Welcome to the home of the Three Princesses!
My name is Laurel, and I have been homeschooling the Three Princesses for over ten years. Tarja is 3, Abbey is 11, and we are about to celebrate Melody's sweet 16 in just a few more weeks.
The Three Princesses is not about teaching other moms how to homeschool, but is merely a very personal look into our lives as a homeschooling family in hopes of busting some of the myths of homeschooling.
Besides being a homeschooling mom, I am also a baton twirling teacher, coupon mom, writer, and ChaCha guide.
Have a Great Day!
Laurel Santiago
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Homeschool Groups
I'm not complaining, merely reflecting.
What do you think about starting, or belonging to homeschool support groups?
The reason that I ask is that so many people are really gung ho about joining these groups. They sign up, pay their dues, sign statements of faith, and do whatever else is necessary to become members of these groups.
After all of the little formalities, something happens to the groups, more often than not. What happens is the strangest phenomena that I have ever seen in my ten years of homeschooling.
Few, if anybody, participates.
Families RSVP for events, and then refuse to show up.
Other families suggest events, and then fail to come to that which they have created.
The excuses for this display of apathy are amazing and endless.
Coordinators and organizers are left with wasted time, lost money, and hurt feelings.
Are homeschool support groups needed or wanted at all?
What do you think about starting, or belonging to homeschool support groups?
The reason that I ask is that so many people are really gung ho about joining these groups. They sign up, pay their dues, sign statements of faith, and do whatever else is necessary to become members of these groups.
After all of the little formalities, something happens to the groups, more often than not. What happens is the strangest phenomena that I have ever seen in my ten years of homeschooling.
Few, if anybody, participates.
Families RSVP for events, and then refuse to show up.
Other families suggest events, and then fail to come to that which they have created.
The excuses for this display of apathy are amazing and endless.
Coordinators and organizers are left with wasted time, lost money, and hurt feelings.
Are homeschool support groups needed or wanted at all?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A Loud, Messy Palace
"Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strength to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone)." from the Native American Code of Ethics
It seems like my house is never clean enough. No matter how hard I try, and no matter what I do, or what system I use, if you come to visit me, you are going to see at least a small amount of mess. It seems like the harder I try, and the tighter I try to run this ship, the looser the ends become. However, I believe that God speaks to us in his own way, and some things were revealed to my heart today.
1. One of my children was struggling with her math work that she was doing online. A year ago, I nearly lost my job, and was having to struggle through math lessons because my computer was broken, but the miracle is that one day I turned it on to see if I could fix it myself, and it worked as if it were brand new. Thank you, Jesus for giving back such a useful and helpful tool, and for giving me back my job. Maybe I, in all of the stress of the previous months, needed to take a month off from work far worse than I needed that money.
2. My toddler was running around screaming, getting into things that she shouldn't, and wreaking havoc with her sisters, who were doing their school work. Thank you, Jesus. This is the precious baby that we thought we could never have. Thank you, so very, very much.
Can you feel my tears as I write this?
3. As if I wasn't already feeling a little overstimulated, I was trying to wash dishes, listen to Melody practice Amazing Grace on her Irish tin whistle, and was hearing the clatter of the washer and dryer more so than the music. Thank you, Jesus. I remember when we didn't have any conveniences, and hard work didn't seem to pay off very much during those times, but you came through for us with all that we needed, plus more.
4. Homeschooling Three Princess of such vast age differences can be tough, especially when we didn't have a clue, a dime, or a plan. Thank you, Jesus. You gave me the strength to stand up to a teacher and a room full of school officials to say, "We are not afraid to homeschool!" Thank you for giving me the right words to say, and the right people and circumstances to turn this into a successful, ten year rein as a homeschooling family.
5. Putting a Sweet 16 party together has been expensive and overwhelming. Thank you, Jesus! My daughter has made it this far without drugs, alcohol, or a teen pregnancy. What a celebration this will be!
6. My husband's job requires so much of him, that it often leaves us without transportation, and I just miss him when he's gone for so many hours of the day. Thank you, Jesus! I remember when the Army rendered him unable to work for several years, and I had to be both mommy and breadwinner..............and that's when I said goodbye to my music career for good. Thank you, Jesus, for having a plan far greater than any that I could have designed on my own.
