Adorable Chaos

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July 20, 2017 by Amy

Welcome. How Can I Help You?

Welcome. How Can I Help You?

Adorable Chaos was started in 2008 with the goal of supporting moms – homeschooling or not – in the trenches of parenting. Since I’m not one to stick to a plan, this site is full of variety.  You’ll find everything from personal stories of life with three kids to homeschooling help. Hiding out on this […]

July 17, 2017 by Amy

The Summer of A Homeschool Mom

  I. Ah, summer. The most magical time of year when homeschool moms pretend to be sympathetic to the frequent complaints from school moms who can’t find enough wine to make being home with the kids tolerable. You have five more weeks with your kids? You don’t know what to do?  You can do it,  […]

April 15, 2017 by Amy

Bittersweet, Defined

Bittersweet, Defined

Looking at this photo, I can’t help but smile and feel a little pain in my gut. I heard from my youngest daughter today that there is a character in the My Little Pony series named “Bittersweet.” She told me that she will be super nice, then mean a second later.  She was wondering if that […]

March 31, 2017 by Amy

Adorable Chaos Cleans Up {Flashback Friday}

Adorable Chaos Cleans Up {Flashback Friday}

   {Note: This post was originally published 7 years ago. } Giving kids clothes and food is one thing but it’s much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important, and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people. -Dolores Huerta The […]

February 18, 2017 by Amy

Telling Kids the Truth About Cookie Dough and Important Things

Telling Kids the Truth About Cookie Dough and Important Things

This post is a flashback from the archives. It was originally published 6 years ago, when my kids were 4, 7, and 11. Our daily lives have changed significantly since those days, but I still maintain that establishing an honest, trusting relationship with your kids when they’re young will lead to a more peaceful experience of the teen years.  Also, skip the Santa […]

December 14, 2016 by Amy

My UncommonGoods Christmas Gift List

My UncommonGoods Christmas Gift List

Did I leave Christmas shopping to the last minute? Of course. I’ve been browsing and I’m almost ready to  hit the Buy Now button. I discovered today that I could probably do my Christmas shopping exclusively at UncommonGoods and find something to make everyone smile. They have a unique selection of gifts for the women […]

September 23, 2016 by Amy

If I Could Save Time In A Bento…

If I Could Save Time In A Bento…

Let me start by saying that I hate being busy. I like to wake up slow and take my sweet time figuring out what to do with my day. I like to take a wait and see approach. I love cancelled plans and snow days, simply for that moment of revelation when I’m suddenly free […]

September 22, 2016 by Amy

A Safe, Kid Friendly Email {KidsEmail.org Review}

My youngest daughter has been testing out a kid safe, kid friendly email system from KidsEmail.org. With our Annual Subscription, she can access her email on any device, free from ads and spam. This is a great way for young kids to learn to use and enjoy email (and practice their writing, spelling and typing […]

July 21, 2016 by Amy

Sweet Little Faces {Throwback Thursday}

Sweet Little Faces {Throwback Thursday}

Long relaxing summer days aren’t really a “thing” here this year. Finding time to write is a challenge in every season, but right now, it’s nearly impossible. But I don’t want to lose touch. I have plenty to say, just not enough time to say it all.  Instead, I’m going to direct you back to […]

June 29, 2016 by Amy

5 Must Follow Blogs for Homeschooling A Child with Sensory Processing Disorder

5 Must Follow Blogs for Homeschooling A Child with Sensory Processing Disorder

Homeschooling a child with Sensory Processing Disorder brings up unique challenges. One of the most difficult things I’ve dealt with is a general lack of understanding from other moms and their advice – while given with good intentions –  simply doesn’t apply. Finding support and encouragement within your local homeschool group may not always be […]

June 15, 2016 by Amy

Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd {Review}

Forbrain – Sound For Life Ltd {Review}

  I was delighted to have an opportunity to review Forbrain – Sound For Life LTD and try out their bone conduction headset with my youngest daughter. I had read about the many benefits of this product, particularly for children with with sensory and auditory processing issues, so I was curious to see if it would be an effective learning aid for […]

March 24, 2016 by Amy

Captive DVD {a movie review}

Captive DVD {a movie review}

My teen and I were recently given the opportunity to review a film from FishFlix.com. We chose Captive from their diverse collection of DVD’s, which includes hundreds of titles for  family entertainment. Captive is a thriller / drama that explores the complexity of determining right from wrong, finding the courage to make good choices and […]

