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9 Tips for Kids to Ace Their End-of-Year Exams

Year-end exams are right around the corner, and many students aren’t sure where to start when it comes to studying. 

Whether students are suffering from pandemic fatigue, procrastination, or are simply lost after several months of remote learning, it’s imperative they take their final tests and year-end exams seriously and study for them. Preparing for an exam is just as important as taking the exam itself. Finishing school with a strong transcript will also give students a leg up in scholarship applications, which use academic merit as a qualification.


Brainly, the world’s largest online learning community, recently conducted a survey of its U.S. user base about their year-end exams. Consider this: Approximately 56% of students said they were anxious about their year-end exams. 

Patrick Quinn, parenting expert at Brainly who’s also a former teacher and father of three school-age kids, has some tips to help students prepare for standardized tests, combat year-end exam anxiety, and ace their next big test.

Read and Review—Early and Often. First and foremost, students should start preparing for their year-end exams as early as possible instead of waiting until the week before. We forget 70% of what we have learned within 24 hours, according to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve principle. Going over new ideas a day after class will help increase retention and comprehension—so make time each evening for a quick review. Break chapters into sections and review the material at the end of each before moving on. Make notes by summarizing the critical aspects of the reading so you can easily review them without having to reread entire chapters. Bookmark difficult sections to revisit later. Pro Tip: If it is written on the board, add it to your notes. It just might be on the test.
 
Set Study Goals. For each study session, set a goal to keep track of what you’re studying or revising. You can list out your goals as soon as you start with your study session or you can set them at the end of the session for the next one. Here are some examples of study goals you can set:\
I will work through at least five equations.
I will go through and summarize chapters 5 and 6. 
I will understand and learn the key concepts that were taught in class during weeks 1-3.
 

Study to Suit your Learning Style. Your learning style will help you to know what are the best ways to prepare for an examination. For instance, if you are an auditory learner, you may benefit from recording your notes and then listening to them later, or you can even listen to classroom lesson recordings. On the other hand, if you are a visual learner, pictures and diagrams can help you remember. 
 
Limit Distractions With Online Tech Tools. If you’re lacking discipline and can’t help but check your social media during lectures, there’s a great Google Chrome extension called Self Control that can add certain websites to a blacklist for a designated amount of time in which those sites will be blocked, allowing for no school work distractions. 
 
Have Fun with Words. Breaking down the material into small pieces and creating acronyms, phrases, rhymes, or metaphors can be a valuable—and fun—way to memorize concepts. For example, students learning the steps in the scientific method will easily remember an acronym like HOMER, in which each letter stands for one of the five steps: Hypothesize, Operationalize, Measure, Evaluate, and Replicate/Revise/Report. No matter how silly, this method can help students remember important concepts for their year-end exams.
 
Establish Rules of Study Time. Unless students are explicitly using online tools to study, it’s a smart idea to remove phones and laptops from the study area to prevent distractions. Every ding from a text message takes away from valuable study time. When your brain is constantly switching back and forth between social and academic spheres, students are also losing a chance to work on their focus and stamina during a test. Some other rules might include things like: 
If you are studying for a lengthier amount of time, pre-schedule breaks with set time limits. 
Snacks and drinks are okay during study time so long as they are not a distraction.
 
Focus on Understanding. For complex math problems and abstract concepts like the events that led up to a war, for example, the best way to ensure you truly know the information is to focus on understanding instead of merely memorizing. When you’re stuck on a tough problem or challenging concept while you’re at home studying by yourself, there are plenty of amazing free platforms you can utilize to get online tutoring help or step-by-step explanations on the material.  Brainly provides step-by-step guidance and explanations to all questions on its platform, helping students go from questioning to understanding and beyond. Another way to ensure you understand the exam materials ahead of time is to reinforce what you’ve learned by helping explain answers to other students’ questions in subjects you’ve already mastered, which is a core component of Brainly’s peer-to-peer learning community.
 
Review Best Practices for Test-Taking. Studying for a test is only half the battle! Taking the test and doing well is also very important, but for some, can be much harder. For this reason, test-taking is a skill that students need to learn for academic success. There are different strategies and best practices for each type of test question (multiple-choice, true or false, essay questions, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and so on). If students are unfamiliar with these, they can turn to this checklist of test-taking strategies for middle and high school students.
 
