Homeschool moms (and dads) are a knowledgeable lot. Today, several members of the Crew share some of their best “How-To” tutorials. From making coconut oil lip balm to creating a media kit for your blog, homeschooling through morning sickness or the post-partum period, there’s something for everyone in today’s Blog Cruise. We even have some great ideas for the kitchen, like how to make those yummy pretzels like at the mall or how to make a meal plan. Have you even wanted to teach yourself how to knit? We have that, too! This is Blog Cruise you won’t want to miss. In fact, you’ll probably want to bookmark it for referencing later!

Alyson B. @ Family Style School – How to make a jewelry holder on the cheap

We used found materials to make a great jewelry holder that fits our style. An easy project that can be done in less than an hour.

 

Beth B. @ Ozark Ramblings – How to take advantage of Walmart’s Price Matching

I can take advantage of every local store’s loss leaders without driving hither and yon.

 

Lisa Marie F. @ Learning Titus 2 – How To Come Up With Blog Post Ideas

Writer’s block stinks. Sitting at your desk, staring at a blank screen, trying to be creative is annoying and frustrating, and a real productivity killer. How can you push past the stump and move ahead with your blog? Here’s some ideas!

 

Meg F. @ Adventures with Jude – How to Make Mom Mom’s Rugelach Safe for Me

Mom Mom’s rugelach recipe came with her family from Russia, and has long been a family favorite. We are updating it so it’s allergy-friendly and everyone in the family can share.

 

Candace C. @ His Mercy is New – Homemade Coconut Oil Lip Balm

Making your own lip balm is NOT as hard as you may think!! In a nutshell, you MELT, STIR and POUR. That’s it! And the ingredients are much healthier for you, too! Come and give it a try.

Heather A. @ Only Passionate Curiosity – How to be a Frugal Homeschooler

Homeschooling is expensive. At least it can be, if you aren’t careful. I feel like I have made every mistake in the book in my first year homeschooling, and therefore, am well equipped to tell you how to do it better than I did. To spare you the pain my pocket book feels, here are some of my best tips and tricks for homeschooling on the cheap.

 

Debbie L. @ Debbie’s Homeschool Corner – How to Teach the /s/ and /z/ Sounds

This is an excerpt from Super Star Speech: Speech Therapy Made Simple that explains how to teach the /s/ and /z/ sounds to your child. /S/ and /z/ can be tricky for many children to learn, so I hope these ideas will be helpful!

 

Kayla A. @ The Arrowood Zoo – How To Strengthen Your Marriage

Homeschooling creates all kind of life changes and challenges. Homeschooling is hard and time consuming for not only the mother but the father as well. Many homeschooling families only have one income within the home and its coming from the husband.

 

Karen M. @ homeschool-life-situations – Using Graphic Organizers to Teach Biology

Learn how to make biological classification visual with graphic organizers. Flow charts and Venn diagrams can help your child learn about the different kingdoms.

Apryl H. @ following Him home – Art Journaling: a how to

I love journals. Usually I have several going at once for different things. Currently I have a prayer journal, a calendar journal that will eventually be turned into a scrapbook, and an art journal.

Clarissa W. @ Counting Our Blessings – Recipe: Goat’s Milk Baby Formula

After dealing with extreme food allergies with my first, failure-to-thrive with my second, and weight loss with my third child, I chose a different route for my 4th. It didn’t start out that way, but by the time he was 3-months-old, I knew something needed to change. And that something was his formula!

 

Brittany R. @ Mom’s Heart – Homeschooling Away From Home

I couldn’t just abandon all lessons with an emerging reader, so I had to get creative and figure out how to homeschool away from home, and without our school materials.

 

Jen S. @ Happy Little Homemaker – How to Homeschool Through Extended Illness

One of the benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility it allows. A few months ago, I was completely under the weather with morning sickness and found six ways to keep “homeschooling,” even if it’s not ideal.

 

Sarah A. @ My Joy-Filled Life – How to homeschool during the post partum period

One of the benefits of homeschooling is the freedom and flexibility it provides. Adding a new family member during the school year can be a smooth transition. Here are some ideas and tips to help you get through this short season.

 

Gwen T. @ Tolivers to Texas – How to Make One-on-One Time With Your Kids

My favorite way to spend individual time with my kids is by reading together; however, it doesn’t end once they become proficient readers. Even my 15yo and 12yo, who have been reading well since they were four years old, have chapter books that we are reading together.

Rebekah T. @ There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining – Getting Crafty: How to Make an Altered Bag Book

Use these cute altered bag books as lapbooks or scrapbooks. They can be used your student publish their own works or develop anthologies of favorite authors. There are so many creative uses…and they are so stinkin’ fun to make!

Rebecca C. @ Our Home ~ Life and School — What’s for Lunch? 

Do you ever have one of those days when your cupboards are just about bare and you can’t go to the grocery store until the next day? Or does that only happen to me?

Karyn T. @ Teach Beside Me – Connecting with Other Homeschoolers

Do you need a little support from other homeschoolers sometimes? I have found a great community of other homeschoolers online as well as locally. Today I am sharing how to find and connect with other homeschoolers and build a support network.

 

Tess H. @ Circling Through This Life – Schoolwork completed, Laundry done and Dinner?!

It is possible to serve a hot home cooked meal on the same day that you wear clean clothes and accomplish school work. The Key? Use your crockpot.

