Three in Thirty

Weeks Three and Four (I can do that, right?)

These days have just been wild!  I'm not sure I'll complete my #3in30 goals this month- I may just have to carry over into January. The upside: my mobile office is complete & my organizational post is ready to publish next month.   The downside: I have not even begun to type my homeschool scriptures.

This verse has been especially encouraging to me lately.  I hope it blesses you too.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Psalm 31:24

King James Version (KJV)

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, 

all ye that hope in the LORD.

Three in Thirty

Week Two - Status

Am I the only one feeling like there are not enough hours in the day? By the way, I still dream about having a Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons.  Could it really be that hard? Really? (Yes, Honey Hubby Wonderful Man this is a hint...)

Oh yeah: progress. Maybe I should have made getting the Christmas presents made/purchased one of my goals.  I've not bought ONE bless-ed thing.  Nope- not one. I'm usually so on top of that. I have been busy, though.  We've been camping, decorating, playdates...and working on my #3in30 goals.  Here's my status:

1. Typed List of Homeschool Scriptures - not yet started
2. Organizational Post - working on this one. I've compiled ideas of what to include, taken pictures, edited pictures, and have rough draft started
3. Create Mobile Office - DONE! I'll share more about it in the organizational post.  Wanna sneak peek? Here ya go:

Idea from http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/

I'm wishing y'all #3in30 blessings and holiday cheer from my cozy, comfy Big Chair in front of the fire (so better than the office I had wanted and stressed over, silly me).

Three in Thirty

I am LOVING October!  Cool(er) weather, leaves turning colors, prelude to the holidays...what's not to love? I'm getting things done: reading my inspirational book and continuing to decorate for fall.                  

               

                 

While I haven't penciled in the time on my calendar, I have found some time to blog.  I'd rather have a set time every week, but when?  So far I've been utilizing family TV time to hop on my mini laptop.

What's on your October agenda? Thanks, #3in30 Gals for keeping me on my toes!  Look out, I'm watching you too :)

Three in Thirty

October Goals

For my October goals, I have chosen:
1.  Read one inspirational book (Relationship with God)
2.  Establish a blog posting/ writing routine (Social Media)
3.  Decorate for Fall (Home/Organization)

I have already completed one goal!  What, you're not applauding? I've put out our fall decorations with the exception of the turkey things.  I'll put those out next month closer to Thanksgiving.  So far we have a few table decorations, window clings, a couple of mantle pieces, and I added a few pumpkins to the year round table center piece.

I don't really do a whole lot of seasonal decorating outside of Christmas.  I don't know why...maybe because my family never did.  We always had a Christmas tree, of course.  Now that I'm a mom, I'll have to do better!  I think my son and husband appreciate it- so that motivates me.  I enjoy making seasonal crafts with my DS4.  I'm sure we'll get more elaborate with the decorations as he gets older.

Silk Leaves

 

Pumpkinized Centerpiece

Living Room Mantle

Sun Porch Window Cling

It's fun getting back into the #3in30 habit!  How are you doing with your goals?  I love seeing everyone's progress.  It's encouraging to me that we all have so many similar goals.  Great minds think alike, right?  Keep up the good work, Ladies. #3in30 Blessings to you!

(You know, I really did want applause- just a little.)

Three in Thirty

September just flew by.  Did anyone else notice?  This month has been especially busy for us.  We've been getting back in the homeschooling groove and had a beach vacation.  Although my vacation has nothing to do with the challenge (or this post),  I know you are just screaming for beach photos. I wouldn't want to disappoint - here's a shot or two:

Blue Crab

Snack Time

I am proud to say that I accomplished two of my three goals.  Notice how I put a positive spin on that?  It's all about attitude, Baby. I created a home management journal.  I may do a post on it with links to the pages I used.  Want to see it?

Front Cover

Calendar Pages

Scripture Confession Pages

And I tackled the over flowing stack of magazines and catalogs.  Now it's down to three that we are actually using.  Here's a before and after:

Before

   

After

How did you do in September?  Are you thinking about your October goals?  I am!  One of my Home/Organization goals is to get out the fall decorations.  You know, sometime before the actual day of Thanksgiving!  Here's a sneak peek:

See you next time...

