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Thursday, August 9---If I had only known...What have you learned on your homeschooling journey? What would you/did you change? This is an opportunity to encourage others who are just starting out or who are struggling with issues that seem unsolvable. It is also a perfect opportunity to tell us about one of those days made you want to throw in the towel. A funny story? Perfect!

What have I learned on my journey? That I may not know it all before I teach it, but hey, Mom is still learning too and sometimes this time around - I actually remember and understand it better than when I was learning it in school. Wow - history actually makes sense to me now!!

Homeschooling is definitely something I could not do as well without my husband - he helps out where I am weak, even after a long day at work he still helps me grade if I am behind, he reads to the boys every night before bed- usually history and Bible - both things we maybe didn't do in reading aloud during the day. He faithfully works with the boys to memorize Bible verses and he encourages me to "keep on", especially on the days when I'd rather let someone else teach them!!

Friday, August 10---Curriculum - What curriculum do you use? Where do you buy it? Have you found a "gem" that you must share with others? Was something in particular a complete failure for you and your kids?

Our curriculum is a hodge podge - but I like the variety. First of all - I always go to Sonlight's website to see what they suggest for reading for each grade - their curriculum is wonderful and I love their suggestions. We use Saxon for Math - nothing else to say on that - it's good and it's full of review - we need that!! For spelling this year, we are trying a new program, Sequential Spelling, an Avko publication. We use Drawn Into the Heart of Reading for our reading curriculum - I can not say enough good about this reading program. It is very thorough and covers lots of different genres, but the kids choose from a list what they will read for that unit - I like it that way, the kids can choose something that interests them. We do both Science and History/Geography with Switched On Schoolhouse, and that is another nice break from textbooks. We are also trying a new writing program this year from Stack the Deck Writing Programs. We will see how that works for us this year! Lastly, we use Easy Grammar for our grammar skills. Do the boys LOVE it? No, but it's good for them and it's what Mom LOVES to study!!! We supplement with Wordly Wise and Explode the Code workbooks. AND where do I buy almost all of it??? Rainbow Resource - they have excellent prices!!

**I decided to take part in a Pay It Forward book giveaway, so go HERE to find out what I am giving away this month!! All you have to do is leave a comment and then do a post on your blog to be entered in the drawing. It's a great product for teachers and homeschoolers!!

Drumroll - in my homeschool wanderings this week - I have found a giveaway AND a new curriculum/bookstore. For all of you that have emailed me about toddlers/preschool, etc., She has some great stuff in her store for that age!!! SO - Check out the giveaway AND the store!!