Still Picking up the Pennies

I have always, from the time we decided to have children wanted to home school. DH mentioned it today and I was happy, so this may be a new situation that I need to prepare for. I have a 1st grader and a 5th grader, both of them struggle in school, they are both starting to get frustrated. They both love to learn and it just kills me that their spirits are getting smothered where they are right now. So I am asking for thoughts and prayers for my family while we ponder this ever important choice.

So I did a lot of things right this year but a lot incorrectly. One of the biggest things I did wrong was the lack of prep work I could have spaced out all year long. That is where I am going with this post. I am going to try to work on one craft idea a month in preparation for gift giving for Christmas 2011. January's project is going to be oven mitts. As I need them and everyone uses them. So I will post a few photos after the boys and I have a few hours on the sewing machine. I also should say that a constant goal of mine is to increase my boys sewing talent. The two ideas go hand in hand. If you have any ideas that a mother of two boys with normal gift giving list could use please post in the comments.

I am borrowing this post "Sign up below and you’re on your way to receiving free books in exchange for your honest and thoughtful book reviews! You can also win cash prizes, autographed books, iPods and other great awards! For full details on how the Blogging for Books program works please visit our FAQ page. http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/sign-up *USA only, book reviews are due within 30-90 days, can only request 1 book at a time." but I just got an email stating that my book: The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark; illustrated by Vincent Nguyen has been queued for shipment, I should have it in 7 to 10 days. Just in time for Christmas break reading with the boys. I love new kid's books that my boys will love for free.

I am not an official home schooler, but at heart I am. I try to teach my boys every lesson they need to learn here at home. And at Heavenly Homemakers, Laura is hosting a The Great Curriculum Swap – coming up September 13 it sounds like an excellent source to home schoolers on a tight budget. I have nothing to offer and am not requesting anything, but just wanted to spread the word. :) Enjoy!!