Collage Friday - Accomplishments and Interests
Friday, July 19, 2013 at 5:00AM 
After last week's hectic music camp schedule we all needed this week to do just what our hearts desired.
For me, I had some projects that needed tackling, and I wanted the kids to have some precious time to be bored and creative.
I'm happy to say that it's been a wonderful week.
Next week we will be on vacation, and when we get back I can already feel the school year creeping in upon us {which is actually a good thing because I think we've missed schoolwork}.
I have A LOT of big topics swirling in my brain and would love to have a week to do nothing but write blog posts. The top thoughts are about tweens/teens and social media, and also teaching our children how to be happy with little instead of much.
Big topics, I know, but I'm feeling led to speak my mind on these things.
But, I digress.
On to our week...
Projects for Mom
This week I wanted to get a handle on some of the books that are running rampant in our house and also embark upon a little laundry area makeover.
I am proud to say I accomplished both tasks.
The laundry area in my house is just as you come in from the garage - in a hallway that leads to the kitchen. It isn't technically a laundry room, it's a closet.
For years I've wanted to get at that dumb closet and just never had the time.
This week I took off the pesky doors and added more shelving, pictures, and storage baskets.
Having the doors off really opens up the area and also eliminates a traffic problem with the door to the garage.
The area isn't as fancy now as some of the rooms I've seen on Pinterest, but I'm happy with it and it makes me slightly happier about doing laundry.
The book clutter is somewhat under control, too. I delivered a lot of books the kids had outgrown to a friend of mine and also organized shelves in the schoolroom and downstairs in our music room.
The Week of Baseball
In honor of the All Star Game this week, my husband and son spent a TON of time watching baseball, chatting baseball, throwing the baseball, and doing a baseball puzzle.
My husband is one of the best dads I know. He also has one of the best dads I know.
When my husband was a little boy he collected baseball cards and I imagine he was just a mini Grant. Sunday afternoon my husband ceremoniously passed his baseball card collection down to my son.
That's HUGE. Grant was so excited!
Grant also made necklaces for he and his dad while they watched the All Star game this week. The necklace (if you look carefully) has the abbreviations of the National League teams on one side, and the American League teams on the other. The center {"I Heart MO"} is in honor of the closing pitcher. I thought it was really clever.
I picked up this baseball puzzle at the bookstore and it is HARD. Funny how a good puzzle sucks everyone in, though, isn't it?
Paper and Clay
Anna's week was full of paper chains and Sculpey clay creations.
She also babysat one morning - can she really be getting big enough to do this? I guess so. (sniff)
I look at her in the top picture and see my child that will be 12 next week. She has such a pronounced dimple (just like my husband's) - the day she was born the first thing the labor and delivery nurse said was, "Look at her dimple - it's just like her father's!".
That's my girl. I'm so proud of her and the compassionate, generous, and responsbile person she is becoming.
She has her preteen moments, but I'm learning to love her through them and bite my tongue a lot.
We are going to the mountains for her birthday next week and she has invited a sweet friend to come with us. I'm looking forward to next week.
It's funny because Anna and I are very much alike, but very different at the same time.
We both love music, books, kids, and anything creative.
She is much more reserved than I am, though - I consider myself to be quite the extrovert, and she is definitely an introvert.
It's just fun to watch your children grow and change.
Connecting With Other Moms
This week I had three different opportunities to connect with homeschool moms.
One mom is brand new to homeschooling - she has one child - a seventh grader. We had coffee and chatted about lots of different things. I think I made a new friend and I hope she gained a little encouragement from me.
We went to lunch with a family from our Classical Conversations community that has children Anna and Grant's age. This mom reached out to me last year so our daughters could become friends. I'm so thankful for that and was happy to have the chance this week to connect further.
Finally, I was able to visit with my friend Lara and take her some of the kids' books we no longer use. I'm just a little bit ahead of Lara on this journey and it was fun to be around a baby and a toddler again. Lara also makes VERY good blueberry scones with icing!
I think it would be impossible to homeschool without those friendships and connections. They are SO important.
