Talon is Two!

Last week I asked a bunch of you what the hardest year was for you regarding your kiddos birthday. The reason I asked is that my little man turns 2 today. And y'all, 2 kills this mama. Looking through pictures, I think I know why.

Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse

This past Saturday was Talon's 2nd birthday party. I gave him his choices of different party themes and it was no surprise when he chose Mickey mouse clubhouse. I went with basic black, red, yellow and blue decor. We added a few Printables here and there. Some little figurines and a DIY Mickey centerpiece on each table. We were just finishing setting up when guests arrived so we didn't get many detail shots. I was so happy with how it all came together though.

Back to School Photos

The first day of school is just around the corner, so school pictures were in order. Let me tell you, one thing I do not think I will feel left out on when not sending my kids to Public school is the cheesy kid in front of a stack of books or globe pictures. Instead, I "hired" my hubby, who happens to be a phenomenal photographer, to take Rhiannon's preschool pictures.

The only problem I am having now is choosing her official school picture. You know, the one we send out to the masses.

I am doing a bit of a photo dump here and asking you all for some help in choosing. So do me a favor. Look them over and tell me which one you would choose. Some of them clearly won't work since you cannot even see her face but I love them and couldn't help but to share.  

Oh, and the out takes. Haha!

 So what do you think? What should I use. 

Also, head over to the husbands newly launched blog/website. Follow along. Rumor has it that he will be offering a back to school special for locals who follow his blog. Make sure to tell him that his wife sent you!

Where They Learn

Homeschoolers just chill in their PJs and watch the discovery channel all day right? No, they hike up their pants, throw in their pocket protectors and walk around museums, avoiding other "normal" kids at all costs. 

There are lots of stereotypes. In some cases, people fit into them. But in reality, those kids are few and far between. Not many homeschool moms rely on TV to teach their children. I mean that goes against the main reason most of us homeschool. We want to be the ones teaching our kids.

So what does a real homeschool kid and a real homeschool environment look like? I have no stinkin' clue. I wasn't homeschooled. I didn't see it first hand. What I did know is that I didn't want my 3 year old to be distracted. I wanted the place she learned to be inviting. I wanted it to be fun, so she would associate school with a fun time/environment. So that's what I modeled our homeschool classroom around.

Unfortunately, we don't have a ton of space. We're working with a limited budget, with no extra rooms and basically what we already had. Creating our dream space has proved to be a challenge.

We pulled this beautiful vanity from Rhiannon's room and turned it into her desk. She has her art supplies in one drawer, flashcards and science project stuff in the other. The center holds her paper, personal chalkboard and coloring books. 

This bookshelf was a steal. Only $5 bucks on craigslist. Added a fresh coat of white paint and accented the back paneling in green and it was set. The shelf holds her school books, my homeschool planners and some games and manipulatives. 

As far as making the room look like a place she wanted to be, I let her pick out some fabrics and I made her an alphabet banner. Which a few friends have commissioned me to make for them as well. The chalkboard was an old mirror that we painted a bright color. We pulled out the glass and replaced it with a thin wood that was painted with chalkboard paint.

I took apart an old office chair and jazzed it up for her. Tutorial here.

 

And hung clipboards to show off her work (little brothers too). They are so proud to see their art hanging.

It isn't much. We did what we could with what we had space and financial wise. But it didn't take much. Rhiannon is thrilled. She is counting down her days to preschool. She goes and sits at her desk and asks daily when school will start. I'm hoping to expand and add to the room gradually. 

But for now, this is where she will learn.

Finally Updating

Seems like such a long time since I have done a shop update. I have been sewing my fingers to the bone but things never seem to hit the shop. It is a good problem to have. A very good one. I am blessed beyond measure. 

I have been busy with stocking storefronts. Woot! (do people still say that? I hope so...) You may have seen this shot on instagram. I loved that little shipment and was sad to see it go. 

I have also had a few bridal party orders. Those have been a blast. Working with a bride to make something to give to the girls she loves most. So much fun. If you are a bride or know a bride, email me. Seriously, leather clutches they can always use again? Perfection, right?

Anyway, after the last few boutiques, I have stored up a few things for you. But they are going fast, so hurry over and get your goods. 

Oh and since I have held out on you for so long, how about a discount?

20% off with coupon code ItsAboutTime

Here are some of the new goods in there:

Some Little Lady Purses

A few Artfolios

The NEW Ray of Light Clutch

And I even managed to keep some stock of Chevron clutches

Welcome to the Jungle Baby

You know how when a woman is pregnant she gets a little thing called "preggo brain"? No I am not pregnant. Don't even think it. That's how rumors get started...but I do think I have the "preggo brain". Can being so close to having a foster baby have the same effect? I vote yes.

I have been super forgetful lately. If something is not on the calendar, I promise I will forget it even existed. I will be late. I will be confused. I will not be there.

For example, this post. I meant to write it like a month ago. I thought I wrote it, until someone asked me to see some pictures and I directed them to a blog post that was none existent. I am blaming it on having baby on the brain. Which is convenient since the post is a baby shower. :)

So this lovely couple, is fabulous. They are sweet and caring and just beautiful inside and out. They were getting ready to welcome their 2nd daughter into the world. She happens to be here now...that's how late this post it.

Gaby, the mama, did an amazing job at creating a jungle themed room for their two girls and wanted the shower to reflect the same theme.

We went pretty simple with some burlap accents.

Jazzed up the tables with animal print ruffled runners.

And added a more girly feel to the jungle with some flowers.

Food was just a make your own sandwich and salad bar.

With yummmmmmmmyyyyy cherry lime-aid to drink.

Gaby's amazingly talented sister made up some marshmallow animals to top off the cupcakes. That we placed on my DIY stands.

It was a super fun shower. With lots of laughter. Lots. :)

What is your favorite thing about a baby shower?

Homeschool; Curriculum

The countdown has begun and our preschool year is quickly approaching. Rhi could not be more excited, she reminds me daily that I need to change the number on the chalkboard. I on the other hand could not be more nervous. This is her education. What if I mess up? What if I fall short? What if I fail her causing her to fail at everything? AH!

I know I am over doing it a bit. I know I am freaking out a little too much. This is important stuff though. And I want to do the best I can to provide my children the best education possible.

I did a ton of research on what curriculum to use. We wanted a bible centered curriculum for sure. Something that was structured enough for me but fun enough for the kids. There were so many options. So many reviews. So many things to read and look at and touch.

We finally decided to go with SonLight. I know many of you had questions about what we chose and what we think of it. I can't say too much at this point, as we haven't dove in yet. What I can say is that it eases my mind and my racing heart. My days are laid out for me but because there is so much included that is not "required", I have the freedom to pick and chose what will work best for us and what will meet our needs.

Biggest negative so far? The price. I saw it and saw dollar signs instantly. We are on a budget. A very strict budget. $300 plus did not please me. In fact, it made me nauseous. We are working around it though. We purchased the teachers guide and activity books first, figuring if we couldn't work out the finances we could always hit up the library...a lot. But God provides. This week we purchased the books for Week 1 - Week 15. When the time comes we will see where we stand on the next set of books. If we can't do it we will pull out our handy dandy library card.

We are all excited about starting up with SonLight and adding in field trips to match up with what we are learning. We have a long road ahead of us but I am starting to feel like we are on the right path.