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I'm Erin, and this is my crew. We love Jesus, authenticity, hard work, and eclectic home education. I’ve been homeschooling just long enough to know that I don’t have single thing figured out and that the beauty of this adventure is tucked away into the small, sacred moments. To learn more about who YOU are to me, who I am, and what I believe, click here.

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Our Curriculum Choices (10th, 7th, K4)
Do Digital Products Really Save? (Part 2 of 2)
Do Digital Products Really Save? (Part 1 of 2)
Moral Imagination? Poetic Knowledge? What the What?
HUGE FREE Gentle + Classical Nature Bundle Sampler!
What will The Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2 Include?

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I just did it. I'm sent a "last chance" email. I feel a little gross about it because I do not care for salesy "last chance" emails. So please don't hate me about that or for posting this posting this. . . But what I also really don't care for is missing out on something because I got busy, procrastinated, or completely forgot. So, if that's you, you (and I) are why I'm sending this email. . . So, the Mega Montessori Bundle had is ending at MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT. Here's a refresher: This bundle has hundred and hundreds of pages of printable content. It has 24 different contributors. It also includes two ecourses. The individual value of all of this together is $450. The price is $25. I consider this an AMAZING value or you wouldn't see me discussing it. . . Here are a few more helpful facts: If your children are in junior high or high school, this isn't for you. Much of the content is nature related. But there's also tons of early language arts packets as well. The packages vary from sea shells and ocean animals to birds and weather resources and farm animals. All of it is not my cup of tea, but I consider around $200-250 to be AMAZING!!! I've already printed and began using it. If you're interested, head to my link in profile to look it over. (link below as well) . . If you're concerned about printing, head to the link in profile and click BLOG. You'll see two posts about digital curriculum including printing comparison AND a new (unrelated) post about our curriculum choices for next year (10th, 7th, K4)🙌 . Facebook: https://transactions.sendowl.com/stores/11280/140739 . . #lastchance #dontmissout #eventhesehashtagsaregross #illjuststopnow #notasalesperson #Lordhelpme
🎉📣📣📣Huge teaser of information!!! . . I have gotten a ton of questions and I wanted to kill two birds at once--answer the questions AND write a portion of the Part 1 or TGCP Level 2. Win. Win. . . So I created a 13 page teaser of information for a Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2 🙌🙌🙌 . . It includes: ➡️Scope and Sequence ➡️Book List ➡️TONS OF FAQ ➡️Info for placing your 4yo ➡️What's going to be in the bundle ➡️Detailed info about SCHEDULES ➡️Overall encouragement . . Some of this will end up being snagged and placed in the program itself but this gives you a very solid understanding of the program, hopefully answers most of your questions, and should help you decide if this is right for you or not. . . Since it's SO DETAILED, it's not just grab and go- it's in my Member Resource Library. . . Go to my link in profile. Scroll down to Member Resource Library. If you are already an email subscriber, the password is at the bottom of the last email I sent you (or any email). If you aren't, you'll find a spot to sign up on that page, and I'll email you the password. It's at the bottom of every email that comes from me ❤️ . . I don't mind questions, so fire away! But be sure to read through this booklet first, if I don't mind. If I missed a question, lmk! . . Would you mind tagging a friend or sharing this in your stories? I'd love for people to know what's included. It may be a great fit for them next year (FOR FREE) 🙌🙌🙌 . . #preschool #kindergarten #preschoolathome #kindergartenathome #classicaleducation #charlottemason #charlottemasonliving #educationathome #homeeducation #theearlyyears
