On the Fifth Day of Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Christmas my parents gave to me: This is NOT a Math Book

 This book combines math and art making both a lot of fun. Designed for kids 9 and up, to enjoy math and take a break from the repetitive drill work. This gives them a chance to enjoy math in a fun new way. (Don't tell the kids but even adults have enjoyed this book. Shhhhh) 

The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales

Farmyard tales are great duel level readers. You can read just the top or read all the words and the story still makes sense. This wonderful collection has a CD of the stories which mom's love to pop in the van or car.

 Muddle and Match

 

These delightful books will keep kids laughing and having fun while teaching them descriptive words and action words, making super silly sentences. Let your kids muddle up the pages and laugh at the results. 


100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly

This wonderful book comes with paper and directions to make some really awesome paper planes. This is the #1 book purchased for birthday and Christmas gifts. The hubby has so much fun making planes with the girls. 

There are a few choices for these awesome books: 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 100 More Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 200 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly which is a combined volume of the first two, 100 Paper Dragons to Fold and Fly, and 100 Spaceships to Fold and Fly. 

  
 Secrets of Winter

This super fun book is a Shine-a-Light Book. Each page has something hiding and when you shine a flashlight behind that page, you'll see what's hiding. We love these books and I know your kids will too.  There are five others to chose from: On the Construction site, Secrets of the Seashore, Secrets of the Apple Tree, On the Train, Secrets of the Rain Forest.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

On the Forth Day of Christmas my parents gave to me: The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales

Farmyard tales are great duel level readers. You can read just the top or read all the words and the story still makes sense. This wonderful collection has a CD of the stories which mom's love to pop in the van or car.

 Muddle and Match

 

These delightful books will keep kids laughing and having fun while teaching them descriptive words and action words, making super silly sentences. Let your kids muddle up the pages and laugh at the results. 


100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly

This wonderful book comes with paper and directions to make some really awesome paper planes. This is the #1 book purchased for birthday and Christmas gifts. The hubby has so much fun making planes with the girls. 

There are a few choices for these awesome books: 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 100 More Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 200 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly which is a combined volume of the first two, 100 Paper Dragons to Fold and Fly, and 100 Spaceships to Fold and Fly. 

  
 Secrets of Winter

This super fun book is a Shine-a-Light Book. Each page has something hiding and when you shine a flashlight behind that page, you'll see what's hiding. We love these books and I know your kids will too.  There are five others to chose from: On the Construction site, Secrets of the Seashore, Secrets of the Apple Tree, On the Train, Secrets of the Rain Forest.

On the Third Day of Christmas

One the third day of Christmas my parents gave to me: Muddle and Match

 

These delightful books will keep kids laughing and having fun while teaching them descriptive words and action words, making super silly sentences. Let your kids muddle up the pages and laugh at the results. 


100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly

This wonderful book comes with paper and directions to make some really awesome paper planes. This is the #1 book purchased for birthday and Christmas gifts. The hubby has so much fun making planes with the girls. 

There are a few choices for these awesome books: 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 100 More Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 200 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly which is a combined volume of the first two, 100 Paper Dragons to Fold and Fly, and 100 Spaceships to Fold and Fly. 

  
 Secrets of Winter

This super fun book is a Shine-a-Light Book. Each page has something hiding and when you shine a flashlight behind that page, you'll see what's hiding. We love these books and I know your kids will too.  There are five others to chose from: On the Construction site, Secrets of the Seashore, Secrets of the Apple Tree, On the Train, Secrets of the Rain Forest.

On the Second Day of Christmas

On the second day of Christmas my parents gave to me: 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly

This wonderful book comes with paper and directions to make some really awesome paper planes. This is the #1 book purchased for birthday and Christmas gifts. The hubby has so much fun making planes with the girls. 

There are a few choices for these awesome books: 100 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 100 More Paper Planes to Fold and Fly, 200 Paper Planes to Fold and Fly which is a combined volume of the first two, 100 Paper Dragons to Fold and Fly, and 100 Spaceships to Fold and Fly. 

  
 Secrets of Winter

This super fun book is a Shine-a-Light Book. Each page has something hiding and when you shine a flashlight behind that page, you'll see what's hiding. We love these books and I know your kids will too.  There are five others to chose from: On the Construction site, Secrets of the Seashore, Secrets of the Apple Tree, On the Train, Secrets of the Rain Forest. 

On the First Day of Christmas . . .

