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!

Updates

Hi all! It's been a little while since I've written.  I have been quite the busy girl!

I hope you all had fantastic holidays! Ours were extremely busy, but oh so wonderful! On Christmas Eve we celebrated with all of our family that lives in Texas.  Christmas day started early with Lilly awaking to all the presents she received from Santa, us, her Paw-paw, and Grandma Dawn.  Her favorites were the Barbie Townhouse Grandma got her, and the 3DS santa brought her. We then headed back accross the street for presents at the in-laws since hubby's aunt had arrived from Austin.  A few days later, I headed to South Carolina, and had Christmas all over again on New Years Eve! I'm still here, writing this post on my parent's computer in fact!

We have officially moved into the remodel! Though, there's quite a bit left to do to complete it.  I still have to build the shelves and countertops for the office.  I also need to install closet rods in the new closets.  The vintage dresser I purchased needs to be refinished.  I think their may be a few touch-ups that need to be done paint-wise.  The biggest task of all will be organizing everything! I think I may even be one of those crazy ladies that posts all her befores and afters....maybe! I'm so excited to get home and get my life organised!

On the business front, there will be several new changes.  Not much will be different with Son Rise, I just plan to have more, and more shoots and build a bigger name for myself!   Lilly Bunns Boutique, however will be run totally differently! (especially when compared to last year :))  Look out for a new look to the shop, my products in brick and mortar stores, and, oh yeah, LOTS more products and new products to be added each week!

Homeschooling preschool: week 1

Eventually, I'll actually have printable card you can print and organize, but for now I'll just put the content of each card on here!

Overview card 1

Theme: Snow
Shape: circle
Color: white
Letter: S
Number: 0 (zero)
Concept: same/different
Verse: psalms 139:14
Science: Every snowflake is different just like me!

Theme card: snow
Monday:read snow poem (from Internet search), discuss that snow comes in winter
Tuesday: play with shaving cream on table (pretend its snow)
Wednesday: make snow scene with white paint on black or navy paper. Thumbprints are snow flakes
Thursday: make snow playdoh (mix white glitter into white playdoh)
Friday: make waterless snow globes (hot glue bristle trees to jar lids, put a little fake snow in jar, close lid, display jar upside down)

Number card: 0

Monday: discuss number
Tuesday: write 0 in the shavingcream snow
Wednesday: 0 coloring page*
thursday: 0 writing worksheet*
Friday: 0 writing on lined paper

Shape card: Circle

Monday: introduce shape, sing song about shape (find song online)
Tuesday: draw shape in shaving cream
Wednesday: collage, glue circles in shape of a snowflake
Thursday: circle scavenger hunt, look for circles in environment, and/or place circles to be found around house
Friday: circle worksheet

Verse card: ps 139:14

Monday: recite verse
Tuesday: Verse coloring page (can be found online)
Wednesday: snowflakes verse scramble (write each word or a couple words on snowflake and put in proper order)
Thursday: snowflake verse scramble
Friday: large snow scene or banner with the snowflakes from the verse scramble permanently attached together.

Concept: same/ different

Monday: talk about the meaning
Tuesday: worksheet
Wednesday: have objects or pics to be compared, place same objects in one container or pile, different in another.
Thursday: worksheet
Friday: same activity as Wednesday

Letter: s
Monday: introduce letter, sing song about letter, trace with finger
Tuesday: write letter in shaving cream on table
Wednesday: iPad app (pocket phonics)
Thursday: writing page
Friday: coloring/writing page

Color: white
- remind how snow is white with all activities
- verbally spell white daily
- point out white things in the environment
- white scavenger hunt

Science card: every snowflake is different
- read books about snowflakes
- look at snowflake pics online (of actual snowflakes)
- we both make a snowflake by folding paper and making cuts then compare how they are different
- talk about how snowflakes are different and people are different too, read a book about someone who is different

I try to stagger the activities we do. For example do a sitting activity then a crafty/fun activity then sitting activity. I also don't have to do everything I one sitting. On days we read books, we might wait til bed time, for example.