Updates on Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2 ⬇️🎉🎉⬇️ . . Things are going along really smoothly! 🙌 I want to say, up front, that writing a curriculum is much like having a child--you make a birth plan and set into it fully expecting THAT to happen, but things change. Situations evolve. So as I move through this process, I'm dropping stuff and adding stuff. I'm praying through the process, learning as I go, and hoping the end result is a blessed birth of something that makes your dream preschool and kindergarten year a reality ❤️ . . Here's what changed since my last update: 🌍Geography/Missionary Study is becoming it's own thing. In praying through potentially creating too hefty of a program for the younger students, I've decided that this portion will be a separate thing all together. It will be thorough and perfectly aligned to TGCP 2 for those who want it, but it will be separate as to not overwhelm those who don't. 📚I've worked hard to make sure as many stories, wonder tales, and nursery rhymes were inside of as few books as possible... I didn't want you to spend a fortune on books, but still have the best available. 💡This program will be through and robust enough for ANY student ages 4-6. The base program is robust and for students who work quickly and are closer to 6, the Geo/Missionary study fleshes it out further. It's a FULL FEAST. You'll still need your own phonics and math programs. (I endorse All About Reading and Rightstart or MUS). We will also use HWWT. . . What you see pictured here will be the bulk of the books for the program. These will all be considered "required" with The Ology being highly recommended as well. You could also skip Everyday Graces if you choose not to do our weekly manners overview. . . The program is being scheduled around a Morning Time, Wonder Tale Tea Time, and Nature Study of course (using GC Nature 😜). Each day of the week will hold MT and Tea Time PLUS have a theme: Science/Nature, Missionary/Geo, Wonder Explorations, etc. I'm excited. It's getting super exciting. . . Are you excited? #preschool #kindergarten #homeschool #curriculum #newcurriculum #gentlepreschool #classicaleducation #charlottemason #livingbook
Doing any ocean/aquatic studies this next year? 🐙🐡🐠🦈🦀🦑 (Also, printing help⬇️⬇️⬇️) . . You can swipe to see three SMALL selections of some of my favorites from the Mega Montessori Bundle. I've had a few questions, so I thought I'd share answers here: . . ❓My child is ___ years old. Is there anything in this bundle for him? I'd say yes! My age range for about 80% of this bundle is 2.5 to around 8 or 9. The other 20% is completely useful up through middle school. . . ❓How can I afford to print this all? I have a few recommendations: 1- Buy a decent printer (as a homeschool investment) that uses CHEAP INK. If you look at my link in profile (scroll down) My Amazon Rec, you'll find my favorite printer. I had its predecessor for 8 years and printed nonstop. I've had this one for 3 years. I also have the SUPER CHEAP INK I buy from Amazon there as well. I can print hundreds of pages for just a few dollars. I also have paper and cardstock that I'm happy with in that link as well. Paper is cheaper at Costco usually, but this is my favorite cardstock. 2- I print at home and have anything I want bound done at Office Depot. A few printing jobs there pays for a new printer and ink when they're big jobs! 3- If I do order things printed by them, I use my HSLDA coupon code (search their website). Or I wait until OD has a print service coupon code. These are pretty frequent. 4- I only print what I KNOW I will use. Then I keep it ORGANIZED in sleeves in a big binder. If I print and forget, I've wasted my money. (See my last similar post for digital org tips ❤️). . . ❓ Do you think I'll actually use it? I can't help on this one friend, except to say, set yourself up for success. Buying digital products typically is a trade-off on convenience. You definitely can't buy $450 worth of PRINT curriculum for $25. So, it takes work. It take digital organization discipline and printing/cutting/organizing discipline. If you don't usually do this well, dedicate yourself to upping your game and make it fun. I #wineandlaminate all the time 😜😂. You'll reap a bounty of savings for your diligence! . . Head to the link in profile to check out the Mega Montessori Sale! $450 for $25!🙌🙌🙌
☕♥️📚 Wonder Tale Tea Time Giveaway! 💕🍵📖 . . I am soooo excited to bring you this bundle of goodies! A few friends and I wanted to curate a collection of our best-loved, tea time favorites and share it with one lucky winner! . . Here's what's up for grabs: 🕷️Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose by Scott Gustafson 👸Classic Fairy Tales (same) 🏵️A Child's Garden of Verses (Stevenson) 🐰The Velveteen Rabbit by Margaret Williams ➕The Ology by Marty Machowski 🍁Poetry for Young People- Robert Frost . . How to Enter: ➡️Like this photo 📣Follow ALL the following: @freebird.mama @3littlelambshomestead @laneslesstraveled @inspired.home.school.life @lifeabundantly_blog ➡️Comment, tagging a homeschooling friend (limit of 7 please) *One tag per comment ➕BONUS: Share in stories and tag @lifeabundantly_blog for 10x entries 🎉🎉🎉 . . Contest ends Wednesday, May 15th at 9:00pm CST. Open internationally. Non US-winners receive an Amazon gift card of equal value. Void where prohibited. Not sponsored by Instagram. . . #giveaway #poetryteatime #wondertales #fairytales #poetry #charlottemason #charlottemasonliving #classicaleducation #classicalpreschool #educationathome #homeeducation #freebie #enternow #giveaway #homeschool #books #classicliterature @scottgustafsonart #velveteenrabbit #nurseryrhymes #magicalchildhood #moralimagination
