Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

* This post was originally published on 10/23/18.  Enjoy!

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We love homeschooling.  Over the years, it's provided many wonderful benefits for our family.  But there have been a few drawbacks as well.  Join me as we discuss some of the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧10 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
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

A few favorites:

Secret Channel Book Swap Unboxing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPNMWsNZ04

Back to Homeschool Supply Haul 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n8v5nCpLk

They Cancelled Our Flight to Hawaii:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_9TOtAy6c

Our First Day of School 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGErJBl4vnI

Our Eighth Grade Curriculum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcRI2-eBOZA

Our Fifth Grade Curriculum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j2N-SaUIL0

Our Second Grade Curriculum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtBuF09Bmbw

Our First Poetry Teatime:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To6OIs1zZo0

National Adoption Month--Foster Care/ Adoption Q&A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW8yHx4CdyQ

Our Foster Care Journey: Adoption Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb_sy6kYDJ8

 

Weekend Links ll October 27, 2023

Creamy Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

DIY Moss Wall Art

Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortellini Soup

Bat Anatomy Worksheets

This Week: 

What I'm Cooking:

My favorite meal this week was a crockpot full of Stuffed Pepper Soup.  This one has been a mainstay in our diet for many years.  It's filling and warm for a week when the weather is certianly changing.  I love making this one in the crockpot 'cause I can throw it together while homeschooling in the mornings and it's ready for dinner after all our afternoon activities.

What I'm Reading:

This week I picked up Five Children and It by E. Nesbit.  I've heard many people rave about this one, but so far, I don't understand the hype.  I'm only a few chapters in so I'm hoping it picks up.  But it just hasn't been very engaging so far.

What I'm Doing:

I'm working on hopefully finishing Josiah's Christmas ornament this week.  I started it a few weeks ago, but just haven't quite had enough time to finish it up.  I'm trying to finish up a couple of ornaments in the next few weeks so I can move on to the next holiday task, and stay ahead of the insanity.

What I'm Enjoying:

Flannel pajama pants...

Homemade Applesauce made on the stovetop...

the changing leaves...

learning sourdough...

fall festivals...

What are you up to?

10th Grade Curriculum ll 2023-24

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Today I'm sharing our curriculum picks for tenth grade.. Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑22yrs led to 👱18 yrs, 👧15 yrs, and 👱 12 yrs. Analogies Flip Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84PS8QaQDIc&t=1s Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 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/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Setting Your Holiday Calendar ll Homeschooling Through the Holidays

*This post was originally published on 10/15/19.  Enjoy!

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Today we're tackling the first step in Homeschooling Through the Holidays: Setting Your Holiday Calendar.  We'll talk about some of the non-negotiables, the importance of writing it down, and the necessity of finding margin.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑18yrs led to 👱14 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 8 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

 

10 Goals This Week

 Wow!  How is it the second half of October?  I'm in utter shock.  We were planning out Halloween costumes this past weekend and I suddenly realized... there's only a few months left in 2023!!!  And the busiest months at that.  I'm having a hard time keeping up.  So I'm starting off this week with a few goals that some how seem to keep getting pushed to the wayside.  Some of these just need a start... a few others have to get taken care of this week.  Wish me luck and let me know what you're goal setting this week.

Parenting/ Homeschooling: 

*Start sign ups for Nutcracker field trip

*Organize clothes for photos

*Get out to the pumpkin patch

*Prep Rainbow Resource order

Homemaking:

*Make soap

*Shred zucchinis

*Upload Jan-March photos

*Order photos

Personal:

*Finish one Christmas ornament

*Work on sourdough

What goals are you setting this week?

Weekend Links ll October 20, 2023

 

WWII Booklist for Middle School and High School

What if My Teen Doesn't Know What He Wants to Be When He Grows Up?

Lighted Halloween Pumpkin Cauldron

Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Adults

DIY Book Page Ornament

This Week: 

What I'm Cooking:

We are finishing up a three week family fast.  For the past three weeks, we focused on fasting from meat and sugar as we prayed for our church family.  It's been interesting, but I must say the kids have been troopers and we discovered, we actually have a few meals that were ok or even better meatless.

