1. #7 an Ergo Baby Carrier provided by A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.   I've heard so much about the Ergos, and it would be so handy in the garden this summer!
   
2. #58 one Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer provided by Moms Who Think .  I love Kitchen Aid mixers!
3. #1 the $100 gift certificate to either Pedal Cars and Retro or A Rocking Horse To Love provided by 5 Minutes for Mom.  Have you looked at the great stuff they sell at these sites? My kids would love this stuff!

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

1. Sandi (Titus2Woman)
2. Katie (COMamaBear)
3. Mom of 6
   
4. Michelle
   
5. Ali (Dawilli)
   
6. Apples of Gold
   
7. Kristen
   
8. Jenn
   

• I just downloaded this free sled dog lapbook   by Hands of a Child at the Homeschool E-Store, and I plan to use it during the Iditarod sled dog race, which begins March 1st. 
• Morning sickness has hit, and so has first trimester fatigue.

• We were out of church for two weeks due to a head cold working its way through the family.
• I'm sorry I dropped off the face of the earth, so to speak.

• The signs of Spring are starting to appear.
• Our kids seem to start "acting two" before they really turn two.

• Well, we may have found a cure for our homeschool blahs, especially my own. 
• I promise to post a real update on our family soon -- hopefully tomorrow.

• Growing In Grace Online is having a contest to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day, which is today.
• I keep feeling like I should post an update here, but can't think of anything to post. 

• Poison Ivy!  It is driving me crazy.
• We sang this in church on Sunday, and I was so touched by the words.

• Due to our rather long moving break last Fall, we are still finishing up this school year.
• I think many stay-at-home moms, and all homeschooling Moms have heard this before.

• I think this originated on blogs, but I got it from a website I go to.
• I had no intentions of trying to potty train 2 yo L right now, but she is potty training. 

• I just realized it's been over 2 weeks since I last posted.
• If you're wondering what companies will be providing products for the Homeschool Crew to review, you can find a list of vendors in the right sidebar at the Homeschool Crew blog, under "Vendors on Deck".

• I know I've shared before how I feel about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
• I just finished reading The Missing Link: FOUND, the first book in the Truth Seekers Mystery Series by Felice Gerwitz and Christina Gerwitz.

• My father-in-law entered hospice care last week, and died.
• I have an e-book to give away.

• The children are slowly recovering from their colds.
• My parents are here visiting us, and 2 of my sisters will arrive this evening.

1. I don't wear lipstick or blush or foundation.  I do wear pearly white eye shadow, green eyeliner in an attempt to make my eyes look more green than brown, black mascara, and clear lip balm ... but not every day.
   
2. I paint my toenails red in the summer.  I've tried other toenail colors, but red just seems to work best for me. 
3. I never paint my fingernails, because I am a perfectionist and don't want to take the time to keep them perfect.  Does any Mom (or wife) have time to do that?  It wears off so fast!  I have no idea how women do this.
   
4. I carry big purses and big diaper bags, with lots of pockets ... because like a good girl scout, I like to be well-prepared for any contingency, and I want to be able to find what I'm looking for without digging around.  Although nothing compared to Nancy Drew's toolkit from the recent movie.
   
5. Despite my "girl scout worthy" purse, I often do not have a clean tissue when I need one -- for myself or someone else.  Sorry ... just don't sneeze when you're with me.
   
6. Since my diaper bag is usually packed for two children, it's rather large.  I have a bad habit of bumping people and things with the very large diaper bag hanging by my hip.  So, if you see me coming and I have kids along ... watch out!

1. Delighting in the Days 
2. Angels of Heart
   
3. Army of 5
4. Bow of Bronze
5. Ramblings From The Crazy House
6. The Cappuccino Life

1. I get overwhelmed easily.
2. I need to break a task down into steps to overcome that feeling, so I make lots of lists.
3. Once I get going, I work quickly and pick up momentum.
4. I don't deal with interruptions as well as I'd like.
5. I have way too much stuff.
6. I'd rather sit and watch an old movie than pack.
7. I'm out of practice at packing and moving.

1. I started homeschooling (years ago or year)

when 11 yo A was 3 in 1998.  We began with Before Five In A Row.

2. I homeschool __ of my children

4 of my children are officially school age, but I consider myself to be homeschooling all 6 of them, from birth until marriage.

