Skip to content
Aimee of Delaware
Our little family is made up of my hubby and I, and our 4 kiddos. My husband is in the funeral business... burying people. Morbid, I know. 😱😂
Tammy of New Jersey
Hi! My husband's name is Pat. I have two children Vic and Pat, Jr. We have a dog named Winnie that we rescued.
Bibi P. of New Jersey
Hello! We are a family of 3: Dad, Maddy and Me (Mom). Dad works in IT. I was a nurse but now I am a stay-at-home mom. We love arts and crafts, play dates and learning about the body. Exploring in nature is also one of our favorite things to do.
How do you Timberdoodle?
Aimee: We "Timberdoodle" at my husband's parent's house, as that is where we are temporarily living. Our favorites are obviously all the Smart Games, but I love Math-U-See the most. It's amazing seeing my 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds breeze right through Primer and Alpha. They are learning so much, so painlessly!
Tammy: We loved Timberdoodle since the first time we used it. It is so easy to use and we love the STEM the most.
Bibi: I found out about Timberdoodle through a friend when my daughter was an infant. I received the catalogs for a two years and then decided to order the preschool curriculum. We love all the books we received with our kit: The Kumon workbooks, Your Body, Our World and Wimmelbooks. We also purchased the Visible Human Body floor puzzle and it quickly became our favorite activity. The Smart Games Bunny Peek A Boo and Day and Night keep my daughter amused and focused. The science lab kit is is also something my daughter always wants to pull out and do.
Tell us about a typical school day at your house.
Aimee: We wake up, and depending on our breakfast of choice, we get started on school anytime from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Very undisciplined, I know. LOL. My 5- and 6-year-olds are in the same grade, so I try to work with them at the same time, and my 4-year-old is coming right at their heels, so I squeeze in his simple reading activities and Primer math in any little breaks I find. Very rarely do we work past lunch, which is usually between noon and 1:00. Sometimes we add a few extracurriculars and games when Daddy gets home at dinner time.
Tammy: When we start school it will be at different times because we are getting up at different times. That is why we like Timberdoodle because it doesn't matter what time you get up or how long you take to finish. It is still okay with the teacher.
Bibi: We are in the preschool curriculum and don’t have a structured schedule. We have weekly goals we accomplish and incorporate a variety of subjects. Household activities and chores are something I try to have my daughter do right along with me. While I do dishes, my daughter will play with the Smart Games we have. I love being able to keep my daughter occupied with an educational activity from our curriculum if I need a few minutes for chores. Most of our school time does occur during the morning hours because we both are motivated at that time which works out great for our family.
If we peeked inside your home on a random Wednesday afternoon, what would we see?
Aimee: Oh dear, please don't. Hehe. Toys, pillow forts, toys, lunch dishes, toys, baby crumbs, and.... did I mention toys? Basically kids having a blast, whether indoors or out.
Tammy: They will either be on their computers doing a lesson or reading a book that they love to read.
Bibi: On Wednesdays we usually do some form of school time together: art or Farmland Math. While we transition from activities Maddy will be picking up after herself while I throw in a load of laundry.
If you could take your family anywhere you wanted for vacation where would you go?
Aimee: On a camping trip to Tennessee. ❤
Tammy: Disney.
Bibi: I would go on a road trip cross country through the northern states and return home through the southern states from the east coast to the west and back.
What books have you read over and over?
Aimee:
- Chronicles of Narnia
- Lord of the Rings
- I Love You, Goodnight
Tammy: Mostly Dr. Seuss and nature books.
Bibi: We love to read the Usborne books Peek Inside the Garden and Peek Inside Nighttime. Clifford is also a favorite.
What dietary challenges does your family face?
Aimee: We try to eat pretty much grain free. My 4-year-old has eczema flareups from gluten. My favorite cookbook is Without Grain.
Tammy: We try to eat healthy but when we can't we have soups or salad.
Bibi: The major dietary challenge in our home is getting Maddy to eat veggies. We try to sneak them in by blending them into smoothies or pancakes mix.
