What We're Reading in April

Our book baskets are full and overflowing this month.  Due to some unseasonably cold temps keeping us pinned inside for days on end, my family was in a reading frenzy the last few weeks of March.  I'm hoping to continue that momentum into the warmer month of April.  ("April WILL be warm...right?!" she asks as she heads off to put on another pair of wool socks.)

Here's a look at some titles we're wrapping up and a few that we hope to crack open in the coming weeks.  

ABeka vs. BJU Language: Why I Switch Mid-Stream

With mommas diligently planning curriculum choices for next year, my inbox has been jammed with questions regarding MY particular curriculum selections. Curious readers have wanted to know WHY I have chosen certain programs over others. Without a doubt, the #1, most-asked question I have received is some version of the following...

"Jamie, I'm wondering why you switch from ABeka Language to Bob Jones English in third grade?"

Great question!  

I can see why my madness would raise questions about by method.  

So, in an attempt to kill several dozen birds with one stone, I'm gonna do my best to satisfy the curious, today.*

$25 Grapevine Study Store Credit Giveaway

Photo Credit

With less than a month left until we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, I'm so excited to be able to award one reader a $25 store credit to purchase any of the wonderful resources from Grapevine Studies. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Birthday Gift Buying on a Budget for Debt-free Living

Humor me for a minute and see if you can tackle this simple, homeschool math story problem.

If I have five kids and they each get invited to many birthday parties every year, how much money will I have to spend annually in order to purchase fun birthday gifts for all of their friends while still maintaining my debt-free, livin'-on-one-income-in-a-two-income-world lifestyle?

Not a fan of story problems?  Nah...me neither.  Especially ones that seem to have impossible solutions.

Scratch Art: Art Project for ANY Age

CONFESSION TIME, FOLKS!  I like art time.  Ok, ok, I looooove art time.  I love all the mess.  I love the creativity.  I love getting my hands covered in color.

But...

I'm not a huge fan of trying to come up with art projects that will appeal to my older kids but that will still be DOABLE for my little ones.  Because let's face it, my four-year-old REALLY wants his project to look just as good as his big brothers'...but it usually does not, and so disappointment ensues.  

Delight-Directed Curriculum Planning Starts With THIS...

In just a few short weeks, I'll be heading to my state's annual homeschool convention. If you need me during that weekend, just look for a mound of used books haphazardly piled high in the used-book section of the vendor floor. I'll be somewhere underneath it. (Just as an FYI for your own personal safety: If you take me away from my pile of books or try to grab one of the titles that I've set aside to purchase, I react in much the same way as a cornered squirrel. Trust me, it ain't pretty. Kidding. Only kidding. Mostly.)

Grab the iHomeschool Studio MP3s: A Homeschool Conference at Your Convenience

Hey, everybody, did you miss the big homeschool-conference-right-from-your-comfy-couch Webinar I told y'all about a few weeks ago?  

No problem!

From now until May 31st, you can purchase MP3 downloads of individual sessions for $3.00.  Or better yet, grab THE ENTIRE webinar series (23 sessions) for only $25.00.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Hear the well-sought after advice from homeschool veterans Heidi St. John, Debra Bell, and many more.  The series includes a range of topics from time management to homeschooling children with learning challenges.  

For a full list of webinar sessions and to purchase the MP3s, head on over iHomeschool Studio now.

PLEASE NOTE: MP3s will be available until May 31, 2014, so please do not delay in downloading the files. Please understand that these file sizes are very large and download times will vary. Be sure to backup your file as well. You will not be able to redownload the file after May 31st.

10 Family Easter Activities that Point to the Cross

As our family's annual Easter Brunch fast approaches, I have begun gathering ideas and activities to fill this season of celebration with memorable moments of contemplation and thankfulness.

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

While the celebration of Christ's birth should be a significant fixture in our faith calendar, we must remember that His birth is made significant because of the reason He came. To the best of my ability, I want to mark Easter with the same attention as I give to Christmas. (This is still a work in progress.) I want our family anthem for this life-giving memorial to parallel that of Paul's in Philippians 3:10a.

Homeschooling tip for Hopelessly Busy Families

"So, how's your school year going?"

Is my typical lead-in when meeting up with other fellow homeschool mommas.  

"Busy!"

comes the reply...more often than not.  

I hear ya'.  Believe me, I hear ya'.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stock from Kitchen Scraps

A few weeks ago, when a nasty cold bug threatened to knock all seven us out one at a time, I took action.  I headed to my freezer to grab one of my best, tried-and-true home remedies for feeling better faster...a jar of homemade chicken stock.

Now don't go confusing this with what Swanson's been ladling up for decades.  No. No. No.

What I'm talking about is homemade-flavorful-mineral rich-goodness that you won't find on the shelves of any grocery store.  

A quick aside:  America is one of the few countries in the world that does not seem to value the many health properties of bone broth.  Grandmother's all over Creation have been serving up chicken soup to their ailing loved ones for years.  And yet, homemade chicken soup has fallen out of vogue here in the States and has been replaced with Ramen, Campbell's, or any myriad of canned knock-offs.

While this simple home remedy might seem like an old wive's tale, there is actually substantial research to prove that broth/stock made from actual animal bones...not bullion cubes or chicken breasts, but BONES...has natural healing properties.  For more information, be sure to read The Many Benefits of Bone Broth.

All About Spelling, Level 4: Spelling for the REAL World

"I like the fact that spelling time isn't just a workbook with a bunch of words I have to memorize.  I'd rather learn HOW to spell than WHAT to spell." (Sweetie Pea, fifth grade)

Exactly, my dear girl! Exactly!

At only ten-years-old, my daughter has GOT IT!  In just two short sentences, she has masterfully worded the very ESSENCE of what spelling time should be about...learning HOW to spell.

What We're Reading in March

Confession time.

I've been waiting all month to give you another peek into our book baskets.  If truth be told, these monthly inventories are my favorite posts to write.