Homeschooling Through the Holidays

Homeschooling through the holidays can be overwhelming when you consider all the extras that are added to your already overflowing plate – gifts to buy and wrap, Christmas cards to write and send, parties to plan and attend, ingredients to buy and bake – the list seems never ending. Throughout the years, I’ve picked up some tips along the way to make homeschooling through the holidays happen without extra stress.


Keep Homeschool Routines

In my experience, having the comfort of a normal homeschool routine is the very thing that helps me maintain sanity during the holiday season. In our home, we do a four-day school week and we usually finish each school day by lunch. This allows time for some of these holiday extras to be completed in the afternoon, so our weekends can be filled with festivities.


Keep Family Traditions

Family traditions provide our children with a strong sense of family identity, values, and generate many wonderful memories through the years. You don’t have to stress out over keeping these family traditions when you have a homeschool routine in place. I simply look at my datebook and see what days are available and plan accordingly for baking those family favorite recipes that have been passed down through the years, attending The Nutcracker ballet, or strolling through the lights in the park.


Keep Christ in Christmas

We have some family traditions that keep Christ in Christmas. Every year, we read the Christmas story aloud from Luke 2 before we unwrap the gifts under the tree. We present our children with three gifts every year because Baby Jesus received three gifts – this keeps things in perspective and teaches it is better to give than to receive – especially when we recall the reason for the season. He was born to die upon Calvary. For my sin, He bore the cross. There is no greater gift than the free gift of salvation that extends to all mankind if we only believe. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Christmas in Your Heart

You may not be familiar with this Christmas song; but I woke up with these lyrics on my heart this morning and felt the Lord leading me to share them with you. This song is written by Ron Hamilton and I pray these words encourage you to make it Christmas in your heart.

Jesus came to earth and laid aside His princely crown. Came to His creation, yet a room could not be found. At this special time of year the call is heard anew. Will you hear His pleading voice? Let Christ be born in you.

Christmas in your heart, Make it Christmas in your heart. Open wide the door and let Jesus in your heart. As the Savior knocks today, will you coldly turn away? This Christmas, make it Christmas in your heart.

You may sing the carols that exalt the Baby's name. But when Jesus calls to you, the answer's still the same. There's no room for Jesus; He is crowded out again. Will you open wide your heart and let the Savior in?

Christmas in your heart, Make it Christmas in your heart. Open wide the door and let Jesus in your heart. As the Savior knocks today, will you coldly turn away? This Christmas, make it Christmas in your heart.

Texas HOME Educators - December Newsletter

Calendar of Events

December 06 Ballet Classes & Co-op Classes

December 13 Ballet Classes & Bowling Banquet

December 20 Ballet Classes & Co-op Christmas Party



Co-op Classes

Musical Theater – we will meet on December 6 at 1:00 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas for our “Annie” rehearsal. Please be sure each student brings their copy of script and music that were sent through email (two attachments).



Service Scouts – we will meet on December 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas to make Christmas cards for the military. Each family needs to bring 25 blank cards with envelopes and card making supplies. Members can enroll in our group at any time during the year. Students K-12 may participate in Service Scouts, a program designed to award youth for their community service.



Ballet Classes

09:00 Ballet I (ages 3-6)

09:45 Ballet II (ages 7-10)

09:45 Jazz (ages 11+)

10:30 Ballet III (ages 11+)

11:15 Pointe (ages 11+)



Classes are held at Studio D in Lumberton, Texas. Tuition is $50 per class, per month. Tuition is due by the first Friday of each month. Girls ballet attire is black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and hair in bun. Boys ballet attire is white fitted shirt, black jazz pants, and black ballet shoes. Girls pointe attire is black leotard, pink ballet tights, pink pointe shoes, and hair in bun. Girls jazz attire is black leotard, black jazz pants, and tan jazz shoes. Boys jazz attire is black fitted shirt, black jazz pants, and tan jazz shoes. If you have any questions, please text Susan Reed at 409-504-8135 or Brieanna Reed at 409-998-9159.



Parents, please be aware that tuition is due by December 6, but t-shirt order forms and costume fees are due by December 13. No costume will be ordered without payment. Recital fees must be paid separately from monthly tuition; and checks made payable to Texas HOME Educators. We have extended the due date for the building fee, this will be due by January 10 when you pay monthly tuition.



Bowling Banquet

The homeschool bowling league will meet on December 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Crossroads Bowling Center in Beaumont, Texas for their bowling banquet. Bumper Buddies pay $5 weekly to bowl 2 games. League Members pay $8 weekly to bowl 3 games. Members will receive patches for highest game and highest series.



Christmas Party

Our co-op Christmas party will be held on December 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Midway Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas. Each student will need to bring a $5 gift card for a gift exchange, as well as a bag of candy for the goodie bags that will be given to each student. Each family needs to sign-up for an activity table – game or craft – and post on our Facebook page so we do not duplicate an activity. Each family is responsible for gather supplies needed and parents will work their table while students enjoy their Christmas activities.