It feels like this day shouldn't be so complicated. It's supposed be be simple- thank your mom for being amazing... Be thanked for being amazing. . . But it's just not that easy for most. Maybe you aren't a mom but desperately want to be. Maybe you grew up without a mom or lost her recently. Maybe your child went before you to heaven. Regardless--Mother's Day can carry much more burden than blessing for many-- magnifying what we are without rather than what we have. . . But Mother's Day can also be a day of thanksgiving, even when it doesn't feel or look like there's much to celebrate. What we have to be thankful for, even if it's simply memories of our loved one who was or dreams of a loved one to come, can be a greeting card to our own aching hearts. . . This Mother's Day, I'm so thankful for every moment of laughter, teaching, encouragement, joy, and correction I received from my sweet Mama. I'm thankful she's celebrating in heaven with her mama, who she loved, admired, and missed so much. . . This Mother's Day, I'm thankful for the women who stood in the gaps in my life. Who always served, always encouraged and directed, who watched over me like a daughter and love my children like their grandchildren. . . This Mother's Day, I'm thankful for the sweet 5lb 11oz girl who made me a mama and taught me to lay down my life for the needs of another. I'm thankful for how she turns around and lays her needs and wants down everyday to bless our family. . . This Mother's Day, I'm thankful for that little surprise, that I wept to find out existed, but is now the center of joy and LIFE in our home. She has taught me what it means to always find the silver lining❤️ . . This Mother's Day, I'm thankful for sweet #3... How he was so prayed for and came into this world as the most perfect human ever. He exudes JOY and BOY, and I can't believe he's ours. . . This Mother's Day, I'm so thankful for my little bookend. The one we never knew we needed, who completes us all in every perfect way, and is a complete chunk of joyful perfect. . . I'm thankful for second chances. For redeemed Motherhood. For the losses that help me see the Life. It is all grace. #mothersday2019
Raise your hand if bundle sales scare you! ✋ Ever feel overwhelmed by the volume of stuff... Wondering if it's really a good deal or if you'll use it? . . Well I just spent quite a bit of time printing, organizing and prepping all my goodies from the Mega Montessori sale... And I have some helpful tips to share ❤️ . . I have a couple of methods that I've developed that help a ton: 📣1- Develop the discipline of downloading all digital files immediately. 📣2- Have an online file system (like Google drive) that you can access from anywhere, so you never "don't know" what you have. 📣3- Have those files organized! Mine are by general age, then by subject. Plus folders for faith, homemaking, etc. When you think: "We need to learn more about..." then go to YOUR FILES first. And this way, you're saving $$$. 📣4- Print out all the resources that you KNOW you will use and have binders with sheet protectors ready for them. Spend time prepping a bunch of stuff at once so it's "grab and go" when you need it. Label your stuff! I have all bird stuff together, fruits and veggies, weather, etc. 📣5- USE the organization you set up. If you aren't disciplined, you'll be wasting time and money. . . When you have a system in place, you can save a TON OF MONEY on homeschooling. In the next week, I'll share tips on affordable printing and more details about when to buy and when to pass. . . 🌿🕊️🐦🐤This picture features several bird related printables from the Mega Montessori sale that's going on right now! This is a tiny, tiny smidgen of all that you get for $25! In full honesty, I don't think I've ever been SO EXCITED about the stuff I've received from a bundle sale before. Not ALL of it is my cup of tea, but many things are. Had I purchased all that I LOVE individually, I would have spent well over $200. . . Link in profile to learn more! (affiliate) #sale #montessori #montessoriprintables #printables #bundle #greatdeal #earlybirdsale #homeschool #preschoolathome #preschool #invitationtoplay #unitstudies
