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  • Best Nature Journaling Prompts for Elementary Kids: Simple Ideas That Actually Work

    Best Nature Journaling Prompts for Elementary Kids: Simple Ideas That Actually Work

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever handed your kid a blank nature journal and watched them stare at it like it was a pop quiz, you’re not alone. I’ve been there — standing in our Florida backyard, surrounded by live oaks and singing birds, wondering why my kids suddenly had nothing to say about any of it.

    Here’s the thing: nature journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require perfect sketches or eloquent observations. It just requires a little nudge in the right direction. And that’s exactly what good prompts do — they open the door so your child can walk through it on their own terms.

    Why Nature Journaling Matters (Especially Now)

    In a world where screens are everywhere and attention spans are shrinking, nature journaling is one of the most powerful tools we have. It slows kids down. It teaches them to see — really see — the world around them. Charlotte Mason called this “the science of relations,” and I think she was onto something big.

    When my kids sit on the back porch with their journals, watching the chickens scratch around or spotting a Gulf fritillary butterfly on the passionflower vine, they’re building connections. Not just to nature, but to patience, wonder, and the kind of deep attention that serves them in everything else.

    This is 1990s childhood the way I remember it — dirty fingernails, caught bugs, and hours spent just being outside. Nature journaling is simply putting that experience on paper.

    Getting Started: What You Actually Need

    You don’t need much. That’s the beauty of it.

    We use a simple nature journal with blank pages — nothing fancy, just sturdy enough to handle being dragged outside regularly. Some families prefer lined pages, but I find blank works better for elementary kids who want to draw, doodle, and paste things.

    Add some quality watercolor pencils that can handle a little water brushing, and you’re set. We keep a small kit by the back door so it’s always ready to grab.

    And if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll want a pocket microscope for examining beetle wings, flower petals, and whatever interesting things they find in the yard. It adds a whole new dimension to their observations.

    The Best Nature Journaling Prompts for Elementary Kids

    Here’s where the magic happens. These prompts work for kindergarteners through fifth graders — just adjust your expectations based on age. A five-year-old might draw three wobbly circles and call it a bird, while a ten-year-old might spend thirty minutes on feather details. Both are perfect.

    Observation-Based Prompts

    • Draw something smaller than your thumbnail. This forces them to look closely. An ant, a seed, a tiny flower.
    • Find three different shades of green and color them in your journal. Living in Florida, this one never gets old — we have green all year round.
    • Sketch a bird you see today. What is it doing? We keep Sibley’s bird guide nearby for identification. Even if the drawing is rough, naming what they see matters.
    • Draw the same tree or plant once a month for a year. Seasonal changes are subtle here in Northwest Florida, but they exist — and tracking them teaches patience.
    • What does the sky look like right now? Draw it and describe it in three words.

    Sensory Prompts

    • Close your eyes for one minute. What do you hear? List every sound.
    • Find something that smells interesting. Draw it and describe the smell. Our chickens make this one… memorable.
    • What does the air feel like today? Humid? Breezy? Heavy? Florida kids understand humidity on a molecular level.
    • Touch three different textures outside. Draw what you touched and describe how it felt.

    Curiosity and Question Prompts

    • Draw something you’ve never noticed before.
    • Find something you don’t know the name of. Sketch it and write three questions about it.
    • What do you think this bug/plant/bird eats? Draw your guess.
    • If you were this small creature, where would you hide? Why?

    Creative and Imaginative Prompts

    • Draw a map of your backyard from a bird’s-eye view.
    • Create a “field guide page” for an animal you see regularly. My kids love doing this for our chickens — each hen gets her own page with personality notes.
    • Write a tiny poem about something you observed today.
    • Draw the same flower or leaf from three different angles.

    Seasonal Florida Prompts

    • It’s summer: Draw something that’s thriving in the heat.
    • Find evidence of an animal (tracks, feathers, droppings). Sketch and investigate.
    • Draw a cloud and try to identify what type it is.
    • After a Florida afternoon rain, what changed in the yard? Sketch the difference.

    Tips for Making Nature Journaling Stick

    Keep It Short

    Fifteen minutes is plenty for elementary kids. Some days we do five. The goal isn’t marathon sessions — it’s building the habit of paying attention.

    Go Outside First, Prompt Second

    Let them wander a bit. Poke at things. Watch the dog chase a lizard. Then, when they’ve settled, offer a prompt. Forcing journal time before they’ve had a chance to be in nature usually backfires.

    Don’t Correct the Art

    I know. I know. But nature journaling isn’t art class. If your child draws a chicken with three legs, let it be a three-legged chicken. The point is observation and connection, not accuracy.

    Use Resources as Springboards

    We love having a good chicken-keeping guide for kids on hand — it sparks so many journal entries about our hens. Same with our bird guide and any field guides specific to Florida wildlife.

    Let Them Collect

    A bug collection kit is wonderful for catching specimens to sketch before releasing them. Feathers, interesting leaves, even snail shells can be taped directly into the journal. It becomes a real record of their discoveries.

    What If My Kid Resists?

    Some kids take to nature journaling like ducks to water. Others… don’t. If your child is resistant, try these adjustments:

    • Journal alongside them. Kids are more likely to engage when they see us doing it too.
    • Make it part of a routine, not a random request. We do ours after morning chores and before the real heat sets in.
    • Let them choose the medium. Some kids prefer colored pencils. Some want to paint. Some just want to write words. All of it counts.
    • Start with their interests. If they’re obsessed with bugs, lean into bug prompts. Chickens? Let them document the flock.

    A Little Encouragement for the Journey

    Nature journaling isn’t about creating museum-worthy field guides. It’s about teaching our kids to slow down in a world that’s always rushing them forward. It’s about muddy boots and wondering why that flower only blooms in the morning. It’s about raising children who notice things.

    Some of my favorite moments happen on our back porch — the kids sprawled on the deck, journals open, our mini labradoodle snoozing nearby, chickens doing their chicken things in the yard. It’s nothing fancy. But it’s real. And it’s ours.

    If you’re just starting out, grab a simple journal, head outside, and try one prompt. Just one. See what happens. You might be surprised at what your kids see when they finally have the space to look.

    Happy journaling, friend.

  • Charlotte Mason Homeschool Evaluation for Florida PEP: What Actually Happens (And Why It’s Not Scary)

    Charlotte Mason Homeschool Evaluation for Florida PEP: What Actually Happens (And Why It’s Not Scary)

    If you’re sitting there with a cup of coffee wondering how on earth your beautiful, messy, nature-table-covered Charlotte Mason homeschool is going to look to an evaluator — I get it. I’ve been there. That first year with the Florida PEP scholarship, I was genuinely nervous about how our days of nature journaling, living books, and backyard chicken observations would translate into an official evaluation.

    Here’s the good news: it went beautifully. And yours can too.

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Understanding the Florida PEP Evaluation Requirement

    First, let’s talk about what Florida actually requires. With the PEP (Personalized Education Program) scholarship — formerly part of the FES scholarship programs — families must complete an annual evaluation. You have options: a licensed teacher review, a standardized test, or a portfolio evaluation by a certified teacher.

    For Charlotte Mason families, the portfolio evaluation is often the most natural fit. Why? Because we’re already doing the documentation. Those nature journals, copywork samples, narrations, and handicraft projects? That’s your portfolio, friend.

    The evaluation itself is typically a relaxed meeting where a certified teacher reviews your child’s work samples, asks a few questions, and writes up a brief assessment. It’s not a judgment of your homeschool philosophy — it’s simply verification that education is happening. And trust me, if your kids can tell someone about the life cycle of a chicken or narrate back a chapter from a living book, education is definitely happening.

    What to Include in Your Charlotte Mason Portfolio

    Here’s where I think Charlotte Mason homeschoolers actually have an advantage. Our method naturally produces tangible evidence of learning that evaluators love to see.