Finally, Take Care of Yourself. In the days leading up to an exam, students should remember to take care of themselves. This means getting a full eight hours of sleep every night, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate amounts of exercise, and packing everything needed for school the night before. Remember that students can think better when they have a full stomach, so don’t skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up. Pro Tip: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can give you more energy and better comprehension. Yoga or a stretching session can help with concentration and focus.


“Not every studying technique works for every student, so experiment with a few of these important study tips to find out which ones work best for you. Test-taking can be a real struggle for many high school students. Even after studying for hours the night before, many students will have anxiety during test time,” says Quinn. 
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Getting Ready For Graduation Season With Basic Invite

It is so hard to believe that we will soon enter the month of April. I mean really, where did the time go? We just celebrated our son's 13th birthday and are still working through our feelings on that one! In just another couple months, our younger daughter will hit another big milestone in her life. She will be walking across the stage to accept her diploma for her grad school program. And guess what? Later this year in December, my older daughter will be doing the very same thing herself! It's unreal thinking about having two of your children completing grad school and moving into the next stages of their adult lives. 

Today's conversation is sponsored by Basic Invite

We have such big milestones to start planning for and celebrating. Like us, many families are getting ready to have new graduates in their household whether it's high school or college. While graduations might be a little different this time around, the celebrations will still go on. Both of my daughters have been trying to find the right photographer to capture images so they can make graduation invitations and announcements.  We have spoken to other families who are planning to opt out of a large party, and are choosing a small dinner at a local restaurant. This is definitely the route that we are taking given the current climate around the world. 


I have been browsing Basic Invite to check out their selection of personalized graduation invites. One great feature that they offer is almost unlimited colors with instant previews online. Once you select a design, you can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite is sure to be exactly how you want it! This is what sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company. You can also request custom samples to make sure you are happy with the paper quality and colors before you are ready to have your final order printed. 


Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. That's a lot compared to most places that tend to only offer white. All of the envelopes are peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely. They also offer an address capturing service that allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. The addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders. A great place to start is with their open house invitation templates

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 

If you are planning graduation festivities, a baby shower, birthday party or wedding, be sure to keep Basic Invite in mind for your custom invitations and announcements. I better get on the ball right now since there is still time! Thank you for stopping by today. 
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Getting Teens To Talk About Their College Goals #CokeMiniMoments

The Coca-Cola Company provided promotional consideration for my participation in this program

Parenting is a tough job, we all know that. No two kids are the same and each one requires a different approach to really reach them. I have two older daughters and I think the years between 13 and 16 were the most challenging. My younger daughter, Briahnna is a high school senior and over the years, she has been a little harder to really talk to in general. She’s a high achieving IB student and is very involved in extracurricular activities, but when it comes to serious topics, she seems to want to hide inside her shell. My older daughter was the complete opposite and would want to talk about anything and everything. Over the last few years, I figured out that the drive to school and back home were great times to catch up and chat. We sometimes listen to the radio and do a little car dancing which ends up leaving us in tears from laughing so hard. This is usually a great ice breaker and gives us a few minutes to discuss school-related things. There has even been times when I bring her favorite snack or drink as an after school treat to help lighten the mood after a long day of classes.

Briahnna applied to four colleges and we had to stay on her about making sure she didn’t wait until the last minute. She’s the type of student that cranks out outstanding work although her work area is almost always a complete mess. Organized chaos seems to work for her. I have to come to the point that I really don’t waste my breath sweating the fact that she is messy. I more focus on working with her to make sure she is achieving and even exceeding her goals. I have recognized that she likes to have her personal space, but also respects my time when we need to be serious. Chatting in the car seems to take some of the pressure off of her instead of doing it in her messy room or with all of the rest of the family around. I am sure there are times that she wants me to shut up, but as an old family friend and mother figure told me many years ago, “Always talk to your children. Even when they act like they don’t want to hear it, talk to them anyway.” I have taken this advice to heart and you know what? It works!


Now that Briahnna has gotten accepted into her college of choice, she is in full scholarship application mode. Since our older daughter already has nearly two years of college under her belt, we use her experiences to help Brie have a better understanding of how it all works. Brie even mentioned the other day how one of her friends was trash talking a smaller dollar amount scholarship that she deemed a “waste of time”. Brie said she will keep on applying no matter how small the amount might be. She sees how much a little amount can really add up. I guess those little chats in the car are really working.


