tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69160044362328245902024-02-19T00:18:44.223-08:00Homeschool Adventure LandAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-20393523946210012892012-09-05T18:13:00.002-07:002012-09-05T18:13:23.518-07:00Summer continues!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFw2S-X98hUuMyOq94nNKiRp4rbWV_es7TMHWJ4MUrigqLUnNUVpSEj0KLcpHLDFysXbLxrqwo4wUQ92atLLTLjxBcUQYcV49hVY81_SwJJr_Ha0bECydi__ZPCWKiLLgt36sQtILfc36/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFw2S-X98hUuMyOq94nNKiRp4rbWV_es7TMHWJ4MUrigqLUnNUVpSEj0KLcpHLDFysXbLxrqwo4wUQ92atLLTLjxBcUQYcV49hVY81_SwJJr_Ha0bECydi__ZPCWKiLLgt36sQtILfc36/s1600/turtle.jpg" /></a></div>
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Around here the summer really goes from about the beginning of August through September. It really is too bad that most of the kids around here are already back to school while the beautiful summer weather continues. It feels like it just got here!<br />
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Yesterday when I asked my oldest if he'd like to wait to start school until the weather stops being so nice he was really excited and said an enthusiastic YES!<br />
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I love this part of homeschooling. We don't have to follow some arbitrary schedule. We can go with what works for us.<br />
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That's not to say that we've been avoiding all types of learning all summer because that's not the case. We just haven't done much in the way of formal learning. We've been singing songs, playing games, reading, doing some occasional flash cards, watching some educational stuff (and quite a bit of non educational). That doesn't even touch on the learning as we go or general life skills.<br />
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I'm sure that it will be nice to be on a schedule this time next month but for now while the weather is still beautiful it's nice to be able to still be on summer break!<br />
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In a couple of weeks I'll figure out goals and a plan of action. Then I'll definitely be blogging a lot more!<br />
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Image <span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssanyal/" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0063dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Shayan (USA)</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-48280334237625703612012-07-03T17:29:00.000-07:002012-07-03T17:30:58.909-07:00Following my Dream!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu0pmIApKdoLxhMRJJx_sl2XkurFOtfmsZJkJOr_BXlK9mgpQqxqljeT76wCYEdm8BO3MtHPeuLTgiiTzt073jGY0P2ktBjQ4DD-zXw0toVe6fBk7p1EYfIhpyIpjSM0l2AJPgAVcakim/s1600/pink+umbrella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu0pmIApKdoLxhMRJJx_sl2XkurFOtfmsZJkJOr_BXlK9mgpQqxqljeT76wCYEdm8BO3MtHPeuLTgiiTzt073jGY0P2ktBjQ4DD-zXw0toVe6fBk7p1EYfIhpyIpjSM0l2AJPgAVcakim/s1600/pink+umbrella.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Image by </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0063dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Patty Maher</a></span>
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One of my lifelong dreams has been to publish a novel. To publish many novels actually.<br />
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When I was young I started reading as many books as I could get my hands on. It didn't matter how many books I was reading I never needed a bookmark. I could be reading seven different books and know what page I left off at on each one.<br />
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I loved reading and it seemed to be natural to start <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/07/02/3-ways-improve-writing/" target="_blank">writing</a> too. <span style="background-color: white;">When I was about nine years old I started writing my first novel.I was </span><span style="background-color: white;">definitely</span><span style="background-color: white;"> not a publishable work by any means! But it was a chapter story and I still have it somewhere.</span><br />
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Between that day and my senior year in college I continued to write chapter stories. Mostly for myself though when I did share them with others they expressed a genuine interest. In college I would email chapters to some friends and they would end up begging for the next chapter as soon they'd finished the one I had sent them.<br />
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Writing was not only fun but it was a great outlet. If I was feeling angry or disappointed I could write my feelings out in the form of a story.<br />
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Once I had graduated from college I gave up on my dream. I hadn't studied writing and I didn't particularly enjoy my English classes. I felt that creative writing courses stifled my creativity.<br />
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Life became busy and I partly forgot and partly didn't know if publishing a novel was in my future.<br />
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Recently I've rediscovered my dream and <b>I have been busy writing my novel that I <u>am</u> going to publish!</b><br />
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I've been busy and I've been very happy! It is exciting to be pursuing my dream and also doing something that I love!<br />
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I've even been enjoying the time that I've been spending <i>researching</i> what it takes to publish a novel.I've decided on <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/06/27/danny-iny-shares-the-best-way-to-publish-a-book/" target="_blank">self publishing</a> because there are sooo many options and you can't beat the pay. I've discovered that even if you do get accepted by a publisher they take at least 80% of the profits and you still have to do all of the marketing for the book! Insane!<br />
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I am excited about Amazon's <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/05/31/so-you-want-to-publish-a-kindle-book/" target="_blank">KDP Select</a> program where you allow them to have exclusive rights to your digital books (not physical books) for 90 days. There is a lot of opportunity for big time exposure because they are by far the largest book seller on the planet.<br />
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I will be posting more about my upcoming novel so stay tuned!<br />
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Oh...and I'll get back to posting about homeschooling topics after the summer as well. We will be starting kindergarten in the Fall with my oldest so homeschooling is going to be a bigger priority than it has been up to this point.<br />
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PS: My 5 year old sees a light saber in the picture above. I'm wondering if anyone else sees it! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-5211605676037217242012-04-05T14:06:00.002-07:002012-04-05T14:06:36.637-07:00Learning to Read Success!<br />
Enough of the giveaway posts, it's time for a post on homeschooling. It's actually <i>long</i> overdue!<br />
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We've been working on the Pre-K learning in more of an unschooling way. We've just been teaching as we go, answering questions as they come up. Reading books, coloring, playing games, puzzles, playing a LOT of legos, some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076113770X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=076113770X" target="_blank">Brain Quest cards</a>, having him read the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439845009/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439845009" target="_blank">BOB Books</a> to me, etc.<br />
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He gets so excited being able to read to me! The BOB Books are great! He wasn't ready for them earlier in the school year but now he is and he loves them! He also loves the Brain Quest cards and is ready to move up to the next level. He rarely misses any question!<br />
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<img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51alHFiyteL._SS400_.jpg" width="200" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076113770X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=076113770X" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SZFQRNY8L._SS500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We also found a workbook that he enjoys called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1609968042/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1609968042" target="_blank">Kindergarten FUNdamentals</a>. although right now he's not nearly as interested in the workbooks as was earlier in the year. I'm not pushing it because I know that it will come around again.<br />
