Homeschooling can be all fun and games!

I have been a member of the homeschooling world for over five years now. I've had my fair share of mistakes and victories.

I have learned, the hard way, that sitting down and doing worksheet after worksheet after worksheet doesn't work. Especially for the really busy kids! They get bored, you get frustrated and it all ends up with tears--on both sides!

The fact is kids learn better when using different senses at once. Things like singing memory verses can help trigger better memory. Counting objects like pennies and stacking blocks can help with math skills just as much if not more than the drill sheets or flash cards. Going on nature walks and actually looking and touching different plants gives a bigger impression than reading from a book.

And then there are games. And no I am not talking about those 'learning' games you see in the education stores that scream' school'. No, I am talking the fun games--Scrabble, Yatzee, Uno, even Texas Hold 'em. Believe it or not, kids learn from these games.

Think about Scrabble. You are using spelling, vocabulary (looking up odd words) and math (adding your score) all at once. And it's FUN! If your child has issues with spelling, lay a game of travel and award 'bonus points' (we award 100) for using a current spelling word. Voila--spelling lesson done without drills!

Math is even easier--Texas Hold 'Em  (addition), Yatzee (multiplication, addition) and chess (logic and planning).

Video games and apps can also apply--Tetris uses numerous thinking skills--processing, planning. Fun and challenging for the brain!

An added bonus to games (beside that FUN factor), the tactile senses are used more, sportsmanship and, of course, conversation.

Granted games cannot replace all learning but they can a great reward to a child after a busy day or a big push to help that kid that just will not sit still and listen--not like I have any kid like that.

Flowers are so last season......

I love fresh flowers in the house! Nothing says pretty and fresh like a cute collection of gerber daisies in a simple glass container.

But even when the flowers are orange and light brown--they don't really work with the autumn. Autumn just doesn't feel like flowers.

I have seen lots of fall themed tablescapes that use the colorful leaves we associate with fall. Love them but.....I'm in Texas. Leaves here don't change til November. I decided to grab some lower branches of our Magnolia in the back and with the help of my little ballerina, we put together this tablescape.

But still not much fall.

So I decided to go with a totally different approach. Gathering some small branches in the backyard, I found a bigger mason jar and pulled out the glue gun and ribbons. I had some 'fake' branches with berries from a local craft store and added them to  jar I decorated. I must say the process worked for me:

Simple, inexpensive (less than $5!) and very fall. I think the key is various lengths of slender branches to keep it visually appealing.

So anyone out there have a gorgeous fall centerpiece they would like to share? Email me at notexactlydomestic@yahoo.com  and I will share them in the next few weeks!

Enjoy the day and God bless!

Domestic Goddess? Not Exactly

Greetings! I am a stay at home mom with four children in the great state of Texas. My husband is an always working real estate agent. Because being a mom is my job, I have always wanted to do my best. Now in my dreams, I am perfectly dressed in heels, hair coifed and the home sparkling and like a page out of 'House Beautiful' kind of like this :

But the real truth is, I am more like this:

Not exactly together. Not exactly domestic goddess.

The fact is, I am real. I'm flesh and blood, not a goddess, not even Martha Stewart (is she flesh and blood? Has anyone checked?). I can use a glue gun but I can't create an amazing fall decor room using fallen branches and leaves. I can cook but a five star five course meal in five minutes is beyond me. I can use a flat head but creating a bedroom set from left-over rustic timbers found at a charming flea market has never happened.

I think somewhere there is a fine medium.

I intend to find it here. I hope you will join me.

Thanks for reading and God bless you!