Join some of the iHN bloggers for summer ideas, inspiration and printable bucket lists. Be sure to add your link below too!

• Joan at Our School at Home
• Sharla at The Chaos and the Clutter
• Dianna at The Kennedy Adventures
• Jen at Forever, For Always, No Matter What
• Ami at Homeschool Share
• Stacie at Motherhood on a Dime
• Ticia at Adventures in Mommydom
• Heather at Blog, She Wrote
• Jamie at The Hnlikely Homeschool
• Beth at 123 Homeschool 4 Me
• Colleen at Raising Lifelong Learners

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Sharla from The Chaos and The Clutter.

In my life this week…

I celebrated Mother’s Day with my moms and my seven precious blessings. Being a mom has been the hardest thing and the most humbling thing, but also the most amazing thing.

In our homeschool this week…

we finished reading the Secret Garden and to wrap up, we watched the movie. You can read about all the activities we did to accompany our study of The Secret Garden.

We went on a field trip to the Museum where there were classes for the older kids and for the younger kids. The younger kids took a class called Our Learning Path and the older ones were in Wetlands Explorers. Both classes were very hands-on and interactive so it was really fun for the kids. After the classes were finished, we ate a lunch that we had packed and then explored part of the Museum.

The kids practised hard every day this week as well as having their piano lessons because their year-end recital is tonight.

We also did our usual Story of the World, Who is God? and How Can I Know Him, math, and writing. We read the book Bugs in my Hair which I had picked at the library and once I got home I realized that it was about lice. It was a cute book…kind of like Fancy Nancy meets Adams Family. The kids found it really funny. Reading it just made me itchy!!!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

The younger kids ran in their first ever cross-country race on Saturday. It was a 3Km trail run that included many hills and rough terrain but all five of them completed the run! Snuggle Puppy came in third due to his determination.

This week, we visited the Museum, the library, the Rec. Center, and a local greenhouse. We had a few play dates with friends.

Things I’m working on…

I am still working (slowly) on my new eBook and on some blogging related projects. I am hoping to start our garden this weekend.

I’m cooking…

tater tot casserole, Cajun Chicken Alfredo (our go-to date night at home recipe) spaghetti, crepes, frittata and hash brown and bacon, French bread pizzas (mine didn’t turn out like they were supposed to – I don’t think I cooked them at the right temperature because my crust was soggy).

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win a copy of A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels. And if you are a Canadian resident, you can enter to win a week for your child at Summer Camp.

If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Meg from Homeschoolin’ Mama.

In my life this week…

Do you ever just have weeks where you think – Wait!  The week is over?  That was so my week!  I actually had to go through the photos on my phone to remember what all we did this week.  So according to my phone we:

Spent a lot of our week now feeling well.  Both girls were getting over there colds.  And we saved a baby bunny from all the lawn mower (such a sweet and scared little bunny).

In our homeschool this week…

Was difficult!  Yep – when both girls and the Mama are sick it makes for a very long week.  We just took a light week of reading and writing – my 7yo Roo’s favorite!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

When you’re kiddos are sick – just stick to subjects they absolutely LOVE!  Don’t try to through in Math work when they’re already miserable (if they don’t like math that is).  Keep it totally casual.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This coming week my family and I are heading Nashville, TN – May 16-18, 2013 for the Teach Them Diligently Convention!  This will be our first ever homeschool convention and I am so over the top excited.  I’ve told my family they better not get sick again because they will be my traveling little sickos if they do!  ;)

My favorite thing this week was…

Cleaning up our school room.  I know you’re jealous at the exciting life I lead.  But I am just not good at dealing with messy spaces and it felt soooo good to get it all cleaned and organized again.

My kiddo’s favorite thing this week was…

Getting outside for an actual walk.  Between being sick and having tons of rain we have been trapped in the house for most of the week.  So the second we had clear skies and most clear noses we went out for a nice 2 mile walk!

Things I’m working on…

What am I not working on!  Getting my house clean and reorganized again.  The last month in a half has had our life turned upside down and I desperately need to get things back to where they should be.  Building my business – Sweet Chix VA.  But of course my biggest thing I’m working on is choosing curriculum for our homeschool next year!  But I plan on doing most of that this coming weekend at Teach Them Diligently.

