Susan, Author at The Sparrow's Home

No prep. No busy work. No Kidding. Homeschoolers, this is the high school literature curriculum you’ve been looking for.

June 25, 2018 by Susan 6 Comments

I was compensated for my time in writing this review. As always, all opinions are genuinely my own.

One of the best parts of homeschooling is that you can do what works for your family. But what about when what works for you as a teacher doesn’t necessarily work for your kids as students?

As hard as it is, moms, this is when we need to defer to their learning style above our own.

I looooved English classes in high school. Exploring different kinds of literature, short stories, poetry, writing…swoon. My two boys gag at the sight of a poem. One enjoys reading, one endures it, but neither would pick many of the novels that they are assigned.

When it comes to literature studies, finding something that works for both them and me was challenging. But I did it!

What’s the secret to family trips with more learning, more memories?

June 18, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

Summer is often the time when families hit the road. Whether it’s a vacation, visiting family, or heading off to camps and conferences… we are on the move.

The first really long road trip we made as a family was from Minnesota to Louisiana for a wedding when the boys were just about 2 and 3 years old. This was before ipads and other devices so we did what we could: We wedged a tiny TV between the front two seats and made a 6 hour video tape of Dora the Explorer and Bob the Builder episodes to entertain the troops.

Before you say, “What were you thinking…6 hours of Dora?!” We weren’t totally crazy, we also brought The Wiggles videos.

Oh, wait. Nevermind.

As kids get older, though, there is so much that you can do to make family trips more enjoyable, more memory-filled, and more intentionally filled with learning.

Food for Thought #37

June 11, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

What matters? I mean…what really matters? Sometimes it can be hard to tell, and other times we may think we are on the right track and not even realize that we’re actually adrift. This week I’m taking time to think about my priorities, asking God to point me in the right direction, and seeking to invest myself in what truly matters.

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

S’mores Snack Mix: 3 Ingredients Mix and Go

June 4, 2018 by Susan 2 Comments

This super simple s’mores snack mix is made with just 3 ingredients. Mix it up and it’s ready to serve. No baking, no melting…seriously, just mix and serve. It’s the perfect, fun, sweet treat!

Sometimes, I am not my mother’s daughter. I run late..a lot. And I forget things. Lots of things. Things like when I’m in charge of bringing snacks for after church.

I’ll admit it’s gotten better since I’ve been paired with my niece. She is much more like my mom. Organized. Totally on top of things. She typically texts me during the week to ask what I’m bringing, which is usually my reminder that I’m on treat duty that Sunday. (Thanks, Steph!)

Sweet and Buttery Cherry Coffee Cake

May 21, 2018 by Susan 2 Comments

Buttery, sweet and tart cherry coffee cake. This easy coffee cake recipe is just as perfect for a special brunch as for a regular Tuesday morning.

Do you have a favorite meal of the year? Maybe it’s Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings? A special New Years Day menu? I’ve been saying for years that our Christmas brunch is my favorite meal of the year, but I realized recently that it may be tied with our Mother’s Day brunch.

Notice a theme? This girl likes brunch.

Food for Thought #36

May 14, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

Thinking. We all do it. Some more than others. This week I’ve got a collection of articles that all relate to ‘thinking’ in some way. A computer that can read your thoughts? Changing the way you think about things, critical thinking and more.

Here’s what I’m reading: