The Modest Mom Blog

All About Spelling Level 1 Review

May 22, 2013 by Caroline · 10 Comments

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Spelling….that word is not liked by one of my children. He can read fabulously and comprehends what he reads, but to spell the words? It just doesn’t come easily for him.

I saw so many different blogs post about All ABout Spelling. I have to admit, I wasn’t drawn to it right away because I was looking for an easy “sit down and study the words” textbook approach. This school year has been anything but easy for me. I’ve been pulled in a hundred different directions and have had to rely on textbooks more than ever before. I’m learning more and more that certain subjects work well for the standard textbook approach, but other subjects need the hands on time with Mama.

All About Spelling provides an excellent way to spell using your eyes, hands, and ears (sight, touch, and sound). We talk through how to spell a particular word and the how behind why we are spelling a word that way. This program teaches one concept at a time, building slowly upon each new skill.

I’ve been so pleased with the quality of the program and everything they send. Nothing has been forgotten; they have thoughtfully put together every item in this program.

The Teachers Guide tells you each step of what to do, and what to say. Love that. I don’t want to think about what to say when I have a baby crawling on my lap while I’m trying to teach spelling.

You start out with the basic letters–the vowels are in red, everything else is in blue. The student used these magnetic tiles on a magnetic board (the board is not provided.You can purchase on here).

Students learn about digraphs using these tiles. The teacher introduces the digraph tiles, pointing to the individual sounds and then blends them together.

These tokens are used by the student as he spells a word out loud. As each sound is being spoken, the child pulls a token down the board in front of him.

As the student passes each step they can put a sticker on the chart. I’m saving this back for my next child since my older child is going through this program and does not need the sticker chart.

All the cards you use for the student are stored in this handy box!

Everything fits in this sturdy bag, which I love! We do school upstairs and downstairs, so the bag just goes where we need it that day!

Overall I’m very impressed with this program. I think the first level was a tad too easy for my child, but I wanted to cover all the basics quickly before moving on to the next levels. There are seven levels all together! You can view sample lesson plans of all seven levels here.

I’m also excited to browse through the “All About Reading” program that “All About Learning Press” offers when we attend the “Teach Them Diligently Convention” soon!

It’s a wonderful feeling to find curriculum that works. I’d love to know, do you try various curriculum frequently, or just stick with the same thing each year?

Modest Monday And A Link Up!

May 20, 2013 by Caroline · 8 Comments

This was the first full week that my husband has been at home with us since college ended for the summer. Oh how nice it has been! I was starting to feel like a single parent (my heart goes out to all of you amazing single parents!), especially while finals were taking place. The joke around our house is that my husband is going to get through college unless he drops over dead first. :/ Going to school for graphic design requires so much time doing homework, not in studying books but in spending hours and hours working on projects every night. I’m so looking forward to this summer and spending some wonderful family time together.

It is finally warming up, and actually getting quite hot here in Missouri! White skirts seem so fitting for warmer days.

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During the summer months I wear sandals to church almost every week. I practically live in sandals whenever I can!

I finally found some white sandals at Ross!

Classic, go with anything silver hoops!

My face is broke out from (I think) a makeup primer I started using this week. Time to stop using that one! Any suggestions on a good, preferably natural makeup primer?

Later in the day we went over to a friends house and I quickly twisted my hair back to get it out of my face, and used a Daisy Dangle Freestyle x-small flexi clip to hold it back.

What I Wore

White Skirt – Zulily (from last year)

Blouse – Charlotte Russe brand (Thrift Store)

White Sandals – Purchased at Ross, similar ones here

Silver Hoop Earrings – Similar ones here

Daisy Dangle Flexi Clip- Lilla Rose

Makeup -

Just a touch of concealer, Southern Belle Cream foundation, blush and tinted lip gloss, all from Cowgirl Dirt.

Link Up Time!

Please feel free to share posts about anything concerning being a godly feminine woman. Topics include: modesty, being a wife, mother, homeschooler, homemaker, cooking, sewing, etc.
Please grab the button below and share on your blog post so others can come and join in the link up as well! You can grab the code to this button on the right hand side of the blog.

Feminine Friday ~ Buy Extra If You Can

May 17, 2013 by Caroline · 8 Comments

Guest Post From Meghan at First Comes Love
How many times have you sprung for a new skirt or top or even a pair of shoes you loved and then wished later that you had purchased an extra, or two or three extras?

I know I have.

When the Lord led our family to modesty just over ten years ago, I quickly discovered how difficult it could be to find appropriate clothing for myself and my daughters. Online shopping sites that sold modest clothing, like Deborah & Co., just weren’t available yet.

After a couple of epic fails, I finally realized that if I found a skirt, a dress, or even a top that was modest and priced right, I should buy in bulk. {Well, almost… }

This has been particularly important with my girls. Several years ago, when my thirteen-year-old was size six, Wal-Mart had eyelet ruffled skirts for about ten dollars. It seemed so bizarre to purchase two colors in every other size, but the style hasn’t changed, and just last year she has grown out of the largest size. The next year, when I saw ¾ sleeve tee-shirts for girls, I just about bought the whole rack!

