Posted by Cindy on December 30, 2007
Two of my favorite things to do are planning and organizing. Yes, that may be a little weird, but I can’t help myself. 
Since Christmas, I’ve been in a spring cleaning sort of mode. Bags and bags of Goodwill giveaways have been loaded. Bags and boxes of baby things have been given back to my sister. Toys have been sorted, clothes have been organized, nooks and crannies dusted, and office spaces decluttered.
I’ve planned menus and clipped coupons. I’ve browsed through all my magazines to tear out anything important and pitch or give away the rest. I’ve even been hanging pictures that have been patiently waiting for TWO years since we moved into our house.
No, I’m not pregnant. I’m just ready to breathe some fresh air. I’ve let too many things go over the last 22 months when I was pregnant then keeping up with the demands of an infant. I’m ready to get the house in order, so I don’t have to fly into panic mode when guests are coming over – or mope around wondering where to begin with the massive amount of things to do. Do you feel a weight lifted off you when the house is in relatively good order? I sure do! And I’m finally beginning to feel lighter. The kids are, too. Even though organizing and deep cleaning hasn’t been their idea of fun, I see happier children bouncing around my house. Even if that happiness is the result of a mom who isn’t hounding them all day to pick up this or pick up that, they’re happier nonetheless!
I asked a question about keeping up with chores a few days ago. Thank you to everyone who answered!! Keep the answers coming if you find wonderful resources! Even though I think I’ve settled on something for now, my urge to reorganize will land me in this spot again sooner or later.
I’m very excited to share Motivated Moms with you. As soon as Sandy from Falling Like Rain told me about it, I knew it was just what I’ve been looking for! For $8.00, I had immediate access to a year’s worth of chore sheets to keep me on top of my house. I’ll print out one page per week. Daily chores are listed on the left with little squares for me to check when they’re completed. On the right are the days of the week, with various chores listed under each day. As far as I’ve looked, no day seems too overwhelming. There are several chores to do each day, but most of them don’t take too long. This system even includes things like “clip your children’s nails” and “change toothbrushes”! I am so excited to start!!
I’ve decided to use a highlighter for chores that I want the kids to do. Green are chores I expect Mahayla to take care of, blue for Caleb. I’ll take care of everything not highlighted. We’ll keep the list on the refrigerator for the week and everyone can check off their jobs when completed so I can keep up with them.
I’m sure I’ll keep you posted as to how well it goes. I know you’ll be sitting by the computer waiting for my chore updates! lol I’ve also been reorganizing my school planning just a little, but that will have to wait for another post. Happy New Year!
Posted by Cindy on December 29, 2007
I just ran across a wonderful post by Marjorie at Life Without School. A comment was left on her blog telling her she needed to “get a life”. She has written a very good response to why homeschooling is life. At this time of year when I’m thinking, planning and preparing again, her article inspired me.
My Educational Philosophy – Get A Life
I’m not sure why, but I feel a need to edit my post to say two things. #1. I’m not an unschooler. I agree with much of what Marjorie said in her article, but I don’t agree with the “purist” philosophy of unschooling. I can explain what I mean by that if anyone cares to know. 
#2. The links from her article may or may not lead you to Christian sites. Her post has nothing offensive in it, but the others may. Just so you know.
Posted by Cindy on December 20, 2007
I know I gush often about our Keepers At Home Group, but it really is a wonderful thing! Yesterday we took a break from “practical” stuff to party!
Each of the girls was asked to prepare a dish and bring the recipe. (We’re putting the recipes together in a little booklet for them.) After reading the Christmas story together and snacking on the delicious goodies, each of the moms had prepared a fun game.
Besides a rather unfortunate incident with the girls’ brothers who were playing outside with stick swords, the day was great fun. Yes, Caleb was involved, but it really was an accident. Hopefully, a bit more ice and a little more time will heal the giant goose egg under the other boy’s eye. Caleb was very worried about him and didn’t think twice about apologizing. (Hey, that’s a pretty big step for him!) Here’s what I overheard Caleb say after ice had been on the goose egg for about 20 minutes….”Can you open your eye? How many fingers am I holding up?” T, if you’re reading this – we hope your eye is better!
Anyway, back to the party. Mahayla prepared a very yummy cheesball and Caleb made a chocolate fondue with marshmallows for dipping.
I missed out on most of the games because of the unfortunate incident, but here’s a picture from the gift wrapping relay.
We’re officially on Christmas break! I had planned to school lightly through Friday, but sometimes life just calls for a change of plans. Merry Christmas!
Posted by Cindy on December 19, 2007
Here’s the latest edition of the Westward Gazette.
Posted by Cindy on December 18, 2007
I am truly humbled to have been a part of the Homeschool Blog Awards. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for my blog!! For a little while I was second only to By Sun and Candlight in several of the categories. As I told her, she is my blogging “hero” and to be second to her was an honor! lol
Many congratulations go out to the winners and especially my blogland friends Eclectic Education and One Child Policy Homeschool!
Here’s a peek at our Christmas Lapbooks that we finished last week. Mahayla’s is red, Caleb’s is green. We used many activities from the Symbols of Christmas lapbook unit from Hands of a Child. All the extra math/logic/problem solving worksheets, plus some science worksheets were stapled together inside the large panel on the right side. This keeps all the unit work together in a nice, neat package.
This week is light. We’re working on math everyday, putting together our newsletter and just having some Christmas craft and baking fun. At the end of the week, we’ll be officially halfway through our school year! And on a well deserved break for a couple of weeks.
