Yes, I am a Curriculum Junkie

Hi, my name is Dawn and I am addicted to curriculum. I have a problem.


 I might relate to the following blog. Read it and then you, too, can determine if the shakes you get when you hear of a new curriculum is normal. 


 Be honest!


http://www.classicalwriting.com/blog/2012/07/06/curriculum-envy/
Categories: parenting

The twins turn 11!

We had an early birthday party for the twins as we were heading to the California and Oregon coast during their actual birthday but still wanted to have a celebration with their friends.  We decided to have  people over for breakfast and then took everyone to go see Brave.  (Note Scott in his kilt as we were going to see a movie about Scotland).


A breakfast movie/party is great fun.  I made Oatmeal Bake the night before and then just put it in the oven when I got up.  I cut up fruit the night before and then just made coffee and tea for the adults, had several options of juice for the kids and made yogurt smoothies quickly while the oatmeal was baking.  My friend, E, made Monkey Bread ( which is so good, it is better than a cage) and voila the party was done!  Movies are also MUCH cheaper before noon so we could take the whole group and it was still less expensive than one of our regular parties.


Papa made the party even more fun by getting large first aid patches and writing "eye pad" on it.  Everyone giggled and laughed and then the twins were excited to actually open the packages from Mom and Dad with a nano for Caileigh and a shuffle for Collin as he really wanted a Lego pirate ship!














Categories: parenting

Re post - Getting to the Heart

I wrote this blog 6 years ago but I really like the idea of planting seeds in different soils as a picture of our heart condition. I think this might even grab my pre-teens and teens attention. My mother in law might be a genius.





 Summer passed like a blur..... School is back in session, Scott and I spent two weeks in Scotland (which was amazing) and life is back on the fast track.


I've really been convicted lately to make sure I'm getting to my children's heart. "Behavior is only the window to your child's heart" as Ted Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child's Heart, says. I want my children to be well behaved but I want them to want to do what is right more. To teach a child to want to do right is much more difficult than training them to behave. A pet can behave if we train them but a child can touch others for Christ. Training a child to have a heart for Christ will bless them forever.


While we were in Scotland, my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Sherron went through some of the Parables with my kids. They read the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9) and then planted seeds in various soils. As you might suppose, the seeds in the good soil grew the best. This was a powerful picture of the condition of our hearts, that all my children have been touched by. We talk daily about having a heart without weeds or sin.

Early this year we all memorized Matthew 22:27-39 which talks about putting God first then others before yourself. This verse alone has helped to keep our hearts in the right place. It's a powerful tool to use during arguments and fight between kids - it doesn't matter who had the toy first or who is right - what's the priority in your heart? The older my children get, the more important this becomes.

A great resource for you to read is Ted Tripp's book, "Shepherding a Child's Heart". This training has also helped me be a better wife and friend - check it out!










Categories: parenting

Thought this was genius...

When my kids were little, I would have them do 15min clean ups before Dad got home and if they left anything out I would clean them up and put them in a trash bag. I did the same thing for rooms as they were to clean them up every morning. I would let them "work off" their payment to me to get their toys back, although once the kids were fine with me taking their toys I donated many of them.

 I thought the ideas on the following blog was pretty smart. I like the idea of putting notes in the place of the toy as a clever reminder. I would make sure the kids know when they are supposed to clean their toys up though, whether it be a 15 min clean up, before bed or whenever you say to.


zitzmanfam.blogspot.com
Categories: parenting

Mom and the Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Homeschooling Day

Check out my newest article!




http://issuu.com/the_homeschool_handbook/docs/thh_marchapril_2012_web-1/9


Categories: parenting

Convention Follow-Up

I am going to try and be humble here but I am struggling with pride.  The kids were amazing at convention.  There are times that it seems like all of our training and hard work are making no impact as parents and then it just seems to come to together. 

It started out a little shaky as one of the kids left a light on in the car and ran out the battery the first night out but we were at Grammy and Papa's so Papa jumped the car and it was fine.  However, my misgivings about bringing the kids were growing at an alarming rate.  I had a four hour drive to think about everything that could go horribly wrong all ending with my being asked to never show my face at a homeschool convention again.  ( Hey, it could happen.)