Lori S. @ Special Connection Homeschool — Learning to Love Learning

You can read articles all day about how to teach a subject, what worksheets to use, what hands on activities to include, etc., but what every parent really wants to know is how do we teach our kids to enjoy learning? One thing I try to do is make sure that Gess has plenty of opportunities to succeed in whatever it is she is trying to learn.

Erica B. @ Be the One — How to Have Fun on a Backyard Ice Rink 

Embracing winter by having fun! A backyard ice rink can provide hours of good family fun, as well as lots of great exercise!

 

Sarah J. @ Delivering Grace — Bone Model from Recycled Materials

So I decided to create my own bone model from items around the house.

 

Holly O. @ Possibilities and Peas — How to Be a Superwoman

You want to do it all. Here is a quick how to guide.

 

Jenn P. @ Treasuring Life’s Blessings — Money-Saving Monday

What does the Bible, gardens & laundry soap have in common?

 

Laura L. @ Loving and Learning on the High Plains – How to Make a Fossil Rock

An inexpensive “friend-gift” your kids can make. Share the excitement of breaking open a rock to find a dinosaur, animal, or a jewel ring! Easy to make in large batches, this would be a great option for a party favor as well.

Renita K. @ Krazy Kuehner Days — How to Think Outside the Box with Handwriting Difficulties

Our oldest has handwriting difficulties, how we are overcoming this issue using Google docs to encourage typing and reading comprehension.

 

Jenni A. @ Conversaving — Who Knew You Could Use Your Crock Pot Like This? 

Have you ever wanted to take advantage of a great price on marked down milk but had no idea what to do with it before it spoils? It is not really a good deal if it just sits in your fridge and goes bad, right? Well, I have a great do-it-yourself idea that is easy and will save you a bundle of cash.

 

Nikki @ Blessings from Homeschooling — Saving a Few Cents

I enjoy trying new things, though that wasn’t always the case. I figured I would share with you something that to me is easy and fun and helps you save money! Which I’m sure everyone will appreciate.

Kerry H. @ Old Fashioned Girls — How to Make Homeschool Pizza That Can Be Gluten Free, Too! 

Friday night is often pizza night in our home. I think it is in a lot of homes. I have made homemade pizza a few times, but usually succumb to $5 pizza at the local pizza take out! Well, that became quite a bit more difficult to pull off when one of my daughters began eating gluten free a year ago. So I had to learn to make gluten free pizza that tasted delicious, was fairly quick and pretty easy! Come take a peek and I bet you’ll be making pizza in no time at all!

 

Melissa E. @ Little Connections Add Up — Feed a Big Crew on Little Dollars

It’s the middle of a pay period, you have less than $100 to fill 7 bellies for 5 days. What do you bring to the table? What’s already in your pantry? Come share some ideas!

 

Marissa C. @ Lighthouse Classical Academy — How to Make a Memorable Arrow of Light Arrow

Arrow of Light ceremony should be memorable…learn how to make an arrow that is unique, personalized, and symbolic of the journey that the scout has taken through cub scouts.

 

Tiffany DeOs @ The Crafty Home — How to Teach Yourself to Knit

Knitting is such a relaxing hobby. I just love it! It is calming and it makes you a lot more patient. Just imagine the next time you are in a waiting room and instead of thinking of all the things you could be getting done at home, you are happy to have the time to sit and get more work done on your knitting project.

Sara P. @ Embracing Destiny — DIY Sensory Bins for Fun and Learning

Whether you’re taking a Montessori approach to learning, creating a therapeutic sensory experience for your autistic or special needs child, or just want to add some hands-on fun to your day, you can easily make a low cost sensory bin your children will love.

 

Sam K. @ Sam’s Kelley — Long Term Planning

In this vlog, Sam shares how she handles long-term planning while homeschooling many.

 

Angie M. @ H.O.P.E. Homeschool Consulting Blog — Homeschool with Mason Jars 

These containers are not just for fruits, vegetable, or cookie mixes anymore. You can now homeschool with mason jars.

 

Kym T. @ Homeschool Coffee Break — An Astronomy Update

Near the beginning of the school year, I wrote a post describing what we would be studying for science – classical astronomy… here’s an update and little bit of ‘how-to’ that we’ve discovered along the way. The first project we took on in the study was a backyard compass.

 

Karen G. @ The Fruit of Her Hands — How to Make Hot Buttered Pretzels in an Hour

Do you love those hot buttered pretzels you can buy in the mall? Did you know they are fast and easy to make at home?

 

Amanda S. @ Our Heart and Home — How to Make Homemade Bagels

Don’t you just love the smell of a bakery? I know I do! But I got tired of paying bakery prices so I set out to teach myself how to “bring the bakery home”. Today you can learn how easy it is to make amazing bakery style bagels at home.

Brandy B. @ Kingdom Academy — Cheap and Easy Unit Studies

When I first started homeschooling, the thought of creating my own unit study seemed very daunting, but I have found it to be very easy. As the parent, you know your child best, why not build their education around the things they love?

 

Renata @ Sunnyside Farm Fun — How to Dance Like a Farmer and Other Farmyard Secrets

There is a conspiracy going on in my farmyard….
I’m sure my animals are smarter than I think and I’ve finally worked it all out.

(Some farmyard banter from the wandering mind of a tired farmgirl in the milkshed)!

 

Diane M. @ Homeschool Review — How and Why to Menu Plan

I am a planner. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Through the years I have come to learn that menu planning is important, and it sets your household up to run smoothly.