What tips do you have for surviving a hard day?
Aimee: Nap. 😴
Tammy: Just try to not get on your kids they are trying their best and you can't get on them for that. When I can't take it anymore I tell them to go to their rooms and read, then after I cool off I go to each kid and kiss them goodnight and hug them.
Bibi: On those difficult days I try to go to the gym in the evening. I can release stress and also workout. I also have a wonderful husband who will take over when he gets home from work so I can have some me time for crafting or shopping on my own.
How does your family celebrate birthdays?
Aimee: Soooooo many different ways. Basically what the birthday kid requests, within a reasonable budget, of course.
Tammy: Cake, blazing candles, and singing happy birthday.
Bibi: We don’t celebrate birthdays.
What have you done recently for the first time?
Aimee: Applied for a home loan!
Tammy: Got a smart phone
Bibi: We recently took Maddy on her first flight! It was pretty memorable and she enjoyed it.
What’s your favorite school day lunch?
Aimee: Lunchmeat sandwiches and salt and vinegar chips! Mine and the kids favourite.
Bibi: White rice and scrambled eggs! I grew up on it n my daughter loves it too. It’s not typical but it is yummy.
What tips do you have for other families?
Aimee: HAVE FUN! Can't stress that enough. If the kids love learning, they will continue learning their whole life, even if they are a few years behind. But if they hate it? They will learn the bare minimum in school, and avoid it at all costs later in life.
Tammy: Don't sweat the small stuff.
Bibi: Focus on being present in the moment with your children. Housework will always be there but the opportunities to teach and enjoy your children will pass way too quickly.
Tell us about your family’s favorite games.
Aimee: Literally anything from Smart Games, and Ticket to Ride Junior!
Tammy: We love Ono.
Bibi: We love to do puzzles and imaginative play, whether it’s with folks or cooking in the play kitchen.
What is your exercise routine and how often do you do it?
Aimee: I love pilates, but I don't get time to do it often.
Tammy: We walk.
Bibi: I go to the gym and do CrossFit. I try to go 2-3 times a week.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Aimee: Is hand-eye coordination a skill???
Tammy: Write a book.
Bibi: I would love to learn carpentry.
What’s the last recipe you looked up?
Aimee: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi. Yum!
Tammy: Chicken and dumplings.
Bibi: Shrimp tacos.
If you could sum up your homeschool style or philosophy in one phrase what would it be?
Aimee: Let's get messy. 😉
Tammy: Easy.
Bibi: Learning through play
What do your kids want to be when they grow up?
Aimee: Mommies and daddies. My heart😍
Tammy: Trucker and an artist.
Bibi: The last thing she said was “a wiggly man” like the ones at car dealerships. It was pretty funny.
If you have a moment to yourself what do you like to do?
Aimee: Read a book.
Tammy: Read the Bible
Bibi: I LOVE to Craft! I make cards, metal stamped jewelry and sew.
What’s your favorite school day breakfast?
Aimee: Granola and milk
Bibi: Pancakes!
What’s the best homeschool field trip you’ve ever been on?
Aimee: Washington DC Zoo.
Bibi: The zoo in Washington DC.
What are favorite healthy snacks at your house?
Aimee: Fruit, homemade granola.
Bibi: Avocados and oranges.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in homeschooling?
Aimee: So far? Place value! I was a little foggy on the subject myself, so it was hard teaching.
Bibi: I was having a hard time keeping up with a daily homeschool schedule. I realized that for our family, weekly goals works best. I also let my husband pick out one or two subjects to teach that week.
Share a favorite organizational tip.
Aimee: Just be sure everything has a place, so you don't lose anything.
Bibi: I put similar objects/subjects together in bins and shelves.
Share a favorite inspirational quote.
Aimee: Not so much a quote, but my favourite verse. "Be still and know that I am God."
Bibi: Let me love you a little more before you’re not little anymore.
Tell us something interesting about your local area.
Aimee: Soooooo many beaches.
Bibi: We are close to the beach and a wooded state park.
