Weekly Homeschool Roundup - 12/13/19

Today I sit surrounded by mounds of laundry, an empty refrigerator, and a full heart.

Some weeks are milestone weeks. This was one of them.

One child turned 15. We had a birthday party, driver’s permit, and all the celebrations that being 15 entails.

There was a piano recital, 4 basketball games (including one banged up nose), and a lot of card playing. We finished a wonderful little read-aloud for the holiday season.

We’re wrapping up some schoolwork for the year - math, reading, and music.

Another child completed her first semester of college. She made it home just in time to join me for a production of Handel’s Messiah with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Each and every activity has been intentional - things we deem important and worthy. It was a GOOD week.

In the midst of all of this goodness, we strive to keep Advent first, staying committed to having peaceful days that focus on HIM.

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Here are five things I want to share with you - I hope you find at least one or two that you can use!

• 3 Ways to Make Dinnertime Fun

  This short video (from Slugs & Bugs) gives 3 ways to make your mealtime fun. I loved it! If you have little ones, this is definitely for you!

• What Happens When We Don’t Sing Christmas Carols: The Redwoods of Our Faith

When we sing the Bible, we are singing to one another. Sacred singing is a group activity. This is why it is so tragic when churches and people do not recognize the biblically inherent and community-enriching opportunity to sing together. Christmas is a chance for everyone, despite our “worship wars” or struggles with singing as a congregation, to come together to sing to one another. It forges and strengthens the bond of faith among the church family of both young and old, especially in light of the modern church practice of foregoing a multigenerational family worship experience, choosing instead to split services into traditional and contemporary. 

• Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Playlist

  This is a lovely playlist - it includes a little bit of everything, from traditional hymns, to modern fun Christmas music. I think you’ll like it!

• The 2020 Reading Challenge from Modern Mrs. Darcy

  This reading challenge (and all of Anne Bogel’s suggestions) guide my reading life. Our local book club used this challenge as our guide for 2019. There are lots of free printables and fun downloads with this challenge. Enjoy!

• How to Draw the Grinch in Chalk Pastels

  This is on my list of activities for this week - something fun to simply enjoy ourselves. You know how much I love Nana, and I really want to try her latest FREE tutorial!

Scenes from our week:

A basketball game on Grant’s birthday - with our good friend, Michael…

The latest novel for Challenge I - I’m so excited for Grant to be reading this!

At Messiah with Anna - such a great performance!

I will be back after the New Year… in an effort to focus on my family and keep things simple there will not be a homeschool roundup until 2020. (And, to be honest, there will be very little schooling go on around here!)

Many blessings to you for a peaceful, joyful, and meaningful Christmas!

Weekly Homeschool Roundup - 12/6/19

I don’t recall ever being quite so intentional about Advent.

One of the books I read in November, When Less Becomes More, came at just the right time for me. I was feeling overwhelmed, bogged down by news and social media, and just weary in general.

I took a long, hard look at my schedule, commitments, and where I spent my time - and I decided to make some changes.

As a homeschooling mother, I owe my son the BEST of me - not the LAST of me. I only have 3.5 years left with him and I don’t want to spend the time frivolously.

We’re a week into December, and I am not using my personal Facebook. I have cut back on texting. I am saying NO to new commitments, and I have given up a few larger commitments that we taking up too much headspace.

It all feels good - and it is leaving room for more JOY and PEACE in my life.

This week’s recommendations are things/resources that have helped me in this Advent journey, or things I am investing my time in. I hope they can help you, too!

• The Paper Bag Christmas

  This read-aloud is a gem. We read two chapters each morning, and both my son and I are enjoying it. I have a feeling I might need the tissue - but it’s also very funny, too. I recommend this for middle and high schoolers.

• Behold the Lamb of God

  I love not only this song, but the entire album with the same name. Andrew Peterson’s music is a gift. As we are studying Messiah in-depth in SQUILT LIVE! right now, it’s interesting to listen to contemporary music with the same message - just 300 years after!

• Professor Carol’s Advent Series

  I receive this in my email each morning and I always learn something - something I can pass along to my family as we are in the midst of Advent. Professor Carol is a wealth of information!

• A Favorite Card Game

  In an effort to cut back on the media and spend more time together, we have broken out games and cards. One game that my kids just taught me is SPEED. Have you ever played? Simply strewing games and cards around our family room and keeping the television OFF and devices put away has contributed to A LOT of peacefulness!

• A Favorite Hymn

  Last Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent, we sang O Come, O Come Emmanuel in church. This hymn just speaks to my soul. I came home and pulled out my hymnal and committed to play these Advent hymns this month.

  When I wrote SQUILT Christmas Carols, I included this hymn. There are nine other studies of popular carols in the Christmas Carol bundle - and of course, I think your children should know them all!

That’s it for this week — short, sweet, and simple.

I pray you are having a peaceful Advent in your homeschool - making time for what is important and leaving plenty of room to prepare your hearts for for the birth of the Christ Child!

What are you doing to prepare your homeschool and hearts for Christmas?

Share it with me in the comments below!