I’m cooking…

Other than chicken noodle soup?  I think my girls favorite would be the Chi-Chi Dogs I made the other night (well my version of them since I don’t deep fry anything).  Do you remember the hot dogs on Chi-Chi’s kids menu from years ago?  This is so close!

I’m grateful for…

All the sickness being OUT of our home right now!!!

I’m praying for…

God’s guidance in what He wants for our family, homeschool and business.  I pray that He keeps my eyes open to what He desires for myself and my family.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

A home office would be so fabulous right about now!  I have no space for one right now but if I ever do – this is the one I want Home Office!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

My 2yo is so proud of finally having “Big Sissy” hair!

If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.

Homeschool bloggers can inspire you with their elaborate lesson plans, free printables, and teaching strategies. The link-ups at iHN are full of those kinds of posts.

But do you ever finish reading a post or looking at a Pinterest board feeling insecure about yourself in comparison? Do you ever wonder how everyone else seems to accomplish so much more than you? Do you sometimes feel you don’t measure up or are a failure as a homeschool mom?

No homeschool blogger wants you to feel defeated after reading her blog. To prove it to you, eighteen bloggers are coming out of the shadows to reveal the imperfections and even the disasters of their homeschool days. We want you to know what we do not have it all together despite the rosy perception you may see portrayed on our blogs.

Enjoy this peek into The Imperfect Homeschool.

• Cindy from Our Journey Westward
• Joan from Our School at Home
• LaToya from Learning to Let Him Lead
• Jen from Forever, For Always, No Matter What
• Jimmie from Jimmie’s Collage
• Michelle from The Holistic Homeschooler
• Jamie from See Jamie Blog
• Marianne from Abundant Life
• Kela from Pursuing What is Excellent
• Jennifer from Jennifer A. Janes
• Angela from Teaching Mama
• Tricia from Hodge Podge
• Heather from Upside Down Homeschooling
• Richele from Under the Golden Appletree
• Christin from Joyful Mothering
• Heidi from Home Schoolroom
• Dianna from Kennedy Adventures
• Kristen from Teaching Stars
• Amanda from The Pelsers

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Jennifer from Jennifer A. Janes.

*This post contains affiliate links.

In my life this week…

It has been a busy week. For some reason, I thought it was a good idea to go ahead and get the annual eye appointments and regular dental appointments done for the girls and me—in the same week. I’m glad they’re over, but I think I might space them out a bit next time.

I think we need a break (or something). We’re dealing with some attitudes that are not becoming. I’m praying about them, praying with the girls about them, and talking them through their attitudes and what God expects, in addition to removing privileges as a consequence when necessary. It has been a tough few weeks. I hope it gets much better soon.

In our homeschool this week…

BookGirl finished her fourth grade math curriculum and is very close to finishing language arts. Our school year is winding down. I can’t believe she will be a fifth grader next year!

Princess Roo has mastered adding and subtracting two-digit numbers with renaming (carrying and borrowing). I’m so proud of her! We are working on her addition facts using a new method someone told me about, and that is going well. She is also progressing in reading and, more importantly, she is confident in herself as a reader now. Priceless!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We got to see a lot of family and friends last weekend when we had Princess Roo’s 8^th birthday party. It was the first time we’ve done an “art” party, but the kids really enjoyed painting. I liked that the party wasn’t chaotic.

My favorite thing this week was…

Hearing Princess Roo say “I love you!” without me saying it first. She won’t always say it back, just like she doesn’t always allow me to hug or kiss her. Having her initiate it was more wonderful than I can express.

My kiddo’s favorite thing this week was…

Princess Roo’s birthday party.

Things I’m working on…

Promoting iBlog, which launched this week. I wrote the chapter on planning and organization and contributed to three other chapters. I am so excited to see it published! It has a wealth of information that I look forward to reading as I work my way through the book.

Preparing my notes and PowerPoint presentations for my sessions at the Teach Them Diligently Convention in Nashville. I’m speaking in the Special Needs Track.

I’m cooking…

Spaghetti with gluten-free noodles, a meat sauce we make called “chip stuff” which is used for nachos, wrapped in tortillas, used to create taco salad, etc., and crock pot chicken.

I’m grateful for…

Answered prayers.

I’m praying for…

Several friends who are going through very difficult personal challenges.

