Homeschooling

Yasser my baby is not so much a baby anymore. She turned 5 in February ending our preschool era with her. I say this like I do not have two more really young ones or like I am never going to see her again.

I know we live in a world where everyone bad mouths everyone. After common core I really refuse to send my kids to our public education.  At least at home we learn at our own pace and explore what we really want.

I still have to submit stuff to the school system and I have a list of things I need to do and it is hard work I am not going to lie. But it is all worth it. I do not have to worry about school shootings which seems to get worse every year. Common core or testing are not major concerns either.

Upon her 5 birthday we started girl scouts and by started I mean we ended up starting a troop. When I met my co-leader we instantly connected. Both of us deal with special needs, special food needs, working towards an all natural and homeschool.  I know you are thinking I am crazy but homeschooling was the best thing I can offer my kids.

We get to do all kinds of fun and exciting things. Our classroom really has no bounds and its great. When we go hiking or camping it is our science class room. With Girl Scouts we learn health and friendship. Our trip to the market is math and cooking.

Doing all of this I know I am raising independent children that will succeed and one day not be afraid to be different.

Every now and then I will talk about an idea or thought about homeschooling because this is a huge part of our lives. I have spent 3 weeks writing lesson plans and figuring out books to read and go with our lessons. In the beginning I was concerned because I felt maybe I was doing something wrong by daring to be different. I receive harsh criticism every now and then from people I know and it can be hard and heartbreaking. But watching my daughter so excited to learn something our exploring topics that is not common to a 5 year old I know I made the right decision. It helps finding other moms going through it all too. In the end you create a learning environment that will truly teach and mold young minds. 

Rainbow loom Intro with Yasser

I am not a huge fan of trends. Never been good with following the crowd either but when looking for projects that promote hand eye coordination and was still fun Rainbow loom came out on top.  I started out buying only two to give a try and it was the best decision ever. My sons have a hard time making a complete project but they are 3 and 2. ( Twistz Bands LOOSE Rainbow Loom (Generic Packaging) ,Rainbow Loom Metal Hook Tool Upgrade Kit [PINK] )
                                         

I love knitting and crocheting but I spent the first 10 mins swearing at the loom because it was frustrating but after a youtube video and a quick look in a book we were golden.( Totally Awesome Rubber Band Jewelry: Make Bracelets, Rings, Belts & More with Rainbow Loom(R), Cra-Z-Loom(TM), or FunLoom(TM) ) I then taught my daughter who had no problems picking this up. I should have just handed her the book and it would have saved me from using my pirate language as my daughter likes to say.

Since buying the looms we have gone through a ton of rubber bands and the best place I have found to buy it is Amazon. I will talk a lot about it a lot because I love Amazon. I even bought prime this year because I save on shipping. Everything is just two days away now.   ( 5000 pc Rubber Band Refill Mega Value Pack with Clips (Rainbow Colors - 625 each of Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Purple, Turquoise, and Orange) - 100% Compatible with all Looms , 600 Latex-Free Rainbow ,Loom Band Refills and 24 Clips
                                         
Back to the rainbow loom. I have been buying bands in bulk and a low price then having the kids sort it all out. Oh yea rainbow loom became a class project. they have to organize it buy color and type. We have glitter ones, neon, glow in the dark, tie dyed, normal, metallic, polk a dot ones, some that are 50 /50. Not only has my daughter sorted them up by the type but she sorted to colors as well. So we are in the need of maybe two more containers or a third because she now wants to collect charms for her creations.  (Stanley 014725 25-Removable Compartment Professional Organizer)

Seeing the joy on my kids face is the best though. We are adding this section because Yasser wants to have her own blog section and I want to do my best to make this a family page. Please keep checking back on her guide to making bracelets.