KristinN « NutBugs

Heart of Dakota: Buigger week 16

By KristinN, on January 27th, 2012

Back to school this week. As you all know I had to take off last week because I did not have a voice to teach with. I still can not sing a lyc, but at least I can teach. So

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Buigger week 16

Chart Your Course To High School Success!

By KristinN, on January 25th, 2012

I know some of you are much closer then I am to the Highschool years, So when I saw this eamail from The Homeschool Channel, I thought I had to post it here. If you can not make it I am sure there is a way to get a mp3 of it. Just send

Continue reading Chart Your Course To High School Success!

History/Geography

California History

By KristinN, on January 24th, 2012

Fourth Grade California History Education Program

Dear Irvine Park Railroad Friends,

We are now accepting reservations for Irvine Park Railroad's Fourth Grade California History

Continue reading California History

Blackline Maps for FREE

By KristinN, on January 20th, 2012

I am a firm believer in using map as much as you possibly can. As a child growing up I remember that maps were only used in geography and even then it was minimal. Therefore as an adult I really had a hard time knowing where things were when people would talk about world events.

Continue reading Blackline Maps for FREE

QUIET MOM!

By KristinN, on January 17th, 2012

L LLL aryngitis

/ˌlærənˈdʒaɪtɪs/ [lar-uhn-jahy-tis]

Inflammation of the larynx, often with accompaning sore thorat, horseness or loss of voice, and dry cough.

It is always amazing to me the grace of God. Every year, right around the begining of December or so, I have gotten laryngitis, ever since I was in Continue reading QUIET MOM!

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 15

By KristinN, on January 13th, 2012

We had an exceptionally fantastic week this week. You see my daughter took a huge step in school this week. Usually she can sometimes be disruptive during the readings and when I ask her to retell, of course after I

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 15

Free Study Guide To The U.S. Constitution

By KristinN, on January 12th, 2012

I saw the other day, Charles Vincent from the "Official Wire" online paper saw that The People's Guide to the US Constitution American Handbook Publishing has just released a free Educator’s, Homeschool and Self-Study guides to the United States Constitution which is available at www.constitutionguide.com. These accessory texts (you still have to buy the book) to

Continue reading Free Study Guide To The U.S. Constitution

Proud to be an American

By KristinN, on January 9th, 2012

As we learn about early American history, I realize more and more how happy I am to be an American. And my children are realizing how much freedom we really do have here is the United States of America.

Continue reading Proud to be an American

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 14

By KristinN, on January 6th, 2012

My poor little girl was very sick for the first three days of school this week. I have to admit, as bad as it may sound, that it was actually really nice to only Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 14

Christmas

Christmas at our home

By KristinN, on December 26th, 2011

This year I was not sure exactly how Christmas was going to turn out, but God is always good and gave us a spectacular Christmas. I was smart and did the majority of my Christmas shopping for the children months and months before Christmas! So they had a perfect Christmas. Even the adults had an

Continue reading Christmas at Our Home

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 13 update

By KristinN, on December 23rd, 2011

This was a lazy week for us. We did not do much of the academic things, but we kept up on our history, science, Bible study and math.

We enjoyed the Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 13 update

Contests

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 12

By KristinN, on December 17th, 2011

This is a hard time of year for me to stay focused on school. With all the performances either that I am in or I am directing and parties and shopping and cleaning and preparing. Uugghh, it can over-take my mind

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 12

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 11 update

By KristinN, on December 9th, 2011

It was interesting on Day one of Unit 11 how it talked about finding out where we came from. My son went right to the map and touch Poland, Austria, Czech and Germany. We really did not get a chance to call anyone, but we talked to Grandma for a few minutes about her parents

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 11 update

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 10 update

By KristinN, on December 3rd, 2011

What a great week. Well, I have to be honest, it was HARD at first. You see we had two weeks of vacation. One week away from home and then a week at home. So Monday was not easy to get back into the swing of things, but once we got the week going, by

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 10 update

Let’s Play

By KristinN, on November 29th, 2011

I am sure that most of my readers read the article put out by CurrClick about Play. I thought it was such a great article, that I wanted to re-post it for those who may

Continue reading Let’s Play

Parenting

Darn, Vacation is Over

By KristinN, on November 27th, 2011

Well, we are back from vacation and we had such a great time. We went to Lego Land. I think this was my children's favorite place of all. I think this was my favorite too. We saved about $175.00 on entrance fees. For all of you who may want to go but can not afford

Continue reading Darn, Vacation is Over!