📣📣📣It's finally here 🙌🙌🙌. This sale is really one of my favorite new things. I ran out of cardstock printing everything last night. But let's just say... $25... 🤯🤯🤯. And I'm not being all salesy, I LEGIT BELIEVE THIS IS AN AMAZING DEAL. . . I printed the stuff from @chickieandroo and @fiddlesticks.kids last night before I ran out of ink. Honestly, their stuff ALONE makes this worth $25. Seriously. Seriously. . . After I'm done printing it all today, I'll share some pics, but y'all- @fiddlesticks.kids 😳😳😳 She is new to me. This bundle includes her toddler Ugly Duckling curriculum. I literally AWED and felt tearful looking through it. It's one of the cutest things I've EVER SEEN. I am using it with my boys this week. . . There are AMAZING ocean life, nature, ABC printables. It's almost $500 worth of stuff. PLUS they're are giveaways each day and the earlier you purchase the more chances you have at winning. AND between now and Sunday night, all purchasers get a special Early Bird Bundle of extra printables (worth $48) just for their sheer lack of procrastination 😂😂😂 . . You can get it from my link in profile! (affiliate) . . #sale #montessoriathome #bundlesale #hugesale #giveaway #prizes #homeschool #preschoolathome #naturestudy #goodstuff #sahm #sahmlife #greatdeal #printable #printables #montessori #childledlearning #naturalchildhood #invitationtoplay
I want to share three treasures with you today ❤️. . . I think that one of the most important areas that we can all cultivate discernment is in who we "follow" on social media. When we click that button, we are allowing that person's beliefs, perspective, and worldview to speak into our lives. Like the books we read or the movies we watch, that which enters our eyes takes up residence in our hearts--for better or worse. . . So, because I am to set my mind upon that of the Spirit--which is life-giving, joyful, encouraging, lovely--I frequently unfollow accounts that don't bring those things to me. I don't mind being challenged and I certainly don't have to agree with someone's beliefs or worldview for us to make fast friends--but I do have to know that they are giving life, presenting the world with fruit from their lives, not seeking to tear down, divide, or simply promote themselves. . . In these 3 ladies, I have found such treasure, and I'm so thankful!❤️🙌 Check out these sweet ladies. I think you'll be encouraged and blessed in your homeschool journey! . . Rachel @ourquietgrowingtime Nadia @freebird.mama Amanda @townhouse_schoolhouse . . These ladies have beautiful hearts and uplifting feeds and are a blessing to the Insta homeschool community ❤️ . . Question: What's the last podcast episode you had to listen to multiple times because it was SO GOOD! Mine: Your Morning Basket, two episodes with @angelinastanford about Myth and Fairy Tales 😍😍😍
EEEK!!! The book list is READY! I've just finished Level 1 book list for The Gentle + Classical Preschool 🙌❤️🙌❤️ . . A) I'm so sorry this didn't come out with the program did. Honestly, I'd forgotten how hard it can be to cull from the HUGE volumes of books available. And I already had a decent home library built up, so it literally didn't dawn on me to make a BOOK LIST. . B) I think you'll love how it's arranged. It's a MENU so it's a recommended selection of books--not that you need or should get every single one. Some subjects offer more options than others. I did this to keep your options open and costs low. . C) It is arranged by both topic and unit for Level 1. 🙌 Even if you don't USE The Gentle + Classical Preschool, it would likely be pretty handy! It is not extremely detailed--like I don't tell you a summary of the book. But if it's on the list it fits for ages 2-4, unless I indicate that it does not. I offer helpful notes and suggestions as needed. But this is not a book-length, ultra detailed book list. Keeping with the spirit of TGCP, it's simple and easy to use 😂🙌 . D) It's not free 😬 Sorry guys! But it is on SALE. It will normally be $2.99 but is $1.99 this first week. IMPORTANT: It HAS been added to the Gentle + Classical Preschool Bundle, but the bundle price increased $1...so you didn't miss a *huge* discount by it not having previously been in the bundle. . E) It's in the shop now! Head to the link in profile to grab it. Don't forget that the Gentle + Classical Nature Bundle still had a coupon for $6.30 off (MOM63) through Mother's Day. . . Spread the word my friends! I think this thorough book list ups the "game" of this program. Tag your homeschooling friends who are looking for a program just like this ❤️ . . #booklist #books #preschoolathome #gentlepreschool #earlyeducation #picturebooks #beautifulbooks #livingbooks #classicaleducation #charlottemason #charlottemasonliving #charlottemasonpreschool