    Nature Study Documentation

    This is where our family shines, honestly. We keep nature journals year-round — my kids have documented everything from the mockingbirds nesting in our crepe myrtle to the changes in our backyard chickens’ feathers during molting season. A good nature journal filled with observations, sketches, and notes is worth its weight in gold during an evaluation.

    I also keep a simple log of what we’ve studied. When we spent three weeks learning about Florida shorebirds — using our Sibley Birds guide and visiting Pensacola Beach — I jotted that down with dates. Evaluators appreciate seeing the breadth of what you’ve covered.

    Language Arts Samples

    For Charlotte Mason families, this typically includes:

    • Copywork samples (showing handwriting progression)
    • Dictation passages
    • Written narrations (for older elementary kids)
    • Any creative writing or poetry

    I save one sample per month in a simple folder. You don’t need everything — just enough to show growth and consistency.

    Math Documentation

    Even though Charlotte Mason emphasized living math, evaluators do want to see math progress. We use hands-on approaches and I keep samples of completed work. If you’re using a curriculum like Math-U-See, save a few worksheets from different points in the year showing progression.

    The “Extras” That Make CM Shine

    Don’t underestimate the power of showing the whole picture. I bring:

    • Handicraft projects or photos of them
    • Art samples (my kids love their Faber-Castell watercolors for nature illustrations)
    • A simple book list of what we’ve read aloud
    • Photos of field trips, nature walks, and hands-on science

    One year, my daughter brought her chicken observation journal where she’d tracked egg production and sketched our hens. The evaluator was genuinely delighted.

    Finding a Charlotte Mason-Friendly Evaluator in Florida

    This matters more than you might think. Not every evaluator understands — or appreciates — the Charlotte Mason method. Some are looking for workbooks and grade-level checklists. You want someone who gets it.

    Ask in local homeschool groups (Facebook groups for Pensacola and Northwest Florida homeschoolers are great resources) for recommendations. Look for evaluators who specifically mention experience with classical, Charlotte Mason, or eclectic homeschools. Many will do evaluations via Zoom now, which opens up your options statewide.

    When you contact an evaluator, be upfront: “We follow a Charlotte Mason approach with an emphasis on living books and nature study. Are you familiar with this method?” Their response will tell you a lot.

    Preparing Your Child for the Evaluation

    Here’s something I wish someone had told me: prepare your kids, but don’t stress them out.

    I tell mine that we’re going to meet with a teacher who wants to hear about all the cool things they’ve learned. We practice a simple narration or two — maybe retelling a favorite story or explaining something they’ve studied (my son could talk about chicken breeds for hours, bless him).

    Most evaluators will ask your child a few gentle questions:

    • What’s your favorite book you’ve read this year?
    • What are you learning about in science?
    • Can you tell me about something you made or built?

    Charlotte Mason kids are typically great at this because narration is already part of their daily rhythm. They’re used to telling back what they’ve learned.

    Keeping Records Throughout the Year

    The easiest evaluation is the one you’ve prepared for all year long — not the week before. Here’s my simple system:

    Monthly: Save 2-3 work samples per subject in a folder. Take photos of nature study, projects, and field trips.

    Quarterly: Update your book list and any curriculum progress notes.

    Ongoing: Keep your nature journals current and accessible.

    I also keep a simple planning resource from Rainbow Resource that helps me stay loosely organized without feeling like I’m boxed into a rigid schedule. It’s been a sanity saver.

    What If Your Year Looked “Different”?

    Maybe you had a new baby. Maybe you moved. Maybe you spent an entire month learning about hurricanes because, well, you live in Florida and one was headed your way. Life happens.

    Evaluators — the good ones, anyway — understand this. Charlotte Mason herself believed in short lessons and generous free time. If your kids spent significant time in free play, building forts, helping with the chickens, or exploring your backyard with a pocket microscope, that counts as education too.

    Be honest about your year. Show what you did do. Most evaluators are homeschool-friendly and aren’t looking to catch you doing something wrong — they’re looking to confirm that your children are learning and growing.

    The Bottom Line

    Charlotte Mason homeschooling and Florida PEP evaluations can absolutely work together beautifully. Your nature journals, living books, narrations, and hands-on projects aren’t just busywork — they’re evidence of a rich, real education.

    The evaluation is one meeting, maybe an hour of your year. It’s not a referendum on your homeschool or your parenting. It’s a simple checkpoint that, honestly, can even be encouraging. Hearing an evaluator affirm that yes, your kids are thriving? That’s a gift, especially on the hard days.

    So take a breath, mama. Gather those nature journals, stack up those beloved books, and trust the process. You’re doing a good thing here — raising curious, grounded kids who know what a magnolia smells like and can tell you the difference between a heron and an egret. That’s the kind of education that lasts.

    And if your evaluator happens to ask why there are chicken feathers pressed into your child’s nature journal? Just smile. That’s the good stuff right there.

  • How to Teach Kids to Identify Backyard Birds in Florida: A Nature-Based Approach

    How to Teach Kids to Identify Backyard Birds in Florida: A Nature-Based Approach

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    There’s something magical about watching your child’s face light up when they spot a bird and actually know what it is. Not because they Googled it or asked Alexa, but because they’ve spent time watching, listening, and learning the old-fashioned way. If you’re a Florida family looking to bring more nature into your days — whether you’re homeschooling or just trying to get everyone outside more — backyard bird identification is one of the easiest and most rewarding places to start.

    Here in Northwest Florida, we’re blessed with an incredible variety of birds year-round. From the Northern Cardinals that hang out by our chicken coop to the Great Blue Herons that occasionally grace our neighborhood, there’s always something flying around worth noticing. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert to teach this. You just need to be willing to slow down and look up.

    Why Bird Identification Is Perfect for Kids

    It’s Accessible and Free

    You don’t need a nature preserve or a special field trip. Your backyard, your front porch, even your car window in a parking lot — birds are everywhere. Here in Florida, we have resident species all year and migratory visitors that pass through in spring and fall. That means there’s always something new to discover.

    It Builds Observation Skills

    Charlotte Mason called this “the art of seeing,” and bird watching is basically a masterclass in it. Kids learn to notice details: the flash of blue on a jay’s wing, the way a mockingbird tilts its head, the difference between a dove’s coo and a cardinal’s chirp. These are skills that transfer to everything — science, art, reading, even relationships.

    It Gets Them Outside

    I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to make outside time feel natural and purposeful. When my kids know there might be a Painted Bunting at the feeder or a woodpecker drumming on the oak tree, they want to go check. No convincing required.

    Getting Started: What You Actually Need

    Here’s the good news — you don’t need much. A few simple tools make bird study richer, but you can absolutely start with just your eyes and ears.

    A Good Field Guide

    We keep a copy of the Sibley Field Guide to Birds on our back porch. It’s comprehensive without being overwhelming, and the illustrations are gorgeous. My kids love flipping through it even when we’re not actively birding. For younger children, the pictures are clear enough that they can match what they see to the page with a little help.

    A Nature Journal

    If you’re doing any kind of Charlotte Mason-inspired learning, you probably already have nature journals going. If not, now’s a great time to start. A simple sketch journal works beautifully. We use ours to draw birds we’ve spotted, note the date and weather, and sometimes press a leaf or flower from wherever we were sitting.

    Don’t worry about artistic perfection — this is about noticing and recording. My kindergartener’s bird drawings look like potatoes with beaks, and that’s absolutely fine.

    Watercolors for Nature Journaling

    Once kids get comfortable sketching, adding color makes it even more engaging. We love Faber-Castell watercolors because they’re high quality but still kid-friendly. There’s something special about trying to mix the exact orange of a Baltimore Oriole or the soft gray of a Tufted Titmouse.

