Mountain Mother Runner

For those considering homeschooling next year, know that it is nothing like what you’ve experienced these last few months! Each state has their own specific laws and regulations, many being relaxed and others...not so much. Many parents were told by their children’s teachers that younger ages (kindergarten/first grade) only need about 30 minutes of instruction per day. That may have been fine with the unusual COVID public-school-turned-distant-learning circumstances, but it doesn’t cut it for legal homeschooling.  There are FIVE big Colorado laws to consider for homeschooling. Our regulations here are fairly strict compared to other states and it does require a decent amount of planning as a parent. Before starting in the Fall, I printed off our local elementary school’s schedule and printed off a blank calendar for me to fill out. I basically marked the days for us to ‘do’ school and the days we would be on break, which was a loose framework to go off of. It helped make sure we sc...

We just finished up a big step in this surrogate journey...the Mock Cycle! Whenever I’ve heard the word “mock” before, it made me think of “mock trials” in high school or “mocktail drinks” before turning 21. So, what exactly is a Mock Cycle?  This process is done to determine how your body will react to hormone medications and exactly how much is needed for your endometrium to thicken (that’s a fancy word for uterine lining). A thick (ideally >8mm) lining is ideal for the embryo to implant during transfer. Some women swear by drinking pomegranate juice, taking Vitamin E supplements, getting weekly acupuncture, and many other methods to assist the medications in this process.  After quitting birth control and starting my menstrual cycle, the nurse scheduled me to begin meds on day three. Every other day I would stick on Vivelle patches which are transdermal Estradiol. The number of patches increased over time and Estradiol tablets were taken also. During this specific schedu...

💌 Some people may think of “snail mail” as a thing of the past, but it’s alive and well in our household! I grew up handmaking and sending cards to everyone for their birthdays, holidays, and even just because. Checking the mailbox and finding an envelope addressed to YOU with your own name on it can be exciting as a kid! It’s a little less exciting as an adult since it’s probably junk mail or a bill, but that’s besides the point. 🙃  Writing letters can be done at a young age. We started out by me writing whatever our daughter wanted her letter to say on one piece of paper, then she could look at it to copy the letters/words on her own piece of paper. I’ve never seen a child that excited to do their copywork before! We are developing handwriting skills, word recognition, reading, and more with this fun, fulfilling activity.  Learn how to address an envelope with Eisley! Materials used and steps are covered. The supplemental book read was “Send It!” by Don Carter. 📚 This sit...

My favorite subject to teach is Math because it is tangible, you know...black and white! It’s fairly ironic because I was always pretty average in Math classes.  To get an “A” would require SO much studying and effort compared to my other classes. Looking back at the teaching methods used then, versus the ones we’re utilizing now, it all makes sense! I love the challenge of creating hands-on lessons and games to bring Math to life!  This activity can be created with materials you probably have hanging around your house. You will need: •Empty large coffee bin •Legos (or other small textured items) •Note cards •Black marker or pen •Scissors •Dry erase markers •Dry erase pouch  •Plain sheet of paper •Bingo chips/coins/beads/etc First off, cut a circle in the lid of the coffee bin that’s big enough for your kiddo to stick their tiny hand in. Depending on the level of Math you’re child is working on, choose equations that they can practice. We did simple addition equations wit...

My memories of growing up in public school are dominated by worksheets and lectures, with some projects, pop quizzes, and videos mixed in (thought I’ll never forget The Magic School Bus, Bill NYE, or Eyewitness on VHS)! What about fun and games? Why were those usually left for the substitute teachers and not incorporated into our daily routine? You may think that your homeschool schedule is already full, and the idea of adding daily games seems “extra” or “unnecessary”, but it might be easier than you think! As a child, what sort of emotions did you feel when presented with a workbook versus a game? Playing educational games provide a multi-sensory experience while developing skills such as: •Following directions •Good sportsmanship  •Critical thinking •Hand-eye coordination •Fine motor skills •Attention and focus •Cooperation and flexibility  We play games on a daily basis, while trying to rotate different types of games so Eisley doesn’t get burnt out. Follow your ch...

A list of FREE home education websites to help you on your homeschooling journey. Whether you are homeschooling, or are needing something for your kiddo to do after school, this is a great staple list to choose from! It drives me crazy to have to search through saved websites or pins on my Pinterest page because it can be so time consuming. Having a group of resources together in one place makes it easier to find, and more likely that you’ll use them! Harvest for Healthy Kids: Do you have a picky eater? This site contains 13 different activity kits that are totally free! All you have to do is enter your email address to unlock access to all content. Each kit includes an activity plan, picture cards, recipes, and a Teacher Bites Newsletter. This program was designed to help children develop healthy eating habits through activities that teach math, literacy, and science. Beets, asparagus, winter squash, potatoes/sweet potatoes, cabbage, berries, winter root vegetab...

We have been reading about life in the dessert and one of our favorite things is the cactus, obviously! They range from big to small, and some even have beautiful flowers! Not only have we looked at pictures and watched videos about them (did you know some types absorb rain water and swell up?), we have been able to hike and view them locally, as native species! Very cool! Here's a short educational video for you to watch with your child before starting this craft! Salt Dough Cactus Craft You will need: 2 ½ cups flour ½ cup + 2 tablespoons salt 1 cup water Large bowl Wooden spoon Baking Sheet Parchment Paper (optional) First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Now, add the flour and salt to your bowl. Pour the water in slowly and begin to mix with a spoon. Switch to mixing with your hands (or your kiddo can have fun doing this) to thoroughly knead the dough and get a sensory experience! If sticky, add a little bit more flour. If too dry...