Friday, December 19, 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Winter Reading List ll 2025
Nonfiction:
Don't Stop Praying by Matthew West
Raising Gender Confident Kids by Kathy Koch & Jeff Myers
Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst
Christian Heroes: Helen Roseveare
by Janet & Geoff Benge
Fiction:
Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Ingelside by L.M. Montgomery
Magnitude by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Read Alouds:
Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
Extra Credit by Andrew Clements
Turtles of the Midnight Moon by Maria Jose Fitzgerald
Which One Would You Read First?
Monday, December 15, 2025
Our Simple Christmas: What We Do and Don't Do
*This post was originally posted on 12/4/13. Enjoy!
With Christmas fast approaching, it's easy to get wrapped up in all the details of the holiday. But for all the emphasis we put on one day, it can easily become stressful. So in an attempt to focus on the reason for our celebration, our family tries to simplify both in what we do and in our expectations. Here's what we do and don't do:
Do:
We try really hard to focus on experiences during this season so our time can seem busy. But for our family, spending time has more significance than spending money.
*Christmas Parade--This Christmas Parade takes a significant amount of planning from Mom, but it's one of those experiences that anchors us from year to year. Planning a sack dinner, loading up numerable layers of clothing, and filling thermoses with hot chocolate, our evening pulls us together in the lights and sounds of the season.
*Experience Advent Calendar--Each year we do an Advent calendar, filled with experiences for us to enjoy as a family. Some things are more elaborate like making it to the Christmas parade, while others are as simple as having a pancake and hot chocolate dinner. I keep this list so it's one of those experiences that can flex as mom needs it to. But it also reminds me of some of the small things we like to do at this time of year.
*Bake cookies--I know. This one can get out of hand. That's why we've narrowed it down to our three favorite cookie recipes and just make giant batches of those. If I find I have time to do more later on, great. Otherwise, we focus on our three favorites and never feel like we're missing out.
*Buy simply and thoughtfully--Just a few things for each kid, something that will foster their imagination and help further their intellect. I try to find gifts that straddle between fun and educational and think of each of their personalities in mind. Just a few things to not overwhelm them, or our limited space.
*Do a Book Advent--We love books so I do a book advent each year and we open one a night through the month of December. Some come from our collection while others come from the library and it's a new adventure each night.
*Cut down our own tree--We make a day of it. Combine a snow trip with a Christmas tree trip. We make lots of memories, sled, and build snowmen. This is also a great opportunity to spend time with cousins and other family.
Don't:
*Elf on the Shelf--Our family doesn't do Santa so the Elf seemed a little pointless. However, I will admit I do feel a little prick in my spirit when I see all the cute ideas you moms come up with as these little elves run amuck. Just doesn't fit our family culture so I don't make the time for it.
*Buy presents for each other--My husband and I haven't exchanged gifts in years. We don't buy for each other at Christmas or on our birthdays and instead opt to do an overnight trip on our anniversary.
*Buy many gifts--I love crafting anyways so we just pick out a few gifts for each kid and then I supplement with a few small things that I've crafted for them.
*Buy outside our family--We have tossed around the idea of buying for our siblings this year, but in the past, we haven't bought for anyone other than our kids and parents. If we do exchange gifts with our siblings this year, I've been collecting ideas for jar mixes, homemade kitchen items, and homemade gifts.
*Every dish and dessert--I grew up in a house where the Christmas table was overflowing. Every dish and dessert was available during the holidays. But with three little ones in the house and a very limited budget, it's just not realistic. Nor is it healthy. So we've narrowed it down to our favorite dishes, those that really say "Christmas" to my husband and I. And we're starting our new holiday traditions.
These are just some of the ways we're keeping our simple Christmas. How do you try to celebrate without going crazy?
Friday, December 12, 2025
Monday, December 8, 2025
10 Christmas Break Tasks for the Homeschool Mom
*This post was originally published on 12/21/23. Enjoy!
Christmas Break starts for us tomorrow, and I'm ready! I MIGHT be more ready than the kids. 😀 The past week has found us starting school in our jammies (a big No-No since we started this journey 12+ years ago) and Mom just barely squeaking by.
It's definitely time!
However, I know that taking some time over the next couple of weeks to work through my prep list is going to carry us a long way into the spring semester. Finding ways to balance relaxation and preparation will ensure that our 2024 starts off strong!
Finish Grading
I have a tendency to think that I can just put the last few items aside and I'll remember to get to them later. Don't do it! Take an hour or two to get them done right away and really wrap up the first semester. While you're at it, update any transcripts or course descriptions that you're tracking for your high schoolers. This will get everything tidied up, so you're not trying to remember the details in the rush of second semester.
Clear out first semester items
Did your student complete any one-semester subjects? Are you transitioning into the second textbook of the course? Clear off those homeschool shelves of items you won't need in January. File away any paper or books that you need to hold onto, and get ready to sell the items that will be leaving your home.
Inventory supplies
Take note of any supplies you're running low on. I tended to never have enough graph paper, fat erasers, or fun writing utensils. Think about any projects you have coming up early in the second semester. Look over Jan/February's lesson plans and see if you need any odd items like clay or mini brads. Make a list while you have a few minutes.
