Free Bean Bags at Cleverkiddos.com

If you have enjoyed Inside my Homeschool House, please make the move with me to CleverKiddos.com! 

Check it out today and you can win FREE been bags made especially for the clever kiddo in your life!! Hurry the deadline is almost here!

Head on over to CleverKiddos.com to check it out!

Good Luck!!

Do Parents Matter? The Nurture Assumption

Sometimes I run across articles that make me thankful that we homeschool. :)

I hope you enjoy!

Check this out...

I have a new address: www.cleverkiddos.com

Keep your eyes open for some great giveaways coming soon. I will post a few reminders in hopes that everyone has a chance check out the new site. I would love to see coments about what you liked and disliked about this blog so I can make the next one better. I can't wait to see you over at www.cleverkiddos.com!

I am so proud of the new site, please come and visit!!

First Sewing Project for Children

Getting kids started on their sewing adventure is as 1,2,3.

1. Select fabrics that are very easy to sew, will not ravel, and look the same on both sides. I suggest fleece or felt.

2. Give them a framework like people, bean bags, felt food, but let them design their own project. I love etsy.com to get their minds rolling. I have found that sometimes they insist on the most difficult, that is OK just remind them that is their "inspiration" and not their pattern. I try to make a sample while they are sewing , without being a demonstrator. It helps them see the basic idea in practice,.

3. Get out the sewing machine (or needle and thead) and sew with them. Make sure the project is quick and easy. Who wants to cut out 20 pieces, arrange, and pin before the project starts to takes shape? With felt the seams can be on the inside or outside so let thier imagination run free. As they start to enjoy the freedom a sewing machine has to offer they will begin to figure out/learn the rules about pinning, patterns, and where the right sides of the fabric go. I start by letting them push the petal as I work the fabric, before long they are running the machine better than I am. :)

When the sewing machine become a tool for them to create, their imagination and interest begin to soar. Avoid the trap of "this is how you sew a straight line" and let them experience the joy of homemade. 

Happy Sewing!

Getting a grip on Dinner - Week 5

I hope you are enjoying your mealtimes as you move into week 5 of the meal plan. This is one of my favorite weeks. Enjoy!

So many projects, just enough time...

I believe there are two kind of days. Either you feel like you survived the day or thrived during the day. As a stay-at-home & homeschooling mom there are so many things that that don't offer immediate gratification. The kitchen is dirty a few hours (if not minutes) after I clean it. The flash-cards come out and are put away with out a lasting mark. Laundry is continual. 

Creative projects are one way I feel like I am thriving.  There are plenty of days that  I am just surviving, but too many of those "surviving" days in a row and my attitude is rotten. So even when things aren't  going my way I try to sprinkle in a few "thriving" activites throughout my week. 

Home improvement projects are great because you see the result every day. The older boys helped me finish the tile in the study a few weeks ago.

They are very good helpers. The years of it taking longer for them to help are starting to pay off.  I hope by exposing the kids to so many different project they gain the confidence and the same sense of thriving that I am reaping.

Sewing is a great thriving activity.  I love recycling clothing into something new. I enjoy sewing side-by-side with the kids. Someone asked how I have time to sew the other day. I was a little puzzled, I just get out the sewing machine and the kids and I sew. I can't say that I don't have enough time for anything. I simply choose to spend the gift of time on things that are a priority. Somedays getting the dishes done is a priority, somedays they sit in the sink while I sew with my children.

(Introducing kids to sewing is fun. I will be posting the easy steps we followed soon. )

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be very rewarding. Woodworking is still very challenging to me.  I just completed my first piece of furniture two weeks ago. For this project I used some of our scrap wood. The bookcase is far from perfect, but it was free and I am proud of it. :)

Learning something new can keep a spark in your day. My newest skill is knitting. I have two hats and one scarf complete and I can't wait to learn another stitch from my neighbor soon. I also dabbled a bit in embroidery to preserved a piece of the kid's art. I stitched their design on silk and as soon as my sewing machine in up and running I can put the finishing touches on that pillow.  So many projects, just enough time.

What a gift time is! What makes you feel like you are thriving? 

Best thing I have read in a while....

I love this post! Thank you Bridget at Don't Blink!

 I would like to keep a copy so I can read it when people ask, "Why do you homeschool?"