What We Read ll July 2019

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Sharing what our family read this month...
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Check Out:
The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ

Bytes of Memory:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYXBRaow7qaPnA5i0kf2bw

You Can Trust God To Write Your Story:
https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2019/07/you-can-trust-god-to-write-your-story.html

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑17yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Homeschooling Preschool Favorites

*Originally Posted on 7/23/18.  Enjoy!


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The Preschool Years were some of my favorite years to homeschool.  They are so full of wonder and excitement.  As we're moving into the elementary years, I'm taking a look back at some of our preschool favorites, some that we still use today!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Draw like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants

Being a homeschool mom, I'm always looking for different ways to spark my children's creativity and interest.  For a long time, they've enjoyed drawing and illustrating as they learn.  But all of us get a little frustrated with our own limited experience.  So we decided to give this book a shot.  Divided into three sections (flowers, vines and trees, other plants), there were a large variety of plants to choose from and each was sketched out in 6-8 easy to follow steps.  I especially appreciated how the author drew guidelines in the beginning to get the symmetry, and then later filled in the individual shapes.  The author also took the time to explain elements like line thickness and negative space, concepts that can be used in other realistic drawings as well.  We love practicing our artistry and how to better illustrate these plants in our notebooks.  I would prefer this book in print format, but the digital is nice as well.  There is plenty in this volume to keep us growing and learning for some time to come.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Five Challenges to Take on with Your Kids

*Originally posted on 5/1/17.  Enjoy!

Summer is just around the corner.  I'm planning the last of our lessons and dreaming of days by the pool, homemade ice cream, and sleeping in.  Since we only have a few weeks of school left, we've been talking about what we want to do over the summer.  And while we've been creating our bucket list (to come soon), I've been thinking about ways I can intentionally spend time with the kids.  So these are 5 Challenges You Can Take On With Your Kids:

1. Book Club-- This would be a fun challenge with an older elementary student on up through high school.  Pick a book that you're both interested in and just start reading.  Set a deadline for yourselves of when you want to get together to discuss it.  Once a week or after you've finished... it's up to you.  Make your meetings fun with book themed snacks and drinks.  Talk about the characters, the setting, and what your child would do in various situations.  And don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone with your book choice.  You may discover that your child has pretty good taste after all.

2. Fitness Challenge-- We all like to be active in our family.  Whether it's taking a bike ride, swimming, or jumping on the trampoline, we like to get our heart rate up.  So how fun would a summer fitness challenge be?  Maybe take a new class together, take on an abs & squats challenge, or sign up for a 5K together.  Or maybe yoga is your thing.  Try a kids' yoga challenge every morning.  Whatever it is, get up and get active with your kids.

3. Gratitude List-- The best thing for improving your outlook on life is being grateful.  We all have a tendency to loose sight of our blessings once in awhile.  So why not challenge yourself and your kids to be more grateful people.  How?  Pick up an inexpensive notebook and spend some time each day writing down your blessings.  Write about your thankful list at meals times or bed time.  Reflect back on your day and try to find a handful of things to be thankful for.  You'll be amazed at how quickly you can fill a notebook once you get started.

4. Kindness Challenge-- Trade names in your family and have secret friends.  Do something nice for your secret friend.  Do one of their chores, make their bed, or help them with their homework.  Try to do it secretly without being found out.  Or practice kindness in public.  Open a door for someone.  Give up your seat in church. Or encourage someone.  What can you do to practice random acts of kindness?  If you're doing this outside your family, share around the dinner table each evening.

5. Art Challenge-- Pinterest is full of art challenges.  How fun would it be to do a 30-Day art challenge with your kids?  Invest in some inexpensive sketch books, set the timer for 30 min, and just create away.  After 30 min, come back together and share your drawings.  If you want to, you can spend more time on the drawing later, but for now, just share what you have.  What a fun way to create together, encourage each other, and work on a new skill.

Whatever you decide to do with your kids this summer, be sure to do it together.  Stepping into a challenge together can be bonding, reassuring, and fun.  So embrace the lazy days of summer, and take on a challenge.

Which challenge most interests you?

Our Ten Family Read Alouds for the Homeschool Year ll 2019-2020

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Sharing our homeschool read aloud list with a variety of books that we've never read before!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑17yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

Playlist link
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdamhRE3YEAZidvpdcfdQAP-6Ktl6VhY&jct=Ci7y7aEM-ilpmXp0PtCc8uhyajFdlg&disable_polymer=1

The Simple Rugged Path
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ
Diary of A Homeschool Mama
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC__Yo0lEm98Qfps4dqSIgsw
Sodbuster Living
https://www.youtube.com/user/cneipp
Bytes of Memory
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYXBRaow7qaPnA5i0kf2bw
The Brave Homeschooling Mama
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9jeaMb7ylcKvZm5yq2Zg
Creative2xmom
https://www.youtube.com/user/Creative2xmom
Joyful Noise Living
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRk1liFnI7YTg3pYhSA6Pg
Faith Through Arrows
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkryrtblCEugoWbKvKd0nwA


C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

You Can Trust God to Write Your Story {Review}

Who doesn't love a good story?  The characters are introduced, we come to love them, and ... Bam!  Calamity.  Conflict.  Confusion.  The waves of time and circumstance act to stand in the way of our hero.  Will he succumb to the obstacles in his path?  Or will he rise above to find his destiny?  We hope, we cheer, and we find ourselves emotionally invested with each turning of the page.  And in time, the hero begins to take on a life of his own.

In Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth's newest book, written with her husband Robert Wolgemuth, we are introduced to the ultimate storyteller... God himself.  Who is this mastermind that weaves a tale filled with disease and healing, divorce and restoration, waiting and sometimes pain?  This book is a woven picture of personal testimonies as well as Biblical stories, all pointing to God's ultimate providence and oversight.  And even in the tough situations of life (pain, loss, and death), we are reminded of God's weighty purpose in each moment and our mission to make Him known.

Though Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth is a well known Christian writer, this was my first encounter with her work.  Partnered with her husband Robert Wolgemuth, I was reminded again and again that the Lord has purpose in all circumstances, even those that we wish to avoid.  With each chapter, I came away both challenged and encouraged.  The authors do a wonderful job of sharing testimonies that lift up kingdom principles and call the reader to a higher perspective.  This is a book that I can see myself returning to again and again in the future.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Organizing Your Homeschool With "Library Lists"

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Looking to get a head start on planning next year's curriculum?  Find out how to use "Library Lists" in organizing in all aspects of your homeschool.

This Life of Ours:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeaYNpycoqFCWVfih5DBvdQ

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑17yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Five Summer Must Haves ll Collab

*This post was originally published on 5/18/18.  Enjoy!



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Today I'm joining in a a collab sharing our Five Summer Must Haves... check out our must haves for enjoying the lazy, crazy days of summer.

Collab Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5GkvzudsTs4tQVgDwX4zWMWoA133r6gV&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

We Are the Gardeners {Review}

In Joanna Gaines' first children's book, We Are the Gardeners, the reader is introduced to the trials and triumphs of a family garden.  From the first little fern that Chip gifted to his wife, to the full outdoor garden that it inspired, the Gaines family learns a number of lessons, both in gardening and in overcoming obstacles.  This book is a sweet story about a gardening, working together as a family, and never letting failures define the journey.  Whether you're looking to encourage a young gardener or just looking to help your children pick up from a set back, We Are the Gardeners would make a wonderful read.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

I Found the Perfect Planner! ll A Plan in Place Homeschool Planner Review

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I'm in love with this planner.  So well thought through and great for not only planning, but also casting vision for the upcoming homeschool year.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑17yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:
Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod

Nature Based Picture Books

I love teaching my kids about nature and the world around us.  There is such beauty and joy to be found in the natural world.  It grounds the kids, slows their brains and makes them more observant.  And while they're growing quicker than I care to admit, we find that we can still learn so much from a good quality picture book.  These are just a few that we've come to appreciate over the years.

Miss Rumphius

Swirl by swirl

A seed is sleepy

An egg is quiet

The Tree Lady

The Golden Glow

Take Along Guides

Up in the Garden,

and Down in the Dirt

A Butterfly is Patient

What Would You Add To The List?

How I Build a Simple Morning Basket

Following up on last week's post, I thought I'd share with you a more in-depth look at what we include in our morning basket to start our homeschool day.  Morning time has been a great jumping off point for our family and I love starting our time together like this.

Our basket typically includes:

2-3 readings for science
2-3 readings for history
Scripture to memorize
Composer study
Chalk pastel lesson
Hymn to learn
Map work
Memory work
Devotions

Things I'm thinking about adding:

Biographical studies

Science Reading:

In the past, I've checked out several books that apply to what we're learning in science.  Whether, we're studying plants, bees, birds or whatever, I use my local library to find a plethora of books to enhance our study.  We try to reading in our science books 1-2 x/week.

History Reading:

The same goes for our history studies.  This year we're using Story of the World Vol 2 and there is always more literature suggestions that we can ever get through.  I try to pick 1-2 /week (or a biography) to read through.

Scripture Memorization:

We love memorizing Scripture together and studying God's word.  Typically I try to help the kids memorize 1-2 verses a month and this year I'm hoping we'll be able to memorize the Books of the Bible as well.

Hymn Memorization:

Last year I put together a Youtube playlist of upbeat hymns for us to learn together.  There's so much good theology and history in hymns that I didn't want to be lost in our family.

Map Work and Memory Work:

We've always memorized facts based on our science or history studies.  But this year, I have a fellow homeschooler who gifted us a set of CC memory cards.  I've been going through them and pulling out those that will best suit what we're currently studying and help us develop a framework for those concepts.

Music Appreciation:

This is fairly new to us, but around February of last year, we started using Confessions of a Homeschooler's Composer Study.  So far, we are only two units in, but we are enjoying it and planning to use it further this year.

Chalk Pastel lessons:

Once a week, we abbreviate some of our other subjects and spend 20-30 min doing a lesson from ChalkPastel.com.  We are loving learning about this new medium and I can see us enjoying it for many years to come.

Biographical Studies:

This is something we already do a little bit.  Sometimes as we come along history figures in Story of the World or our science studies, we'll read a chapter a day in a biographical book.  I find that it adds a very personal aspect to our studies.  I'd like to do more of that this year as time allows.

Devotions:

I know some families like to start with devotions, while we like to seal our morning time with devotions.  It's a good way of closing this time together and morning on to individual studies.  It's a solid way of dedicating our time of learning and asking the Lord to bless it.  So we end our morning time with reading in a family devotion and praying together.

What does your morning basket look like?