Rush, rush, rush...

Our family is basically on the go 24-7.  My husband tells me not to complain because I bring it on myself which is true lol.  I really want my kids to have the best opportunities that I can give them.  I finally figured out all of the extracurriculars, and although we will be gone basically every evening for several hours, everything was going to work out.  I found out today that my youngest daughter's gymnastics class time is going to change, and now it will conflict with my son's soccer practices once they begin in September.  Sigh.

We are basically schooling all day long now.  My two oldest daughters are completing the bulk of their work on the computer with Alpha Omega's Switched On Schoolhouse.  They are sharing a computer, so one girl takes the morning, and the other takes the afternoon.  I am supplimenting with a mix of Sonlight Core 1, 2 and 3+4 for all of the children.  My son is utilizing Horizons Math, Abeka LA and Handwriting this year.  My youngest daughter is using Horizon's PreK program this year and loves it!  I really like it as well!  A week ago I was considering Friday homeschool enrichment classes but I'm not sure if I will be able to fit it in.  Being at the gym so many hours is really hard.  Homeschooling is so worth it though!  I love to see the spark in the kid's eyes when they learn something new.  And I couldn't even imagine handing someone else the priveledge of educating my children.  I am so very blessed to have my wonderful family!

I posted two links to articles yesterday which I thought were pretty cool. : )  If you have a moment, please take a look.  Children are such a blessing, and it is so sad that they are considered a burden to so many people these days.  Being a mom (period) is hard work, but is also the most rewarding job out there! 

A Longer Condensation of Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries

A Longer Condensation of Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries

We Don't Love Children, We Love Drywall

We Don't Love Children, We Love Drywall

Craft Room Clean Up

My oldest daughter clened out our dining TLP room without being asked a couple of days ago and I was so proud!  She did  a fantastic job...it still may look a bit messy, but you should have seen it before!

Look, at the neatly piled chaos!

My sewing table is still messy, but at least I don't trip on stuff to get to it. : )

In the corner is our bookshelf of homeschool material that we aren't currently using.  Wow, do we need some more space!  I fuss about the space in this house A LOT, but I need to take a step back and take a good look at my life because I am truly blessed! 

This morning I woke up to the sounds of my 4 year old screaming at the top of her lungs about breakfast, she woke up the baby I was cuddling with as well.

He was cool with it, though!

Dance went well last night, but I'm not so sure about the teacher.  She didn't seem to relate to little kids very well.  She let the parents know at the end of class to not put ties of the tap shoes because, " she had never had to take so long untying shoes in all of her life."  Seriously?  The parents were like, didn't they come with ties?  She also had a bit of an attitude...all the parents would just exchange looks with each other when she would talk to us.  I'm not so sure if I want my daughter in that class.   She said she had fun though, so for now I'll just let it be.

Dancing Queen

Our 4 year old is beginning ballet and tap classes today and I'm so excited! I even made her this tutu...





and these bows...

I hope the little angel behaves!

A mom can dream right?

Just kidding...kind of lol! She is really excited too, and I think she will do great. She has been wearing her dance backpack around the house all day and keeps asking me when we're leaving. School has gone smoothly today, yay! Here is a pic of our 4 oldest at Stone Mountain this weekend. We hope to maybe go to a rodeo in a few days! It should be interesting because I'm definitely NOT a country girl. ; )

Consignment Sales

Some of the goodies I picked up. : )

This past year I have began to shop at Consignment Sales and resale shops. I used to be "scared" of these places...silly I know, I was ignorant I guess lol. I assumed everything would LOOK really used and gross, and that's not what I wanted for myself of my kids right? Well, I went into a Kid to Kid store a year ago and I realized that I could be getting some really great deals, on NICE things...whoo hoo! I try to go to consignment stores a few times a year now at least.

I went to a huge consignment sale this spring and was so disappointed. Everything was, well, not too nice. The clothing had stains, holes, etc., which was not supposed to be allowed. I went to the same sale (fall) this weekend, and got some great things! We left with an exersaucer, lots of clothing, books and a crib toy for under $70. : ) We then went to a really nice antique store and a craft show. This is a craft show that runs monthly, that I actually participated in last year. I only made $250 for the whole weekend, so needless to say I didn't return. I felt so badly for the vendors there this past weekend...it was SO hot, and nobody was there. We couldn't take the heat so left as soon as we arrived basically. I love the fact that my husband only works 4 days a week...he is such a good sport even though it wasn't his idea of a fun Friday.

What?! No school today?

Today the public schools in our county began their fall session. Summer is nice because I don't have to explain to the general public why my children aren't in school if we run errands. (Although I still have to answer tons of questions such as, "Are they all yours?,"You sure do have your hands full," and even, "Haven't you heard of/own a television?") I came across this list of things homeschoolers should "not" say if asked this question. : )

Top 10 Things NOT to say when asked "What?! No school today?"

10. Well normally yes, but this time of year I need help with the planting and plowing.
9. Goodness, no!!! I graduated 18 years ago, but thanks for the compliment!
8. No, we homeschool. We're just out to pick up a bag of pork rinds and some Mountain Dew, then we gotta hurry home to catch our soaps.
7. What?! Where did you guys come from?! Oh my gosh! I thought I told you kids to stay at school! I'm sorry. This happens all the time. (sigh)
6. There isn't? Why, you'd think we would have seen more kids out then, don't you?
5. We're on a field trip studying human nature's intrusive and assumptive tactics of displaying ignorance and implied superiority. Thanks for the peek!
4. On our planet we have different methods of education. (Shhh! No, I didn't give it away... keep your antennae down!)
3. Oh my goodness! I thought that today was Saturday...come on kids, hurry!
2. Noooooope.Me 'n Bubba jes' learns 'em at home. Werks reel good!
And the number one answer we should NEVER give to the question: "What? No school today?"
1. "What? No Bingo today?"