Homeschool Product Reviews

I am so excited to share with you a product that I recently reviewed.. The product was created by The Old Schoolhouse. I get their magazine- it is my favorite homeschooling magazine. The product is The Schoolhouse Planner. After browsing through the planner I am even more excited to get started on our school year. Each month there is something new to teach the children- already put together for you. Great facts to pass on to your children during your school time. Sure makes our job a whole lot easier. There is also a helpful article for us Moms- to help us in our teaching duties every month. The articles cover different topics- math, science, history, art, unit studies etc.. Then to round it all out they list links for more books, ebooks, and other items that they carry on their website available for purchase- that goes right along with that months theme. The monthly calendar contain nice large blocks for you to fill in right there on your computer- yep.. you do not have to print out anything if you do not want to.. you can fill it all in on the computer- leave it there or print it out already filled in.. How cool is that??!! How about a new recipe or to try out during the month? Right there at the end of every month.
All of the above was great enough, then I got to the end of the year and realized that there were so many more pages to go through.. Pages upon pages of homeschooling forms.. for everything you could ever imagine. You will be the most organized homeschooling parent! Then came the household forms.. I am one disorganized homemaker, I will be the first to admit that. With these forms I can feel like Martha Stewart. Everything from the pantry to the garden will be organized. Menu forms, chore lists, Bible reading charts and so much more!
I have had planners- many planners and this one surpasses them all. You are getting what I love about the Old Schoolhouse Magazine within the pages of a yearly planner. You will receive encouragement in your teaching and creative ideas to use in your schooling each month. The household pages are what I feel are missing from a regular planner- I am not a career woman, I am a housewife and mother, I need a planner that works for me. This one is it. For those of you who need portfolios and the like for your school districts- this has it all when it comes to keeping track of your child's education. You will knock the socks off of whomever you have to turn in your portfolios to.
I have several favorites when it comes to this planner- first, I love the fact that you can type in all of your information right on the computer before printing them out. That is so cool. Secondly, I love the monthly factoid pages.. full of all kinds of neat facts to pass on to your children- right at your fingertips. Whether it is the periodic table of elements or a list of all of the presidents of the United States. How about a list of all of the greatest artists, where they are from and what they are most known for? Yep.. great stuff each month to teach the children without all of the research. Thirdly, I love all of the household forms at the end of the planner. Everything a housewife needs to keep organized and on top of things. I could go on and on.. In my opinion you can go wrong with anything by The Old Schoolhouse to begin with but this one takes the cake.. You will not be disappointed in purchasing this planner. In my opinion, in 10 years of homeschooling I have never found a homeschooling planner to be this good. It covers everything, helps you get organized in every area, and helps you along in your homeschooling journey.

To read what the manufacturer has to say about this product and to order order one of your own click here!!

Another product I want to tell you about is my favorite magazine in it's digital version. The Old Schoolhouse magazine has been around for a while but I never took the time or money to subscribe- I now see that was a mistake. When I found an issue at our local Borders bookstore I snatched it up.. I am so glad I did. It was a breath of fresh air. I got so much inspiration from that one issue. I hadn't realized how starved I was for help, encouragement, new ideas,etc... Not only were there articles geared towards encouraging me as the homeschool teacher but there were unit studies already created for me- ready to go. The kids and I were using those unit studies the day after I purchased the magazine! We had a blast.
My husband saw how inspired I was by this magazine that he bought me a subscription for Mother's day. Now you can get this magazine digitally for less than the print version- and delivered right to your email box.
The first thing that stuck out to me was that you don't have to download the magazine. This is important if you have slow internet like I do. I was able to click on a link and view the magazine right online. Very cool! You can also send your favorite articles to your friends- which you can't do with the print version. I love that I can also print out articles.. For instance- the unit studies. I love the unit studies. You can print them out to use during school. Or print out articles you want an older child to read. A cool feature is the link button- click it and if there are any links within the page you are on they will appear, no more typing in links for a website you find within an article. You can bookmark your favorite articles, change the settings- zoom in or change the speed of turning pages. Let's not forget the financial savings: 32% cheaper than the print version subscription. I have a subscription for the print version and when it ends I will be getting the digital version. I can read it online, print out articles I want to save for future reference- or unit studies to use currently (this months issue has a unit study on flying machines- perfect for my 5 boys!). I can bookmark articles, download to my computer etc.. I think it is set up perfectly for the homeschooling mom- ease of use.
I may be partial already because I really do love the magazine. It is my favorite. If you haven't read the magazine already.. you are missing out. I have a wide range of ages of children and I always find tips for all ages. The unit studies can be used from grade school to high school.