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That's where we are...and enjoying the rare sunny days when they show up!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-69653149258948591542012-02-10T12:14:00.000-08:002012-02-10T12:16:10.949-08:00Interviews, a new habit, and some co-sleeping humor!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/about-the-homeschool-mothers-journal/" target="_blank" title="The Homeschool Mother's Journal"><img alt="The Homeschool Mother's Journal" src="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/THSMJbutton.jpg" /> </a>
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<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In my life this week...</span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I've been interviewing some top bloggers on my other blog. Check them out, there are great ideas and advice!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/02/07/interview-with-brankica-underwood-from-blog-like-a-star/" target="_blank">Interview with Brankica Underwood</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/02/09/interview-with-steven-aitchison-from-change-your-thoughts/" target="_blank">Interview with Steven Aitchision</a></span><br />
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I also shared about a <a href="http://homeschooladventureland.blogspot.com/2012/02/blogger-opportunity-450-giveaway.html" target="_blank">blogger opportunity</a> to participate in a giveaway that is at $450. That is a lot of exposure!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In our homeschool this week…</span></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We've been more focused than we were last month. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I've been keeping a daily list of what I want to accomplish for that day and for the most part I have been getting it all done. Not that I expect a lot at this stage of the game but it's good to get things done and see progress!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…</span></strong></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Have goals and keep a daily list. If you aren't aiming for something you definitely won't accomplish what you want!</span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I am inspired by…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/02/10/how-meditation-improved-my-life-in-about-30-days/" target="_blank">My new meditation habit</a> which is bringing a LOT of really positive changes to my life. Particularly in regards to my stress levels and mental alertness.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Apparently nowhere, my five year old complained that we haven't gone anywhere this week! One more reason for me to keep working on new ways to bring an income other than my daycare which keeps us stuck at home so much during the week. At least the kids have others to play with but it does bring about some cabin fever!</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My favorite thing this week was…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Spending time with my kids! What's new? :) We had a great time the other night just hanging out and having fun together. Times like that are the best!</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m reading…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400203392/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400203392" target="_blank">The Daily Maxwell</a></span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785288740/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0785288740" target="_blank">Winning Ways with People</a></span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0842339655/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0842339655" target="_blank">The Holiness of God</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A photo to share…</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRid6NBhzbbnNTDin6uNo7H9bwJ-yhvqoNlB4yFymUvOo0xpUxROWkuAq9-TusVYhCilfxrQHQGufMbrjIV3QkwANpSBxAzwDr8ynQkzkaKki-P_GFeAsaAHOhNhDPH7fGT5miX1g8TUzb/s1600/Cosleep+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRid6NBhzbbnNTDin6uNo7H9bwJ-yhvqoNlB4yFymUvOo0xpUxROWkuAq9-TusVYhCilfxrQHQGufMbrjIV3QkwANpSBxAzwDr8ynQkzkaKki-P_GFeAsaAHOhNhDPH7fGT5miX1g8TUzb/s320/Cosleep+Cards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-63251552849291382872012-01-21T16:42:00.000-08:002012-01-21T16:42:40.273-08:00Blokube: A Blogger's Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2ZAVUKyNqH94ZOMMFR6Bd3u_Ix1H8qKFgZaFu0dldxVbz7Yd13nxvZzG_7l1tpwjWzFf7r79Hm3HYXl7bOWWiRbtb2BNqb9EvTWLJrYOew7i4SfyWvNm7ua0aWalzNa08k55j99t6wj9/s1600/Blokube.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2ZAVUKyNqH94ZOMMFR6Bd3u_Ix1H8qKFgZaFu0dldxVbz7Yd13nxvZzG_7l1tpwjWzFf7r79Hm3HYXl7bOWWiRbtb2BNqb9EvTWLJrYOew7i4SfyWvNm7ua0aWalzNa08k55j99t6wj9/s320/Blokube.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blokube.com/" target="_blank">Blokube</a> is an online community created especially for bloggers. It has many great benefits to offer bloggers because no matter what your niche is you have the opportunity to share your content with other bloggers and engage with the other bloggers too.</div>
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When you submit your post to the community the other members (other bloggers) have the opportunity to read your post and vote on it. They can comment on your post itself or on the link to your post in the Blokube community. The more votes that your post gets the more recognition it is likely to receive because those with high votes are published on the main page.</div>
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You can also add their button to your posts to receive more votes so that people can vote on your posts right from your posts!</div>
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On the flip side you will have the opportunity to view other bloggers posts and comment on their posts too. There are a lot of opportunities for backlinks there. You receive a backlink from the submitted content that you post and when you comment on other blogs - if they are <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/10/21/are-you-using-the-dofollow-directory/" target="_blank">DoFollow blogs</a> or are using the commentluv plugin.</div>
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But blog post promotion and backlinks with other bloggers is only part of what Blokube has to offer!</div>
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You definitely don't want to miss out on all of the engagement with other bloggers that Blokube has to offer! You can connect with the other bloggers by using their <a href="http://www.blokube.com/groups" target="_blank">groups network</a> and live chat features. These features give you an even bigger experience with other bloggers.</div>
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<b>For the Problogging Success's <a href="http://www.probloggingsuccess.com/blogging-tips-101-contest/">Blogging Tips 101 Contest</a>: </b>My post is <a href="http://www.probloggingsuccess.com/a-letter-to-the-nervous-blogger-want-to-be/" target="_blank">A Letter To The Nervous Blogger Want-To-Be</a> - please support it with comments, shares, tweets, etc.! Thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-27705706219234923312012-01-21T15:56:00.000-08:002012-01-21T16:09:12.736-08:00Snowed In!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/2012/01/a-new-computer-words-with-friends-the-one-product-i-will-never-ever-review-on-my-blog/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/THSMJbutton.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In our homeschool this week…</span></strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We have been snowed in so it's been a very unusual week! We don't often get a lot of snow and we really got dumped on!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was great to get out in it with the kids, to watch the youngest experience snow for the first time. He really was not impressed at all - which I found to be hilarious! I tried and tried to get just one picture of him smiling in the snow but he wouldn't have anything to do with that. The pictures were all still adorable (of course!) but it's just so funny how he refused to smile.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My oldest (5yo) had an absolute blast - of course! All pictures of him were full of huge happy smiles. He and dad built a very impressive fort which drew attention from all of the neighborhood boys.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The kids and I haven't left the street in well over a week! I was sick prior to the snowfall so it's actually closer to two weeks since we've gone anywhere. Talk about living up to a homeschool myth!! :)</span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Don't worry about what others think. Seriously, it's not worth the time or energy. You are doing this because it's right for your family and not because you think others are doing something wrong. It's about giving our family what our family needs.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I am inspired by…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The love that I see my two boys have for each other. It not only melts my heart but it really does inspire me!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…</span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hah - just the snow!