I rewarded my kids this week by…

Getting them an Icee at Sam’s.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

I’m checking out bicycles. Both girls have outgrown their bikes. BookGirl will most likely get a new one. The jury is still out on whether Princess Roo will get a new one or will use BookGirl’s.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

I got an early birthday gift from my mom this week, and I am so thankful to have it. I have already read two of the devotions since I got it, and they have really  ministered to this tired homeschooling mama’s soul.

If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.

Please visit our bloggers on May 1st for some fun and original unit studies on fascinating people who were born in the month of May.

• Visit LaToya at Learning to Let Him Lead to learn more about iconic actress Audrey Hepburn, who was born on May 4, 1929.

• Visit Mary at Homegrown Learners to learn more about composer Peter Tchaikovsky, who was born on May 7, 1840.

• Visit Jennifer at Forever, For Always, No Matter What to learn more about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who was born May 8, 1895.

• Visit Stephanie at Harrington Harmonies to learn more about Pope John Paul II, who was born on May 18, 1920.

• Visit Judy at Contented at Home to learn more about artist Mary Cassatt, who was born May 22, 1844.

• Visit Joan at Our School at Home to learn more about novelist Ian Fleming, who was born on May 28, 1908.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Marianne from Abundant Life.

In my life this week…

We are finally back to school in earnest this week after taking a long Spring Break over Easter-time.  We are enjoying some fine weather and lots of natural outside nature learning.

In our homeschool this week…

Along with our daily exercises of learning (reading, writing and math) we have been enjoying one of my favorite aspects of homeschooling – living history study with real books and relevant field trips. We are finishing up our study of the ancient world with the rise of Rome.  Once we covered an overview of this fascinating period in history, we read a work of historical fiction about the period of time.  Coincidentally, our homeschool group organized a trip to the Getty Villa in Malibu which fits in perfectly with our studies of ancient Rome.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Whenever I have trouble getting back to a routine after taking a break from school, I take the time to write up a brief school schedule.  It helps me to stay focused on where we are with school and where we need to be.  After a week of operating by the schedule, we can usually take off running again like we did this week. Everyone knows the order of events and we are pulling in the same direction which makes homeschooling a large family much easier!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

I love homeschooling in Southern California.  With the city of Los Angeles close by we have many excellent resources for meaningful field trips.  The Getty Villa in Malibu is a perfect example of this.  The whole family traveled to the beach to have a guided tour by a professor of New Testament at nearby Pepperdine University.  What a treat!  What a blessing that J.Paul Getty set aside so much of his time and resources to bring us this slice of ancient Rome.

My favorite thing this week was…

My favorite thing this week was being able to work with my 15-year old dyslexic son on understanding life with dyslexia.  He has real concerns for his future and, though it was a hard talk, it was just awesome to be able to be there to hear his heart and to guide and pray with him about his future!  Being free to teach our children about God and to see the world from a Biblical Worldview.

Things I’m working on…

I have been honored to be asked to speak at our local homeschool convention this year.  It is quickly approaching and so I am taking my talks and refining them, learning KeyNote on the computer for my visual presentation.  Always learning over here!

I’m grateful for…

As always, I am so grateful for my family and the privilege to homeschool.  I am thankful for how God provides just what we need, just when we need it.

If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Heather from Upside Down Homeschooling.

In my life this week…

This week was a crazy week full of playing catch up. I spent the weekend in DC at the 2:1 Conference. It was an amazing experience, but trying to play catch up at home, in our homeschool and in the blogging world is no fun.

In our homeschool this week…

We are trying hard to tie up all of our loose ends in order to finish second grade. We’ll have our end of year testing in a few weeks. But to have a little fun, we began working on an Animal Classification lapbook from In the Hands of a Child.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

How about 20 of them?

And maybe 25 MORE?

I rewarded my kids this week by…

Daddy was out of town on business for a couple of days, so the girls and I had a girly date night and went out for Mexican food.

I’m reading…

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T for your Kids by Rachael Carman

Things I’m working on…

Tomorrow begins Operation Spring Cleaning and Organizing. Please come looking if you don’t hear from me in a few days.

I’m grateful for…

Grace, mercy and forgiveness. I need it each and every day. I’m so thankful for not only a loving God who gives these things freely, but also for a husband and children who shower me with them daily.

I’m praying for…

The families touched by the tragedies in Boston and West, Texas.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

I just ordered this beautiful bracelet for my Mom for Mother’s Day. {I’m secretly hoping I get one too}.

If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.

The premiere homeschooling blog hop, a first of its kind in the homeschooling community. 

