Holiday Replay |Holiday Series: Stocking Stuffer

December 21, 2022 by Gina Glenn Leave a Comment

Are you stuck in holiday traffic? Are you locking yourself in the bathroom at your family get-together to avoid Crazy Uncle Larry? Are you sick of hearing Christmas music? This quick episode is just for you!

Merry Christmas HIRLers! Join Fletch and Kendra in this short and fun episode as we share Christmas laughs with you. You might find out a few things that you didn’t know about Fletch and Kendra. (No, she really doesn’t like Italian Christmas music!)

Find out more facts as we play a quick round of “Q and A with K and A.” Then see if you agree as we comment on your answers to our Facebook questions like “What Christmas song drives you nuts?” We each have goodies to lock into the HIRLer’s Treasure Chest, and then join us as we finish the podcast with a Christmas edition of “Would you rather…”

This episode is meant to be light-hearted, but it also gives you a chance to take a private peek at your two hosts. Join us as we celebrate Christmas week on this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life.

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:
Hope Shifting – by Jim Applegate

Previous Episodes Mentioned:
Why the Rise In African-American Homeschooling – Episode 54

Music clips used on this episode:
Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney – Go buy it on iTunes
Last Christmas – Wham! – Go buy it on iTunes
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley – Go buy it on iTunes
Baby It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin – Go buy it on iTunes
12 Days of Christmas – Bing Crosby – Go buy it on iTunes
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey – Go buy it on iTunes
Christmas Song – Chipmunks – Go buy it on iTunes
Carole of the Bells – John Williams – Go buy it on iTunes
Grandma Got Runover By A Reindeer – Elmo and Patsy – Go buy it on iTunes
Christmas Shoes – Newsong – Go buy it on iTunes
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen – Go buy it on iTunes
Dominic the Donkey – Lou Monte – Go buy it on iTunes

Thank you to our Sponsor | 5000 BLANKETS

Inspired by a true story, 5000 BLANKETS will encourage you to give to others. Find hope this holiday season when you see 5000 BLANKETS in theaters. Exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13! Coming to PureFlix!

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

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Filed Under: Homeschooling IRL Tagged With: Andy Fletcher, christmas, Fletch, homeschooling, HomeschoolingIRL, Kendra Fletcher, podcast

Our Christmas Morning Traditions

December 19, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

Our Christmas Morning Traditions

In “Our Christmas Morning Traditions,” Episode, #176, Meredith Curtis shares her Christmas morning traditions, established in 1986 and continued to this day. Starting with special Christmas devotions and a homemade cinnamon roll “birthday cake” and ending with presents, these morning traditions have helped us to celebrate joyfully while keeping our focus on Jesus, the One we celebrate. The Curtis Christmas morning traditions have impacted relatives and friends who have occasionally visited our family for the holidays. Precious to this day, Meredith encourages listeners to create their own Christmas morning traditions that meet the needs and desires of your own family. Merry Christmas!

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

His & Hers & Ours

Writing the Devotions

Preparation

House Decorated & Tidy

Cinnamon Rolls Made & Rising

Breakfast Casserole, Orange Juice Ready, Kitchen Island Ready

Good Morning

Christmas T-shirts

Coffee, Juice, Hot Chocolate

“Fireplace” on TV, Christmas Lights On

Devotions

Devotion Books

Luke 2
Christmas Carols & Songs

Homemade Cinnamon Roll & “Happy Birthday to Jesus”

Impact on Visitors

Presents

Eat Breakfast while Opening

Open Gifts – one at a time (we open stockings on Christmas Eve after the Traveling Dinner)

Making a List for later Thank-You Cards

Calls to Family

Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: celebration, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, family, Finish Well, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, tradition

Make Your Homeschool Merry | a Helpful Holiday Roundup

December 16, 2022 by Gina Glenn Leave a Comment

Make Your Homeschool Merry | a Helpful Holiday Roundup

One of the best things about homeschooling is the ability to create a family schedule that works in your real life. So, if you’re not homeschooling through the holidays, I hope you spend quality time doing what’s best for your family. If you homeschool through the holidays, I’d love to hear your best tips for staying on top of it all!

This Round-Up is helpful regardless of your plans. To make the most of December, be sure and grab our free December Checklist Printable. It has all.the.goodies.

Okay, here we go!

Helpful Holiday Blog Posts

I’ve done the research for you to come up with Christmas or Holiday themed blog posts that will inspire you or encourage you.

Holiday Resources for Homeschooling Families

Homeschool moms love great resources! Here are some from our own podcasters!

Helpful Holiday Podcasts

Make yourself a cup of cocoa and dig into this mega list of homeschool holiday podcasts!

Holiday Movies for Your Family

While not all Christmas movies, why not use the holiday break to cuddle up on the coach with the family and a bucket of popcorn and dig into these binge-worthy lists of family movies?