</span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My favorite thing this week was…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Watching my little one make the transition from mostly crawling to being a full time walker! </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Although trying to keep up with him is another story. I am reminded why baby gates are called baby gates!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m cooking…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A lot of very basic stuff since we were badly due for a shopping trip before the snow suddenly hit. </span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m grateful for…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The snow finally melting! Feeling better (mostly) and extra time with my kids (since I run a home daycare and had three full days of no daycare kids).</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A photo, video, link, or quote to share…</span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(First picture of my boys on this blog! We're not ones to post pictures of our kids online to the public.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppLaqLHCfEYgugBYsIyTnwOgaG9Y78AuuMdl-VfXov_ObEjGGLQG3jDOphhW-KmDOSPwvVoXCY1VrdR97cQDOxrs3ygC0rTrMk1QpYBQSQ6NqXL7feK_nGkdypAL7TUH80auGls9UZFlW/s1600/IMG_5496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppLaqLHCfEYgugBYsIyTnwOgaG9Y78AuuMdl-VfXov_ObEjGGLQG3jDOphhW-KmDOSPwvVoXCY1VrdR97cQDOxrs3ygC0rTrMk1QpYBQSQ6NqXL7feK_nGkdypAL7TUH80auGls9UZFlW/s320/IMG_5496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-73434292789598583732012-01-06T04:30:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:33:06.128-08:00This week's review<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/about-the-homeschool-mothers-journal/" target="_blank" title="The Homeschool Mother's Journal"><img alt="The Homeschool Mother's Journal" src="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/THSMJbutton.jpg" /> </a></center>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In my life this week…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A lot of excitement for the <b>new year</b>! So many great things are going on. <a href="http://homeschooladventureland.blogspot.com/2012/01/this-is-real-deal.html" target="_blank">You can read about it here</a>. I also share about the new habit that I'm building that is already inspiring me and motivating me to do greater things and get more accomplished each day! It's giving me more energy and helping me feel significantly less stress in situations that normally stress me out. I couldn't have chosen a better habit to build to start my new year off right.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In our homeschool this week…</span></strong></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Can we say "laid back"?? A lot of learning is happening but it's all completely spur of the moment and nothing planned. At all. I blame it on last week's holiday craziness. We need to take it easy and recover!</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…</span></strong></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Meet the needs over following a strict schedule. If you want a strict schedule that is disinterested in what the kids need and what the kids are interested in...send them to school! That's one reason that I didn't become a teacher even though I grew up dreaming of being a teacher. The system just doesn't allow for the creativity and natural love for learning that kids have. (Stepping off my soapbox...)</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I am inspired by…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Fresh new starts! Again see the post that I linked to above! Even the picture in that post has the word "inspiration" on it!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…</span></strong></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We went to a rockin' New Year's party put on by a families group from church. We danced the night away and not a single child fell asleep before the new year. Both my kids had a blast dancing, dancing, dancing! The baby was passed around and danced in people's arms but he was thrilled, you should've seen that face!</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Things I’m working on…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My new habit!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m reading…</span></strong></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A lot!</span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m cooking…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">With a little bit of milk since the baby is now able to tolerate it in foods. I'm not going to go crazy but it IS nice not needing to avoid it like the plague!</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m grateful for…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My kids</span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hopes</span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Dreams</span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Possibilities</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m praying for…</span></strong><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-Both of my grandmas who are recovering from various health issues.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">-Our friends who had a tree wipe out part of their home.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A quote to share…</span></strong><br />
"2011 was just a dress rehearsal but 2012 is the real deal!" -Eric Worre</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-59494890188055210832012-01-04T13:00:00.000-08:002012-01-04T13:00:03.967-08:00This is the real deal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NyRX5ZZIOHF8A0sDTmkMNqaI7Z_XvFnZtisAJU8AWwloAtQXQpCZGnAIyQx6KllnGbb1xIa8-UDDzrMEbq0_4B2WwCwtnhd8UNWpRPverxv6N8RVUnijxRS8ZK_BNW6cstsawMWzfgMh/s1600/Inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NyRX5ZZIOHF8A0sDTmkMNqaI7Z_XvFnZtisAJU8AWwloAtQXQpCZGnAIyQx6KllnGbb1xIa8-UDDzrMEbq0_4B2WwCwtnhd8UNWpRPverxv6N8RVUnijxRS8ZK_BNW6cstsawMWzfgMh/s320/Inspiration.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know that it's merely the fourth day of the year but so far it's going great! I have to agree with Eric Worre when <a href="http://networkmarketingpro.com/2012/01/02/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-nmpro-597/" target="_blank">he said recently</a> that "<b>2011 was just a dress rehearsal but 2012 is the real deal!</b>" That truly sums up how I deeply feel about this year!<br />
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<b>There are many reasons that I feel so excited and optimistic about this year!</b><br />
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For starters I've begun the year building a new habit. Not only that but I'm hosting a <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/12/26/join-habit-building-challenge/" target="_blank">Habit Building Challenge</a> on my other blog and others are joining me in building their own habits to start the year off right! It's not too late to join if you want to - it only takes about 28 days to build a new habit so you can jump right in today!<br />
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<b>These are the topics so far:</b><br />
<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/01/01/habit-building-day-1/" target="_blank">What is it going to take?</a> - A look at what you need to do to make sure you are preparing yourself for success in building the new habit!<br />
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<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/01/02/habit-compound-effect/" target="_blank">The Compound Effect</a> - A very inspirational post about how each day of building the habit is essential even if it feels completely insignificant!<br />
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<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/01/03/habit-building-day-3-study-success/" target="_blank">Study Success</a> - I share some books and other reads that will inspire you to achieve the success that you want!<br />
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<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2012/01/04/habit-building-day-4-can-do-attitude/" target="_blank">Have a Can-Do Attitude</a> - Another inspirational post, this time about having the right attitude and how you can get that attitude if you aren't there yet!<br />
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<i>Are you curious what habit I am building?</i> You'll have to read one of the posts above! ;) I mention it specifically in the first one, I can't remember if I mention it specifically in the others or not. One thing that I will tell you that this habit is already inspiring me and motivating me to do greater things and get more accomplished each day! It's giving me more energy and helping me feel significantly less stress in situations that normally stress me out. I couldn't have chosen a better habit to build to start my new year off right.<br />