    How to Actually Teach Bird Identification

    Start with the Common Ones

    Don’t try to learn fifty birds at once. In Florida, start with the birds you’ll see almost daily:

    • Northern Cardinal — hard to miss with that bright red
    • Blue Jay — loud and bold
    • Mourning Dove — that soft, sad cooing sound
    • Northern Mockingbird — Florida’s state bird, and a show-off
    • Carolina Wren — tiny but LOUD
    • Red-bellied Woodpecker — look for the zebra-striped back

    Once your kids know these reliably, they’ll start noticing when something different shows up.

    Use Your Ears as Much as Your Eyes

    Birds are often heard before they’re seen. We play a little game where everyone freezes and counts how many different bird sounds they can hear. Then we try to match sounds to birds. The Carolina Wren’s “teakettle teakettle teakettle” call is a favorite around here.

    There are apps that can help with bird calls, but honestly, just spending time outside consistently is the best teacher.

    Make It a Routine

    We do “bird check” most mornings while the kids are eating breakfast. Someone looks out the window and reports what’s at the feeder. It takes two minutes and keeps birds on everyone’s radar. Over time, they start noticing patterns — which birds come early, which ones are bullies at the feeder, which ones only show up in winter.

    Connect It to Your Chickens (If You Have Them)

    Okay, this might be specific to us, but our backyard chickens have actually made our kids better bird watchers. They understand bird behavior in a way they wouldn’t otherwise — how birds communicate, establish pecking order, forage, and react to predators. When a hawk flies over and our hens freeze, the kids notice. When the rooster sounds an alarm call, they recognize it as similar to how wild birds warn each other. It’s all connected.

    If you’re raising chickens and want to lean into bird science, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is a wonderful resource that bridges backyard poultry and broader bird knowledge.

    Florida-Specific Tips

    Watch for Seasonal Changes

    Winter brings us beautiful visitors like Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Robins (yes, they migrate to Florida — we’re the warm destination!). Spring and fall migration can bring surprises. Keep your eyes open during those transition months.

    Check Near Water

    Even if you don’t live on a lake, Florida’s humidity means birds congregate near any water source. Birdbaths, puddles, retention ponds — these are great spots to watch. We’ve seen everything from herons to kingfishers just by paying attention near water.

    Don’t Forget the Beach

    If you’re near the Gulf like we are, shorebirds are a whole other world to explore. Sandpipers, pelicans, terns, and gulls offer plenty of identification practice. Pack some non-toxic sunscreen, bring the field guide, and make a morning of it.

    Making It Stick: Ideas for Ongoing Learning

    • Keep a backyard bird list — tally every species you identify in your yard over a year
    • Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count — it happens every February and kids love that their observations “count” for real science
    • Set up a feeder station — different feeders attract different birds; experiment and observe
    • Read living books about birds — Charlotte Mason style; look for real stories, not textbooks
    • Visit a local Audubon center — here in Northwest Florida, we have some beautiful spots for guided bird walks

    The Bigger Picture

    Teaching kids to identify birds isn’t really about birds. It’s about teaching them to pay attention to the world around them. It’s about slowing down in a culture that wants to speed everything up. It’s about giving them the kind of childhood where they know the difference between a cardinal and a tanager, where they can sit quietly and watch something wild, where they feel connected to the place they live.

    That’s the 1990s childhood I’m trying to recreate for my kids — not perfect, not Pinterest-worthy, but real and rooted and full of wonder.

    So grab a field guide, pour yourself some coffee, and go sit outside with your people. See what flies by. You might be surprised how much there is to notice when you finally start looking.

    Happy birding, friends.

  • Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner Safe for Your Family Kitchen: What We Actually Use

    Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner Safe for Your Family Kitchen: What We Actually Use

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Let me paint you a picture: it’s 9 PM, the kids are finally in bed, and you open your oven to preheat it for tomorrow’s meal prep. That smell hits you — the burnt-on remnants of last week’s casserole disaster mixed with who-knows-what from that pizza that bubbled over. You reach under the sink for the oven cleaner and suddenly you’re reading a label full of warnings about ventilation, gloves, and keeping children away for 24 hours.

    Friend, I’ve been there. And in a home where we’re intentional about what touches our food, our skin, and the air our babies breathe, those warning labels just don’t sit right with me anymore.

    Why I Stopped Using Conventional Oven Cleaners

    When I started looking into what’s actually in those foaming spray cans, I was honestly a little horrified. Most conventional oven cleaners contain sodium hydroxide (lye), monoethanolamine, and a cocktail of other ingredients that require you to basically evacuate your kitchen during use.

    Now, I have a science background, so I’m not one to panic over every chemical name I can’t pronounce. But here’s the thing — we eat food that comes out of that oven. My kids stand on step stools at the counter right next to it while we bake cookies. Our mini labradoodle camps out on the kitchen floor hoping for scraps. The fumes from harsh cleaners don’t just disappear; they linger in a space where we spend hours every day.

    In Florida, we keep our houses pretty sealed up for a good chunk of the year because of the heat and humidity. That means less natural ventilation and more reason to be thoughtful about what we’re spraying inside.

    What Makes an Oven Cleaner “Non-Toxic”?

    Before I share what we actually use, let’s talk about what to look for (and avoid) when choosing a non-toxic oven cleaner safe for your family kitchen.

    Ingredients to Avoid:

    • Sodium hydroxide/lye (extremely caustic)
    • Monoethanolamine (respiratory irritant)
    • Butane/propane propellants
    • Synthetic fragrances
    • Anything with “danger” or “poison” on the label

    Ingredients That Actually Work:

    • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
    • Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
    • Castile soap
    • White vinegar
    • Citric acid
    • Plant-based surfactants

    The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness for safety. It might take a little more elbow grease or time, but your oven will get clean.

    Our Go-To Non-Toxic Oven Cleaning Methods

    The Baking Soda Paste Method (Our Favorite)

    This is what I use about once a month, and it works beautifully for regular maintenance.

    You’ll need:

    • 1/2 cup baking soda
    • 2-3 tablespoons water
    • White vinegar in a spray bottle

    Here’s how:

    1. Remove your oven racks (I clean those separately in the bathtub with the same paste)

    2. Mix baking soda and water into a spreadable paste

    3. Coat the entire inside of your oven, avoiding the heating elements

    4. Let it sit overnight — or at least 8-12 hours

    5. Wipe out with damp cloths

    6. Spray any remaining residue with vinegar (it’ll fizz!) and wipe clean

    It’s satisfying in that same way nature study is satisfying — slow, intentional, and you actually see the results of your patience.

    For Tougher Jobs: Adding Washing Soda

    If you’ve got serious baked-on grime (no judgment — we’ve all been there after holiday cooking), add a tablespoon of washing soda to your paste. It’s a bit stronger but still completely safe.

    Store-Bought Options We Trust

    Listen, I’m all about DIY when it makes sense, but sometimes you just need to grab something off the shelf and get the job done. When that’s the case, I look for brands that align with our values.

    I actually discovered some great non-toxic cleaning options through Grove Collaborative — they carry several plant-based oven cleaners that actually work. What I love is that they vet products for ingredients, so I’m not standing in the cleaning aisle trying to Google every chemical on the label.

    Making It Part of Our Rhythm

    Here’s a Charlotte Mason principle that applies beyond homeschooling: habit formation makes everything easier. I’ve built oven cleaning into our monthly home rhythm, right alongside other intentional tasks like refreshing the diatomaceous earth in the chicken coop and doing a deep clean of the kids’ nature study supplies.

    When you clean your oven regularly with gentler methods, you never get to the point of needing harsh chemicals. It’s the same philosophy behind wiping down the stovetop every night — small, consistent effort beats big, overwhelming projects every time.

    What About Self-Cleaning Ovens?