 

Amy B. @ Bow of Bronze — How to Make a Puffy Painted Snowman with Shaving Cream

Our current theme for preschool is snow, but here in Southern California finding real snow is a bit of a challenge. Today we did a craft that helped make the concept of snow more concrete for my boys, using homemade puffy paint.

Shalynne A. @ Wonderfully Chaotic – How to Homeschool Through Illness

Morning sickness can really hinder not only your household but your homeschool as well – but it doesn’t have to! I learned a lot about it this past summer when I was pregnant with my third child. In this blog post, I hope to share some of my experiences and ideas in the hopes that it may help someone else!

 

Cristi S. @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm – How to Make Every Day a Slushy Day 

Slushy Days for our family are a reward for the days when my kids worked extra hard and were extra cooperative. This week I realized something — I have underestimated my role in creating those good days.

Bethany H. @ Little Homeschool Blessings — How to Look for JOY

My word for the year is JOY. Sometimes being Joyful is hard.

Lisa N. @ Golden Grasses — How to Teach Writing

The ability to teach writing is at your finger-tips and not limited to just curriculum.

 

Marcy C. @ Ben and Me — Create a Media Kit for Your Homeschool Blog: The Why & How

I’ve created a sample media kit for those of you wondering what those look like. Actually, they can look like whatever you envision in your mind, but this one is simple to create and has all of the info you will need to include. Feel free to download it now for a guide.

 

Happy New Year from the Schoolhouse Review Crew!

On the first day of 2013, we thought we’d take few moments of your time to share our thoughts about 2012. From homeschool successes and challenges, to fun reviews, and just life in general, we faced many challenges and received many blessings in this past year. So, come along as we share them with you. And if you feel so led, feel free to join in the conversation in the comments below, and tell us about your blessings and challenges of 2012, too!

Kemi Q. @ Homemaking Organized – The Year in Review 2012: God Promised to Help Us Through

While I put it all in print it seems like really nothing and in God’s eyes I’m sure it was. He knows and knew how it would end up all along.

Anne Marie G. @ Future Flying Saucers — Treasures of 2012

The toys have been put away. The leftover food stashed in the fridge. A soccer ball placed in the garage and the doll stroller parked in the closet. The house was still. And I smiled.

Rebecca C. @ Our Life ~ Home and School — Is this year really over? 

Wow, I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by. It seems like it just started. I always think in January and February the year is going by so slowly. . .

Clarissa W. @ Counting Our Blessings — Every Year Brings Changes

Every year in my adult life has brought big changes, much more so than when I was a child it seems. 2012 was no exception. Here is my end-of-the-year recap . . .

Bethany H. @ Little Homeschool Blessings — Of 2012: So What Did We Do Anyway

We have had a year full of joy and learning and blessings.

Tiffany D. @ The Crafty Home – Evaluating and Looking Forward

If I had one theme for this next year I would say that would be it. To finish strong next year.

Amy L. @ Our Appalachia Homeschool — Flashback into 2012

2012 is almost over, and as we look forward to New Year I wanted to take a quick picture flashback of the past year! Enjoy!

Chareen R. @ Every Bed of Roses — A Year of His Abundant Blessings

What an absolutely amazing year we have had. We have experienced a depth and breadth of blessing that I am still trying to wrap my mind around. We have seen over 7 000 km of Australian country side, experienced Hong Kong and rested in Southern Africa.

Laura L. @ Loving and Learning on the High Plains — 2012 By the Numbers

We can hardly believe how the year has flown, and have innumerable blessings to count as we look around us, but here are 12 numbers that might sum it up.

Emilee R. @ Pea of Sweetness — Homeschooling: 2012 Recap

This has been the first year we are homeschooling 2 of our 3 kids at the same time, and it has been quite a journey!

Karyn T. @ Teach Beside Me – Top Ten Posts of 2012

We have reached the end of 2012. Today I am going to share with you the top 12 posts from my blog from 2012. Thanks to all of my readers that have helped make these posts successful- I love sharing with all of you!

Leah C. @ As We Walk Along the Road — What Did We Do in 2012?

I love the fading of one year into another. It’s leaving the old year and turning over a blank page- so much potential, so much possibility. I like to look through the passing year and see what we did and think about what the new year holds.

Heather A. @ Only Passionate Curiosity — 2012: A Year of Dreams

I’ve daydreamed my way into this life more times than I can count, but somehow this year, I was able to live all those big dreams.

Holly O. @ Possibilities and Peas — Looking Back

We are living in a season of change. That definitely reflected in our lives and in this blog. Here is a brief look back – in pictures.

Leslie E. @ There’s More 2 Les — Favorite Reviews of 2012

I was thinking back through all of the products I was blessed to be able to review last year for the Schoolhouse Review Crew and thought I would update you on the ones we still use/love.

Lisa M. @ Chickens, Bunnies, and Homeschool — 2012: Flashback Field Trips

Come reminisce with us on a photo tour of our 2012 field trips.

Carey C.  @ enCouragement — Looking Back at 2012

Standing at the stove, preparing Christmas dinner, it suddenly occurred to me that we had spent Christmas in six different homes in the last six years. But we’ve always been together, and we’ve always had warmth and love to spare.

Melissa E. @ Little connections add up to a lotta’ life — Looking Back at 2012

Assessing 2012: The year of the Big Move and when my 13 yo vegetarian son started eating meat.

