School funny!

We drove past a local Elementary School yesterday and kids and parents were all walking towards the school. I noticed on the billboard that it was "Meet the Teacher Day!" so I leaned backwards towards my kids (I wasn't driving ;)) and said "Hi! My name is Ms. Mommy and I will be your teacher this year!"

The kids looked at me funny with a giggle and said, "we don't want to call you a funny teacher name, you are just our Mommy!" Awwwww!

We are looking forward to our first day on Monday!

Cars and trials...

We have been trying to buy a car now for a few weeks. My husband is a great deal talker so this has been a long process where I hope it is soon finished and we have a great new car in the driveway. When we were driving my old Honda into the dealership, my kids were in the back having a grand ol' time. They were speaking about how they LOVED my car and were sad that it was going. They spoke about how beautiful and fun it was.

Now this is what was going through my head! Gosh, I can't wait to get rid of this car! It has no air conditioning so I have to drive it in 90 degree Florida heat with all the windows down. It messes up my hair and I am just praying it doesn't rain because the windshield wipers really don't work so well. And there is nothing worse then a hot car with no a/c and rain.

Then this verse ran through my head.
James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.


The whole ride, my children's laughter was speaking to me. I love what I learn about God through my children. All they saw out of this trial was joy!

Seems like a lot of people could be reminded of this verse. One only needs to listen to the news for a few moments to hear about economic downturns, politics and other less than uplifting news. Anxiety is quick to move in and steal our joy. Don't let your joy be stolen!!!

I am done!!!

This year it is official. I am a homeschool mom to a school age child! I have been a poser for years now, attending homeschool conferences, gathering information from veteran moms and having a blast at preschool at home but this year it is the real deal!

So for quick moments here and there I have finished planning my whole year of school. Loosely of course but it is a start!


Here is what I start with. This is the Five in A Row Superbook that includes Vol. 1,2 and 3 plus the Christian Bible Supplement. You know it all boils down to less than $1.50 per unit? That is a bargin! Plus you can use it for over three years and if you have muliple children, even longer!



See this pretty cover? It is from the FIAR planner which helped me a bunch this year! I marked down which days we were doing school and then gave myself a rough estimate of doing 180 days and then for the month of January I decided that we are taking the whole month off to adjust to life as the Jackson 5. ;-) I chose 3 FIAR titles for each month which left a free week to follow any bunny trails or fun things we decided to.


Here are the lesson planning sheets that I adapted from the FIAR planner. I printed off Luke's in blue and of course Kylie's is pink! I will then take the lesson planning sheets and move them to the portfolio when I am done. I wrote down our basic plan and the topics we want to cover for the day in pencil that comes from the curriculum.


Lastly, I printed off any worksheets or maps we might need for those units. I have a large hanging file for each book and I pop all the printables in there. Also, it is a great storage unit for all of their school things according to book after they have completed it! I haven't quite gotten the hang of scrapbooking or notebooking yet so that will have to do. LOL!

Whew! Now I need a vacation before we start school on Aug. 24th!