My Goals for October and Life at the Moment

Now that school is back in full swing and the craziness has 100% set in, we’re adjusting to the routine of swim team practice almost every night and our updated school routine. Sometimes I think it is going so smoothly that I must be missing something. (Tell me that’s just not me?)

p.s. that freezer meal cooking marathon has been a huge help for busy nights!

I may be feeling a wee bit sassy at the moment with a newer haircut and also some new glasses. I know the glasses aren’t that much different from my old ones, but humor me. They’re new to me! We moved one of our bean bag chairs into the school room this week and I managed to sneak a few minutes of relaxing before one of the kids found me.

This week I also found the Pilot FriXion pens. They ERASE, ladies!! I may be in colored gel pen heaven. The pens come in all of my kid’s colors, so color coding will be easy enough and now I don’t have to go all crazy when I make a mistake in ink. Pencil is nice, but there’s just something about using ink that makes me happy.

Life with Two Co-ops

Two co-ops are definitely keeping us busy. Planning one day for 3 year olds and another for a high school lit class is almost hilarious at times. You moms with a huge age range can definitely relate, right? I’ve been dusting off my literature background (that MLA format is having a good time with me!), putting together grading rubrics, and trying to keep up with the reading lists as well. It may be putting a kink in my regular reading plans too (or maybe I can use that as an excuse, right?).

Life in General & Goals for the Month

With the house empty for a chunk of time at night, I’ve been able to get things done around the house and put a little work time in too, but somehow I never get all that I want done fully accomplished. But the kitchen counters have stayed clean for the most part and the house is getting decluttered, so there’s that.

Here’s a look at a few things I would like to accomplish this month. When I say ‘few’ I mean that likely there are 500 things I will also come up with that just ‘need’ to be done, get highly distracted, and then forget what my original intent was. Having a list helps me REMEMBER what my original goals were.

• Finish a few printables I’ve had on my list and almost finished!
• Work every day on one 20 minute task – oh the list I have is fairly endless, but overall our basement is the area that I want to target this month. Breaking it up into manageable chunks of time is a huge help!
• Read for 20 minutes each day (on my own) and finish 3 non-fiction books on my reading list.
• Read with the kids for 20 minutes each day (book lists to come!).
• Reinstitute a daily ‘quiet time’ with the kids – and follow with cookies. Fresh baked cookies make everything lovely. And quiet time is very, very nice.
• Sort the kids clothes for the great winter clothing saga.
• Play a family game at least twice a week with the kids.
• Get tea time with the girls back in full swing.
• Book a weekend to have THE TALK with McKenna – oh yes, it’s that time!
• and there’s more…always more.

With THAT said – what are YOU hoping to accomplish in October?

Coupon Codes and Companies to Thank

We really appreciate the following companies. Many of these have been long time sponsors of Homeschool Creations and we are SO thankful for them – be sure to stop by their sites and check them out!

 

Celebrate Advent this year reading the newest book from Anne Voskamp, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. The book includes daily devotions for children of all ages and is beautifully illustrated!

Home Art Studio teaches children how to express themselves creatively while also learning about art concepts and principles. Your child will love this series of DVD art classes – and so will you!

Apologia offers a Christian worldview curriculum that kids will love. Featuring engaging stories, creative notebooking, and fun activities, this four-part series is presented in a conversational style that makes the study of God’s Word exciting and memorable.

Educents is a curated deal website that discounts homeschooling curriculum and educational products up to 90% off! Save an additional 10% with code HSCreations10.

Speekee is the most comprehensive online Spanish program for children ever created. Children learn best when they are having fun, and that’s what Speekee is all about!

Under Drake’s Flag is a NEW 2-CD audio adventure that will captivate your child’s imagination and teach strong moral values. This wholesome entertainment will awaken a love of true history in your children!

Reader’s Favorite Posts from September 2014

Curious to see what others have been reading this past month? Below is a list of the ten most visited posts for the month of September 2014. You all were apparently much into learning about the Constitution and stuffing your freezer full of yumminess:

1. Constitution Day Printables
2. Freezer Cooking Recipes and Tips
3. Our Chore System and Chore Chart Printables
4. ABC Bible Verse Flashcards
5. Preschool Chore Charts
6. Fall Fun Learning Printables
7. Number Playdough Mats
8. Alphabet Flashcards and Wall Posters
9. Daily Calendar Notebook Printables
10. 35 Apple Crafts and Activities for Children

Having trouble downloading or printing this file? Be sure to check out the post on PDF Download Problems for tips and tricks on getting the files to download properly. The solution is usually something simple and quick!