DIY | The Journey of a Humble Table

      I originally started writing this post back in 2018, before life got busy and this blog quietly slipped into hibernation. A lot has changed since then, but this little project stayed with me, tucked away both in storage and in the back of my mind. Going through my drafts, it feels like the perfect time to finally share the story of a table that was never just a table.

DIY | Oversized Poster Frame

     You may have noticed our world map, taped to the wall with blue painters tape. Which isn't a great solution when you have toddlers who like to peels things..  plus it just doesn't look nice. It needed a frame.

DIY | Console Table

     I needed to create a school work space for us. I got the idea to make a console table with a couple of square storage stools. Very practical and would look fantastic when they weren't using the table, with all the school books hidden in the stools underneath.

Rags to Riches | Magnetic Learning Calendar

     I had purchased the felt learning calendar a few months ago and after a few days, it started driving me bonkers! The felt pieces just would not stick! I would walk by and they would fall.. grrr.. So I decided to change it up and make it less frustrating.

"You have time for self care?"

     The question that comes after "How do you always look so nice despite having 7 kids?", is "How do you have time for that with 7 kids?!" Well...

When Friends & Family Question Homeschooling

      I recently started following a fellow homeschooler and blogger and was lead to her post "When Family and Friends Are Opposed to Homeschooling" I laughed and I cried and I laughed again. Here are a few of my favorite parts {and my added thoughts...}

Educational Netflix

     I thought I'd share our favorite shows we watch on Netflix that are not only fun, but also educational. I'm not one of those home school moms that make my kids write a report on any of these, we watch them for fun and relaxation.. but they still learn something..

The Thankful Paper Chain

     Every Thanksgiving, we celebrate with family and/or friends. Everyone brings a dish to share, which usually turns into a feast, we talk about things we are thankful for, and generally have a relaxed day of yummy food and fellowship. I really liked a thoughtful Thanksgiving tradition that a wonderful friend of mine started with her family. I thought, "What a great way to get children to think about the things they are grateful for, to see them all in one place, and to have a daily reminder!"

Our new home

     Many people are downsizing their stuff and their homes, going from big homes to tiny homes. Not us. We were living in a 1,260 square foot home. 9 people in that tiny house. We were like sardines in a can.

Family Dinner Questions {free printable}

     Does your family eat quietly at the dinner table? Or does every one chatter and talk about their day or their dreams? This is a craft we put together in one of our MOPS meetings. If you're looking for a way to engage your family in conversations, but don't know where to start, this is a great way!

Peace

     When I was expecting our 6th child, I was anxious and scared and my mind was buzzing, "OMG we are going to have 6 kids!!! How am I going to do this??!" Not with this baby though. I have such peace about it and I am really looking forward to enjoying our 7 children. I must say though, God had been preparing me and opened my heart to receive this baby.

New Home, New School Area

      The first year that we lived here, we did our school work on the couch, floor, or kitchen table and that drove me nuts.  As you may know, our educational philosophy is traditional and we thrive in a classroom-like setting. As a result, the following school year ('15-'16) I designed one!

      And that is what I want to share with you today, of course! Yes, it's the end of the school year, but it's never too late to share such awesomeness ♥ 

ISN'T IT WONDERFUL?!

My review of Bob Jones University and A Beka Academy (DVD)

      We have been homeschooling for 7 years and have almost always used A Beka Academy on DVD's for our children (one year we used Easy Peasy and one year we used only A Beka Books), but for this year (2015-2016 school year) I decided to try Bob Jones University on DVD’s (for 6th grade) and BJU Hard Drive (for grades 1 and 4). If you will be using only the books from either, some of these may or may not even matter.

This is my review of Bob Jones University and A Beka Academy:

One Hour French Bread

     This bread recipe uses honey (instead of sugar) and doesn't need any special ingredients like many other one-hour bread recipes call for. In fact, it calls for a total of 5 ingredients (and one of them is water)! And it really does take only one hour!! Really, from start to finish, ONE hour! It is simple and foolproof.

Moving to Minnesota!

      We did it. On July 4th, we FINALLY moved to Minnesota! Closer to my family, well so close that we moved in with them while we look for a place of our own. Mr. Chickadee has been offered a job already, and although he's really not wanting to work construction anymore, work is work, and it is a good paying job with room to grow.

     My parents own a 4 bedroom home; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, and kitchen on the main floor, and 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and another living room in the basement. So how were we able to fit my parents, younger brother, us, and all of our stuff?

Oodles has happened!

I can't believe how longs it has been since I blogged!!

It has been busy busy busy around here with school, holidays and preparing for a new baby.

I will quickly catch you up to speed on what I've been working on:
 

• Moved our "school area" from the living room

and turned one of the bedrooms into an actual school room.
 

Water and air

Today the chickadees and I made a science experiment.

This experiment can be found in

101 Great Science Experiments

by Neil Ardley

Air and Gases: 

Seal with air

page 7

 Want to keep water from falling out of an upturned glass?