Does Nagging Work?

By KristinN, on November 25th, 2011

I was many years into parenting before I realized that the most powerful tool in my toolbox, masterful nagging, did not work.

I would remind, leave notes, cajole, tease, nag and harangue. Guess what? It didn't matter a bit.

In fact, they acquired an uncanny ability to tune me out. The more animated I got, the more

Continue reading Does Nagging Work?

Personal Life

Happy Thanksgiving

By KristinN, on November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wanted to take a very quick moment before we leave to visit with family and wish all my readers, family and friends a FULLfilling day today!

With that said I have two holiday videos to share with you today. The first one is of my friend singing the Fat Turkey song and

Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving

Teaching Writing in a Text-Message World

By KristinN, on November 20th, 2011

Writing is not going away.

In fact, writing is on the uptick!

A case can be made that writing is becoming our culture's dominant form of communication.

Email, text messages, tweets, and blog entries are all done in writing. Even on our electronic phones we do more texting than talking.

It's as though the old practice of

Continue reading Teaching Writing in a Text-Message World

Eisenhower

By KristinN, on November 18th, 2011

One of my favorite things to do is to go on hikes, have the kids wade in streams and look for all sorts of different type of animals, draw in their nature journal and just have some good old fashion fun without all the play equipment. However, here in Orange County, California, most of the

Continue reading Eisenhower Park

Encouraging Kids Along the Path to Learning

By KristinN, on November 15th, 2011

The words path to learning offer us a great word picture. Word pictures (metaphors) can help us visualize and grab hold of a big concept and a deep meaning.

The word "education" is not a word picture. While the word "education" has plenty of meaning, it's hard to picture. And the word itself may not offer

Continue reading Encouraging Kids Along the Path to Learning

Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 9 Update

By KristinN, on November 13th, 2011

So I know most of you who may have gotten this post a few days ago are saying where is the actual blog post? Well, I am on vacation and so far until this very moment I have not had a chance to sit down and write. So I thought I will just post the

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 9 Update

Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 8 Update

By KristinN, on November 5th, 2011

So am I a bad Mom? This week was just off. Every night starting Sunday night we went to bed no earlier then 10:30pm. Ok, now my kids go to be by 8:30 maybe 9:00 if I Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 8 Update

Cookbook and Christmas Cards!

By KristinN, on November 2nd, 2011

I am a huge advocate for HSLDA, in case you all have not figured that out by now. So because of that I try to support them in other ways when I can. Sometimes they sell things that either make great gifts or things I really would like to have. And the few extra dollars

Continue reading Cookbook and Christmas Cards!

Lighthouse Publications Giveaway and Sweepstakes

By KristinN, on October 29th, 2011

Hey, I just received an email form Lighthouse Publications because I have purchased things from them in the past. Anyway, they are doing a big sale and a givaway and I thought I would let everyone know about it. They have some great readers, Lighthouse Publications Giveaway and Sweepstakes

Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 7 Update

By KristinN, on October 28th, 2011

OMGosh, we forgot to play Jeopardy this week. Our week started out pretty slow. This week with HOD I felt was a little slower and not quite as much to do as normal, but let me make darn sure you realize that this is NOT a complaint. It was actually nice, since towards the end

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 7 Update

Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 6 Update

By KristinN, on October 21st, 2011

We have a very unusual schedule. We typically do school for 5 weeks and then take a week off of course during the holiday season it gets a bit tricky. Well, for those of you who follow my blog closely,

Continue reading Heart of Dakota: Bigger, Week 6 Update

HSLDA sponsoring One Nation Under God event

By KristinN, on October 19th, 2011

Our nation was founded on Biblical principles, but we have lost sight of this in today�s culture. That is why we are calling all Christians to join together on November 12, 2011 to host the One Nation Under God Event in homes and churches across America.

