Breakfast of Champions

Homeschool Classroom Ideas

Now that I have entered the world of homeschooling I am blown away at the endless array of ideas out there! Here are some of my favorite homeschool classrooms: Classroom #1:

I love the ABC Boards- What a Great way to display artwork and other little treasures Classroom #2:

The Book Wall is AMAZING and the colors...talk about a joyful color palate! Classroom #3:

Sweet little learning environment Classroom #4:

Love the map on the wall..Such a bright, wonderful setting! Do you have a homeschool classroom to share? Email me at sarah_mcmullen@live.com and I will post!

Cheerful Entry- Hello Revamp!

I am LOVING our new porch set up and best of all it was done on a shoe string budget of $14!! So cute and inviting...before it was drabby, brown and frankly...nasty looking. Now it is cheerful and bright! What I did: Found a book case from our living room (relocated it's contents) and moved it to the porch (it is now our classy shoe holder). Next, I took my cheerful yellow vase with white blossoms from my fireplace and placed them on the shelf in the corner to add some interesting detail. I then moved my sign and a couple of other goodies that I found around the house to the porch display. Lastly, I found a beautiful potted flower pot at my local grocery store for 12.99 + tax that just gave that pop I was looking for. and voooaaalllllaaaa! Yay! Tip of the day: If you are wanting to dress up a drabby space..search your home for little treasures;-) I bet they are there!

Need Designing advise? I'd love to help! Email me a picture of your dilemma at: sarah_mcmullen@live.com

Cheers!! xoxo

You're Mommy EXtraordinare

You're Mommy Extraordinare

Master Chef, Nurse, Banker, Personal Shopper, House Cleaner, Boo Boo Kisser, Time Planner, Personal Organizer, Chauffeur, do- it yourselfer...I guarantee that, as a mom, we encompass a sliver  of ever profession out there! 

Do you ever feel like this? I don't know about you..but I sure do- and no most of the time I do not have a comically, peaceful grin as the mommy above does;-) Nor do my kiddos look as calm- haha! 

Anyways, you get the idea- Life is crazy sometimes! Running from place to place, cramming the calendar full of "to do's." I am often reminded of the words "time" and value

I love the commercial- of a mom who has found the latest dusting product and with ease she completes the task and then the music sets in..totally euphoric...and she exclaims.."I am going to read a Book! On the Porch!"   Meanwhile, the song I believe in miracles is playing in the background...cracks me up everytime!  There is something deeper here though, why is it that it is soooo hard to take a break sit down and take a minute to breathe? Why do ALL of the jobs have to be done for us to do so? Reality is that all of the jobs will never be totally done...there will always be something.  I don't know about you, but I struggle with this often.  When I really think about my sweet girls, though, do I want them to have a mommy who is stressed out, never at peace, constantly running? OR a mommy that once in a while in the midst of the chaos..kicks her feet up on that pile of laundry, with coffee/ tea/ drink etc in hand and enjoys the moment?  

Yep that's what I choose a moment in the moment. xoxo

First week down!

