10 Simple Afternoon Art Projects

Simple Afternoon Art Projects

This summer we’ve just been enjoying some absolutely fun art projects. Many I’ve found on Pinterest. I’ve just been picking those that take little prep and offer marvelous results. So, today I’m sharing a round up of those projects because I know you and your children will enjoy them too – any time of year! [...]

Pete the Cat Chalk Pastel Fun

Pete the Cat Chalk Pastel Art

We had so much fun creating artwork with one of our favorite children’s books, My Blue Boat, we thought we’d continue on with Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes! Pete the Cat is a repeated bedtime reading – especially with our younger two. Because… I love my white shoes, I love my white [...]

Nana’s Berry Easy Cake Mix Cobbler Plus 10 No Bake Recipes

Summer berries

Beautiful berries. Celebrate summer and enjoy a special occasion cobbler. Especially easy with a store-bought cake mix. This recipe works for any berries you come across. Those growing in your garden or those you find at the farmer’s market or the produce section of your favorite grocery store. Nana’s recipe for Berry Easy Cake Mix [...]

10 Positives of Starting Homeschool in July

First Day of School

My two little ones – starting Pre-K 4 and First Grade! I hadn’t really planned to start our 2012-2013 school year Monday. However, we usually do start the last full week of July. Many things helped me make a last minute decision to start this week. Starting an Olympics unit study, new curriculum in the [...]

The Marvel of the Butterfly Cycle

Caterpillar hatching by M.A. Teal

They eat leaves! ~ four-year-old They are so beautiful when they are caterpillars and when they are butterflies. ~ six-year-old I just love seeing how they live when they are a caterpillar, when they are a butterfly. I just love seeing their life cycle. Tiny, tiny caterpillars are so cute! ~ nine-year-old We’ve watched metamorphosis [...]

How To Add in the Joy of Art

How To Add In Art

Well, I’m just not artistic. I’ve heard that statement rather often from other homeschoolers when they talk about the lack of art in their days. Since adding in the joy of art is one of my passions, I’m here to encourage you that building this habit is not hard. You did not have to inherit [...]

Ten Parts of the Hodgepodge Homeschool Schedule

10 Parts of Our Homeschool Schedule at Hodgepodge

A dear reader asked the question: Have you posted somewhere your schedule? Her question made me realize I have shared many of our homeschool habits here and there – even in a gigantic list. However, I’ve never typed out our basic school schedule, or order. Today’s 10 in 10 theme is 10 Things You Should [...]

Return of the Routine: Punt or Touchdown?

Return of the Routine - Touchdown

On this last day we’ve settled into a routine. But you know what’s going to happen. It will happen. I must warn you. You get back in a routine and then you have one of those days. The days you just want to punt. When a team punts in a football game, they give up [...]

Return of the Routine: Game Day

Return of the Routine - Game Day

Photo credit: Kendra @ Habits for a Happy Home Today I’m sharing with you our simple secret for success in getting back into a routine. We are ready for that routine because of those steps we’ve talked about earlier this week: sweet rest, listening to the Lord, having a plan and spending some time prepping. [...]

Return of the Routine: Feeding the Family

Return of the Routine - Feeding the Family

So we have rested and we have planned. But wait just one minute. We need fuel! And by that I mean food. If ever I was discouraged by something at the end of a long day of back-to-school, it was wrestling up something to eat. What to feed the masses after working so hard at [...]

Return of the Routine: Planning and Prep

Return of the Routine - Planning & Prep

Welcome back to Return of the Routine. Did you allow yourself some rest? Well today, while we are still resting, we are going to plan. Because every big game needs a plan. And we can be excited about the possibilities of the new year! Now I am not going to tell you how to plan. [...]

Return of the Routine

How to Get Back in a Routine

Welcome to Five Days of Return of the Routine! I’m so glad you are here. First of all, if you are a reluctant return of the routiner, take heart. Pin this series and stop back by later. Take what you need when you need it. (But really, this series is for you!) The encouragement I [...]