The easiest meal for me to adapt this week was chili in the crockpot.  This one wasn't too foreign for me as I grew up eating a pot of beans on occasion and I actually like it.  The weather is turning so it was the perfect time to add it to the rotation.

What I'm Reading:

Right now, I'm on the book launch team for Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich.  I love her 1000 Hours Outside podcast and it's really inspired us to up our time outdoors.  So I'm excited to read this title and see what she has to say.  I'll have a full review next month.

What I'm Doing:

I'm trying to get a jumpstart on some of the end of the year activities: crafting, planning field trips, and trying to make sure we don't loose our minds in the hustle and bustle.  I'll have a goals post going up on Monday with some times that I'm hoping to accomplish and not keep procrastinating.

What I'm Enjoying:

Road to Avonlea episodes with my daughter...

Chocolate Shakeology to curb the cravings...

Cooler weather and open windows...

Morning rain showers...

Reading the Little House series...

What are you up to?

The Little Books of the Little Brontes {Review}

 

This sweet picture book follows the lives of the four Bronte siblings as they imagine and create books together.  Although they've had their share of sadness after loosing their mother and two sisters, the children live in a wide world of stores and poetry, novels and ponderings.  And when Branwell is gifted a box of toy soldiers, the children embark on a writing adventure that will last them all a lifetime.

The illustrations in this books are beautiful and add to the overall mood of the story.  There's additional information in the back including a time line and a paper craft for creating your own book.  The story is sweet and shows the resilience of the siblings.  But other than that, it doesn't contain a lot of depth.  This is a very brief introduction to the Bronte family and may not mean much to a younger audience. 

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

How I Zone Clean with Kids

 *This post was originally published on 6/12/20. Enjoy!

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7th Grade Curriculum ll 2023-24

(Click on post for video)

Today I'm sharing our curriculum picks for seventh grade..

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑22yrs led to 👱18 yrs, 👧15 yrs, and 👱 12 yrs. Analogies Flip Through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84PS8QaQDIc&t=1s Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 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/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Alice Atherton's Grand Tour {Review}

 

Twelve year old Alice Atherton is grieving her mother when her father decides to send her to the French Riviera to visit family friends, the Murphys.  While spending the summer in their home, she meets a delightful array of guests including Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Each guest, as well as the Murphys, holds an important piece of the puzzle in Alice's healing process.

This charming read is a sweet introduction to the 1920's and some of the historical figures of that time.  It definitely holds an old fashioned feel reminiscent of authors such as Alcott and Montgomery.  Readers of The Boxcar Children series will likely enjoy it as well.  The characters are full of whimsy and the introduction to famous artists and writers was a fun bonus.  This book is generally without any red flags for parents and I would recommend it for ages 8-11.

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

50+ Titles for Family Movie Night

*This post was first published on 3/27/20.  Enjoy!

 For years, our family has done a weekly Family Movie Night.  This tradition started back when we had littles and my husband working nights.  Every Friday morning when he'd get off work, he'd take a couple hour nap and then try to readjust his internal clock for the weekend.  By Fridays, I was also tired of chasing two very active littles and just needed a moment where we were all sitting down together.  Thus our Friday night tradition was born.  Over the years, the kids have come to know the routine... always homemade pizza, always popcorn, and a movie for us all to enjoy.  Having a wide range of ages, it can be tough to find something that appeals to everyone, but the following is a list of 50+ parent approved movies for early elementary (some lower) on up through middle school.  As always use your own judgment based on your family values, but we've found this list to be mostly clean and suitable for those ages.  Enjoy!