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<b>Other reasons that make this year great...</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>My 5 year old is especially excited about learning!</b> He got some great tools for learning for Christmas and he loves using them. He got some workbooks that he loves, in fact one morning I woke up and he was already up before me and he was busily working on one of the workbooks! I was so glad to see him so excited about learning. He already finished that one and is making good progress through another! He's also been playing learning games, educational toys, making arts and crafts, continuing to learn more and more numbers - he's determined to learn how to count to 100. He now loves search and find books like Where's Waldo? </li>
<li><b>My 1 year old is learning skills too!</b> He's getting closer and closer to walking, he's using more words, he clearly understands a lot that is spoken to him. He's very social and loves meeting new people. He loves to get involved with what big brother is doing and he's showing signs of a love for learning too! Very exciting! Home educating these two boys is going to be such a joy - though believe me I know it will have it's challenges of course! That's what keeps things interesting!</li>
<li><b>My home preschool is going strong</b>. With this being my main source of income currently that is very good news! (On a side note, <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/12/28/featured-savvy-mompreneur/" target="_blank">I was featured in the Savvy Mompreneur</a>!)</li>
<li><b>The other 2 businesses that my husband and I working on are picking up momentum</b>. This is also good news because ideally those two businesses will be our main sources of income soon and we have goals for the income to far exceed our current income. To have the full home education experience that I aim for requires me to <i>not</i> be at home 11+ hours a day during the week, which the home preschool requires. I've written elsewhere about what I want to do with the "home" education starting in a couple of years: field trips, homeschool groups, sports, etc.</li>
</ul>
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There is a lot going on and obviously a lot for us to be excited about! There are also some challenging situations as well, both of my grandmas are experiencing difficult health issues. That's the way that life goes, giving you both good and challenging. I am optimistic that both of my grandmas will recover, I wish that I could do more and feel bad that I can't. Though prayer is powerful and I need to remind myself more often of the power of encouragement through a phone call.</div>
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I wish you all the very best for this new year!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-64038139759401187992011-12-16T03:00:00.000-08:002011-12-16T03:00:16.658-08:00A Christmas Tree, Some Books, and a Challenge<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/about-the-homeschool-mothers-journal/" target="_blank" title="The Homeschool Mother's Journal"><img alt="The Homeschool Mother's Journal" src="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/THSMJbutton.jpg" /> </a></center><br />
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In my life this week…</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The Christmas season is in full swing. We've got the lights and the tree up, my oldest spent some time at Amma's house making Christmas goodies. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The baby is very excited about the tree, he even wanted the tree to hold him! He loves to have other people hold him and he reaches out his arms as his way of saying "hold me!" and he has done that with the Christmas tree. He loves the lights, he loves the ornaments, he loves the branches. It's all fun and exciting, he was so excited the first few times that he started laughing hysterically when he saw it. I suppose that if I didn't know better I would probably find a decorated tree inside our house pretty funny too!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In our homeschool this week…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I shared in other posts this week about the learning that we are doing. My oldest is excited about learning to <a href="http://homeschooladventureland.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-love-of-learning.html" target="_blank">read and spell</a>. We are using several different methods, I shared some of those in <a href="http://homeschooladventureland.blogspot.com/2011/12/it-has-definitely-been-too-long-since.html" target="_blank">a post</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We have been taking it pretty easy with the holidays but since he is so excited about learning we have been spending time on stuff that he wants to learn about.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">When they show an excitement about learning something - go with it! Foster that love of learning!</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">My favorite thing this week was…</span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Watching my boys play together! They adore each other and I couldn't ask for more!</span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Things I’m working on…</span></strong></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Getting my entrepreneurial endeavors to the point that I can work those alone and be able to focus more time and energy on homeschooling. I really want to be able to 'retire' from my home preschool within two years. I want to be active in homeschool groups and other daytime activities.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I’m reading…</span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061715743/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061715743" target="_blank">The Secret Code of Success</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NPCG2A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002NPCG2A" target="_blank">The Applause of Heaven</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426710666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1426710666" target="_blank">A Simple Amish Christmas</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434768511/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1434768511" target="_blank">Crazy Love</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400203392/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400203392" target="_blank">The Maxwell Daily Reader</a></div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A link or quote to share…</span></strong></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">On my other blog I am preparing for a <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/11/22/the-habit-building-challenge/" target="_blank">Habit Building Challenge</a> that will be in the month of January! I would love to have you join the challenge if you have a habit that you would like to build! It will help you get your new year started off right! The habit can be anything, click the image below for more info:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/11/22/the-habit-building-challenge/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b307/blossomcupbell/Jamaica-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>“You will never change your life<br />until you change something you do daily.<br />The secret of your success<br />is found in your daily routine.”</b><br /><br /><b>–John C. Maxwell</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-39733458413380600772011-12-14T07:22:00.000-08:002011-12-14T07:22:45.155-08:00For the LOVE of learning!One thing that I absolutely LOVE about home education is the fact that the love of learning can be cultivated and not squashed! I remember being a child and I loved learning, but I really did not like school. <br />
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I really love being able to cultivate my son's love for learning. He's so excited about learning new things (both of them are, but I don't quite consider myself homeschooling the baby yet - though I know that I'm teaching him a great deal!) <br />
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Right now my oldest is excited about learning to read and learning to count to one hundred. Not only do I get to be the one teaching him these things and watching him learn but I get to go with the flow and teach him as he has the interest. <br />
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Taking advantage of that is amazing! He doesn't have to feel pushed into learning something that he has no interest in yet, nor does he have to be held back and wait for something the school system is not ready to teach yet.<br />
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Isn't this the way learning is <em>supposed</em> to be?<br />
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It really is an adventure because I don't always know what is going to work when teaching him something. I was baffled at how to teach him to read because I was trying various "systems" and it just wasn't clicking.<br />
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Then I had the thought to sit down and write out the word AT. He sounded it out pretty quickly and then I added an "S" in front of the AT and he sounded out sat. He was so excited! We high-fived and I wrote out a bunch more AT's and started adding new letters in front of them. <br />
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In no time at all he had sounded out all of the three letter AT words in the English language! He was so excited and as soon as he could he started showing people his list and reading it to them. <br />
