Swap!

I have come across several ideas and resources that I want to share with you.  Those of you who live the Western Washington area please respond as soon as possible.

For those of you with small children or are interested in making fun and educational games for preschool age children (grandmothers and auntie’s) I have learned of a great product called Preschool activities in a bag.  This is a two book series created by two moms with busy preschools who were also trying to home educate older children. (For more info and to order your own book visit www.activitybags.com) 

 Each book contains 25-30 activities to create bags for.  It seems overwhelming to put together that many activity bags.  So the books encourage you to do what is called a swap.  Simply put, let’s say 20 ladies sign up.  Each chooses 1 activity bag.  At that time you will receive instructions, master printout and label for the 1 activity bag you have chosen.  You collect enough materials to make 20 bags for that 1 activity bag and assemble the 20 bags.  When we meet again, you bring your 20 completed bags.  You go home with 19 different bags which along with your bag you will have a complete set of 20 different activities to entertain and educate your preschool aged children. 

See picture below of a swap consisting of 19 ladies.  This picture is from the wonderful blog http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/Workboxes/

 Those of you with elementary aged children don’t feel left out.  The same creators of Preschool   Activities in a bag have come up with Science Experiments in a bag for elementary aged children.  This is also a 2 book series with activities for the fields of biology, general science, nature study, chemistry, and the human body.  Each activity is designed to be self-guided by the child with the bags containing everything the child will need to learn about the amazing world that God has created.  A swap for the Science Experiments in a Bag would go the same way as the Preschool Activities in a Bag swap.

 Right now I am simply looking for interest in these swaps.  I hope to have a date in the next few weeks—hosting a swap in July and another in August (just in time for school).  Please let me know if you are interested in joining one or both of the swaps and what days/dates look best for you.  I look forward to swapping bags with you.

 Email me: virlyn@theshelteringtree.org

Call: 360-616-2646

Or if you see me tell me you want to join a swap.

 One thing we mom’s have to do on a regular basis (3 times a day) is cook.  And although most of us enjoy cooking (I for one get joy from cooking—the cleaning is not as joyous;) there are times that we get into a cooking funk, block or we just get too busy.  I was encouraged several years ago by a cooking swap I attended.  Actually I can’t remember what we called up but the concept of the swap mentioned above applies here.  A group of 6 moms got together and not only swapped recipes but we brought the ingredients along with us and went home with 6 different ready made meals (including the one we brought).  There were taken home, popped in the freezer and could be thrown in the oven for a delicious and nutritious meal.  Clean up was a snap because we used aluminum/disposable pans (my kind of cleaning).

 Okay ladies so what do you think?  We can do it several ways

1. each brings recipe and materials to make that recipe and swap
2. each brings several recipes, we vote on a few and then purchase materials (splitting the cost) and swap
3. or a combination of these

 I have not thought the cooking swap as thoroughly as the activity bags but I think we can come up with a good plan and encourage each other with healthy meals.

 Email me: virlyn@theshelteringtree.org

Call: 360-616-2646

Or if you see me tell me you want to join a swap.

 I look forward to getting together with you soon and encourage each other in our wonderful gifts as wives and mothers.

Virlyn Dodge

Clean and Safe

The habit of cleanliness is something we want to instill in our children from an early age.  But many cleaning jobs are not safe for small children to do because of the products that we use to clean with.

I have found a wonderful product that is safe for everyone in your family and is safe for your children to use as they are learning the habit of cleanliness.  Basic H2 is a wonderful, powerful cleaner that is safe for my 3 year-old to use.  It comes in a liquid concentrate that makes an astonishing 48 gallons.  As generous generous as my little cleaners get with the spray bottle the concentrate lasts ununbelievably long time. 

You can find Basic H2 and other great and safe cleaning products at http://www.shaklee.net/orderhere.  See their special below and take advantage of great saving on safe cleaning products.

JUST ANNOUNCED!!!!
Take advantage of this offer! We are getting ready for our annual conference so in honor of this event; we are bringing back the Join For Free With 50 PV promotion!! If you are already a member, refer a friend and receive a Free Gift from me!