Do you need some help talking with your teens about their goals for college? Check out the Coca-Cola Pay it Forward Mini-Moments to get some great tips to help engage in positive conversation. You can download a PDF to your computer as a guide. This specific one,  Let's Talk:  Encouraging your teen to open up about their goals and how you can help achieve them is tailored to help open dialogue with your teen. They are very simple to follow and are a great resource.  While you are on the Pay It Forward site, be sure to take a moment to nominate your teen for an amazing opportunity to attend the Coca-Cola Pay it Forward Academy and also win a $5000 scholarship. You can see the complete contest rules here.

Now crack open a mini can of Coke and get the conversation started! #CokeMiniMoments
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Provost Academy #MyUnVirtualSchoolIdea

This post brought to you by Provost Academy. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Mom Files.
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It appears that more and more families are turning to home or online school options for their children. The world is certainly way more different than when I was growing up and going to traditional public school. With one last child at home, I am entertaining the idea of non-tradtional schooling. The question that comes up is, "Will my child have any friends?" I think the social aspect of not attending public or private school physically makes parents get a bit nervous. Provost Academy in South Carolina might have the answer -- Provost Academy in an online public school incorporating social interaction into virtual learning known as My UnVirtual School Idea. They have thousands of students with a common goal. They are like most teens who want to do their personal best, build friendships and explore their dreams together.
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Provost Academy strongly believes that relationships matter as much as academics. They believe that learning is best done together instead of alone. In life, you can't go wrong with the team work approach. I don't think successful adults became that way all alone. The UnVirtual Online School works hard to connect students with other students who have shared goals and dreams, while being an inspiration and support to one another.  They seek out ways for students to engage with professionals in their fields of interest to talk with and learn from over something as simple as a cup of coffee. They try to match up students with opportunities to help them expand their potential and prepare them for some of life's many challenges. Learning can happen anywhere and they want to expand the definition of anywhere. 
All of this is why they like to think of themselves as The UnVirtual Online School. They’re a school built on relationships.
Other fun facts from #MyUnVirtualSchool
· They are accredited. This means the diplomas students receive when they graduate from Provost Academy are real and they are recognized by colleges and the military.
· There is no cost to enroll since they are a public school. Fortunately the value of a Provost education far exceeds the cost, and they work hard to increase that value each and every day.
· Their teachers, advisors and administrators work to build one-to-one relationships with  students. They are a dedicated group challenging each student to go beyond what they think possible and to care deeply about the learning process, not just the outcome.
· They know that learning is unique to each of their students, and flexibility is required. They believe by working together they can create a distinctive learning experience for each student. In honor of this, they invite our readers and followers to help launch the UnVirtual revolution by sharing their ideas, thoughts and suggestions on ways in which an online school can be more social.
The three Provost states are South Carolina, Colorado and Ohio.
I believe the way an online school can be more social is to have a girls' (or guys') night out for dinner and chit chat. Even if you can't be there physically, a Google hangout will suffice! 

Visit Sponsor's Site

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Go back-to-school with SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Collegiate Series Headphones (Giveaway)

**Closed- Winner is Desmond W. Congratulations! 
I can't believe that in three weeks my kids will officially be back-to-school. The Summer has flown by like it always does and we are scrambling around getting prepared to head back. My oldest daughter will be starting her second year of college at the University of South Carolina and is very excited. She has already ordered her books and gotten some basic supplies and clothing. I always treat the kids to a small back-to-school gift to let them know I will miss them. This year my college girl is the happy recipient of some SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Collegiate Series  Headphones. Now she can show off her Gamecock pride with these very cool over-the-ear headphones.

I didn't even realize that SOL REPUBLIC offered headphones with head bands featuring over 100 different Universities from all over the country. Check out the full listing here. They retail for $129.99. This is perfect for sending your college student off to school or even for the college sports lover in your life. When you live in the South, college football is everything! My daughter absolutely loves these and the sound quality is outstanding. 
Even if you have your volume set mid-way, you will experience listening to music, audio-books or videos in a whole new way. The HD sound clarity and bass are astonishing. These block out most sounds around you to give you the ultimate, uninterrupted listening experience. Like the other Tracks over-the-ear headphones, the head band is interchangeable and practically indestructible. The speaker pads are super comfortable, especially for extended wear. These Tracks also have a Mic & Music controller and is compatible with most Apple, Android and Windows devices.