This year I want to have a little fun and give you a little help shopping. I am introducing the 12 books of Christmas, starting December 1st so that you'll have time to get those lovely books in time for Christmas. 

So here we go . . .


On the first day of Christmas my parents gave to me: Secrets of Winter

 This super fun book is a Shine-a-Light Book. Each page has something hiding and when you shine a flashlight behind that page, you'll see what's hiding. We love these books and I know your kids will too. 
There are five others to chose from: On the Construction site, Secrets of the Seashore, Secrets of the Apple Tree, On the Train, Secrets of the Rain Forest.

Stitch Fix Take 6!

Getting into to Fall I wanted a few new items to add to my wardrobe. Here is my 6th Fix. I was super excited thanks to someone who saw my blog about Stitch Fix, they placed an order through my referral link and I got a $25 credit! Shopping from home is so awesome. 

Liffey Button Down Top $58. Loved it BUT it didn't fit-Sent Back

Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan $68. Unzipped it was fine. Zipped it looked odd on me. Plus a whole in the shoulder- Sent back

Dilley Dress $64. LOVE THIS DRESS! Plus it is Petite too so it fits right. Did I mention I LOVED this dress! -KEEP!!!!

Riva Colorblock Clutch $48. I was in need of a new purse and wanted something smaller so I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled this out. Not the colors I would have chosen but I don't mind being pushed to try new things. -Keep

Dean Skinny Jean $78. Oh My Gosh!!!!! I love these pants. They are super comfortable and they are Petite. If you're someone who struggles to find pants that fit right, you know how it feels to have a pair that feel made for you. -Keep

So have convinced you to try Stitch Fix yet?

How it works:

1. Fill out a style profile. Tell them what you like or don't like, body type, what you are looking for, and if you have Pinterest you can link up a board of what you like for your stylist to view.
2. Schedule a Fix. (It arrives about a month out)
3. $20 stylist fee is charged, BUT you get that as a credit when you pay for your clothes. 
4. In about a month you will receive a package of 5 items picked especially for you. You have three days to try them on and think about what you are going to keep.
5. Then you log on and check out. You will have a chance to tell your stylist what you liked/didn't like about each item.
6. Send back anything you don't want to keep in a return envelop postage paid.  

If you are interested, please consider signing up through my referral link HERE. When you do and schedule your first Fix, I receive a $25 credit. This really helps me as a stay at home mom build my wardrobe. 

Stitch Fix Take 5

So here is my 5th Fix. Overall it was good. If I love at lease one item I figure it is worth it. I have averaged 3 items so far.

Alysia Maxi Dress $48. Good price but not a good fit- Sent back.

Daryl Printed Capri Jean $68. Not a good fit and I didn't really like the pattern- Sent back.

Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank $38. When I pulled it out I was confused and then excited. I have a 3/4 tea that is the exact same and is one of may favorite shirts. Of course I had to keep this one.

Gena Cut Out Detail Top $48. Really liked this top. Simple and fun I can wear out and about or dress up- keep.

Amari Printed Dress $78. I would never have picked this print but it works for my body type and the dress fits perfectly. Plus I love this style of dress- Keep.

So maybe your wondering what Stitch Fix is?

How it works:

1. Fill out a style profile. Tell them what you like or don't like, body type, what you are looking for, and if you have Pinterest you can link up a board of what you like for your stylist to view.
2. Schedule a Fix. (It arrives about a month out)
3. $20 stylist fee is charged, BUT you get that as a credit when you pay for your clothes. 
4. In about a month you will receive a package of 5 items picked especially for you. You have three days to try them on and think about what you are going to keep.
5. Then you log on and check out. You will have a chance to tell your stylist what you liked/didn't like about each item.
6. Send back anything you don't want to keep in a return envelop postage paid. 

If you are interested, please consider signing up through my referral link HERE. I receive a $25 credit when someone gets their first fix. It helps me, a stay at home mom, build a wardrobe that consists of more then sweats.

I'm a Consultant!

Direct sale businesses are growing incredibly fast. I looked into it years ago but made the decision not to sell because of a few key things. 

1. Start up cost: Some were really expensive and others you got almost nothing. 
2. Incredibly competitive: I went to an information meeting for a direct sales company and was blown away at the almost greediness that I felt from it. I like this company and have liked my consultants but I just believe the structure that was set up is really about SELL SELL SELL and less about needs of consultants and costumers
3. Minimum sales required: With very young ones, I didn't want to have to book several parties a month, hope for good sales, pay for a babysitter, and come up short at the end of the month and have to buy something in order to continue being a consultant. 

