foundation.  Academics will be well represented along with instruction on methods, strategies, and how-tos for teaching and organization like you would find at other homeschool conventions.  What is different about Teach Them Diligently is this commitment to the authority of the Scriptures and centrality of the truth of the Cross.  The foundation is the Grace of our Father and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The 2014 Speakers and Convention Programs

Teach Them Diligently will have many great speakers in 2014.  Pam Tebow, Stephen Kendrick, Ken Ham, Voddie Baucham, Todd Friel, Sally Clarkson, and many others have or will speak for Teach Them Diligently.  Visit our website to see our speakers for 2014.

There will also be a large exhibit hall with diverse resources to help you on your journey. Plus we offer an exciting children’s program, teen program, men’s breakfast, robotics classes and Getting Homeschooling Track. This event is built for the entire family, not just moms.  It is a family discipleship and homeschool convention built on the Gospel because we believe families need this foundation, but we also believe that the families of America is where revival will start.

Attend Teach Them Diligently 2014

Register online for one of the 2014 Teach Them Diligently locations. Your Family Registration covers you and your entire family, including your non-adult children, your spouse and your children’s grandparents. This really is intended to be an event for the WHOLE family.

If you have come before, come back!  Refreshment, Renewal, Revival – they need to happen constantly.  Have you attended Teach Them Diligently before or are you planning to attend this year? Leave a comment – and hope to see you at Teach Them Diligently in 2014!

Black Friday shopping is normally not my thing. Unless it involves somehow being warm and toasty in my bed – not fighting crowds and lines.

The below online deals are some that I would recommend checking out from the warmth {and safety} of your own home. {grins}. Some of the deals run several days, but a few are only one or two days, so don’t miss the ones you want!

First up, take an extra 30% off one book at Amazon.com Friday when you use the code BOOKDEAL. This is good for up to a $10 discount! Code is only valid on eligible books sold and shipped by Amazon.

Picture Smart Bible is offering a whopping 35% off their products if you use the code HOLIDAY35. The code is good from November 28th through December 2, 2013 and good only via this site here: http://bit.ly/16QKk3K

If you’ve been eyeing any of the digital products from Bright Ideas Press, including Wondermaps {they ROCK!!} or the go-alongs for Mystery of History, use the code fantasticday to take 20% off your order {11/28-12/2 only}.

 

Save 20% off Truth in the Tinsel, the Advent series for younger children. Use the code HOMESCHOOLCREATIONS during checkout.

The folks at What’s in the Bible are offering 20% off all orders over $30 if you use the code ABF20. Their {almost complete} series is fun and educational for the entire family.

See the Light is offering 20% off {and FREE s/h} on all orders over $50. Use the code STL during checkout from 11/29 through 12/2.

Motherhood on a Dime has an amazing preschool curriculum called God’s Little Explorers. This 28 week curriculum is normally $14, but through December 1st you can pick up your copy for $10. ALL of her profits are being sent to an orphanage in India to help raise the $38,000 they need for a building project. Use the coupon code givethanks to save $4.00!

The Discipleship and Discipline class is only $8.99 {50% off}. BUY NOW – Use code: FRIDAY.

We Choose Virtues is offering 30% off your entire shopping cart with the promo code: HOLIDAY30.

Save $25 off a lifetime membership to Notebooking Pages. I cannot even begin to tell you how many notebooking pages this site offers – HUGE deal!

If you are looking for a homeschool fitness program, Family Time Fitness is offering $20 off their Digital Core 1 Program and $40 off the Platinum Fitness Package along with a Free $10 gift with purchase {11/28-11/30 only}. Shop Family Time Fitness now.

Green Kids Crafts has two great deals: save 40% off a Discovery Box with code blackfri and save 50% off your first month of a monthly subscription with code cybermon. All sales begin on Friday 11/28 and end at midnight, Monday 12/2.

Phew!! That’s all I have right now, but if I find any others, I’ll be sure to add them to my Facebook page throughout the day!