#Homeschool Curriculum for 1 Year Old

[kidactivitiesalexa]

Develop Abilities in Kids With Homeschool curriculum for 1 year old

Homeschool curriculum for 1 year old especially designed for the kids so that kids can a learn motor skills at an earlier age. The curriculum also helps kids to understand the practical word. Our curriculum is easy to understand for the parents so that they can help their kids to learn something new interestingly. These programs are specially designed for the kids and prepared according to the kid's abilities as well.

https://kidactivitieswithalexa.com/en/one-year-old-lesson-plans/

[melissathettpdmember]

Here, have my Daphne headcanons

She's currently 31 years old.

Her birthday is on the 28th of September 1981 (1993 in Earth's time)

She's a perfectionist. Whatever she does, she has to master it.

Speaking of which, she has mastered every element she has (every single element ever including light which no one really has-). That means that she's always under pressure. Not to mention that she has remastered the Light element twice (accidentally) which triples the pain.

She has personal beef with Eraklyon's first monarchy (Sky's family) due to them making life hell for the people of the second monarchy.

She's fully straight.

She does not have any exes.

She has ADD, PTSD and Insomnia.

She can down 12 shots in a minute without throwing up.

The Sirenix curse lasted for about 5-6 years. (From when she was 22 to when she was 27-28)

She started Alfea late, when she was 19.

The Fall of Domino happened when she was 8-9 years old. If the Company of Light didn't show up, she was long gone.

She's currently the strongest person in the dimension.

She's a daddy's girl (probably canon).

She has better relationships with her friends than she has with her parents. This is due to the fact that she lost her parents before she got double digits but her friends were always there.

She's in a friend group of 7 people. There were 3 people when she was 5, then it became 4 when she was 8, 6 by the end of high school (the reason for starting Alfea late) and finally 7 when she was 19. It kinda goes like this:

Her, Tetis and Politea (2 nymphs) -> +Thoren -> +Tony and Michael (2 OCS don't mind them) -> +Nex (yes you read that right)

She doesn't argue, when people are wrong, she punches them in the face.

She has 1 sided beef with: Nirvana, MCR, Hozier, AM, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Travis Scott, Kanye West and A$AP ROCKY (or whatever) fans due to them being so toxic.

She's an artist.

She has written and performed musicals before. She has a wide range but she can't go as low as Taylor Swift or as high as Ariana Grande.

She's the one who made arson legal in 3 planets.

She's 5'6.

She has a little Beast of the Depths plushie for some reason.

She was probably the Great Dragon's favorite.

She lost her V card at 17 years old while preparing for her role as Veronica Sawyer of Heathers the Musical.

She didn't know how to swim until she learned that she had to acquire Sirenix. She still has a phobia of water.

Bloom wasn't the lucky one. She haunted many people for her enjoyment, including Tetis.

She has had 6 suicide attempts.

She's a master at board and card games. Trust me, you can't beat her at UNO.

She's in the Lightrock Council. (Council of Light, has access to the Lightrock Monastery etc.)

She never took the History Exams when she was a student at Alfea, due to being related with half of the curriculum therefore getting mental breakdowns.

Speaking of which, she's not that good at history either. Probably her worst subject.

She was homeschooled until middle school, because she couldn't really get homeschooled since... The fall of Domino-

She hates pet names.

She has type 3 hair, changing every day due to the humidity.

[study-with-aura]

24/25 Introduction Post

Hello studyblr! My name is Auryn, but you can call me Aura. I turned 15 years old in July, and I started 10th grade this year.

I am homeschooled and have been since 1st grade.

I have an older brother that you may see me write about every now and then. He is going into his second year of university. We play videos games together when we have the chance. He introduced me into gaming, and it is now a hobby of mine.

I train in ballet and I am in Advanced 1 of an adapted RAD curriculum.

I am starting RCM Level 10 in piano this year and will take the RCM Level 9 History exam in December since I want to supplement my study with the Music Appreciation course I am taking over the fall. I plan to take the Level 10 harmony/counterpoint and practical exams in May.

My favorite subjects in school are Literature and History, and my favorite types of books to read are historical fiction and realistic fantasy.

I am studying Spanish, French, and Chinese. I am taking Spanish for school, and I am studying French and Chinese with Duolingo as well as with my mom and dad, since my mom speaks/writes fluent French and my dad speaks/writes fluent Mandarin (as well as Spanish).

I am heavily involved in Girl Scouts. I am a second year Senior along with two other amazing friends in my troop. We are part of a multi-level troop, so we have daisies through seniors (no Ambassadors until we bridge next year). We sometimes have full meetings and other times the older girls meet together while the younger girls meet together. I often work on badge activities solo if we did not decide to include those badges in our yearly planning, but sometimes I do them with my friends virtually and not through scheduled meetings. My mom is one of the troop leaders along with a friend's mom, so we make it work. Our troop is all homeschoolers, which makes it even more fun because we have the ability to do more things since we can utilize the usual school day as well!

