Spring Cleaning Your Homeschool Curriculum and 5 Tips For New Homeschoolers From a Mom of Four

by Jenny Irvine // March 13, 2016 // 1 Comment

Ok. confession, I love homeschool curriculum. I love reading reviews and the smell of new homeschool books. I love reading about the various homeschool theories and seeing all that is out there. All that said, it can be very overwhelming at times. We are sucked in to the pretty pictures, newest homeschooling fads, and wanting to ‘feel’ like we are covering everything we ‘need’ to.

It is hard to believe this is our 7th year homeschooling {we started when Music-Bee was 2.5/3} I shared some reflections of journey HERE on Periscope. I also shared why we are spring cleaning our curriculum and what we will be doing on Fridays for the remainder of the school year.

As the weather and seasons begin to change we all get a little restless so it’s time to shake things up a bit…check out ‘My Happy Homeschool Fun Fridays’ on Instagram to see what we are up to.

5 {well, 6} Tips for New Homeschoolers From a Mom of Four

Resist the urge my friends – do no buy a bunch of curriculum especially if your kids are little. The books are pretty and ah, that smell….resist it! There are far better ways…
Do not stress if our 3, 4, or even 5 year old is not ‘doing’ school {unless required of coarse check your state laws HERE}
DO NOT make your kids ‘do’ school all day or feel like you need to fill their days with constant entertainment.
DO NOT feel guilty about saying no to the local homeschool co-op, library time, or playdate. Your kids will be social – they will have countless opportunities to ‘be’ socialized – if anything they will be ‘too’ social at times.
DO enjoy spending time with your children – get outside as much as possible, read good books, go to the park, the zoo, the hands on museum, the beach, play games, and don’t feel bad for exposing them to ‘real’ life and hands on learning. Learning is an atmosphere – and, ‘the mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days’*. The road isn’t easy, but you are planting seeds for a love a learning…
Implement a quiet time in your days and don’t feel bad if you have to close your eyes for a few to tune out the noise. We all need a break sometimes and don’t beat yourself up. As homeschool parents there is no ‘lunch room break’, ‘prep hour’, or ‘specials’ – you are it! You are on duty 24/7 – you are the lunch mom, the nurse, the principle, the art teacher, the reading aid, etc. take that break! And, don’t think twice about it!

This is a time in our home where hands on learning and living books become one; Here are some of our favorite ‘living books’ {If you are not familiar with these they are classics not text books. They are literature based to help inspire, spark curiosity, and encourage a continuous love of learning} Click the picture affiliate links included for your convenience -if you order I will get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you – it helps keeps this little blog running so, thank you!

*Charlotte Mason Quote

Some of our favorite Homeschool Spring Cleaning resources;

Growing Your Online Presence Getting Noticed in A Noisy World

by Jenny Irvine // March 10, 2016 // 1 Comment

Last year was full of changes- from our big move to the country to starting my own business; there wasn’t a minute that went by that I didn’t have multiple plates spinning simultaneously. And yes, there were plenty of moments I questioned my sanity. I mean seriously y’all, homeschooling, running a business, growing a garden, chasing chickens…but, it’s all about balance and rhythm. As much as those plates spun – they spun in perfect harmony.

I have been creating businesses and writing business plans for as long as I can remember – from home library check out services, bike ride training {I didn’t know how to ride myself but, I was certainly going to teach someone else to do so}, hosting lemonade stands, to building a killer Halloween babysitting marketing plan – that gem earned me my neighborhood title ‘The Pied Piper’.

Creating, teaching, and leading others – it is what I was born to do.

While, I am not always a huge fan of social media there is no denying it has become a leading influence in the way people behave, interact, socialize, communicate, and do business with one another. Social media has forever changed the way we do things – in my 7+ years of freelance writing, blogging, and media experience I have certainly learned a thing or two. While, media can be a real headache it can also be a real blessing.

I have met so many wonderful people over the years – friendships have been made and countless partnerships alike have been made possible through this crazy noisy world of social media. That said, the road to building an authentic online presence sadly does not come easy and it certainly does not always bring out the ‘pretty’ in us. Living in a noisy world with everything in our face all the time has opened many doors for the ugly comparison and jealousy monster in all of us to enter – yes, even in the most well intentioned of persons.

Here’s the thing – be you, be authentic, and take small steps daily. We are all unique and have special gifts to offer. There has never been another you that has walked this planet and there will never be another. Don’t waste your time, energy, and money trying to be like someone else. Just be you!

This blog is a place for you to join #myhappyhomestead as we seek the good life; through intentional living, practical parenting, leaving a legacy, and pursuing work that matters.