Order Needed Items
Order those items so that they come over break and can easily be organized and put away. It may be tempting to think that you have plenty of time. You don't! Order them now so that those last-minute projects don't get pushed to the side. Also order any supplemental material you'll need for your coursework... textbooks, chapter books, extra support items.
Order Library Books
I like to order as many of our school books from the library as I possibly can. This helps keep our costs down while still exposing my kids to the world around them. In order to do this, I typically request our books 3-4 weeks ahead of our curriculum. The second week of break, I'll start to order books we need in the coming month so they're ready for pick up a week or two early.
Tentatively Plan Field Trips
Our field trip options have been sparse in the last couple of years, so I'm trying to fill in more during 2023-24. So I'm spending part of my Christmas break surveying other homeschool moms, researching options, checking costs, and penciling field trips into my calendar. All this will make booking easier come January. And then if I need to change my dates, I can, but I'll have all the details in my planner.
Deep Clean ONE Room
Balancing homeschooling and housework is quite a challenge. So I'm choosing ONE room to deep clean while I have a free schedule. The kitchen can certainly use it after the holidays, but maybe the bathrooms would be better. Either way, I'm pushing for a DEEP clean that will carry us into the spring semester.
Fill In Calendar Items
Is your homeschool calendar changing in the new year? Are your kids taking any new classes? Have any of their activities changed? Double-check your calendar and make any new changes while you're not being rushed.
Plan a Date Night
This is also a great time to reconnect with your spouse. Plan some time together, basking in the season and reflecting on the past year. Reconnect and share goals for the upcoming year. Whether a full on date night, or a quick lunch, plan to spend some time together.
Choose ONE Creative Project
It can be tempting to work, work, work for the full two weeks and not take a minute to relax and recharge. With that in mind, be sure to build in some creative time over the next few weeks to refill your cup so you don't walk into the new year burned out. Grab a light book to read or spend some time working on an enjoyable hobby. You'll be surprised how much progress you make and how good you feel going into 2024.
Most important of all, remember to rest, relax, and reconnect. Play a board game, bake some cookies, and play in the snow. Laugh with your kids, remind them how much you love them, and take time to hear their hearts. Enjoy each other!
What Homeschool Tasks are on YOUR To-Do List?
Friday, December 5, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Christmas Morning Basket ll Middle and High School
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Busiest??? Yes! But absolutely wonderful. December is here, and with it, all the joys of the season as we turn indoors and cozy up with the family.
This year, instead of going all in on Christmas school like we've done in the past, I'm simplifying and focusing on adding Christmas elements to our Morning Basket. With two in high school, I still wanted to add some holiday cheer, but felt like we needed to be consistent with our regular classes. Our Christmas learning is a little lighter, but just right for our season. We're adding in a new Bible study and revisiting some of our favorite traditions.
\*Morning Basket--
--Christmas Devotional-- This year, we're going through Good Morning Girls Free Advent Study. I found that this study has just enough to make it suitable for my teenagers, but not so much as to be overwhelming with all our other holiday activities. And it uses the SOAP method that I've wanted to teach my kids for a while. It seemed like a good way to combine the two.
--Christmas Scripture Reading-- We'll also be reading a short passage of Scripture each day as we work our way through the Christmas story. I'll be using the selections found here.
--Christmas Book Advent-- Over the years, I've collected numerous Christmas picture books, and we've discovered many we like from our library. In our picture book advent, we'll read one a day, revisiting both meaningful and nostalgic stories that we've loved over the years.
--All Creation Waits Nature Reading-- This is a new read for us. I know there are studies to go along with this nature book, but for this year, we're just reading through the book. Each day, we'll read about one animal and how it survives the harsh reality of winter.
*Read Alouds--
I have two read alouds that we'll be read from for sure and possibly a third. We've read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever multiple Decembers in a row. And this year, I'll be introducing The Light at Tern Rock. Although this story is really suitable for a younger audience, I wanted to read it with my kiddos at least once in their time at home.
The Light at Tern Rock by Julia L. Sauer
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
*Handicrafts--
--Tree Ornament Project-- For our handicraft this year, I had my husband cut off a few rounds when he trimmed the Christmas tree. I found a few examples on pinterest, and we'll be painting our rounds with Christmas scenes. Later, we'll gift them as Christmas ornaments. We did a similar project a few years ago when we did our reindeer unit, and it's really an inexpensive way to make a fun keepsake or present..
Do you celebrate with Christmas schooling?
What resources are you checking out this year?
Monday, December 1, 2025
Christmas and Advent Traditions
*This post was originally published on 12/15/17. Enjoy!
Today I'm sharing some of our favorite Christmas traditions... both the ones that glue us together as a family, and those that point us back to the reason for the season!
A Catholic Mom's Life:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPwe61hWru6AN8ZzyY-KwA
Our Top 5 Christian Christmas Books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCVubgKY9Y
Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧9 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.
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 http://twitter.com/creative2xmom
FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.
Music Attribution:
We Wish You A Merry Christmas by E's Jammy Jams
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