I guarantee you that your college student or even aspiring college student will LOVE these high-quality head phones for back to school! We already own a couple pairs of other SOL REPUBLIC head phones and are beyond satisfied with them. They are truly worth the money! You can purchase them directly from the SOL REPUBLIC site as well as participating Radio Shack stores. Stay connected with SOL REPUBLIC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for product updates and promotions.

We are SO thrilled to give away one pair of these amazing SOL REPUBLIC Tracks Collegiate Series Headphones (in your choice of university available on the website & subject to availability) to one very lucky Mom Files *reader! Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on August 9, 2014. Please follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter widget. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!
*If you have one a SOL REPUBLIC giveaway in the last 6 months from Mom Files, you will not be eligible to enter. 

Disclosure: I have received a complimentary pair of head phones from SOL REPUBLIC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always.
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Start school the "write" way with BIC back-to-school product line-up (Giveaway) CLOSED

Contest Closed. Winner is Help! Mama Remote...
It's back-to-school time all over the country. We have been preparing for weeks as the kids head back next week. I was so lucky to receive the entire back-to-school line-up of products from BIC. Having one in high school and two in college (husband included), it is important to have good quality writing tools for the tremendous amount of writing they all do. BIC has so many choices for every one of your writing needs. Below are details about each product as well as my personal thoughts. 
BIC Tech 2-in-1 Stylus and Pen:
I really like this a lot. It is perfect to attach to my tablet so that I have a 2-in-1 option especially when I am on the go! The pen writes smoothly and the stylus glides across the touch screen easily. My daughters had to fight me on this one. I won though! This innovative product is available in a one-pack with a SRP of $4.99, and a two-pack with a SRP of $7.97.

BIC Automatic Mechanical Pencil:
The BIC Automatic Mechanical Pencil makes it easy to retract and protect lead with just one click of the clip at the top of the barrel, which means no more broken lead at the bottom of your new backpack!

This innovative and refillable mechanical pencil offers a modern look with a clear barrel and colorful accents, as well as a textured grip zone for comfortable and controlled writing. Perfect for standardized tests with its number two lead, the BIC Automatic Mechanical Pencil is available in 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm lead sizes and has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3.29 for a one-pack and $5.99 for a two-pack.

Both of my daughter use them and really prefer the mechanical pencil over the traditional wooden pencil. It is a must-have for them!

BIC For Her Gel and Marker Pens:
BIC for Her Gel and Marker pens offer beautifully smooth writing that will pass any test!

• BIC for Her Gel pens have stylish accents and a beautifully designed barrel, a contoured rubber grip for comfortable writing and a floral design embossed on the tip of the pen to help her express her style.  Available in a 0.7 mm medium point in blue, black, and new pink and purple inks, BIC For Her Gel pens have a SRP of $4.69 for a two-pack. Me and my teens LOVE these! They write so smoothly and we love the very girly look of it.

• BIC for Her Marker pens feature black, pink and purple inks for precise and creative writing. With its pearlescent designed barrel and sleek metal clip, the BIC for Her Marker pen is the perfect writing instrument to help her express her style. BIC for Her Marker pens have a SRP of $4.69 for a three-pack. My high school daughter snatched these up because she said they are perfect for precise details for her honors art class projects.

BIC Brite Liner Highlighter Tape:
BIC Brite Liner tape is re-inventing the way we highlight! This fluorescent tape adds vibrant highlights without bleeding through paper.  It also erases easily, making it convenient to use on textbooks. Available in the most popular highlighter colors, fluorescent pink or yellow, the BIC Brite Liner Highlighter Tape has a SRP of $2.29 for a one-pack and $4.59 for a two-pack.Our entire family was impressed with this. It's nice to not have your highlighting destroy your actual writing. Very cool item!

BIC Round Stic Grip:
One of the favorite back-to-school standbys has a new look, and is now offered with pink, purple, turquoise and lime green fashion inks!  Perfect for everyday writing, the BIC Round Stic Grip pen is offered in both fine and medium points and has eight unique ink colors to choose from, which are indicated by the color of the pen’s cap and grip. With a SRP of $2.19 for an eight-pack, the BIC Round Stic Grip pen provides comfortable writing at an exceptional value.

BIC Z4+ Roller:
BIC Z4+ Roller pen also has a new look, offered in black, blue and assorted ink colors in .7mm fine point.  Look for the neon ink colors, which provide smooth writing and a visible ink supply. These roller pens are amazing! I love the assortment of colors we all like to write in our planners in a different color per subject/topic/category.