(Thank you to our Sponsor, 5,000 Blankets) Coming to PureFlix January 9th, 2023)

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, family, movies

Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind

December 14, 2022 by Meryl van der Merwe Leave a Comment

210: Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind

In today’s episode, Becky Brinkman from Rose and Bird shares ideas on taking holiday photos with storytelling in mind

Listen to the episode for all her very useful tips. The resource page with videos and articles that go into more detail on some aspects can be found here

Where to find Becky Brinkman online:

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Filed Under: Homeschooling with Technology Tagged With: christmas, holidays, Meryl van der Merwe, photography, Technology

Christmas Around the World

December 5, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

Christmas Around the World

In “Christmas Around the World,” Episode, #175, Meredith Curtis introduces you to Christmas celebrations & traditions from Germany, Mexico, England, Bethlehem, South Korea, and the Philippines. Learn about each nation, make a flag ornament or banner, and try out one Christmas tradition from each country.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

Christmas is celebrated with joy around the world!

Learn about different Christmas traditions & incorporate them into your Christmas this year.

Germany

Advent Calendars, Christmas Trees, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Markets, Christmas Villages, Church & Presents Christmas Eve, Christmas Family Day, Second Christmas Give to Poor

Bake German Gingerbread Cookies

Mexico

Nacimiento (nativity scenes), Poinsettias, Pastorelas (Christmas plays), Pinatas, Farolitos (light in bags), Las Posadas, Christmas Eve Mass

Enjoy a Pinata!

England

Advent Wreath, 12 Days Christmas, Decorate with Holly, ivy, & Mistletoe, Christmas Lights, Candlelight Carol Services, Caroling, Cards, Christmas Eve Services, Christmas Crackers, Boxing Day

Make a Christmas Cracker

Bethlehem

Prophecies about little Bethlehem, Decorations, Each Denomination has its own procession past special sites, Christmas Eve parade & fireworks, Chuch Services

Watch Bethlehem parade on TV

South Korea

Church, Light Displays, Visit Loved Ones carrying Candles house to house, Christmas feast (barbequed meat with rice, sweet potato noodles, kimchi, bean paste, and vegetables), Christmas cake (made w rice flour)

Make a Korean Christmas Dinner

Philippines

Parol (Christmas lanterns), Christmas trees (made of metal, plastic, or wood), Simbang Gabi (from 12/16 to 12/23 before sunrise services), Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Christmas cakes (made from rice flour), Ginger Tea

Make a Filipino Christmas Cake & Drink Ginger Tea

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Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: celebration, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, family, Finish Well, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, tradition

Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify

November 7, 2022 by Laura Leave a Comment

Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify

In “Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify,” Episode, #173, Meredith Curtis believes family traditions are a perfect way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and special days. They also help us to pass on values and give our children a sense of security as a family member. Many celebrations also lend themselves to teaching children family and national history. Where do you start to build family traditions your family will enjoy and keep everything simple and easy? Meredith hears you and she has some simple steps to take to plan your own family traditions.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

Start with his and hers. Then move to ours.

The Basics of Traditions

Festive with purpose!

Celebration Fun
Teaching & Passing on Virtues
Identification in the Family

Let Me Give Your Some Examples

New Years Day

Scriptures

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17)

Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB)

New Life, New Opportunities, Moving Forward

Celebrate: Game night & Festive midnight “toast with hugs”

Teach/Pass Values: Family Communion (new life in Christ) & Prayer for the New Year (new beginning)

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate New Years”

St. Valentines’ Day

Scripture

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12 NASB)

Love for God, Romantic Love

Celebrate: “Pink & Red & White Dinner,” decorate, make Valentines for each other

Teach/Pass Values: Parents share love story or looking at wedding album, Read (or watch) something about St. Valentine

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day”

Mother’s Day / Father’s Day

Scripture

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth(Ephesians 6:1-3 NASB)

Blessing of Parents, Honoring Parents

Celebrate: Special meal, Encouragement Game, Family Outing, or Presents (combo or all)

Teach/Pass Values: Call grandparents, Send cards earlier, Help children make cards & gifts for parent

Family Identity: “This is how we celebrate Mother’s Day & Father’s Day”

How to Get Started

Brainstorm your dreams for your family

Talk to your husband – his favorite holiday traditions

Talk to your kids – what are there favorite holiday traditions

Can tweak traditions (e.g. opening presents one at a time)

Think in terms of Celebrate & Teach/Pass Values. All traditions help establish a family identity.

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Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: birthday, celebration, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, family, Finish Well, homeschool, homeschooling, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, thanksgiving, tradition

Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

December 20, 2021 by Laura Leave a Comment

Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

In “Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day,” Episode, #150, Meredith Curtis challenges you to make Jesus preeminent on what can be the busiest day of the year. With honesty and embarrassment, she shares lessons she has learned about exhausting herself creating the perfect day instead of celebrating a birthday. Glean some simple lessons about focus and intentional living to make your Christmas all about Jesus.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

The pressure

The abundance of gifts, parties, fun things you don’t want to miss

To-do List

I tried to plan ahead, but…

Christmas is Here

There are things you can’t change

It’s not about a perfect day

It’s about a perfect Gift to Mankind

Ingredients of Christ-Centered Days

Surrender

Trust

Scripture

Music

Worship/Prayer

Christmas is a Birthday

Sing Happy Birthday

Blow up balloons and hang them from the ceiling

Focus on giving more than receiving

Work together

Give Thanks

Our Christmas Morning Devotions & Singing

Family Time

Peaceful, joyful topics of conversation

Play Games

Make something together (food, craft)

Watch an Inspirational Movie

Our Christmas Eve Traveling Dinner

Pray for each other and the lost world He came to save

Attend a church service

Personal Time

Walks

Read the Bible Devotionally

Alone with the Christmas Lights

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis

Christmas Thoughts and Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis

Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette

Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis

Christmas Unit Studies

Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis

Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis

Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions

FinishWell Radio, Podcast #077, Learning from the Pilgrims & Puritans

Finish Well Homeschooling Podcast, Podcast #103, Happy Birthday Creator-King, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #124, Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

Check out the trailer here!

