For all of us homeschooling parents I think we secretly get excited to head to conventions in the spring to check out curriculum, set goals and make a game plan for the next year.  Most years I think beginning a new year is just as exciting as ending the current one!  This will be my second year working conventions as a Total Language Plus Rep vs. being an attender.  There are so many great things out there to pursue and investigate, but I can honestly say that TLP is an AMAZING Language Arts curriculum weather it's for the homeschooling family, co-ops, a private school atmosphere and even just a mom that wants to keep her children engaged over the summer.  I hope you will stop by our booth at one of the conventions and see what we are all about!

TLP is a literature infused curriculum for grades 3-12 designed to meet the needs of all types of learners.  It includes spelling, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and plenty of writing to boot!   There are many hands on activities to keep the children engaged, but most importantly it provides a christian based perspective on some all time favorite novels!  Check out Barbara Blakey our amazing creator and author of TLP on her very own blog!

2013 Conventions for WA, OR, HI and AK

Hope to see you there!

TLP will be represented at the following conventions 

Oregon
Date	City	Sponsor
Jun 21-22 2013	Portland	OCEANetwork
Washington
Date	City	Sponsor
Apr 25-27 2013	Redmond	Christian Heritage
Jun 14-15 2013	Puyallup	WHO

 When I started my blog a while back I really wasn't sure what direction it would take.  It started with some craft and gift ideas (which I love) and now I am adding in homeschooling (which I love) and this morning it occurred to me that we have some pretty yummy recipes at our house.  So ... I am expanding my blog horizons and with that I thought it would be a great time to introduce you to my family who do all these exciting, fun and crazy things with me.

It started 12 years ago with the two of us, high school sweethearts from Sumner High School (actually much longer than that if you count our courting time).  This is Jake and I this summer at a Sounders game.

Before we knew it... we were a family of 4

Madison is our oldest at 9 and follows the first born characteristics to a T

And then there's Talia whom this blog is titled... my little T Bug

Talia is 7 and totally a free spirit kind of girl

Both girls are amazing in their own ways and bless our family immensely!

With a few years in between we quickly and surprisingly grew our family to 6! 

Tripp is 3.5 and wants to learn and help in everything we do each day.

Mason is 20 months and thrilled to fly helicopters around the house.

Both our boys are sweet as can be and makes our family complete.

A friend of mine once told me... EVERY mother NEEDS a son and she was so right!

I love my boys!

I am sure you will see some or all of my family if future posts

With homeschooling totally under way and moving into the second half of the school year, as a Total Language Plus Rep we have the opportunity for all of us to gather at one location for a weekend and spend some time getting to know each other, learn more about our products and start gearing up for our convention season.  This year we had to opportunity to stay at a beautiful location in Issaquah WA.  I thought this would be a great time to share some of my favorite photos

So this is the front of the home as you drive in along with the fountain and circular drive.

 

This is the entryway and stair case

This is the amazing dinning room where all of us were able to sit and break bread over the weekend

 Lots of learning, games, pizza making (yes a built in wood fire pizza stove) and socializing in the living room

The parlor where we did devotionals, worship, sipped tea and of course played some games

(TLP headbands if you can imagine)

Any family with more than three children absolutely NEED a laundry room like this!

I think my absolute favorite thing... the heated towel rack!

And finally... my sweet sleeping spot for the weekend, with all my little goodies waiting for me to open

 Needless to say we all had a wonderful weekend! Stay tuned for more TLP posts! 

Thank You Barbara!

This time of year is soooooo much fun!  There are school supplies EVERYWHERE and being a homeschooling mom I could stock up on everything and find something fun to do with it.  During other times of the year I stock up on other things too.  This past year I picked up a fairly large stash of flannel  at the Joannes after Thanksgiving Sale and I still have a bunch left so, I decided to try out crayon rolls.  Crayon rolls can be used for crayons (obviously), pencils, markers and paint brushes. You can also make mini ones and ones with a pocket for paper.  

I found a tutorial online, whipped one up one evening, and presto!  You have some gifts!.  All you need is BASIC sewing skills.  They are super easy and if you are like me it is sometimes easier to make several at a time instead of just one.  If you put a bunch together, stock up on some school supplies you are totally ready for that little person that needs a gift to brighten their day.  This is what one of mine looks like and the color options and possibilities are endless!  Here is a great tutorial you could follow  http://prudentbaby.com/2010/12/baby-kid/how-to-sew-a-crayon-roll-2/...

Happy Sewing

Make someone smile today

Angela

So I have this hanging in my entry way and have thought many times about what a fun, creative, inexpensive gift it would make for Christmas, housewarming or even a baby shower.  It is the spelling of our last name and  the year it was established.  I found it fitting for today's (well yesterdays) post since it is our anniversary (Yeah 12 years).

I have to be honest I did not come up with this idea on my own, as I am a copy cat of many cute ideas.  If you head to this website the author takes you step by step on how to create one of your very own.  I followed all her directions and mine turned out beautifully! http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2010/10/absolute-favorite-thing-i-have-made.html

 I already had a frame at home and once my photo was complete I printed it at our local Costco for $2.99 for an 11 x 14, put it in my frame, hung it on the wall and LOVE IT! 

Well you have to start somewhere, right?  I have never done a blog before and I am excited to start this one!  The name of my blog and my business is T Bug Treasures.  This name is quite precious to me because it is the nick name for our second born daughter (whom wishes we would stop calling her that).  She is a fun free spirited little girl that also finds joy in creating and gift giving.  I started T Bug Treasures about four years ago with the help and guidance of a dear friend, that might be a guest poster some time. 


The lord has given me a deep desire and love for "creating."  When I was young, I learned how to sew from my grandmother and as I matured I started taking a few classes and eventually just started making little gifts for my kids, family, friends, parties and "just because."   I thoroughly enjoy watching others receive gifts or simply have a wonderful personalized gift to give someone else.  As I mentioned in my bio, I am natural born gift giver and it warms my heart to see people smile and sparkle when they receive one of my gifts. I hope you will continue on this journey with me and stay posted for all those creative ideas to be shared with you, so you can share with others!