We got there and had a lovely evening swimming and hanging out.  I laid down my gound rules and expectations while I laid out our clothes and we went to sleep.  I went to sleep praying, HARD!

The next morning we met the team to put the booth up which can be a long and arduous process filled with many potential stressful moments.  I put my kids under the authority of my wonderful boss and his lovely wife for orders and we got to work.  I was so happy to see my kids taking direction, following through and working quickly and efficiently.  It was beautiful to behold.

As time came for the convention hall to open we changed into our dress clothes and I gave them some more direction and then my boss gave them some direction.  (It is always a good idea to give your kids your list of expectations before you expect them.)  They were great!  They were helpful, polite and willing.  Connor worked on school while helping bring packages, Collin handed out catalogs and refilled the catalog racks and Caileigh sweetly greeted customers.  Caileigh so wanted to help customers and several times had to call for back up as they asked questions she could not handle but she handled it politely and with much poise.

The twins spent the next day in a VBS like Childrens Program which they loved and Connor was our runner in the booth and diligently worked on schoolwork (a perfect advertisement for high school).

The last day the kids again hung out in the booth but then we had to tear down. Again, the kids were fantastic and took direction.  Only once, did I have to step in and make sure Caileigh had properly listened and followed direction but she took the discipline and moved on.

I loved seeing my kids interact with strangers and answer questions and follow others directions.  I loved seeing my kids step into their own and handle everything thrown their way.  It pays to do the hard work in their early years and stay consistent.

We then went and spent several days in the Santa Fe/Taos area seeing the sights and hanging out.







Categories: parenting

Great article on homeschooling

Just thought I would share.... www.encouragingbeautifulmotherhood.com/2012/04/26/the-bad-news-about-homeschooling/

Going on Road Trip

I am taking the kids with me to a convention in New Mexico and then we are going to hang out for a few days in Sante Fe. Scott is not coming with us - he 's busy working, somebody has to. Anyway, as I was driving, it suddenly hit me that I am taking the kids on a working road trip without back up! Oh good heavens, what was I thinking? It is the first time we've gone this far without Daddy. I think this might be a real test of how the kids are doing with each other,with independence and with making the wise choice. There are going to be several days that they are going to have to handle themselves under scrutiny from others and hopefully they will rise to the occasion. I think they will do fine but in the back of my mind the is a little voice that is telling me that I might be crazy. I'll let you know how it goes in a few days....

Day of Worship

In our family ministry service this week we had a Day of Worsgip where we learned to worship God for who He is and what He has done for us. The opening video was written and directed by very talented staff at our church. I am showing for two reasons. One, because Caileigh and Collin are in it and two, the message of the video is one of the reasons that I am so passionate about being involved in Children's Ministry and homeschooling - the message that we are to continually bring our kids to the feet of Jesus. Check it out:

www.youtube.com/rushhourcolorado

Remodelling

We have been remodelling our house. New carpet, new granite countertops, new tile bathroom floors, new appliances, new paint and bedroom re-arrangements. We decided to do this in the middle of the school year because, clearly, we are crazy. We also decided to remodel in the middle of winter, in Colorado, where it snows. This February has also been the snowiest February for over a hundred years according to the record books. Did I mention that we are crazy? My beloved husband and I clearly like to do things the hard way but we get them done.

In the midst of the remodel craziness!

Everything looks beautiful though and I love, love, love my new double ovens and GIANT frig! What I have loved the most about this whole project in the middle of the school year, in the snowiest February on record, is the life skills our kids have learned. We are so busy that we generally don't stop to teach our kids some basic life skills that are oh-so handy. Scott has taught the kids how to take out and then replace plumbing in the sinks, patch holes in walls, put up coat racks, how to find a stud in the wall to put up said coat racks, change light fixtures ( which he told me were the hardest light fixtures ever, clearly blaming me) and basic use of tools. With me, the kids have learned how to prep a room for painting, how to use a roller, edging a room and write funny sayings under the new paint in Connor's new room. We have also torn apart every room in the house and gone through everything and decided what we still need and what we can donate to help others. We have organized and cleaned, budgeted and shopped, and I think we will have a new beautiful organized and updated house at the end. What I  love the most is the fact that my 13 year old, computer loving, physical labor disdaining, son, was so pleased by his new found skills that he said, "Mom, I really am glad we did this so that I could learn how to properly take care of my own house someday.".

