Meet 2 Families from Wisconsin

Meet Christina G. of New Holstein, Wisconsin

Our family is made up of Mama Christina who loves being a wife and mom. She also works at our local church. Dad works as a controls engineer and loves his family so much! Carson, 8, and Abbey, 6, bring so much joy to our family and keep us laughing daily! We do have one cat, Carbey, whose name comes from a combination of the two who named him!

Meet Sandra of Wisconsin

We are a homeschooling family from Wisconsin. We live in the country and enjoy the outdoors.Our family includes 8 children with the 9th on the way. Our oldest is 15 years old. We currently have two pet rabbits, Caddy and Lilly. We also have a few fish and a salamander.

How do you Timberdoodle?

Christina: We have only begun to use some of the Timberdoodle resources, but I love the idea of the Timberdoodle method! Our kids love hands-on activities more than just crafts, so all the activities that come with Timberdoodle are perfect!

Sandra: We first heard about Timberdoodle when we started homeschooling our first child. Another homeschool mom recommended Timberdoodle to us. We really enjoy the variety of different products available. Currently my children are enjoying the graphic novels that Timberdoodle offers.

Tell us about a typical school day at your house.

Christina: Every school day is a bit different at our house! We start most every day with devotions, but following devotions we change up each day! We make an effort to get in math and language lessons each day along with plenty of time to play....because, playing is learning!

Sandra: We tend to start school around 8:00 a.m. but sometimes that looks more like 9:00 a.m. I work with my younger children while my older children have a set schedule to follow. We normally finish most of our work by lunch time. Our afternoons are typically filled with art, crafts and play.

If we peeked inside your home on a random Wednesday afternoon, what would we see?

Christina: Wednesdays are typically days we go on field trips if we have one scheduled! If we are home, afternoons are reserved most often for outdoor play and imaginative play so there is no telling what sort of adventure you would find!

Sandra: In the afternoon you would see playtime outside if the weather is nice. If not it would probably be Legos indoors.

If you could take your family anywhere you wanted for vacation where would you go?

Christina: We would love to visit Israel.

Sandra: We would like to go to a Disney theme park.

What books have you read over and over?

Christina: 

• 20 Big Trucks
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Series

Sandra: Bible

What dietary challenges does your family face?

Christina: No restrictions, just try to maintain healthy eating.

Sandra: We don't have any dietary problems.

What tips do you have for surviving a hard day?

Christina: Remembering the joy of motherhood...the minutes are slow but the years are fast!

Sandra: Pray.

What’s something your child has done that thrilled your soul?

Christina: When they choose to serve and love one another without being asked.

Sandra: Reading their Bibles. My older children are in Bible Quizzing. It's a blessing to listen to them memorize scripture.

How does your family celebrate birthdays?

Christina: Birthday child's breakfast of choice, Dad off work for the day, and spend the day doing something fun together!

Sandra: We take a day of off school. Decorate the house and have a family day together. The birthday child gets to pick the meals and what they want to do for the day.

What have you done recently for the first time?

Sandra: Got a salamander and kept it alive! LOL!

What’s your favorite school day lunch?

Christina: My kiddos love pigs in a blanket with fruit and veggies on the side.

Sandra: Picnics outside on the lawn.

How would you manage if you had to homeschool without the internet?

Christina: Hmm, I think we would be okay, but it most be more costly!

Sandra: If would be harder to find and order books but other than that we would do alright.

What tips do you have for other families?

Christina: Just focus on enjoying the moments you have together!

Sandra: You can homeschool! Take it one day at a time. You're the best teacher for your children.

What is something you appreciate about each of your kids?

Christina: 

• Abbey-her compassionate heart and loving attitude
• Carson-his servant heart and helping hand

Sandra: With 8 children it's nice to see each of their different personalities. God made them all unique in their own ways.

What song is currently in your head?

Sandra: TobyMac.

Tell us about your family’s favorite games.

Christina: Right now we love the game spoons!!

Sandra: We love strategic games. Chess is big right now in our house.

What is your exercise routine and how often do you do it?

Christina: Running...daily.

