Homeschooling A Houseful

Anyone out there wondering how I keep our calendar(s) organized? Trying to keep up with all my little (and big) A's is a wonder at times! I don't know what happens, but all the sudden when your kids get older, like teens and preteens, they have calendars all their own! They have activities and clubs and all the sudden they think they need playdates again!! LOL!! So here's how I handle my life of organized chaos. I love that saying :) It really is how I feel our life is! First I have a paper planner. There's just something about writing that I love. I jot notes, and thoughts and such on there. I also write all our plans, and calendar events there. I love, love, love paper planners. I've tried to delete it from my life, but I always miss it! However what I don't like about paper planners, is carrying it around everywhere. My paper planner is HUGE! I have everything in it. I currently love the Mormon Mom Planners, Mothers who Know . (they do offer one that...

Don't you just hate this look on your counters? Man I do! Not only that, but they all have to be washed because who knows whose cup belongs to whom! But this, it looks so nice and neat and well organized! Now take it a step further..... We recently moved and in our transition stage from one home into another we were living with my parents. We were getting sick of trying to keep up with the cups. Whose cup is this? What color were you? We never got a good color system down. So my mom, probably in desperation and distress!! Said just use my sharpie and write their names on them!!!!  GENIUS!!!  Thanks MOM!!! We brought the cups to our new house, and we have less cup mess. Because quite frankly trying to remember who's color is whom's when you have 9 little cup users running around, becomes a bit too much, even for a somewhat organized mom!

Photo credit here . I can not believe we've never spoken of dirty laundry, around my blog! At least I didn't find any!! Thank goodness, no one wants to see my dirty laundry, that's for sure. This is probably the second most asked question in my life. Number one?? You probably already guessed it, Are they all yours??? Yeah you guessed right, the next question usually stems from, How do you get "IT" all done? Usually I laugh, and say, somehow "it" all gets done, or at least most of "it". One of the first "IT'S" is usually laundry. So the other day when I was digging our couch out from under Mt. Washmore , I decided something has to change!!!! and change it did.... I decided I can not wash, and sort all these clothes, it just isn't fair! So I dedicated one afternoon, each week for my A's to take care of their own laundry... ah sigh of relief. Mondays= the boys day...Noble, Valiant and Boy do laundry Tuesdays= Mama Bea...

The other day, I decided to take care of one of my pet peeves about our school time.... "WHERE'S MY PENCIL??? YOU TOOK MY PENCIL!!! MOM A? TOOK MY PENCIL!!!!! I actually, sadly hear that often. I don't know who's pencil was the red one with white flowers Grandma gave them for Valentine's day. So I thought to myself, my color-coded oh so crazy organized self.... why not color code the pencils? BRILLIANT!!!! I went to the local dollar store, and bought 3 packs of mechanical pencils, with 5 multi colors in them. They also had a pack with 5 pens of the same, or close to same colors. As I was handing them out, Noble asked me... Mom why are you doing this at the end of the year? {Maybe I forgot to mention we were getting back to our year round schedule this year, maybe he simply forgot... or purposefully forgot!!! Not sure} I simply said, sometimes changes need to happen, and it doesn't matter when or how, but it needs to be done. So that is where the title is headed...

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you have probably noticed, I am a planner! I came across the planner last year, and purchased it. I was HIGHLY impressed with it. Not only do I love the format, layout of the planner pages themselves, but I love the graphics and special added features. It's cute, and that makes me want to look at it and use it... honestly!!! I love reading the articles included in it. I also signed up to get a free THE HOME EDUCATING FAMILY MAGAZINE. I couldn't put it down, and I still haven't finished reading and re-reading to my hearts content. I have also started using this planner as my daily planner. I use the top boxes in the colums for our family studies. Things I need to plan, and keep track of. I also use it for our opening time, and for notes about things I need to finish for the A's school work. Then I use the bottom boxes for a to-do list for each day. I love having my day planner right there with my homeschool planner, it help...