I love making new moots and getting to know my moots as well. If you have any questions, feel free to send an ask (or message). I love meeting new people in the studyblr community!

Tracking: study-with-aura

[fundielicious-simblr]

(Maggie's POV)

Another summer vacation in the books! We've been doing Sulani vacations for a few years now, and I'm so happy that my sister Amira and her family could join us. This year we rented out a larger house in a different area of the island, we got our own private beach this year which was great as Amira would be more comfortable. Growing up we didn't go to beaches a lot because there would be loads of immodest dress, and my parents didn't want to have us surrounded by it. As a result we spent time at the lake at certain times in the off season when it wouldn't be as crowded, or we'd book out a community pool, we'd also hang out at lakes or pools where we knew that everyone there had the same convictions on modesty.

We got there a few days before, so we spent that time getting the kids acclimated to being on the sand, as well as doing water safety with the twins. Teaching them how to act when around a large body of water is very important to us as their safety is of the utmost importance. We have them in swimming lessons, but you can never be too careful.

I'm so happy that Amira chose to join us this year, she and Thomas weren't sure whether they'd make it due to him not being sure if he'd get time off work, but they ended up being able to make it. Since she lives in Windenburg, we have to plan when we're going to see each other if it's not at different family events; Stacey sees her more often than I do since she goes to visit her mum and sister. Amira is number 8 in the lineup compared to me being 5th, so growing up was us being close to different siblings because of the age difference. Since I got married and moved away at 18, when she was a teenager herself, we've had to put in the effort to maintain our relationship.

[1] L-R: Liam [5] (Reece & Stacie's son), Arlo [2], Hazel [2] (R&S's daughter), Iris [2], and Maya [1] (Amira & Thomas' daughter)

I'm so happy that my children get to experience the same things I did growing up, constantly being surrounded by cousins and having great experiences together. One thing I definitely appreciate about having a large immediate and extended family is that there are always people to have fun with. Shane and I have been back and forth on what type of schooling to choose for the kids, and we decided to enroll the kids into daycare. We found a great christian school system in the city that has a curriculum that we approve of that runs a daycare and a K-12 school, so the kids age out of the daycare and straight into the school. Reece and Stacie have Liam who is on is aging out of kindergarten, and they've decided to enroll him in a homeschool co-op that Hazel will join later when she's old enough. Little Maya is still too young for school, so Amira and Thomas haven't thought about what they're going to do though they are leaning towards homeschooling when the time does come.

We left the kids with babysitters for one night out with just the adults so we could have a nice catch up (and plan our next vacation). Thomas is still working with the accounting firm and has got his certification so he's qualified for a promotion! Amira has decided to head to college for her Associates degree, she's not 100% sure what she wants to focus on so she's doing that instead of a full blown bachelor's degree. Whilst we were all homeschooled and went off to do different things, us girls weren't necessarily pushed to do anything extra curricular that didn't involve ministry or marriage. My older sisters dove into ministry and later marriage and motherhood, and I took a liking to photography so they encouraged me there and I started working while I was still in school, then got married and continued working. I know that my mother would appreciate if I focused on being a homemaker like my married sisters and sisters-in-law, but this is where I have and continue to feel the Lord directing me.

Stacie is a full-time stay-at-home mum now that Liam is going to be in 'full time' school, when the kids were smaller she would do some coding here and there but now she'll be homeschooling she'd rather prioritise that. She's mentioned that they're talking about adding a final baby to their family, with how complicated pregnancy is for her it's a serious choice for them to be making for their family.

Shane and I have also been discussing adding another little one to the family, but with the kids being small I think we're going to wait a year or two so theyre out of diapers and more independent toddlers before we give them a sibling. Right now we're enjoying the learning curves that come with having twins, growing up we had Priscilla and Annette as the younger set, but having twin girls is different than having a girl and a boy, so this is new even for me. We're hoping to go away for Christmas time with Shane's parents to go visit some of their relatives, but we have yet to finalise plans. If we dont end up travelling with Shane's parents or Reece and Stacie, then we'll probably end up celebrating in the city or maybe even head back to Newcrest to be with my family.

[mylilplanet]

Question game time!

Thanks for the tag @doublecherrypiediscosuperfly

✨✨✨

1. Are you named after anyone?

Not my first name, but my middle name I share with my mom and grandma!

2. When was the last time you cried?

I honestly can’t remember. I don’t cry often, but oh boy when I do, I really do it.

3. Do you have kids?

I do! I have two! I have a three year old and a one year old. I haven’t been on a lot lately because a stomach bug has been working it way through my house 🥲

4. What sports do you/have you play/played?

I did gymnastics, soccer, and swim team as a child. I was more of a band nerd honestly but I did meet my husband through swim.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Oh definitely. I absorbed too much of Percy Jackson into my personality as child to be any other way.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Probably just their general vibe? Like the way the hold themselves and present themselves.