Honestly, I pulled out some cotton balls, glue, and paper and it turned into a brawl over cumulus clouds. . . I totally struggle with non-open-ended crafts... And so do they. They're little people--they care not for my educational intentions. They just see glue and cotton and a ton of fun, bombs to launch, and purple sticks smear on their bodies. I see frustration because I had a GOAL and they weren't participating according to my plan. Darn babies 😂 . . So that's why there are basically no crafts in my programs. You'll find books, games sometimes, and things to physically go do, but not much mention of glue sticks or construction paper. For me, those things and toddlers don't mix, so 99% of the time, I have enough wisdom not to even try. Times like today remind me of why 😂😳😬. . . At 3.5 and 2, #weatherschooling for us looks a lot like books and observation. And that's perfect for our family. ❤️ Also, these books are amazing. The Cloud Book would work for ages 2-10, I think. . . What have you found to work well for you that others can't seem to handle? Or maybe even the other way around 😂 . . Be sure to check out the wonderful homeschooling mamas who have joined together to study #weatherschooling for the month of May! @everydaylearnandplay @laneslesstraveled @onthecovehomeschool @learningfreely @shannacrowell @lifeabundantly_blog @3littlelambshomestead @loveathomeed @chickieandroo @schoolingdom @littlehousebecameahome @thepreciousyears @fortheloveofhomeschooling @freebird.mama @nourishedchildren @inspired.home.school.life . #realtalk #realhomeschool #homeschoolmom #toddlers #preschoolathome #earlyeducation #handson #nocrafts #notacraftagain #nomorecrafts 😂 .
Wonder Tales Tea Time 🍵📚🎻 (or Wonder Tales Treat Time or Wonder Tales Family Collective?) . . Not to rush these long days by, but I'm pretty excited that my boys are now at ages where we can do things without impending catastrophe (to an extent 😂). We began our Whole Family Morning Basket last week, and other than a smidgen of pushback and the untamable energy of a 2yr old, it's going beautifully. The kids look forward to the daily Nature Walk and Journaling and of course... Stories ❤️❤️❤️ . . I've not held to Poetry Tea Time very well over the past few years because babies. But I wanted a way to officially mark our transition from "school time" to "family time." My oldest (9th grade) sometimes daydreams and wants to allow school to go until 6. This isn't ok as we have other responsibilities. Giving her this incentive is a nice motivation to stop at 3, even if she needs to finish up for "homework." . . We are focusing on wonder tales rather than poetry right now as I've been a bit direlict in this area with my girls, and my boys listen to fairy tales much more attentively than poetry 😂 Though they do love nursery rhymes ❤️! We are also exploring great stories that instill wonder and develop their hearts of Virtue, like The Velveteen Rabbit. (Expect to find a slew of these books in Gentle +Classical Preschool Level 2.) . . *Also, we don't do tea. So maybe this should be called Wonder Tales Treat Time ❤️ because really... It's cookies and milk or lemonade 🥛🍪🍋 . . Do you do any type of afternoon "transition" time for your family? I'd love to hear your special spin on it! And help me pick a name! . . #wondertales #wonderstories #teatime #poetryteatime #wondertaleteatime #familycollective #gentlepreschool #familylearning #educationathome #grimms #velveteenrabbit #charlottemason #charlottemasonliving #charlottemasonpreschool #montessoriathome #classicaleducation #classicalpreschool #restfullearning #lemonade #milkandcookies
Want around 200 pages of realistic, useful nature-related printables for around $20? . . So, I previously shared that today is a hard day for me. Honestly, nothing helps me out of sadness like a party, and it's my Moms birthday, so I want to honor her amazing mothering and her life while also honoring all of you hardworking homeschooling Mamas. I see you friend--your tears, your worries, your passion, your sacrifice. It ALL MATTERS. For now and for eternity. . . The Gentle + Classical Nature Bundle is a 200+ page set of life cycles, posters, book lists, 3-part cards, French/Spanish cards and SOOOOO much more! Normally is $26.99 which is pretty darn good at 50% off the individual prices, but I want to celebrate! 🎉🎉🎉 So use code MOM63 at checkout to receive $6.30 off the normal price! . . Whether you're using GC Nature or not, these cards are great to have on hand for any kind of pond or forest/animal related study. Head to the link in profile, click SHOP and scroll down. It's the top, #1 seller in my shop. 30% of mamas using GC Nature have grabbed it and are SO EXCITED about how easy it makes their nature studies ❤️🌿 . . Facebook, here's your link: https://www.lifeabundantlyblog.com/shop/gcn-term1-bundle . Expires midnight mother's day. . . #printable #onsale #mothersday #happybirthday #sale #discount #homeschool #naturestudy #classicaleducation #exploringnature #natureexplorers #gentlepreschool #naturalchildhood #invitationtoplay #wildandfreechildren