{Photo from Shelf Reliance Website} I would have taken a picture of my own, but it's in our dark and dreary storage room... this picture just looks happier!!!! We love, Love, LOVE this... the Harvest 72" Food Rotation System by Shelf Reliance . So I thought I would post a quick review of it, here. Many homeschoolers.... epecially homeschoolers of a houseful, tend to stock up, by in bulk and well need food-lots and lots of food!!!!! I ran across this at a local store, and fell in love with it! {AWE Love at first site!!} Papa Bear, well he doesn't have that love of all things organized as I do. Not to say he's not organized.... but it's just not in MY way of being organized!!! He actully thinks I'm weird, because everything I do, or say... somehow turns into an organizing project. And yet, I always feel so unorganized, maybe if everyone else would just do it like I wanted it done, that would be taken care of. I actually have warned everyone if they can't do ...

I read this idea a few months ago, and well one thing lead to another, and I am finally getting around to doing it! You know the ever growing to do list, just never seems to get to do-ed!! For years now, actually the entire time we have been homeschooling, we have memorized. We started simple with scriptures and then slowly added quotes, then hymns and songs, and more and more. Currently we are memorizing; Weekly: one Poem {usually one week is all we use on a poem, though it depends on the length and how well we really practiced it} one Scripture, one quote, one educational item {again, usually one week, sometimes more when needed} Songs {one Hymn, one Childrens Hymn, one Educational Song, one Patriotic/American history type song, and usually one Seasonal or just for fun song} Monthly:one Historical Document. along with a new history facts memorization we will be throwing in. I never really needed this with A1, he tends to be a fact magnet, or maybe that should say a fact sponge! He lo...

I thought I'd talk again a bit about chores. We are loving the Mommy Store, I think over time the point I am trying to make with it, will come, or not!! I have a few A's who are catching on that even on a REALLY REALLY Good week, they are having a hard time earning more than $3-$4 Mommy Dollars. They are also catching on that Mommies Store is a bit pricey, when you consider the items and the hourly income around here. I think it is becoming a success. A few things that I have changed/added/or in some cases re-evaluated. ~1 we are currently doing our Chore Points, right after breakfast and just before animal duty time. So each morning, just after breakfast and during our tidy up time, I stand next to our white board...usually starting with A1 and working my way down, I ask about chores, and discuss it. We do the points for yesterday, then..along with that day's Morning Chores. I am filling in to days slots, but it seems to work better this way. 2~ the points didn't work ...

Remember this system ??? What's for dinner??? or NOT!!! This did not work out for us! The theory of it, still seems good, and I like the idea. Here's why it did not work for us, not to say it will not work for you. Whenever I need something whether it's in the freezer, fridge downstairs or pantry... I usually send an A to get it, and it's usually a younger A. Well those A's can remember to mark off the list, or even read the word they need. I am sure I could train them to do it, but....well I just don't feel up to it. The second reason {and probably the one that bugs me the most} is that I don't have this list with me, at the grocery store. Making it difficult to know for sure what was on the list. I will go back to the way I use to do it... I have a list in my Mommy journal, {aka Brain} and I keep track myself. That or it's the old standby of my memory. However don't despair, I have a new plan for my wipe-off boards. This is the first one I made. I ...

We did our first run with our family money and family store. It didn't go quite like I thought, but it was our first shopping experience! I thought a few of the older A's would want to save some money for later, but the thrill of the first time shopping got to everyone! I am sure over time, it will wear off and the A's will start saving. Here's the details. I made all our Mommy Money, worth 1/2 of the current US currency. So if I purchased something for $1 in the store, it is $2 in our family store. Also if the A's want their Mommy money exchanged for US Currency, it is worth 1/2 the value. My reasoning for that is, this way I can "control" what they want, in some respects. If it's something they truly want, but I feel is a waste of money, then it will only take that much more self discipline on their part to get it! So for the last 2 weeks the largest amount of Mommy Dollars given out was $4.80, so as you can see it's not going to break the bank....

