HomeSchool Week: What She is Learning

Ahhh...curriculum.

Choosing what your child will learn and how they will learn it is such a challenge.

Research. A lot.

Sit down and do practice lessons with your kids. Figure out their learning style. And your teaching style for that matter.

Look at the teachers guides. Not just the books. Do you need them? Are the workbooks self explanatory? Do the teaching guides give you enough guidance? Enough structure? Too much structure? Can you incorporate your own lessons and activities? Do you want to?

It can all be so overwhelming. We have so many resources and options these days. Maybe too much.

Last year, we used SonLight for Preschool. We loved it but Rhiannon is still very easily distracted and had a hard time focusing on ALL the reading. Once she is reading on her own and can sit for longer we will likely go back to SonLight with some added manipulitives, as she is a very hands on learner.

This year, I wasn't sold on any one curriculum. We loved the math is some but the English was lacking. Some had the perfect amounts of reading but we didn't like the choices of books. Then their were perfect curriculums but they were too pricey and we still needed to add in manipulatives.

I was feeling defeated when hubby stepped in and suggested I put together our own curriculum with pieces from different ones. He's a genius I tell you, why isn't he educating our kids? Sheesh.

So here is what we went with:


Bible: 

• Leading Little Ones to God: A Child's Book of Bible Teachings

English:

• Reading/Phonics- 
• Explode the Code 3 book series
• Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code and Go for the Code
• Bi-monthly library trips for reading books
• Spelling and Penmanship-
• Handwriting without Tears 
• Book, Wood letter pieces and molding clay

Math:

• Singapore Math
• Textbooks and Activity books
• Pattern Block Set
• Magnetic Base Ten Set

Social Studies:

• History
• Rhiannon is enrolled in a History class at a Satellite school
• Geography
• Beginning Geography Activity book
• Maps and Globe

Science:

• Rhiannon is enrolled in a Science class at a Satellite School

Physical Education:

• Ballet
• Fun activities at home

Art:  

• We are part of a co-op who will alternate homes and art projects

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Ahoy Mateys!!!

Did ye know that Thursday, September 19th is International Talk like a Pirate Day?

Those buccaneers over at Pretend City are planning a fun adventarrrggghh.

Bring ye'selves and yer scurvy scallywags for a good time of pretendin'

If yer kids come dressed in pirate garb ya can catch a savings.

So meet us there and don't forget to say Argh and Ahoy if ye see us.

Home School Week

We have been back so school for a couple weeks now and have really got into the swing of things. We finally have it locked in stone enough that I feel comfortable saying that this IS what we do.

Every year, (last year and this one), it has seemed like the first week is a little like a trial run. We figure out a time that works best, what routine flows the best and how we will do things. The first week shows us what works best and that is what we do...of course leaving room for fluctuations in life.

With everything figured out and having Rhiannon start her Satellite extension classes tomorrow, I thought this week would be a great time to make it Homeschool Week on the blog.

Over the past year we have had a lot of questions about our schedule, what curriculum we do, how we keep home separated from school and all that good stuff. I'm always surprised at how many moms are interested in homeschooling. I am more than happy to show you what we do. What works for us.

Remember while reading though, what works for my home and my child may not work for you and yours. Every child and family dynamic is different. That is the beauty of homeschooling. We get to custom tailor our child's education based on their learning style, belief system and home life. Don't mimic someone else. It took a lot of research to find out how to educate our daughter the way I feel fits best. So come read, get some tips and then plan for YOU and YOUR CHILD.

This Weeks Schedule:

• Monday (today)- Introduction
• Tuesday- What she is Learning
• Wednesday- A Look at Our Schedule
• Thursday- Peek into the Classroom
• Friday- Back to School Pictures

**Just as every program and curriculum is not designed for every student. Home schooling is not for every family. Home school because you love it and are called to it, not because of pressure from those around you. Let's stop the mommy wars. If you home school, high five, you are giving your kids the best education you can! If you send your kids to Public School, good for you, you are giving your kids the best education you can!**

A Newborns Life

Seriously, has more than a month already gone by since we brought our sweet baby boy home? Time is a funny thing. How is it that it can feel like we have had Corbin forever but like he just arrived at the same time?

A few days after our little guy graced us with his presence, my good friend Alaina from Simply Sweet Moments Photography came and did some our newborn pictures. We went with more of a lifestyle shoot than the typical studio newborn photos.

I am absolutely in love with these pictures. Using our own furniture, Corbin in his crib, they really give a sense of who his family is. What his reality looks like. Alaina did a beautiful job.

Cannot wait to watch this little guy grow. I do wish it would slow down a bit though.

Party Time

Talon is a big bad three year old now. How does this stuff happen? When do they grow up? Lame-Sauce!

For Tal's third birthday, he wanted a Monster Party. Boy is obsessed with Monsters Inc. and Monsters University. Specifically Mike and Sully. Randall not so much. Dude's a creep. 

Since we have a brand new baby in the house, we went simple with all store bought decor. You can read more about that here. With so little effort going into decor, we were able to focus on some fun food.

When trying to think of what to make, I was drawing a blank. Until I remembered that in Monster's Inc. Mike takes his girly friend to Harryhausen's Sushi and it is all the rave. Bam! Theme of our food. But wait! How many kids are gonna eat sushi and my hubby may just laugh in my face when I tell him I want to supply our party of 50+ with an expensive cuisine. Fushi (Fake Sushi) it was.

