Homeschool: Here We Go!

Last year we sort of played at homeschooling.  I didn't take it seriously.  It was like playing school when I was a little girl.  Don't get me wrong, A&A really did learn some things, and I was surprised at how much I actually liked teaching.  But it wasn't *really* school.  This year, we're doing homeschool for realsies. Ha!

So here it is June and I am getting my ducks in a row!  I have my Erin Condren life planner, Frixion pens (that erase amazingly well!), and Pinterest (I don't think I had an original thought ever before Pinterest).  My plan is to print what I can now and create files for each theme.  I can even request books from our library in advance and just go pick them up!  Wait just a minute..........my type A is showing.

I've decided on our first 4 weekly themes: All About Me, Human Body, Manners, and Community Helpers. Stay tuned for links to all of the great things someone else shared on Pinterest and I was just lucky enough to stumble upon.

Weekly Theme: Fall and Pumpkins

Halloween is next week, which makes it the perfect time for this theme.  I'm so excited to carve a pumpkin with A&A for the first time.  I know they'll love exploring the guts.  :)

Activities:

jack-o-lantern silhouette craft

Roll a Pumpkin Game 

life cycle of a pumpkin printables

pumpkin coloring pages

leaf coloring and identification pages

DIY homemade fall playdough

potato stamp pumpkins

fall sensory bin

pumpkin painting

Videos:
Five Little Pumpkins

Spookley the Square Pumpkin

That's How a Pumpkin Grows

Franklin's Pumpkin

Life Cycle of a Pumpkin

Curious George a Halloween Boo Fest (Netflix)

The Magic School Bus Spins a Web (Netflix)

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood S01E32 (Netflix)

Books:

Pumpkin Soup

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

The Littlest Pumpkin

Room on the Broom

Nuts to You

Chef, Maid, Nanny, Teacher

Last spring, when A&A were three and a half, we started looking at local preschools.  I was SHOCKED at the price for one, let alone our *two* twins!  So I looked into the free North Carolina preschool (assuming we would even qualify for the program).  I was shocked again to learn that the NC program was an all day, 815am-245pm, every day school day.
Y'all, that means that my babies would be gone from me 7 hours a day 5 days a week.  I have no problem admitting that I was just plain not ready for that yet.  That's when Jon and I decided that I would "homeschool" A&A this year.

Now remember they are only four years old (my two babies turned four October 16th).  So I use the term homeschool lightly.  Really we just do lots of crafts.  Which, of course, I love!  Don't get me wrong.  They're learning and I'm teaching, but we're not working on multiplication tables or diagramming sentences (gosh, I hated those!!!).

So here we are, a homeschool family.  I never thought, *never* thought I would be a homeschool momma.  And yet, here I am!  Every week I scour Pinterest for ideas and themes for the next week's lesson.  It is my desire to post our lessons here to save you the time from searching.  I'm thoughtful like that.

I hope that you find this new chapter of my blog helpful and informative.  And please let me know if there's anything I can describe in more detail or clarify for you.

Last Day to Enter Giveaway

Here's a reminder about the Backyard Discovery grand giveaway. Two families will win an awesome playset and an Oasis Garden. Today is the last day to enter.

I would love the garden to teach The Babies about growing vegetables and eating fresh.  And I know they would dig growing up with such a super awesome playset like the Patriot II!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Rafflecopter is this amazingly easy new way to host giveaways for your Facebook page or blog.  They actually have their own giveaway happening right now to promote their latest, greatest design.  Go here now!

Backyard Discovery Giveaway

Backyard Discovery is doing another grand giveaway.  Two families will win an awesome playset AND their Oasis Garden.
I've entered to win.  Cross your fingers!

Etsy Friday

It's been a long, long time since I've blogged.  Goodness, I've got a lot going on. 

When I saw these items on Etsy I HAD TO share them!  OMG.  I want a Blackberry just so I can cover it in this hideous thing.  Isn't it amazing?!!

How 'bout these Elvis skeleton cameos?  My question is.....why?