We were outta town for over 2 weeks and I am home, but still trying to get my head above water! Before I can get back to regular posting, I need to get our kids, homeschool, house, and myself in order. Here’s a bit of what I have been doing behind the scenes {along with laundry, cleaning, and more cleaning}…
I began the Daily Audio Bible (using my iPod touch) and I LOVE IT! I considered the Bible in 90 Days, but for now, at this season of my life, it is just too much for me. I prayed and prayed and even felt guilty as I saw other moms I know online signing up to do it. Finally God brought me my answer when I stumbled across the DAB podcast, and it is just perfect for me. I have listened quietly each day and love it. I started the boys listening to the Daily Audio Bible for Kids too, it is wonderful and will take them through the New Testament in a year.
In addition to my daily Bible listening, I have been more purposeful with my blog reading. As much as I adore reading other homeschooling blogs, I really feel God calling me to read more of HIM online. So, I am focusing more of my reading time with blogs focused almost entirely on the Word. I am really loving the series called Fresh Year, Fresh Start which is currently in progress and is written by several wonderful and inspiring bloggers.
We are revamping our daily routine and discipline plan as we always have to do after such a break in routine (holidays and vacation). Accountable Kids is kicking back into gear, as well as a new iTouch app I got called iRewardChart. I am also re-reading Creative Correction and have been listening to Focus on Parenting podcasts to refocus in the parenting area. We are also gearing up for our Raising Rock Stars family time this Sunday when we will pick back up with Joseph. Daddy has been reading about Joseph each morning during family prayer time to help prepare the boys, it’s been great!
As for ME, I am gearing up to begin the 30 Day Shred, and honestly I am a bit {or, a LOT} nervous ;-). I haven’t done significant exercise since before Ladybug and I am sure I probably won’t be able to move after the 1st day. I plan to begin no later than Monday! We’ll see how it goes, pray for me!!!!
I am preparing tons of homeschooling things too of course. I posted about Download and Go awhile ago and I DID end up ordering it for Pac Man. For us it was a big expense since I usually make our own stuff in the unit-study/lapbook area. BUT, with Pac Man getting older I am out of my early childhood element with him! So, I bit the bullet and paid the sale price for a semester’s worth of weekly unit studies. I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision at first, but now as I sit here preparing our first 2 units, I am really excited! I plan to share more with each unit we do, and also wanted to see if anyone else who reads bought it also and might be blogging about how they are using it with their kiddos? Right now I am coming up with a system that will hopefully work for us each week, I am not thinking we will finish a unit a week, more like every other week. We still have our other full subjects, this is just additional learning. The first unit is Winter Wonders and our second will be Amelia Earhart. I am really excited to begin ASAP!
In case you are looking to purchase any, here are some {limited time} coupon codes for a great discount.
- 4 weeks Use coupon code DNG4WK and save 20%. Pay only $24
- *19 weeks Use coupon code DNG19WK and save 20%. Pay only $91.20 for an entire semester’s learning! (*what I bought)
- 38 weeks–is the absolute best deal! With the special coupon code DNG38WK, you can enjoy an entire year’s curriculum–for multiple children–for only $152! That’s only $4 per week to homeschool your entire family!
Totally Tots is off and running with a new team for 2010, we began the new posting schedule on January 1 with the launch of several new features this month! Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. It has kept me very busy these past 2 weeks, I am so thrilled with how God has led!
Finally, the best news {and the post I am most excited to write} is to share all about my sleepover at this lovely gal’s house! Stay tuned, I hope to be back with many posts soon!