ABC Mouse {dot} com

Have you seen the commercials for ABCmouse.com?  I've only seen them on Qubo, so not sure it's super popular.  Apparently it's won many awards from magazines and such.  It's basically and online preschool for ages 2-6.  Since we are on the fence about homeschooling, we decided to go ahead and give it a whirl as a kind of "Warm-up" for homeschooling.

I've got to say I'm VERY impressed! We signed up on Saturday, but I've already seen Lilly learn several concepts she didn't already know, and she's gotten a great review on things she already knew.  There were a few things that helped me make the decision to go ahead an sign up.

The cost isn't that much.  It's about $8 a month, or $80 for the year.  You get the first month free if you sign up for the monthly plan, and if you upgrade to the yearly plan, you get 2 months for free (as of Feb. 2012).  You can cancel at any time.  We signed up for the monthly plan just in case it's not what we hoped.  I don't see us canceling any time soon!

There are a few different ways you can set it up for your child to learn.  You can let them go down the already made learning path.  The learning path is already set up, and your child will go down the path on their own.  Each stage down the path is set in different biomes.  She gets to see the atmosphere of the biome, and their are several facts about it, and the animals and plants that live their.  There is even a quiz your child can take.  There is also the option to make your own lessons using the HUNDREDS of activities on the site.  It's a fantastic option if you feel like your child needs more practice with a certain subject.  I plan on doing a combination of the two.

There are many different activities outside of the learning path, as well.  There's a section with basics, that has all of the letters, sight words, numbers etc.  I have Lilly do two full lessons and a basics section each day.  There are field trips to go on, and all sorts of activities are hidden within the classroom.  It is FANTASTIC.

I very highly recommend this site to every parent who wants their child to succeed!  You can go to this site here to learn more!

Feel like writing

Ever get those moments where you just want to sit and write? I do.  I guess that's why I'm trying my hand at blogging. I really don't have anything in particular to write about.  Just feel like writing.

Guess I'm a bit like Forest Gump, huh?  I mean, he did start running for "no particular reason at all."  I guess I'm writing for no particular reason at all.  I guess, while I'm here I could give a brief synopsis of what's been happening in my life recently.

Topic number one on my mind is My baby girl is turning FOUR soon!! EEK!! {insert super crazy freak out in disbelief "I don't want my baby to grow up!" moment}.  Every time I think about it I go into panic mode.  I'm mostly panicking over schooling.  We've spent the last few years kinda wondering what we would do for her schooling.  Neither one of us are really crazy about the public school system, for a multitude of reasons.  I think we've settled on homeschooling....I think.  I'm at a loss.  How can *I* possibly run a successful Etsy business (assuming it gets that far), a photography business, run my household, and home school?  I just don't know!   That's a lot of hours of work each day! But, if God calls me to do that, then I've just got to rely on Him for the strength to do it.  Nothing is impossible with God!

A VERY good not on Lilly Bunns Boutique side of things.  I'm finally feeling inspired again! I'm going to be developing a few product lines.  SO much work needs to be done to the shop, but I absolutely cant wait! One thing i KNOW no one else on Etsy sells.  It's going to be a pretty controversial item, but I'm hoping that just gets me some more exposure, teeheehee.  I also have a little invention working in my head.  Got to get with my dad to work that one out.  Lets just say it will go on your car.  And, just because I love y'all, I'll give you a little hint as to what the product lines might hold.  There will be a "to the gym we go" and "to church I go" lines.  I've got my work cut out for me!

Ok, I guess I did have something to write about after all.  I'm going to stop her.  Good night, yall!

Whipping this house into submission

I've never, ever, EVER been a big fan of cleaning. I mean I love the results, but all that work, um, no thanks! But, alas, I'm sick and tired of my messy house, and with the remodeling being pretty much done, it's time I get this house whipped into shape! Before the remodel my house consisted of three rooms. Yes, three! A kitchen/living room combo, 2 bedrooms/drum room/office/playroom, and a bathroom/laundry room/closet. Needless to say we're packed in like sardines! There was so much stuff we had that was absolutely necessary, but we had no room for it! Things were just starting to pile up. As anyone that's ever watched hoarders knows, it's impossible to actually clean well with a lot of clutter. (no, we weren't even close to hoarders, just in case you're wondering) now, we have 6 rooms, and oh, I'm LOVING the organization! I'm not quite finished, yet, but it's AMAZING the difference. I'm starting to not be embarrassed by my house anymore! Yay! We now have 6 rooms: kitchen/dining/drum room, living room, bathroom/laundry, Lilly's room, master bedroom, and my office! Something in my brain has clicked from being not really organized at all to super, freakishly organized. The difference is amazing. I'm determined that everything will have its proper place, and everyone will be putting everything into its proper place. There will be NO MORE CLUTTER! I'll share more, later, on my new-found tricks for organizing. I'll have several tutorials, as well. So until then, I'll be cleaning my little heart out. I'm almost there! End of this week is my finished goal, and I WILL make it!