 

Join Free with 50 PV
For a limited time, join as a Member with an order of 50 PV or more, and Shaklee will waive the $19.95 membership fee. Take advantage of this great offer today! Join Free with 50 PV ends August 8, 2009.
http://www.shaklee.net/orderhere
 

 
Join Free with 50 PV
Now through 8/8/09, only at the time you join Shaklee, if your first order contains a complete pack of Shakleebaby, you can also receive one Vitalizer w/Iron for only $10. That’s a savings of $69.25, and you also get an extra 20.94 PV for a total of 70 PV!
Products include: Gentle Wash, Massage Oil, Soothing Lotion, Diaper Cream, Multivitamin Powder; Vitalizer w/iron
#53911 SRP $115.25 MN $99.45 70.1 PV
Note: This offer can be combined with Join Free with 50 PV for a total savings of $89.24!
http://www.shaklee.net/orderhere
 
Join Free with 50 PV
Now through 8/8/09, only at the time you join Shaklee, if your first order contains a complete pack of Shakleekids, you can also receive one Vitalizer w/Iron for only $10. That’s a savings of $69.25, and you also get an extra 12.30 PV for a total of 50 PV!
Products include: Mighty Smart™, Incredivites™, Vitalizer w/Iron
#59219 SRP $80.20 MN $69.65 50 PV
Note: This offer can be combined with Join Free with 50 PV for a total savings of $89.24!
http://www.shaklee.net/orderhere

Now all your little helps can do their work safely--with no harmful chemicals

I began this new post talking about “habits”.  This is a term that those of you familiar with Charlotte Mason will know very well.  It will be the topic of many more posts to come.  We are in the process of rethinking some of the habits that are lacking or missing from our home and I hope to share our findings.

Science Journal Giveaway

Apologia is now producing notebooking journals that accompany each of the elementary science books. Both Botany and Astronomy are now available.

These journals are beautiful spiral bound notebooks that will save you time and money. You won’t have to print and keep up with your child’s notebook pages, buy and maintain page protectors, or purchase and compile binders…everything that makes notebooking time-consuming and labor intensive for mom. Also, your child will adore having their own notebooking journal. 

Each of the notebooking journals include:

• A daily schedule for those who like to have a plan or would like their children to complete the book on their own
• Templates for written narrations, the notebooking activities and experiments
• Review Questions
• Scripture Copywork, with both print and cursive practice 
• Reading lists and additional activities, projects, experiments for each lesson
• An appendix with beautiful, full-color, lapbook-style Miniature Books
• Field Trip Sheets to keep a record field trips
• A Final Review with fifty questions the students can answer either orally or in writing to show off all they remember and know at the end of the course.

See the sample pages here:

Botany: https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=128 

 

and 

Astronomy: https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=127 

Jeannie is giving away four Astronomy Notebooking Journals and four Botany Notebooking Journals to bloggers who post about this on their site. Visit her blog to learn more about this contest: www.jeanniesjournal.com 

 

Organized

For the last 2 weeks I have been getting our family back on track and organized.  I usually try to reevaluate my home management schedule every six weeks.  I unfortunately let my schedule go more than 10 weeks and now I am paying for it.  

I used to think that when my schedule was no longer working then I had gotten it wrong in the first place.  I have come to realize that my family is constantly changing.  For example, when we started the school year (we start our school year with each new year) my baby was crawling around and still taking 2 naps a day.  Now he is walking and taking only one nap a day.  Also my families’ schedule has changed.  We have activities 3 nights a week–a little crazy, I know.  All this has wreaked havoc on my “perfect” schedule.  Hence I have to reevaluate.  The more often the better.  Sometimes I simply have to tweak a thing or two, other times I have to do a complete overhaul.  This time was a complete overhaul.

First thing I did was go to my husband and together we prayed and reevaluated our family’s schedule.

Then I pulled out Steven and Terri Maxwell’s book, “Managers Their Homes, A Practical Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Homeschool Families.”

 I heard the Maxwell’s speak at a Christian Homeschool Conference in Washington state.  I was impressed by this godly family and have found their resources to be invaluable.  This is the third year I have used their scheduling system. 

As I was reworking the new schedule I was thinking to myself if this schedule could be put into a program, one that would keep track of all the things that I need to keep in order to manage my home.  I found the program–the Daily Home Planner.  No more rewriting and reprinting.

