First Days of School: Hoooo - ray for School!

We had a T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C start to our new school year, and I had so many things to show that I decided to break them into at least two posts.  This one will be mainly about the fun first two or three days so sit back with your mug of coffee/tea and enjoy!  :)  

The kids woke up the first day of our homeschool to a decorated dining room - this year I went with an owl theme.  I could not find any colorful small owl cut outs that I liked, but I did find a border with a bunch of cute owls on it so I bought that instead and cut the owls out.  I then glued them to a "tree" I had cut from some brown paper, glued the entire thing to a skewer and stuck it in the middle of a stack of pancakes.  (Note the sign and the stack of sausages in the background as well).

For the backdrop, I used a vinyl tablecloth and blue napkins which I wrote on with a Sharpie.  And see - more of those little owls sitting on the "o's".  :)  

I made owl placemats to go along with the smaller owls and to add a punch of color to the table.

I found some super cute owl toppers and bought each kiddo a pencil and a grip to match.  

Following breakfast it was time to take a look at the new school supplies - but... UH OH!  They were snitched by the homeschool elf!!!  

However, one thing the homeschool elf likes even more than new school supplies is a good hunt.  Soooo, he risked losing the supplies in order to send the wee ones (actually more like the wee one since our tot wasn't that interested) looking for them via clues he had left around the house.  

The homeschool elf was no match for Miss A, and she found the missing supplies (and the elf sitting with them).  Hooo-ray!  ;)

I always think it adds to the excitement and fun on the first day when the supplies are wrapped up so the kids have something to open.  This time I used paper bags, yarn, white paper (spots on it were made with marker) and more of the owl border (because there were so many in the package) for packaging things up.  

Then it was time to dress in new first day of school clothes (yes, even though we homeschool, I still like to buy something new for the kids that first day) and take our first day pictures...

I love this picture.  So much for trying to get a good shot of his shoes.  ;)

Aren't these cards absolutely adorable?!  Those owls are actually little bookmarks!  I inserted one in a book so you could see how cute they are with the little eyes sticking up.  AND they are a FREE printable!  Get yours here!

These cards were supposed to be on the breakfast table the first day, but I forgot about them in all of the excitement of the morning and realized it later on so they received these days later.  But better late than never, right?  :)  

In addition to starting some of our main subjects, we started some of our activities from the "Back to Homeschool/School" activity pack I made for Miss A (I do have this available in my TPT store here on SALE this month for $1.50!).

She must have had apples on her mind because she drew herself eating apples in her first day portrait.  And I loved her goals for mid year - she wants to be able to read a book and eat an apple at the same time.  I got such a kick out of that.  That prompted a kind of a mini lesson in what I meant by goals.  But definitely a keeper to pull out in later years for a good chuckle.  

We finished off the first few days of school with some yummy cupcakes for our dessert night.  The toppers are more of those owls I cut out from the border and glued to toothpicks.  :) 

So how did you (or do you plan to) celebrate your first exciting day of school?  I have a linky party going on in this post right now through the end of August for people to link up their back to school posts, ideas, homeschool rooms, school organization tips, etc. in hopes of gathering a good collection for other mommies and teachers to use for a resource or inspiration.  I'd love to have you join us if you have something fun to share which would be a good fit for the collection!  :)

Linking up:  

www.cornerstoneconfessions.com

www.cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com

www.gingersnapcrafts.com

www.milkandcuddles.com

www.enchantedhomeschoolingmom.blogspot.com

www.momontimeout.com

www.handsonaswegrow.com

www.houseofhepworths.com

www.bearrabbitbear.com

www.happyhourprojects.com

www.whipperberry.com

www.homeschoolcreations.net

http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2012/08/weekly-wrap-up-12/

www.tatertotsandjello.com

www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com

www.cheeriosandlattes.com

www.themommymess.com

http://makingtheworldcuter.com/2012/08/making-the-world-cuter-3/ 

www.delicateconstruction.com

Reading Spot and Homeschool Havens - Link Up! :)

Amid the sea of boxes and boxes and boxes and - well, you get the picture ;) - we DO have a little spot that can be used for a reading corner this coming school year!  (The fireplace can be turned on without the heater option during the hotter months.)

As we wait for our new home to be completed (very excited!), we are unfortunately going to be spending the first few months of school still in transition mode so no super cute, organized homeschool room here.  :(  Sad, I know.

