A Carnival and a Swap

I'm chasing my own tail over here...

::laundry spilling down the hall and over my bedroom floor (I picked clean clothes off of the floor this morning -- my mother would be mortified)::

::half of the living room and kitchen are painted -- paint gear dotted throughout my downstairs: trays, blue painter's tape, sticks and brushes, cans of creamy coffee colors::

::dishes piled high from last night's taco night with friends::

::desk in disarray -- haven't had time to sit down for more than a brief nursing session in what seems like weeks::

::kids in transit -- mid-week sleepovers for birthday treats, out to eats, shopping and bringing breakfast late on Thursday::

::squeaking busy babies, Sesame Street watching toddlers -- lots of needs being met on demand::

::you don't want to hear the sad sob story about my email box -- just know that if you are trying to get me and I don't respond, I'm not snubbing you, I promise::

...

So, that would explain why my swap gift is late... and my swap partner is probably disappointed. I am hoping to send her box this Friday. [please forgive??]

Here's what I got from Mel in West Sussex (pictured above):

1. British Flag and Bear Coffee Cup
2. Ref's Whistle treats -- "Fruit Flavour Sweet in Plastic Whistle"
3. Brochures from England
4. Strawberry Laces -- looks a lot like Twizzlers Cherry Licorice Sticks
5. Punch Ball Balloons
6. Luxury Bread Sauce -- which I assume is a gravy of some sort?
7. Desk Tidy -- pins, paper clips, rubber bands for the home office
8. Red and blue note paper with a royal crown on the front cover
9. Cookie confection notecards and envelopes

I love how Mel described her homeschooling in England:

"We are what we call in this country flexi-structured. This means we follow the National Curriculum and then add our own twists to it. We start school at 9.30 am and usually finish about 3.30pm. That's on days when the girls don't have tutors or workshops that we attend. We are flexible in that if it's a glorious day we will do lessons on the beach or in the woods. If there is a topic we are studying we will arrange educational visits to tie in with the subject matter."

I forgive her for not sending any Hobnobs. [Just kidding... sortof.]



As for the Carnival of Homeschooling, I'm planning to host next week (because I needed another thing to do). The theme will be FLAGS for Memorial Day (and my swap gift flag note paper fit the theme perfectly!) -- theme idea courtesy of Jenn, @dazeofadventure. She's my brain these days. I would not be functioning online without her.

I sure wish she was next door though, because it's crazy around here.

Swapping Across the Pond

I am a bad swapper. No, really, it's true. I can't use pregnancy as an excuse...

Look at all the pretty and wonderful things my swap partner sent me - all the way from ENGLAND. And my box still sits un-taped by the key pot, waiting for a ride to the post office. For shame.

Penny was an excellent swap partner. She emailed me and prayed for me... and she sent me the most amazing things:

::hand and foot creams that smell divine::
::an angel charm::
::a London Keychain::
::two kinds of English cookies::
::a notepad and pencil set::
::scented drawer liners::
::a postcard and letter with history and info about where she lives::
::a rose pin::

... and more.

I have to be honest... my favorite part was the Hobnobs. I'm now a Hobnob junkie and will have to resort to finding a place that sells imported snacks so I don't have to fork over 24$ a package on Amazon. Thanks, Penny.

No, really - Penny was such a great swapper that I might just swap with her from now on. Like every month. Keep those Hobnobs coming, girl!

I know all of you are jealous. Chocolate does that sort of thing to people. No need to be ashamed. If you want to get in on the action... just sign up for the next swap at the Homeschool Post! I think it will go up this week some time... if I could ever get time at my computer.

[I'm typing this post in my dark room next to a sleeping baby... on my iPad, wondering if I'll ever have any time to myself that isn't stolen in the night...]

The Late Holiday Homeschool Swap

It was a difficult month for a swap... with all the craziness of Thanksgiving holidays - traveling and cooking. Tammy certainly pulled it off, though. Her box got here before the latest swap went up, but I dropped the ball getting it posted before the Christmas holidays. How's that for the person who's supposed to be 'leading' the swap? Holiday bustle is no respecter of persons.

So here is a snapshot of my last swap box... complete with:

• A snowman early reader for the baby (he happens to love "No-mans" the best)
• A snowman magnet (a favorite with mom and baby)
• A package of Crayon Rocks (as soon as I feel the baby won't eat them, he'll get to play with them)
• A game of UNO (the big kids LOVE this - and amazingly, we didn't have it!)
• Blue pens (you can never have enough pens and pencils in a homeschool house)
• Colored pencils (perfect for our mapping projects with Mystery of History)
• A glue stick (how did she know mine was dried up?)
• A package of hot cocoa with a teaspoon attached (my teaspoon was eaten by the garbage disposal!)
• A berry scented candle (instant stress relief for when I pay bills)

* Not pictured were two boxes of candy: Skittles and Starburst for the big kids who grabbed them instantly and disappeared in to their rooms. At least they could agree on something for a change. I was afraid it was going to be another war when it wasn't the exact same type of candy... but apparently my daughter likes Starburst enough to let brother get away with the Skittle-nabbing.

What a great package, eh? Tammy is a swapping sensation.

The swap that starts right now is open only for the rest of today... and I think Amanda is going to pair the swappers tomorrow. Hurry and head over to the Post and get your name on the comments before she closes up shop! We only do a swap once every two months! I hope you'll join us! It sure beats getting bills in the mail.