Happy 63rd birthday in Heaven mama ❤️. It's been a really hard, lonely 18m without you. . But again and again, I find my mind naturally drawn to the sadness of all I'm missing out on with you rather than focusing on your victory in Christ. The ultimate victory. . As I woke up this morning, rather than the sadness I anticipated, I feel victory in my heart as the song, "I am no longer a slave to fear..." plays over and again in my mind. Coincidentally (or not) my Bible is open to Roman's 8 already. . In heaven, on your birthday, you are no longer a slave to fear. You are no longer a slave to lies or confusion or frustration. All the joy, enthusiasm, laughter, and LIFE that was in you on this earth is only magnified, as the trials and lies of the flesh are stripped away and the joy, peace, kindness, faith, and POWER of the Spirit are manifest in you, enencumbered. . What are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up FOR US ALL. How will he not also with him grant us EVERYTHING?... Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in ALL THESE THINGS, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS IN CHRIST. For I am persuaded that neither life nor DEATH, nor angels or rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39) . That is our great hope friends, the hope I have for the life she enjoys now and the life we can enjoy in Christ. My flesh fails to handle her loss with grace, but the Spirit encourages me toward Truth. . She taught forgiveness, always looking for the heart behind the matter, unabashed empathy and generosity, faithful service, creativity and expression, and perseverance no matter what. She lived and loved and laughed fiercely. She embodied "life abundantly"... And now she has it. . I REJOICE for His perfect will has been done, for we know he works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to his purposes.
Ive been hiding this space from Instagram. 🙈In the year since we've lived here, I've had a lot of feelings about it, most of which were negative. . . We bought a 60s fixer upper just one year ago this month. We've learned so much: $$$ on fixer upper don't include LABOR, labor is extremely expensive, so my husband is a weekend warrior, and we don't have much time on our weekends. So everything we planned to do has happened very slowly, priorities have changed a dozen times and this blue-carpeted monstrosity is not even on the radar. . . But honestly, I'm being a brat. Legit. This space is welcome reprieve. Yes... It has 50 year old blue carpet. Yes, the foundation under the patio has dropped and needs repair so literally nothing is square. Yes, we have drainage issues and when it rains a literal river flows across it and brings dirt and leaves in. Yes, it's a constant maintenance area as nature creeps in and poops everywhere (I see you, salamander). . . But it's perfect for messy play. He can throw those toys and water everywhere and I don't have to care. They can watch birds and listen to their calls, unnoticed by the birds. We can hear the frogs croak in the pond, smell the privet and honeysuckle, and feel the spring breeze without being burned by the already scalding sun. . . I can sip coffee and read while they freely play, as messy and loud as they want. It doesn't have to be pretty. And I'll confess that I limit content I share from this space because it doesn't make a pretty square 🙈, and in all honesty, people don't read the WORDS and heart when the picture isn't pretty. But Insta is visual so that's just kind of what it is, right? . . Anyway, so I wanted to share this space, with all of its many imperfections because I'm #pursuingimperfect. God is helping me to intentionally recognize all the places I still look for and expect perfection in myself, my environment, my people. He's making big changes in subtle little ways, one stretch at a time. Instagram can feed perfectionism, but I'm excited to intentionally push against that and be a #reallife Mama. . . Do you find yourself only clicking the prettiest squares? Or do you seek out the normal? . .