3. I teach my children to read at age(specific age or not?)

I start teaching letter sounds to my children around age 4 or 5.  But I do not begin a formal phonics curriculum until they are 6.  I tried to start earlier with my first two daughters, and it just would not click with either one until they were over the age of 6.  By 6.5 they "got it" and they were reading on their own.  I put the curriculum away as soon as I see them picking up books to read on their own.   They figure it out from there, asking for help as they need it.  Then I teach the phonics rules as they encounter them in books they want to read.  8 yo C took longer than A or R did to learn to read, but she is reading on her own now, and I'm so proud of her.  It's time to start teaching 6 yo J.  He is starting Reading Made Easy this year.

4. A few of my most favorite homeschool teaching resources are:

A Charlotte Mason Companion, Pocketful of Pinecones,  Educating the WholeHearted Child, A Handbook of Nature Study, and Christian Liberty Nature Reader.

5. Do you write out goals for school each year?

No.  I make a list of what curriculum each child will use some years.  But I don't write out goals.

6. What time do you start school each day? Do you have a specific schedule?

No specific time and no specific schedule.  Today, my oldest 2 girls were doing math when I got up.  I had to remind the next two to start their math after breakfast.  I had to remind 6 yo J more than once.

7. I have used ___ math programs. My favorite is:

Two.  Horizons math and Saxon math.  I like both.  We use Horizons for the K-3rd grade years, and then switch to Saxon 54. 

8. I have used ___ science programs. My favorite is:

None.  We read living books about nature and science.  There are so many wonderful books for children about science.  We love Magic School Bus books, and I assign my reading children to read from Christian Liberty Nature Readers each day, or a couple times each week.  This year, 11 yo A is learning about Creation Science.  At the moment, she is reading It Couldn't Just Happen.  When she finishes it, I'll find other books on the topic for her to read.  She's enjoying it so far.

9. I have used ___ grammar/english programs. My favorite is:

Two, I guess.  We tried Simply Grammar, but I was very relaxed with it, and it didn't seem to really be sinking in for my oldest two girls.  Now we have just started Easy Grammar.  I like it so far.  Okay, they have only used it for one week, but they seem to like it.  One more thing for me to grade, however.  Actually, we have always had language arts included in our curriculum, to a degree.  Five In A Row included language arts lessons each week.  Tapestry of Grace includes writing lessons, but not the other aspects.  We use Spelling Power  ... does that count in this?  That may mean 3 programs.

10. I have used ___ history programs. My favorite is:

One.  Tapestry of Grace is the first history program we have used.  Five In A Row included history lessons each week, but was not specifically a history program.  I enjoy both curricula.

11. What months do you homeschool during?

As many months as it takes.  Some years we have only taken part of June and part of July off.  Other years we have had a longer break.  It all depends on what things life has thrown at us that school year, and how long it takes us to complete our required days/weeks.  Although, I do believe in life learning, so in that aspect, we are learning and homeschooling all year long.

12. Favorite homeschool method?

Charlotte Mason relaxed literature based.

13. Do you/plan to homeschool all the way through high school?

Definitely!

14. Have you noticed specific learning styles in each child?

Not exactly.  I have children who seem to lean more one way than the other, but not exclusively, and not so I need to change our curricula for them.  My oldest is more visual.  My second daughter is more auditory.  My third daughter is more kinesthetic.  I'm not sure on the boys or toddler girl yet.

15. Do you keep specific or general records? Or none, really?

Hmm.  I write down each week what I hope to accomplish and make changes as we go through the week.  I keep these lesson plans/records when the school year is completed.  I also keep their math work, and a sampling of other work.  Much of our learning is handled orally, though, so paper work has been minimal for the most part.  I am sure that will be changing as the girls advance.

16. Do you teach Bible, art, journaling, phys. ed.?

Hmm.  We don't use a formal curriculum for Bible, art, or PE.  We try to include Bible in our daily life. FIve In A Row included Bible lessons, as did our first year of Tapestry of Grace.  This year I am using For Instruction in Righteousness to lead them in Bible studies on different sins and character traits.  We have done some journaling, but not always.  I have not given formal art lessons, but we keep art supplies and craft supplies on hand and my children often busy themselves creating works of art.  I always intend to do artist studies, but never get very far with it.  We've studied artists lightly here and there, though.  PE ... well, when the kids ride their bikes, or play games outdoors, or do a walking video with me, it's PE.

17. Where do you like to shop for homeschool books and resources?

We mostly buy curricula used -- either online or at the used curriculum sale each year.  We often order our math and handwriting workbooks from Christianbook.com because we usually combine orders with present shopping, to save on shipping expenses. 

18. What resources have you been itching to try?

Story Starters by Karen Andreola

Peacemaking for Families

Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution DVDs

Map Aids CDs for Tapestry of Grace

Tapestry of Grace Retrofit kits for classic year 1 and 2

I haven't yet.  But I've downloaded some great unit studies that I do want to try.