Lisa N. @ Golden Grasses — A Very Good Year: 2012 Review

What went right in 2012? Home-school, house re-build, reading, writing, curriculum.

Brandy B. @ Kingdom Academy — Where We’ve Been

I guess when I look back on 2012 that’s what is most apparent to me. God’s hand being active in our everyday life.

Sarah A. @ My Joy-Filled Life — Highlights of 2012

If you had told me ten years ago that I would be a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of 7 children, I would have that you were crazy! Now I’m sure most people think I’m the crazy one.

Debbie I. @ Children Grow. Children Explore. Children Learn – A Year of Growth 2012

We enjoyed a warm dry summer and had so much fun spending as much time as possible outside exploring our new home. Since we moved last year, this was really the first full Summer we had to see everything our new home offered.

Cristi S. @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm — 2012 in a Dozen Pictures

Cristi dug through thousands of digital pictures to find twelve special snapshots to best represent what her busy family has been doing over the past year.

Rebecca T. @ There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining — Looking Back: My Lessons for Life — Homeschool Style

Don’t be afraid to slice an onion or two. Translation: We all know that life can be kind of messy sometimes. And it can even make you cry. Don’t be afraid to learn something new…even if you are afraid it might cause you a little grief along the way.

Kristi K. @ The Potter’s Hand Academy — 2012 in the Rearview Mirror

Happy New Year everyone!! Well, with 2012 officially in the rear view mirror, and 2013 in the headlights, I thought it might be a good idea to sit down, take an honest, objective look, and write down a lessons learned for 2012.

Renita K. @ Krazy Kuehner Days — Roller Coaster 2012

Our life is a daily roller coaster. Enjoy a picture view of our year.

Susan A. @ Homeschooling Hearts and Minds — Our Wrap-up for 2012

Everyone has a story to tell. This past year is just a little piece of ours, and it’s full of all kinds of good stuff, including some things I’d forgotten about.

Rhonda C. @ A Dining Room Education — My Crazy Sort of Life-2012

A broken recliner I thought would never be fixed, and cancelling a dentist appointment in the middle of a Texas theme park were just a couple of the oddball highlights of my year.

Beth B. @ Ozark Ramblings — Counting on Co-ops: a look back

With a semester of co-op under our belts I present some positives and negatives of the experience.

Jen R. @ Our Journey — Remembering Our 2012

Showers, wedding, Mickey and fireworks galore. We had a fun and exciting 2012! Come take a look back with us.

Lori S. @ Special Connection Homeschool — 2012: A Year of Significant Events

It’s that time of year where we all take one last back before we embrace the new year before us. As I did this myself in preparation for this Blog Cruise I could not help but notice that this was a pretty significant year for Gess.

Nikki F. @ Blessings from Homeschooling — Looking in the Rearview Mirror

As we embark on a new year, are you looking back wondering about what you might have changed? Or are your eyes facing towards the horizon ready for the upcoming surprises?

Nicole W. @ Schooling in the Sun — Looking Back . . . A Picture Post of This Year

It’s so fun to look back at the pictures we’ve taken over the past year and see what we’ve accomplished. All of my kiddos were over my shoulder as I put this post together: “was that this year?”, “I remember that!”, and “oh, that was so much fun!” were what I heard as I chose the pictures that summed up our year.

Marya R. @ Estilo Familiar – Una miradita al 2012

Siempre me gusta sacar un rato durante las vacaciones de diciembre para repasar cómo nos fue durante el año. Aprovecho entre el día después de navidad y el día antes de año nuevo para hacerlo porque son días lentos y los nenes están enfocados en sus nuevos juguetes y no me extrañan tanto. ¡Ja, ja!

Sara P. @ Embracing Destiny — 2012: The Year in Focus

I chose “focus” for my word of the year last year. I felt that I was being pulled in many different directions and had no clear idea of what I had accomplished, what I needed to accomplish, and where I was going with it all. I wanted to focus on my priorities and what really mattered, letting the other stuff go and learning to say no when I was overwhelmed . . .

Annette V. @ A Net in Time — Homeschooling and Flexibility

The fun of looking back and thinking about why we do what we do and what has changed over the year.

Courtney L. @ The Classical Circus — Life: Check

Reducing life to a series of boxes to be checked off is joy-robbing and it’s not God-glorifying.

Nikki H. @ Angels of Heart — One Funny Family 2012

“Mommy don’t brush my hair. Don’t brush my
hair and get my ankles. (tangles) “

“Spirit wants to dress as Jesus for Halloween and hand out bread and swedish fish.”

Melanie S. @ A Year of Jubilee Reviews — Keeping on My Shelves from 2012

With all that I am reviewing and reading through out the year I have to make cuts to what is going to stay on my shelf, and what I will pass on to others or giveaway. Only the best of the best makes it to stay on the shelf (though I am seriously considering more bookshelves!)

Karen W. @ Tots and Me – 2012 Year in Review

2012 has gone by so fast. As this year comes to a close I believe our school time is slowly being organized, we are all doing well health wise, mommy has gotten closer to being able to deal with four children and I am trying to bring my blog back to what it was meant to be.

Wendy R. @ Life at Rossmont – Looking Back Over the Year at Rossmont

Here at Rossmont, it’s been a year of some pretty big changes and events!

