You know, sometimes this blog gig is really impersonal. And too much about me.
I've told you before that I am just a normal girl . . . because I am. Sure, I can crank out some cute printables here and there, but I'm not wonder woman. And my superpower is not cleaning the house or patience (especially when I'm cranking out the aforementioned printables. Ahem.).
I was just out on my (little-bit-scary) back porch, putting some clothes in the dryer and pondering such things as, "Do other women have a system for their laundry?" As in a real bona fide system? As in one that actually works?
I start thinking some more. And I decide I want to ask my readers some questions. I'd love to hear from you; please feel free to answer {one or more of these questions} in a comment!
1. Laundry Systems. Do they exist? Do you have one? How's that workin' out for ya?
2. Do you go to co-op? Have you taught a class? What?
3. Cursive Writing? My son is 10, and we haven't crossed that bridge yet. Yay or nay?
4. Read any good books lately {other than children's literature}? What?
5. Cheap, easy, and healthy meals — Got 'em? Please share 'em!
6. My youngest son loves to destroy things. What do I do with him? How can I channel this into something constructive?
7. Homeschooling favorites? Tell me all about them. Please.
8. Pinterest? What's the best Pinterest project you've completed?
9. Going on vacation this summer? Where? Any free family fun ideas?
10. How did you find my blog? An inquiring mind wants to know.
Do you have any top ten lists? Check out Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Angie of My Little Blessings.
1. Laundry Systems. Do they exist? Do you have one? How’s that workin’ out for ya?
Everyone in the house has a day to do their own laundry, it is posted on the laundry room door. I do the baby’s laundry with my own so that makes 6 people doing laundry on their own day. I reserved the last day for sheets, towels, washcloths, etc. It works pretty well, even my 9 year old son does his own laundry and my 13 year old has learned that if she wants clean clothes she has to do something about it.
2. Do you go to co-op? Have you taught a class? What?
We do not go to co-op. This coming year is our third year homeschooling and we haven’t found anybody nearby to co-op with. I have, in the past, taught kids horse care and riding lessons for a homeschool co-op but that was before I had my own kids.
3. Cursive Writing? My son is 10, and we haven’t crossed that bridge yet. Yay or nay?
Of my four writers, my daughters (15, 13, and 12) are all interested in cursive and always ask me if it looks neat or pretty. My son (9) hates cursive and has not yet really learned it. I have provided a whiteboard type cursive practice book and he plays with it sometimes, usually to draw spiderman. I guess you could say that we encourage him but don’t push it, as long as his printing is neat and readable I let him be.
4. Read any good books lately {other than children’s literature}? What?
Uhmm… do my scriptures count?
5. Cheap, easy, and healthy meals ā Got ’em? Please share ’em!
That combination is hard to find! Our favorite family meal is chicken taco soup. My kids even request it on the hottest of days in summertime. 1 can each of diced tomatoes (with liquid), tomato sauce, whole kernal corn (drained), chili beans (with liquid), black beans (drained), kidney beans (drained), and chicken broth. Throw them all in the crock-pot with a medium onion (I like to cook them down a bit, the kiddos hate raw onion), a package of taco seasoning, and 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cook on low about 6 hours or until the chicken is done. Shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the crock-pot. Cook at least 30 minutes more and serve topped with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. May not be the healthiest, but its not bad and feeds our family of 7 easily.
6. My youngest son loves to destroy things. What do I do with him? How can I channel this into something constructive?
I have a niece with that particular issue, we buy her things at junk yards and secondhand stores for her to take apart and encourage her to try to remember how they were so that she can put them back together. That seems to help and she’s good at putting them back together when she’s done.
7. Homeschooling favorites? Tell me all about them. Please.
We’re loving the Apologia science series and Story of the World history series.
8. Pinterest? What’s the best Pinterest project you’ve completed?
Pinterest is not something I’ve had the time to investigate….. yet.
9. Going on vacation this summer? Where? Any free family fun ideas?
We’re headed back home to the Pacific Northwest. We plan to enjoy the Hoh Rain Forest (there is a park fee) and as many beaches as we have time for. We moved inland to Kansas last year and we MISS the ocean and forest.
10. How did you find my blog? An inquiring mind wants to know.
Uhm… a link from a blog… which I found from another blog? Getting ready for the new school year so I’ve been doing more research again and hunting out any information I can find.
Mary ~ http://catchaspark.wordpress.com/
1. Laundry Systems. Do they exist? Do you have one? How’s that workin’ out for ya?
um if my older kids are not trying to do laundry GREAT if they are it gets a little um over taken. š so sry no .