He is still inordinately proud of the new kitchen faucet and garbage disposal that he helped his Dad put in. That is worth it's weight in gold and even all the crazy stress that we have put ourselves under.

Blessing Bags

We finally had our party after having to postpone a week due to some remodeling projects that took longer than expected We had 15 kids and made 30+ bags to hand out to those needy in our area. I loved watching my friend pray with the kids over the bags that they made and for the people who would get them. We also made yummy cake balls and enjoyed each other. I hid the cake balls in the frig so the kids can't find them. I don't think that's wrong, I let them have a couple today.

Valentines Blessing Party! An Opportunity to Serve!

Every year for Valentines Day I throw a party for our homeschool friends.  I think I have done it for 9 or so years, ever since Connor was old enough to want to give those cute Valentines Cards.  I also wanted to make sure our kids had the opportunity to make lace doily cards, somehow, that seemed important.  Each year I have tried to have a small outreach to a neighbor or to someone lonely so that we could share Jesus' love during the season we celebrate love.


This year, I want to have a Valentines Blessing Party for the homeless.  I am planning on inviting our friends to come and make Blessing Bags to give out to the homeless in our area.  The bags could contain water bottles, soap, wet wipes, granola bars, Bibles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, even something as simple as a sack lunch.  Something to give out that says, "Jesus loves you and so do we."  Each family (with Dad, please, to be safe), could then hand them out to homeless in our area.  We will eat fun foods, hang out with our friends, decorate cookies and fill bags to give out.  Doesn't that sound great?


Yes, yes it does, which is where you come in.  I would love to encourage all of you to fill up some Blessing Bags for Valentines Day, too!  You could do it as a family or a small group or even have a party.  I think this is an easy way to fulfill what Jesus says in Matthew 22:37 - 40, " Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


If you decide to do a Valentines Blessing Event please let me know, I would love to hear about it!

Here's a link to the blog where I first saw the idea:

http://kwavs.blogspot.com/2011/05/blessing-bags-how-to.html

Categories: parenting

A Time For Everything, Work and Play

Have I mentioned that I love Disney? I do. What I love more is the sheer amount of fun family time that Disney affords us. We giggled together, screamed till we were hoarse, ate till we were sick, rode every ride we wanted at least twice and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I love that our kids got along famously (only once or twice did I need to say something) and that when I asked them my favorite end of the day question, "What did you like the best and what did you like the least?". I got many answers of, "I loved everything except waiting in lines.". Which actually were very short.

We played hard. One of the things that we like to say to our kids is that we Hudson's work hard and we play hard - together. We want it to be part of our family identity. No matter whether we are working by doing school or cleaning the house or by serving others we want to do it together. When we play we want to do it together. We also find much value in keeping those two things balanced. I think a job well done should be awarded with some play time whether it is with an ice cream cone or a trip to Disney. We all worked hard this year to be able to go to Disney. Scott and I by doing extra work and the kids by maintaining the house, doing laundry, making meals and by keeping up with their school work diligently. We worked hard and boy did we play hard. Whatever your family does for fun or for work - make sure they are in balance, both are important to a family's well being.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,
 "There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens."

A time for work and a time for play - together.

Categories: parenting

Disney Cruise

For our 15th Anniversary, Connor's 13th Birthday and the twins turning 10, we decided to go on a Disney vacation complete with a cruise.  It was a once in a lifetime kind of trip and was so worth it!  Our beloved Mr. Vic came on the cruise with us and that made it even more magical!

Here's a few pictures:

In the port, so very excited to get onto the boat where they announce your entire family as you cross the thresh hold.

The first hidden Mickey on the way to our cabins.

