It has been AGES since I did 7 Quick Takes with Kelly, but I have a lot of fun things I want to share with you, so here goes!

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Are you homeschooling this year? I'm getting our book lists finalized and realized that I have way too much scheduled for the K-4th grade bunch... But then I realized that a lot of the excess is because I'm planning for a 2-year cycle, so it's really okay that I've got a ton of books already. It just means I won't buy as many next year! Or will I?

We'll start school in late August, and it only just occurred to me that everybody's actually moving up a grade... It takes a while for my brain to switch over! John Paul (11) is moving on to 6th grade, which means he'll be doing most of his work independently and he is SO excited. I'm going to have to do a lot of pre-reading because all of these books are new to me, and I can't let him slack on the narration front...

The other kids are going into 4th (Cecilia), 2nd (Mary Claire and Elizabeth), and K (Peter, who has been chomping at the bit since he was 3, and demonstrated today that he has a better pencil grip than one of his older sisters, and also writes his numbers more neatly than ALL his older sisters, so I suppose maybe he's ready). I'm keeping them all grouped together for core subjects, but I didn't want to rehash all the American history studies we did during our first cycle, so I'm cobbling together a bunch of other resources for American history in order to incorporate more history from before 1492, as well as more stories from the different indigenous tribes throughout North America & the enslaved people who were brought to what ultimately became the United States. Would it be helpful to see our book list? Or are you happy with what you've gathered yourself?

Journey Homeschool Academy Review: Science for the Whole Family!

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

This post contains affiliate links - I will receive compensation if you choose to purchase any products through my links. Thank you!

Ignore the messy buffet, would you? This post is not about my never-ending battle with clutter (will I EVER win? Doubtful.), it's about the fun new biology course the kids have been taking together! Experience Biology: Elementary from Journey Homeschool Academy hits every check box for whatever your homeschool philosophy might be. Engaging video lessons with no parent lectures necessary? Check! Living book recommendations to go along with each lesson? Check! Memory work and copywork? Check! Quizzes for optional use? Check! Easy activities with minimal parent prep work needed? Check!

29/52: Heirloom Tomatoes and Squash Dolls

CTC Math Review: Accountability, Accessibility, and Ease

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

I hesitate to say this definitively, because I know things can change, but... We may have found the math program that is right for us? Well, the one that is right for one of my children, at least. But it's really, really right for him!! CTCMath has so much available in one place, and instead of having to buy each course separately, it's available by the year. So let's say I have a child who blows through multiple levels of math in one year? Well, the 12-month Family membership can handle him, and for a bargain compared to other programs! With levels from Kindergarten all the way through Calculus, you might even be able to fit your whole family in using CTCMath.

Hyacinth

I will start this post right now by letting you know that we had a miscarriage and I 100% understand if that is not something you want to read about! Skip right by this, my feelings will not be hurt in the slightest!

But since I've been laid up in bed, I suppose now is a good time to process everything in writing?

28/52: Shelling Peas and Hulling Oats

John Paul, Age 11

 John Paul turned 11 in the middle of a very rough week, and I've been laid up in bed, unable to plan his (small, outdoor) birthday party OR make his birthday dinner OR make a cake OR make his requested birthday breakfast. Bless his heart, I know he's been disappointed but he very cheerfully said ice cream cake from the store would be GREAT, and he happily made the overnight waffle batter himself (very proudly, actually, because I said I would tell him all my secrets), and THEN woke up early, prayer Morning Prayer, and went downstairs to make his special birthday waffles for the whole family? This child. He can be so very extra in every way, but I'm definitely seeing glimpses of a future adult who is just going to be amazing. 

I did, however, manage to get his birthday survey done! Now to see if I can get some of the kids to take pictures of him so that I can actually get this post published...

(Okay, Cecilia took a picture and now I really need to give him a hair cut...)

Pitsco Education Elementary STEM Explorer Pack Review and Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

I have one very STEM-oriented child, but I've never though of any of the others as particularly interested in STEM activities. When we were given the opportunity to try out the Pitsco Education Elementary STEM Explorer Pack, I could tell right away that this would be a blast for all our children, from K-5th grade!

MaxScholar Review: An Orton-Gillingham Program

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

With our 5-year-old, Peter, still not reading fluently (normal! I know! But out of the ordinary for our kids so far.), I was interested in trying out MaxScholar, for their MaxScholar Orton-Gillingham Software.

While we had a lot of technical difficulties at first, once the updates to the program went through, Peter and I both had a much easier time making this work. Here's what we liked, and what didn't work for us.

27/52: Matching Dresses and Strawflowers

June Skirt Challenge, Week 4 + Summary

Finally, it's over!

I mean, I'm still going to keep wearing skirts and dresses (and once again, I do not think you are a bad person if you wear pants, although apparently there ARE people out there who think women wearing pants is inherently sinful...). But I don't have to document it anymore!!

I have loved seeing the outfits people came up with on Twitter and Instagram - it's been such a fun way to exercise a little creativity, particularly since it can be tough to get "dressed up" when you're not going anywhere. But don't we all feel a little better when we get dressed promptly and are wearing something we love?

I'm not sure I learned much of anything this round of the challenge (except that I don't like following prompts because I would rather just default to the same 5 outfits, apparently)... But I've had a few people request another round in the fall, so we can all get ideas for layering and cold weather outfits. I'm up for that! November Skirt Challenge, anyone?

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Day 22: Easy Breeezy (linen top is breezy, skirt has elastic waist so it's easy? I dunno)

26/52: Daisy Chains and Sunday Bouquets