A Better Way to Homeschool https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com What if we focus on character Wed, 21 Dec 2022 16:37:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.11 https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-ABW-Apple_Heart-Image-32x32.png A Better Way to Homeschool https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com 32 32 DIY Trophy for Kiddos: Guaranteed to Bring a Smile! https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/barrel-monkeys-trophy.html https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/barrel-monkeys-trophy.html#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2018 20:11:00 +0000 https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/?p=4565

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]]> Larry Boy. Today, he left his teens in the dust. I guess I blinked. When you’re  potty training, sitting by your kids’ beds in the middle of the night because they screamed awake from a nightmare, or holding their hand after a major surgery, you forget. You blink to let the tears of compassion flow, to help you survive the smell, or simply to help yourself stay awake. You blink and your sweet baby’s
  • 12-years old and rolling her eyes at you
  • graduating from high school
  • leaving his teens in the dust

You blink and find yourself planning his 20th birthday party.

Thank goodness my son looked at me and said, “I want a costume party. That would be a blast!” Then he added, “I’ll grow up when I die.” So that’s what we did. We threw our son a costume party for about 25 of his closest friends.

A Costume Party for a bunch of “kids” who get that life is too short.

We even made a trophy for the best costume. Five minutes before the party began, the doorbell rang. The first of a few dozen amazing people walked through the door. The celebration was filled with:
  • 80’s Music
  • Costumes
  • People acting in character
  • Taco bar
  • Strawberry Shortcake
  • Costume contest, judged by the few who showed up without a costume
It was fantastic.

I’m here to remind you today that as you blink, your kids are growing by leaps and bounds.

  • You will look up one day and be looking up to your son as you ask him to clean his room.
  • Your daughter will wave to you as she drives herself to practice.
  • Kids will suddenly be “grown up”.
It’s ok. Remember to breathe and enjoy today. Laugh, play, work hard, and laugh some more. Remind your kids (often) that
  • playing is allowed
  • they are free to enjoy their lives
  • Costumes are a necessary part of life
Our birthday boy as “Mr. Fredrickson” from Up. Our three Musketeers: a lumberjack, Sam from Green Eggs and Ham, and a Cowboy. Yes, his name really is SAM.

And the trophy.

I feel like a kindergartener bursting with pride. {Video of  the trophy process: 58 seconds} This baby went to the one who was most creative and stayed in character the best. I know we are gonna continue blinking. Our kids are going to continue growing. And yes, time will fly by.

Remember to keep it fun.

Because “we can grow up when we die.” and Life is more fun with a barrel of monkeys!

Print this free homeschool mom reminder.

This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it! Here is a sneak preview…
the homeschool mom

Download Your Free Printable

  1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
  2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
  3. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.
the homeschool mom
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