our new schoolroom!

Pretty much everything is done! We have gotten our books, school supplies, and our room is ready.


The couch, tv, book shelf area is where we'll sit in the mornings to have devotions and story time. Directly behind the couch is my desk.


Behind the piano is the file cabinet and apron hooks- the file cabinet area will be a perfect place to do anything that involves magnets.


That little alcove to the right is where we keep the treadmill and a large shelving unit for books and supplies that are not in use.


Cozy.


I got this map at an antique store for $4!! So what if it only shows part of the United States?! At least it shows the part where we live. (and it is dry-erasable)


We've got the solar system up there to the right of the map and the art supplies are in the black cabinet to the left of the map.



I have the kids' desks set up in front of the windows as well as over by the art cabinet- but the beauty of this room is that we can move the desks and chairs around to suit our moods. If someone needs no distractions- they can move their desks into one of the window alcoves. If we are working together on a large project, we can move the desks/tables all together.


The armoire holds more art supplies.





The tall white shelves hold all games, and the cubbies hold all school books and papers. The headphones that hook up to the piano have been priceless. Anyone can practice anytime when the headphones are used.


The chalkboard is in the back- close to my desk.


Robot man is so ready for school to start.


We tried to use this room as a school room when we first started homeschooling 5 years ago when our eldest was going into kindergarten- but I have to say, it has never worked out when we had some in school and some babies or toddlers. This year, I am hopeful that things will work well up here since everyone will be in school and busy working.

Do you have a school room? Or a playroom? Where do you store school supplies and/or games and books?

too much cuteness

Source: artprojectsforkids.org via Sara on Pinterest

Giant paper mache pencils!!!

Source: familyfun.go.com via Sara on Pinterest

Cute snacks-- we are going to learn about the fruit of the Spirit- this might be a good snack to make for that week.

Source: bakerella.com via Sara on Pinterest

Apple cake pops...perfect for the first day of school.

Source: thepleatedpoppy.com via Sara on Pinterest

I am dying to make this...we need a rainbow day...art projects + rainbow cake!

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Cute idea for the school room

Source: acaseofthemundays.com via Sara on Pinterest

LOVE! I just got a handful of rulers from a thrift store too!

Source: belladia.typepad.com via Sara on Pinterest

Weaving a rug on a hula hoop with old t-shirts- super fun.

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Sara on Pinterest

Healthy too :)
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I am overwhelmed with the cuteness. Seriously overwhelmed. I know the cure would be to get off the Internet for about a month. I see so many good ideas. But I can't do it all. I am praying for wisdom as we start our new school year (in 27 days). Wisdom to keep a balance between fun + creative and hard work + discipline.

I want to do the fun stuff!!!!!!!
I don't want to constantly wash the clothes! I want to paint more pictures on the schoolroom wall.

I don't want to clean- I want to make a patchwork pillow for each of my rainbow chairs in the school room!!

I don't want to cook and make a grocery list and organize the kitchen- I want to repaint the canvas over my mantle!!

I don't want to vacuum and dust! I want to decorate the last 2 rooms of the doll house!!!!

.....................................................
See the struggles I have?! I need to buckle down- it is time to be an adult and do the hard stuff. ((and maybe if I do the hard stuff real quick, I can do something fun?!?!?))
See the irony in that we are going to be studying the fruit of the Spirit?! ...............

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24

chairs, pretzels, m&ms, + healthy stuff too

We needed some chairs for the school room. I had a blue chair and a green chair. I was thinking how fun it would be to have a chair in each color of the rainbow- and look what I found at my thrift store..............

Yellow and orange!!!!!!!!!!! A happy day of thrifting for me :)


I made some goodies! These were good goodies :) Here's the recipe so you can be naughty with me and eat these Caramel Swirled Pretzel M&M Blondies.

The only thing is...the recipe calls for Pretzel M&Ms. When I read the recipe I skimmed real quick and went to the store and bought a bag of pretzels and a bag of regular m&ms. I decided to try it anyway and put in about half of the M&Ms and a cup of chopped pretzels.


We loved them to death!!! The salty pretzels, the chocolate, the chewy caramel..mmm.


And since I feel guilty and want you to be healthy, here is a wonderful pico de gallo recipe.


I found this nifty cilantro in a tube! (cilantro toothpaste?!) This has saved our marriage. Dave hates cilantro...the smell, everything. This just makes it so much easier to add cilantro to a recipe without the whole house smelling like cilantro, and I can add it to just my food, while he can add ketchup to his :)

linking to:

what's important?

I was inspired when I read this post. Oh my dear! We have gotten off course this summer! It has been good, in a way, that we have gotten to relax some..but taking a break from reading the Bible to your kids? (that's not a good break to take!)


I did get myself a new journal. TJ Maxx had lots of pretty ones to choose from. I am going to journal my prayers to the Lord in these nice books (instead of the scraps of paper I was using)


So I am inspired to get back to reading The Word with them first thing in the morning. Even though Dave reads to us after supper....the more the better, right?! I also reallllly miss our storytime. I am almost ready for the structure of school....I just have to buy the actual school books, get the school supplies, finish up organizing the school room....and completely organize the rest of the house! But other than that- I'M READY! :)

we painted

We got out the brushes


We went wild with the paint + canvas


but who needs a canvas- find some sticks (inspiration here)

Spinning Round Colorful Arch
By my daughter

Here they are. Our painted sticks.

There is something extremely therapeutic about painting sticks- you can make a mess- there are no rules- and the end product-- bEaUtiFul.

Wash the brushes-it's back to reality.

fishin'

Dave and I took the 2 kids we still have (while our oldest is at camp) fishing. We have some very kind friends who let us come use their pond. Actually, Dave took our middle child fishing and our girl and I tagged along...........................


Us girls kinda got in the way.


We made lots of noise and took lots of pictures...


The boys were verrrrrrry serious






Anyways.....like I said- we had a lot of fun. The boys fished, our girl threw the line in twice and caught 2 fish, I took pictures and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.


I'm not sure I understand the whole lure of fishing...


but it was peaceful

and pretty!

And the best part of fishing- the refreshments :)