Levi's First Day and A Closing

We made a decision to put Levi in a Christian school.....Savanah graduated a couple of years back and he was tired of being an only child at home all day....He asked if he could go.

So Monday was his 1st day. He is loving it so far.... I hope it stays that way as they really push the kids....

In other news I have decided to close my booth at the antique mall. Although I was selling a lot of stuff, I was not making as good as I would have liked. The owner was discounting everything without permission. Even when firm was written. So I decided to leave instead of causing a scene.... Maybe one day I will try again....but it will be a while.  So what will I be doing without a booth and no homeschooling? Well we still have a septic business to run and I still have a home to clean....and I have a lot of projects in this house I want to do.....Not to mention a wedding to plan!  So I still have plenty of things to do...:)


xoxo,
Amy Jo



More Christmas Decor...

Happy, happy Christmas that can win us back to the delusion of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!  --Charles Dickens

I found these little cuties at a thrift store a few years back.

My dear friend Heather made me this Christmas tree. I just love it...

Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store.---Dr. Seuss

I found this tree at an antique store several years ago... an old woman had made it and when she passed away, her son sold it to the store... When I saw it I fell in love.  I put it in the dining room every year.

Some candles melted on this little church, while it was in the attic. I don't know why I put candles in the attic.

I added some German glass to the roof to hide that and it looks like a snow has fallen. :) I went out Christmas shopping yesterday and it really wasn't that busy...We don't exchange gifts with any extended family members, so Christmas shopping really is fast and easy. I was almost completely done in three hours time. I just have a few little details to finish and I will be done, except for the Christmas goodies I bake and give away.  I hope your Wednesday is blessed...

xoxo,

Amy Jo       I'm Linking with Home and Garden Thursday http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/home-and-garden-thursday.html

Lots of Field Trips....

We are winding down the school year, so there has really been a push to get in some field trips while they are available. Most of the groups do not offer much over the summer. Levi and I had read some of The Box Car Children books, and when we saw this field trip was available, it was a must see. This play did not disappoint. The actors did a wonderful job. If you get the opportunity to see this, we would recommend it!

Monday we went to "Titanic the Experience". This is a really neat museum. They would not allow us to take any photos. I was really bummed because I wanted you all to be able to see everything too. If you come to Orlando and you like history, you will want to come to this attraction and make sure you get the tour guide. They walk you through and tell step by step what happened. From boarding to the final minutes of the sinking. It is a touching experience. You even get to find out who lived and who passed, they have every single name of the passengers listed on a memorial wall..... O.K. I know my posts have been about a lot of field trips lately, but that is what we have been doing lately. Now that ship has sailed and we are on to new adventures....LOL

xoxo,

Amy Jo



History Field Trip

Today we went on a field trip to Ft. Christmas Park. Ms. Vickie was our tour guide and teacher.

She taught us about the people who settled this part of Florida and how they took care of their selves. One way was gardening.

Joe was another instructor who taught the children about the tools the pioneers would have used to help them build their houses and furniture.

They would have used pine needles for mulch.

The pioneers of Florida grew their own sugar cane. This is a sugar cane field.

Miss Vickie talking with the children about the houses.

Smokehouse

They would have hand pumped their water and then carried it by buckets to water the garden. Such hard work.

Levi with the candles he made today.

So wonderful that we now have sprinklers...The men and women of yesteryear had it very hard. We were taught about how the women did laundry, made candles, made their own soap and basically everything they could make, they would. They would only want to trade for absolute essentials.... We are so spoiled today. I have pictures of the houses I will share later...I think your going to love them.

xoxo,

Amy Jo

One of "Those" Days

Have you ever had one of "those" days? This morning I woke up and it seemed,  it was going to be one of "those" days. I started praying but it felt like I was talking to a wall. Like no one was listening. Have you ever felt like God wasn't listening? I thought " Just get up put on a happy face and a good attitude and move on with your day."

Fast forward an hour and a half. Time to wake my son. And he wakes on the wrong side of the bed, so to speak. He doesn't want to do school work. Well, what's a mother to do? Of course I tell him "that's to bad" and point out the benefits of getting the most important things accomplished early.

As I make this little boy's breakfast, I think God I have him and remember that God hasn't moved. He is right there waiting to hear from me, even if I don't feel like He is. I ask God to help us think on all the lovely things, I thank Him for all of our blessings and ask for forgiveness for a wrong attitude, and then I try to be the best example I can. With a smile and a word of encouragement, me and a precious little boy start our day......

Blessings,

Amy Jo

Heather's Fall Home Continued

This is Heather's guest slash school room.

This is her school table With Chalk board over it that she made herself.

This is a really great idea, she took old crib springs and  uses them to post school work. Such a fabulous idea, but since I do not have a dedicated schoolroom I cannot do this.

This is her other guest room. She has this one more feminine. She did the entire room with thrift store finds.

This baby picture is so beautiful.

Her two little boys share a room. Ethan love cowboys and this is his side of the room.

Her Levi loves all of the hunting and fishing  and this is his side of the room.

This is the boy's bathroom. She did this in a fishing lodge theme. Very Cute. This is the end of the tour I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into her home. Thanks Heather for letting me share your home with everyone.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo



A Busy Day

Today has been a very busy day and it isn't over yet! We have been schooling....

and doing lots of laundry. It was absolutely beautiful outside. The perfect day for line drying all the wash.

And then there was this montrocity, I know the proverbs 31 woman would not let her pantry look this way! So I decided to take everything out and reorganize it all.  First I wiped down all of the shelving and dried it all.

Then I added it all back in. We will see how long it stays organized.?. You know I don't know how I would work and do all that I need to get done in a day. I am so thankful to the Lord that my husband allows me to stay home and care for our family. What a blessing.

Blessings to you all,

Amy Jo

Taking Care of Business

Today was beautiful due to the hurricane off shore here in Florida. We had wind blowing and a mix of rain and sun all day. It got me thinking about fall. I have been really busy these past few days, cleaning my son's room. Him and I went through toys and clothes,  you name it and we went through it. Seven garbage bags later and his room is finally presentable.  I like to do a fall, get ready for the school year cleaning. It gives us a fresh start and lets me see where we are and what we need. The above planner is one I try to find every year. It is very simple. I like simple. I don't have ten binders and seventeen lists going at all times.(exaggeration) You can buy these at Staples.

On the left it has a place to write down your grocery list and on the right it has a menu planner sheet. In between you can write all of your engagements down.  I find that if I use something simple, I will stick with it. It reminds me of all I need to do and also that dinner needs to be thawed or put in the oven.  Although we school year round, it is  very relaxed in the summer . But in the fall we get down to business.  :)

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo

Vintage School Books

I home school my children  and I am always on the look out for vintage school books. They are so neat and depict a very beautiful time of  life.....

I found these at a thrift store recently and I was so happy to get them all for around $20.00.

Now Levi and I read them everyday for part of school. I find they are wonderful, because they are repetitive. They learn to read quickly and efficiently using repetition.

Aren't the graphics so cute! I would highly recommend getting older books for your children, whenever possible.

Until We Meet Again,

Amy Jo