HSLDA sponsoring One Nation Under God event

How to Keep a Strong Voice for Homeschooling in Sacramento

By KristinN, on October 14th, 2011

Most of you are probably saying where is NutBugs Heart of Dakota Weekly Update this week. Well, Our schedule is that we school for 5 weeks on and then we take a week off. This allows us MANY breaks through

Continue reading How to Keep a Strong Voice for Homeschooling in Sacramento

Art

FREE Curriculm and FREE Resources

By KristinN, on October 11th, 2011

I want to make very sure that it is well known that not all of these sites I have posted are Christian, so please visit them first to make sure you approve of them before you send your children there. I have not seen anything myself that was completely wrong or offensive or even if

Continue reading FREE Curriculm and FREE Resources

Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 5 update

By KristinN, on October 8th, 2011

Ok, I realized I need to purchase a thesaurus for the phrase" We had a great week" I keep saying that each week and I am sure my readers are getting tired of that same line. Anyway, I have realized that the Early American Heart of Dakota: Bigger Week 5 update

California Homeschoolers

By KristinN, on October 6th, 2011

I am not sure if all of you have seen this from HSLDA or not, so I thought I would re-post it here. This is from the President HSLDA, Michael Smith.

____________________________

Great News In California!

AB 717 is a huge step toward restoring constitutional principles.

From: Family Protection Ministries and HSLDA

Bill AB 717: Child Abuse

Continue reading California Homeschoolers

Affidavit Time

By KristinN, on October 4th, 2011

It's time once again to file the Private School Affidavit (PSA) online between October 1-15 for us California Homeschoolers. The private school affidavit is now

Continue reading Affidavit Time

Economy

Multiple Streams of Homeschooling Income

By KristinN, on October 3rd, 2011

Most of you who know me personally know that my husband has been in the real estate industry for over 20 years and has been our sole source of income. However, as we all know the real estate market busted a few years back

Continue reading Multiple Streams of Homeschooling Income

In the News

Cheap Theater Tickets

By KristinN, on October 2nd, 2011

Ok, so how many of you like to go see a musical or a play or some sort of concert, raise your hand. Yea, me too. But how many of you do not go at all or as often as you like because of the price? My hand is up too!

I was told about this

Continue reading Cheap Theater Tickets

Continue reading Educating Children with Dyslexia

Educating Children with Dyslexia

By KristinN, on October 1st, 2011

I know a lot of my readers have struggling children with Dyslexia. I have a friend who just found out why she has been struggling with her child in homeschooling him. She is currently struggling in this area too with her son. As most of you know I am fond of most of Rod

Art

Heart of Dakota Week 4 update

By KristinN, on September 29th, 2011

Ok, so this week was not as exciting and good as last week, BUT, it had nothing to do with our curriculum. We were just having an off week. Everyday seemed to start later then we wanted. I was having

Continue reading Heart of Dakota Week 4 update

Tanaka Farms has Free Petting Zoo!

By KristinN, on September 29th, 2011

Hey all you Southern California residents, Fall is here and the pumpkins are flourishing at Tanaka Farms! Opening weekend is here for the Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch. Yes, that is this weekend Oct 1 and 2nd. For their opening weekend they are giving us a treat. FREE Petting Zoo with a purchase of a wagon ride

Continue reading Tanaka Farms has Free Petting Zoo!

Local Mom Review

50 Years for Tustin Tillers Days

By KristinN, on September 28th, 2011

Rustin in Tustin is a great blog for all the happenings here in the Tustin, California area as well as just outside of Tustin. I go to them alot for things to do here in my home town. Plus they have some great things you can buy that have TUSTIN on it. As

Continue reading 50 Years for Tustin Tillers Days

Seashore Videos

By KristinN, on September 26th, 2011

I had several people write to me saying they live in an area where they are not even close to a beach and they are also are using the Heart of Dakota Bigger Hearts. So I had put some great links to some videos in one of the comments section, but I figured there were

Continue reading Seashore Videos For Bigger Hearts

Heart of Dakota Week 3

By KristinN, on September 23rd, 2011

Well, this week was pretty good. Our hick up was Math for my son. You see my son hates math. Probably somehow my fault in the earlier years, but none the less, he hates it and therefore is about 6 months behind his "grade" or "age".

(Just FYI, I figured out how to do a gallery

Continue reading Heart of Dakota Week 3 Update

Homeschool Toolbar

By KristinN, on September 19th, 2011

Have some of you ever wondered what other homeschool blogs are out there that are about homeschooling? Have you done a search on Google or whatever other search engine you use and have come up with blogs that are just not what you are looking for? I found a great add on for your internet bar.