Sandra: Typically walking a few times a week. Also chasing my one-year-old around. :)

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in your homeschool that you called a “science experiment”?

Sandra: The grossest was probably owl pellets.

What hard thing are you planning to do this year?

Sandra: Teach my oldest how to drive.

What did you do just for fun with your kids recently?

Christina: Snowman building outside!

Sandra: Build a snowman.

What would you name your boat if you had one?

Christina: Saily.

Sandra: Hmmm, not sure. I would maybe name it after one of my children.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

Christina: Gardening.

Sandra: Knitting.

What’s the last recipe you looked up?

Christina: Chicken Enchilada Soup

Sandra: White Chicken Chili

What apps do you use the most?

Christina: Pinterest!!

Sandra: Facebook, weather, shopping apps.

If you could sum up your homeschool style or philosophy in one phrase what would it be?

Christina: Learning to love learning.

Sandra: Leaving a legacy for my children.

What do your kids want to be when they grow up?

Christina: Whatever they choose! I can totally see Abbey being a missionary doctor. Carson, likely an engineer.

Sandra: Here is a few...

• police officer
• fire fighter
• author
• Mom

What extracurricular activities is your family involved in?

Christina: 

• church
• YMCA camp
• homeschool coop
• dance
• soccer

Sandra:

• swimming
• Bible quizzing
• church

If you have a moment to yourself what do you like to do?

Christina: Listen to music and plan life.

Sandra: Rest.

What’s your favorite school day breakfast?

Christina: Whatever is easiest! I love just grabbing donuts with fruit and cheese, but that’s not good for us!

Sandra: Cereal, yogurt, fruit.

What’s the best homeschool field trip you’ve ever been on?

Christina: Police department tour.

Sandra: Florida.

The grocery store cashier asks, “But what about socialization?” What do you say?

Christina: They get enough socialization with friends and family.

Sandra: I would be polite and assure them that homeschoolers are very well socialized. (I might roll my eyes though. LOL.)

What’s the funniest thing one of your kids ever said?

Sandra: Most recently my son was watching me put hair gel in my hair. Then he told his siblings how I put jelly in my hair! LOL.

What do you do for fun as a family?

Christina: Play games.

Sandra: We enjoy exploring outdoors.

How do you continue to educate yourself?

Christina: Reading, lots of reading.

Sandra: I'm constantly learning right along with my children.

What are favorite healthy snacks at your house?

Christina: Fruit, string cheese.

Sandra: Fruit, cheese sticks

What’s the best museum you’ve ever gone to?

Christina: Shedd Aquarium.

Sandra: Creation Museum and Ark

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in homeschooling?

Christina: Scheduling.

Sandra: The fear that I'm doing it wrong.

What is your favorite thing about having kids?

Christina: I love being a mom, watching them grow into who they were created to be!

Sandra: Everything!

What’s the best vacation you have ever taken as a family?

Christina: Grandparents' house!

Sandra: Trip to Florida.

List 3 frivolous things you are enjoying right now.

Christina: Coffee, Diet Coke, large yard!

What’s your favorite in-a-pinch dinner option?

Christina: Spaghetti.

Sandra: Spaghetti.

What’s the strangest place you’ve done school?

Christina: Nowhere strange, but love to go to the local bakery.

Sandra: Outdoors.

Share a favorite organizational tip.

Christina: Baskets and bins!!

Sandra: Have a place for everything.

What special gifts or talents to your kids have?

Sandra: Each have their own talents.

Tell us something unique or unusual about your family.

Sandra: We're a large family.

What’s making you laugh these days?

Christina: My husband! 😀

Sandra: My one-year-old.

What do you do for P.E. in your homeschool?

Christina: Running, exercise videos, outdoor playing and exploration.

Sandra: Get outside, walk, bike, sports, swim.

Share a favorite inspirational quote.

Sandra: 

What’s your best time of day to homeschool?

Christina: Morning!

Sandra: Morning.

Tell us something interesting about your local area.

Sandra: We live in a small town but are only minutes from the big city.

What dream for your family has come true?

Christina: Being a stay at home mom and wife.

Sandra: Watching them grow and learn together.