So for now I will just have to live vicariously through the homeschool rooms of others.  Surely you won't mind.  ;)

Seriously though, don't we all love to peek in at other people's homeschool rooms or spaces via blogs and Pinterest?  It is so much fun to see all the creativity, organization, determination, hard work, and joy that have gone into making a special room or a space just for learning.  Be it an entire room, a snug little corner of your house, or an idea you use to help make your homeschool day run a little bit more smoothly - won't you please, PLEASE share it with us?  :)

Don't be shy and link up!  :)  This party will remain open until August 31st so you have plenty of time to share your ideas and pictures.   I do ask that you please keep the links limited to homeschool havens/school classrooms, organization tips, and first day fun posts.  :)  Thanks!

Not a lot of rules for this party, just be considerate of others and please link back here when you are done so others can join in the fun!  :)  And if you see a post by someone that you think would be a great fit with this collection, please send them this way!  :)

Linking up:
www.diyhshp.blogspot.com
www.delicateconstruction.com
www.skiptomylou.org
www.cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com
www.gingersnapcrafts.com
www.momontimeout.com
www.enchantedhomeschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.houseofhepworths.com
www.handsonaswegrow.com
www.bearrabbitbear.com
www.happyhourprojects.com
www.kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com
www.whipperberry.com
www.homeschoolcreations.net

Student ID Cards - Have You Made or Ordered Yours?

So in the process of getting ready for this coming school year, I designed a cute student identification card for Miss A and a cute teacher identification card for me.  :)  I know there are some places online where you can have one made, but I thought it might be neat to make our own.  And I must admit I really like how they turned out.  :)

I did not purchase the required license for the graphics in order to allow me to give these ID cards away for free (scroll down for FREE card without graphics).  So I decided to add them to a Back to Homeschool Activity Pack I made for my daughter's first couple of weeks of homeschool.   Here's a sneak preview and YES, I just put that in my TPT store this morning so it is now available here!

But for those who were hoping for something FREE, I also removed the graphic and made a simple version of the ID card that I could offer without a license!  Here's the link.

IMPORTANT:  Both the free version and the paid version have editable layers that can be changed if you have Photoshop (Elements 7 or higher, I believe) or another program that will allow you to edit PDF layers.  For those who don't have that option, I have also included blank copies of the free and paid versions so you can just print the cards and fill in the information by hand.  Then you would just cut and paste your student/child's picture to the card.  Finally, laminate your card to help it hold up throughout the year.  :)

P.S.  It would be a good idea to check first whether your state has specific requirements for ID's before you make your own.


I hope to have a LINKY PARTY this coming Monday called HOMESCHOOL HAVENS where you can link up photos or posts about your own special homeschooling spot (don't we all love to peek into those fun areas and see what other homeschooling moms are doing)!  I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have you link up so please check back Monday!  :)

Linking up to:
www.gingersnapcrafts.com
www.cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com
www.jaqsstudio.com
www.733blog.com
www.momontimeout.com
www.enchantedhomeschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.houseofhepworths.com
www.bearrabbitbear.com
www.kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com
www.whipperberry.com
www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com

The winds of change are a-blowing my way...

Well, the first giveaway on this blog was a super success!  Thanks for all of your entries and comments!  I love hearing from my readers!  :)

I'd love to offer more giveaways in the future so if you or someone you know has an Etsy shop, hobby, or business and would like some extra advertising AND have something kid or infant related you would like to share with my readers, please let me know!  :)

I also plan on hosting a link party at the end of July/beginning of August to showcase homeschool rooms and spaces!  I would LOVE to see yours so please link up then!  :)

As I mentioned in my title above - the winds of change are blowing this way!  The Nature of Grace blog is about to have a makeover!  I am excited about the new look and to be able to offer readers the opportunity to follow along in different ways.  :)  I'll even have a grab button for those of you looking for a way to share this blog with others!  :)

Also, I will be taking a blog break over the next two or three weeks as I take time to work on stuff for the new homeschool year and get things settled with the new blog look.  I still may post one or two small things during that time, but I won't be doing any major posting.  Thanks for your patience and understanding!  :)

Review & Giveaway: The Child Training Bible

Today I'm excited to be sharing my review of a GREAT tool AND hosting a giveaway for the same!  It's called the Child Training Bible (CTB).  I recently received the kit in the mail, made one, and tried it out.  I am hooked!  Here's why:

A few years ago, I read a very convicting book by Lou Priolo called "Teach Them Diligently".  It detailed how to raise and discipline children in such a way that they would eventually begin to use scripture and questioning to examine their own hearts, leading to repentance and resolution of the situation.   A parent's important role in this is to provide guidance and direction - looking up verses with your children, discussing how the scriptures apply to what has just happened, asking the right questions, etc.