Continue reading Homeschool Toolbar

Heart Of Dakota Week 2

By KristinN, on September 16th, 2011

As suspected, we had another wonderful week. Currently we are learning about things on the sea shores and I finally thought to myself on Monday after school. "Self,' I said, "You live in Sunny Southern California, why the heck are

Continue reading Heart Of Dakota Week 2 Update

Help Me I am Failing at Homeschooling

By KristinN, on September 14th, 2011

I wanted to repost this letter here and share my answer to this common homeschooling problem with first timers as well as veteran homeschoolers. If you have ideas to share, please post your answers too.

Hi,

This is our 1st yr. home schooling after 3 years of Public Help Me I am Failing at Homeschooling

Trying a New Curriculum: Heart of Dakota Week 1

By KristinN, on September 9th, 2011

This year I am trying a whole new curriculum for History, Geography, Timeline, Notebooking, Poetry, Bible and Science etc. Heart of Dakota. A

Continue reading Trying a New Curriculum: Heart of Dakota Week 1

Heartfelt Music

By KristinN, on September 5th, 2011

You know a while back I use to be in a group called Heartfelt. It was originally a quartet then we made it into 5 girls then 6 and went back to 5 and finally back to 4. Anyway, we recorded a CD just for fun and to be able to give other churches a look at

Continue reading Heartfelt Music

Book/E-Book

Homeschooling Library

By KristinN, on September 3rd, 2011

BOOKS ARE EXPENSIVE! I'd love to add a ton of educational literature to my homeschool library, but purchasing them can be extremely expensive. Well I found a place to go to build my library without spending hundreds of dollars. Homeschool Library. Two Moms got together and decided to provide homeschoolers and non homeschoolers alike with

Continue reading Homeschooling Library

Am I Sheltering My Child Too Much?

By KristinN, on August 28th, 2011

Did you all see the article by Gena Suarez that Old School House sent out a few weeks ago. I loved it and thought I would post it here for those who did not get it.

Do you "shelter" your children?

Continue reading Am I Sheltering My Child Too Much?

English

All About Spelling

By KristinN, on August 22nd, 2011

I did it! I found the best spelling program ever! The program name is All About Spelling. The program is so versatile. It can start at All About Spelling

Art

Art Class

By KristinN, on August 20th, 2011

From October 2010 to June 2011 We were involved in an Art class with our homeschooling group. We had so much fun with this class. How this got started was one of the ladies had purchased the Atlier Art DVD's and she figured it would be fun to have her daughter have a few friends

Continue reading Art Class

History/Geography

Timeline in a Box

By KristinN, on August 18th, 2011

You know timelines can be a very useful thing in homeschooling, but there are some of us homeschoolers that just have no idea how to go about making one. Here is a great idea from Debra Anderson . I think I might give this one a try myself.

Timeline in a box:

When we were still fairly

Continue reading Timeline in a Box

Response to Alarming Recommendations by Miami-Dade County Grand Jury

By KristinN, on August 10th, 2011

I just received an email from HSLDA in regards to this. I know that this does not affect me now, but in the future this could affect thosse of us in California too. And to my friends and readers who live in Florida, I am sure you are well aware of what is going on.

Continue reading Response to Alarming Recommendations by Miami-Dade County Grand Jury

A New School Year

By KristinN, on July 29th, 2011

Well it is that time of year once more. Are you all diving into purchasing your new school year curriculum and A New School Year

Dream-Driven Kids…Why They Succeed

By KristinN, on July 5th, 2011

When you were young, did you tell your parents (or anyone) your dreams?

Maybe you yearned to be the fastest runner in the world? Or write books? Be a rock star? An artist? Olympic skater? A mom?

We tend to protect our dreams, so we don't always say them out loud. We don't want our dreams trampled

Continue reading Dream-Driven Kids…Why They Succeed

The Importance of Good Pencil Posture

By KristinN, on June 30th, 2011

Learning and reading involve many skills. As children move beyond the pre-school

Continue reading The Importance of Good Pencil Posture

HSLDA Members and Friends:

By KristinN, on June 25th, 2011

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

You know that HSLDA’s free e-lert service brings the latest news to your inbox.