Blog Updates
All of our curriculum for next year is now posted. Take a look if you missed the posts.
I also shared a huge Snap Circuits sale with you on Sunday that is STILL GOING ON. Do you use Snap Circuits? We love them and this is a good deal!
That's it for this week...next week I will be on a much needed vacation. I will post Collage Friday and I do have a couple of guest posts going up that I will share with you.
I hope you've had a great week!
** Please join me for Collage Friday! Share your photo collages from your homeschool week. I will delete any links that do not contain photo collages.
Grab a button from my sidebar, or text link back to this post in some way.
Visit other bloggers in the link-up to gain ideas and offer support. Our community is a wonderful way to make friends, educate ourselves, and see we are not alone in our struggles!
Reader Comments (15)
Giggling at the preteen moments! We have three preteens pretty much the same age. I'm thinking preteen moments may figure in our lives for a while too!
Thanks for hosting and have a great week!
What a wonderful week you all had. I love getting things organized. Have a blessed weekend.
blessings, Dawn
Love the sculpey creations. :)
My oldest girl will be 12 in November, and like you I'm learning to bite my tongue. It's a bit mind-boggling to see the impact of hormones; you can practically see them rushing through her body and changing things.
I love your laundry room Mary! It looks wonderful. I always love reading about Grant's baseball love. When I was growing up the ball field was a HUGE part of my life. Lovely memories. I also love the paper chain. I am going to show Keilee that. Another great memory for me, we used to make those with gum wrappers. I have told Keilee about them but never shown her before. We hung them on our rearview mirrors. :) Thanks for the linkup. I don't think I would ever post if not for YOU! :)
I'm having similar moments with an 11 1/2 year old girl. There are times I really want to correct her or make suggestions, but she has to start making her own decisions for some things. It's not easy to always keep quiet and I'm not always successful. Still. Feel so blessed to be with her every day and see her grow.
This week sounds just like what you all needed. Enjoy your weekend and vacation.
I just love, love love your laundry room sign. It literally made me laugh out loud. I think if I had that in my laundry room I would definitely do laundry with a little smile.
I TOTALLY agree that kids should have PLENTY OF TIME to be BORED. It's during those non-schedule times where my kids interact more pleasant, get outside and active more, and pull out unused toys, books, games, and crafts. It's an AWESOME time for them!
Your washing/drying closet looks a lot like mine! I even have those same white wire shelves! We removed the doors years ago because one broke and replaced it with a tension rod and SHEET. The sheet is a similar color as the walls. I just treaded the top of the sheet through the rod. It works as a "door", but blends in with the walls...and can be tied back as needed and easily taken down and washed.
Do you have directions for the paper chains? Those look cool!
Love Snap Circuits! It's been one of those GREAT things that gets used over and over by ALL the kids! Definitely worst the money for any of the kits, but we have the $20 something one.
Thanks hosting Collage Friday! Grant's baseball necklace looks really great. My son enjoys the Sculpey clay as well. It always surprises me what neat things he makes. Have a great vacation!
Oh Miss Mary, so much of what you have shared I just adore! I come here weekly for inspiration, and I hope, too, that my words can be equally encouraging to other homeschooling parents out there! You-make-me-smile!!!
Thanks for letting us know about the snap circuits. I bought our first set after seeing your FB post and my boys LOVE IT!!! They are constantly hovering over it. Even my husband thinks it's one of the coolest "toys" he's ever seen!
Love your Laundry room. Mine so needs some sprucing up! With all my household changes maybe I'll add it to the list. :)
Your son looks so happy and I love that his dad has passed on his collection to him. What a great family tie that will be!
Have a great weekend Mary.
Great job with the laundry "room" and I love that baseball necklace!
--Gena
After such a busy week you had at Music Camp I'm amazed at your accomplishments for this week. You Go Mom!
Thanks for hosting College Friday! betty jo
Your laundry room looks lovely! It's the little accents that really make a room - well done. So glad you had time to connect with friends, and make a new one. I've been itching to reconnect with my IRL homeschool moms. I've been a little out of the loop since having the baby...a year ago LOL!