Getting in the groove

One of the hardest things that I have witnessed and experienced (I was homeschooled through jr. high and high school) about homeschooling is getting in the groove of a schooling routine. Once you are off...it's hard to get back on. My goal for kindergarten has been to get everyone used to doing something for school every day (or close to everyday anyway!) I want the boys to know that this is something we do everyday just like fix breakfast and brush our teeth. I am hoping that if I start NOW...we can keep the groove. This year has been a little crazy with not having our own house but I am doing the best I can. I tried a few things and finally found something that is working for us. It's a Christian Homeschool Bible Unit Study. Each week is a letter, a bible verse, and activities. I supplement also from Homeschool Share. We are filling a notebook with our weekly activities. It's been fun and really easy to put together. The boys and I are having a great time. I haven't been uptight about the amount of activities we accomplish. If we only do one activity and read one book for the week, oh well...we move on to the next letter. It keeps me from getting hung up on feeling like we need to complete ALL the activities and learn all there is to learn on the subject. The goal is to cultivate the love of learning...not filling their heads with information. I am not a workbook, worksheet kind of mama. My idea of learning is outside, in the kitchen, crafts, etc, but I do realize that at some point we are going to have to sit down and work on handwriting and math and I want the boys to already be familiar with this concept. I don't think that kindergardeners need to sit for hours on end every day. We usually work for about 20-40 minutes or as long as their attention spans will last. I want this to be a fun and pleasant experience for all of us! So far, so good! Any thoughts..tips...ideas from your school room?

Break On News...

So as you know, I married into a very musical family. John has a wide range of musical taste and often makes mix CDs to listen to in the car. The one in right now has everything from Johnny Cash to Mozart, Bela Fleck and Bobby Darrin. The other day Hunter and I left to run an errand and I turned on the cd and he says "Mom, turn it on Break On News" Huh? I quickly run the songs through my head and not coming up with anything with those lyric I ask "Which one buddy?" "You know, *singing and grooving with his little 3 year old tune* 'break on news to the other side!'
Original Lyrics by The Doors as follows:
"Break on through to the other side"
So really, should the 3 year old know the lyrics to The Doors? Hmm...most 3 year olds are listening to The Wheels on the Bus. Not John Amelang's child....

New Blog

I just wanted to let y'all know that I started a blog for Brenham Mommies. I was sending out a newsletter but it got too tedious. So this is a way that I can put little notes, thoughts, etc out there for moms. I have also updated and cleaned up the website so be sure and check it out! Thanks!

Jay's Pillow

While I was working on all of my Christmas crafts Jay asked me to learn to sew. Sew we made a pillow. I had part of the sweater leftover from the wreath, he picked yellow embroidery thread and I bought him a large bunted needle. His favorite part was stuffing the pillow. He is so proud of it! And I am so proud of him! I think he did a great job!

Homemade gifts!

Just wanted to share a few of my homemade gifts. Many thanks to Traci for infecting me with the crafting bug!

A wreath made from a wool sweater.

Pin cushion

Grocery Bag
(How's my Vanna White modeling? Could use a little work!)