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We went through the same process with the IT words and he was equally excited!<br />
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Now he's focused on learning how to count to 100 so today I'll teach him 30, 40, 50 and so on. Now that he grasps the concept of 21, 22, 23... he can apply it to learning the bigger numbers. I think that he'll be able to count to 100 if not by today then by the end of the week for sure!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-57129066425419109482011-12-07T10:55:00.001-08:002011-12-07T13:49:44.111-08:00Favorite Educational Activities!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has definitely been too long since I've posted! We've been very busy and making good progress, it's good that we're doing Pre-K for my oldest this year since there is so much going on and I have so many young kids in my daycare. It helps me to feel more relaxed about homeschooling Pre-K than if it was Kindergarten.<br />
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<b>I want to share some of our favorite things!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy78lI1D8CNJhCDnqV9LyHTGWd-Vw4i_-zeR3XAXzlDTY32IRxaZh11BOZTLepQaHJR7AGH1mzhc97RH6fGomcabNqUNEdkD49mRgFvdqBFifZFrebCfab9AnoJA0z3kh1plePDoXOG625/s1600/Dry+erase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy78lI1D8CNJhCDnqV9LyHTGWd-Vw4i_-zeR3XAXzlDTY32IRxaZh11BOZTLepQaHJR7AGH1mzhc97RH6fGomcabNqUNEdkD49mRgFvdqBFifZFrebCfab9AnoJA0z3kh1plePDoXOG625/s1600/Dry+erase.jpg" /></a></div>
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This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00294J43Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00294J43Y" target="_blank">dry erase activity center</a> was a birthday present and is now one of our staple homeschooling items! Just take one tracing sheet and it now has a lifetime of use! We use worksheets over and over with this! </div>
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This is especially useful for things that require a lot of repetition. My 5yo is now able to write the whole alphabet and has used it to learn how to write his name as well as other things. I've also used it to write out words for him to learn to read. It's a great way to teach phonics!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63I1kFtQwRYu-6pLFE4OKs1yBrCBJe8ZNvi1NxAmZfaki1SK3e03fW7nDSpkYLQH-SNYGLjH9ef66bX9Euf3Yfdj8hreTclsbpcLFVWhul3N_7siDa28VamtJIXeB-m8gl8U67FRw-ms0/s1600/Zimbbos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63I1kFtQwRYu-6pLFE4OKs1yBrCBJe8ZNvi1NxAmZfaki1SK3e03fW7nDSpkYLQH-SNYGLjH9ef66bX9Euf3Yfdj8hreTclsbpcLFVWhul3N_7siDa28VamtJIXeB-m8gl8U67FRw-ms0/s1600/Zimbbos.jpg" /></a></div>
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This<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009ICKCO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009ICKCO" target="_blank"> fun game</a> teaches a lot of math skills! It teaches spacial reasoning, balance, counting, hand eye coordination and imaginative thinking. It also encourages fun time for family members!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UpVphciJhMW53yDVWMqb3nv-4pSsaKhS2ofINMMFZjnCRhtG5oSewqJNet0L1FMQjM48gbOwGoHmYCqMl0zSL6Wg5SWf49i2F5oAjvCeWtZ-lLutvcDQdlj3Y9tBy0_4cXCWce99iN0z/s1600/tangoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UpVphciJhMW53yDVWMqb3nv-4pSsaKhS2ofINMMFZjnCRhtG5oSewqJNet0L1FMQjM48gbOwGoHmYCqMl0zSL6Wg5SWf49i2F5oAjvCeWtZ-lLutvcDQdlj3Y9tBy0_4cXCWce99iN0z/s1600/tangoes.jpg" /></a></div>
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This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F6RWW8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000F6RWW8" target="_blank">pattern block game</a> is great for many reasons. The pieces are magnetic and so is the board, making it easier to keep the pieces where they are supposed to be (and less likely to get lost!) The cards have two levels making the life of the game even longer. So far this has provided many hours of fun learning! It's great for traveling too with the handy case that comes with it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6Z2LofztNmBOWo8RCYd472Uvd7HUDgG9Hc6XJ-jPaCT4vovAdQn_7HKlgl2qQYQGpPnHxUYaANu0MEPPIKMgBeBjw-PY7tKxH-o4sh2eHcswhkK22H9w954rHz2vi3ekN1svmUF0nFRj/s1600/spelling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6Z2LofztNmBOWo8RCYd472Uvd7HUDgG9Hc6XJ-jPaCT4vovAdQn_7HKlgl2qQYQGpPnHxUYaANu0MEPPIKMgBeBjw-PY7tKxH-o4sh2eHcswhkK22H9w954rHz2vi3ekN1svmUF0nFRj/s1600/spelling.jpg" /></a></div>
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This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P9WBLM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000P9WBLM" target="_blank">fun spelling puzzle</a> helps them to get excited about spelling words. The pieces only fit on the right word and the kids get so excited when they've spelled a word. This has been a big hit for not only my oldest but many of his friends who come visit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tFtfUu1NKSgxPqvQHI-8CcgNqqI6HKst1gKiIDNJaBkQ452FXhOsI9EoZnLEHa5OP64dzw7Ryfo3d_skgWHR6GRTYYiOxI8bCInzngkVmX0rihPp7G_TZGMCLRrP7vWZLXLM4IViGc5X/s1600/tag.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tFtfUu1NKSgxPqvQHI-8CcgNqqI6HKst1gKiIDNJaBkQ452FXhOsI9EoZnLEHa5OP64dzw7Ryfo3d_skgWHR6GRTYYiOxI8bCInzngkVmX0rihPp7G_TZGMCLRrP7vWZLXLM4IViGc5X/s1600/tag.bmp" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JQV9LG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=growwithstacy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003JQV9LG" target="_blank">Leap Frog tag system</a> is an excellent learning tool! There are countless books to choose from and even a couple of maps that I have my eye on. There are so many skills that it teaches, fun games, awards, and more. It's interactive, fun and teaches a lot!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOWHSDw5lyfYb9Lsq8VnAfdKvBM5w9srO6BcLDzV3zFrlkw1fZwIMjppkjPb5qBLTdyOiwaTMmkWI7O0auIHZyLcXl-q7bNEnGuvYqlMIlNhiPKx8nvRVZWL-bc2iDzXuEhMer7kFiF_K/s1600/leaptster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOWHSDw5lyfYb9Lsq8VnAfdKvBM5w9srO6BcLDzV3zFrlkw1fZwIMjppkjPb5qBLTdyOiwaTMmkWI7O0auIHZyLcXl-q7bNEnGuvYqlMIlNhiPKx8nvRVZWL-bc2iDzXuEhMer7kFiF_K/s1600/leaptster.jpg" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=growwithstacy-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0038APBDA" target="_blank">Leapster Explorer</a> is a handheld game system that has a lot of educational games. It can be a little too much fun at times and I typically have to limit the time on this simply because it is a handheld game. </div>
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<b>What are your family's favorites?</b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-74592779292679184742011-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:002011-09-15T11:58:19.870-07:00Beginning of Pre-K YearHomeschooling Pre-Kindergarten 2011-2012<p>
We began our Pre-Kindergarten homeschooling year on Wednesday, September 7th for my oldest because of the simple fact that was the first day of school for all of the public and private school going kids around here. It was a good motivator for me to get things rolling and I definitely needed the motivation because of how relaxed homeschooling was last year with my third trimester and the new baby. <p>
A lot of the learning came from watching educational shows such as leapfrog, super why, team umizoomi, etc. He also used the leapfrog Tag books, some learning games, puzzles, blocks, legos, and I threw in as much learning in every day activities as I could.<p>
He actually managed to learn the remaining bit of the alphabet that he didn't know and all of the sounds. He learned about patterns and other math skills too. He grew in his writing and drawing skills just by sitting down with a paper and crayons or pencils. He basically went from scribbling one day to drawing actual pictures and coloring in the lines the next day, it was pretty amazing!<p>
We've been talking about the days of the week each day, though we need to keep working on that because he says the days in random orders each time. He can count to 23 in the correct order, which is great because that's a skill that is expected by the end of kindergarten.<p>
He has been tracing ABCs and his name with a special wipe off board that is transparent and you can place paper underneath. He enjoys that and it saves on paper and ink! We also have other wipe off stuff: a learning book, sheets of paper with the alphabet, a phonics book (not ready for that yet), and even a board on a wall. <p>
Along with that he's been excited about a workbook, doing all kinds of different activities from letter tracing to matching to pre-reading to cutting and pasting and more. When he first started he didn't want to stop at all.<p>
Learning through play. We've been spending quite a bit of time with tinker toys, lincoln logs, legos, blocks, games, puzzles, and such. They each help him to learn different skills and to think about how to make things and what works with what. There are a lot of different skills involved with these activities and spending hours on them is a great way for him to learn those skills. <p>