☁️ ☀️🌈🌧️G I V E A W A Y🌧️ ☀️🌈☁️ . We are studying all things weather this month in our #weatherschooling unit study loop! This wonderful group of homeschooling mamas have banded to together to bring you a weather celebration! One lucky winner will receive the ultimate learning jump start with: . •@everydaylearnandplay - Wild Weather Learn + PLAY Calendar •@laneslesstraveled - Weather Vocabulary Flashcards and $15 shop credit •@onthecovehomeschool - Little Cloud by Eric Carle •@learningfreely - Rainbow Kite •@shannacrowell - Weather Words by Gail Gibbons •@lifeabundantly_blog - $15 shop credit •@3littlelambshomestead - Schneckenbänd •@loveathomeed - Clouds Unit •@chickieandroo - Clouds 3-part Montessori Cards and Weather Prep Pack •@thepreciousyears and @inspired.home.school.life - Meteorology Weather & Atmosphere curriculum from @thegoodandthebeautiful •@freebird.mama - $15 Amazon Gift Card •@schoolingdom - $20 shop credit to @colorfullllstudy •@littlehousebecameahome - W is for Wind: A Weather Alphabet •@fortheloveofhomeschooling - My Treasury Of Nature Journal •@nourishedchildren - $10 shop credit. . 🌿To enter: 1. Like and save this photo. 2. Follow ALL hosts above! 3. Tag a friend in the comments below. (Tag as many as you’d like, one per comment please) . . 🌿Open worldwide! Ends at 5pm EST Monday, May 6th. Winner will be announced at 8pm on Tuesday, May 7th. This is not sponsored by IG. Good luck!
Does that make you cringe a little? Yeah... That question did the same to me 😮😬⬇️ . . Over the last few weeks, God has been good and faithful to work out some kinks in my communication style with my children. I shared a week or so ago about kindness in general. As I was praying through my day yesterday, this question came to my mind. . . And it gave me legit pause. Honestly, I'm frequently kinder to complete strangers than my own people. WHY? . . I want others to think the best of me right? I want to make a great first impression. I want random Sally to think, "She's nice. She's a good mom. What a sweet, friendly woman." I want to make sure that my actions and words align with that Jesus fish on my van. . . And that's all good and fine... But why would my momentary impression upon absolute strangers EVER BE more important than the impression I'm making upon my children, day in and day out? If I speak courteously and gently to strangers, why would I not ALWAYS speak the same to my children? If I give grace to strangers and prefer their needs first, don't my children always deserve the same? . . And that all goes for these squares too. Sometimes my snappiness is most pointed when I'm zoned out on Insta looking for a few moments of "me time."🙈🙈🙈 Is how YOU feel about me... How you perceive me or your opinion of what kind of wife/mom/homeschooler I am more important than the impression I'm making 100x a day on my children? . . And if I'm wanting to make sure the stranger who sees my Jesus fish would never think poorly of our Savior based on MY behavior, how much more important is the impression I'm leaving on my children, who are my FIRST disciples? . . Kindness is very hard when you're in "survival mode." And survival mode is a real thing in certain seasons--pregnancy, postpartum, job loss, broken relationships, or grief. It's unlikely that we can walk through LIFE being perfectly kind. . . But this is the Gentle reminder I needed--He came so we could have life ABUNDANTLY. Not surviving but thriving, even in hardships. And when we step out of survival mode when that season ends, we can step out of our own head and LOVE the way we are called to. Kindly.