    I know, I know — it seems like the easy button. But hear me out. Self-cleaning cycles heat your oven to around 900°F, which can:

    • Release fumes from any residue (and from the oven’s coating itself)
    • Potentially damage the oven’s electronic components
    • Create a fire hazard if there’s significant buildup
    • Make your whole house smell like burnt everything

    In our Florida home with windows closed and AC running, that’s a hard pass from me. The manual method takes more time, but I feel better about it.

    A Note on Oven Racks and Accessories

    Those racks can be the worst part, can’t they? Here’s my lazy-but-effective method:

    1. Put them in the bathtub (lay down an old towel first to protect the tub)

    2. Sprinkle generously with baking soda

    3. Cover with hot water and a splash of dish soap

    4. Let soak for a few hours or overnight

    5. Scrub with a brush and rinse

    This also works great for the drip pans from the stovetop. I usually do this while the kids are doing quiet reading time — multi-tasking at its finest.

    The Bigger Picture

    Switching to a non-toxic oven cleaner safe for your family kitchen might seem like a small thing. But honestly? These small things add up. They’re part of the same intentionality that leads us to choose nature study over screen time, backyard chickens over grocery store eggs, and slow mornings over rushed ones.

    I want my kids to grow up knowing that we don’t have to accept “that’s just how it’s done” when it comes to anything — cleaning products included. The same curiosity we bring to identifying birds in the backyard or examining creek water with our pocket microscope can apply to reading labels and asking questions about what we bring into our home.

    Keep It Simple, Mama

    If you take nothing else from this post, remember: baking soda, water, time, and a little elbow grease will clean almost anything. You don’t need fancy products or complicated systems. Our grandmothers knew this, and somewhere along the way, we got sold on the idea that cleaning had to involve hazmat suits and chemical warfare.

    It doesn’t. Promise.

    Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a paste to wipe out of my oven and a dog who’s convinced it’s time for her evening walk. Here’s to kitchens that are clean enough, safe enough, and full of good food made with love.

    Y’all take care.

  • Backyard Chickens Brooder Setup for Beginners: A Simple Guide From Our Florida Homestead

    Backyard Chickens Brooder Setup for Beginners: A Simple Guide From Our Florida Homestead

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    So you’ve ordered your first batch of chicks—or maybe you’re standing in Tractor Supply watching those fluffy butts waddle around under the heat lamp, trying to convince yourself you don’t need six of them. (Spoiler: you probably do.)

    I remember that exact moment a few years ago. I had done all the research, watched all the YouTube videos, and still felt completely unprepared when we actually brought those babies home. The good news? Setting up a brooder is genuinely simpler than the internet makes it seem. And once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you were ever nervous.

    Let me walk you through exactly how we set up our brooder here in Northwest Florida—what worked, what we changed, and what I wish someone had told me from the start.

    What Even Is a Brooder?

    Before we dive in, let’s get on the same page. A brooder is basically a safe, warm space where baby chicks live until they’re old enough to move outside to the coop. Think of it as a temporary nursery. In the wild, a mama hen would provide warmth and protection. Since most of us are getting chicks from hatcheries or feed stores without a broody hen, we become the mama—heat source and all.

    Chicks typically stay in the brooder for about 4-6 weeks, depending on the weather and how quickly they feather out. Here in Florida, our mild springs mean we can sometimes transition them a bit earlier than folks up north, but we still follow their lead.

    Choosing Your Brooder Container

    You don’t need anything fancy. Honestly, our first brooder was a large plastic storage tote from Walmart. It worked beautifully.

    Good Brooder Options for Beginners:

    • Large plastic storage totes (at least 50 gallons for 4-6 chicks)
    • Galvanized stock tanks
    • Large cardboard boxes (free but need replacing as they get messy)
    • Kiddie pools with high sides (great for larger batches)

    The key is having enough space. Chicks grow fast—like, blink-and-they-doubled-in-size fast. Plan for about 1 square foot per chick to start, and more as they grow. Crowding leads to pecking, stress, and nobody wants that.

    We keep our brooder in the garage where it’s protected from our Florida humidity swings but still gets good airflow. A spare bathroom, laundry room, or covered porch works too. Just make sure it’s safe from curious pets. Our mini labradoodle was very interested in those peeping sounds at first.

    The Heat Source: Your Most Important Decision

    Baby chicks need external warmth because they can’t regulate their body temperature yet. This is non-negotiable. You have two main options:

    Heat Lamps

    The traditional choice—a 250-watt red or white bulb in a clamp lamp. They work, but I’ll be honest: they make me nervous. The fire risk is real, especially in a garage or barn setting. If you go this route, secure that lamp with something beyond just the clamp. We used wire to attach ours to the ceiling.

    Heating Plates (Our Preference)

    These radiant heat plates mimic a mama hen. Chicks can duck underneath to warm up and come out when they’re comfortable. They use way less electricity, have virtually no fire risk, and help chicks develop a more natural day/night rhythm. We switched to a heating plate after our first batch and never looked back.

    Temperature guidelines:

    • Week 1: 95°F
    • Week 2: 90°F
    • Week 3: 85°F
    • Continue decreasing 5°F each week until they’re fully feathered

    But here’s the real secret: watch your chicks. If they’re huddled directly under the heat, they’re cold. If they’re pressed against the far walls panting, they’re too hot. Happy chicks spread out evenly and move around freely.

    Bedding That Works (And What to Avoid)

    You need something absorbent on the bottom of your brooder to manage moisture and droppings. We use pine shavings—they’re affordable, absorbent, and easy to find at any feed store.

    Avoid cedar shavings. The oils can be harmful to chicks’ respiratory systems.

    For the first few days, we lay paper towels over the shavings. This helps brand-new chicks learn to find their food without accidentally eating bedding. After 3-4 days, once they’ve figured out what food is, we remove the paper towels.

    We also sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth under the shavings to help with moisture and as a natural pest preventive. Just don’t overdo it—a light dusting is plenty.

    Food and Water Setup

    Chicks need constant access to fresh water and chick starter feed. Simple as that.

    For water, a basic chick waterer works fine when they’re tiny. As they grow, we transition to a nipple waterer system because it stays so much cleaner. Chicks love to kick bedding into open water dishes, and in Florida’s warmth, that can get gross fast.

    For feed, use a chick starter crumble (medicated or unmedicated—your choice, we go unmedicated). A basic feeder keeps food accessible without too much waste. We do add a sprinkle of grit once they’re a week or two old, especially if we’re giving any treats.

    Brooder Setup Checklist

    Here’s your quick reference list:

    • [ ] Brooder container (tote, tank, or box)
    • [ ] Heat source (lamp or plate) with thermometer
    • [ ] Pine shavings for bedding
    • [ ] Paper towels for first few days
    • [ ] Chick waterer
    • [ ] Chick feeder
    • [ ] Chick starter feed
    • [ ] Optional: diatomaceous earth, chick grit

    Making It a Learning Experience

    This is where my Charlotte Mason heart gets excited. Raising chicks is such a rich opportunity for nature study. We keep our nature journals nearby and sketch the chicks at different stages. The kids notice details I would have missed—how their wing feathers come in first, how they practice roosting on the edge of the waterer, how their peeps change tone.

    If you want to go deeper, A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens is a wonderful resource written at an accessible level. My elementary-age kids reference it constantly. For us grown-ups, Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens is my go-to for more detailed questions.

    There’s something about watching a tiny chick grow into a full-fledged hen that connects kids to the rhythm of real life. It’s slow. It’s daily. It requires responsibility. And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of childhood I want for my kids—less screen time, more living things to care for.

    A Few Things I Wish I’d Known

    They’re messier than you expect. Like, truly impressive amounts of mess for such small creatures. Plan to spot-clean daily and do a full bedding change at least weekly.

    They grow out of the brooder faster than you think. Have your coop situation figured out before the chicks arrive. We learned this the slightly frantic way.

    The smell is manageable if you stay on top of it. But if you let it go, especially in Florida humidity, it gets intense quickly.