When I play with him that adds to the learning even more as he watches what I'm doing and learns how to apply those skills himself. I have him look at what I made and have him figure out how I made it and have him do that himself.<p>
We've also been playing with counting tokens and he's been placing them into color groups, adding numbers, and more.<p>
He loves his art time so he's been having a lot of fun with drawing, coloring, painting, gluing, using pipe cleaners, folding and cutting paper, play doh, pencils, crayons, pens, stickers, and so much more. He's very creative!<p>
Sensory. We've also gone to a park several times during the really warm weather. The park has a “splash pad” with a lot of water activities for the kids – that's much better than a water sensory table! Also bath time works very well for water sensory, learning about how things float or sink, how bubbles work, etc. <p>
The park also had a huge sand box and lots of other typical park stuff like swings, climbers, teeter totters, etc. More ways for him to learn how things work and great opportunities for exercise as well.<p>
We took a field trip to the children's museum where there were plenty of learning opportunities. Many more than we had time to explore with just that one trip, we will definitely be going back! There was a floor piano for stepping on to make music. There were puzzle games to figure out, there was a glow in the dark room with many activities to work on, focusing mostly on creating designs from shapes. There was a water room, an airplane to pilot, a bus to drive, and so much more!<p>
The funny thing is that it feels like we haven't really done all that much but when I sit down to write out what we've done it shows me that we've really done a lot of learning activities in just a week! Also the more that I write, the more that I remember that we've done. I'm sure there's probably even more that I've forgotten and will write about later! I'm glad we're doing so well so far!<p>
Pre-K is not a time where we have to worry about intense curriculum but it is nice to know that there are so many hands-on things that really provide good learning opportunities. My goal is for him to be at least a grade ahead of where he's at, if not more than that. It seems like a lot of homeschoolers are ahead of the game like that and he is already doing very well. <p>
I don't want to push him or have him feel pressured, if he needs extra work and is behind in an area then I want to work with him on that as needed. That's one of the great things about homeschooling, being able to work with the child where they are at and not forcing them to work at the same pace as everyone else.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-59971571659889874612011-08-03T10:26:00.000-07:002011-08-03T10:26:10.499-07:00Computer IssuesI keep saying that I'm going to start getting this blog active and different things keep arising to make that difficult!<br />
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My computer died about a month ago and I've had limited computer access since. I've been able to get it working for short periods of time here and there (I was able to get most everything off of it since I didn't have a backup!) but mostly I am relying on other people's computers. <br />
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Which can prove difficult when I am running two blogs and a home business or two. I've been focusing on the home businesses and letting the kids just enjoy the summertime. We've done some minimal learning as my older son does love to learn and he has more and more interest in learning to read! I'm pretty sure that by the time he gets to the K level he will be reading basic words.<br />
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We're finally getting nice weather, it's been rainy 90% of the time in June and July. We may not end up starting curriculum until October because of the late summer.<br />
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But truly I will attempt to make this blog a great place! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-8551637899252841102011-07-01T12:52:00.000-07:002011-07-01T12:55:25.214-07:00Our Life This Week<center><a href="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/about-the-homeschool-mothers-journal/" title="The Homeschool Mother's Journal"><img alt="The Homeschool Mother's Journal" src="http://www.thehomeschoolchick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Summer-Edition.jpg" /> </a></center><br />
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Since I have not been keeping up with this blog very much at all, participating in something like this is the perfect thing to get me back into the swing of things! :)<br />
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In my life this week...</span></b><br />
My infant:<br />
-Started sitting up on his own<br />
-Finally has his first tooth poking through<br />
-Showed an understanding for the word 'no'<br />
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My preschooler:<br />
-Attempted to ride his bike without training wheels<br />
-Took the training wheels off himself<br />
-Declared that he will be the best pro skateboarder someday<br />
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My dad went to the hospital for emergency surgery. :(<br />
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</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In our homeschool this week…</span></b><br />
We took it pretty easy, there was a lot going on and we mostly just played. We sat down with flashcards one day. He likes to play with the learning games on my ipod and he was using his Tag books for a couple of days.<br />
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</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…</span></b><br />
Get involved with others, don't go at it alone!</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">I am inspired by…<br />
</span></b><br />
The sun being out, it really gives energy and inspiration to get a lot done!</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My favorite thing this week was…</span></b><br />
Watching my kids play together and adore each other!</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Things I’m working on…</span></b><br />
Creating a schedule that works for our family.</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m reading…</span></b><br />
A lot of books on kindle!</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m cooking…</span></b><br />
Completely non-milk</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m grateful for…</span></b><br />
My family<br />
Homeschooling<br />
The weather<br />
Friends who understand<br />
The ability to work<br />
My home</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m praying for…</span></b><br />
My dad's recovery<br />
Family<br />
Education<br />
Finances</div><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A photo, video, link, or quote to share…</span></b><br />
<a href="http://growwithstacy.com/2011/07/01/unlock-full-potential/">How to Unlock Your Full Potential</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-2288474863575566432011-06-29T15:10:00.000-07:002011-06-29T15:10:42.503-07:00Nursing Cover Winner!I'm a few days late with this announcement as I have had internet connection issues.<br />
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In my last post I reviewed the amazing <a href="http://babybondnursing.com/main/">Baby Bond nursing cover</a> and had a giveaway!<br />
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I used random.org to get he number 7 (lucky number 7!) and the person who left the 7th comment and wins the nursing cover is....<br />
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Adriel from <a href="http://www.themommyhoodmemos.com/">The Mommyhood Memos</a>!<br />
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Congratulations!! Enjoy your new nursing cover!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-28516524724866362452011-06-10T10:46:00.000-07:002011-07-03T13:43:55.107-07:00Baby Bond Nursing Cover Review & Giveaway<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP59ff15c69ad138635326c3f8267af16e" style="display: none;" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://babybondnursing.com/main/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://babybondnursing.com/wp-content/themes/babybondstringtheory/images/logo.png" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am very excited to be able to review (and give away one to a reader!) the Baby Bond nursing cover! What makes this cover unique is that <i>it covers mom</i> but <i>not the baby</i>. It is practically revolutionary! I loved the concept from the moment that I heard about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If your baby is anything like either of mine, they do not enjoy being covered up! This solves that problem because most covers end up getting kicked, pulled, twisted, etc. and are hard to keep on. Which is why I have rarely used my covers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found this very easy to use (with some practice at the beginning) and I love that it fits easily into the diaper bag to go anywhere! It's so nice that I don't have to cover my baby with it, he loves to be free and not covered in a blanket while eating. Not that I blame him! I wouldn't want to be covered up while eating, either!