Calling on you

I receive lots of lovely emails asking me about homeschooling. I've been terrible about responding. I have my answers all mapped out in my mind, but just haven't had the time to repeatedly type it all out. I'd like to create a FAQs page that will allow visitors to this blog to access my thoughts homeschooling and how it works for us. I'd love to have your input on what specific information to include. What would you like to see discussed there? Let me have it!

(art display hanging in the school room)

bright spots

It's been grey here.  We've had an inversion.

There have been a few bright spots, however.

Ian loves playing in the sink. I love how it doubles for a bath and also allows me to get the dishes done.

I had a lovely time over-night shopping last weekend with my Aunt and cousins. (My cousin made me that photo wine bottle!!) More than anything I just really enjoyed the company and laughing a lot. ALOT. I have done the bulk of my buying online, however. In fact, just this evening I finished buying for the kids. Nothing beats bargin hunting (I'm not a good bargin hunter) in your slippers while sipping an irish creme on the rocks.

Our advent calendar is still not finished (um it's about 4 years old now). We run out of mittens on December 14th...but it is cheery to look at none-the-less. I just put candy in it this year. 

Also:

In a bold move I took down Ian's crib and set up his toddler bed. It was cold turkey, all-or-nothing. So far: success. He's gotten out of bed twice each time I've put him down, but after firmly telling him to "Get back in your bed!" He did. 

I made this recipe the other night and I totally expected it to bomb, but the kids devoured it and we ate it again for lunch the next day. (If you make it...don't use as much sauce as is called for. I used maybe a 1/2 of what was there.)

This is good too. (I used real bacon.)

These boots are coming our way. (Everyone picked their favorite color, green for Hannah). I was browsing on Zappos a few days ago and noticed I had a $207 credit. What?? I'm not sure where that came from...but I'll take it. 

We've attended 2 Christmas parties so far. I wore this hairstyle to one, and this to another. I just love all the merrymaking.

My paperwhites are coming up. 

Now all I need is some sun. 

winter magic

I know that it is not technically winter yet, and I know that I said yesterday that I just wasn't feeling it if it were anyways...but perhaps that is changing.

We get out of the house almost every morning. We have to. Ian has to be outside in the fresh air. Frankly, so do I. It is hard to work up to. Sometimes (especially if it is dreary or cold or freezing) I think that I want to just snuggle inside, but really I need to be outside. 

It does us all good to out for a bit. We get our schoolwork done in the afternoons while Ian naps. It just seems to work best this way. 

So, today, we went to our favorite little nature study spot. It was beautiful- to say the least. I hardly captured the best of it, but here's a glimpse.

It was just magical. I think I'm going to make it through the next 3 1/2 months of cold weather. It might even be fun!!