    You’ve Got This, Mama

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there, take a breath. People have been raising chickens for thousands of years without YouTube tutorials or Instagram-worthy setups. You need a warm, safe space, food, water, and a little bit of attention each day. That’s truly it.

    Our chickens have become one of the best parts of our homeschool life. The kids check for eggs every morning like it’s Christmas, and even our dog has learned to coexist peacefully (mostly). It’s messy and imperfect and completely worth it.

    If you’re in the Pensacola area and see someone at the feed store looking slightly bewildered in the chick aisle—come say hi. I’ve probably got bedding in my hair and strong opinions about heating plates.

    Happy chick raising, friend. You’re going to love it.

  • Best Books About Florida Nature for Kids: Our Family’s Favorites for Outdoor Learning

    Best Books About Florida Nature for Kids: Our Family’s Favorites for Outdoor Learning

    If you’ve ever stood in a bookstore (or scrolled endlessly online) trying to find nature books that actually show your kids what they’re seeing in their backyard — not some forest in New England or a prairie in Kansas — I get it. Living in Florida means our kids encounter a completely unique ecosystem, and generic nature guides just don’t cut it when your six-year-old wants to know what that weird bird at the feeder is or why the lizard on the porch does those funny push-ups.

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    We’ve spent years building our nature book collection, and I’m sharing the ones that have actually earned their keep on our shelves — the books that come outside with us, that have sand in the spine and maybe a few mud smudges on the pages. Because that’s how you know a nature book is doing its job.

    Why Florida-Specific Nature Books Matter

    Here’s something I’ve learned after years of Charlotte Mason-style homeschooling in Northwest Florida: regional context matters more than you’d think. When my kids flip through a general “birds of North America” book and can’t find the white ibis that just walked across our lawn, they get frustrated. When the wildflower guide doesn’t include the beautyberry bushes growing along every trail in our area, it feels disconnected from real life.

    Florida has over 500 native bird species, completely different ecosystems from the Panhandle to the Keys, and wildlife you simply won’t find anywhere else. Our kids deserve books that reflect their world — the one they’re actually exploring.

    Our Favorite Florida Nature Books for Kids

    For Bird Identification and Study

    We’ve gone through several bird guides over the years, and I always come back to recommending the Sibley Guide to Birds as a main reference. Yes, it covers all of North America, but the illustrations are unmatched, and it includes excellent coverage of Florida species. We keep ours on the back porch where we can grab it quickly when something interesting lands near the chicken run.

    For younger kids (K-2), look for “Florida’s Birds” by David Maehr and Herbert Kale. The photos are clear, and it focuses specifically on what you’ll actually see here. My kindergartener can flip through it independently, which matters when you’re trying to foster that independent discovery Charlotte Mason talks about.

    For General Florida Wildlife

    “The Florida Wildlife Encyclopedia” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is dense but incredibly useful. We don’t read it cover to cover — it lives on our nature study shelf, and we pull it out when we need answers.

    For something more kid-friendly, “Florida Nature Guide” by Craig Hepworth has been wonderful. It’s organized by habitat (beach, swamp, pine forest), which makes so much sense when you’re actually in those places. We’ve taken it to the Gulf Islands National Seashore more times than I can count.

    For Beach and Coastal Exploration

    Living near Pensacola Beach, we needed good resources for shell identification and coastal ecosystems. “Seashells of Florida” by Blair and Dawn Witherington is gorgeous and comprehensive. My kids love matching their beach finds to the pictures.

    “The Living Beach” by the same authors is more of a reading book than a field guide, but it’s sparked incredible conversations about coastal ecology. If your kids ask a lot of “why” questions, this one answers them beautifully.

    For Backyard Nature Study

    Since so much of our homeschool happens in our own backyard — between the garden, the chickens, and whatever creatures show up uninvited — we needed books that covered the everyday stuff.

    “Insects of Florida” by C.D. Morris has been invaluable. When you find something with too many legs near the compost bin, this book probably has it. For younger children who want to do their own bug hunting, pairing a good insect guide with a bug catcher kit makes for hours of outdoor exploration.

    We also keep a pocket microscope in our nature study basket. It’s been a game-changer for looking at insect wings, plant cells, feathers from the chicken coop — all the tiny things that make kids say “whoa.”

    Making the Most of Your Florida Nature Library

    Pair Books with Nature Journals

    We don’t just read about Florida nature — we document it. Every kid in our house has their own nature journal, and we bring them outside at least a few times a week. Sometimes it’s formal — sitting under the oak tree sketching whatever we find. Sometimes it’s just jotting down what birds we saw that morning while eating breakfast on the porch.

    I keep a set of Faber-Castell watercolors in our nature basket because they’re sturdy enough for kids but have beautiful pigments. There’s something about adding color to a journal page that makes the observation stick.

    Take Books Into the Field

    I know it feels precious to keep books pristine, but nature guides are meant to be used. We have a dedicated “outdoor books” bin with our most-used guides, and they go with us everywhere — state parks, the backyard, even the front porch when we’re watching the sunset and trying to identify that bird call.

    A quick Florida tip: keep your field guides in a gallon ziplock bag during summer. Our humidity is no joke, and afternoon thunderstorms appear out of nowhere. Ask me how I learned this lesson.

    Connect Books to Real Experiences

    The magic happens when the book and the real world meet. Last week, my oldest found a Gulf fritillary caterpillar on our passionflower vine. We grabbed our insect guide, identified it together, and then watched that vine for days. That’s the kind of learning you can’t manufacture with worksheets.

    This is the heart of Charlotte Mason education — living books and real-world observation working together. Florida gives us endless material to work with. We just need the right resources to help our kids make sense of it all.

    Building Your Collection Over Time

    You don’t need every book at once. Start with one good bird guide and one general Florida wildlife book. Add from there based on your family’s interests. If your kids are beach kids, prioritize coastal resources. If you’re doing a lot of hiking at state parks, invest in a good wildflower guide.

    I’ve found that places like Rainbow Resource often carry nature study materials and regional guides that you won’t find at big box stores. It’s worth checking there when you’re building your homeschool library.

    A Few More Tips for Florida Nature Study

    Get outside early or late. Midday in July isn’t the time for leisurely nature observation — trust me. We do most of our outdoor learning before 10 AM or after 5 PM during hot months.

    Don’t forget the bug spray, but keep it non-toxic. We use Wondercide for the kids and have been happy with it.

    And embrace the weird. Florida nature is strange — we have dinosaur-looking birds, lizards everywhere, and more species of ants than seems reasonable. Lean into it. The weirdness is what makes our state fascinating.

    Raising Kids Who Know Their Place

    There’s something beautiful about raising children who can identify the birds in their backyard, who know which berries are safe and which aren’t, who understand why we don’t disturb the gopher tortoise burrow at the edge of the yard. It connects them to where they live in a way that screens and structured activities never will.

    These books have helped our family do just that. They’ve turned ordinary backyard moments into discoveries and everyday walks into adventures. And really, that’s what I want for my kids — a childhood full of wonder, rooted in the real, wild world right outside our door.

    Happy exploring, friend. Florida’s got so much to show your kids if you just open the door and let them look.

  • How to Start a Homeschool Nature Club in Florida (Even If You’re Not a Nature Expert)

    How to Start a Homeschool Nature Club in Florida (Even If You’re Not a Nature Expert)

    If you’ve been craving more community in your homeschool journey — and more time outdoors for your kids — starting a nature club might be exactly what you’re looking for. I know it sounds like a big undertaking, but I promise it doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of our sweetest homeschool memories have come from simple mornings at a local trail with a few other families, kids running ahead with nets and magnifying glasses, mamas walking behind with coffee in hand.