It is a chance for you to join us on this crazy journey called ‘life’ – from city roots to country boots.

It is a place to inspire, empower, and encourage you to make your tomorrow dreams today’s reality; find your passion, seek your purpose, live simply, and make a difference.

It is not where I will flood you with ‘business building’ and advertising {unless I see fit and useful to you}.

But, if you are or you know someone who is a Mom, Dad, Entrepreneur, MomPreneur, or small business owner trying to expand their business into the worldwide web? Feel free to share this post. I would love to chat!

Are you a direct sales consultant stuck in a rut and struggling to reach beyond your circle of friends? Or are you just down right confused with all of this online “sharing” stuff and would prefer to have someone else sit in the “online” drivers seat?

Lets work together and build your online presence. Get your business noticed in this noisy online world!

Proper integration and execution of all aspects of marketing is essential for optimal performance. Stay connected to your target market 24/7, build your online presence, increase customer service, educate your clients, and Lets BE Social! jenny@jennyirvine.com

St. Patricks Day Meal Plan

by Jenny Irvine // March 5, 2016 // 2 Comments

This post just has me hungry looking at it…

Since, my oneword365 this year is “home” as in all things “home”; HOMEcooking, HOMEmaking, HOMEsteading, & HOMEschooling…I will be sharing some of My Happy Homestead Meal Plans with you all. Now, I only shop once a month {and, an occasional and I do mean occasional stop at the local grocer only if I seem to have forgotten something}. So, planning ahead is key to my sanity. Last year, I did not do such a great job planning and while I didn’t need to go to the store more often…the dinner ‘witching hour’ has been a bit stressful to say the least.

So, new year – new season and feeling a bit more adjusted in our new{ish} home – can you believe we have been here a year?

Back at the Meal Planning Grind – lets work together; work smarter and not harder.

Check out what I have up my sleeve for our St. Patricks Day Meal Plan {confession; I may not make all of this but, certainly hope to make at least some…need a reminder that “life happen s” and sometimes are best of intentions just don’t come to fruition.}

What’s for breakfast?

I think my kids are going to love these potato cakes from Tomato Tart . With some some raw cheddar cheese from Trader Joe’s and a dollop of sour cream …can you say, yum?

Every kid loves fruit! Well, ok maybe not every kid – but, most! However, there is certainly something about making food into fun designs and shapes that does makes it that much more enticing, right? {FYI yes, my kids are like yours and will likely eat the chocolate and marshmallows first – it’s ok mom’s they will be fine, I promise.} I am really liking Neighbor Julia’s rainbow of colors and design she has here.

Ok., so my kids eat literally all day – I’m pretty sure I did that too. A day would not be ‘a day’ if we didn’t have 100 snacks – so, for St. Patricks Day I think a batch of minty puppy chow should do the trick. Gal on a Mission adds essential oils to hers – while, I know some do – we will not be doing so. Yes, we use oils. Yes, we love oils. We do not consume ours at this time {another day/ another post}. We will also be using natural decorating colors like these. (afflink) Also, here are the mint chips we will be using in our St. Patricks Day Puppy Chow.

Lunch Time!! Did we not just eat all morning?

I seriously can’t wait to make these Irish Nachos from Baking Beauty – mouth watering crispy potatoes, melted cheese, Baking Beauty adds bacon {I may do that too} but, I was thinking some thinly sliced/diced corned beef would be super delicious for a twist {by the way this may end up being served at dinner with the soup as I’m pretty sure daddy-bee is going to want to be home for this number}.

Ok., while this stew from Three Beans on a String does sound super delicious. I will likely end up changing a lot of it because, that is just what I do and, confession there are veggies in here like; rutabaga and turnips that I; 1) have never cooked with and 2) will likely not have on hand when the time comes. I will most likely add more carrots, add potatoes, and probably some kale to add a bit more “green” flare.

Mom always said don’t play with your food – well, holidays don’t count in my book. Thanks Eye’s Like Food for sharing her beautiful big and cut cucumber display. I will need to make 3 of these because the kids will devour it in 5 seconds flat.

And, what St. Patricks Day Meal Plan would be complete without an after dinner Shamrock Shake Treat, right? This recipe from Dessert Now- Dinner Later sounds like the perfect wrap up to our day. Again we will be using natural food dyes and sprinkles.

I hope you found our St. Patricks Day meal plan helpful and I would love to hear from you if you do in fact make any of these recipes. You can share your pics on our Facebook page... also, if you’re wondering why we will using natural dyes – here are 5 Reasons Your Family Should Avoid Artificial Dyes too.

Lastly, before you go – Don’t forget to “pin” this meal plan to Pinterest so you have it when you need it!