"One thing after another" means "blessing after blessing!"
Amen
It seems like my house is never clean enough. No matter how hard I try, and no matter what I do, or what system I use, if you come to visit me, you are going to see at least a small amount of mess. It seems like the harder I try, and the tighter I try to run this ship, the looser the ends become. However, I believe that God speaks to us in his own way, and some things were revealed to my heart today.
1. One of my children was struggling with her math work that she was doing online. A year ago, I nearly lost my job, and was having to struggle through math lessons because my computer was broken, but the miracle is that one day I turned it on to see if I could fix it myself, and it worked as if it were brand new. Thank you, Jesus for giving back such a useful and helpful tool, and for giving me back my job. Maybe I, in all of the stress of the previous months, needed to take a month off from work far worse than I needed that money.
2. My toddler was running around screaming, getting into things that she shouldn't, and wreaking havoc with her sisters, who were doing their school work. Thank you, Jesus. This is the precious baby that we thought we could never have. Thank you, so very, very much.
Can you feel my tears as I write this?
3. As if I wasn't already feeling a little overstimulated, I was trying to wash dishes, listen to Melody practice Amazing Grace on her Irish tin whistle, and was hearing the clatter of the washer and dryer more so than the music. Thank you, Jesus. I remember when we didn't have any conveniences, and hard work didn't seem to pay off very much during those times, but you came through for us with all that we needed, plus more.
4. Homeschooling Three Princess of such vast age differences can be tough, especially when we didn't have a clue, a dime, or a plan. Thank you, Jesus. You gave me the strength to stand up to a teacher and a room full of school officials to say, "We are not afraid to homeschool!" Thank you for giving me the right words to say, and the right people and circumstances to turn this into a successful, ten year rein as a homeschooling family.
5. Putting a Sweet 16 party together has been expensive and overwhelming. Thank you, Jesus! My daughter has made it this far without drugs, alcohol, or a teen pregnancy. What a celebration this will be!
6. My husband's job requires so much of him, that it often leaves us without transportation, and I just miss him when he's gone for so many hours of the day. Thank you, Jesus! I remember when the Army rendered him unable to work for several years, and I had to be both mommy and breadwinner..............and that's when I said goodbye to my music career for good. Thank you, Jesus, for having a plan far greater than any that I could have designed on my own.
"One thing after another" means "blessing after blessing!"
Amen
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Random Fact:s: Princess Baby Tarja
1. Tarja is the princess that I didn't believe that we could have. After I gave up on having any more babies, and the day after Princess Abbey's 8th birthday, we found out that we had a blessing on the way.
2. We could not agree on her name, but we all loved listening to Tarja Turunen, a highly versatile opera singer. In a fit of pregnant, hormonal rage, I shouted, "Why don't we just name her Tarja?" Everybody immediately agreed that this should be her name.
3.Tarja was born a year and one month after Mama died.
4. She was 9 pounds 8 and 1/2 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.
5. Tarja's 3rd birthday is the 24th of this month.
6. Tarja has always preferred to take a nap at the time that SpongeBob Squarepants comes on in the afternoon.
7. When Tarja was a newborn, Melody would play opera and classical music for her on youtube and prop her up so that she could watch.
8. She loves Dora the Explorer, the Disney Princesses, SpongeBob, Winnie the Pooh and ICarley.
9. Until she got old enough to want to play outside, she hated to wear shoes or socks. Why? Because she loved to see and play with her feet.
10. She refuses to sleep in her own bed.
11. This is her first year of baton twirling.
12. Her favorite food is chicken.
13. She loves new clothes and shoes.
14. Tarja can almost sing her ABC's.
2. We could not agree on her name, but we all loved listening to Tarja Turunen, a highly versatile opera singer. In a fit of pregnant, hormonal rage, I shouted, "Why don't we just name her Tarja?" Everybody immediately agreed that this should be her name.
3.Tarja was born a year and one month after Mama died.
4. She was 9 pounds 8 and 1/2 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.
5. Tarja's 3rd birthday is the 24th of this month.
6. Tarja has always preferred to take a nap at the time that SpongeBob Squarepants comes on in the afternoon.
7. When Tarja was a newborn, Melody would play opera and classical music for her on youtube and prop her up so that she could watch.