Now, my youngest daughter absolutely adores those skirts, twirling and swirling around the living room to her favorite music. And my girls have matched many times in those ¾ length sleeve shirts.

The rain sprinkled a bit that day, but the umbrella was plenty.

The 13yo ~

Beige jumper ~ thrift store

Pink shirt ~ thrift store {Love it when I find items to match!}

Brown Mary Jane’s ~ Payless last year, buy-one-get-one-half-off

Lilla Rose flexi ~ half-up with Music Lover flexi

The 11yo ~

Denim skirt ~ thrift store

Striped shirt ~ Kohl’s, 50% off with additional 15% off

Navy Mary Jane’s ~ Payless last year, buy-one-get-one-half-off

Lilla Rose flexi ~ oblong bun with Freestyle Princess Tiara

The 7yo ~

Pink twirly skirt ~ originally new from Wal-Mart, then handed down

Pink butterfly shirt ~ thrift store

Purple canvas Mary Jane’s ~ hand-me-down from 11yo

Ponytail ~ frilly ponytail holder from craft show for $1

Blessings,

Meghan

Meghan Carver is living the dream she never knew she had. After achieving a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Millikin University and completing a brief stint in immigration law, Meghan heard God calling her to be at home. She now homeschools her six children with her college professor husband. In her copious free time , she blogs at First Comes Love {www.meghancarver.blogspot.com} about homeschooling and homemaking, sews for her kidlets, writes fiction, and seeks God’s will in all of it.

Lilla Rose Braided Bun Tutorial

May 16, 2013 by Caroline · Leave a Comment

Looking for a new way to style your hair with Lilla Rose? I’ve been having fun trying new sizes of clips, and new hairstyles. We are trying to avoid turning our air conditioning on yet, and the days are getting hot! I stay cooler if I put my hair up somehow.

Here is a great tutorial that is perfect for keeping longer hair up during the hot months. A Lilla Rose consultant created this with pictures she took of her daughter. I love the finished look!

1. Section off two sides from the front of your hair.

2. Braid each side.

3. Pull them back, along with the rest of your hair and fasten in a low ponytail.

4. Braid the rest of your hair as far as you can go.

5. Twist it up into a bun and secure it with a Lilla Rose Flexi Clip that fits your hair thickness.

I love this picture. My husband drew the old fashioned woman picture for me when we were courting. I framed it a few years ago to have out instead of tucked away in my drawer. I loved highlighting some of my large Flexi Clips using this picture!

If you are unsure of what size clip you need for your unique hair texture and length, you can watch this sizing and styling video. Or, I’ll give some further hints below the video.

Want an easy way to tell what size you are without the sizing video? Put your hand around your full ponytail and squeeze down…If the amount you’re holding resembles a nickel, you’re an extra small. A quarter, you’re a small. A 50 cent piece, you’re a medium, and anything bigger and you’ll need large or xl. This would be for a ponytail or tails-up. A half-up would be a smaller size, and a French twist would be larger.

If you are looking for a way to earn a little bit of extra income, consider becoming a Lilla Rose consultant! There are no minimums to meet each month, no monthly fees, and no pressure whatsoever! The start up costs are very affordable. You can email me for further info, or read more info here.

Where God Guides, He Provides

May 15, 2013 by Caroline · 6 Comments

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A guest post from Catherine at Blessings to the Home

When I was about 12 years old, Mom and I felt the Lord directing us to wear dresses or skirts on a daily basis. After much prayer and searching, we finally found a company that made modest dresses and skirts. In an effort to teach us money management, my parents had recently decided to increase the commission my brother Phillip and I were receiving. We were responsible for carefully saving and planning for our wardrobe. I had grown a great deal over the winter, and spring was just around the corner. Consequently, I found myself needing to replace my spring and summer wardrobe. A few weeks before being convicted to wear dresses or skirts regularly I had purchased pants, capris, and a pair of Bermuda shorts for the season. Thus, I was without the resources to make the pants-to-skirts transition. I found the Lord directing me down a certain path, but I was without the means to follow it.

However, I knew that where God guides, He provides. The Lord would not tell me to do something without providing for His will to be fulfilled. Knowing this, I began praying that the Lord would meet my needs and provide me with the necessary resources. Shortly thereafter, my brother and I received an envelope from my grandfather. Entirely unaware of my prayers, Grandpa had chosen to give Phillip and me the rare gift of a large sum of money. After paying tithing and purchasing skirts and dresses for the summer, there was even a little bit left over!

In the years that followed, my family and I spent over 3 years living in Germany. Modest skirts and dresses were nearly impossible to find on base and even harder to get on the economy, but when we took our concerns to the Lord, He always provided. His provision in this area has served to strengthen my conviction that modesty and femininity are important to Him. As daughters of the King, may we continually strive to serve and depend upon our Lord!