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Here in Florida, we’re blessed with year-round opportunities to get outside (humidity and all), and there’s something magical about kids exploring together — noticing things, asking questions, getting gloriously dirty. If you’ve been thinking about pulling together a little group, here’s how to make it happen without overcomplicating things.

    Why Start a Homeschool Nature Club?

    Let me be honest: I didn’t start our nature club because I had everything figured out. I started it because I wanted my kids to have what I had growing up — afternoons spent catching tadpoles, building forts, and coming home with scratched-up knees and stories to tell. That 1990s childhood where we disappeared outside until the streetlights came on.

    A nature club gives your kids regular time in creation with friends who are learning the same way. It gives you built-in community with like-minded families. And it doesn’t require a formal curriculum, a teaching degree, or even a plan every single week. Some of our best meetings have been nothing more than “meet at this park and see what we find.”

    Keep It Simple: The Basics of Getting Started

    Decide on Your Vision (But Hold It Loosely)

    Before you send out that first text or Facebook post, think about what you’re hoping for. Do you want a structured Charlotte Mason-style nature study with journaling and guided lessons? Or more of a free-play, exploratory vibe where kids just be outside together?

    Our group leans Charlotte Mason — we bring nature journals and sometimes watercolors, and we try to slow down enough to really observe. But we also let the kids lead. If they want to spend forty-five minutes watching a line of ants, that’s science. That’s wonder. Don’t overthink it.

    Find Your People

    You don’t need a huge group to start. Honestly, three to five families is the sweet spot — enough for the kids to have playmates, small enough to actually coordinate schedules.

    Here in Northwest Florida, I found our families through our local homeschool co-op, church, and a few Florida homeschool Facebook groups. You can also post in park district pages or Nextdoor. Keep your invitation simple: “We’re starting a casual nature club for homeschool families — just exploring local trails and parks together. Anyone interested?”

    You’ll be surprised how many mamas are craving the same thing.

    Choose Accessible Locations

    Florida has no shortage of outdoor spaces, and variety keeps things interesting. We rotate between state parks, local preserves, and even our own backyards. Here in the Pensacola area, we love spots like Tarkiln Bayou Preserve (those pitcher plants!) and the trails at UWF. But a neighborhood pond or a creek behind someone’s house works beautifully too.

    Think about what’s realistic for young kids: easy parking, bathroom access (or at least good tree cover, if we’re being real), and trails that aren’t too long. Elementary-age kids do better with shorter distances and more time to stop and explore.

    What to Do During Nature Club Meetups

    Embrace Unstructured Exploration

    The best nature club meetings often have no formal agenda. Kids are naturally curious — give them space and they’ll find things to investigate. Pack a bug catcher kit and a pocket microscope, and watch what happens.

    Our kids have spent entire mornings examining lichen on tree bark, tracking animal prints in the mud, and debating whether a particular bird call was a cardinal or a mockingbird. (Spoiler: someone always pulls out Sibley’s bird guide to settle it.)

    Add Light Structure When It Fits

    Some weeks, we’ll have a loose theme — birds, insects, trees, water habitats. I might print a simple nature scavenger hunt or bring along watercolors. Faber-Castell watercolor pencils are our favorite for nature journaling because they’re forgiving for little hands and the colors are beautiful.

    But here’s the key: structure should serve the experience, not dominate it. If the kids find a turtle and want to observe it for an hour, let the “planned” bird study go. Follow the wonder.

    Let Different Families Take Turns

    You don’t have to lead every single meeting. In our club, we rotate who picks the location and (optionally) suggests a focus. One mom might bring a read-aloud about Florida ecosystems. Another might know a great spot for finding shells. Shared ownership keeps it sustainable and brings in different strengths.

    Florida-Specific Tips for Nature Club Success

    Work With the Seasons

    Florida’s seasons are subtle, but they matter for planning. We do most of our nature club mornings in fall, winter, and spring when the weather is gorgeous and the mosquitoes are manageable. Summer meetings happen early — like 8 AM early — before the heat and afternoon storms roll in.

    Speaking of bugs, we always pack Wondercide spray and non-toxic sunscreen. Florida nature comes with Florida wildlife, and being prepared means we can stay out longer.

    Know Your Local Habitats

    One thing I love about our state is the diversity — we have salt marshes, longleaf pine forests, freshwater springs, coastal dunes, and cypress swamps all within driving distance. Rotating through different habitats keeps kids engaged and exposes them to Florida’s unique ecology. They start recognizing patterns: “This plant only grows near water!” “We always see these butterflies at this park!”

    That kind of repeated observation over time? It’s real science. And it builds a deep sense of place.

    Plan for Rain (It’s Florida, Y’all)

    We’ve had plenty of meetings where the sky opened up halfway through. Now we embrace it — kids in rain boots splashing through puddles, watching how the forest changes in the rain. Some of our best nature journaling has happened under a pavilion during a downpour, sketching the storm.

    A Note on Keeping It Sustainable

    The homeschool nature clubs that last aren’t the ones with the fanciest plans — they’re the ones with realistic expectations. We meet twice a month, and that’s plenty. Some months, life happens and we skip a week. Grace upon grace.

    Don’t feel pressure to make it Instagram-worthy. The goal is muddy shoes, tired kids, and that quiet car ride home where someone says, “Mom, did you know dragonflies can fly backwards?” That’s the win.

    You’re Ready for This

    If you’re a Florida homeschool mama who’s been daydreaming about more outdoor time and more community, this is your sign. You don’t need to be a naturalist or a master organizer. You just need to pick a park, invite a few families, and show up.

    Our little nature club has become one of the anchors of our homeschool rhythm — a space where the kids connect with creation and each other, where the mamas encourage one another, and where learning happens the way I believe it was meant to: slowly, joyfully, outside.

    I’m cheering you on, friend. Now go find your people and get outside together.

  • Non-Toxic Body Wash for Kids with Sensitive Skin: A Real Mama’s Guide

    Non-Toxic Body Wash for Kids with Sensitive Skin: A Real Mama’s Guide

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If your kids come inside looking like they’ve been mud wrestling with the chickens (and honestly, mine sometimes have been), you know that bath time is non-negotiable. But here’s the thing — finding a non-toxic body wash for kids with sensitive skin that actually works without leaving your child itchy, rashy, or smelling like a chemical factory? That’s a whole journey.

    I’ve been on it for years now, and I want to share what I’ve learned so you don’t have to wade through the same trial-and-error we did.

    Why We Switched to Non-Toxic Body Wash in the First Place

    When my oldest was a toddler, we were using whatever the pediatrician recommended — the typical drugstore “gentle” baby wash. And for a while, it seemed fine. But as she got older and started developing little patches of eczema, especially after playing outside in our Florida humidity, I started reading labels more carefully.

    Y’all, what I found was not great.

    Fragrance (which can mean literally hundreds of undisclosed chemicals), sulfates, parabens, dyes — all in products marketed for babies and young children. My science brain couldn’t unsee it. And my mama heart couldn’t ignore that maybe these daily exposures were adding up.

    So we made the switch. It wasn’t overnight, and it wasn’t perfect, but it’s been worth every bit of the learning curve.

    What to Look For (And What to Avoid)

    Ingredients That Are Generally Safe

    When I’m scanning a body wash label now, here’s what I actually want to see:

    • Castile soap base (saponified oils like coconut, olive, or sunflower)
    • Aloe vera for soothing
    • Vegetable glycerin for moisture
    • Essential oils in small amounts (though we avoid these for our most sensitive kiddo)
    • Colloidal oatmeal — a lifesaver for itchy skin

    Red Flags to Skip

    And here’s what makes me put a bottle right back on the shelf:

    • “Fragrance” or “parfum” (unless specified as essential oil-derived)
    • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
    • Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.)
    • Phthalates
    • Formaldehyde releasers (like DMDM hydantoin)
    • Artificial dyes

    I know that’s a lot to remember. Honestly, I keep a little note in my phone for shopping trips. No shame in the reference game.