 This is such an amazing program designed by a homeschooling mom.  In it you will be able to set up a routine for each person in the family, appointments with alerts, to do list, meals, journal, finances, goals and lists, contact list and household inventory.   The Daily Home Planner utilizes the principle of Managers of Their Homes.   You also have the option of downloading the program or using the online version.  Either way you can immediately start scheduling.

I was able to go about planning my new routine the same way that I did the paper version.  First I plan my schedule and the kids.  After Tobin saw my first schedule I made using the Managers of Their Homes three years ago he has wanted to be added to the schedule as well.  This is a wonderful addition because it helps me plan better to meet  my husbands needs and the kids like to know what daddy is up to during the day.  I then give Tobin the first draft for review.  Ladies asking your husbands to look at your schedule is a must.  Your husband is your most invaluable resource.  He knows you better than anyone and he also knows your children.  Often when I am in scheduling mode I get over zealous and a little too optimistic.  My first draft is often unrealistic.  Tobin is my safeguard to creating a schedule that will work–one that we all can follow.

Now that the outline of my days was in place I needed to update and schedule our daily chores.  For this I again turned to the Maxwell’s.

Managers of their Chores is a wonderful system for organizing yourself and your children to complete all the chores and tasks that have to been done.  Because the Maxwell’s have 8 children they are able to offer advice on managing wide age ranges in your children and managing a home with many people in it.

 In conjunction with Managers of their Chores I also use Motivated Moms Chore Planner.  This is a handy portable planner to carry around with you.

 Finally the last area that really needed some work was my school schedule and lesson plans.  I can’t tell you how many hours I spent creating a very detailed and elaborate schedule and lesson plans.  But as academic life goes we are far ahead in some areas and behind in others.  On Tobin’s advice, I have made the investment of a simple but so effective CM Organizer.  Click on the name to try it for free and to read the details of how versatile this program is.  No more rewriting and redoing.  With little work you can have all your lesson plans done and see the work for all the children in one place.  When your schedule changes you can adjust the lesson schedule to follow step with your life.

So overwhelmed and frazzled mom.  There is hope and you will get it all done.  Take the time to get yourself organized.  Stay organized and motivated to keep to your goals.  Then love and enjoy your family.  Finally remember, a schedule is not permanent.  Your life changes, your children change, your needs change.  Do constant reevaluations. 

God’s blessings as you plan your household management.

Join us for

Winter is often a slow time for your nature study.  Take on this challenge to enhance your study and get your children excited about your nature study this winter.  This is also a fun family activity.  Check out the website for entry forms, birds to look for in your area and the prizes available to the winners.

Free Biblical Charts

In every subject and topic we learn in our home school I try to find visual resources to reinforce the information to my children. Children tend to be visual–I think most people are visual to some extent. One fantastic resource I have found is Rose Publishing. You can sign up to receive free biblical charts. Tobin has also purchases several of their Bible reference resources and he has been very happy with them. So check out this great FREE resource today from Rose Publishing.

!!!Under Construction!!!

If you have been following this blog over the last few days you will see that it is changing daily. Many new links and resources have been added. My prayer is that by the first of February the basic blog will be completed and you will begin to receive regular posts to encourage, equip and empower your family to follow God’s leading.

Masterly Inactivity (FREE e-book) – Simply Charlotte Mason

I want to introduce you to another FREE resource from Simply Charlotte Mason. Simply Charlotte Mason is one of my favorite sites with great resources and information to help you understand and implement Charlotte Mason principles. Masterly Inactivity (FREE e-book) – Simply Charlotte Mason

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Welcome to the Sheltering Tree Blog

Welcome to The Sheltering Tree Blog. We pray that this blog will encourage your family, and that you will find some tool and ideas to equip your family, and the motivation to empower your family to live by God’s principles.

This site is still under construction but we hope you will check back with us soon. One way to ensure that you get our latest information is to subscribe to our blog updates/newsletter. You can do that on the top tab on the right.

Again thank you for browsing our blog and may God richly bless you as you turn your hearts toward your children and disciple your family.

-The Dodge Family