Catherine is a 19 year-old home school graduate and stay-at-home daughter. During her senior year she began working to establish a Missouri Abortion Memorial. This project is ongoing and often has her family traveling throughout Missouri. When not busy helping with the farm and pro-life projects, working as a mother’s helper and an Independent Lilla Rose Consultant, cooking with her family for church functions, practicing piano, or going out to the firing range with Dad, you may find her blogging with her mother at Blessings to the Home.

Answering the “How do you do it all?” Question!

May 14, 2013 by Caroline · 25 Comments

I seem to be getting more and more questions from mothers wondering how I manage to blog, own a business, be a consultant for Lilla Rose, homeschool my children, run my house, and still manage to be sane doing it all.

I don’t have any special secrets. Honestly there are women out there far more organized then I am. My secret is that I strongly believe in all these things, so somehow I find a way to make it all work. But it doesn’t always look pretty and it always doesn’t run smoothly.

In order to dispel the myth that I’m some sort of supermom, here is a breakdown of some things I’m currently NOT doing.

1. We have a seamstress who does an excellent job working for our custom clothing business. I stopped being the seamstress years ago – trying to keep up with the demand of orders along with running the business and everything else was way to much for me. The business would have been ended a long time ago if I was the main seamstress. I was the one responsible for cutting out all the skirt orders for several months after Christmas and that was a big job right there!

2. Recently we hired someone to come and ship all the orders for our business. It was a wise decision, and once again after praying about it we found the perfect person to do it!

3. I’m not running my children around to extra curricular activities. There is nothing wrong with being involved in outside events, I just physically have not been able to keep up with adding one more thing to our schedule, and my children have not suffered for it at all.

4. We are not doing a fancy homeschool curriculum. At this point I’m combining Heart of Dakota (only select portions of it) with Christian Light Workbooks. It is working out well for us.

5. I’m not keeping a Martha Stewart house. My dishes are rarely all done at once, and if you walk in my living room 9 times out of 10 there is a laundry basket sitting there. I’m not happy with the state of my house, and it’s a work in progress to continually learn how to keep up with it better. My husband loves a neat and tidy house and I long to be better homemaker for him. He also realizes that I cannot do everything though, and he pitches in and helps when he is able. I don’t think my house looks different then most houses with 5 younger children though…

6. I don’t cook fancy, gourmet meals. We have a lot of taco salad, burritos, and homemade pizza here.

7. I don’t use cloth diapers. We sometimes use paper plates. I rarely make my own whole wheat bread anymore. When things are super crazy we run to Costco and get a $9.00 pizza to bring home and cook in the oven. Or a Rotisserie chicken and then I’ll cook some Annie’s Mac & Cheese at home to go along with it, and a vegetable. Simple meals are a must. When I take the time to make nicer meals, usually I’m making Pioneer Women’s mashed potatoes, meatballs, and homemade crescent rolls. Mmmmmm.

Some other things that help this season of life….

My daughter is using an online reading program to learn how to read. I do sit most of the time with her and monitor her progress, but I don’t have to mentally give of myself for that task.

We had a mother’s helper coming in one day every week, or every other week while my husband was in college. He just finished up the semester and is home right now so she is not coming presently, but it was a big help when she came. It gave me time to get caught up on business emails and projects while she helped the children with schoolwork. She also tackled laundry every time she came.

Having a husband who is just as committed to our online businesses. My name might be on this blog, the Lilla Rose website, and the Deborah & Co. site, but without my husband’s support I couldn’t manage to keep up this blog and the businesses. He helps me with editing blog posts, and I run multiple ideas by him constantly for feedback. He will be doing all the design work on my eBook that I’m writing, and will even be adding some thoughts to the eBook himself. We compliment each other’s weaknesses well (believe me, you don’t want me doing the design work on the eBook!), and it is a great blessing to use the talents God gave us and put them together.

I have extended family who helps out when needed. My mother-in-law is willing to come whenever I call and ask for help. Recently I was so overwhelmed, my husband was getting ready for finals and I was swamped with business work and house work. I called her up and asked if the children could spend the night, something we don’t do very often at all. They ended up staying two nights and I was able to get caught up on a lot of things. My sister also lives 5 minutes away from me and watches the children for me sometimes.

Nana reading to Carrianna

Hopefully this helps you realize that I’m not super mommy, and that I don’t have all the answers of how to keep a smooth running household all the time. If you want to chat with a mother like that, talk to Michelle Duggar. She is the closest to a super mommy that I know of!

All About Spelling Level 1 Review

You may also like:

Modest Monday And A Link Up!

What I Wore

Link Up Time!

You may also like:

Feminine Friday ~ Buy Extra If You Can

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Lilla Rose Braided Bun Tutorial

You may also like:

Where God Guides, He Provides

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Answering the “How do you do it all?” Question!

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