7. What’s your eye color?

Green

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Scary movies are not for me ✋🏻

9. Any talents?

Not to turn this into a job interview but, I’m really efficient? Every job I’ve had I went in and learned the system, and then made it better and/or faster.

10. Where were you born?

Honolulu Hawaii. I don’t live anywhere near there now.

11. What are your hobbies?

Mainly just reading. I do have a little loom I like to make coasters, pot holders, and such on while I watch tv.

12. Do you have any pets?

No not right now. We aren’t allowed to have pets where we currently live.

13. How tall are you?

I am 5’8” (and a half!!)

14. Favorite subject in school?

English and history were the only subjects I enjoyed. I was homeschooled and had a lot of yucky Christian curriculum growing up that I absolutely did not enjoy. Learning on my own as an adult has been much more fun (and actually useful).

15. Dream job?

Ugh I never knew how to answer this as a kid and I feel like I still don’t. I do think working on movie or tv sets sounds fun though.

Okay so low pressure tags are gonna be some mutuals I can think of off the top of my head but feel free to play and say I tagged you 😉:

@t-boyeddie @steves-strapcollection @the-redcrate @xstevex-world @thorniest-rose @thefreakandthehair @spicysix @writerbri @eddywoww @corrodedcoughin @feralsteddie @spooky-brakers @scarcrossdlvrs @hammity-hammer

[floofysmallbob]

I worked so fucking hard, so fucking hard, and I’m stuck behind everyone again.

I’ve always been so far ahead, I’ve always prided myself on being the best, that’s my whole fucking value, that’s all I fucking am. Other than that, I just make my whole personality being being a retarded ass faggot. I have no character, I just make dirty jokes and hate myself, and that’s all I ever do. I’ve always thought I was an artist, but now I can’t even make the simplest things, the things I was best at look like they do in my head, or even decent. I got rejected from art school, I can barely finish a single piece, and haven’t for months. I’ve prided myself on being the smartest my whole life. I started reading chapter books at 4, I was always gifted, I was always a grade ahead in reading and math, I had to skip a grade when I transferred schools and they didn’t have the same acceleration program because it was so frustratingly easy, I had to prove so many fucking times that I belonged in the class that they didn’t put me in, I got all As while being suicidal and depressed, I would cry when I got 94s, because I had to be smart, because that’s all I know I am.

I had to take a month off of school due to mental health, and it felt like I failed. I felt horrid when I ended that year with a B in math, I felt like I didn’t deserve the class that I had pushed to be put in. I got kicked out of school last year, and the homeschool program just felt like they were ridiculing me, underestimating me, putting me down. It felt terrible, it made me feel the way I did when I had to skip a grade, when I left my one friend at that school behind and had to deal with being made fun of behind my back, just so I could take classes that were my level. I may have finished that homeschool program with As, but I felt undeserving, unworthy, and useless.

And then my friend texts me, my friend who has always said they were in higher level math courses despite not doing so in school, and says that my old school, the one I was kicked out of because the teachers were ableist pieces of shit, has changed up their math program, that they’re now in a math curriculum I haven’t done yet. My friend who has always been in classes below me.

And they told me our mutual friend, the one I’ve always felt inferior to, the one who has never had her grades drop below a 90, who is so incredibly smart and works so hard despite being there on financial aid, is now two grades ahead of where I am, which is already 1-2(depends on the school) years ahead of average. That our mutual friend has to take an optional course because if she didn’t, she wouldn’t have a math class for senior year.

Because despite my efforts, despite being younger than everyone in my grade, despite all of my dumb fucking irrelevant struggles, I’m still being surpassed. By people that I thought I could compete with, that I thought I could be on the same level as. But I’ve been stuck at home since November, I haven’t seen any of my friends in months, I’m lagging behind now because of how shitty that homeschool program was, and I’m afraid I’m just going to get kicked out of another school, because my mental health is terrible and people talked behind my back(and right in front of me), and one of my only good qualities is disappearing, because I can’t do basic addition or remember anything, let alone do duel fucking enrollment.

What the hell was I thinking, planning to take a French III class at the community college this year, and try and do math with people two grades my senior, and try to keep my friendships when everyone is either changing schools of moving and my old school has just gotten worse and I can’t trust anyone and I have to TALK TO FUCKING INTERNET BASTARDS BECAUSE I CANT TELL ANYTHING TO THE PEOPLE I’M SUPPOSED TO BE CLOSE WITH and I can’t cry or scream because I stopped being able to a while back, and I can’t even trust my own feelings or this fucking tumblr rant because of hormones, and menstrual cycles, and being a teenager, and I can’t do anything because it just feels neon orange and I don’t even want to kill myself anymore and I wish I did because then I would at least have something to blame and hope for but if I don’t want to die I don’t know what to do because I don’t want to be stuck like this and I can’t