Andrea, at Dean's Academy, asked about the types of items I will have in our "Mom Store" Well right now....very little!!! I will be adding to it this weekend. Some items might be ~Craft kits, you can get this all over the place. They come in boy or girl, young or older... and the A's love them!! Things like scratch stickers, paint by number, sand art, make your own rubber balls, jewelry kits, leather working kits, wood or kits for our wood burner, clay or moon sand, stamping..... ~we eat a very strict diet, so treats are a must. We also only buy healthy treats, so treats are not often around here, gum will be a must. A personal bag of their favorite type of chips, nuts, sunflower seeds, beef jerky... ~ Dollar Store finds, some of these are fun craft kits. A4 loves those little plastic army guys. Trinkets for the older girls, hair accessories, craft items. Most stores are also starting to sale fun and cute dollar items, and you can find some gems there. ~There's al...

I would guess that my Part 1 was clear as a bell!!!! Or no one dares to ask me questions about it!! Or maybe no one has actually finished reading that NOVEL of a post!!!! So since I am not, at this time, needed to clarify our system... I'll just start on Part 2~ Rewards or, well might I just say Bribes!!! Yes Papa and Mama Bear have struggled with giving rewards for chores. We are firm believers that things just need to be done, and you just need to help out. However we have a few children who just don't get it, and so I am trying a new rewards system, to hopefully catch their attention! Also this is not a fluffy, laid back kind of plan.... OH NO Mama Bear is strict.... and yes sometimes just like a bear! When I say something needs to be done to my expectations, you are talking perfect! {or as close to perfect as the child can get it} My expectations for A1 are completely different than what I expect from say A4, or even A3. Once the children complete their chores, they come to...

Chores! This is a topic you hear all over the spectrum of Mommies!! Homeschoolers, Public/Private Schoolers, Working Mama's, Stay at home Mama's... all Mama's talk chores!!! I have tried a few different routines/ideas but one thing always stays the same, all the A's work. Okay so A6 and A7 might not help so much, but they are always asked to help! I firmly believe everyone in the house must help out. Yes A6 and A7 are not always much of a help, but it's the principle we are teaching. I want them to understand if you make the mess you help clean it up. Our house only stays together through every ones contribution, and teamwork. Each day A5 and A6 pick a buddy to help. We try to rotate who gets the helper, since it does add to your chore time. We also try to always work around our extra curricular schedule. That way if say A2 has a gymnastics class, she has less chore time than say A3 that day. I also remind them to clean up and tidy toys and messes throughout the day...

We recently moved out learning room to a different area of the house. When I get it organized and finished, then I will show some updated photos....until then. Here's something we did and I LOVE! All of our School Games, mostly used for the little ones, things for them to do during school time, are in these stackable plastic totes..I believe they are sterilite. I also labeled them all. I like they are see through and that they stack. On the lid they have little grooves, and on the bottom they have small lips that fit. helps to keep the chaos down, or atleast sometimes!

How do I remember it all??? Hmm...well I don't, but this helps! I make a simple planner with a simple table, using a simple words program. {trust me, nothing special and pretty here!!} Each Independent learner has their own personal planner, and it's personal to them and their studies. On this I listed that kids individual lessons, we call these IS {Independent Studies} These are things that the older kids can do independently, or most of the time independently. Things like Math, Spelling,Vocabulary, Grammar, Handwriting, etc. I usually spend a few minutes Monday mornings, to discuss lessons and go over words. I listed all these things, plus IS readings, textbooks, typing programs, explode the code, logic etc. Then on it, I put 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X. This counts for how many times those things need to be done in a week. So Math is a 5X, Scripture Study and Journal writing is 5X. Handwriting is 3X, IS readings are either 2X, 3X, 4X or 5X depending on the child and the topic. Things ...

