Our CC Year

We had a wonderful year of Classical Conversations.  This program and our community has blessed  my heart so much through the years.  I just love it!

Edy's class

AG's class

Our wonderful community!

The moms gave me the sweetest gift--a frame filled with gift cards to some of my favorite places!

End of Year Celebration

My little Memory Master testing with her tutor.

We are gearing up for another year at CC.  I am looking forward to it...and so are the girls.

Five on Friday

It's FIVE on FRIDAY, but more importantly, it's my JoJo's 3rd birthday.  Happy Birthday, Joy!

I have been away from this blog for some time.  The other day, I glanced at the BLOG ARCHIVE menu and had to laugh.  I posted less last year than I did in my first full year of blogging.  Although I've been busier than ever--three kids, homeschooling, directing CC, and just all the other stuff in life, I am not ready to walk away from this very OLD (in blog years) blog.  I know that a year of hardly ever posting has cost me followers and views, but eh...that's not why I blog.  I just like having this online journal(that I've printed into paperback books).  What started out as a way to keep family in the loop with the kiddos is really outdated now.  Hello...facetime, who needs an ancient BLOG!?!  I don't even think the family reads this blog anymore.  But, I'm still here and gonna attempt to blog more regularly now that things are chill for a minute.  

[ONE]  

I'm so grateful that the Lord is still growing me in Him.  Even when I've had a shortage of time, I'm thankful for the push to grow.  He is faithful!

[TWO]
I got a new light fixture for the entryway and I'm so pleased--less than $100 and it puts a smile on my face every time I walk by it!

[THREE]

I may be late to jump on the bandwagon, but have y'all tried Benefit's Roller Lash?  It's no hoax, it's the real deal.  *I've never done a sponsored post and I'm not being paid to say this...it's the best mascara!

My BEFORE and AFTER

[FOUR]

My Classical Conversations community was so kind and generous to me.  On our last community day, they gifted me money and lots of gift cards, a coffee cart, plants, neat things for my house, a coffee mug, candy, and a bunch of very kind and thoughtful cards.  I'm so appreciative to the moms in our community.  They serve, encourage, inspire, and give of their time and resources.  I am so glad that I don't have to homeschool on an island all by myself.

Godiva chocolates for the W-I-N!

[FIVE]

Joy Tatum is THREE.  Last week we celebrated her birthday, Charlie Brown style!  Click HERE to see pics and read about the party.

Thanks for stopping by.  If you are new to the blog, follow along!   I am hoping to post more regularly....at least for the summer.

Classical Conversations Wrap-Up

Wednesday, we wrapped up CC for the year.  It has been a great year and also a really, really busy year.  For almost six years, I haven't "worked" and taking on the director job was definitely a lot of work.  I'm glad I did it and plan on tackling another year in the fall.

Friday, we had our End of Year Celebration right smack dab in the middle of heavy thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and flood warnings.  Even though phone sirens were blasting and the rain made it hard to hear, it was a great night.  Thankfully, the weather passed and everyone made it home safe and sound.

Like last year, I took class pics for our community.  If you can believe it, I knew it was picture day and I remembered my camera, but I forgot it was picture day.  Make sense?  It's like my mind knew it was picture day but forgot that it involved my kids--no cute outfits or fancy hairdos for the Hale sisters.

I made a little video montage for the End of the Year Celebration.  The mission statement of Classical Conversations is:  To Know God and To Make Him Known.  I thought this song (in video) was very fitting to wrap up our year.  Check it out:

Classical Conversations of Central Tyler 2015-16 from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

All of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and to make you known.

Classical Conversations is a phenomenal program and I could talk about it, home discipleship, and the rise of Biblical illiteracy until I'm blue in the face.  If you have any questions, please leave comment!  I'd love to share.

Five on Friday

 FIVE on FRIDAY!  Let's do this....

[ONE]
It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Who's with me??

Joy at the Christmas Tree farm

[TWO]
I'm almost completely done Christmas shopping.  And... I ·heart· wrapping paper.

[THREE]

Steals and Deals...

I found this solid wood dresser at a local junk store.  I paid 55 bucks for it.

[before]

[after]

[FOUR]

Y'all Classical Conversations is over until January!!!  I absolutely love our community and CC, but it's going to be nice to have a break for a little bit.  We had a great time wrapping up this semester.  The community gifted me a coffee maker.  How nice was that?  

[FIVE] Did y'all get to check out my family photos I posted yesterday?  Check them all out here.

Happy Friday, everyone!  This time next week, I'll probably be in a food coma!

CC End of the Year Celebration

A few weeks ago, we wrapped up our Classical Conversation's year with a big American-themed celebration...

 Our CC years are divided into three cycles and this year we focused on American history.

fine art on display

I loved looking at the older kids' (junior high and high schoolers) work.  This map was drawn completely by memory.  That's impressive!

Each class shared a section of memory work.  My class shared math.  Check out the video: Apprentice EOY Celebration from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Back to School Treats--TWO Free Printables

TWO posts in one day!!  Wowza!  Click HERE to check out the A&W root beer teacher treat--free printable.   Like I said earlier, the first day of CC is this Wednesday!!  I am excited to meet the kiddos who will be in my group (Apprentices).  I made them a little something, too:

Suggestions:  print on white card stock (scroll to the bottom for printable) and cut out, put a few Starburst candies in a little bag, hole-punch card, tie ribbon around bag, and attach card.

Suggestions: print on white card stock, cut along the dotted lines and thread a pencil through the center.

[8X10 printable]

 [8X10 printable]

Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

First Day of School

School has officially started at our house!  We kicked off bright and early but made sure to get a "first day of school" pic:

We keep a fixed routine during our homeschool year.  The girls eat breakfast, make beds, get dressed/brush teeth, and we start school at 9am.

We will meet for Classical Conversations on Wednesday which is going to be a big change for us--previously on Monday.

I am humbled and thrilled to be discipling my girls! This is my best teaching job ever!

{to know God and make Him known}

[free printable] if interested. Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

Catch-Up

I've been out of the loop and haven't posted my FIVE on FRIDAYs in a few weeks so I need to play catch-up. 
Here are a few updates:
[ONE]  Could JoJo be any cuter?  She's right smack dab in the middle of the adorable phase!

[TWO]  Big sisters have been dressing baby sis up!  

[THREE]  The other night, AG and Edy "made" dinner for Graham.  AG made a little menu and they pretended to be waitresses/hostesses.  I love how they love their daddy!

[FOUR]  Tomorrow I'm headed to Fort Worth for a Classical Conversation practicum.  I am so excited to start Cycle Three and tutor this year.  

[FIVE] Y'all come back tomorrow for What You Wish Wednesday. I'll be featuring an awesome tutorial, too!   P.S. If you don't have a blog but would like to join in the fun, you're in luck! You can now link-up your Instagram account.  

See y'all tomorrow!