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am very excited to be able to offer this as a giveaway to one of my readers! (Details below.) Or if you don't want to wait you can go directly to their <a href="http://www.babybondnursing.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and order one. <b>Use the code ADVENTURE to save 25%</b>. <i>It also makes a fantastic gift!!</i><u> </u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first let me share a little more about the cover itself. The covers come in three styles, click the images below to learn more about each style:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://babybondnursing.com/original" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://babybondnursing.com/wp-content/themes/babybondstringtheory/images/product1.png" /></a> <a href="http://babybondnursing.com/flex" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://babybondnursing.com/wp-content/themes/babybondstringtheory/images/product2.png" /></a><a href="http://babybondnursing.com/couture" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://babybondnursing.com/wp-content/themes/babybondstringtheory/images/product3.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose the Couture because of it's versatility, being able to use it on top or over the stomach. I did need to watch a quick video to figure out how to put it on. There are also instructions on the tag so that if you need a quick refresher it's right on the cover. You can see for yourself how easy it is to put on: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/missyreder#p/a/u/2/cqeNy0Cv640" target="_blank">instructional videos</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't try either of the two other styles, but it looks like those are easier to put on if you don't want to deal with learning how to put it on. (I use a moby wrap for carrying the baby and this nursing cover is much simpler than that!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Giveaway Details</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>*The giveaway will last from Friday June 10th to Friday June 24th.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Open world wide!! <i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*I will announce the winner in a new post on June 24th. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Leave your email if you want to be emailed if you win.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Leave <b>one comment</b> <i>on this post</i> <b>for each entry</b> that you complete.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Let me know that you completed the entry on each comment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u> </u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Entries: </b>(enter as many or as few as you want)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Follow me on Google Friend Connect</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Like my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/growwithstacy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Subscribe to my posts </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/HS_adventures" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Tweet the following message: "I hope to win the Baby Bond Nursing Cover #Giveaway by @HS_adventures http://bit.ly/jNUdUR" (Once per day, comment here once for each tweet.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Vote for me "We're on the Fence" (once per day, comment each time)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Add my button to your blogroll </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>On my <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/" target="_blank">other blog</a> follow me on:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Google Friend Connect </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-<a href="http://twitter.com/growwithstacy" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Networked Blogs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Subscribe to my <a href="http://growwithstacy.com/adjust-your-thinking/" target="_blank">newsletter</a> (and get a free ebook)</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM59ff15c69ad138635326c3f8267af16e" target="_blank">Tomoson.com</a> created by <a href="http://www.webbizideas.com/" target="_blank">WebBizIdeas.com</a>. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/" target="_blank">Product review</a> & <a href="http://www.tomoson.com/" target="_blank">giveaway</a> Disclosure.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=CONTEST59ff15c69ad138635326c3f8267af16e">Sponsored by Tomoson.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-91321506615471159122011-06-05T18:25:00.000-07:002011-06-05T18:26:30.233-07:00There's an App for thatMy 4 year old has a new favorite 'toy' - my ipod touch.<br />
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I have downloaded a bunch of preschool and pre-k apps for him to play. He loves them and he's learning a lot! I do prefer to keep the screen time to a minimum, especially during these warmer months.<br />
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One thing that I like to do is to reward good behavior with ipod time, so it's a double benefit. It's reinforcing good behavior and he's learning while he plays the games.<br />
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The great thing is that there are so many free apps for the kids and the ones that do cost money are typically $0.99-$1.99. A great gift idea is an ipod gift card. I'm really going to have to remember that for his birthday because the last thing that he needs is more toys...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-75956829646824433122011-05-24T15:59:00.000-07:002011-05-24T15:59:20.874-07:00Sensory Tables!I have been going over all of my games, books, workbooks, flashcards, and wide array of learning supplies deciding on the focus of the summer. (If you recall, we took most of the school year off so we'll be working on Pre-K through the Summer.)<br />
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I also started going through some of <a href="http://homeschoolingadventures.webs.com/preschoolk.htm">my favorite preschool through kindergarten resources</a> and was thrilled to discover that my <b>favorite</b> site has added a bunch of great resources and ideas!<br />
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I am so excited about the new Sensory Table list! There are so many different ideas for sensory tables, easily enough to last through the summer! You have got to check this out if you have kindergartners and younger! <a href="http://prekinders.com/sensory-table/">Sensory Tables</a><br />
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I hardly know where to start, but I do know that we are going to have some serious fun!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-69600809283000487352011-05-22T13:20:00.000-07:002011-05-22T13:20:28.085-07:00Bullying: Free Kindle BookI came across a free kindle book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bullying-ebook/dp/B004INHHFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1306094947&sr=1-1">Bullying</a> by Dr. Sabina Dosani. I had heard about her book awhile back when I was reading an article on the topic of bullying and she was someone who was quoted in the article.<br />
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The book is normally $19.78 so if you have any interest in it at all go grab it while it's still free!<br />
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It is a book written both to the parents of bullied children and the children themselves. In each chapter she gives a different idea or tool on how to handle the bully. <br />
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I don't know if any of the techniques work but they sound interesting and at least give some hope to the many kids who deal with bullies in the schools every day.<br />
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I remember dealing with bullies in school and it would have been nice to have a book like this as a reference to learn ideas on how to deal with them. I think that what is even worse for those kids is the ones who feel like they have nobody to turn to, that they don't have any adults in their life that will listen to them. I hope that kids can find this book in their school library or even on amazon.<br />
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Information is so readily available these days, I wish I would have had as much information when I was in school. The internet was really new when I was in high school, nothing like it is today sixteen years after graduating. (Has it really been that long?)<br />
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Go grab that book, I'd love to hear what you think!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-58101455095796619612011-05-21T18:05:00.000-07:002011-05-21T18:05:00.658-07:00Back in Business!My baby is now 6 months and we have slowly been incorporating more and more homeschooling for big brother. Even though the Summer is upon us we are beginning our school year. <br />