8. She loves Dora the Explorer, the Disney Princesses, SpongeBob, Winnie the Pooh and ICarley.
9. Until she got old enough to want to play outside, she hated to wear shoes or socks. Why? Because she loved to see and play with her feet.
10. She refuses to sleep in her own bed.
11. This is her first year of baton twirling.
12. Her favorite food is chicken.
13. She loves new clothes and shoes.
14. Tarja can almost sing her ABC's.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Princess Abbey
The second part of this 3 part series will leave you knowing Princess Abbey a little bit better than you did before. She is the middle princess of the Three Princesses.
1. Abbey is four years younger than Melody, and is 8 years older than Tarja.
2. She is allergic to animals, yet wants to be a dog groomer when she grows up.
3. Her current passion is dogs, and she was finally blessed with Molly, our one year old blue heeler.
4. Abbey was a Girl Scout for at least 7 years.
5. She was in Christ's Kids (CKs) for about 5 years.
6. She has been in AWANA for about 3 years.
7. She was named Princess (how appropriate!) at the West Texas Baby pageant in Odessa, Texas when she was 18 months old.
8. Her favorite subject is science due to her love of animals.
9. Abbey has been a baton twirler for 5 years.
10. She participated in Upward cheerleading for 2 years.
11. She is currently working on reading the entire Babysitter's Club series.
12. Her favorite TV show is Dog the Bounty Hunter.
13. Her favorite board game is currently Apples to Apples..
14. Has earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
1. Abbey is four years younger than Melody, and is 8 years older than Tarja.
2. She is allergic to animals, yet wants to be a dog groomer when she grows up.
3. Her current passion is dogs, and she was finally blessed with Molly, our one year old blue heeler.
4. Abbey was a Girl Scout for at least 7 years.
5. She was in Christ's Kids (CKs) for about 5 years.
6. She has been in AWANA for about 3 years.
7. She was named Princess (how appropriate!) at the West Texas Baby pageant in Odessa, Texas when she was 18 months old.
8. Her favorite subject is science due to her love of animals.
9. Abbey has been a baton twirler for 5 years.
10. She participated in Upward cheerleading for 2 years.
11. She is currently working on reading the entire Babysitter's Club series.
12. Her favorite TV show is Dog the Bounty Hunter.
13. Her favorite board game is currently Apples to Apples..
14. Has earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Random Princess Facts: Melody
1. Graduated from American Model Group modeling school in Tulsa, OK at the age of 5.
2. Was a Girl Scout for at least seven years.
3. Volunteered for the local nursing home for four years.
4. Was voted one of West Texas Most Beautiful by Nuestra Cultura magazine in Odessa, Texas.
5. Has been a twirler for 5 years.
6. Has participated in or volunteered with several children's ministry groups.
7. Has earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
8. Plays the Irish tin whistle.
9. Is a certified SuperSitter
10. Loves Opera, history, and great literature.
11. Has a goal to start entrepreneurship courses this Fall.
Stay tuned for facts about Princess Abbey and Princess Tarja!
2. Was a Girl Scout for at least seven years.
3. Volunteered for the local nursing home for four years.
4. Was voted one of West Texas Most Beautiful by Nuestra Cultura magazine in Odessa, Texas.
5. Has been a twirler for 5 years.
6. Has participated in or volunteered with several children's ministry groups.
7. Has earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
8. Plays the Irish tin whistle.
9. Is a certified SuperSitter
10. Loves Opera, history, and great literature.
11. Has a goal to start entrepreneurship courses this Fall.
Stay tuned for facts about Princess Abbey and Princess Tarja!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Princess Tarja Plays a Game
Princess Tarja will be three years old in about two more weeks. With her growing vocabulary and ever increasing arsenal of new skills, I decided that it was time to try out a file folder game. File folder games are educational games that you make yourself using file folders. There are many websites that offer free printables for making file folder games. I found this particular game HERE.
The video is sideways, because I made it from my phone, and am still learning how to use the phone. Maybe if you put your left ear on your left shoulder, you will be able to see better. However, I felt that the video was too good to throw away.
The video is sideways, because I made it from my phone, and am still learning how to use the phone. Maybe if you put your left ear on your left shoulder, you will be able to see better. However, I felt that the video was too good to throw away.
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