Author Archives: Richele McFarlin

About Richele McFarlin

Richele is a Christian homeschooling mom to four children, writer and business owner. Her collegiate background is in educational psychology. Although it never prepared her for playing Candyland, grading science, chasing a toddler, doing laundry and making dinner at the same time.

Summer Bucket List

What is a summer bucket list? Quite simply it is a list of items you want to accomplish this summer.  Whether you homeschool all year or not, this is a great summer activity for you and your children.  It is a fun way to set and accomplish goals. What things to have on a summer bucket list? Lists will vary according to each person and family.  The size of your family and ages of your children will determine what your list looks like.  I suggest having each member of the family add to the list or perhaps make their own … Continue reading →

Have Fun this Summer

I never put together a summer bucket list.  I saw blogs filled with printables and ideas for a bucket list and just pushed the idea aside.  I quietly envied those with the freedom for a bucket list but figured I would never have the time.  It was summer and that meant it was my time to get some projects completed and work on building up my graphic design business again.  My business partner and I have a list a mile long of how we will run our business and what services we would offer.  Most of June has consisted of … Continue reading →

Cedar Point and Your Preschooler

Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Ohio,  is normally associated with heart pumping rides and the thrill of going upside down at 70 miles an hour only to endure a drop that makes the hair on your arms stand on end.  That is hardly the experience you want your preschooler to endure.  It may surprise you to learn that Cedar Point is not only fun for adults and older kids but for preschoolers as well.  It is one of the best family fun parks around! Top Seven Things to Love About Cedar Point for Preschoolers My mini thrill seeker spent her … Continue reading →

But, I Can’t Teach Music

I Can’t Teach Music Experience tells me I am not the only one who has uttered these words.  When I embarked on homeschooling I considered many things.  I considered phonics, math, literature, history, and methodology.  I lived in the bright light of hope for my ability to homeschool joyfully and effectively.  My glasses were always rosy colored.  It’s easy to color your view rosy when you simply do not consider the road blocks.  I assumed I would figure it all out on the job.  Then one day, it happened.  My child developed a love for music and desired to sing … Continue reading →

Homeschool Teacher Quiz

The Homeschool Teacher True or False Test 1) The homeschool teacher carries the responsibility of her child’s entire education.  T or F 2) The homeschool teacher teaches all subjects with expertise.   T or F 3) The homeschool teacher never seeks outside help or her homeschool would be tainted.  T or F 4) The homeschool teacher is smarter than a fifth grader.  T or F 5) The homeschool teacher knows all areas of academics or else she would not homeschool. T or F 6) The homeschool teacher does not know everything.  T or F 7) The homeschool teacher has little to … Continue reading →

Movie Night: Monsters University

My two older children loved watching Monsters Inc., so naturally I introduced my younger child to the movie. As I expected they also loved it.  When Monsters University came out I could not wait to bring my two little girls to see it.  I love memories of movie night.  The movie opened last Friday but where we live movie tickets on Monday are only $5.00 so we waited. When movie day arrived we were all super excited to get to the theater. Upon arrival it was clear that most waited until the cheap ticket day to see the movie.  The … Continue reading →

Birthday Math

Math lessons are fun for little ones when you use fun and different math manipulatives. I found inspiration when I was at a party store recently. I decided to do a unit study on birthdays and use candles as a math manipulative. Supplies: Purchase the number candles 0-9. You may want to get an extra zero to make 100. Purchase a package of regular birthday candles in different colors but the same amount for each adding up to 100. Cupcake liners Styrofoam to make a birthday “cake”. Decorate as you see fit. Lessons: Have your child put the number candles … Continue reading →

Natural Treatments for Mosquito Bites

It’s mosquito season and already they are out in full force.  My son recently went camping and came home with over 40 bites.  I thought he forgot his bug spray but claimed to have sprayed it daily.  The bites didn’t seem to bother him too much but I had about five on my ankle and the itch was driving me batty.  Since, I try to be as chemical free as possible and I have smaller children who I don’t want sprayed chemicals, I decided to use myself as an experiment.  It was too late for my teen or I to … Continue reading →

Summer Cleaning

Since it is summer perhaps it is time to do a little summer cleaning with the kids. Break out the mops, dustpans, and garbage bags because it is time to clean and de-clutter. I always feel lighter after cleaning out a challenging closet or a kid’s room. Probably one of the most challenging rooms to de-clutter are the kids’ rooms. My kids find ways to hang onto the craziest things. With three girls in one room and a messy boy in another room, I suspect a lot of garbage bags will be used. This year, I am enlisting the kids … Continue reading →

Top 5 Favorite Toys

Toys come and go but some are classics that stick around whether you want them to or not.  Sometimes the simple toys are the ones that all the kids like.  After having four kids there are a few staples that all the kids enjoyed.  I get a little tired of buying toy phones and cans of Play Doh but each child should get their chance to play with some of the classics.  I will never quite understand how my children are so attracted to a toy phone since I cannot stand talking on the phone.  But, I must admit I … Continue reading →