I wrote a thing. It's kind of long. You're going to love it or hate it 😬🙈😮😮😮⬇️⬇️⬇️ . . As homeschool moms, I believe that one of the most important tools that we can give our children is a deep, unshakable understanding of what is GOOD and what is EVIL. In the earliest years, I propose that nothing is more important in the education of our children than instilling virtues that reflect Godliness and helping them rightly order their affections for what is good, true, and beautiful (and helping them to desire to reject what is NOT). . . If we give a reason behind every villain’s evil behavior and allow them to escape scot-free, how can our children begin to develop the skills of discernment in their own lives? It is written in our hearts as image-bearers that SIN is horrible and deserves JUST punishment. It is INTEGRAL to the understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we teach our children (subtly, through various media) that if circumstances are bad enough, any action is excusable, how could they ever need a Savior? And if evil and depravity do NOT deserve JUST punishment, then why would Christ have ever died? . . I propose that developing identities that are fully rooted in our status as image-bearers is fundamental to the redemption of our culture. In Christ, we have ABOUNDING GRACE, but the first step in helping our children understand a NEED for grace is their identification of what IS sinful so that they may ultimately identify the sin that lives in their own hearts and yearn for a Savior. . . We cannot preach the Gospel of GRACE if we have not taught what sin and evil look like in the first place. The story of GRACE without the identification of why we NEED IT leaves us with unrepentant hearts and a search for identity in the world rather than in Christ. . . You can read the whole post at the link in profile. 👀👀👀 Be nice 🙈🙈🙈 . . #countercultural #classicaleducation #moralimagination #imagebearers #theearlyyears #educationathome #moraldevelopment #fairytales #preschoolathome #kindergarten #gentlepreschool #gentleclassical . . https://www.lifeabundantlyblog.com/lifeabundantlyblog/2019/5/1/moral-imagination-poetic-knowledge-fairy-tales
So there's a huge thing going on right now with literally hundreds of pages of freebies 😍😍😍 . . I'm really excited to be involved in the upcoming Summer Montessori Bundle Sale with @mymontessorihub 🙌. After I saw and bought the last bundle (Spring), I knew I didn't want to not be involved this time. THERE WAS SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!!! . . The sale doesn't start for several days (and you'll love it because it's super simple--giant collection of amazing stuff for a fabulous price!) but SOOOOO many amazing people have contributed awesome freebies! You can download them all in one swoop! . . Head to my link in profile to see what's included (honeybees, tons of Nature stuff, 3-part cards, honestly too much to list!) and then grab it while you can! . . #freebie #freebies #bundleoffrerbies #freedownload #printable #printable #freeprintable #homeschool #educationathome #earlyeducation #earlyyears #timetolearn #montessoriathome #gentleplay #gentlepreschool #naturalchildhood #invitationtoplay . . https://transactions.sendowl.com/stores/11175/140739
What we are up to and lit-based homeschooling with dyslexia ⬇️⬇️⬇️ . . We are currently on Unit 24 of The Gentle +Classical Preschool and Unit 2 of Gentle +Classical Nature 🎉. We are loving implementing Nature on multiple levels and including big sister ❤️ . . Speaking of big sister (12yo), I wanted to share to encourage those who are struggling through #dyslexia! There is hope! We use only literature for almost every subject. One picture (including the Bible) is her current book stack. I'm so proud of her hard work! . . She has days where she doesn't comprehend what she read, where she can't remember anything, or she just tires easily. We've learned to just communicate. I don't lighten her load overall due to dyslexia but I do give grace when needed. Kids with dyslexia are asynchronous if nothing else 😂. One mastered skill can suddenly be lost. It's crazy, frustrating, and mind-boggling but it is what it is. So we've learned to accommodate where needed (like using a calculator for multiplication and division!) . . Something new! We are doing a WHOLE FAMILY morning basket. I was inspired at GHC to focus more on my big girls instead of constantly keeping them independent. The years are short! So nature study, a devotional, a picture book or two and some nursery rhymes and memory work are a great fit. Most of its not applicable to my freshman, but we can dissect fairy tales and memory work never hurt anyone 😂 . . While we are studying fish in GCN this week, we will be adding a weather study in later in the month with a few friends! Be sure to check out the wonderful homeschooling mamas who have joined together to study #weatherschooling for the month of May! @everydaylearnandplay @laneslesstraveled @onthecovehomeschool @learningfreely @shannacrowell @lifeabundantly_blog @3littlelambshomestead @loveathomeed @chickieandroo @schoolingdom @littlehousebecameahome @thepreciousyears @fortheloveofhomeschooling @freebird.mama @nourishedchildren @inspired.home.school.life