Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Julie Andrews

A –  Alone Time, and yes I get it, but I must eke it out intentionally. It is a requirement. And it keeps me balanced.

B –  Blog, a creative outlet and helps me think through parenting, homeschooling, and life in front of the whole world.

C—  Change, especially in February, or whenever we get bored, or Chess club  for mental stimulation for the youngest.

D— Dance classes, and dance showcases, I love watching my girls reveal their developing talents.

E–  Energy, you need a lot of it to homeschool.

F— Freedom, choosing what to do when you want to do it.

G– Google, this one tool makes learning anything accessible.

H— Husband who engages, teaches, nurtures and cares our children as much as me.

I—  iPod, keeps my daily life organized. (And yes, they still exist).

K— Knowing your family, there’s nothing that brings me more happiness than these sweet ones.

L— Learning what you want, when you want, how you want.

M—Morning cappuccinos, obviously, I don’t need to explain why, and Money…for trips, books and fancy bookmarks.

N— Not so much school or as much school as you want…learning opportunities abound everywhere.

O—Other people’s blogs, gives me loads of ideas and One-on-one time with the kids, and Outdoors, where I really want to live.

P—Pencils, obviously, especially fancy pencils purchased at museums, and definitely art pencils for drawing with my morning coffee.

Q—Quarters, for first intro to fractions, for Rootbeer Float gumballs, and parking at the café.

R—Robins, just nature, sitting in it, drawing it, hiking in it, and birds have all the freedom.

S—Smoothies, the perfect brain energizing morning snack and Sunlight (especially in January) and Scissors (am I the only parent who doesn’t know where my half dozen pairs of scissors have disappeared to?)

T—Theatre group, the perfect outlet for my kiddo’s creativity and Travel, the world’s my oyster and an education is found right outside your door.

U—UV light for when there isn’t enough outside light (in January) and Understanding…it’s not patience that a homeschooling mama needs, it’s that steely intent to be kind under pressure and try to understand what each person needs.

V—Vacations, off the school calendar, and how they always turn into a field trip.

W—Writing, I dunno, it might be just me, but I find writing entertaining, soothing, recreative, and satisfying.

X—Xylophone. Uh, no. How about a Xerox machine? Much photocopying required. Or into the present day: a scanner.

Y—Youth, I get to be part of it, enjoy it, and watch it change from little to big…not missing a beat. 

Z—Zachary, Rachel, Madelyn, and Hannah–without them, I wouldn’t have a homeschool.

Are you considering homeschooling your kids?

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I’ve got a course that will get you from “I don’t think I can do this, I’m too uncertain, nervous, or afraid” to “I know I can do this, I’ve got this girlfriend.”

How to Homeschool 101 will give you Everything you Need to Know to Get Started, Create a Personalized Education, and Gain Confidence in Creating your Routine.

Or to get you started, here are 19 Tips for new homeschooling families.