Fun and fashionable, the BIC Z4+ roller pens offer a unique style and precise writing. These are perfect for my husband. He has always been a big fan of fine and smooth pens. BIC Z4+ Roller has a SRP of $8.29 for a four-pack and a SRP of $9.45 for a neon ink five-pack.
Confession: My family had a nerd moment when we laid our eyes on these fabulous writing tools! 

We really love all of the products overall. I can't even pick a favorite! I think the most impressive part is the pricing. Writing utensils can be very expensive and I feel like BIC's prices are reasonable for the great quality you get. You can't go wrong with that! 

I am thrilled to be able to give away one set of the BIC back-to-school line-up to one lucky reader. Enter below: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on August 26, 2013. One winner will be selected at random and contacted by email to claim prize. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received items from BIC for review purposes. All opinions are my own and no additional compensation was received.  
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Wordless Wednesday | Prom 2013

My oldest daughter went to her senior prom a couple weeks ago. She looked like a princess!


Shelly, Mom Files
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More good stuff from our talented teen

I just had to share Brie's latest art project that she is working on for school. She is currently in an advanced class and has been given some challenging assignments. This particular one is a large sketch/drawing of an elderly lady with a scarf on her head. If you saw the original photo she is using to do this project, you would be amazed how close it is to the real thing. Her project is not done and she still has add her final touches. So far, it looks amazing!
She is such a talented young lady and we are so very proud of her! Brie attended a conference for high school students in journalism yesterday and her yearbook teacher submitted a layout she did for the yearbook for a contest. It turns out, she won! My girl has so much talent and she continues to amaze us. I always tell people that she is the girl I dreamed I could have been. Way to go, Brie!

Shelly, Mom Files
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It's never too early to start looking for prom dresses {Promgirl.net dress review}

It's still so hard to believe that this is my oldest daughter's senior year of high school. There are so many things going on all the time that range from studying and college applications, to sporting events and social gatherings. In the next few months my daughter will be going to her high school prom. We have discussed it over the years but now it is officially creeping up on us! My daughter is one of the hardest people I know to shop for when it comes to dresses. I received the Clarisse Short Dress 9031 to review from Promgirl.net. I wasn't sure what to expect since it was being ordered online. Is it going to look like it does in the photo? What is the quality going to be like?

When the dress arrived, it came packaged in a large box. When I opened it up, the dress was hanging on a hanger in a plastic garment bag and neatly folded. When I took the first look at it I was instantly all smiles. It was a lot sturdier and fuller than I was expecting. When my daughter got home she completely freaked out and fell in love with it. She loved everything about it, especially the color. The one thing that photographs don't pick up well is the sparkle that is throughout the skirt part of the dress. It has multiple layers of tulle so it had a fuller appearance. When my daughter tried it on I thought I was going to cry. It was the perfect color and length on her. Her little brother said it best when he screamed out, "Oh wow, you are a princess!". 

It is a well made dress and it has optional straps. My daughter will wear it with the straps and we will have to get it taken in slightly in the bust area since she is really tiny. I will note that she got a size 0 and it was still a little loose in the bust which means if you have a little more on top, this might work well for you. We really love the sparkle of this dress and the bow on the back jazzes it up a little more. I think with this dress, she will not need to many accessories. I think some chunky bracelets, sparkly shoes and dramatic hair and make-up will be perfect.
This is the photo of the Clarisse Short Dress 9031 in gold. It also comes in blue and is available in sizes 0-10. 
I highly recommend checking out the amazing selection of dresses on Promgirl.net. There are so many colors, lengths, price ranges and styles to choose from. As a matter of fact, they have more than just dresses for prom. They offer dresses for many occasions like Homecoming, Military ball, Graduation, Sweet Sixteen, cocktail, formal and more! I feel like ordering a dress online gives a less likely chance of seeing another girl wearing "your dress". I will definitely be going back to Promgirl.net for my younger daughter in the next two years. I forgot to mention, they ship very fast. If you have a teenage daughter in need of a dress, I urge you to check them out!
Shelly, Mom Files
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A priceless moment in a girl's life

This past Friday, our daughter Chardonnay was crowned the 2012 Richland Northeast High School Homecoming Queen. It was such an exciting night for our family and certainly will be treasured forever! Check out the super short video clip (start at 9:54). There were lots of tears and smiles!

Waiting to be called down to get in place to walk out onto the field at half-time. 