For many, trying to accomplish such things may sound daunting at first - BUT IT IS WORTH IT!  I was determined to try at the time, but found it very difficult to follow through.  It was really hard in the heat of the moment or when some other little one needed me at the same time,  to remember what scriptures to use for which circumstance, much less think of what questions to ask at the time to probe my daughter's heart and help her to understand her own sinful motives.  I grew a bit discouraged, and often found I would slip into my own reasoning as to why she should or should not do something instead of bringing her to the Word of God and letting HIM touch her heart.

Then one day, I found the Child Training Bible online.  It has been such a HUGE help to me as I have sought to use verses to help my daughter understand her relationship with Christ, how her sin affects others, and how to exhibit a more thoughtful and loving attitude!  Here's how it works...

The color coded tabs match items listed on an insert you glue into the front of a 6 x9 Bible (we used a large print ESV one which was slightly bigger I believe, but still seemed to work well).  The tabs show you where to search for verses (highlighted in the same color as the matching tab) that address the problem your child is struggling with at the time (complaining, anger, selfishness, quarreling, etc.).  AND it doesn't stop there.

Remember how I mentioned it is important to ask your children the right questions - more specifically, ones that will help guide their thinking and resolution regarding a sinful behavior?  Well, the Child Training Bible helps with that as well.  There are separate inserts you can clip to the back of the Bible and pull out as needed.  Each contains a list of the character struggles, heart probing questions to go along with each item, and prayer suggestions.

What a great resource!  If I am rattled or upset by the moment (probably nine times out of ten), I will sometimes send my daughter to a time-out spot to give us both a moment to calm down.  I will use that short time to grab the CTB and look up some of the scriptures alone to focus my own thoughts on what I am about to read with her.  I can then sit down to go over the verses with Miss A, asking her questions and working toward repentance and resolution.

Yes, it means a sacrifice of time - so does teaching your children how to tie their shoes.  But once they begin to learn it on their own, it will eventually become second nature to them.  The same holds true here.  Once you begin to go over related verses with them, using heart probing questions to get to the root of the sinful behavior and teaching them how God's word applies to their lives, they will eventually begin to think of the verses themselves and know how to examine their motives (holding them up to the penetrating Word of God), and will better understand how to resolve the problem.

Any sacrifice is difficult at the time - but this IS one worth making.  I have already noticed a change in both myself and Miss A through using the CTB.  Nothing convicts and directs like God's word - it is the best tool you can use for training your children in the way they should go!

(Note:  making a Child Training Bible does require a bit of time initially, but it is important to understand that this time is a precious heart and soul investment when it is poured into something which will help you guide and direct your children to a closer relationship with the Lord and with those around them as well).

For those of you wanting to learn more or wanting to purchase your own kit and all the items needed for making your own Child Training Bible, please go here.

AND one lucky reader will also have the chance to WIN a kit here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANK YOU & SOME FUN CHANGES!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

I am pleased to report that even though my blog did not make it onto the Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschooling Blogging Moms list, it DID make it into the 40's!!!  Out of over 220 blogs, I would say that is a pretty sweet spot!  So THANK YOU everyone who took the time to vote!  I appreciate all of the support!  :)

CHANGES COMING SOON...

I am also excited to report that some changes are on the way for The Nature of Grace!  Soon you should be able to subscribe by e-mail, follow me on facebook, twitter, etc.  (all that good stuff) - that is if you'd like to!  ;)  AND I decided it was time for a new look as well so I'll be revealing that shortly!

THANK YOU! :)

Dear followers and fans!  Thank you SOOOO much for your continued support and votes!  It is amazing to be where I am so far on the list of homeschool blogging moms!

Only a few more days left of voting so please consider taking a few seconds to click on the voting badge, find my blog's name, and click on the voting hand!  I would appreciate it SUPER much!  :)  It would take about thirty or forty votes to move my blog up into the thirties on the list today - I would love for you to be a part of that accomplishment!  :)


Don't forget to check out other blogs while you are there!  There are some pretty awesome mommies out there!  :)

REMEMBER - you can vote once a day each day until the end of the contest which ends in FOUR days!