As the school year begins (we’re almost ONE month in! *whew*) my newest happy discovery is that I am becoming (somewhat) more organized! I have to be! If I’m going to homeschool my children and get anything done in my house or on my blogs, I have to be organized.
I even have a notebook! Like a notebook I carry around with me almost everywhere that has almost everything I need in it–Lydia’s school assignments, ideas for Asa’s school days and whatever else we’re doing (like right now it’s full of Toy Story 3 party ideas because Asa’s party is THIS SATURDAY!)
The other thing I’ve been doing is reading. Filling my brain with homeschool ideas, organization ideas, meal-planning and sanity-saving ideas. Here’s a few of the e-books I’ve recently downloaded (so I’m kinda in the middle of them!) and/or some I have read and loved:
1. One Bite At a Time by Tsh at Simple Mom
“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” That’s the basis of this book. 52 steps to simplify your life. Right now I’m on #4: Create an Evening Routine. She suggests just picking 5 things to do before you go to bed. And do those same 5 things every night. 5 things that will help you when you wake up in the morning. Like starting the dishwasher, making the kids’ lunches, etc. I so need to do this.
I’m also looking forward to #41: Find a chore system that works for your family. I’m tired (TIRED) of trying to do it all alone! This book is only $5 and if you’re like me and tend to shut down when you have a large task ahead of you (like being on top of EVERYTHING), this book is perfect!
2. Art Not Craft by Childhood 101
This is a really interesting read. I skimmed the whole thing in one sitting and then went back and read one whole chapter slowly word by word. The idea is that kids need more unstructured create-ing time. They need to learn to find their own little artist and not just complete a craft or color in the lines.
It’s so interesting to me because I love doing crafts with the kids but would love to be more “artistic” with them. And I want them to really stretch and find what they’re good at, too. I think all kids are artistic at one level. I want to be unhindered by the mess and let my kids create!
This book is totally inspiring and has lots of good, practical, you-can-do-it ideas. It’s $15.95 but if you are into creativity, art or are teaching your kids, you’ll enjoy this book.
3. Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule by Christine at iDream of Clean.
I’ve posted about this one before but I’m telling you about it again because Christine has completely revamped it!
4. Disney Food Blog’s Magic Kingdom Snacks
OK. This has nothing to do with back-to-school. But YUM. A review of all the yummiest snacks at Magic Kingdom. How could you NOT want this?!! It’s $8.95 of Disney deliciousness.
{She also has a Guide to the Food & Wine Festival. Holy Yum.}
5. I think that’s enough, don’t you?
I have 2 other great ebooks I NEED to read but haven’t even opened them up yet: Real Food on a Real Budget and Healthy Homemaking from Keeper of the Home.
I also just got Montessori at Home. I’ve only glanced through it but just the pictures are intriguing!
And don’t forget my whole slew of ebooks for the New Year! It’s full of all kinds of fabulous things to jumpstart your life!
Do you think I have an inappropriate relationship with ebooks?!! Maybe I need an intervention?
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Link up your Top Ten list and join in the Top Ten {Tuesday} fun! All you have to do is WRITE a top ten list, PASTE it below, LINK back to me in your post & then start LOVIN’ on the rest of the participants with facebook likes, stumbles, pins, comments and tweets (#toptentues)! For better and more succinct guidelines see my Top Ten {Tuesday} page!
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliates.
I want to check into that photography ecourse! I just got my first DSLR and I am wanting to really learn how to use it!
That’s a really long list of e-books to get though.. I too have tons of e-books to read through and review.
I know! It’s too many! I can’t pass up an ebook! 🙂
ok these are all really cool! Thanks for the links to check them out! And I can’t believe they’ve been in school about a month already, time flies!
-Samantha
I love the idea of “Art not Craft” – because I am not a crafty person! But I have found that my boys love to color, paint or just cut and glue stuff. I rarely give them instruction, so it is nice to (now) think that I may be encouraging art.
Wow, that’s quite a list! I’m intrigued by Art Not Craft. And wondering if there IS such a thing as a perfect cleaning schedule!
Hi Amanda! Thanks so much for hosting Top Ten Tuesday. I love lists and its one of my favorite link-ups. I was wondering if you have done the 100 Days to Christmas before? I am considering buying it/doing it, but I wasn’t really understanding what it’s about on the website. Thanks!
I haven’t done it but I did buy it.
It just breaks down Christmas for you–so like “make a list of gifts for family” is one day, “shop from home day”, “go apple picking” are just a few in September. So, it’s organization and memory-building! It looks cool!
I love these suggestions. Going to have to buy a few of these very soon! I already have the 100 days to Christmas book, and Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule…but the others look good too!
As a first year homeschooler, I love ANY tips on getting more organized! Thanks Amanda 🙂
I have never read an ebook, but I totally understand about the party planning!!! ZIon’s 4th birthday party was Friday and I have been planning it forever. It was Veggie Tales and I did my top ten as kind of the highlights from the night. The first time I ever saw a Veggie Tales was in children’s church at Roswell!!! It obviously made a lasting impact 😉
I need the cleaning schedule (desperately), Survive before 5, and One Bite at a Time. Yes, anything that would make life simpler and more organized is what I need.
I don’t know where to start with all the great e-books you mentioned, though I think I may become an e-book junkie. 🙂
Love, love the printables from Life Your Way! I have the print copy of Real Food which is good if you’re getting started on Real Food and grocery budgeting at the same time. The 1st one you mentioned looks particularly interesting since I’m in a bit of a rut with school lunches.
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