Homeschooling preschool: How I plan

Thanks for starting with me on our homeschooling journey! As i mentioned in my last post, I'm really only committed to homeschooling until kindergarten. Before I share with you the week's plans, I thought I'd share a general overview of how I make my plans.

First up, how I organize my plans.

I have chosen to keep my plans on note cards in one of those note card boxes. For each week there are 9 cards. The first is my starting place. On it is the week number (1-52), the theme for the week, and {at this point} shape, color, letter, number, concept, Bible memory verse, and science concept. That gives me a general overview for the week. Each other card has a category on it. As we go along the categories on the cards will change, but this is the basis for a while. I was having trouble pinpointing what exactly to call the concepts. They are basically things like over/under, longest/shortest, etc. They will get more complex as we go along, but for now, she needs to learn these things. Science is not necessarily the science we think of in a strict sence. It can be anything from an actual science thing to the fact that there are generations in a family. Science is one simple concept that correlates with the theme. The first week for example is that every snowflake is different, and our theme is snow.

Secondly, my method of planning.

After I have my first card hammered down, I create a card for each of the categories. There is a card for the theme, shape, color, verse, letter, etc. On each of these cards I write the days Monday-Friday. Beside each day I write the planned activity for the day. Emphasis on PLANNED! I don't want her to get bored with learning. I feel like the most important thing I can do to get her ready for school (weather at home or not) is to make her excited to learn. If she gets restless, and doesn't want to do anything else, we will stop or even just change focus. If it doesn't all get done, then it's totally ok! Some cards don't have an activity for each day, and some activities will be repeated.

You'll be able to understand this as you look through my plans for the week, I just wanted to explain a little of the meathod to the madness!

Homeschooling: How I've Decided to Teach Reading

Im not 100% sure that we will homeschool, I'm still praying about that one, but I am doing it for preschool. There's two reasons for this. 1) I want to make sure Lilly can read before kindergarten. 2) I want to practice homeschooling before it actually counts. I'm a little worried about taking on the sole responsibility of her learning. I do KNOW that Lilly would get a better education (at least through 3 grade) if she were taught by me. Our school system just isn't that great. I doubt we would homeschool through high school, I just want her to have a super strong foundation. That said, I'm not sure it would benefit her socially to be homeschooled. She already has tendencies to be shy, so I don't really want to reinforce that. All things we are praying about! It's such a HUGE decision!

Since I have decided, to at least teach her how to read, I knew I needed a good method. We got an app on my iPad that she loves, and has already started reading some words just in her usual play. In the app, you can sign up for an email that explains the best way to teach kids to read. It is backed by research and is apparently the method used in many countries in Europe. (the app is called Pocket Phonics)The whole goal of this is to get kids reading earlier, not just in age, but also during the process of learning the letters. The meathod basically has two components.

1) Initially only call the letters by their sounds. The reasoning for this is that it's less information to have to remember. This was like a light bulb moment for me! It totally makes sence. They will of course learn their letter names, that's not actually that hard to retain. And I'm not super strict about this one. I do say the name sometimes, but when I discuss the letters I emphasize "this letter sounds like..." so that she knows there's a name, we just only learn the sound.

2) Don't teach in the abcd... Order. We teach in groupings of letters that will form words early on. this way, she will reach the achievement of reading almost from the beginning. Our first grouping is A,S,T,N,P,I.

This is so different than how they teach in schools, and pretty different than how I was taught. I am teaching her all six letters at once via the app, but I'm emphasizing one letter a week. This is mostly to help with writing practice. I very much feel like phonics is the absolute best way to learn. I hate whole language learning, it just leaves too many kids behind. I am going to be emphasizing good penmanship while she learns how to write, I just don't think schools focus on that enough!

I think you'll better understand this meathod as I post our lesson plans this week. It's slightly unconventional, but I think it's what will work best for my child, and that's what's important!