March 13, 2016 by Amy

Never Give Up Naptime

Never Give Up Naptime

I was lazing around online the other day, drinking coffee and keeping up with all that is exciting in the world by watching the trending topics on a search engine. Watching what other people search for obsessively can be both amusing and disturbing. On this day, I was shocked to find napping on the popular list. Yes, […]

March 4, 2016 by Amy

Let Me Count the Ways {Flashback Friday}

The following post was originally published on BrookfieldPatch, in April 2011. Way back then, my little women were really little and still in public school. We had recently rescued a sweet, gentle dog, who still makes me smile everyday. She’s next to me as I type. I’ve been taking a lot of heat from my […]

February 26, 2016 by Amy

A Hot Chocolate Break {Gratitude Friday}

A Hot Chocolate Break {Gratitude Friday}

Capturing a smile from my littlest woman isn’t easy. When she sees my phone lifted, she immediately changes her expression, rebelling against my photo taking craziness in her own special way. I caught her today. And we laughed together because I won, and  because she’s “not smiling that much, mom,  so don’t get excited.” It […]

February 14, 2016 by Amy

The Week in Chaos – Valentine’s Day Edition

The Week in Chaos – Valentine’s Day Edition

It is unreasonably cold here in Connecticut. I’m trying to hibernate, but things – events, classes, and Hallmark holidays – keep requiring me to leave the house.  At this moment though, I’m settled in front of the fire with a cat on my lap and a large cup of black coffee anticipating tomorrow, which promises […]

February 5, 2016 by Amy

Snow Day Reading with Dante {What Level of Hell is for Trump?}

Snow Day Reading with Dante {What Level of Hell is for Trump?}

I never talk politics here on the blog, but this election season is so ripe with material that I can’t hold myself back any longer. This beautiful, unexpected snow day has opened up a little free time for me to sneak in some light reading, and that reading has forced me to think about Heaven, […]

February 5, 2016 by Amy

Thou Shall Not Judge Another Mother {Flashback Friday}

Thou Shall Not Judge Another Mother {Flashback Friday}

Are you familiar with the Mom Rules? You know, the ones I made up? In this flashback post I’m advising that we all take a nice long break from comparing ourselves to other moms, real or imagined. You know this stuff. I know this stuff. Reminders are still needed around here. I wanted to smack […]

January 21, 2016 by Amy

The One About Making Apple Pie with my Tween

The One About Making Apple Pie with my Tween

Confession: I’ve never made a real homemade pie. As a kid, I made a chocolate cream pie with my grandmother, using a store bought crumb crust and a filling mix. Admirable as this form of pie making sounds to most (or is it just me?), my daughter wanted more. She wanted to make a real […]

January 14, 2016 by Amy

16 {In Defense of the Teen Years}

16 {In Defense of the Teen Years}

She’s sixteen now, this beautiful daughter of mine. She’s grown and changed so much, so fast, but some things have stayed the same. Our friendship is one of those things. When my three little women were tiny, people would look at me and shake their heads. They would gaze at me with sympathy and say […]

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About Me

Embracing the chaos of homeschooling three little women. Wife to city boy turned Wilderness Dad. Journalist. Lyme warrior. Horse rider. Anti-Spanx activist. [Read More …]

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Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers {Everyday Education, LLC Review}

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Lyme Warrior

Little High, Little Low {The Trials of a Sugar Addict}

Little High, Little Low {The Trials of a Sugar Addict}

The following post is a flashback, written shortly after I was diagnosed with Lyme and put on a restricted diet. Years later,  I’m still on it. I’m still dealing with Lyme. A true addict, I’m still craving the sweet stuff. A few things are essential to my happy survival. They are faith, hope, love and until […]

Photography

16 Hours in Lake Placid

16 Hours in Lake Placid

This is the story of  a wedding, a road trip and finding direction. We set out at the crack of dawn to drive north on a damp icky September morning. It was actually 9:30, but it felt earlier because it was Saturday. We were on our way to a wedding, in Lake Placid. ON Lake […]

Life Learning

7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners

7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners

  I began researching colleges last year, when my daughter began her Freshman year of homeschooling high school. Does that sound a bit early? I feel that the more I know about college requirements for homeschooled students, the more effectively I can prepare my daughter for the admissions process. I think as a homeschool parent, it’s essential to know all the options available. […]

Homeschool Art Projects

Melted Crayon Art for Kids

Melted Crayon Art for Kids

Ready for a different approach to creating art with melted crayons? For this project, we’re adding crayons to a canvas and melting them with a hairdryer. It’s a fun, easy project that your kids will love. I’ve been wanting to try this project for months, ever since I saw it on Decoist. If you need […]

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