Time Teacher Watch

Found these watches @ Disney's online store. This is a cute option for kids who are well on their way to telling time(but need a little helping hand). Love velcro straps on kid watches. They can put them on and take them off, and that means less for me to do.:)

What Time Is It?

Learning to tell time equals earning a watch in our home.

Each of my kids at some point in toddler-hood decide that they want a watch (usually before Kindergarten). Since so much in our world is digital, kids don't have to learn how to tell time to know what time it is. Once they can read numbers, they can read time.

Back in the day with Tater, I decided to reward her with a watch only after she learned how to tell time. Once she did, I ordered her a princess watch from Disney that had her name on it. She loved it! (and miraculously she still has it all these years later)

E-Dog did the same...wanted a watch, so then was more motivated to learn. He currently has two watches which he occasionally wears at the same time.(Not to be fashionable, mostly because he hoards things. Look for him on A&E.)

Dubs is working on telling time and I think he's just about got it. We used a number chart poster (1-100) and his clock puzzle. It's so exciting and sweet to watch your kids learn anything, but especially something as complicated as telling time.

This clock puzzle was a fantastic investment for us. (I've always liked Melissa and Doug's puzzles, but this one in particular has been very beneficial.) Whether you get it for your family or as a birthday present for another child, it's really time well spent.

Love My Planner

I have a homeschool organizer called "The Well~Planned Day" and I love it. Not only because it helps me be more efficient, but I love the encouragement inside. There are stories, scripture, quotes, etc. It's just so good! Check these quotes out:

You can always tell when you are on the road to righteousness - it's uphill.
-Ernest Blevins

When a Christian ceases to grow, he begins to decay.
-Clate Risley

Of two evils, choose neither.
-Charles Spurgeon

Christianity is either relevant all the time or useless anytime. It is not just a phase of life; it is life itself.
-Richard Halverson

Schoolin'

We didn't take a 'Summer Break' like most schools. Although we didn't end, we started back in August. It's slammin! Seriously. When I started out with just one 5 five yr old in Pre K, I had no idea what lay ahead for me. Not that it would have changed my decision, but perhaps I would have seen how easy it was back then. But when you have three children under 5, you don't see things as easy. At least I didn't. As I was saying, we have been back in school (or continuing, whatever) for many weeks. It takes most of my day to help all three do all they need to do. Three kids X's three grades=busy.

Our first 'subject' is Bible. Our devotional is titled "Choosing Obedience" by Kaye Freeman. It is excellent! We are planning to continue using her devotionals throughout the year. They are short workbooks. One of the main reasons I chose them is because character building is a top priority for us. Check out some of the titles: "Choosing Humility," "Choosing Responsibility," and "Choosing Self-Control." Excited to see how God uses them in all of us!

This year, we are using The Story of the World for History. Tater and E-Dog are together in this subject. Tater will also have to learn state history this year because that is what is taught in our public schools.

For Science, we are doing Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy. I adore their science program. The big two are only one grade apart, so we are able to combine History and Science(and soon Latin--I have it, but haven't started yet).We bought one textbook for them to share and then they each have their own notebook journals. A few of us crazy homeschooling families are also having "Science Days" where we'll hang out and do experiments together. I'm so grateful to have some friends that homeschool! It can feel so lonely when you don't have anyone that you talk to regularly that understands some of the challenges and joys. God is so loving to give us who we need when we need them. His timing is perfect. And I have to give a shout out to Lala. Thanks so much for telling me to get "Adventures in Odyssey." The kids love it! We listened to them in the car while traveling over the river and through the woods to Nana's house. A bit of honesty... I cried a little when Whit's wife died. Whatta sap! {Those cd's are a great break from the radio and my worn out collection of discs that have been in the changer since I was blonde.}