But when you want in-depth analysis of issues that affect your family’s freedom to homeschool, HSLDA’s bimonthly magazine, The Home School Court Report,

Continue reading HSLDA Members and Friends:

The L.A. County Fair

By KristinN, on June 20th, 2011

Have you always wanted to go to the county fairs for educating your children more then the rides and food, but never do because it is so blasted busy? Well, LA County fair has been giving away free tickets to the fair for years. Oh, and it is open early in the morning to Continue reading The L.A. County Fair

Knights of the Angel Realm

By KristinN, on June 15th, 2011

I just finished reading a good easy read and a very expressive book titled, “Knights of the Angel Realm”. This is a book written by an up and coming writer named Gretchen Rhue.

Knights of the Angel Realm, I think can be a great read for High Continue reading Knights of the Angel Realm

K12 curriculum

By KristinN, on June 11th, 2011

I have been seeing the commercials on TV for the K-12 homeschool curriculum lately. There is this part of me that says…YEA…they are advertising to homeschool kids. What a fantastic opportunity for all of us who homeschool. TV says it

Continue reading K12 curriculum

Who Is Your Child?

By KristinN, on June 7th, 2011

By Virginia Vagt

Children are all so different. We're with our children a lot. So we think we know them. And we do know a lot about them.

But the pace of our lives takes time away from our ability to make observations and reflect on the patterns we see. Don't we often make quick judgments about

Continue reading Who Is Your Child?

CHEA Convention is Here

By KristinN, on June 3rd, 2011

OK, so you are thinking, Kristin, what is the big deal about going to a homeschool convention? Well, let me tell you, as a homeschool Mom, we need to re-evaluate what we are doing all the time. We need to make sure that we are using the right CHEA Convention is Here

Local Mom Review

Lux Salon

By KristinN, on May 31st, 2011

I won a $50.00 gift certificate about a year ago from FISH FM and I have never used it. Tells you I need to take more time for me now and then. Well, with my birthday coming up on May 9th and a few re-vamps of my mind about so much needed Mommy time, I decided

Continue reading Lux Salon

Gleaning Opportunity

By KristinN, on May 27th, 2011

Ok, so if you all live in the Orange County area of Southern California, then I have an opportunity for you and your family. Tanka Farms, down here by me, is making available gleaning opportunities for you and your family. This is a great way to teach our kids about doing for others as well

Continue reading Gleaning Opportunity

Right to Reasonably Resist Unlawful Police Entry Struck Down

By KristinN, on May 25th, 2011

For those of you who do not have HSLDA, I had to re-post this article from HSLDA. This is the big "WHY" if you have not spent the $100 a year for this wonderful service this is the why you need to beg or borrow the $100 to get it. By the way, they are

Continue reading Right to Reasonably Resist Unlawful Police Entry Struck Down

‘19 Free Gifts’

By KristinN, on May 22nd, 2011

Have you heard about the '19 Free Gifts' Promotion from our friends at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine?

Subscribe to TOS (or renew your two-year subscription) and in addition to a great magazine, you'll receive 19 free gifts, including…

> a Vocabulary Madness Puzzle Booklet from Shurley English
> Building Thinking Skills in Young People

Continue reading ‘19 Free Gifts’

http://www.ccli.com/CCLITV/Default.aspx?v=1faba14b-6efe-477b-ad67-df5edf29bb80

How Great is Our God

By KristinN, on April 28th, 2011

Look for Calvary Church of Santa Ana, CA in this video. Yes, that is my church. The video is from the DOVE awards and church choirs from all over were asked to participate in the making of this video. So Celebration Choir did and I wanted to share it with everyone!

Happy Easter

By KristinN, on April 22nd, 2011

Ok, I think most of you have heard of Rebecca Black and her Friday video. Personally, I think for such a young teen, she did a pretty darn good job. After all her parents spent a pretty penny for that video.

But that is neither here nor there. My church, Calvary Church of Santa Ana, Ca,

Continue reading Happy Easter

What is Easter?

By KristinN, on April 20th, 2011

On Easter Sunday, most Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Did you know that this is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year next to Christmas. Sorry to say, but that is sad. What happens the rest of the year to those Christians that do not attend? Notice I said

Continue reading What is Easter?

Crafts

Free Easter LapBook

By KristinN, on April 16th, 2011

I know some of you have no idea what a lapbook is and others of you just absolutely love the thought of lapbooks. So lets start with what is a Lapbook fr those of you who have no idea what I am talking about.