The absolutely beautiful chandelier, just an example of the beauty of the ship.

Through out the ship, there were lcd panels that looked like pictures until you passed them and they moved. With a detective pass you could find all the lcd panels and pass your badge over them and it would reveal a hidden mystery.  We certainly got our exercise as we ran over all 11 decks.

 The kids area- no parents allowed!

 Mr. Vic and Scott dressing for the Pirate Party.

 The kids bunks in the cabin.  So fun!

The Sailing Away Party on the Family Pool Deck complete with the Aquaduck, the slide that went over the ship!

Mr. Vic's cabin and the animal towel that the hospitality staff made nightly.

 Scott's favorite spot on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. 

I love the beach and Goofy!

Mr. Vic and Caileigh headed off to snorkel in the bay and find all the hidden Mickey statues under the water.

One of my most favorite things, the dual waterslides into the ocean!

At the Royal Palace for dinner everything is royal, even the bread baskets.

Categories: parenting

Thankful Cloth

When the kIds were little, we used to make turkeys and write all the things we were thankful for on the feathers. The kids refuse to do that now that they are so huge, so we are going to have a thankful cloth. I saw this idea in the Focus on the Family magazine. You take a Thanksgiving Tablecoth and each person writes what they are thankful for each Thanksgiving and you have a written record of God's yearly blessings and providence.

I am actually going to run out now and buy one!

P.s. Kohl's has Thanksgiving Tablecloths on sale!



Categories: parenting

Balance part 2

Balance in Homeschool


One of the best things about homeschooling is that you can tailor each child's education to that particular child. One of the worst things about homeschooling is that you have to know or at least take a pretty good guess about what individual child needs. The shocking thing is that I don't always get it right the first time. This thought haunts me at night and keeps me searching message boards, reading yet another book and buying even more curricula looking for just the right one. I will admit that a good 70% of my time is either spent actually homeschooling, reading about homeschooling, talking about homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling. This might qualify as an obsession.

The first several months of the school year is spent just trying everything out, the next in evaluating how everything is working, by January I have changed several things and then it is time to start thinking about the next year.

I always start the year overly ambitious and add on too many things, by mid September I am taking things off the kids schedule. As I spoke about in Balance part 1, I have been trying to add in some balance to my life and I have had to take a seriously look at some of our academic choices so that both the kids and I can achieve a little more balance. The first thing I had to do was take a long hard look at where Caileigh and Collin are. They are only 10 and in the current pattern they would graduate very early. I had to take a serious look at how much I would have to push in the next couple of years to be able to have them ready for high school and after a struggle with my pride I talked to Scott about giving them an extra year in middle school. Scott sees things so much more calmly. I thought I was sharing some earth shattering news and he just said, "that seems like a good idea, that way they can off to college at 18. They would finish the history cycle like you want before high school wouldn't they?". I replied, "yes", and the conversation was over with a "Good thinking, honey". I stopped pushing the twins quite so hard and school has gone smoother and I am at a lot more peace with that decision.

I have had to think about Connor's schooling as well. I have had to think about where we want him academically and what we actually need to do to accomplish that. I have had to balance the academic workload to the extra-curricular activities that we deem important: piano, karate, and Bible Bowl. I also need to give the poor boy time to read a fun book, to play with his brother and sister and to hang out with his friends. Life cannot be academics alone. ( I know, those of you who know me well are asking yourselves if I am feeling okay..)

For me, balance requires me to stop pushing so hard but for others balance might be pushing a little harder. When I worked at a Focus on the Family, Dr Dobson always said, "Be a student of your spouse and your children.". I find this to be so true, when I become a student of my kids I become more cognizant of what they need, not what I want. I learn to balance academics with outside life and give all of us a little down time. I schedule a fun activity at least once a day and I make sure I play with them.

I am working hard at being what God wants me to be and to be the wife, mom, teacher and friend that He desires me to be. Apparently, that means that I have to be more balanced and not as driven. It is hard for me but I do have to admit that home has been a more peaceful, fun place to be.