Wow! is all I can say really...In just one short week I have learned so much about myself, my kiddos and feel so unbelievably blessed to have made this decision. I am definitely having to eat a little humble pie because I ignored the whole idea of homeschooling for so long.Now that we are in the midst of it I feel so strongly..like punch you in the stomach kind of serious...that we are on the right path. My girls are eager to learn and the structure that our daily schedule has provided is so necessary and embraced by all of us! There are a couple of things that I have found that I want to share: The must haves...can't live without and if you try you might as well lay in the middle of the floor and let meyhem take over..yep that's right!!: 1) A schedule is a MUST- not only is this important for your homeschooling records, but it will give you a sense of accomplishment & order to the day. I prep my schedule either the night before (ideal) or early in the morning... that leads me to my second point. 2) Rise and shine early before everyone wakes...I am kind of a "bloom where you're planted" kind of gal, but one of the things I don't truly love is waking up early. Mostly it's the waking up part, but every time I drag myself out of bed before the house awakes...I have such a better day! I have my devotional & Coffee Time, quick peek at the news, shower/ get ready for the day, touch up lesson plans, plan my menu for the day, prep breakfast all before my little "Boo" (my two year old) peaks her big blue eyes around the corner;-) I feel prepared and ready to go! 3) Dont be afraid to make Changes- This has been a hard one for me. I set out my homeschooling journey set on a curriculum that I had chosen for my girls. After diving in...I found that it just wasn't a good fit for us and I had to make a decision...battle on day after day...or simply find another solution. Prior to starting our homeschool journey, I found so many helpful ideas and tip online. There are so many amazing moms, with amazing ideas, with amazing blogs out there and I have gathered up ever ounce of wisdom they have made available let me tell ya... One that I LOVE LOVE LOVE is Confessions of a Homeschooler. I cannot say enough about this blog!! So many great, practical, whimsically creative ideas. I have chosen to use her curriculum as a roadmap and I am thrilled. I want to highlight her Road Trip USA Curriculum. This amazing curriculum is designed to take the kids on a journey across the USA and across history..just fabulous. We will also be adding her: Literature Units, Greatest Artist & Greatest Composers yay! 4)Be flexible- Sometimes it doesn't all come together the way you planned and that is okay..roll with it...make the best of it! Onward and Upward 5)When homeschooling with a crazy little monster...aka 2 year old roaming about...keep calm;-) haha- I had to remind myself of this often this week. My "plan" is to try my best to include her in our learning, have bribe toys that only come out during school time, save crafts & experiments for her nap time 6)Get Creative- When teaching two different grade levels- there are subject that we combine..such as..Art, Music, History/Geography, Bible, Science & Handwriting. When our group subjects are complete we then have a quick snack and set up for independent learning. I then rotate them- 1 at their desk (in their room) working on their journal jar, reading etc..while I work one on one with their other (math & language arts)..then we switch;-) This routine has worked out pretty well for us. Well..That's about it for now;-) Till next time... Sarah

One Thousand Gifts

This too amazing to not share...enjoy every moment

The Journey Begins

The start of the school year is upon us! The classroom has been brought to life...a vintage style red shelf hangs in the corner, the american flag is properly placed, small globes hang in the corner complimented by a map of the world inspiring our world history unit. Small touches of whimsy are sprinkled about our school room..the refinished bookcase, home-made planning board & masterpiece board (accented by my favorite green and cream fabric)...this space..our space has finally come together...it's quaint, it's cozy and a sense of family togetherness is truly inspired.  I cannot wait to get started!  

Today we begin our journey into homeschooling.  You can feel the excitement in the air! All of the planning, praying and decorating is done and it is finally here.  I have to admit when I woke up this morning..bright and early...I had to take a deep breath and say a little prayer.  This is a new journey and like any new experience it brings with it a sense of new beginnings that is so invigorating, but at the same time there is apprehension. I don't know about you, but there are days (many of them) where I feel inadequate as a mom.  I feel like I am just going through the motions..struggling with finding worth (within the family and even in business).  When we, as a family, first decided that homeschool was the correct path for us...I was unprepared for the amount of transformation and change that was going to occur with me and this is even before we got started! You see, I have had a prompting on my heart since my oldest was of school age to homeschool (3 years). To be honest, I ignored it. I was certain that these thoughts I were having were misplaced and just flat out CRAZY! Even with a teaching degree, I just didn't feel like I could do it and I carried on with my OWN way. Never-the-less..the years have come and gone and the prompting on my heart has only increase year after year.  Watching my two girls go through the schooling system over the years has only solidified this uncharted path. All of the doubts that I had, concerns and fear have subsided because I have placed my hope where it needs to be, with Christ. I know that each day with Him and the proper schedule I can do this.  So, here we are...our cozy little school room ( our dining room) is eagerly awaiting this special day.  Pancakes & smoothies are prepped, curriculum is neatly sorted and ready to go...the only thing missing are my little ones. Off I go to wake them. I hope you join me in this journey. I have a feeling that I will be learning so much more about myself than I can ever imagine. 

To the Journey, 

Sarah