    Our Family’s Go-To Approach

    Here’s what actually works for us, and I want to be real — every kid is different. My youngest can handle more than my oldest ever could. You know your babies best.

    Keep It Simple

    The fewer ingredients, the better. We’ve had the best luck with body washes that have maybe 5-10 ingredients total. If I can’t pronounce it or don’t know what it is, I look it up before buying.

    Match the Season

    In the summer here in Northwest Florida, the kids are in and out of the sprinkler, the kiddie pool, and covered in non-toxic sunscreen by 9 AM. They need a wash that actually cleans off all that buildup without stripping their skin. In the cooler months (all three weeks of them, ha!), we can get away with gentler, more moisturizing formulas.

    Don’t Overwash

    This might be controversial, but we don’t do full soap-downs every single night. If the kids weren’t particularly grimy, a good water rinse and soap on the “important parts” is plenty. Over-washing can actually make sensitive skin worse by disrupting the skin barrier.

    Making Non-Toxic Living Manageable

    I’ll be honest — when we first started switching to cleaner products, it felt overwhelming. Body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap… where does it end?

    My advice? Start with what touches your kids’ skin the most and work outward. Body wash and lotion were our first switches. Then laundry detergent. Then household cleaners.

    Grove Collaborative has been a lifesaver for finding cleaner versions of everyday products without having to research every single item from scratch. They do a lot of the vetting for you, which — when you’re also homeschooling, managing chickens, keeping a labradoodle from eating crayons, and trying to get dinner on the table — is genuinely helpful.

    The Connection to Our Outdoor Life

    Here’s something I’ve noticed over the years: the more time our kids spend outside — really outside, in the dirt, catching bugs, feeding the chickens, exploring — the more their skin is exposed to environmental factors. And that’s actually a good thing for their immune systems and overall health.

    But it also means we need to be thoughtful about what we’re layering on top of that. If they’re already getting exposed to pollen, grass, sand, and Florida’s special brand of humidity, I don’t want to add unnecessary chemical stress through their soap.

    We joke that our kids need a bug catcher kit more than they need toys these days. They come home with specimens, stories, and a whole lot of grime. That’s the good stuff — that’s childhood the way I remember it.

    But the bath products they use after those adventures? Those I want to be as clean as the life we’re building.

    What About After the Bath?

    If you’ve found a great body wash but your kiddo is still itchy, look at what comes next. We use a simple, fragrance-free lotion right after bath while skin is still slightly damp. It seals in moisture and makes a huge difference.

    Also worth mentioning — if your kids are handling chickens or spending time in the coop, make sure their clothes and skin get a good wash afterward. We use Wondercide around our coop and yard for pest control, which helps minimize what the kids (and the dog) might be tracking inside.

    A Note on Eczema and Extra-Sensitive Skin

    If your child has diagnosed eczema or truly reactive skin, please work with your pediatrician or a dermatologist alongside making product switches. Non-toxic products are wonderful, but they’re not a replacement for medical care when it’s needed.

    That said, I’ve talked to so many mamas whose kids saw significant improvement just from eliminating fragrance and sulfates from their bath routine. It’s often low-hanging fruit that makes a real difference.

    The Bottom Line

    Finding a non-toxic body wash for kids with sensitive skin doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a little intention. Read labels. Start simple. Give your child’s skin time to adjust. And remember that you don’t have to be perfect — just more mindful than you were yesterday.

    Our kids deserve to play hard, get dirty, explore the world around them, and come home to products that support their health instead of working against it. That’s the goal, anyway. Some days we nail it, and some days we’re just trying to survive until bedtime like everyone else.

    But every small switch adds up. And your kids are worth it — dirt, chicken feathers, and all.

    —

    Have you found a non-toxic body wash that works for your sensitive-skinned kiddo? I’d love to hear about it — drop a comment or send me a message!

  • Best Chicken Run Flooring Options: Pros and Cons from a Florida Backyard

    Best Chicken Run Flooring Options: Pros and Cons from a Florida Backyard

    This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you’ve ever stood in your chicken run after a Florida afternoon thunderstorm, watching your birds wade through what looks like a small pond, you know exactly why flooring matters. When we got our first flock three years ago, I honestly didn’t think much about what would go under their feet. Dirt seemed fine, right? Nature handles itself.

    Oh, sweet summer child.

    After one particularly soggy July, I realized we needed a better plan. Our run had turned into a mud pit that smelled questionable and had me worried about the health of our girls. So I did what any homeschool mama does — I researched the heck out of it. And now I’m sharing what I’ve learned so you don’t have to make the same muddy mistakes we did.

    Why Your Chicken Run Flooring Actually Matters

    Before we dive into options, let’s talk about why this decision is worth your time. The flooring in your run affects:

    • Drainage — standing water breeds bacteria and parasites
    • Odor control — nobody wants the neighbors complaining
    • Your chickens’ foot health — bumblefoot is real, y’all
    • Ease of cleaning — because we’re busy enough already
    • Pest management — flies and mites love a damp, dirty environment

    Here in Northwest Florida, we deal with intense humidity, heavy summer rains, and sandy-but-clay-heavy soil in many areas. What works for a chicken keeper in Colorado might be a disaster in Pensacola. Keep your local climate in mind as you read through these options.

    Option 1: Sand

    The Pros

    Sand is probably the most popular recommendation you’ll see in chicken keeping circles, and for good reason. It drains beautifully — water passes right through instead of pooling. It’s easy to scoop (think giant litter box), which makes daily maintenance quick. In our Florida heat, sand stays cooler than many other options, and the chickens love dust bathing in it.

    We use construction sand, also called coarse sand or river sand. The finer play sand can actually cause respiratory issues when it gets dusty, so stick with the coarser stuff.

    The Cons

    Sand requires a commitment to regular scooping — we’re talking every day or two. If you let it go, it compacts and stops draining well. It can also get expensive upfront, especially for a larger run. And here’s something nobody told me: if you don’t have excellent drainage underneath (we added a layer of gravel first), sand can still turn into a wet, compacted mess during our summer monsoon season.

    Option 2: Gravel or Pea Gravel

    The Pros

    Gravel is the drainage champion. Water disappears almost instantly, which is a huge win in humid climates. It’s virtually maintenance-free and lasts forever. Some folks use it as a base layer under sand or wood chips for the best of both worlds.

    The Cons

    Here’s the thing — poop doesn’t disappear into gravel. It sits on top, and it’s nearly impossible to rake or scoop out. Over time, things get… funky. It’s also tough on chicken feet for everyday living, and our girls definitely preferred softer surfaces for scratching and foraging. Gravel works better as a base layer than a top layer, in my experience.

    Option 3: Wood Chips or Mulch

    The Pros

    Wood chips are affordable (sometimes free from tree services!) and give your chickens something to scratch through, which keeps them entertained and exercising their natural behaviors. The chips help absorb moisture and odor, and they eventually break down into lovely compost for the garden.

    The Cons

    In Florida’s humidity, wood chips can hold moisture and start to mold or smell if you’re not careful. They break down faster than you’d think in our climate, so you’ll be adding more regularly. Some folks worry about the oils in cedar chips, though research is mixed on whether it’s actually harmful. We stick with pine or hardwood to be safe.

    One tip: make the layer deep. A thin layer of wood chips turns into a soggy mat. We’re talking 4-6 inches minimum.

    Option 4: Straw or Hay

    The Pros

    Straw is inexpensive and readily available. It provides good insulation in colder months (less relevant for us Floridians) and gives chickens something to scratch around in.

    The Cons

    I’m going to be honest — straw in a Florida chicken run is asking for trouble. It mats down quickly, holds moisture like a sponge, and becomes a paradise for mites and mold. We tried it briefly and regretted it. If you’re in a drier climate, straw might work fine, but down here? Hard pass.

