Design on Her Dime

tween design bedroom

While we were counting up our final savings for our road trip, my daughter realized that savings can really add up. She remarked, “Next I want to save up to redecorate my room!”  It’s amazing how empowering success can be. Part of me wanted to say, “No, your room is fine.  We don’t need to spend…

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5 Days of Christmas Presence (not Presents)

Christmas Presence

A couple of years ago, we were trying to figure out how to make Christmas work with an ever shrinking budget.  The solution?  Homemade Christmas.  I set up “Santa’s Workshop” in my room and made all kinds of wonderful treasures.  It took forever, but Christmas morning still felt like that glorious day of opening presents…

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The Top 5 Skills Cultivated in Debate

Top 5 skills cultivated in Challenge I

Last week I had the opportunity to help out with a student Debate camp at a Classical Conversations Parent Practicum. While the parents receive encouragement and training, children attend various academic camps from play camp, to geo/draw camp, to writing camps or debate camps. Even though I was “helping,” I really feel like I was the…

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Content in the Mess

Some people in my life have the idea that my house is always clean, my schedule is always perfect, and my plans always succeed. I’m here to tell you this isn’t the truth, and I brought proof.           I am happy scheduler. I love to make lists. I love to check boxes.…

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Strengthening Connections While Loosening the Reigns

I know it must seem crazy for moms of toddlers, but once your child starts buckling themselves in the car, going to the bathroom by themselves, and taking a shower on their own, it seems like they grow up in a blink.  This past October, I felt like I looked up and I saw a…

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