20. Do you have anything to add?

Only that homeschooling is a way of life.  It took me awhile to understand that.  More than curriculum, charts, schedules, teaching methods ... it is a way of life.  And it works best when we embrace it as such, and make it a natural part of our life.  I see it as an extension of my relationship with God and my relationship with our children.

I must not share enough about myself, because this is the third tag for 8 random facts I've received.  I may run out of facts sometime.

Rules:

1. Post rules before we give you the facts.

2. Start with eight random facts/habits.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their 8 things and post these rules.

4. At the end of the blog, you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.  Leave them a comment to tell them they are tagged.

1. I just learned an easier way to make bread ... well, it basically just saves one bowl and some cleanup.  I've currently got 2 loaves of bread rising in the oven.  Yummy!
   
2. The mending pile next to my sewing machine is taller than the sewing machine.  Maybe I should work on that.  *giggle*
3. I love seeing my children's FuzziBunz diapers hanging on the clothesline.
4. I baked my first two spaghetti squash for supper last night ... fresh from our garden.  I'm eating leftovers for lunch.  The children loved the spaghetti squash, and 11 yo A wants it at her birthday party in 3 weeks.  I'm not sure that Steve's family would want to try it, though.
5. I made an onion, tomato, zucchini cold salad this week (new recipe).  3 yo M and I like it, but Steve seems indifferent.  He still seems to only really like it sauteed with onions, or in baked goods.
6. I am discovering that although I can drink hot tea and coffee black, I enjoy it with a little sugar and cream.  And it's hard for me to admit this, because Steve has been trying to convert me for awhile.  I might even prefer it that way.  Maybe.  Grudgingly.
   
7. Today I saw a beautiful coral pink rosebud opening on one of my rose bushes.  So I picked it and some of my purple butterfly bush blooms to make a small bouquet for my kitchen.  It brightens the table so nicely.
8. I need to turn my attention to planning our first few weeks of school, ordering books from the libraries, grading the final week of math from last year *blush*, and reorganizing our school area.

1. My toenails are purple.  I decided to give red a break.
2. Since I started wearing my light blue Airwalks (fake Crocs) instead of my Birkenstocks, you can't see my toes anyway.
3. Coke and Dr. Pepper are my favorite soft drinks.
4. I don't paint my fingernails ... because it never lasts and I don't have time to keep redoing them.
5. I love blue transferware dishes, and especially the set of teacups my sisters and parents gave me.
6. I'm rearranging my house a bit, and now the back bedroom (with most of the toys) is a disaster.  I am going to have to get rid of (or store) at least half the toys in that room.  I'm currently avoiding it.  But my bedroom is done, and the living room is done.  Which means I have to move on to that room next.  Although I could clean the bathroom first.
   
7. I have replaced my drinking glasses with Coca-Cola glasses.  I love their shape.
8. Recently, I was at a Ladies Fellowship, and almost dropped my glass of water, because the glasses got smaller at the top instead of flaring out like my Coke glasses.  It felt like the sweating glass was going to slide right out of my hand!  So I set it down and stopped carrying it around.  LOL!!

Quiverof10 tagged me.

All right, here are the rules:

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight
things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged
and list their names.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re
tagged, and to read your blog for the rules.

1. I just turned 34.
2. I love to read mysteries.
3. I love chocolate.
4. I have long brown hair.
5. I love Jane Austen's books, and movies based on her books.
6. I grew up in the Army, and moved around all my life.
7. I enjoy Celtic music, but my husband tires of it quickly.
8. I grew up in a Christian home, and accepted Jesus as my Savior as a child

I have several, but rarely ever wear them.  I have half aprons that belonged to my Grandmother, and two full aprons.  One was made by my sister-in-law many years ago.  She made it with a cow motif using an iron on and some fabric paint.  But it's kind of stiff.  The other one is softer and has herbs printed on it, and we bought it at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, MO.  But I don't have a good place to keep them handy, so I rarely wear them.

Baking – Favorite thing to bake
um ... brownies, chocolate chip cookies, bread.  But I don't bake as often as my family would like.

Clothesline – Y/N?

No, not at the moment.  We took it down to move our shed, and build a new shed.  And it never was set up again.

Donuts – Have you ever made them?
No.

Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day
Laundry (just about daily), load dishwasher (sometimes twice), cook supper.

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
We have a small chest freezer in the shed.

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Yes, we added an insinkerator a couple years ago, but we haven't always had one.

Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
Hmm.  Not sure.  I have a large cookbook collection, and I have the Encyclopedia of Country Living, and I just bought The Complete Tightwad Gazette.   I really don't refer to a housekeeping handbook, though.  I would have to say my Mom's teaching coupled with the internet and other homeschool Moms I've met there.