I can’t be stuck here with terrible mental health and silent tearless sobbing and people who are leaving me and surpassing me and a lack of being able to do anything and feeling horrible and terrible and like I’m about to start convulsing and stuck with a sibling that screams and a dad who has to have his teenage child clean his apartment and a retarded brain that just hates me and I can’t

and I’m stuck on my device all the time because I can’t do anything else and and d jchejxihdjskndnxnannsnc dna dnd andand how is it that I’m such a mess and I can’t do anything and it feels like my heart is trying to escape my body and maybe I wish it would and nothing had to be like this and I could have been better and I could have dont better and I know I need to be better because how the hell did I end up here having to spill all my worst thoughts onto a screen and everything is bricked up and it’s that color too and it just feels like something is knocking against that wall so hard and I wish it would just fall over already but it won’t and it won’t just fall and I just won’t fucking die and I want to want to die and I’m just some incompetent little shit and I don’t know anything about myself and I’m just trying to grab fucking attention because I’m desperate just like I’m desperate for validation and I’m desperate to be the best because I need to be the best, I need to be the best at something, just one thing. And I tried to go to the climbing gym because that used to be my thing, too, I was a climber, I was good at it, and I used to be good at gymnastics, too, when I was little, and now being smart is becoming the ‘used to’ and my younger sibling is doing all those things now and doing them so much better than I ever did and now I’ve just got reading, and I’m just barely holding on to that feeling of intelligence and now I don’t think I could beat a 5th grader in an academic competition and I’m just losing everything and I can’t fucking deal with it and I’m overreacting and I’m being dramatic and this isn’t real just like how I’m probably lying about everything else too and I’m doubting the words I’m writing right now and I can’t.

I’ve said it so many times when people try to tell me to just do but I can’t

I can’t

[interculturalcomm335italy]

Italian Education

According to the European Commission, in Italy, family is responsible for the care and education of their children until age 3, this is referred to as “Nido d’infanzia”. At which point public education authorities are responsible for the education of these children, this is referred to as “scuola dell’infanzia” until age 6. This is when primary education begins, which is referred to as “scuola primaria” and lasts until the child is 11 years old. “scuola secondaria di primo grado” is what the Italian population calls their secondary general education that ends at age 14. This is where a split happens in the student population. When attending the upper secondary school; it is split into general “Liceo”, technical “istituto technico”, and vocational referred to as “istituto professionale”. All these paths end with a final exam after the 5-year program is completed and if the students pass, tertiary education is available for them to explore. The graduation rates in Italy after these final exams are about 87% for males and 92% for females. According to OECD, out of the 37% 15–19-year-olds that enroll into upper secondary education, only 9% of them enroll in tertiary programs such as university or other technical programs. While homeschooling at the beginning levels of education is an option in Italy, it is said that students must take specific exams along the way to determine the competency of their education. It is also stated that compulsory education, starts at age 6 and lasts for 10 years, is free to foreign minors and Italian citizens apart from the mandatory purchasing of textbooks.

A typical school year runs from mid-September to mid-June, at which time the students go to class Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-1:30 pm. It is said that the students usually stay in the same classroom all day long, while teachers move classrooms for the 5 scheduled classes per day. Schools have a large amount of autonomy on the way they set up their curriculum and are required to draw up a three-year education plan for their organization. Over the three years that this plan is in effect, there are several quality assurance systems in place to monitor schools’ efficiency and evaluate school manager’s effectiveness. This is also seen in their national testing of their student body, their national standardized tests are held at 7, 10, 13, 15, and 18 years old where it is used as an evaluation tool for teachers and provide school managers with data about student’s overall comprehension.   

[kittyt-hexxed]

Grayson’s True Prodigy (Sevika x POC!Reader) - Ch. 6

Masterlist

Next Upload Date: November 29th

Act 1: Chapter Six - The Love of a Daughter

Warnings: Explosions, Feeling a spirit die, bleeding from ears, interrogation, Grayson goes into momma bear mode

Summary: Time passes and you get closer to Jayce, even helping him with his secret project. Unfortunately, an explosion changes things.

You had been allowed out of the manor for over a year now. A large amount of your time was spent following Grayson around or vanishing into the forest for some alone time. She had become very proud of you for the progress that you were making and gifted you with one of her crystals. You were hesitant to take it, knowing that it wouldn’t grow back, but she encouraged you to. You had taken it to a jewelry shop and paid for them to wrap it in a golden wire. You wore it around your neck at all times.

When you weren’t in your fairy form, you could actively sense the flora and fauna around you. It took a lot of training, but you managed to pull it off. You had just turned sixteen since you were going off of your actual birthday and not the fake one. You and Caitlyn had snuck away from Piltover and went down to the coast to spend some time at the beach. You two had gotten closer with her dragging you along to hang out with Jayce. She had proclaimed that you two finally had a similar interest to do together - annoy the hell out of Jayce.

After meeting him for the first time, Jayce had grown on you. You had wondered why Caitlyn loved hanging out with him, and you quickly learned it was because he exposes her to new things. He brought her along when he visited the shops in town or went to collect a shipment from the docks. You couldn’t help but tease Caitlyn about it when you found out. She had begged you to keep it a secret from your mother and you agreed… as long as you could join in.