Categories: parenting

Balance part 1

Sometimes, it is hard to find balance.  Balance between the have -to and want- to.  Balance between being a Mom and a Homeschool Mom.  Balance between being a Mom and a Wife.  Balance between work and play.  This year, I have found that I am not so great at balance.


This year has felt like a year of all work and no play.  There are some key areas that I have found lacking in my life.  Areas that I have let go and they have cost me.  God has been really dealing with me heart in the matter of balance and showing me areas in which my pride and my lack of balance is wrong and is costing me.

The first area that God has shown me that I have been seriously lacking balance has been in my marriage.  Everything is mostly fine but this year has the one of the first years that I have not felt that deep connection to my husband and it has been my fault.  I was so focused on making sure everything else was running on all cylinders that I let my husband fall from my top priority list.  I even forgot my Anniversary this year until Scott reminded me and it was my 15th!  ( I know, I know, so horrible!) As the end of September rolled around, I realized just how big of a problem this could potentially be.  At first, I blamed my husband, cause that is so much easier than taking the blame myself.  Then God grabbed me by my collar and kept me up all night.  In order to finally go to sleep, I promised that I would try the "Love Dare".  I knew we had it in the house and it would be a tangible way of putting my husband first in my time.  It was amazing just how quickly my marriage and my attitude changed after putting my husband first.  I think there is a Bible verse about that somewhere....

I remembered all that advice I give to young Mom and new homeschoolers about taking time to date your spouse and I made time.  They haven't been big dates but little ones to go get ice cream or go dream big about where we want to be or even just have a quick dinner at Wahoo's.  We have had a great time and have re-connected in those quiet minutes.

Balance is hard to find but I am going to strive to attain it.   Next, balance in homeschooling...



Categories: parenting

Let it Snow!

It's snowing! It is supposed to snow a bunch! I made Scott open the curtains so I could watch it fall to the ground. I know by March that I will be far less excited about snow but the first snow of the season is a joyous event. That it is supposed to be a substantial snow makes it even more exciting.

Let it snow!

My Little Man

My Little Man is curious - within reason.

My Little Man is so very handsome.  I love his curls.  He doesn't like them as much.

My Little Man is an explorer, again within reason.  His cautious soul keeps he and his sister out of trouble.

My Little Man loves his big brother.  They are best buds, which is something we have worked long and hard at.

My Little Man puts up with his crazy and annoying Mom.  

My Little Man only puts up with so much annoyance and then he's done.  Be warned.

My Little Man loves to test his theories and wants to make sure he is right.

Collin is my snuggle buddy, the first one to sense if Mom is sad or worried or tired.  He's the first one to give me a hug and tell me that I am beautiful.  He is also the first one to tell me if he thinks I am wrong. Particularly if I don't agree him.  He also has a bit of Tom Sawyer in him.  I think he convinced Caileigh and Connor to do his laundry for several months before I figured out what he was doing.  Collin wants to do what is right.  He is black and white and detailed.  He loves God and is working on tempering judgement with mercy.  Collin is the most like his Daddy which makes me smile as they talk Star Wars, or walk along or agree that we extroverts are out of control.  Collin is competitive, he is a force to behold on a soccer field or anything that involves Mr. Vic.  They have a longstanding rivalry.  Collin is diligent but might like to rub that fact in his sisters nose.  Collin is protective, you do not want to mess with those he deems as his.  His sister, his Mom, his friends, his Daddy, his brother and his Miss Mo.

Happy 10th year Little Man, even several months late.  I love you and am so glad you are mine.

Categories: parenting

Goal setting

Each year we set new goals for our kids in three areas - spiritual, personal and academic. It helps us to be deliberate in training our kids to be purposeful in our parenting for we know that every moment counts. We know that we now have less years with our kids in our home than we have already had and that reminds us again to be purposeful. We want our kids to be prepared academically, spiritually, and with the necessary life skills to be ready for whatever God has for them later.

And honestly, looking at these sweet faces, aren't they worth the extra thought and planning it takes to be deliberate?









For more info as to how to set up goals, see my blog on Family Purpose.

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