As for fun, we went simply again. Games with 30 kids are too hard. Make all those kids the ages of 1-8 haha, yeah no. So coloring sheets and a pinata was all they got. That and the two rooms full of toys in our house. They were happy. I was happy.

For dessert, cake pops, cake and candy. Did I mention the kids were happy?

My brother and nephew modeling the cupcake frosting...

Once again, we were super blessed by everyone who came and the amazing gifts. Talon is set on Monster toys. He is thrilled. 

We will finish this off with a picture of the kids who came. You know, in case you doubted me when I said 30 children. Mind you, there were a few who were two shy to be on camera. Oh and the 8 who were busy nursing when the photo was shot. 

Not so Handmade

I like to create. It's no secret that a lot of crafting goes on in our home. It's also no secret that when it comes to parties, this mama goes handmade. From decor, to favors and food, almost everything is made by me. We do this for a few reasons. Handmade is WAY cheaper (if it's made by your hands and not an etsy shop), we like a personalized look and I love crafting, duh... yeah, I am 12 years and say duh, don't judge.

Anyhow, Talon's party was this weekend. It was NOT handmade. Not even a little bit. I was teased about that statement because the food was homemade fun-ness and so were the cake pops. To me, not the same.

It was hard on me. It saddened me that I was not able to give my little guy what I usually do. I know this doesn't make sense to a lot of people. In fact, a few people were rather rude about the fact that I feel the need to go above and beyond for parties. I mean lately there are blogs after blogs talking about how moms just need to stop. Stop with all the extravagance. For some of us, that extravagance is just who we are. It's a way we show our love.

We all have different love languages. we show and recieve love differently. This doesn't only apply to marriages but all of our relationships. If someone shows love to their children by throwing crazy parties, doing elf on the shelf and a million other things, don't be so quick to put them down. <---- Not a diss to those bloggers, just defending my own heart here.

Wow, this post was not meant to go this direction at all. I guess I needed to vent a little more than I realized. All I wanted to say, is that for some moms, it breaks our hearts to not be able to go beyond on parties. It is part of who we are. And that is where I stood.

Friday, as we set up decorations, my 3 year old asked me over and over "mama, you made this?". He knows mommy usually does. It killed me to tell him "No honey, Wal-Mart did".

As Friday came to an end and the food prep began, his excitement rose watching his mommy make Mike Wasowski cake pops.

He was thrilled once again to see the Fushi (fake Sushi) bar come to life. At his young age, he understands that these things are an act of love from his mommy. Maybe that is how he feels loved too.

In the end, I knew that it was okay that I didn't spend the month after having a new baby making 35 scream canisters out of pringles cans. It was not the end of the world that I waited too long to buy pool noodles and couldn't make the garland I had planned. The Mike Wasowski lanterns did not hang from the ceiling and there was not a scrap of fabric anywhere to be found but I did what I could and he saw it.

Being a mom is hard. Finding balance is such a challenge. Not judging ourselves and feeling inadequate can weigh so heavy on our shoulders. We can't let it. Sometimes we need to just stop and allow ourselves to breathe. We need to rest knowing that the best we can do is enough. We are still good moms.

Whatever it is that you are questioning yourself for today, know that it is okay. You are still a good mom. It's okay not to be the best at this or that. It is okay to fall short of your own norm. It is okay to not have the big party...but because you decided not to, not because someone else told you that you shouldn't.

All this being said, I still feel a little bit bad about it all. If you need to find me, I'll be the one eating store bought cake in the corner. I kid. About the corner. I am so gonna eat the leftover cake!

I'll be posting the party later this week. When our sugar highs are gone.

ReOpening Soon-ish

I love my jobs. The one as a mom and the one as handmade business owner. If I have to chose, it would always be the first. Getting down on the floor and spending time with my kids is the single most valuable moment in my day.

Up until this point I have made time for both. I have been able to balance pretty well. Adding a forth has obviously made life a little...busier. We also started Kindergarten homeschooling this week. My schedule still has room for sewing but just not the extent that Vessel had been demanding before maternity leave.

Out of nowhere my little handmade business had exploded into a 2 employee + myself, barely keep up with orders type of business. It was wonderful and exciting and fun. We stopped taking orders so that I could have a short maternity leave and it has been amazing. I am dying to get back to sewing though. Not like I was though. I am scared that I won't be able to keep up quite yet.

We have prayed a lot about the final months of this year. I am ready to re-open the doors but not ready for what the shop demands. What on earth am I supposed to do? We have finally come to a decision. The etsy shop will remain closed. At least for now. Until the end of the year.

I will be participating in two small boutiques. Like I said I want to be sewing. I love it. I am ready. I want my business to continue. Not at all ready to give it up. The boutiques will be local and I will be going simple. A few products I love.

Any products that do not sell will be listed in the shop until I am ready to reopen completely. No stress. Just fun.



So all that being said, if you were to walk into a boutique, what would you want to see? Be specific.

 

Is there a princess apron you would want? A quilt for your little boys crib? Our signature foldover clutches? Art accessories? We want your input.



As for the future of Vessel, we are not sure. The doors will surely be reopening. What it will look like is still undecided. We may reopen with just a hodge podge of products that I am currently having fun creating. Or maybe we will reopen as a ready to ship shop with a smaller amount of our typical products. Who knows, I may get a burst of energy or an additional employee and we will be back to our normal business. Only time will tell.

For now, you tell me, what would you like to see. For the boutique line and for the future of the shop. We always value the opinion of our customers :)