*The Adventures of Milo and Otis
*Adventures of the Wilderness Family
*Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea
*The Aristocats
*Babe
*Because of Winn-Dixie
*The Black Stallion
*Cheaper by the Dozen (old and new)
*City of Ember
*Cool Runnings
*Daddy Day Care
*Enchanted
*Finding Nemo
*Frozen
*The Game Plan
*Girl of the Limber-lost
*The Greatest Showman
*Gus
*Heidi
*The Herbie Movies
*High School Musical
*The Incredible Journey
*The Invention of Hugo Cabret
*Little Women
*The Mandie Movies
*Mary Poppins
*Moana
*Mr. Popper's Penguins
*My Big Fat Greek Wedding
*Night at the Museum
*Nim's Island
*The Parent Trap (old is our favorite)
*Pippi Longstockings
*The Queen of Katwe
*Ratatouille
*Return to Me
*Robin Hood (Disney)
*Sarah, Plain and Tall
*The Secret Garden
*Secretariat
*The Sign of the Beaver
*The Silver Skates
*The Original Star Wars
*Sound of Music
*Snowball Express
*Stuart Little
*The Swiss Family Robinson
*Tangled
*The Ugly Duschund
*We Bought a Zoo (some mild language)
*Wizard of Oz
*Wonder
*Yours, Mine, and Ours (old and new)

What would you add to the list?

Weekend Links ll October 6, 2023

 

Leaf Bookmark Set

Free Insects Activity Book

10 Books for Kids Who Loved A Wrinkle in Time

This Week: 

What I'm Cooking:

Monday began our three week Daniel Fast with our church.  We've modified it a little to hopefully help the teenagers through the next three weeks.  Myself as well.  Can anyone say coffee?

So there been lots of vegetarian dishes in our home this week.  My favorite was probably taco night.  Seasoned brown rice and black beans with onions, garlic, and spices provided the base and then we topped our tacos with all the good things.  We'll definitely be repeating that on the menu.

Any good recipe ideas for our fast?

What I'm Reading:

My current non-fiction read is Techno-Logic by Lee Binz.  It's quite a bit of information I've heard before, but it's written in a much easier format to read.  Honestly, I'd put it on any parent's reading list for setting boundaries with technology both of kids and adults.  I'd like to get a copy of it into everyone's hands.

What I'm Doing:

Other than being a mom taxi?

That's been my life lately.  Today alone, I took a kid to work, took a kid to the dentist, and shuttle two kids to trampoline and dance.  I'm beat.

What I'm Enjoying:

Seeing old friends...

Young adult literature...

Creative writing prompts...

Vegetarian tacos...

Cool nights...

What are you up to?

Well Said {Review}

Why does is it so easy to unlease our tongues and let words fly?  Why is it so hard to control such a minute part of the body? And why does words cut so close to the heart?

Author Sarah Molitor takes her readers on a journey of choosing words to speak life and strengthen relationships, all for the glory of God.  In a society where it's easier to tear down than build up, Molitor seeks to find grace for her family and friends, and call out the best in others.  Well Said endeavors to bring the heart of Jesus into our every day conversations.  Some of the other topics covered include using life giving words in social media and seeking forgiveness to move toward reconciliation.

I actually love the message of this book.  Using our words to reflect Jesus' heart is crucial in today's society.  Molitor has an easy conversational tone in her book, and shares personal stories and illustrations to keep her message relatable.  I did feel like her messages was encouraging and inspiring.  However, I also think there are better books on this topic.  So it wasn't perfect, but it wasn't bad either.  A good place to start if you need encouragement in using your words well.

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

Free Preschool Resource Sites

Preschool was probably my favorite years of homeschool.  The kids are just so excited about everything.  Everything is new and their enthusiasm just overflows.  It really is the best age to enjoy preschool.  And while I didn't use a formal curriculum with my kids, there were times when it was nice to pull from some resources to have things for them to do.  Our days were mostly filled with books, conversations, counting, and play, but they did have times that they wanted to "do school."  So having some quick and easy to grab resources was beneficial.  If you find that you're in a similiar boat, I compiled a few sites to help get you started.  Just remember these are simply a guide.  Each child learns differently and so much of preschool is about play and experiences.  I hope these till be a bless to your family and you move into your homeschool journey!

Miniature Masterminds

ABC Jesus Loves Me

Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme Curriculum

Reading the Alphabet: Free Reading Curriculum

God's Little Explorers

Letter of the Week Preschool Curriculum

Raising Rock Stars Preschool

What would you include?