Princess Melody is at her monthly orthodontist appointment in San Angelo. She doesn't look forward to the dentist, but she does look forward to the trip.

Melody is also the proud recipient of her very first job. This is the job that she applied for just a few months ago, but was told that she would have to wait until her birthday. She is a very, very happy little princess, because now she will be able to earn money to fund some of her dreams.

Princess Tara and I had the pleasure of reading two books today, Invisible Alligators and The Journey of the Noble Gnarble. While Abbey was working on her lessons, Tarja says, "But what about me???" I love that my children love to learn.

Princess Abbey got started on the Youth Freedom Award project today. There are a lot of opportunities to write for this project, so we assigned a spiral notebook for the effort. As she writes, we correct grammar, and practice all misspelled words. When she is finished with the project, she will get a nice medal.

This afternoon, we have a twirling lesson, and then Abbey has a softball game. I have to make supper very early so that all we have to do is heat it up when we are ready to eat.

As for me, I am on the very last unit of Experiencing God. I will miss this study when it's over. Also, I am continually working toward improving my health, and have been even more diligent in working with ChaCha to help with my husband's transition from one job to the next.

Have a Great Day!
Laurel Santiago

Homeschool Summer

We don't allow our children to play during the Summer. Ha ha! You know that's not true, but that is the assumption that a lot of people have about homeschoolers.

However, I do have some things to say about the way we handle the lazy months of Summer. Truly, the Santiagos don't have time to waste away the hundred degree days by sipping Lemonade and listening to the sidewalks crack.

We still have lessons, although they might not be as structured as they were during the Fall and Winter. Last year, we started the Youth Heritage Award project during the Summer, and began utilizing all of the available video courses on Hippocampus. The girls attended a theater workshop, and began the necessary work for the Active Lifestyle Challenge. Abbey also participated in the Summer reading program at our local library.

For this Summer, I plan on working on Melody's high school transcript, and she will do her ACT test prep so that she can test in November.

Tarja will get to participate in the library Summer reading program for the first time.

Abbey will finish her softball season around the fist week of June.

Both Melody and Abbey will participate in a youth Bible study.

All three girls are baton twirling until Christmas, and we are all still doing the 52 Books Challenge to show that we can read 52 books by next January.

Please discuss your Summer plans in the comments below. It's fun to share ideas!

We have been very busy with softball practice 4 days a week, and baton twirling for two days per week. Softball season is already nearing an end, but we are just getting started in twirling. Two of my students are beginners, and are about to have their very first parade, beginning with the local July 4th parade. I don't know if they are excited, but I am.

Along those lines, I have decided to take the United States Twirling Association home study course to become a USTA coach. I don't know what that will do for me, but I just feel like this is something that I can and should do for myself. Keep in mind that I have been giving twirling lessons since I was about 16 years old, so you can imagine my excitement.

In response to my dear friend, LL, asking what the youth heritage project is, you can find more information about that program HERE.

Homeschool Year in Review

Even though we are nearing the end of the public school calendar, my homeschool never stops. Activities change for the Summer, but we technically have "school" all year round.

I do like to take this time of the year to reflect on a few things that we have accomplished, so here is a list of some of the high points:

1. Melody and Abbey both earned the Youth Heritage Award for intensive study of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We started this project near the end of last Summer.

2. Melody and Abbey both earned the Presidential Active Lifestyle Challenge Award.

3. Melody completed all of her high school coursework with the exception of math. Math will be completed in the very near future.

4. Abbey successfully completed a few high school courses alongside Melody.

5. We joined a fellow blogger in a challenge to read 52 books during the course of this year. Abbey is winning this challenge, and those that know us in person will know that this is a tremendous accomplishment for her.

6. Abbey joined a local softball team, 4H sewing, and two 4H shooting classes.

7. Melody joined the 4H shooting classes, and taught herself how to play the Irish Tin Whistle.

8. Melody and I took Financial Peace University together. She just turned 16, and is excited to finally be able to look for a job and jump straight to the wealth building portion of the program. (HOOTIE HOO!!!)

We have a new Presidential Physical Fitness goal, and are about to start on the next Youth Heritage Award project. Also, we plan on doing lots and lots of swimming.

Have a Great Day!
Laurel Santiago

Happy Mother's Day

I have been a college student mom, working mother, stay at home mom, work at home mom, public school mom, and homeschooling mom. The Three Princesses and I have not had a boring life together.

I was already pregnant with Princess Melody when I got married. I prayed for a baby girl with red, curly hair. Keep in mind that I am Native American with brown hair that is straight as a board. My husband is Hispanic, with dark brown, straight hair. Princess Melody has naturally wavy brown hair with red highlights.

About 3 years later, I told Mama that I was going to go to the doctor for a pregnancy test. Right after I left her house to go to my appointment, our old family doctor came to ask Papa to work on his car, and she told him what I had told her. about 9 months later, I was sitting at her kitchen table with newly born, Princess Abbey. The same old doctor friend came to the door. Mama took Abbey to him and said, "Remember when I told you that Lori needed a pregnancy test? Well, here it is!"

I found out that I was expecting Princess Tarja, the day after Abbey's 8th birthday, and just a few months after Mama died. When I went to the doctor, she confirmed what I already knew, and I burst into tears. We had wanted another baby, but had given up several years before. My doctor hugged me and asked me if I wanted the baby and I said, "I do......but I feel so silly, and I miss my Mama." Mama died in February of 2007, and Tarja arrived in March of 2008.

My birthday is in March. Mama gave me a necklace in December for my birthday. It is a heart with footprints on one side and the words, "It was then that I carried you...." on the back. She insisted on giving it to me in December. I sat with her until she went home.......just two days before my birthday.

"It was then that I carried you......"

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Children's Claritin Syrup

The Three Princesses and I can not live without Claritin, so imagine how happy I was to receive a bottle of Children's Claritin Syrup in the mail! We live in West Texas, and right now, the wind and smoke from the wild fires have been aggravating our allergies in the worst way.

My honest review is that even though Children's Claritin syrup is a fabulous product for allergy suffers, I prefer the ready tabs or chewables. The ready tabs or chewables are much easier to administer to my youngest child. However, the syrup is very necessary for those children that are too young for the pill forms. Hooray for Claritin for covering all of the age groups with their product!

I am a Bzzagent and have received this product and coupons for free to try in exchange for my review.

Natureluxe

I was lucky enough to be one of the few Bzzagents to receive Covergirl Natureluxe foundation and a lip color. These arrived just in time for Princess Melody's sweet 16. The foundation was full coverage, yet did not look or feel like a full coverage foundation. In fact, after I applied this product to my face, it didn't feel like I had any makeup on at all. Melody tried some, and said the same. The lipcolor appeared to be a red that I would not normally wear. However, I was surprised to find that it was a moisturizing hint of color. Therefore, I am happy to report that both the Natureluxe foundation and lip color are five star winners in my makeup kit.


*I am a Bzzagent, and have received these products as free samples in exchange for my review.