Routines/Organization: How do you make your day work?

Donna B., Peggy Gh., Lisa H., and Mary L. provided some great tips on how they stay organized and make homeschooling work.

Donna uses lesson plan books effectively. She has also found that exercise and some time to herself early in the morning and late in the evening help her keep things running smoothly. She suggested taking walks with younger children.

Peggy recommends the use of a playpen with special toys for babies and toddlers.

Lisa likes a vertical planner, as opposed to the traditional horizontal planner. She has also found that http://www.titus2.com/ has some excellent resources for staying organized.

Mary has printed out what her children need to do in a designated binder. The children check off assignments as they are completed. She has a catch-up week when the children complete any assignments that have not been checked off.

Goal setting was also discussed as an effective means of staying organized.

Applesauce & Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments

Last year, my husband, children, and I enjoyed making Nativity ornaments, to hang on our tree, using the recipe below.

Need:

• 1 ½ cups ground cinnamon
• 1 cup applesauce
• ¼ cup white non-toxic school glue (optional; if you decide not to use glue, then increase the applesauce by ¼ cup)
• Bowl
• Plastic food wrap
• Rolling pins
• Wax paper
• Cookie cutters
• Ribbon, yarn, etc. for hanging
• Straws

How to Make:

1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl. The dough should be as thick as cookie dough. If the dough isn’t thick enough, add a little more cinnamon. If it is too stiff, add a little water.

2. Remove dough from bowl and knead. Put it back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for a half hour.

3. Remove the dough, knead again until it is smooth (the smoother the dough, the better the ornaments look). Roll the dough between wax paper so that it is ¼ to ⅛ inch thick.

4. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters. Use a straw to punch a hole for the ribbon to hang.

5. Carefully place the shapes on a piece of clean wax paper. Turn the ornaments over regularly in order to prevent the ends from curling up and help them dry evenly. They will take about 5 days to dry.

Notes:

• The ornaments will get smaller during the drying process.
• Once the ornaments are dry, acrylic or fabric paints may be applied, if desired. We left our ornaments plain.

Father Phillip tells a Ghost Story

Father Phillip Tells a Ghost Storyby Joan Andrews Bell, Susan Andrews Brindle, & Miriam Andrews Lademan; Precious Life Books.

This is a good book to read on All Hallow's Eve.

Shared by Peggy Gh.