Jayce had disagreed at first. He protested saying that he would be responsible for two daughters of the Kiramman family and one was already enough. You convinced him to let you citing that you could help out on days Caitlyn had school. Jayce had faltered in his protesting and reluctantly agreed to let you join in on the fun.

You found some enjoyment in frustrating him and getting into little spats over myth and facts. It was also to your benefit since Jayce is in college, and it gives you access to the curriculum. You spend a good chunk of time reading through his textbooks and teaching yourself the things you wanted to know. If there was one good thing being homeschooled taught you, it was how to teach yourself. There would be days you insisted on joining Jayce when he was doing his homework so you could get an explanation on some things. One thing you asked him about was the project he was working on. You could make sense of the writing on the chalkboard and it piqued your interest.

Jayce had waved you off before you explained part of it back to him. He had forgotten that you were ahead of what a sixteen-year-old should know. He had you swear to secrecy before explaining that he was trying to figure out magic. You had stared at him in silence before telling him to continue. Jayce explained his childhood to you. How he and his mother were saved by a magician who gave him the crystal he had used to transport them to safety. You observed the crystal but couldn’t place it to anything from Ionia. From your silence, Jayce thought you were thinking he was crazy and he started to backtrack until you clocked him on the head.

One day while you were studying with Jayce, he said that he needed to go and get some items for a project he was working on. The codeword for his magic research. That’s how you wound up in the Undercity with him. You had come back a few times to get additions to your tattoo and a few more ear piercings. You found it hilarious that your mother hasn’t noticed that both of your ears have seven piercings. Your father had noticed and questioned you on where you got them done. You were partially honest and said that Grayson had taken you to get them done in Ionia. All he did was say that they look beautiful on you and sent you on your way.

Being back in the Undercity felt bittersweet. The burning in your throat reminded you of the clean air you had the privilege of growing up with. You could tell that Jayce was struggling with the small coughs he let out now and then, but you knew he tried to hold them in for your sake. He was taking you to a pawn shop called Benzo’s that he had heard about from someone. After you grilled him on it, he admitted to going there once before. ‘That’s what happens when you’re raised by the Sheriff. Nothing gets passed me!’ You caught him muttering the directions to himself as a way to calm his nerves, and you couldn’t blame him. This was your first time down here without Grayson, and you’d be lying if you weren’t on edge. The only thing that brought you comfort was knowing that Zaunites generally didn’t care to acknowledge you unless you had something they wanted.

“I really shouldn’t be bringing you down here.” Jayce sighs and glances at you.

“I would have just followed you anyway.” You shrug, “Don’t worry, my mother won’t find out about it… if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“You sound very sure about that.” Jayce raises an eyebrow at you.

“Aren’t I?” You give him a secretive smile and walk faster.

When you got to Benzo’s shop, you were greeted by a man who introduced himself as the owner of the shop. While Jayce talked to him, you casually walked around the place to check out what they had. Most of the stuff could be qualified as junk if it wasn’t something you were looking for. There were a few masks that you found cool, but nothing really caught your eye. So, you ended up leaning against the counter while Jayce collected the stuff he needed. ‘I can’t think of a use for any of them, but maybe that’s why he chose them.’ Jayce places everything on the counter and you watch with interest as Benzo counts it. He groups certain things together, but you couldn’t tell why. To you, there weren’t any visible similarities between them.

“Okay, for all of this, it’ll be three gold.” Benzo leans back in his chair. You blink before your eyebrows go up in surprise. ‘Three gold? For all of that? That doesn’t look like it’s worth more than five silver! He’s totally swindling Jayce because he obviously looks like he’s from Piltover.’ You roll your eyes as Jayce hurries to get the money out of his pocket. ‘I didn’t know what’s dumber. The fact that he’s actually carrying around gold down here or that he didn’t try to lower the price.’ You sigh to yourself and decide to leave him be. ‘Maybe I would have done the same thing if mama didn’t teach me otherwise.’

“Bilgewater would love you and your pockets.” You mutter as they put the items away. The shop owner glances at you as if he heard you but continues talking to Jayce. You left the shop and stayed a couple of steps behind Jayce as he walked with the box. He was saying something to you when you felt a spirit reach out to you. You tuned into the feeling of it questioningly probing your magic and you call your sight forward to see where they were. In Ionia, you could see spirits without having to call your magic forward but here you had to. You nearly trip over your feet when you see a woman in the air. She tilts her head when you make eye contact and you give her a wave. Her eyes widen as she glances behind her and back at you.

“I can see you. I’m a spirit myself.” You whisper to the air as you walk, “...You’re very beautiful.” You add on as an afterthought and you see her face light up. She waves back at you and you can feel her eyes on you as you pile into the bathysphere. The trip back to Jayce’s apartment is uneventful and you can’t help but wonder what part of the project this is for. You planned on weaseling the information out of him once you were back in the apartment, but that was dashed when you saw your sister approaching.

