While visiting Athen, Georgia recently, everyone kept telling us to stop at the State Botanical Gardens.  I imagined it to be walking around in the heat, looking at flowers and that was about it.  Nothing exciting, right.  After being told several times we had to visit, we decided it must be worth the trip and you know what... it was.  Here is a little of what we experienced in our time there, what we learned, what we would do different, and how we made the most out of our short visit.  I hope it helps you when you decide to tour this beautiful corner of the world. 
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Bear Hollow Zoo is a unique experience in Athens, Georgia.  They are home to a variety of wildlife animals that are non-releasable.  Non-Releasable means they have encountered life challenges that they could not overcome and have been placed at Bear Hollow Zoo to live out their lives.  They may either be residents due to physical or behavioral challenges and they serve as ambassadors for their species to the curious public.  The public that visit have the opportunity to observe these animals as they are there to educator visitors about wildlife.  Best of all it's FREE to visit.

We have started the habit of afternoon tea and story time.  Today, I made pipsissewa tea for us to share.  We collected pipsissewih on a recent hike and have been finding it around trees in our front and behind the house.  We brew this natural wintergreen plant with peppermint tea.  It's pretty interesting how beneficial this tea is...

Because I never seem to have it all together, I knew I'd be forgetting something for the first day of school for the kids.  So, at the last minute on Sunday night, James roll into the local Walmart to grab some fun breakfast items and a few fun school supplies to make things a little more interesting for the kids.  It's a good thing too because Nora Jean woke up and declared "I do not want to go to schoooooool!" from underneath the covers of my bed.   Going to school to her means I have to brush out that unruly mop of hair first thing in the morning.   "We have a choice of pannnnncakes or douuuughnuts."  I sing back at her.   Then I make my way to Gunner's room clapping and singing "wake up, wake up it's time for breakfast!"  I'm extra loud with him because anytime he sleeps past the crack of dawn, he's not so easy to wake up.

They both wobble out of the the bedrooms and down the steps to the basement kitchen where I have bacon ready, doughnuts on a tray and scrabbled eggs in the pan.  They can choose to have pancakes as well, because those just come straight from the freezer.   Jake slides by me in the kitchen first and Evan is in the recliner petting the cat when I come down.  Both are ready for food...aren't most teenage boys.  Jake makes himself a cup of coffee with a. splash of sweet cream and I make their plates.  I'm starting to feel like I just might be able to pull this homeschool gig off.

I wanted to find a variety of things to do with the letter "L" including things that are fun from Love to Learning.  I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "L".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter K games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

Years ago I started making baby shoes, like when my boys were tiny.  That was a long time ago.  Oh how I loved sewing these little things.  It takes a bit of practice but they really are easy and so fun to embellish.  The pattern and tutorial is completely free.

We started introducing word families today and spelling them as well.  We include real and nonsense words.  There are so many reason we should be using word family studies and benefits that will grow with the child's learning.  Here are some common questions, answers, and more at home ideas.

I wanted to find a variety of things to do with the letter "K" including things that are fun from Kingdoms to Kindness.  I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "K".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter K games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

Our story is simple.  I am a former teacher, having taught 1st, 4th, & 5th grades as well as a 3 year old Pre-K.  At home, I haven' t put forth the effort in the past that I have in the classroom because, well, my kids were in a classroom.  I got to rely on their teachers and that made me their educational support person at home when needed.  Now, I am home with our Kindergartener because of Covid-19.  I have 5 kids, 3 in school and 2 at home, only one I am responsible for.  Next year, it will be 2 when sister is ready for kindergarten.  For now, she is at a Montessori school learning some amazing readiness skills for Pre-K, just like brother did.  I get to be home with him and I get to teach the way I wish I could have always taught.  

Well... when the teacher in you is at home and wishes she had a lesson planner to help gain focus while putting together a new homeschool curriculum... you scour Pinterest until you hit the jackpot, right?  

I wanted to find a variety of things to do with the letter "J" including things that are fun from Jobs to Jello.  I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "J".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter J games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

In 2009 when I started creating patterns for fun this was the first one I attempted.  It has been tweaked a little and more patterns have been added to my list of freebies.  I hope you find it as precious as I have and you will check out other patterns that I have put together.  I hope you enjoy this pattern ...

I have put together another fun list of wooden bead projects that I think you will love.  There are so many pins to pin on Pinterest that I thought I would take my top 25 favorite and just put them here for you.  Learn how to dye, color, paint, and stain the wooden beads for the look you desire.  You'll find a table of sizes that you will need for reference, a great source or 2 of where to find the "hard to find" beads and a ton of ideas on what to do with them around them home.  

As always, simply click description above each picture to visit the website that is featured.

Every year I take a day early in January to organize my first aid kit for the year.  Once you have a well stocked first aid kid it is easy to maintain.  To get started you can buy a ready to go kit or gather items you already have and put them all in one place.  I like using a tackle box because of all the dividers and you can use any size you see fit.  You can even use small ones to keep in your car. Years ago I created a little check list of some of the most important items to have on hand.  You can download that checklist at the bottom of this post and keep it handy in your kit for future use.

I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "I".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter I games.

Side Note: You will see quite a few "bug" posts below, but lets just go with "insects" when talking about the letter "I"
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For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "H".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter H games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "F".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter F games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

When my boys were little I made them these little chefs aprons complete with hats and oven mitts. It was a year when money was tight at Christmas so I made these to go with a cookbook I bought them and a few colorful utensils. It's been close to 7 years and we still have these hanging and ready to use. The smaller one was passed down and the hats have gone MIA but they still love their colorful aprons.

I have put together another fun list of letter recognition activities, this time for the letter "D".  These alphabet activities are nature-based learning and coordinated well with an outdoor learning environment.  The activities will be ranged from letter activities for 3-year old to preschool and a few for toddlers as well.  You'll find some cool ideas on how to teach your child to recognize the letters of the alphabet and the sound/symbol correlation".  The benefits of nature theme learning allow your child to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics.  I've even included some printable alphabet activities and letter D games.

For more information about the Homespun Preschool click HERE
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As always, please click on the link above the photos to be taken to the original post.

In my past life I owned a business that allowed customers to pick from over 100 fabrics and 25 styles of bags/accessories so that they could design their own bag.  Our bags were sold all over the United States allowing customers to design via home parties and local store fronts.  Eventually, I closed the doors to the business.  What I was left with was some tried and true handbag designs.  We had made thousands of diaper bags and had perfected the art and design.  The designs are simple, something you'd expect from being homespun.  You can now download the tutorial and instructions on how to design your very own bag right down to the pattern itself.

In 2009 I digitized these beautiful paper dolls from a vintage wrapping paper.  These can be printed on card stock and enjoyed.  Paper dolls seem to be a long lost pastime for many.  Print and cut these out and care them with you on road trips or for quite time at home.  

You get :
1 doll,
5 outfits 
2 hats.