Click Here to order the digital version of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Checking In..

I am still here. Life is forever busy.. We are in the process of moving.. and hubby is getting a new office. Kids are doing well. We are all excited for our move. I have many pictures to update you on all the vintage goodies I have acquired recently but they will have to wait until I get the house under control.. We get to start moving stuff over to the new house at the end of the week.. So I am busy packing as much as I can.. If you don't hear from me.. have a wonderful week..

One day at a time!!

Yesterday I started singing that old song by Christy Lane- One day at a Time, Sweet Jesus.. It is now my anthem! I was doing the raw food challenge. After much prayer this weekend I have decided that I am not setting a good example to my teenage daughter. God said all food is ok for us to eat- just to eat in moderation. My daughter has turned to eating in boredom- a bad example from mom.. So we will enjoy life, enjoy food and family.. cook from scratch, sneak in the veggies as much as possible, eat organic as much as possible, and do so in moderation.. Most importantly I will take my life- one day at a time.. If I mess up today and give in to gluttony- I always have tomorrow to start over..

I'm only human, I'm just a woman.
Help me believe in what I could be
And all that I am.
Show me the stairway, I have to climb.
Lord for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time.

Chorus:
One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time.

Do you remember, when you walked among men?
Well Jesus you know if you're looking below
It's worse now, than then.
Cheating and stealing, violence and crime
So for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time. 

Latest Quilt and New Dolly

Meet Lucy Jean.. I found her waiting for me at a certain overpriced thrift store in Dayton.. But there she was.. 50% off and on $2.50! She needed some sewing repair on her apron but otherwise she is in perfect condition and I just love her!! She is a wonderful addition to our family, Annie Belle and Esther Ruth have taken her in like she has been here all along..

It is finished! My 2nd mini quilt. It is hard to tell but I quilted around every square and some of the squares have freeform embroidery in them.. I mastered the french knot on this one! I just love this little quilt.. It will look nice on my wall of mini quilts I am working on..

Family Fun Day

The family all had fun while mom canned salsa all morning.. I think I just heard a jar explode in the canner.. oh bother! Anyway, the kids had a blast riding the quad all morning into the afternoon.. they are still out there.. Everyone loves it.. I am so thankful we made this purchase.. To see the kids enjoying themselves again!!


Jacob all set to ride down the road.. Eimi getting in the picture..

Sam making sure Andrew stays hydrated

Andrew watching the fun..

Matty.. this is just my size!

Matty having fun with the camera

jazz hands!

Jacob following dad down the road..

Eimi and Jacob..

Jacob and the baby

Aaron giving dad a ride..

Aaron just chillin'

Today's Mini Quilt Inspiration..

I stopped into a little quilt shop hoping for some inspiration.. and hubby was more than willing to drop some money on something for me.. but... sadly there was no inspiration and nothing I felt like buying.. So I went to my favorite source for inspiration.. flickr.com! All of these pictures are from flickr and the maker's user names are under each quilt so you can go to flickr yourself to see more of their work.. I found some amazing mini quilts today..Now I am off to work on my mini quilt for tomorrow the tomatillo's must be canned.


suzysusparkles

bybethstudio

syko

syko

coloradoartstudio

knitonequilttoo

blueturtlesmeg

boodillys

My new hutch

I am so excited. On Monday we go to pick up the hutch pictured below. I have wanted a hutch forever! I plan on replacing the glass with clear and painting it white. It will make a wonderful addition to our new diningroom.. Can't wait..