 So why after that did I sign up for Usborne Books and More? Easy. The start up costs are really great. This month, September, we have a great deal. You only need $25 to start your own business. If you want another option, for $69 you get 7 books and everything you need to start your business which is valued at $115. If you want more books, for $119 you get 18 books valued at $315. All are really great options.

 Usborne has far less consultants then any other direct sales business out there. We are growing quickly but getting in before your area is flooded with consultants is going to be the key to your success. 

The other consultants I've met have been incredibly helpful. There will always be that one who is out for blood, but so far I have only felt welcomed and encouraged by others around me. 

The feel I get is that you take care of yourself first, meaning you and family comes first. Create a schedule that works for your family. Then take care of your customers so that you can build your business. 

The best thing about Usborne? NO minimum sales. You make your business your own. We have all kinds of consultants and most consultants will move up and down throughout their years with Usborne. I'm kinda of a Part-time consultant sometimes a hobby consultant. If you are trying to pay down a large bill, this may be an option. You can do it short term, until you have that bill paid off, and stop.

So have you liked anything you've seen? If you are interested in finding out more about Usborne, either selling or hosting a party let me know. You can send me a message by linking here: https://h4503.myubam.com/contactus
 

Updates Galore!

So it's been awhile since I've posted anything. I have been super busy with about a million things going on. So I'll briefly let you know what to expect in the next few weeks. I will be posting more detailed updates.

April I signed up as a consultant for Usborne Books and More. I have been doing both Facebook parties and Homeshows. Here is my shopping link if you are curious in what we offer.  https://h4503.myubam.com/

I have been working hard this summer playing catch up from about February- May. We own rentals and had one that unfortunately need a lot of work. We were able to get it rented right before we left for our trip to Arizona. Yeah! After we got back I started taking on many roles in our brand new American Heritage Girls troop. Things just ended up working out that way. Thankfully this year is starting out so much less stressful. 

We were more sporatic then I wanted to be with homeschool but since my oldest is already ahead. With the other two I want to make sure we aren't going through preschool too fast, so I wasn't too worried. In April I went to MACHE (Minnesota Association Christian Homeschool Educators) and found a lot of great curriculum for this year.
 
We have been enjoying our summer camping and the sunshiny days. In July we went to the Wilder Pagenant. If you don't know what it is, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota there is a play put on about the Ingalls family while they were in Walnut Grove. It is super fun and so many things to do while there.The girls and I also took a trip to Duluth to visit family and visit a few places for an extra educational punch. 

So now for a few cute pictures:

 

Stitch Fix Take 4

This was the best fix so far. I kept all the items and got the 25% discount which was $72.00. I love getting the box in the mail, trying the clothes on, taking time to think through what I want to keep, and asking my husband's advice before making decisions. The total for my 5 items after the $20 styling fee credit was $216.00.


So here are my 5 items:

Love this bag, especially for vacation. It is reversible too. $68

This was ok, but doesn't fit great. I'm sure if a lose a few pounds it will fit fine, but at $44.00 it was cheaper to buy it and get the 25% discount.

Love this dress! It works well with my body type. It has a higher waist and comes to just above the knees. This was a little expense at $74 but I will spend money on items I love and fit well.

This was so nice for our vacation to Arizona. It was the most expensive item at $78 but the quality of the fabric on the dress is much better then anything else I have hanging in my closet.

I love this top. It is so light and airy making it perfect for running errands. This is a typical low end price for a shirt at $44.00

How it works:

1. Fill out a style profile. Tell them what you like or don't like, body type, what you are looking for, and if you have Pinterest you can link up a board of what you like for your stylist to view.
2. Schedule a Fix. (It arrives about a month out)
3. $20 stylist fee is charged, BUT you get that as a credit when you pay for your clothes. 
4. In about a month you will receive a package of 5 items picked especially for you. You have three days to try them on and think about what you are going to keep.
5. Then you log on and check out. You will have a chance to tell your stylist what you liked/didn't like about each item.
6. Send back anything you don't want to keep in a return envelop postage paid.  

If you are interested, please consider signing up through my referral link HERE.

Stitch Fix Take 3

 My third Stitch Fix was great. The only kept two items but these items I LOVE. The t-shirt fits great, I love the design, and it is awesome for running errands. The cropped jeans are sooooooooo comfortable. They are the best pair of jeans I've ever owned. My stylist suggested wearing them with short boots and so I used my birthday money to buy some cute boots.