“Jayce! Y/n!” Caitlyn flags you down, “Hey, guys!”

“Hey, Cait! You just got out of school?” Jayce questions as she arrives next to you.

“Yeah, I did.” Caitlyn gives the box a questioning glance, “What’s that?”

“It’s for a project Jayce is working on.” You open the door to the apartments and they walk in.

“That’s cool!” Caitlyn chirps, “Do you need help?”

“As a matter of fact…” Jayce hands Caitlyn the box, making you giggle, “I do need someone to carry that.”

“Wha- Wait, then why didn’t you have Y/n carry it?” Caitlyn glances at you, appalled.

“I didn’t offer to help.” You give her a teasing smile as you step into the elevator. Jayce chuckles while Caitlyn gives you an exasperated look.

“She’s right.” Jayce jokes, “Y/n didn’t offer to help me. I carried it all the way from the Undercity myself.” The elevator opens onto his floor and you all head down the hallway. Every time you came here, you wondered how it would be living on your own without your mother breathing down your neck.

“You really went to the Undercity to get these?” Caitlyn questions, “Did my sister go with you? Weren’t you afraid?” Your eyes widen and you glance at Jayce.

“No, your sister found me on the way back. Besides, a little danger is worth the risk, don’t you think?” Jayce covers for you and you give him a thankful smile. Suddenly, you hear a clink making you pause mid-step and look down to see one of the items on the ground. ‘Good thing it didn’t break.’

“Oops.” Caitlyn chuckles nervously as she glances at you.

“Uh, careful. That’s your parents’ money you’re dropping.” Jayce chuckles.

“Nice job, Caitie.” You joke as she leans down and picks it up. You start walking toward Jayce, thinking about how you’re going to get the information out of him when you see him struggling with the door.

“Is it stuck?” You question and try the handle, but it barely moves. ‘So, not stuck.’ You and Jayce share a glance before turning back to the door and you can swear you hear talking coming from inside.

“Hello? Is someone in there?” Jayce calls through the door and you furrow your brows. He drops the stuff that was in his hands and rushes forward, “Hey! Open up!” He aggressively tries yanks at the handle. You reach forward, intending to calm him down when a high-pitch ringing fills your ears. You shout, clasping your hands over your ears and stumbling away from the door. The high-pitched ringing turns into screaming as the feeling of heavy magic surrounds you. You scream as a wave of pain washes over you, and the presence of a spirit desperately trying to reach you presses into your mind. You’re vaguely aware of Jayce lifting his leg to kick down the door when a white-hot fire floods through you. Jayce gets thrown against the wall as the door explodes open and you feel the spirit’s life fade away. Horrified and overwhelmed, the world blurs and you fall unconscious.

When Grayson got the call that there had been an explosion in the Kiramman apartments, she felt her stomach drop. She raced over there with a team of Enforcers, worried that people might be hurt or dead. Worried that Y/n might be hurt or dead. Her daughter had told her she was hanging out with her sister there, along with Jayce Talis. If she was there when the explosion happened, if something happened to her, Grayson didn’t know what she’d do. She could feel her inner lion panicking all the way there.

Upon arriving, she could see the large hole in the side of the building and she swallowed hard. ‘I can’t let my emotions get the better of me. I need to do my job.’ She scolds herself and takes a deep breath. Blaire - one of the newer recruits - comes rushing to her from the front doors with a stressed-out look on her face, “Sheriff, we’ve got a problem… Well, actually, make that two.” She sighs in frustration.

“Tell me what happened here.” Grayson demands as she heads inside.

“Unit 56 was doing their regular patrol when an explosion came from above them. They witnessed four children flee the scene and chased them to Zaun before they vanished down an alleyway.” Blaire starts her report, “Enforcers went inside the building to find the sight of the explosion when they happened upon a hysterical Caitlyn Kiramman. She was yelling that her sister and Mr. Jayce Talis had passed out from the explosion.” Grayson grits her teeth in an effort to keep herself from punching the wall. Her cub was caught up in the blast and was potentially hurt.

“Did the medics find any injuries on the two of them?” Grayson’s voice comes out strained but Blaire doesn’t notice.

“Mr.Talis has a minor concussion and a few cuts but the younger Kiramman was taken to the hospital. The medics are unsure of what happened but she was bleeding from her ears.” Blaire glances down the hallway, “Caitlyn was taken to their parents’ home while her sister was transported to the hospital. Mr.Talis was kept here. He woke up a few minutes ago and has been undergoing questioning. Councilor Heimerdinger has sent over Assistant Dean Viktor to be his eyes and Sherrif… there’s quite a lot of contraband in there.” She hands Grayson the clipboard and she takes a moment to review it.

“Thank you, Blaire.” Grayson nods at her.