Tawnee H. @ Adventures in Homeschooling – Bye-Bye 2012- Our Year in Review

I just love the start of a New Year! You can take the time to look back and remember the year, reminisce, look at pictures, and plan your next year.

Jacquelin C. @ A Stable Beginning — Twenty Twelve in a Nutshell

From visits from Grandma and Cousin Danielle, graduations, state championships, and field trips with friends it was a joy filled year!

Dawn W. @ Guiding Light Homeschool — So Many Blessings- 2012

So many blessings in 2012 ~ it was wonderful to look back and remember!

Sarah J. @ delivering grace — Lessons from home education in 2012

2012 marked our third anniversary of home education. I hope my children have learned something but what have I learned this year.

Tracey M. @ A Learning Journey — A Photographic Walk Down Memory Lane: Our Look Back at Year 2012

Now is the time of year when I look back at the past 12 months and dig through old photos; it’s a time for me to reflect, re-evaluate, and remember significant, life-changing, and candid events in our life. As I reminisce the occurrences and re-evaluate our life choices in 2012, I embark on an amazing yet teary-eyed trip down memory lane.

Julie C. @ Creatin’ Classical Chaos — 5 Tops of Our 2012: Best and Worst

This year has been good in so many ways. Even the things that did not work for my kids taught me much.

Tess H. @ Circling Through This Life — Looking Back at 2012

Through it all though, we’ve had the opportunity to witness God’s hand in providing for our every need. We’ve found the “blessings in disguise” and have learned not to take things like dishwashers and transportation for granted.

Michelle G. @ Michelle Gills Blog – 2012: A Look Back at Our Year

2012 brought our family lots of blessings. We learned a lot, loved a lot and have many memories to hold us close together. Nick and I are so excited to see what 2013 brings!

Lexi H. @ Lextin Academy — Rear View Mirror

Bye bye 2012!  It’s time for a new year but I’ll take a quick peek in my rear view mirror before I welcome 2013 . . .

Kerry H. @ Old-Fashioned Girls – Choose Him

Finding His gifts, when facing adversity.

Karen N. @ Karen B. Nelson — 2012: Don’t Look Down!

The year 2012 has been one of ups and downs – whether a roller coaster ride or a balancing act – the strategy I’ve followed has been to keep one foot in front of the other, and Don’t Look Down!

Nicole H. @ Ever After . . . My Way — Looking Back at an Eventful 2012

This was a big year for us. Lots of little things happened in our lives, but really a few big things stand out for this year.

Diana M. @ Homeschool Review — 2012: Looking Back Over Our Year

2012 has been a long year. But it went so fast. How does that work?

Clarinda O. @ A Jewel in the Making — Looking Back on 2012

So many changes happened in 2012. Here’s a look through pictures and favorite posts.

Dana L. @ Luv N’ Lambert Life — Our 2012 Review

I can only hope as we head into the new year, that next year will be as good to us as this one has been. Our lives have been so blessed throughout this past year. I’m hoping to accomplish much in 2013, all while watching my babies grow even more.

Lisa B. @ Home to 4 Kiddos – 2012: A Look Back

Much has happened; memories have been made, lessons have been learned, love has been shared.

Sam K.  @ Sam’s Noggin – 2012 in Review

The year 2012 has been very good to our family. I put together a post in pictures to look back at the year that went faster than any I ever remember.

Jennifer S. @ Milk and Honey Mommy — Coming Full Circle in 2012

Milk & Honey Mommy’s fast rewind to not leave you behind in 2013.

Jennifer M. @ a glimpse of our life — Reflecting

For the first time ever, I’m planning to join a group on a foreign mission trip in 2013. My passport has arrived and reservations are made.

Jenn K. @ Fresh Start Academy — Looking Back on 2012

This last year has been a rollercoaster ride of sorts for our family. Life is usually full of ups and downs but this past year has been unusally stressful and exciting for our family, piggy backing 2011 which was also chaotic. From sickness, camping and roadtrips to a short notice move, 2012 was exciting in all ways to say the least.

Christa D. @ Fairfield Corner Academy — Looking Back at 2012

My kiddos are growing up.  They are becoming so much more mature and responsible.  They are wonderful helpers and have huge hearts – they give all they can to the community and those in need.  I started this way so you would know why I am saying 2012 was a wonderful year!

Cariann M. @ Unionvale Homeschool — 2012 A Few of Our Favorite Things

2012 has been a crazy year. I thought I would share a few of our favorite things.

Amanda S. @ Our Heart and Home — Looking Back

Today I am “Looking Back to 2012″. And while this year started off really rough with constant illness and ER trips, it ended much better.

Kayla A. @ The Arrowood Zoo — Looking Back 2012

This year has been wonderfully blessed. The Lord always shows up in everything and it’s wonderful to look back and see it all.

Marcy C. @ Ben and Me — A Month-by-Month Look Back at 2012

I can’t believe the year 2012 is already gone! It’s been a year full of trials, reflections, and blessings for sure. And because it’s always interesting to take a look back at our lives for the past year, I thought I would do the same for my blog.

The internet abounds with lovely ideas for making Christmas happier, brighter, and more meaningful. The Crew blogs are no exception!

From fun crafts and homemade gifts, to recipes and decorating tips, to inspiring ideas for your homeschool, our wonderful bloggers are writing articles that will at once encourage, inspire, and spur on your own creativity!

So, grab a cup of Christmas tea and enjoy a few treasured moments of reading in this week’s Blog Cruise — Sharing Christmas!