2. Do you go to co-op? Have you taught a class? What? this is my first year homeschooling.. not there yet.
3. Cursive Writing? My son is 10, and we haven’t crossed that bridge yet. Yay or nay? this is one of the things I think people over work… I remember in school we would write cursive M’s like ROWS of them and words with them and they would star the “best one” my thing is.. as long as they can write so it can be read. go for it.. I think i would introduce it if it don’t take i would not stress it. š
4. Read any good books lately {other than children’s literature}? What? other than my bible. nope.
5. Cheap, easy, and healthy meals ā Got ’em? Please share ’em! I got cheap and easy healthy not so much.
6. My youngest son loves to destroy things. What do I do with him? How can I channel this into something constructive? I think i need to start with what? and why ? just to see how it worked? try having him fix what he broke.. woodshop?
7. Homeschooling favorites? Tell me all about them. Please. I love prayer, devo’s and reading first thing in the morng with my girls.
8. Pinterest? What’s the best Pinterest project you’ve completed? š not a thing.. i put them on a board. š
9. Going on vacation this summer? Where? Any free family fun ideas? psst I didn’t go on a honeymoon when i got married i doubt a vacation is in store … š
10. How did you find my blog? An inquiring mind wants to know. i think i asked you about maybe calendars or lapbooks and you said there was some on your page.? i think..
You all are AWESOME. I’m going to read through these more thoroughly later this week when I have some time to sit and read! Love that you all responded!!! š
Great questions!
1. Laundry Systems.
Since I’m picky about laundry I prefer to sort, wash, and dry everything myself. I usually keep the loads going and try to get it all done in one day. When everything’s dry, I invite my (4) kiddos to a laundry party! We all meet in the gameroom where the clean clothes have been piling up all day. It’s a BYOH party (bring your own hangers) and we all hang out together and talk and goof off while we each hang/fold our own clothes. The older three kids also help me with the toddler’s clothes and their dad’s. It makes that last step I never used to get around to much more enjoyable for all of us. Amazing what just calling something a party can do! ;D
2.. Co-op classes:
Some of the classes I’ve taught are money & stewardship; weather; inventors & inventions; The Netherlands (we were missionaries there); drama (We put on a play!); ocean life; Discovering Great Artists; Europe & the Middle East; and World War II. We love co-op!
3. Cursive Writing?
I do teach mine cursive, but ONLY after they have mastered printing. I tell them printing and keyboarding are skills they must have in our society. Cursive is optional. They want to learn it since their friends know it, but have to earn the privilege by mastering neat, legible printing first. With my boys we didn’t start until around the middle of 4th grade.
4. Read any good books lately {other than children’s literature}?
Of course the Bible…I’ve also been reading Julie Klassen books from the library. (They’d fall into the Christian historical fiction category.)
5. Cheap, easy, and healthy meals ā
Are there meals that fall into all three categories???
6. My youngest son loves to destroy things. What do I do with him?
On my last trip to the grocery store, I purchased a big package of styrofoam cups (on a whim). They were off brand, and were only 77 cents! I figured I could “leave them out” where my three year old “might” find them during our school day, and that they’ll be quiet and safe for her to stack, throw, line up, smash, or whatever she figures out to do with them. Since they were cheap-o I’m not worried about them getting destroyed, and hopefully it will keep her creatively busy long enough for us to get some work done! (We’ll see…)
7. Homeschooling favorites?
Life of Fred math books have literally saved our homeschool. I was ready to quit many times because of math issues with my kids. Now we are ALL happy and enjoying learning math. I can’t say enough about these books! (Plus, they are VERY cost-effective!) Check out Polkadot Publishing for more info. Seriously, I wish someone had told me years ago…
8. Pinterest?
Too many to list…Currently making chore sticks, another why-didn’t-I-think-of-that idea…
9. Going on vacation this summer? Where? Any free family fun ideas?
Though there’s an initial investment, I’ll share an idea that’s *almost* free…We bought a state parks pass this year and it allows us to go camping, hiking, fishing, or whatever our current desire is several times a year for next to nothing. There is so much to do there for free (picnic, “hunt” for alligators and other wildlife, feed the ducks, make s’mores, swim, etc.) and with our pass we get into the parks free and can stay overnight for about ten bucks!
10. How did you find my blog?
Honestly don’t remember, but so glad I did. Thanks for all you do and share here!
How have I not been here before? I just followed a rabbit trail and wound up here and have been really enjoying reading your blog! Ditto your food blog as well. I really must return to my family now and my messy house, but this has been a great read over my morning coffee. Following you now in every possible way so I won’t miss anything. š