“Just doing my job, Sheriff.” Blaire nods in return, “That’s Mr.Talis over there. He’s a bit agitated, but nothing you can’t handle.” With a deep breath, to calm her worried mind, she heads into the room and shakes her head at the damage. ‘Whatever did this… It wasn’t man-made.’ She could feel the remnants of magic in the air and her mind briefly goes to her daughter. ‘That could be the reason Y/n passed out, but I’m unsure about her bleeding. I’ll have to visit her in the hospital to find out.’ Her eyes scan the area and confirm that there are a plethora of illegal items laying around. She couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the kid. Whatever he was up to in here, the break-in completely ruined his plans. Yet, there was also the thought that her daughter had gotten hurt because of it.

“Hello there, Mr.Talis.” Grayson greets him, “I’m Sheriff Grayson and I’m here to find out what happened.”

“I already told the Enforcers what happened.” Jayce grumbles but straightens up.

“Let’s go over it again.” Grayson insists. She needed to verify the information and fill in the gaps that the Enforcers’ missed. With this being a magical situation, she was concerned about the reactions if it got out. Councilor Heimerdinger was staunchly against magic and as a result, it wasn’t tolerated in Piltover. This was a situation that would require all of her attention until it was sorted, especially hearing that Undercity kids were involved.

“You have to believe me. I didn’t do this.” Jayce stresses to her, “I had two teenagers with me. I wouldn’t put them in danger.”

“Relax, kid. We know it was a break-in but that doesn’t explain this.” Grayson motions to the items in the room, “There’s a lot of restricted items here and I don’t see any permits. You wanna tell me how you got them?” She raises an eyebrow at him, but he wasn’t paying attention.

“Hey, hey! Be careful with that, please!” Jayce shouts to one of the Enforcers who is cataloging the items in the room. Grayson feels a bit of magic flair to life from that direction and she narrows her eyes.

“I believe someone should have said that earlier.” Viktor turns towards them, “What happened here?”

“Science, I guess?” Jayce sighs. From his demeanor, Grayson could tell that it was more than that. All of the signs around her showed that magic had been involved and it was something that he didn't want them to know about. ‘To get all of this stuff, he either went to the Undercity or used the Kiramman’s name. If he’s smart, he chose the former and not the latter.’

“Last time I checked, science didn’t require illegal equipment.” Grayson retorts, a bit of her frustration slipping out, “Equipment, might I add, that would have required a handler’s permit and license.”

“Nor was this approved by the Acadamy. Who authorized your research?” Viktor speaks up. ‘That means this was something he definitely didn’t want anyone to know about. I’ll have to go through the confiscated materials myself.’ Grayson starts recording everything down on her report form while they speak. There would be a lot of paperwork tonight, so she’d be going to bed later than planned. Not that she could sleep knowing that her daughter is in the hospital.

“It was an independent study. Who are you anyway?” Jayce grounds out through gritted teeth.

“I’m the assistant to the Dean of the University, who it may serve you to remember is also head of the Council. He sent me here to ensure that anything dangerous is removed safely... Which, according to my list, includes you.” Viktor points out casually. Grayson couldn’t help the amused smirk that slips onto her face. She enjoyed her conversations with Viktor when she had messages for Heimerdinger. He was sharp and tended to joke in a way that would go over some people’s heads. Oddly enough, like her.

“What?! How am I dangerous?!” Jayce exclaims. ‘That’s a silly question after everything we just said.’ She snorts to herself and finishes up her report.

“That’s for the council to decide.” Viktor nods to Grayson who immediately pulls out her handcuffs. Jayce lowers his head in resignation and allows for her to put the cuffs on. All she had to do was take him to the holding cells and then she was free to run to her cub. Paperwork can wait.

From the moment you woke up, you were surrounded by people asking you questions. Nurses. Doctors. Enforcers. It was overwhelming to you, especially after what happened earlier. You had refused to speak to anyone about what happened until Grayson came. You insisted that the only person you’d tell anything to was the sheriff and no one had an issue with that. You were told by the doctors that it was relieving that you can hear out of your ears because you had been bleeding from them when you were found. There was no sign of injury which had confused them the most.

A knock sounds at the door before it opens revealing Dr.Kirn, the woman that had been looking after you since you got here. She held a tray of food in her hands that she placed down on the table next to you. You watched her in silence as she checked your vitals and wrote them down.

“Your parents visited you earlier, but you were unconscious. They were really worried about you.” Dr.Kirn informs you, “Sheriff Grayson has also arrived and is waiting for permission to come in.”

“She has my permission to come in.” You nod your head, “I’d really like to talk to her about what happened.”

“Alright, Y/n, I’ll send her in. Please make sure to eat before we give you some sleep medication.” The doctor says before she heads out the door. You let out a long breath knowing that your mama is going to be worried. You realize that the situation probably didn’t look like a good thing at all. You were concerned for Jayce with all of the illegal items he had in his apartment. Magical items or things used to study magic. Not to mention that he was doing all of it in secret… with your help.

