The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson

This book was written by an admin on an amazing homeschool group I am part of. I cut my teeth here and learned most of what I know from admins and members (past and present). There are so many resources out there, this book will help you remember what it is really about. Take a deep breath, relax and ENJOY your children!

My review as posted on Amazon and Goodreads:

I will so be reading again! I love the down to earth tone of the book. I typically avoid Christian slanted (not “anti” just some of them get soooooo repetitive, old, and BORING) books but yours is not like that at all. It shows you and your beliefs without any of the usual “you must do blah blah blah”. Your family shines through, you even made me cry ::sniff:: I would have no problem recommending this to people of any religion or belief. Just felt like having a conversation with a supportive, more experienced homeschool mom who just wants the best for my family as she has done for hers.

diy glue dots and more

Here are two great ideas I found for sticking things to your wall without damaging your paint.

1. DIY Glue Dots
I love glue dots, however they are crazy expensive. Turns out you can make your own! Aleene’s Tack-it Over and Over glue and wax paper. Just squeeze out the glue in desired size on a piece of wax paper and press another over the top of it. Let it set for at least two hours, preferably over night. Video showing how to make glue dots can be found by clicking here.

Alternatives to wax paper are saving old rolls from your current pack of glue dots, the strips you pull off of priority mail boxes, self-seal envelopes, back side of contact paper and I’m sure the list does not end there, just all I can think of so far!

2. Blue Painter’s Tape and Double-sided Tape or Hot Glue.
No more avoiding hanging posters because you are afraid of damaging your wall  First apply blue painter’s tape on your wall and then put double-sided tape over the top of that, and hang your poster! When you are done with the poster or want a change you don’t have to worry about the tape removing paint from your wall or leaving holes with tacks! Even better, use your home-made glue dots on the painter’s tape!

first add-on for morning notebook

Alphabet Mats! Includes upper and lower case, designed to fit inside my Morning Notebook that is a free download.

Can be laminated for use with dry erase, play-doh, beans or buttons. Also may be used with do-a-dots, stickers, stamps, tracing, etc.

Miss Thing’s favorites are play-doh and stamps.

let them lead

Miss Thing LOVES LOVES LOVES science. For a surprise decided to get her an experiment kit and top it off with a lab coat and goggles. She was thrilled! I should have taken video, her expressions were priceless as she watched the FIZZ created by adding water to citric acid and baking soda. She would not allow anyone to even whisper until the last FIZZ fizzled out.

The kit came with everything she needs for several experiments, many more than once and we can easily refill most items from our kitchen cupboard to do again. The coat and goggles were the perfect size!

And yes, those are affiliate links. When you use them to buy ANYTHING on amazon it helps keep Miss Thing’s laboratory well stocked.

red riding hood pack

109 pages of learning and fun!

My first Fairy Tale pack is now available! This is my first pack to come in color, also includes black and white for my frugal followers and the kids who prefer to color their own.

109 pages loaded with fun!

Follow the link to my Teachers Pay Teachers site for a free preview and download sample.

Coming next is Three Little Pigs!

notebooking pages

We have been using NotebookingPages since Miss Thing showed an interest in learning to write. I know use it for her daily copywork. So many pages to choose from, more added all the time, free, paid lifetime membership and an amazing web app! We have even used for lapbooking. Please use my affiliate link: http://notebookingpages.com/?ap_id=AnaMaree

once upon a surprise….

For the last few days I have been working on my first large printable pack. Red Riding Hood theme. So far it is over 50 pages and I am still going LOL. It will be available in the usual black and white, and also in color! I can’t wait to finish it and share, this one is exciting!!!! No links to follow on this one, just a sneak peek!

i’m exclusive la-dee-da!

Check it out! I was asked to design something for a non-profit homeschool group and it is being featured as an EXCLUSIVE FREE DOWNLOAD for members on their site! It is a simple goal setting planner sheet to encourage little ones to take part in planning. Just print and go! Can be used for daily, weekly, monthly, however you like.

The group members pass on curriculum to others for only the cost of shipping. Actually, that is not true, it goes beyond just curriculum and includes items for special needs and even clothing. Occasionally they receive a generous donation to pass on to a homeschool family in need.

I have included their mission statement below or click HERE to go to their welcome page and learn even more!

Homeschool Curriculum Free for Shipping (est. July 1st, 2014), a pay-it-forward homeschool community, is a non-profit organization that exists as a means of providing brand new and used curriculum for only the cost of shipping or even completely free to homeschool families in need.  Recipients are encouraged to “pay-it-forward” after using the donations.  The organization and Facebook group work together as a community with a twofold purpose.  First, to serve as a resource for donors who are seeking to donate curriculum.  Second, to support and encourage ALL homeschooling families, especially those who homeschool with financial constraints.

found her zen

For my fellow SPD, ADHD, PTSD, ASD parental units, you will appreciate a few great moments from our week. We found her “zen” and had some amazing learning moments, not to mention finding a new classroom!

First, my baby girl relaxed for the first time in her life… 25 minutes of calmness, quiet, eyes closed… ZEN… most amazing thing I have ever seen. It was discovered while at an OT appt. a simple swinging motion. She was on her back, flat, on a wooden “surfboard” suspended and swinging head to toe, back and forth. I shared tears with her OT. I wish I had the words to describe the moment, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

The days that followed led us to find some other peaceful moments.

Mermaid Rock. She climbed up over and over and would just sit calmly for minute at a time.

School day on a dock, the floating motion was so calming for her. We read three chapters of her book. Also a great way to meet new people and learn random things. A nice couple taught her to tell the difference between a male and female Mallard.

We walked off some energy (and have since replaced the too-big back pack.

During our adventure we found a woodpecker. Her imagination also saw a whale, owls, and a wolf, which she included in her nature journal entry.

I am on the left smiling because I see the woodpecker, she is on the right with “scared face” because she sees the wolf.

During these days we have also had some of our usual meltdowns however she has now truly experienced peace and she liked it.

To see such a look of peace on her face was such an amazing gift.

fun with magic school bus

We are discovering the fun of Magic School Bus. Miss Thing recently did her monthly Scholastic shopping and picked out a Science Kit, the solar system. The only thing she enjoys as much as anatomy is our solar system.

We spent a couple days reading the book The Magic School Bus Blasts Into Space, followed by some serious solar system constructing, minus Pluto which she found very upsetting…. and that will lead to yet another adventure!

Hubby hung her solar system from the ceiling, which led to SOMEONE somersaulting off the edge of the couch while playing with Saturn. Thanks to her newly discovered gymnastic skills, she made a wonderful landing and survived, so did Saturn.

Oh, by the way, the Magic School Bus series is on Netflix!

There is also a wonderful site full of great resources for Magic School Bus for you to check out, I know I am!  http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-magic-school-bus-unit-study-resources-homeschoolers/