Hopscotch with us April 15th –  19th / 22nd – 26th as we share another round of 280 posts full of  such topics as LEGO learning, homeschooling tots and preschoolers, understanding your anxious child, how to use coupons, and even 10 things you can do with a simple can of tomato sauce!  Homeschooling activities and advice galore!

Brought to you by these lovely ladies…

Becoming Healthy & Fit | Alisha at Flourish
Teaching With LEGO | Amy at Milk and Cookies
New Experiences | Angie at Many Little Blessings
Homeschooling Tots & Preschoolers | Carisa at 1+1+1=1
Project-Based Learning | Cindy at Our Journey Westward
Electricity and Magnetism Experiments | Colleen at Raising Lifelong Learners
ABC’s of Journaling | Dollie at Teachers of Good Things
Boosting Brainpower | Heather at Cultivating Lives
Adventure Box Themes | Heather at Blog, She Wrote
Hopscotching Across the USA | Heidi at Home Schoolroom
Homeschooling for Free and Frugal | Jamerrill at Free Homeschool Deals
How to Work from Home and Homeschool | Jamerrill at Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling
Sights to See in Washington, D.C. | Jenn at Daze of Adventure
Autism is… | Jennifer at Jennifer A. Janes
Raising Boys (By a Mom of Five Sons) | Kendra at Preschoolers and Peace
US Presidents | Lauren at Mama’s Learning Corner
Things You Can Do With A Can of Tomato Sauce | Laurie at Our Abundant Blessings
Learning to Exercise With Your Kids | Lisa at Chaos Appreciation
Understanding Your Anxious Child | Lisa at Our Homeschool Adventure
Homeschooling the Large Family | Marianne at Abundant Life
Screen-Free Family Activities | Michelle at The Holistic Homeschooler
Healthy Eating | Sarah at Sidetracked Sarah
Planning a Summer Garden | Stephanie at Nature Notebook
Tips for Selling Your House While Homeschooling | Susann at Mama Hopper
Gluten Free Recipes | Tabitha at Meet Penny
Cool Group Projects & Parties | Tabitha at Teaching With Cents
How to Use Coupons | Tabitha at Online Coupon Workshop
Using Games in School | Ticia at Adventures in Mommydom
You CAN be an Artist | Tricia at Hodge Podge

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Homeschool Mother’s Journal. This week we are featuring Heather from Cultivating Lives.

In my life this week…

It has been such a crazy week, I had to pull my schedule out just to see what we did. I’ve been embracing early mornings and reordering priorities. Thankfully this has given me time in the Word and in prayer before the craziness of the day starts in full-force.

In our homeschool this week…

FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game in homeschooling, especially with babies or toddlers in the house. This week drove home this point all too well. My poor little 18 month old has her first real sickness. She’s been lethargic and laying on me most of the week. Which meant that some of our ‘plans’ went out the window. No field trip to the zoo, fewer hands-on activities and lots more read aloud time!
Thankfully, we’ve been delving into our new history ebooks and loving the time spent coloring while mom reclines on the couch, Kindle in one hand, cradling tiny toddler with the other.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

When the unexpected happens, as I recently wrote about when another homeschool day got hijacked, it is helpful to pray.
Pray for perspective {This seasons are usually short.}
Pray for fresh vision {There is beauty and opportunity tucked into every twist and turn life takes us on. Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to explore this.}
Pray for renewed FOCUS {What CAN we get done?}

I rewarded my kids this week by…

I issued my kids a challenge to tidy up the house and get a set amount of school work done and then rewarded them with a bike ride. Getting out in the sunshine, feeling the wind in my face and hearing kid giggles was a huge reward for me too! We need to do this more often.

Things I’m working on…

Ughhh. I decided to organize my closet for the first time in nearly 7 years. I collect fabric for that ‘maybe someday’ project or refashion… My bedroom floor is still littered with the remnants of my closet as I sort through everything. Organizing the closet isn’t exactly something I can do from the couch while I cuddle a sick little girl.

I’m grateful for…

I’m grateful for fresh mercy each and every day and children quick to forgive an imperfect mama! Grateful that these sick seasons are short and that our kids bounce back and are ready to take on the world once more!

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

After I realized that I can utilize Pinterest to help encourage creativity in my children, we’ve selected quesadilla art such as this as our next endeavor.
If you notice that your link has been deleted, please visit this post for an explanation.