Three in Thirty - Back in the Game

It's been awhile since I've written a #3in30 post.  I've been busy, getting things done, and doing the dailies.  I just haven't  been goal setting (more like list making).  Buuuuuuuuuuut I'm back in the game now so here are my goals:
     1. (God Category) Read one inspirational book. Yes, I know.  This was a previous (unfinished) goal.  It didn't work out. After my evening Bible time, I fall asleep.  Any suggestions?
     2. (Social Media Category) Empty the dining room of the 2 foot stack of magazines and catalogs. Really, this has nothing to do with social media.  Read about my blogger envy confession. Let's just say I've got some commitment issues.  Maybe next month I'll set and stick to a blogging schedule.  Don't hold your breath, though.
     3. (Get Organized) Create a Home Management Binder.  I've actually completed this one.  It was a nightmare!  I printed all my lists and pages. I made and laminated front and back covers.  I took it to the local office supply/ print shop for binding and they RUINED it.  I had to start all over and you know what? They ruined it again!  Hours upon hours of work, costly paper, and precious printer ink made me want to cry. My wonderful, gallant, and always to the rescue husband offered to beat up the staff but I opted for buying a binding machine instead.  Much better for all involved, wouldn't you say?  We have only one office supply store and I can't afford to burn bridges with all the homeschooling supplies I need. (I did kinda' want to show them my finished binder, though. Rub their noses in it.  I was successful on the first attempt! So easy. Alas, the love of Christ constrains me- after quite a bit of prayer.)

I can't wait to link up and read about your goals/progress.  I always find encouragement, humor, and tons of great ideas! Let me know how you read in bed without crashing.

Our New Curriculum

Back to school time is so exciting! I love shopping for school supplies.  Ah the feel of new pens, new folders, and the smell of crayons.  Heaven.  Yeah- I'm nerdy like that.  This year we are doing a Preschool Review through the end of the year.  We will start Kindergarten in January.  My son just turned four.  I figured rather than have two years of one and one year of the other, I could do a year and a half of each.  This way we can go slowly.  You know - let it sink in.  We have short days and take frequent breaks.  We took some time off this summer.  I doubt I will do that again because he just "lost" too much.

For finishing the year, we will continue to use a combination of Letter of the Week and Joyful Heart. These two programs have provided a great learning experience- for both of us!  I've posted before on how much I like both of them. He's having a great time.  I'm not to thrilled with all the prep, though.

Sure I know its a part of the job- I just wished I would have invested in printer ink stocks.  Man are we going through the cartridges!  In the last year alone, I've spent over  $400 in just ink and paper.  That just stinks, People.  Stinks!

Well, that got me thinking (and crying).  If I'm going to spend that much I may as well invest in a more "turn key" curriculum for Kindergarten.  After much research I decided on Little Hearts For His Glory by Heart of Dakota Publishing.

I was amazed at how many books came with the package.  It was VERY reasonably priced too!  I just squealed opening the box when it came in.  This curriculum is awesome!  Very little prep work involved.  Thanks to the teacher's guide I don't even have to write out lesson plans.  How cool is that?!

I'm confident that this will be a great Kindergarten experience.  I will enjoy being able to "school" during the day and spend my evenings relaxing with my family more.
 Less work + more fun = happy mom!

Have fun visiting more Hip Homeschools at the

  

Three in Thirty

For week three encouragement, I offer two of my favorite Bible confessions:

I commit my ways unto the Lord; I trust in Him & He brings them to pass. (Ps 37:5)

In Christ I always triumph. (2 Cor 2:14)

I've completed the dreaded storage food container cabinet.  Yippee! Having checked that off my list I certainly feel triumphant! I hope you're progressing and having fun with your goals this month.  One more week- WE CAN DO IT !

Homeschool Photos

Here are some photos of our classroom (back porch) and our work.  We are using the Letter of the Week curriculum by Confessions of a Homeschooler.  We also use many of the Melissa & Doug toys.