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: celebrate, Christian, christmas, Education, family, Finish Well, holiday, homeschool, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, teen

Digital Christmas Cards

December 15, 2021 by Meryl van der Merwe Leave a Comment

162: Digital Christmas Cards

Listen to the episode to hear why I think you should encourage your children to create Digital Christmas Cards.

Here are the tools I suggest they use. All have free plans and all allow you to upload your own photographs:

FundaFunda’s unit studies that incorporate teaching how to create interactive cards are

————————————————————————————————–
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Homeschooling with Technology Tagged With: christmas, Meryl van der Merwe, Technology

The Meaning of Christmas

December 14, 2021 by Lisa Nehring Leave a Comment

True North Homeschool Academy Director is joined by her husband, Dr. David Nehring as they talk about the meaning and importance of Christmas!

Christmas is the season of Light in the Darkness, as we celebrate the coming of Christ!

Being born into this world is a death sentence; nobody gets out alive! Which is why we are all in need of a Savior!

The Book of Joshua reminds us to be Strong and of Good Courage, but also to remember!

Join us this spring for classes that will encourage, delight and challenge k-12th grade students! Our Old Testament: Adam to Nehemiah class and New Testament Overview take students on an entire journey of Biblical Discovery!

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to ensure your academic and future success at True North Homeschool Academy! Sign up for our weekly email for support, class and clubs sales and specials and encouragement on your homeschooling journey!

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Filed Under: Soft Skills 101 Tagged With: Christ-Centered Christmas, christmas, Christmas traditions, Family traditions, holidays

Gift Giving in a Big Family – MBFLP 273

November 20, 2021 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

This week we’re talking about gift giving – it’s Biblical, you know! But how do you manage it without being immersed in the commercialism of a secular holiday, while glorifying God and having fun together? We’ve found that being more intentional and deliberate in choosing gifts and even in how we open them together, and encouraging our children to think of people rather than stuff at Christmas, has great benefits!

Biblical Passages We Mentioned

The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus – Matthew 2:1-11

The people feasted and shared with each other over joy in God’s word – Nehemiah 8:9-10 – And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God … Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

How Our Family Christmas List is Structured

We described how our family keeps up with everyone’s “wish list” – not just at Christmas, but all year long! Here’s the basic framework – each person’s section of the family list is divided into price brackets, and it’s the responsibility of each person to keep their list up to date. And when the shopping happens, gift-givers quietly delete items so others don’t duplicate their gift!

NAME

Updated: (be sure to make a note here when you make changes to your list!)

$1-$5 Gifts: Your categories may differ, depending on the ages in your family and your personal budgets. We have to consider young children, teenagers, college students, and adults of all sorts.
$5-$15 Gifts: If you have specific items in mind, you might include links to places these might be found. Many in our families are avid readers, so we often have lists of books here – and links to Amazon.com or Thriftbooks.com to make it easy
$15-$30 Gifts: Grown-up level
Big Gifts: Because you never know when someone might find a great deal, or several people collaborate
Crafts, Work, and Services: Busy people may appreciate help with a particular hard-to-schedule need. One of Hal’s hopes last year was for help replacing our garage door – and two of our adult sons came over and made a weekend project of it!

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Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: big family gifts, christmas, Christmas shopping, gift giving, wish list

Thank you to our Sponsor | 5000 BLANKETS

Our Christmas Morning Traditions

Show Notes

Preparation

Good Morning

Devotions

Presents

Calls to Family

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Make Your Homeschool Merry | a Helpful Holiday Roundup

Helpful Holiday Blog Posts

Holiday Resources for Homeschooling Families

Helpful Holiday Podcasts

Holiday Movies for Your Family

(Thank you to our Sponsor, 5,000 Blankets) Coming to PureFlix January 9th, 2023)

210: Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind

Christmas Around the World

Show Notes

Germany

Mexico

England

Bethlehem

South Korea

Philippines

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Family Traditions to Celebrate, Teach, & Identify

Show Notes

The Basics of Traditions

New Years Day

St. Valentines’ Day

Mother’s Day / Father’s Day

How to Get Started

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Show Notes

Christmas is Here

Ingredients of Christ-Centered Days

Christmas is a Birthday

Family Time

Personal Time

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Christmas Unit Studies

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Courageous Movie

162: Digital Christmas Cards

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

Biblical Passages We Mentioned

How Our Family Christmas List is Structured

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