Lisa F. @ Learning Titus 2 — Handmade Gifts: Paper Dolls 

This year, I’m sad that I’m not getting really into the creative side of gift giving. Usually I get a great idea and work on it. I just haven’t felt inspired and it’s kind of depressing. Until I got a great idea off Pinterest for my ~7 year old niece …

 

Gwen T. @ Tolivers to Texas – Big Family Celebration!

Despite the continued failures of decent Toliver family pictures, we still love Christmas around here! And this year, John joyfully passed on his duties as “assembler of fake Christmas tree” to the children.

 

Jennifer A. @ Conversaving — Christmas Traditions

What do nachos and egg nog have to do with tree trimming?

 

Nicole T. @ Journey to Excellence — Rediscovering Christmas

While shopping for Halloween costumes, we had to walk through Christmas decorations. Isn’t that the way things are now? It’s all commercialism. Where is Jesus? Oh, yeah, he’s on that plastic nativity set on Aisle 8.

 

Candace C. @ His Mercy Is New — Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion

I tried this lotion recipe (with great skepticism) and it turned out BEAUTIFULLY and was SO SIMPLE!!! It really only took a few minutes to finish the recipe! (then stirring a few times later in the day.) Can you tell I’m excited?

Karyn T. @ Teach Beside Me — The Christmas Service Tree

December is a time our family likes to focus on doing service for others. I created a service tree this year. When the kids do an act of service for someone, they get to add a little ornament to the tree!

 

Meg F. @ Adventures with Jude — Come, Lord Jesus!

We’re preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus with a crafty Advent Wreath and a daily devotion. Includes a review of the devotional e-book, “Adverbs for Advent.”

Leah C. @ I’m Livin’ My Dream — Christmas Confessions

So, why do really celebrate Christmas? I’m getting down to the truth of why this holiday just isn’t my favorite.

 

Shalynne A. @ Wonderfully Chaotic – This Christmas, Take a Holiday

Yesterday at church our pastor started a series that is going to be about helping us to focus on the significance of Christmas in our lives . . . He began by encouraging us to take a “holiday” or vacation, to set aside our worries and to focus on what truly matters . . .

 

Jenn P. @ Treasuring Life’s Blessings — Virtual Cookie Exchange Linky Party

Woohoo, it’s party time!!! Let’s exchange those photos & recipes of your favorite Christmas cookies & goodies!

Karen W. @ Tots and Me — “It’s No Puzzle” Picture Frame Gift

I remember when I was growing up how much homemade gifts meant to my mom; a gift made specifically for a loved one is made from the heart. Our children LOVE to make things for us all the time and we accept them with such enthusiasm, because we know they were made out of love.

 

Tracey M. @ A Learning Journey – Christmas Traditions: 25 Days to Christmas Book Tree Countdown

I started this tradition three years ago and will continue doing it every year … as long as my family will let me. This is done as one of our advent activities to help us countdown the days until Christmas.

Michelle P. @ Faith, Family and Fridays — It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Yes, I do have a slight obsession with Christmas trees. Do not tell my husband! OK, he knows, but please do not mention it or ask how him many we have, as it tends to get him started on a speech about his crazy obsessed wife.

 

Dawn W. @ Guiding Light Homeschool — The Holidays ~ Not Always Happy

The holidays aren’t always an easy or happy time for everyone. I am one of those people. However, leaning on the Lord helps carry me through.

 

Anne Marie G. @ Future Flying Saucers — Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

Sometimes it is necessary to sit back and take a look at the good things that have transpired throughout the year. Reflections during a Girls’ Night Out and the Blessings of 2012.

 

Leah M. @ Learning 4 Keeps — Oh, Christmas Tree

It’s a Christmas traditions linky party! Come share and explore!

Candy F. @ Strategic Shopping — 10 Ways to Strategically Give Back

 Everyone everywhere is concerned about learning how to become a Strategic Shopper today. Let’s not forget to be Strategic Givers!

 

Samantha M. @ Earthy Mama — A New Christmas

New lives make new traditions.

 

Brandy B. @ Kingdom Academy — The Christmas Blahs!

I promised myself that this Christmas was going to be different…peaceful even…and now I’m just frustrated!

 

Bethany H. @ Little Homeschool Blessings — Christmas Traditions

Christmas holds many traditions in our family. Oddly enough, they are not the same traditions Poppa and I had growing up, but instead ones of our own making.

Lisa N. @ Golden Grasses — Seasonal Good Things

A list of our tried and true (with a few new) holiday favorites; books, movies, crafts and activities.

Laura L. @ Loving and Learning on the High Plains — It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas is not something we unpack from a box of decorations. It’s not something we bake with sugar and sprinkles. It is a GIFT. We honor the greatest Gift, Jesus Christ, as we give of ourselves, of our talents, and of our time.

Nikki H. @ Angels of the Heart — Jesus is the Reason to Celebrate: Toddler Crafting

 This is the baby … All snug and warm…
The one who will lead us… and keep our hearts from harm

Clarissa @ Counting Our Blessings — Christmas Traditions

 Every family has their traditions and I never really thought about whether the traditions I was raised with were considered “the normal” or not, they were just normal to me. When I got married, new traditions were added to the family and I realized, *every family has their traditions*. And *that* is normal.