3 in 30 - Check Up

Here's my progress report:

Relationship With God
I am so happy to report I am still reading a chapter of Proverbs every morning.  I use the Psalms and Proverbs plan in the morning and the Life Journal plan at night from YouVersion.  It's been a great way to start and end the day.
Social Media Participation
I have participated in not just one but several blog hops this month. I've added so many new peeps to my blog reader.  It has been SO TOTALLY worth the challenge of finding the time to blog read & write.
Organization
The cabinets with the food storage containers all falling out...well...um...they're still waiting for me.

To all my 3in30 friends: keep up the good work!

Sensory Bins Are Magic!

I've read a lot about sensory bins and how little ones learn so much through sensory exploration.  SO I made a sensory bin for my preschooler. He LOVES it!  I did it for the educational aspect.  If I had only known...it kept my 3yo occupied for an hour.  That's right, I said a whole HOUR.  It's the closet thing to real magic that I've ever heard of.

I filled a plastic bin with dry rice, plastic measuring cups, utensils, and some tiny wooden blocks.  I spent less than $5.00 at the dollar store on the contents and a vinyl tablecloth to contain any mess.  It was great watching him explore: sifting, pouring, and inspecting each item. We talked about how the rice felt, concepts like bigger & smaller, inside & outside, and full & empty.  It seems so simple but it's really a great learning opportunity.  It went over so well, I plan to do another and fill it with seasonal items.

Three in Thirty

OK, OK, OKAY...you win.  I've read your tweets, visited your blogs and now (gasp) I (who totally does not do New Year Resolutions) have joined in the #3in30.  I've been inspired! PLUS, the idea of taking baby steps helps...committing to one month at a time just seems so much more do-able for me.  Having a community to do it with is, well, just plain FUN. So- I'm all in.

This year I want to grow in my relationship with God, dedicate more time to social media fun, and finish some of the home chores that I've been avoiding. Now thanks to 3in30, I can do it one little 'ole month at a time.

My goals for this month:

1. Add a chapter of Proverbs every day to my Bible reading plan (to grow wiser)
2. Participate in at least one blog hop every month (to be more social)
3. Clean out the food storage container portion of my cabinets (to get kitchen organized)

So far, I have done well. I've read a Proverbs every morning.  I have participated in THREE link-ups.  I have not yet tackled the two cabinets.  I'm waiting for hubby's day off so he can have some time out of the house with our son.  I figure I'll get it done faster with no interruptions.

With 3in30, I can get it together AND meet new friends.  You gotta' love that!

Report Card Time!

Oh how I used to hold my breath at report card time.  Not that I had anything to worry about.  I was a solid A-B student, but there was this awful feeling. You know, I thought it would be good but you just never know.  Things happen.  Funny, the things I used to worry about.  Now that I am homeschooling my son, I wonder if we'll do report cards.  Right now, we are pre-schooling.  Report cards at this stage just seem unnecessary.  Then again I do have to monitor his progress- ah, who knows?  Right now, posting our work on the wall seems to be enough reward.

We are half-way through the school year.  During our holiday break, I've reflected on what has worked and what hasn't so far. Our Letter Of The Week Curriculum by Confessions of a Homeschooler has been terrific. Not that we get through all the activities, but it holds my son's interest and it's super easy to implement.  It's so rewarding to watch him learn.  Homeschooling has been great for our relationship too.  At the end of the day, I feel like I have spent directed, intentional time with him-  not just in the same house together time.  The flexibility of homeschooling has been great.  We've had an extended holiday due to some family emergencies that arose right before Christmas.  We've done some of the lessons in bed- how great is that?!

I need to get more disciplined about sticking to our daily routine. Some aspects of this year have been about "working out the kinks."  We belong to a Christian Homeschooling group and a MOPS group to squelch socialization concerns. All in all, I am so glad that I decided to pre-school at home.  I've learned so much and enjoyed visiting with the other HS Moms from the Hip Homeschool Hop. Cheers for a great semester: A+!