$68

$88

How Stitch Fix works:

1. Fill out a style profile. Tell them what you like or don't like, body type, what you are looking for, and if you have Pinterest you can link up a board of what you like for your stylist to view.
2. Schedule a Fix. (It arrives about a month out)
3. $20 stylist fee is charged, BUT you get that as a credit when you pay for your clothes. 
4. In about a month you will receive a package of 5 items picked especially for you. You have three days to try them on and think about what you are going to keep.
5. Then you log on and check out. You will have a chance to tell your stylist what you liked/didn't like about each item.
6. Send back anything you don't want to keep in a return envelop postage paid.  

I am slowly building a wardrobe that fits me and is durable. Quality is more important the quantity for me. I'd rather get a few items that are going to last a long time, wash well, and be my go to items when I don't know what to wear. I'm finally starting to feel like it's ok to spend money on me. After almost 6 years of wearing mostly sweats, I should be able to spoil myself some. Of course this is only because we pay cash for our items. 

If you are interested in signing up please consider signing up through my referral link HERE.

Starting Homeschooling

When families are first starting out their homeschool adventure, they often try to do too much. When your plate is too full you burn out very fast. Consider easing into homeschooling with these easy tips:

1. Do a four day week instead of a five day week. You don't have to follow the school schedule. We do a 3-4 day week, but also go year round. We take breaks when we are busy and during a big family vacation in the winter. Since my husband works in the summer and has the winter months off, I like being very flexible with our schedule. 
2. Consider curriculum carefully. I recommend trying one that has levels rather than grades especially if you are starting in the elementary grades. These are usually built around mastery and work well for those students who are fast learners and also those who need extra time and and more practice. Move to the next level when they are ready instead of to the next grade because of their age. This eliminates the stress of feeling like you need to get so much done by a certain date and feeling like your failing when that deadline isn't met. 
3. Focus on what your child needs. A kindergartener needs reading, writing, spelling, and math. Make sure those are covered before adding anything else. If your K-3 grader is struggling in those areas, anything else is going to add more stress for you and your child. 
4. Don't be afraid to change the schedule. Take time off when you need it. Try taking them to the library on Monday and start a week long research project. Even your elementary students can learn how to do it. On Friday they can present what they found . We all need time to refill and refresh. Take that time even if it's not scheduled. 
5. Lesson plan IN PENCIL. Planning is really important but so it being flexible. Plan at least 3-4 weeks in advance and do it in pencil so when your child needs an extra day of review or something comes up, you won't be redoing all your lesson plans. 
6. Have fun. Make learning fun. Encourage questions and teach your children how to discover answers on their own. Let them be creative. Don't expect them to be all the same and learn the same. Enjoy their individuality and let the decide how and what you teach. 

I have enjoyed Homeschooling my kids and I'm so thankful for my college classes in elementary education and special education and my experiences with so many young kids. That has made my experience much easier and given me a chance to do what I love.

Why We Don't Do Rated R

Before we got married, my husband and I went to rated R movies and also owned a few. We really didn't have a strong opinion of them since we watched very few to begin with. 

Three years after we were married we found out we were expecting our first child. At that time I felt God was convicting me to get rid of movies that were full of images and language I never wanted my children to see. So I threw a the few R rated movies we had and stopped getting them from Netflix.

My husband didn't have the same conviction I had but he did respect the no rated R movie policy. Less then a year ago he asked me to get Shawshank Redemption from Netflix. I was hesitant but put it on the list. This was one of his favorite movies ad it broke when we were dating. So after about 10 years of not seeing it, he was finally getting a chance to watch it again.

I have heard the studies done on how we have become desensitized to violence and bad language. We had our own test that night. For 6 years we had watched very few movies with language and graphic violence and we were about the watch a movie full of both. It didn't take long for my husband to comment on how violent it was and how he didn't remember so many swear words. 

After the movie, my husband was so much more on board with the no rated R movies. We may have exceptions here and there, but very few. We know and understand that what is seen cannot be unseen and what has been heard cannot be unheard. 

Choices about movies need to be made with wisdom and discernment. For our family we want to expose ourselves images and sounds that are not going to harm us. We don't want to become so desensitized that we become immune to the evils around us. Violence becomes more accepted and less horrific.Villains become heroes. Occasional nudity becomes pornographic in our hyper sexualized world.To protect our hearts we first need to protect our eyes and ears and those of our children.