My husband grew up having a real Christmas tree. I did not. And for 16 years of marriage, I told him we could not EVER have a real tree, mostly because of my crippling fear of fire. You’ve seen that video circulating on Facebook, right? […]

“You hate Halloween?!,” the well meaning mother of one asked me incredulously. “WHY?!” Well… THE PRESSURE Every year at this time, I feel like I’ve barely survived the chaotic back-to-school craziness when out of nowhere it’s Halloween season. With five children to dress I can […]

“That’s cool.” How many times a day do you say it to your kids? Don’t be ashamed; we all do it. It’s a parents’ go to response to make it look like we’re totally engaged with the latest Fortnite story or dance craze. I got […]

Our first week of homeschool for the 2018-2019 school year is in the books! (Can I get an “amen!”…or a glass of wine…either would be great.) After a sluggish 2017-2018 year spent growing a human, I am determined to make this a year of learning, […]

This year I spent my Labor Day the same as the previous five, filled with anxiety and an unshakeable sense of dread. I tried to busy myself with a trip to the grocery store, but for me that means Walmart, where the disheveled bins of […]

WHAT IS A HAPPY PLANNER? A few months ago I was wandering around Hobby Lobby and discovered the aisle displaying Happy Planners. Where have you been all my life, Luhva?? If you’re not familiar with Happy Planners, they’re one part planner, one part scrapbook and […]

If you’re anything like me, prepping for a new homeschool year feels a bit like your reward for homeschooling in the first place! It’s a time for gathering new ideas, organizing, buying fresh school supplies and daydreaming about all the ways in which this year […]

The short answer — NO. In 2013 when we were considering homeschooling our oldest, a then kindergartener, I researched the idea for MONTHS. I spoke to veterans, attended our state’s annual homeschooling convention, read several books on the subject and even window-shopped curriculum, but my […]

On June 1, we welcomed our fifth child, and fourth son, into our family. He is precious, perfect, and completely amazing from the tips of his strawberry blonde hair to the end of his ten tiny toes. Of course, as many of you know, birth […]

A few weeks ago, my fourth and fifth graders completed Trail Guide to Learning: Paths of Exploration. This was our first year with this curriculum from GeoMatters and my initial impressions and assessment still ring true after nine months on the trail. We will be […]