A lapbook, simply put, is an interesting way of notebooking with a

Continue reading Free Easter LapBook

Contests

HSLDA Poetry Contest

By KristinN, on April 10th, 2011

2011 Guidelines
Submission Dates: May 1 through June 1 2011!

Entry Form

Click image above to download ( requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Poetry Contest Archives
2010   2009
2008   2007
2006   2005

Entries received before May 1 or postmarked after June 1 will be sent back or discarded.

What

Students must submit a poem in the form

Continue reading HSLDA Poetry Contest

Update on CHEA Pacific Convention

By KristinN, on March 31st, 2011

Hello NITZ Family,

We at CHEA are looking forward to seeing many of you at the Pacific Homeschool SuperConference in just a few days. If you have not yet registered, it's not too late to come. See opportunities for online at-the-door registration below. Check out our exhibitors (list still growing), dining specials, and an open-to-the-public option for

Continue reading Update on CHEA Pacific Convention

HSLDA Information Regarding the Election

By KristinN, on March 27th, 2011

Co-hosted by CHEA of California and HSLDA
In cooperation with the Nevada Homeschool Network and Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network

Santa Clara, California
April 7–9, 2011
Thursday through Saturday

Presidential forum and straw poll at the Pacific Homeschool SuperConference!

Dear Friends:

Would you like to impact the 2012 United States presidential election?

Come to the Pacific Homeschool SuperConference,

Continue reading HSLDA Information Regarding the Election

Project Play

By KristinN, on March 16th, 2011

Did you know?

Since 1980, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for children ages 2 – 5 and more than tripled for children ages 6 – 11.
Between 1981 and 1997, free playtime among 6 to 8 year olds dropped 25% and homework more than doubled.
Since

Continue reading Project Play

Book/E-Book

Free Online Class

By KristinN, on March 13th, 2011

You all know CurrClick is one of my favorite e-book/e-curriculum sites I go to. They are always giving something away for free and they have a wonderful selection of Free Online Class

The Race

By KristinN, on March 11th, 2011

I didn’t have to go. He had already caught a ride with friends early in the morning while we slept. But I didn’t want my first-born child to think his mother never came to anything because she had so many little ones to tow along with her. So I loaded the car with his five

Continue reading The Race

6-Year-Old Hauled to Psych Ward Despite Parent’s Wishes

By KristinN, on February 22nd, 2011

Stock Photo
According to this article at Today.com last week,

Continue reading 6-Year-Old Hauled to Psych Ward Despite Parent’s Wishes

Outsourcing Life

By KristinN, on January 25th, 2011

When a builder builds a house, he subcontracts much of the work. The carpenter has a job; the plumber puts in the pipes. Together, they collaborate to create something useful and hopefully well-constructed.

Parents sometimes subcontract some of their jobs. We have the schools teach our children and the churches instill them with values. Scouting equips

Continue reading Outsourcing Life

Simple New Year, Simple Fresh Start

By KristinN, on January 23rd, 2011

New Year and change go together. We make New Year resolutions to promise ourselves change. We want to insure that this year will be different, fresh, and more workable.

Homeschool families feel the same way. We want to insure that daily life will be different, fresh and more workable in the New Year. The changes we

Continue reading Simple New Year, Simple Fresh Start

CHEA Newsletter

By KristinN, on January 21st, 2011

For those of you who live in Southern California like myself, you are probably very aware of CHEA and may even be a member. I get regular newsletter from them and I enjoy the articles. Sometimes that will even spur me to start a topic on my blog. However, yesterday at my homeschool park day one

Continue reading CHEA Newsletter & Free Devotional

Computer

Lego Club

By KristinN, on January 15th, 2011

I am sure many of you have either gone onto CurrClick many times before or at least have heard of it. Well, they offer these free Lego Club classes where science is involved in it too. Hmm…Learning and having fun. LOVE IT! You know what is fantastic about these classes? They are Free. Oh, I am

Continue reading Lego Club

Following the Rules

By KristinN, on January 11th, 2011

I was going to write an article about how you have a new year upon us and how we should start the new year with preparedness in homeschooling by joining HSLDA. Then I came across this wonderful article by Homeschool Inc. and I decided to repost it here instead. I could have not written it

Continue reading Following the Rules

Celebrate Cerebrodiversity!

By KristinN, on January 7th, 2011

Men are from _______ , Women are from _______ . That boy just can't sit _______. Are you _______ to me? Keep your _______ on the board, young lady.