This is a post from my other family blog about our learning room. Not all of tis post is up to date, I will have to update some things at a later time. The reason I want to put this up right now, is I noticed on the Spell Out Loud site, she is looking for ideas to organize some of her things, and I thought this might help her! {note to self: Update Learning Room} YEAH!!!! Our learning room is finally complete!! I posted alittle while back about our Construction/Demolition Class! Well the organizational class is now finished too!! We have finally got most everything in the room, and into the places I am thinking we want them. Ofcourse things will be moved and reorganized as we use the space more and more. For those of you who know me well enough, now I LOVE to reorganize. Its not really a love of reorganization. It's more of a love to try to find that perfect "home", that perfect place for every single item we own. I love the idea that everything has a place and everything...

Laundry, Laundry...Oh laundry. (by the way, this is not a happy little tune!!) doing laundry for 9, really keeps a gal busy. For the actual laundering part of laundry, sorry I am of little help there.The only bit of advice I could offer, and something I have had to remind myself often...JUST DO IT!! For us I have to do 2-3 loads of laundry a day. If I don't, it piles up, if it piles up it just simply grows. So we have two smaller baskets in the laundry room, simply lights and darks. They are constantly being filled and emptied, and yes filled more! I have started washing towels and washcloths, right in the regular loads. If I wait for a full load, we end up with no towels. Yes I do have an extra large washer and dryer. We change our sheets usually once a week, and that's when I say, oh look there's alittle break in the laundry, let's throw some sheets in. It's my desire, to make a certain day for a certain persons sheets. Just haven't gotten that into our "...

It seems that is a question I hear often and or ponder a lot? The kids are always looking for something to eat...but this bit of organizational advice is for me! For me it's often let's see what should I make... or do I still have some of that in the fridge....or I am making a quick run to the grocery store, and need a quick look at the fridge. The other problem I have is, we own 1 deep freezer, and 2 refrigerator/freezers. When our old one was needing some repairs, we decided to keep it in the basement for extra storage. I love to buy in bulk. Are you kidding, feeding 9 you have to buy in bulk! So even though the ice maker doesn't work and the trim is falling off the basement fridge it's great! The biggest downside of this situation, is what is in the fridge? Hence my idea to keep it all organized: {sorry I didn't notice the glare on the photo...and am just recovering from the flu, so I didn't feel like retaking this!!} The top photo is of my upstairs/kitche...

Well I don't know about anyone eles, but I LOVE to organize! I honestly do. I love to try to find that "perfect home" for everything. Yes, my poor husband, bless him, thinks I'm a nut!! I am constantly moving things, and rearranging, and reorganizing. Enough said. I don't think I will ever convince anyone, that I am not a nut!! So today I decided to organize my videos,....Melinda style! Dilemma~ DVD cases are NOT child proof. I don't care if they have those little clasps, they are NOT child proof. My little mischief maker, LOVES to open DVD cases. She acts like they are books. Seriously, it's an interesting concept. Well when little hands are trying to pull out DVD's they tend to get bent and cracked in the middle part. The part that is held down in the DVD cases. I don't care if those little hands are 2 years old or 11 or even an adults. Sometimes they are hard to get out of those case clasps. Solution~ store all DVD's in a DVD/CD case!!! We p...

Warning~ Extra LONG post, with lots of pictures!!! There are many names for these, Mom's Planner, Mom's Journal, Control Journal...I prefer Mom's Brain!!{Hee Hee} There are also tons of ways to put one of these together...so I will just add to it all my ideas. As I use this, I am sure I will modify it to work best for me. That is what I would highly recommend you do, make it your way...for what you need. The main reason I did this, was for all those papers and things that I have around...I place them in a perfect/special location, to be easily found later, or when needed. However that "perfect/special" location can never be found...when needed!! I also wanted an all in one Planner. {for some reason I can not get my pictures to move around like I have in the past, so I will refer to each picture by number, and you will have to scroll down to find it...sorry.} Photo 12 I started with a cute binder. I purchased a 1", though I wish I would have used a bit larger ...