Patiently waiting with her Papo. He looks like security! 

The introduction of the girls that were running for Homecoming Queen and their dad/escort. 

The crowning. She was in tears! Even her little sister cried.  

Me and my girl! 
Shelly, Mom Files
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First day of school 2012

Brie (sophomore) & Chardie (Senior) 
I can't believe how fast time has gone by. My girls are so grown up and today they start their new school year for 2012-13. They were up early full of excitement for their first day back. It was a whirlwind of emotion for me. My oldest is a high school senior and my younger daughter has outgrown us all! We had such fun in the car on the way to school. We shared a lot of laughs and reminisced about them being in elementary school. I am looking forward to the stories we will share this year.

Wishing everyone a fantastic school year ahead!
Shelly, Mom Files
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Wordless Wednesday {Art}

I just had to share Brie's work that she created in her art class at school. Brie says that this is a girl who is depressed because her secrets got out. This is a really big piece so I might have to end up getting it custom framed. We love it!

Those are locks and keys in the tree. Cool huh?
Shelly, Mom Files
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The life of the SAHM

We have less than 2 weeks of the school year left. Time has flown by. The girls have been immersed in studying, exams, SAT's and volleyball conditioning. Of course I am in overdrive as a mom making sure they have all the necessities to make their days go smoothly. I have been spending a lot less time online and a lot more time on the floor playing dinosaurs, camping, blocks and flashcards. I am really working hard at giving little Will the same head start that the girls were given. You really do get to see the big differences between boys and girls! It does seem a little more challenging getting the boy to sit down long enough to learn something new. I think he does better absorbing information as long as he is moving. This sometimes means practicing numbers while doing jumping jacks! Needless to say, I am in great physical shape!
I still go through those days feeling mommy guilt wondering if I am doing enough for the boy. At the end of the day, he displays a lot of what he has learned through his actions. He is listening and paying attention. You better believe if anyone does something they shouldn't be, William will be the first one to let you know that you are not making a good choice. Those are the times that I think he is listening a little too well :)

I already have the Summer calendar prepared and it looks like the kids will be very occupied. I have some family trips I am planning as well. This Summer, we will take day trips or very short trips to close-by cities. No big vacations for us. I just hope that gas prices will continue to decline. I am also getting back into couponing so that we can maximize our cash.

Have you started getting your Summer family calendar set up? Do you have any fun plans?
Shelly, Mom Files
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Sisters in print | High School memories

It is that time of year again... end of the school year and yearbooks! Both girls got their high school yearbook yesterday and I asked them if they were in it besides the class photo. They told me there was a shot of the two of them together and casually showed it to me.
I screamed out loud like whaaaat??!!! Those are my babies!! I was so thrilled to see that they were a part of a feature they did on students that share the same house and school. They thought I was crazy with how excited I was seeing them together in the yearbook. I think it is neat that they can look back at this many years from now and remember those times. I still glance through my high school yearbooks from time to time.
Just seeing how happy and vibrant they are when they are hanging out warms my mommy heart. It is such a wonderful thing when siblings, especially teenagers get along so well. I tell them all the time that they have a best friend for life! I love my girls so much! I just had to share this with you all.

Have a great weekend! :)
Shelly, Mom Files
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My favorite girls | Friends for life

I was looking at an old photo of my daughters along with their friend, Haley.  Chardie and Haley met in kindergarten and became best friends from day one. Although Haley and Chardie are in the same grade, Brie took a liking to Haley and joined in on the friendship. After all these years they still get together for sleepovers, outings and parties. Haley is referred to as being my third daughter. I love her as if she was my own! When Haley comes to the house, I enjoy making them my "world famous" grilled cheese sandwiches and baking cookies. It has been a tradition for many years and all three girls look forward to it.


Chardie and Haley were in kindergarten and Brie was still at home with me! This was taken at their end of kindergarten school trip to a local park. How adorable are those sweet faces?! 
Here are the girls are all grown up. Chardie and Haley are finishing off Junior year and will become Seniors next school year. Brie will be a Sophomore next school year. *sniff*

All three girls have made us so proud. They are all very high academic achievers and have such outstanding manners and a love for the community. We couldn't ask for better daughters! It has been a joy watching the three of them grow up together. It is wonderful to have lifelong friends that become a part of your family. 

Do you or your children have any of the same friends since early childhood? 
Shelly, Mom Files
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