The LSG School/Playroom

I posted pics of our school/playroom a while back.  Since then we have added a few taller bookcases and have a different table ($15 at a yard sale) in there.  I also got rid of the larger TV and replaced it with a smaller one, I decided I would much rather use the space for books than a TV stand. 

Yes, we love books (and YES! I got my new camera, Yippee)!  Yippee!  Do you see the little 13in dinosaur in corner just under our laminated wall map (which I got at Borders for super cheap)?  This table was supposed to be a island in my kitchen but all my real life friends and finally even I agreed it was too big, so it ended up in the school room. 

I "try" to keep the books separated by subject or type.  Kinda like this, math books, science/nature books, history/cultures/countries/maps, readers, Bible stories, health/manners, chapter books, coloring/activity books, etc.  I also try to keep the different series together.  My lovely children do not always share my passion to be organized (sigh) but for the most we keep it together. 

We currently have 3 workboxes (which we REALLY LOVE), I am considering getting one for Little bits but I am thinking the same thing you are probably thinking, where in the world would I put it.  Those 2 blue creates contain our file folder games in one and the school books that we do together in the other.  That tall shelf in the corner does hold some books but it mostly holds math manipulative's, art supplies, paper, beads, a flower press and activity bags.

To display our artwork I strung a clothes line across the whole back wall and we just clip them there.  

For our games and toys we use these white wire shelves along with some laundry baskets from Target.  The baskets are sorted by blocks, toddler toys, heroes/men, Little People, cars & trucks, dolls, doll clothes, Dora doll house stuff, etc.   I try to switch out the toys on top of the train table for the boys, they really seem to enjoy it. 

We have a large green tote for all things dress up - clothes, purses, hats, shoes, swords, capes, Hulk boxing gloves (don't ask, it was a Hubs thing), etc.  The couch was a $50 purchase from craiglist (I really L O V E Craigslist BTW).  Usually, I sit there to read Bible, Read alouds and History with the kids although this summer we've been hanging in the family room. 

We do alot of the subjects we do together in the school/playroom, like Bible and anything that we read together.  Language Arts, Math and anything they are doing independently seem to get done at the kitchen table.  The school/playroom is right off my kitchen. 

I have to admit I am kinda glad to be starting school again.  I had high hopes of doing some school thru the summer and yeah, it just didn't happen, other than Bible and a read aloud.  Oh well, maybe next summer or maybe not : )

You can check out some other schoolroom ideas at My 3 BoyBarians.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Blogger Mommies

Did I tell you all that I bought a new camera?!!  I am very excited, one of my new best friends (the UPS man or the FedEx lady) is supposed to drop it off to me TODAY!  Shhhh, did you hear that?  I think it was angels singing the halleluia chorus!

So, while you all are patiently waiting for me to get my act together over here I was thinking you all would like to visit some of my favorite Blogger Mommies .....

Raising Olives - Kimberly is a Christian Homeschool Mama of 10.  She has some great wisdom on Parenting, Homeschooling and Feeding your Family on a Budget.

Joyful Creation 2 Honor Him - Joyce is another Christan Homeschool Mama.  She clips a mean coupon and is great at organizing!

Smockity Frocks - I just love Connie, she is so funny!  She also homeschools more than a few children.  She taught me how to make homemade pie crust the easy way!  No more junk in a can!  Hey Connie, if you are reading this, the LSG family would love to come for dinner ANYTIME!

Heavenly Homemakers - Laura is truly an inspiration!  This woman cooks up a storm and I am sure she has an awesome freezer stash to show for it.  She has some awesome recipes, we especially L.O.V.E her Giant Breakfast cookies.

Raising Arrows- You will find more great ideas on homeschool a houseful and raising a large family.  I think the wisdom she gives about adopting a large family mentality is very good.  We do some of the things on her list such as color coding and the bath routine. 

My Blessed Home - This is a blog that I recently started following.  She has oodles of helpful organizational tips, homeschool how-to's and chore ideas to keep things running smoothly.


I hope that you enjoy visiting these ladies.  They are some of the staples in my google reader.

Immortal Invisible, God Only Wise

by Walters Chalmers Smith

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
Of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.




Another beautiful song about ouur blessed Creator!  I would have gotten to sing it this morning had I not been running a few minutes late.
I am not even going to share that I am singing it right now. 
You can hear it here.  Yes, you can sing along too!

Giveaway over at Joyful Creations 2 Honor Him

While I am slacking over here and waiting on my new camera to arrive, please check out the giveway that my buddy Joyce has going on at Joyful Creations 2 Honor Him.

Also, she has been organizing like crazy over there so you might wanna check out some over ideas too!

It is Well With My Soul

Words by Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain


The man that wrote this song had just experienced two major tragidies in his life, The Great Chigago Fire in which he lost all his financial secruity and then he also lost 4 daughters as their ship wrecked while crossing the Atlantic.  While making the same voyage that his daughters had made just weeks before, the Lord inspired him to write this beautiful song. 
Oh, the grace that the Lord gave this man is amazing.  To have written a song that shows such love and trust for God after experiencing these great loses is a great testamony to me. 
This song also reminds me a dear friend that lost her one and only child not long after his birth.  She so beautifully sang this song in church weeks after his death.  Again, what a testimony. 
You can hear the song here.