Ironing – Love it or hate it? Or hate it but love the results?
I dislike ironing, because I dislike dragging out the ironing board and having to put it away.  But mostly, I dislike ironing with children up and around ... someone's always bumping into the ironing board, and I worry about someone tipping it over and getting burned.  I mostly use the dryer, a wet hand towel, and wrinkle-free clothes to do my ironing. 

Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?

Yes. More than one.  One in the kitchen, two in the computer desk, and my dresser has an odd assortment of "stuff" mixed in with the clothes.

Kitchen – Color and decorating scheme
Um, it has off-white walls with kind of blah sage/peach floral wallpaper border I did not pick.  I hung cream valances that I made from fabric with red, green, and blue country style weather vanes on it.  It used to have a very country theme with cows and chickens.  That is slowly phasing out.  I've removed some of the cows and have added a small collection of cobalt blue glassware, and another small collection of Willow Tree figurines above the sink.  Oh, some red Coca-Cola decor items are also working their way into the kitchen, and other rooms.  But my kitchen is an eat-in kitchen with a laundry area and it doubles as our schoolroom.  So we have a dresser and two bookshelves of school supplies in it, and usually laundry baskets stacked around the washer and dryer.  So, country, homeschool, cobalt/navy blue, and laundry theme?

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Making my home comfortable and unique.  Taking care of my family's needs.

Mop – Y/N?
We only have one moppable floor -- in the bathroom.  More often than not, I just bend over and clean it with Lysol wipes.  But I do mop from time to time.

Nylons – Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
In the washing machine, but I mostly wear knee highs and they usually only get washed a couple times (if that) before they are thrown away.

Oven – Do you use the window or open the oven to check?
Open the door. It doesn't have a window or a light inside.

Pizza – What do you put on yours?
If I'm making it at home, it's just hamburger or sausage or pepperoni or plain cheese.  If we're buying, Steve and I have been enjoying chicken pizzas lately.

Quiet – What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Read.  Watch an old movie.  But I'm trying to add scrapbooking back in.

Recipe card box – Y/N? What does it look like?
We have a cardboard decorative one I was given as a wedding gift, and a slightly larger brown metal index card box.

Style of house – What style is your house?
Our house in town here is a small ranch style ... maybe more of a bungalow ... that is about 15 years old.  Aluminum siding, very plain, no real character or charm.  Our farmhouse we hope to move to is also a ranch/bungalow style, one part being built in the 30s or 40s, and the other part being built in the 60s.

Tablecloths and napkins – Y/N?
We rarely use tablecloths anymore, but we do use cloth napkins regularly.  We have a basket of them on the microwave and use them whenever we need them.

Under the kitchen sink – Organized or toxic wasteland?
Well, not really toxic, but not organized at the moment, either.  Shambles, chaotic, cluttered.

Vacuum – How many times per week?
Not often enough.  We were vacuuming about every other day, but I have let that slide.  It was just a battle I got tired of fighting with my girls.

Wash – How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
I have a front loader, but we still do laundry almost daily.  Hmm.  If I don't wash a load one day, then I have 3-4 loads to wash the next day.  I probably do 12-15 loads per week, maybe more when we are faithfully using our cloth diapers.

X’s – Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
Only when I really have alot to do, am facing a deadline, or am trying to just be more diligent at home.  I don't really use charts and schedules, so I use lists when I need to stay on track.

Yard – Y/N? Who does what?
Steve does most of the yard work.  I try to do the flower gardening, but he often helps with that.  We work together to set up the garden, but he tills.  I should be the one to weed, but when I let it slide, he steps in and takes care of it.  We both have pruned before ... about time to do it again.

Zzz’s – What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Depends.  Sometimes I'm folding the day's laundry.  Other times I'm cleaning up the kitchen area.  This week, my last homemaking task has been setting up the coffee pot before we go to bed.  Often, I'm trying to get my baby and toddler to sleep and don't get a chance to do any final homemaking tasks before bed.

1. What is guaranteed to make you smile over the holidays?

Watching my family open presents together, while the baby eats the wrapping paper. 

2. What makes you weepy during the holidays?

Thinking about those whose family members are overseas with the military.  Thinking about Mary carrying our Savior.

3. How will you spend Christmas Eve and Day?

Christmas Eve will be spent at church and at home.  Christmas Day will begin at home and then we will go to Steve's parents' house to have Christmas dinner and a gift exchange with his parents and his sister's family.

4. What was your most memorable Christmas and why?

I don't know.  Everyone becomes more special to me than the ones before.  As our family grows, the Christmases just seem to become more and more memorable.

5. Christmas form letters from friends -- pro or con?

I love receiving them, and sending them.

6. In your home is Christmas more of a religious or secular observance?

We try to keep a Christian focus on the birth of Jesus, but we do enjoy the traditions surrounding the celebration, as well.

7. What is your favorite Christmas Carol?

        O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

8. What is your deepest prayer for the world this Christmas?

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate ... the darker and richer, the better.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? We wrap in bags and wrapping paper ... both.  No Santa here either, although we do hang stockings.

 3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  White.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  No, but I would if I had any.

 5. When do you put your decorations up? Depends ... earliest ever was Halloween, but we usually do it after Thanksgiving.  This year, we haven't done them yet.  Hopefully this weekend.

 6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?  Actually, my favorite is when I'm home with my parents and they fix a complete Mexican meal ... or Panamanian empanadas.  :)  

 7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  I don't know.  So many of them.  I think the best was the year we moved to Germany and didn't have any of our stuff yet.  We created ornaments from cereal boxes and tinfoil.  We strung popcorn and cranberries and made paper chains.  My Dad made metal ornaments, as well.    Another one would be the year my younger sister demanded we sing "Balls" so we did ... "Balls, balls, balls, balls."  And she was happy.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Hmm.  I don't remember.  I do know I was horrified in Jr. HIgh when I wrote a letter to Santa (even though I didn't believe in him) and it got printed in the newspaper and my teacher read it aloud in class.  Even worse, I had asked for a baby doll. 

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?  Usually just one on Christmas Eve, but sometimes if it fits the schedule for the year better, we do them all.  Not usually, though.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  We use white lights (now that the colored ones all died ... yes!).  We then have ornaments from my childhood and my husband's, as well as hand-made ornaments and ones that were gifts.  Very eclectic.  And our tree is half and half ... top is fragile ornamens, and the bottom is for the child-friendly ornaments.

11. Snow: Love it or Dread it?  I love snow as long as I get to stay home. 

12. Can you ice skate? Um, kind of.  I have a few times, but I'm not very good at it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  No, I really don't.  Every year was special and had a special gift.  I just can't remember that much details.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Celebrating Christ's birth with our family and friends.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My Mom's chocolate dipped candies.  Or anything chocolate. 

 16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  I don't know.  Decorating the tree.  Reading Scripture and singing carols on Christmas Eve.  Driving around to look at lights.  I can't think of one that is my favorite. 

 17. What tops your tree?  An angel my sister made for us.

 18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?  giving

 19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  um ... I have alot of them.  I love Christmas Carols and silly fun ones.  "What Child Is This" is beautiful ... but I also love "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

 20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Yummy ... but only one or two.

I saw this quiz on ChathamMommy's blog.  Since it is based on the Myers-Briggs personality test, which I've taken several times, I couldn't resist. 

I'm also a mix of two types.  I'm borderline on J/P.  J is more organized and when I was in college and working, I was barely more J than P.  Now I swing back and forth a bit, and am a bit more P than J, I think.  But I'm not fully either of them.

INFJ - The “Know Thyself” Mother
(Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)

“I believe the joy of motherhood is self-discovery—for them and for me.”

• Sensitive and family-focused, the INFJ mother looks for and encourages the unique potential of each child. Self-knowledge may be her byword. Her aim is to help each child develop a sense of identity and cultivate personal growth. In fact, she may value the mothering experience as a catalyst to her own personal growth and self-knowledge.
• The INFJ mother spends time observing and understanding each child. She is drawn to intimate conversations and seeks a free exchange of feelings and thoughts.
• Sympathetic and accommodating, the INFJ mother strives to meet the important yet sometimes conflicting needs of each family member in harmonious and creative ways
• She is conscientious and intense as well. Probably no one takes life and child-raising more seriously than the INFJ. She approaches mothering as a profession requiring her best self.

and ...

INFP - The “Tuned In” Mother
(Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

“Inside our children, I believe, is a truth that tells them what’s best for them. I am always listening for that truth.”

• Aware, astute, and understanding, the INFP mother is sensitive to her child’s needs, feelings, and perceptions. By observing and listening to the cues of the whole child, she is “tuned in” and naturally develops an intuitive feel for what he or she needs. Responsive and helpful as well, she tends patiently to those needs as they arise.
• The INFP mother is comfortable letting her children follow their own course of development and make their own choices. She offers encouragement and uses her insights to head off trouble and difficult issues.
• The INFP mother takes vicarious pleasure giving her children good experiences and watching them enjoy childhood. She’s happiest creating pleasant, memorable times for the whole family.

That's me, April!  So who are you?