Kerri @ Old-Fashioned Girls — Our Saviour~Our Christmas

It might well be that when we today, celebrate Christ’s birth at the time of year we call Christmas, we are actually celebrating the miraculous conception of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The time when our Heavenly Father sent His Son into the world, in the virgin’s womb.

Nicole C. @ Some Call It Natural — Christmas Traditions and Going with the Flow

 When you are going about creating Christmas traditions for your family, remember to enjoy the people. Don’t put so much emphasis on the traditions that you aren’t able to enjoy the family with which you are trying to create those traditions!

Sara P. @ Embracing Destiny — More Decorating for Christmas

 Another milestone has been reached in our household that just proves that my girls are growing up — they are now more interested in putting ornaments on the tree than in taking them off! Part of me feels a little sad and nostalgic for the babies who thought ornaments made interesting toys rather than decorations . . .

Annette V. @ A Net in Time Schooling — Art for Christmas

Using a pine branch as a paintbrush makes for interesting effects in painting a Christmas tree.

Scarlett R. @ The Scarlett Thread — Favourites for Christmas

I have shared some traditional Christmas books and movies we enjoy for a merry, holiday season!

Joelle U. @ Homeschooling for His Glory — Thoughts on Christmas

One can only truly appreciate Christmas for what it is, and genuinely rejoice during this festive season, if and only if he has understood its true meaning, its needs, and its end.

Jen S. @ Happy Little Homemaker — Favorite New {Modern} Christmas Books

This year, I’ve decided to go modern with our new favorite Christmas story post. We are picking 3 popular new-ish books instead of classic Christmas stories.

Marcy C. @ Ben and Me – N is for Nativity

I know what it’s like for the birth of a baby to change my world. How unimaginable is it that the birth of a baby could change THE world? That is exactly what happened though.

 

Renata F. @ Sunnyside Farm Fun — Yummy Ice Cream Christmas Pudding

Being so hot, we’ve had to become a little adventurous with the more traditional Christmas food that is designed for those in the midst of a blistery cold white winter . . . I make an ice cream Christmas pudding which is cool, refreshing & delicious!

Amanda S. @ Our Heart & Home — Seeing Christ in Christmas

Are you striving to teach your family to see Jesus as the focus of Christmas? Here you will find ways to “see” Jesus in the everyday Christmas icons.

Niki S. @ Our Little Homeschool Cottage — Funny Merry Christmas

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus: Santa Claus rides in a sleigh…
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Alane A. @ Reaping a Harvest – Creating Joy at Christmas

Alane shares simple traditions that bring joy to her family during Christmas.

Amy L. @ Our Appalachian Homeschool — Christmas Day Dessert

What could be better than an entire day making Christmas desserts with your children . . .

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break — Holiday Decorations

I love the “professionally” decorated Christmas trees out on display during the holidays, and sometimes wish I could do something that lavish or well-designed. Those are good for new ideas, but ordinary at-home Christmas trees do reflect something of the people and families who decorate them.

Amy @ Bow of Bronze — Celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent

I love celebrating Advent and have found it to be a wonderful way to bring the focus of Christmas back onto Christ.

I hope you have enjoyed our Sharing Christmas Blog Cruise! Our normal, twice-monthly schedule will resume on January 1 with  Looking Back at 2012! We can’t wait to share with you then!

Merry Christmas from the Schoolhouse Review Crew!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Schoolhouse Review Crew and welcome to our final Blog Cruise for 2012. We will resume our Cruises in January!

This week, our Blog Cruise will be simple. We are sharing those things for which we are thankful. We would love it if you shared those things for which you are thankful, in the comments below.

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy — An Attitude of Gratitude

Some days I just find thankfulness in the small things, like the fact that something new has sprouted in the garden. Other days I am overwhelmed at the amazing and undeserved blessings God has bestowed on me.

Wendy @ Life at Rossmont — Thankfulness

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”~Psalm 100:4.

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break — Counting Our Blessings: Homeschool Edition

 I am reminded on almost a daily basis that I can be so thankful that I found out about homeschooling, and that God put us in the right places and in touch with the right people to get us started on our home education adventure!

Cristi @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm — Thankfulness Catch-up

I started off this month with a post each day about what I was thankful for. Unfortunately, as my November days got busy, I decided that I would rather spend time getting things done around my house instead of stressing about posting something each and every day. Today I’m taking advantage of a quiet afternoon to catch up on my Thankfulness posts.

Marcy @ Ben and Me — Thankful for the Bible

Yes, I am thankful for the Bible —  God-breathed, useful, a light for my path, flawless, a shield, hidden in my heart, alive, active, sharp, judging my heart — may I always desire to do His will, because His word is in my heart.

Homeschool moms are a busy lot. In addition to teaching the children, they generally have responsibility of the home, shopping, cooking, errands, and getting the kids to any and all outside activities. Most homeschool moms I know rarely find time to take care of themselves.

So, this week, members of the crew are sharing their ideas for how we can change this. Come along and learn more about Taking Care of the Homeschool Teacher. 

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy — Mommy Time

Thanks for joining us for this week’s Blog Cruise. I hope you will all be inspired to stop and take care of yourselves now and then! Next week, we will share our last Blog Cruise for 2012, as the Schoolhouse Review Crew will soon be on hiatus until January. Next week we will share a special Blog Cruise, I Am Thankful.