    Option 5: Bare Dirt or Grass

    The Pros

    It’s free! And it’s natural. Chickens love scratching in actual dirt and nibbling on grass. If you have a large enough space and rotate your flock around, grass can regenerate.

    The Cons

    In a typical backyard run, grass dies within weeks. Chickens are efficient little destroyers. What you’re left with is bare dirt, which turns to mud with rain and dust bowls in dry spells. Here in Florida, our dirt alone just couldn’t handle the drainage demands. We dealt with standing water and a smell that had me embarrassed to have guests over.

    What We Actually Use (Our Setup)

    After trying a few different approaches, here’s what works for our family in the Pensacola area:

    Base layer: About 3-4 inches of gravel for drainage

    Top layer: Coarse construction sand, about 4 inches deep

    I scoop the run every morning while the kids collect eggs and check on the waterers — it takes maybe five minutes. We refresh the sand once or twice a year. Even during heavy summer rains, we rarely have standing water anymore.

    We also sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in the coop and run periodically to help with pest control. It’s a natural way to manage mites and other crawlies without spraying chemicals around our birds.

    For keeping the coop itself pest-free without harsh chemicals, we’ve had good luck using Wondercide around the perimeter — it’s plant-based and safe to use around animals and kiddos.

    A Few Extra Tips for Florida Chicken Keepers

    Making It a Learning Experience

    One thing I love about keeping chickens as a homeschool family is how naturally it weaves into our days. When we were researching flooring options, the kids learned about drainage, soil composition, and animal husbandry — all without a worksheet in sight. My oldest even sketched our coop setup in her nature journal and labeled the layers of our run flooring like a little diagram.

    That’s the kind of real-world learning I wanted when we started homeschooling. Not memorizing facts for a test, but understanding how things actually work because we’re living it.

    The Bottom Line

    There’s no single “right” answer for chicken run flooring — it depends on your climate, your budget, and honestly, how much time you want to spend on maintenance. But if you’re in a humid, rainy area like we are, I’d strongly encourage you to prioritize drainage above all else. Your nose (and your chickens’ feet) will thank you.

    And hey — if your run is currently a mud pit, don’t feel bad. We’ve all been there. The good news is, it’s totally fixable. Grab a cup of coffee, make a plan, and know that a dry, happy flock is just a few wheelbarrows of sand away.

    Happy chicken keeping, friends. 🐔

  • How to Do Composer Study in Your Charlotte Mason Homeschool (Without Overthinking It)

    How to Do Composer Study in Your Charlotte Mason Homeschool (Without Overthinking It)

    If you’ve been putting off composer study because you don’t have a music background, or because it feels like one more thing to figure out, I want you to take a deep breath. This is honestly one of the simplest parts of a Charlotte Mason education—and one of the most rewarding once you just start.

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    I remember feeling intimidated by the whole thing when we first started homeschooling. Classical music? Composers? I grew up on country radio and church hymns, y’all. But Charlotte Mason’s approach to music appreciation isn’t about training concert pianists or passing music theory exams. It’s about filling your home with beautiful things and letting your children’s souls absorb them over time.

    And honestly? It’s become one of our favorite parts of the week.

    What Is Composer Study in the Charlotte Mason Method?

    Charlotte Mason believed that children deserve exposure to the best—the best books, the best art, the best music. Composer study is simply the practice of spending time with one composer’s work over a period of weeks or months, letting your family become familiar with their music, their life, and their style.

    It’s not about memorizing dates or naming every symphony. It’s about knowing a composer the way you might know a friend. You hear a piece of their music and think, “Oh, that sounds like Beethoven,” because you’ve spent enough time together to recognize his voice.

    That’s the whole goal. Recognition. Appreciation. A lifelong ear for beauty.

    How We Do Composer Study in Our Florida Homeschool

    Our approach is simple, and that’s intentional. We school year-round here in Northwest Florida (partly because summer is too hot to be outside all day anyway, and partly because our rhythm just works better that way), so we have plenty of time to let things unfold slowly.

    Here’s what composer study looks like for us:

    Pick One Composer Per Term

    We choose one composer to focus on for about 6-12 weeks. That’s it. No rushing through the greatest hits of classical music history. Just one person, one body of work, explored at a leisurely pace.

    For elementary-age kids, I like to start with composers whose music is accessible and has some “story” quality to it—Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Tchaikovsky’s ballets, Beethoven’s dramatic symphonies. Save the more abstract stuff for later.

    Listen During Everyday Moments

    We don’t have a formal “music class.” We just play the composer’s music during ordinary life. While the kids are coloring. While we’re eating lunch. While I’m folding laundry. Sometimes while we’re out collecting eggs from the coop in the morning—I’ll leave the back door open and let Bach drift into the yard.

    The key is repetition without pressure. Over weeks of hearing the same pieces, something clicks. My kids started humming Vivaldi’s “Spring” without even realizing they’d learned it.

    Add a Short Biography

    Once a week or so, we read a little about our composer’s life. There are some wonderful living books for this—look for picture book biographies or narrative-style books rather than dry textbook entries. Rainbow Resource has a great selection of music appreciation materials if you want to browse options.

    Keep it short and story-like. Kids don’t need to memorize birth years. They need to know that Beethoven went deaf and kept composing anyway, or that Mozart was a child prodigy who drove his sister crazy practicing at all hours. Those human details stick.

    Invite Narration and Response

    This is the Charlotte Mason secret sauce. After listening to a piece, ask your child what they noticed. What did it make them think of? Did it feel happy or sad? Fast or slow? Did any part surprise them?

    You’re not looking for “right” answers. You’re building the habit of paying attention—of actually listening rather than letting music be background noise.

    Sometimes we’ll pair our listening with art. I’ll put on a symphony and set out our Faber-Castell watercolors, and the kids paint whatever the music makes them feel. It’s not about creating masterpieces. It’s about connecting ears to hands to hearts.

    Simple Tools That Help

    You don’t need a curriculum for this. You really don’t. But a few simple tools make it easier:

    • A music streaming service: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube—whatever you already have. Search for your composer and make a playlist.
    • A living book biography: Check your library or Timberdoodle for engaging options.
    • A nature journal or sketchbook: We use our nature journals for composer study too—sometimes the kids sketch while they listen, or we jot down the name of a piece we especially loved.

    That’s genuinely all you need to start.

    What About Older or Younger Kids?

    Composer study works across ages because you’re not teaching at anyone—you’re just sharing beauty and letting it do its work.

    My kindergartener might just hum along and dance around the living room. My older elementary kids can narrate what they heard and start recognizing different instruments. Everyone’s getting something from the same experience, at their own level.

    This is one of those beautiful parts of Charlotte Mason homeschooling that scales so naturally with a multi-age family.

    Why This Matters More Than We Think

    I’ll be honest—when we first started composer study, I thought of it as a nice extra. A way to check the “music appreciation” box. But it’s become something deeper.

    My kids are growing up with ears that recognize beauty. They’ve developed opinions about music. They have favorites. They notice when something sounds like Baroque versus Romantic. They’re not intimidated by classical music—it’s just part of their world.

    And that’s exactly what Charlotte Mason was after. Not expertise, but relationship. Not performance, but love.

    Getting Started This Week

    If you’ve been putting this off, here’s your permission to begin small:

    1. Pick one composer (Vivaldi is a great first choice)

    2. Find a playlist on your streaming service

    3. Hit play during lunch tomorrow

    4. That’s it. You’ve started.

    You can add biographies and art responses later. You can get more structured next term. But for now, just let the music play. Let it fill your home the way sunshine fills a room—naturally, gently, without any effort on your part except opening the window.

    We usually have music playing while the kids run in and out, screen door banging, dog barking at the chickens. It’s not a quiet, reverent concert hall experience. It’s just life, with beauty woven through it.

    And that’s exactly how it should be.