6 Back to School Ideas (Homeschool Edition) + link ups!

Dear Reader,

Like many other families in America, we bit the bullet and are diving into homeschooling this year (and depending on how this pandemic goes, maybe next year, too?)  Our first day is just around the corner (September 1st), and as I was looking up "first day ideas" to mark the occasion I thought - hey, why not share some thoughts about it in a blog post?

                         But first, pin this image for future reference:

How to make a postpartum gift basket (that she'll actually use) for under 10$

Dear Reader,

Another baby has joined our family, and I am blessed to be an aunt for the sixth time (yay!).  Having had two boys myself, and welcoming a few more into our lives, I feel pretty good about giving you the basic gift basket ideas that will be useful (plus a few suggestions depending on the new mommy's personality).

But here's the basic list to start with (I even got all the supplies at the local dollar store, so it's definitely budget friendly) :

Introduction

Hello dear Reader, 

My name is Katharina, and I'm a 30-something military brat, who's been married for 12 years to a Minnesotan, and have two amazing boys*.  Make sure to click the "read more" to see a little more in depth response to some of these bullet points (and pics!) ♥

For the general mission of my blog, check out the "start here" page.  For the disclaimers/terms of service/privacy policy, click here.

Don't forget to check out both my pinterest, and instagram for the blog for inspiration pins, and sneak peeks for upcoming blog posts.  Facebook group page coming soon ;)

Anyways, now onto the fun stuff (in no order) . . .

• half German, half American (and yet hope to semi retire to Ireland, who would have thought?)
• a Catholic (patron saint is St. Joan of Arc), as well as a Lay Dominican (what used to be called Third Order Dominican) - it means I love to study and pray, and share the fruits of that contemplation ;)  And I am also an Anchoress for our local Seven Sisters Apostate (which dedicates an hour a week of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the benefit of an assigned priest).
• a partial homeschooler (as in, summer and holiday break homeschooling, to keep the kiddos brains sharp)
• a bohemian, hippie, crunchy mama kind of gal who loves the traveling spirit, and the philosophy that we are strongest from within.
• a spoonie: chronic illness advocate, who has A1AT, asthma, and COPD.
• way too into personality tests: I'm an ESFP, 6w7, Scorpio Sun/Leo Moon (though I promise I don't read horoscopes, I just like the memes), and have done far too many "Who are you -?" buzzfeed quizzes (sshh - I'm a Luna Lovegood/Rapunzel/Jane Austen's Emma mix, just saying).
• I like to do all things art, but especially craft, and sing, and interior decorate.
• I love to read, study and research.
• I love to connect people, in all sorts of ways, including volunteering with my church, at my son's school, and helping to run my local MOMS Club chapter.

Read on to see more in depth answers, but this is a good and well rounded start :)