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The good news is that big brother hasn't lost much of what he learned before our long break. I had him watching educational videos as much as possible when he wanted TV and I played educational games with him a much as I could.<br />
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I've brought back "circle" time: stories, songs, flash cards, etc. He doesn't enjoy it as much as he did before, he is really excited about his "workbook" that I picked up at the dollar store! I'm glad he likes it so much because we are having serious printer issues so I can't print off anything.<br />
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Also I will be back to blogging more. I look forward to catching up with all of my homeschool friends. Who are probably all getting ready for your breaks!! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-70112032439448677162010-11-30T15:04:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:04:23.508-08:00Happy Holidays!I hope that everyone is having a great holiday season now that the season has officially begun with Thanksgiving last week!<br />
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I'm having a great but exhausted time. I had my second baby a little before Thanksgiving - what a blessing! No homeschooling for the rest of the year, adjusting to the new addition. Big brother is excited and has no jealousy issues at all. :)<br />
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Have a great holiday season! I'll "see" you all in the new year!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-7346076197667214522010-11-11T14:23:00.001-08:002010-11-11T14:23:45.397-08:00Free Homeschool Magazine DownloadClick below! Enjoy! :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/holiday2010#pg1" target="_blank"><img src="http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Digital-Supplement/2010HolidayDigitalSupplementbutton.jpg" width="140" height="180" alt="2010 Holiday Digital Supplement/Idea Book" border="0" align=""></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-13371322152404026072010-11-02T13:20:00.000-07:002010-11-02T13:20:45.458-07:00Mommy WarsI personally find it really sad that moms so often pit themselves against one another. We really should be working together to motivate and encourage one another. We have a difficult and sometimes thankless job and the support can really go a long way!<br />
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It is such a waste of time and energy to get involved with these mommy wars. What good really comes from engaging in these battles? Inevitably someone's feelings are going to get hurt, and truly how often does someone change their position as a result? <br />
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I began to discover this when I first got married and became a stepmom. There was the instant division between "real" moms and stepmoms ("fake" moms?) and there is a lot of animosity there for some people.<br />
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There are a lot of stereotypes of stepmoms, some of them stemming way back hundreds of years ago when tales such as Cinderella and Hensel and Gretel were changed to say "stepmother" instead of "mother" as was in the original stories.<br />
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There are stereotypes based on misunderstands and underlying fears. Many stepmoms attend school events of their stepchildren and are stunned to find themselves shunned from the "mommy club".<br />
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It appears that many moms are insecure about stepmoms so they are instantly fearful when one appears on the scene. Are they afraid that they will be replaced by a stepmom? Are they afraid the children's natural mother will snub them if they are nice to the stepmom? I really don't know because though I am a mom I am not threatened by stepmoms that I meet.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>It wasn't until I had my son that I discovered the REAL mommy wars going on.</b> It's no wonder some moms are so threatened by stepmoms when they are so threatened by other moms.<br />
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The battles engaged in on the mommy war battle front seem to be never ending and they start so early too.<br />
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I've heard some moms claim that you're not "really" a parent until you have more than one child. <i>What exactly does that make a "parent" of one child? A fake parent?</i> Right up there with stepparents. Those imposters with only one child, they only <i>think</i> they are parents.<br />
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I have no doubts that adding children to the scene changes the dynamic of the entire family as well as the parent/child relationships. (I will find this out very soon for myself.) But even though it may be more complicated, it may be more difficult, it may well be far more wonderful - I would never dare to say that someone who has a child is not REALLY a parent.<br />
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Then there are many other battle fronts, all you have to do is go to a mommy forum site and you will find these battles raging.<br />
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- Natural birth vs drugs vs cesarean<br />
- Formula vs breastfeeding<br />
- Binky vs thumb vs nothing<br />
- Working moms vs stay at home moms vs work at home moms<br />
- Co sleeping vs crib sleeping<br />
- Vaccinating vs non vaccinating vs selective vaccinating<br />
- Discipline methods<br />
- Organic foods vs non organic<br />
- Daycare vs no daycare<br />
- Preschool vs play<br />
- TV vs no tv vs limited tv vs educational tv vs preschool programming<br />
- Public school vs private school vs home school<br />
- Many, many more...<br />
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Who are the real winners? Who are the real losers? Who is the best mom? Who is the worst mom? Who is right? Who is wrong?<br />
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Or a better question...who cares???<br />
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None of these battles are life or death issues. They are issues of opinion and each mom is given the right to look at all sides and choose what is best for her children and family.<br />
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We would all be a lot better off if we could simply support one another, agree to disagree on certain issues, and help one another out.<br />
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Just think what our kids could learn if they had that kind of example to look up to!<br />
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Being insecure and fighting to the death an opinion doesn't teach the values to our kids that we really want to impart to them. (Maybe those are values that some want to give to their kids. I find that sad personally.)<br />
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<b>What do you think?</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-7503678009993424022010-10-27T17:45:00.001-07:002010-10-27T17:45:54.094-07:00If a Child...What a great poem this is!<br />
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<em>• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself</em><br />
<em>• If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916004436232824590.post-40029111899895202622010-10-20T08:38:00.000-07:002010-10-20T08:38:07.534-07:00They Grow Up So FastI look at my little mister, growing up so fast.<br />
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He looks like such a boy now, not the little baby that he used to be.<br />
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I'm so proud of him, I love him and adore him.<br />
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I want to be the best mom that I can be for him and to give him the best that I can.<br />
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I want to make the best of all of these years that I have him.<br />
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I hope to raise and guide him with as much love and care as possible.<br />
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Not to miss any opportunities.<br />
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Or miss any great moments.<br />
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I want to give him the very best and raise him to be his very best.<br />
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I have so many hopes and dreams for him, yet I want him to have his own hopes and dreams to follow.<br />
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This morning I saw an incredibly moving and sweet video about growing up. It was very touching, it will move your heart.<br />
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Do watch it, you will be glad that you did...<br />
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<a href="http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--217226253">http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--217226253</a><br />
<div id="YontooInstallID" style="display: none;">24F3455D-397B-4B2E-4027-83EA626E488B</div><div id="YontooClientVersion" style="display: none;">1.02.28</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07040620581445666466noreply@blogger.com1