"Unofficial" Kinder Pics

These are not our official Kinder pics. The reason why I say that is my son needs a haircut and I need to pick the outfit for his official pictures! We wanted to continue to participate in the Not Back to School Blog Hop since this is picture week. So here they are...."unofficially"(lol)

He loves the color orange so he picked a flower to hold! 

He wanted to show his big feet! They are the wrong size but he thought it was funny! 

My Favorite Part

was his prayer from the first day of homeschooling....


"Dear Lord, Please help me to be a good learner so that I can become a reader. Thank you for listening and for school."

star wars shirt with spiderman glove is what every boy needs to pray! 

Root Beer(PEMDAS-Please Experiment Mathematically, Directly And Scientifically)

There is not a specific recipe for making root beer from the group experiment today. We participated in a science lab to learn about root beer and the process of making it! So, you can go here for a recipe that came close to it. PEMDAS is the name of the group that organizes the science & math labs. 



We have joined a home school group, The Little Texas Homeschoolers in our area that offers varies activities for anyone to be a part of. It varies from science, math, plays, language & arts, games and many many other wonderful subjects. It is not everyday or every week. Science & Math are once a month. This month was about Root Beer! This was our first time to participate in the adventure.  I was very impressed with this husband and wife team that put together a root beer experiment. First, they bought an old farm house on on acre in the middle of the city and the backyard is every child's dream. Swings of all kinds, slides, trampoline, play house, homemade teeter toter and many many other things for a child to create or dream up for play time. Plus it was shady with lots of trees! 

The husbands stays home on Tuesdays to teach science and math for his family. Then he helps his wife with the science and math experiments for group learning on the second Tuesday of every month. Very impressive indeed. 

Anyway, they explained how sodas become carbonated. They showed a yeast version of root beer and a dry ice version. Also, they had different flavorings for the root beer. It was interesting! Little man did not want to taste but I did. Vanilla was my favorite. 

What I love about being part of this group is you can participate as much as you want to. Some come to every event and others come only a few times a year. Very nice to not be pressured and yet welcomed to any event! Enjoy the pictures below! 

Best part of the whole day was little man made a new friend. His mom invited us over for some play time earlier this afternoon. For only knowing each other less than 2 minutes they sure do get along. His new friend was so sweet to take him under his wing. 

"I truly enjoy this time in my life."

Our Little School Room

The NOT Back to School Blog hop continues...The School Room! Go here to see other blogger's school room! 

Once upon a time there lived a room that was filled with breakables, dining chairs and a table. People came and they enjoyed themselves. Dinner was served and conversations were held. Even the children loved to eat from this fancy room. My son loved to set the table and use the "fancy dishes." Sometimes candlelight was the preferred choice of lighting for the night. Yes, yes it was the Dining Room! Well, we said goodbye to the dining room and enter the school/play room area! The heavens opened up, the children gathered as they spread out with their beloved toys in this new space and much fun was born. 

I know I know a bit dramatic! Sometimes I miss my dining room. It is just a season of our life for now. I know their are many more talented people than me when it comes to utilizing space. You do not have to give up your dining room to create your school room or even a play room. It was something I decided to do. Below are pictures where we learn, grow and play everyday. It is not fancy or neat. Maybe that will make those who are frustrated in the messy department feel better. My pictures were taken from my ipone so it is raw. Enjoy! 

 So where are you homeschooling? 

Nitro Swim

Last summer(2012) we enrolled little man into swim lessons for a week. It went well and we had good intentions to join their monthly group lessons to continue working on his skills. However, that is all we had good intentions no follow through. Once soccer season was finished we thought we would give it another shot. This time our neighborhood pool was giving free swim lessons for 4 days. We signed up! He did great & the swim instructor was from Nitro Swim School. Our HOA had contracted varies instructors from swim schools around the Austin area so we were pleased when we had the opportunity to experience an instructor from Nitro! We have been wanting to see what the Nitro fever was all about. We now know! Last week we started our first official swim lesson that will be weekly. He did so great that they moved him up 3 stations. Each station has a skill they must learn before moving on to the next. Some stations have more than one skill. Most have 2-3 skills. 

Summer 2012 

Nitro Swim 2013

Nitro 2013 

"Sometimes it is worth it to wait until the child is ready for then they will take off! "

Not Back TO School Blog Hop

Go here to follow
(picture credited to ihomeschool network)

I thought it would be fun to participate in the Not Back To School Blog Hop! I know what you are thinking. "Wait I had no idea you were planning on homeschooling!" Well, yes I am & Hubby too ;0)! It is a long story so we will save it for another post. Anyway, so what curriculum did we pick to start our kindergarten year? Heart of Dakota Little Hearts for His Glory by Carrie Austin. My friend Mrs TD  found this curriculum years ago when she first started homeschooling her two beautiful children. It worked for her and I trust her judgement. She is one of those friends that will research until she finds exactly what fits whatever need at the time. Everyone needs a friend like that! 

Heart of Dakota

Almost complete set minus phonics, writing & math. Carrie Austin
offers suggestion for those sections of the teacher's manual or
you can go with what you want to do. I decided to pick my own. Heart of Dakota
has phonics, writing and a  math program you can purchase on their website. 

Handwriting Without Tears 

Handwriting Without Tears is our choice for learning how to correctly write each letter. Plus it includes wood pieces for your child to create each letter and see how it is formed. This is very important for our son. He is a young 5 yr old so he is still figuring out his fine motor skills and seems to do better with a "hands on approach" for a writing program. HWT allows us to incorporate Letter of The Week. We use Raising Rock Stars ! Amazing program to add to your fun day. We only use a few things from her bundle that you can download once you have purchased. You do have to print and laminate some stuff. We like it! 

For Math we will be using Right to Start Math . We will only be using their Math Card Games Book along with the manipulative's that are needed to learn each concept. You can purchase just the game set and it comes with the book. More details here. It is also cheaper that way plus you learn the concepts required for Kindergarten and above while having fun! 

So what are your plans for curriculum? Share!