Hi!

My name is Maraly, otherwise known as "Mami Chula."

I have so much fun with my kids every day, and I want to send out to the Universe a good vibe through this window to My House of Learning. Plus I want to create a record by organizing our experiences here on a blog, to then print out as a hard-copy record of family history.

I am a licensed attorney with a Juris Doctor Degree, a Masters in Public Administration, a Bachelors in International Law and Diplomacy, and in European Studies with a minor in Psychology. As a kid in K-12 I was a geek in school, loving every subject from math and science to language and art. I grew up in Mexico and moved to the USA as a teen in order to continue my education because I could no longer do so in Mexico. I have always wanted to make a great impact in the world for good. I have been blessed so greatly by my Heavenly Father. My faith is at the core of who I am.

If you read my journal, you will realize that from the beginning as a toddler I had always desired to find the love of my life. I always wanted to be a mom, perhaps because I myself have such a lovely mami.  The Family, a Proclamation to the World helped me realize that the most lasting impact I can have is in my kids. If I raise great kids, they will in turn affect the world much more than I could alone. I am so greatful for my hubby who is happy to provide for us and protect us, and who is also not blinded by all the possible dough I could bring because of my education. He values what I value: my role as mother in nourishing the heart, minds, and bodies of our little ones.

Philosophy: everything we do daily is something we are learning, weather it be new and inspired or lazy and boring. I want to teach my kids to have a great attitude about work, learning, and service. I don't want to teach my kids to be entitled.  So we better do lots of good things together everyday! Epic things, such as washing the dishes, mopping the floor, reading, imaginative playing, building a city with blocks!

I am loving Montessori, the Family School Online, and the children.lds.org  

For Montessori, I participate in a homeschooling co-op Montessori Bin Exchange. Basically about 10 of us got together with an experienced Montessorian, Ashley Purser, and got an exchange going. The rest of us knew little about Montessori. She gave us a three-hour training, and referred us to online resources such livingmontessorinow.com and Pinterest.  Each of us picked a Unit Study subject, all which happened to be sciences, one music, and one history. And then we took the Summer to prepare Montessori activities for that subject in all Montessori areas (practical life, sensorial, math, language, culture). Putting together one Montessori activity takes effort, resources and creativity. So making a bin full of materials, at least 20 activities, was a great undertaking. BUT, once you had it done, you were ready to participate in the exchange and have materials for the rest of the year! With no further cost, preparation, or time investment needed.  I currently have the cylinders for sensorial that Ashley bought and put in with the American West bin. This exchange has been BRILLIANT!  We meet once a month to trade. So many of the activities you might see come from that exchange. I have of course added a few just for fun, and field trips, etc.  This exchange is what determines the subject we are studying that month.

The Family School Online is a gem! It has strong academics, and gospel principles infused into every lesson. I use this for my opening exercises. I have year one, and also science year two. I am using this in a unit-study kind of way, matching the lessons with the subject of the Montessori exchange. Nourishing the heart and spirit of my children is one of the main reasons why I homeschool. There is not enough time or resources, not to say legal room, in the public setting to learn by faith as well as by study. There is so much evidence in the world of the Plan of Salvation, in science, in math, in history, that I want to live it again.

Children.lds.org, and its parent lds.org, has so many wonderful resources to nourish the spirit of children and give perspective to their lives.

Thank you for stopping by! hope you have a yummy day!

American West

American West, Pioneers, December 2014

You do need to have great courage,

Faith to conquer fear,

And work with might for a cause that's right

To be a pioneer!  "

-To be a Pioneer" LDS Children Songbook

On December we focused on hard work, Christ's mission and birth (Christmas), and the American West. These kids learned the cardinal points through the silly rhyming song "north, east, south, west, never eat soggy worms" from YouTube. They think it's soo funny! So we have been learning that west is always the direction of the sunset the Sun goes down, and the good traditions of the American West. We'll expand on this theme in January.

Cow girl on a saddle. This "Puma Tigger" has loved horses since my papa, "Papa Abue" taught her "El Caballo Blanco" when she was two.  She made a proper cow-girl vest out of a paper bag turned inside out. More fun that I expected.

Don't let this innocent face fool you! This little bandit is a pistol ;) She'll sneak your ice-cream, or iphone, in a flash!

 Got beans?!

 Corn husk doll, pioneer style! Yea!  Great practice for Knots. This little cutie wanted a doll with a puffy skirt, and we made it happen!  Then she wanted a long braided hair. Yeah! you got it! They worked so hard on this!

 We saved these husks from corn we bought to grind on a metate with stones on a different day for an activity on grinding.I told them about my abuela's mom Bacilisa who in Mexico had the job of grinding corn and making tortillas for the whole hacienda. Her knees were so calloused because of bending down to get it done.

 Light boy nose says hello!

 This two-year old is really into making things fit and balance. This toy with suction cups, fun spoon, an marbles were lots of fun for him.

 Yeah! a visit with "real" Elsa at a princes-and ninja turtle boy- party, with "snow" from packing peanuts.

 Adding with three digits princess style!

 Writing practice on corn meal.

 The "lid challenge." A basket full of different containers, see how fast you can find the right fit for each. Helps build focus, eye hand coordination, and perception of sizes (matching he diameter of the bottle and caps). Plus it's fun!

 Snow flake fun! That little squirrel on the side was getting ready for the snow.

"More lights" said Elmo at the Mormon Tabernacle 2015 Christmas Concert. And boy, were there more lights! It was a great show! Even if the babes and I got to see it on the screen at the adjacent theater. 

 Munchies the squirrel has to spell out each word and match the item to the picture before she can have these grains and nuts for lunch!

 Joseph and Mary scripture study. Or maybe they were wise men.

 These bright smiles and hugs are a classic, every-day thing over here. This six year old cannot get enough of her baby girl!  She's the first one to help her, bring her a toy, a snack, or do a silly dance, clap and snap to make her smile.

Look who is reading out-loud "to the kids." These blankets are a treasure because Aunt D made each one of them specially and gifted them to each kid as their present upon birth. She's the best!