Computers, iPads, iPods, smart phones, Kindle Fires, software, online learning, apps, ebooks, Netflix streaming, video-based learning . . . there is a plethora of technology available to homeschoolers today. I don’t know what the statistics are, but it’s been my observation that a large percentage are participating in at least one form of high-tech method.

Today, several members of the Crew are sharing with us how they utilize the many choices of technology for their own homeschools.

Karyn @ Teach Beside Me — Technology in Our Homeschool 

We often use the internet just for reasearching topics that we are interested in or to answer the many questions my kids have. We use technology regularly in our schooling- but I also greatly limit the amount that we use.

 

Wendy @ Life at Rossmont — The Technological Homeschool

We’ve always used some form of technology in our home school, but I’ll be the first to admit that it really has evolved over the past several years!

Kayla @ The Arrowood Zoo — 5 To Ways I Use Technology in Our Homeschool

I can’t pretend to know it all. You would see right through me in a short time, so I am thankful for technology because without it I wouldn’t be successfully teaching my children at home!

 

Kristi @ The Potter’s Hand Academy — Technology Isn’t Scary! I Promise!

 Kids today, I swear, are born wired in.  It’s rather creepy, if you think about it.  Very Matrix-y.  But, it is what it is.  I believe wholeheartedly that the world around us is changing.  Our approach to technology must absolutely keep up with the world around us.

 

Marcy @ Ben and Me — AppSchooling

We are a technology-loving family! We have both an iPad and Kindle Fire and have found them to enrich our homeschool greatly.

Thanks for joining us for this week’s Blog Cruise. I hope you found some great ideas for using technology in your homeschool!

I love this time of year  for many reasons. But my favorite thing about autumn has to be all of the changes occurring outdoors! Cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, the smell of burning wood. I absolutely love it.

It’s also a great time of year for nature study. Why do leaves change color? What are animals beginning to do to prepare for winter? And don’t forget all of the kitchen chemistry and math with apples, pumpkins, and corn-on-the-cob!

This week, the Crew will be sharing about Exploring the Great Outdoors. I can’t promise they’ll all be exploring the autumn season, but I’m guessing there will be much to see and learn anyway!

Blossom @ North Laurel Home and School — Ah . . . The Great Outdoors

Since we’ve moved to Ohio, there has been much more opportunity for out-of-doors activities –like I thought I needed before. It’s so beautiful where we live that we are always watchful, even when just in the car, of nature.

 

Kayla @ The Arrowood Zoo — Nature, Talks, & Walks

The free feeling they get from not worrying about making a mess is a nice thought to me and them! They get to use their creativeness and they can be great explorers or bug detectives. You name it – they have been it. They love to gang up and build things out in the yard as well. I will not tell them no, even the time they built a tee-pee under the apple tree. It wasn’t going to hurt them, so I just let them work away at building something. It’s good for them.

Lexi @ Lextin Academy — Nature Stays Outside

At our house, we have a rule. Nature stays outside! This rule was instituted when my children brought a lizard inside last year. That will never happen again!

 

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break — Would You Care to Step Outside?

Even though we’re not doing outdoor school or wilderness camping every week, we love the freedom we have to step outside any time we want to during our school day, or to adjust our school hours and days to include the things we want to experience outside.

Gwen @ Tolivers to Texas — Treehouse School

You’ll be amazed how much fun you have together and how much you and your children learn outside of the classroom. Multi-decked tree houses with swinging bridges and circular slides aren’t even a requirement…Just some sunshine, a good book, and a healthy dose of imagination.

 

Melanie @ A Year of Jubilee Reviews — The Great Outdoors . . . Camping as your family grows

There seems to be a natural progression in camping with children. As a young couple with only one small child we were able to squeeze into a small pup tent, cook on the open fire, enjoy the nature walks all while being oblivious to the bugs, humidity and lack of sleep!! Ah to be young again.

 

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy — Outdoor Adventures

When I sit on the beach and smell the salt in the air, or wander through the woods, I am in awe of this beautiful world God created for us.

 

Wendy @ Life at Rossmont — Spend Time Outdoors

Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love…Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature.

 

Amy @ Bow of Bronze — Children Exploring the Great Outdoors

Inspiration can work both ways. What you study can inspire you to get outside, and what you see outside can inspire you to study… During our recent study of birds, my six-year-old exclaimed with great excitement: “Mom, I just saw a bird like that at the beach!” and “Mom, this bird was on our bird feeder this morning!”

Brittney @ Mom’s Heart — Nature Study: Bringing the Outdoors In

One of the hardest things for me to incorporate into our homeschool has been nature study, so I’m learning that starting simple is perfectly acceptable.

 

Angela @ The Wellspring of Life — Alligator Adventure

Combine the great outdoors with animals, and the kids have found their utopia! For this reason, it was no shock that Alligator Adventure, one of the attractions on our recent vacation, was a hit!

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World — Finding Opportunities to Explore the Outdoors

If there is one thing about living in Alaska, there is no way you can NOT easily get outdoors and explore God’s creation. It is all around you, even in Anchorage!

Karyn @ Teach Beside Me — Nature School

We love being outside for school. Often, when it is nice, we go outside, spread out our blanket and do school in the back yard. We also take lots of field trips that include nature explorations.

Here are some great things you can do to help bring school outside at any time of year…

 

Marcy @ Ben and Me — Nature Study with an Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Here’s a free printable for your scavenger hunt and tree and leaf rubbings. I hope you and your little explorers enjoy it!

I hope you were inspired to get out into nature this week!