Venus, Mars, still, listening, eyes. Each of these phrases represents a concept in education and brain research called cerebrodiversity. It's the recognition that each of our brains is

Continue reading Celebrate Cerebrodiversity!

New Year - New Vision

By KristinN, on January 3rd, 2011

New Year's resolutions are fleeting things, leaving our minds with the next distraction. Rather than making resolutions, seek renewal. Renewal of yourself, physically, mentally and emotionally – and renewal of your approach and attitude.

Here are a few ideas to consider as we approach 2011:

1. Worry less. How many things we worry about actually happen? Too

Continue reading New Year – New Vision

Pioneer Park

By KristinN, on December 31st, 2010

I belong to a Park Day group here in my hometown Tustin, CA. Our goal is to get together once a week either for a simple Park day or a Nature Walk. We typically visit parks either in Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange or Irvine and on occasion go to parks farther away for our Nature

Continue reading Pioneer Park

Getting a Break?

By KristinN, on December 24th, 2010

Do you dread the holidays? Just between you and me, I often do. But holidays and vacations matter. They matter to our minds. Why is that?

On the one hand, every mom on earth knows that holidays do not mean fewer tasks – just different ones. And holidays don't promise more sleep – in fact,

Continue reading Getting a Break?

Holidays

Children's Concert

By KristinN, on December 22nd, 2010

I teach the children's choir at Calvary Church of Santa Ana, and we had our final concert of 2010 on Saturday, December 19th. My dear hubby recorded the whole thing for us. I still am not sure what went wrong with Hark the Hearld Angels Sing, but the rest of the concert was a hit! Some how

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Holidays

Choir Christmas Party Fun

By KristinN, on December 19th, 2010

So last night (Sat 18th) I went to my church choir party. We played this very fun game. Now I have to say that no one wanted to really play this game when we were told what it was, but the end result was absolutely hilarious. The game was to take a traditional Christmas song

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Crazy Christmas Lights

By KristinN, on December 17th, 2010

Crazy Christmas Light Displays In Tustin

By Admin, on December 17th, 2010

How many Christmas movies have you seen where one neighbor is determined to have the best light display this year and as a result they either take down the entire western electrical grid or they fall off a ladder on top of Santa Claus and

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Twas the Month Before Christmas...

By KristinN, on December 14th, 2010

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would

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Redbox $1 for 3 movie rentals

By KristinN, on December 13th, 2010

OK, so I usually don't do this but I did come across this deal and I know Red Box is everywhere. I know me and my family use it often and we definitely are always looking to save a buck. I know for time off during Christmas, we will very likely be renting

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Santa's Sleigh Ride in Tustin

By KristinN, on December 10th, 2010

Christmas will be here sooner than you think but even St. Nick can spare a few minutes for the awesome kids in Tustin. Every year Santa stops by for a visit with the help of Tustin's finest, the Tustin PD.

I especially enjoyed a few years ago when my son was able to

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Tustin Area Historical Society

By KristinN, on December 5th, 2010

So it's been quite a while since I've visited the Tustin Area Historical Society but just like any place that houses and displays history, I find it fascinating.

It is surprising when you start to dig into the Continue reading Tustin Area Historical Society

Smart Kids Who Hate to Write

By KristinN, on December 2nd, 2010

My son absolutely HATES to write. I am an eclectic Charlotte Masoner, but all the writing that she has a child do just does not sit well with my son. You see he can re-tell a story almost word for word and he can make up a great 4+ sentence story too. BUT ask him

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Advent Calendar

By KristinN, on November 28th, 2010

Last year I found the cutest on line Advent Calendar

Give While You Shop: Clicks for Homeschooling

By KristinN, on November 26th, 2010

Here’s a great way to help homeschoolers any time you shop online: purchase materials from a company that gives to the Home School Foundation. All you have to do is go to Clicks for Homeschooling and click on the link

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Jesse Tree

By KristinN, on November 23rd, 2010

Over the years as my children have grown up I have done several things to help them understand the REAL meaning of Christmas. I have always wanted to make a Jesse Tree, but the holidays come up on me way too soon and so I end up not getting it together in time. This year

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Advent Calendar

By KristinN, on November 22nd, 2010

You know I have each year for advent missed the first couple days and never really started our advent till the first of December. As well as I never really do much more then read Bible verses.

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