“I leave you alone for a day, and you end up in the hospital.” Is the first thing Grayson says as she walks in. You give her a sheepish smile as she closes the door behind her.

“It wasn’t like I went looking for a fight or anything. It was an accident.” You sigh. Grayson pulls the chair closer to your bed and sits down.

“I know, but there’s more to the story. It was a break-in.” Grayson states, making you raise an eyebrow, “Four Zaunite children were caught fleeing from the apartment after the explosion.”

“I knew Jayce’s dumb brain was going to get him in trouble.” You groan.

“Did you know what he was doing there? I felt magical residue at the site and there were a lot of illegal items. You must have known since you’re aware of Piltover’s regulations.” Grayson crosses her arms. She wasn’t wrong about that. With your mother being on the council and Grayson being sheriff… you knew everything. You nervously fidget with your fingers.

“He’s researching magic.” You relent, “Apparently, he was saved by a magic user as a child, and he wants to recreate it. He showed me the rune stone he was given. I… offered to help.”

“Y/n, you know how Piltover is towards magic.” Grayson scolds you.

“I know, mama, which is why I offered to help. Jayce got those items from Zaun and a few were imported. We had just returned from the Undercity when we found the apartment door jammed. I thought I heard voices, and Jayce did too from the way he was shouting through the door.” You start playing with your necklace to soothe your nerves, “And then… that’s when I felt a spirit reaching out to me.”

“A spirit?” Grayson straightens up, “Are you certain?” She asks seriously.

“Yes. It started as this high-pitched ringing that really hurt my ears until the spirit managed to connect to me and all I heard was screaming.” Your voice wavers, tears welling up in your eyes, “And then the magic followed. It felt like I was on fire through the connection between us… and then it stopped.” Grayson had grabbed your hand in a show of support. You gripped it tighter as the memory of what happened came back. You take a shaky breath as the tears start falling.

“I felt it- I felt the spirit die, mama. I felt it die.” You let out a sob, “The connection drained away until there was nothing left. I felt its life force vanish… T-That’s when the explosion happened.” You were trembling now. Feeling the spirit die felt like a chill going through your body. It started at your toes and made its way up your spine as it slipped away. You were only sixteen, and while death wasn’t new to you… you’ve never experienced it like this before.

“Your magic is more than we believed it to be… and that explains why you fell unconscious.” Grayson sighs, “I need to get you back to Ionia. Now that your magic has gotten stronger, it’s important now more than ever that you’re properly connected to the spirit realm.”

“Do you think feeling those… deaths… will be part of my magic?” You question hesitantly.

“Unfortunately, I do. Under what circumstances? I’m not sure. That’s why we need to figure out what kind of fae you are. We’re getting closer, but we need to find out soon.” Grayson smooths your hair back, “Jayce’s trial in front of the council will be tomorrow… Whatever happens to him will be out of my hands.”

“I can kiss my freedom goodbye once again.” You joke sadly, “Jayce blew up that chance.”

“Over my dead body.” Grayson growls, “When this is over, I’m going to step down as sheriff and I’m returning home. I miss being able to run free and I can feel the land calling me home. It’s time I gave up living among regular human society. And, since you’ve completed your schooling, there’s nothing forcing you to stay here.”

“Really?” You gasp, “You’ll leave Piltover a-and take me with you?”

“For you, my daughter?” Grayson gives you a soft smile, “Anything. Once we’re in Ionia, your family can’t reach you there.”

“That’s right!” You brighten up, “When do we leave?”

“If I can get things settled? In two days… a week, at most.” Grayson winks.

“I can’t wait, mama!” You giggle happily.

“Neither can I, my sweet fae.” Grayson kisses you on the forehead, “I love you, my daughter.” She whispers it as if it's a secret.

“I love you too, mama.” You whisper back with a huge smile on your face.

[duggardata]

Anna and Mary Maxwell Might Be Attending [Bible] College.  (Wow!)

Recently, an eagle–eyed Anon spotted the 2 Youngest Maxwell Girls, Anna (28) and Mary (25), in the absolute last place you'd ever expect—a college campus.  It's all on Facebook... Anna and Mary appear in a photo posted by Appalachian Bible College to its official Facebook Page, along with caption: "The first day of classes. That's something to smile about!"  (Permalink.)

Why Are We So Surprised By This?

Ordinarily, two young women attending college wouldn't be at all shocking, but the Maxwells are not ordinary.  Anna and Mary's Parents, Steve + Teri Maxwell, are openly anti–college.  Steve thinks that state–run education, including higher education, is "a godless, promiscuity–promoting, humanistic environment," and that it traps young people in debt.  He is wary even of Christian colleges, since he believes they cause children to rebel.  He’s proud of his sons' lack of higher education, and praised them for "avoid[ing] the influence and cost of college." Teri is, sadly, just as opposed to college—especially for women.  Back in 1999, she wrote an article speculating that college may undermine a woman's ability to be a good and godly wife.  Her article laments—

"As far as our daughters go, I wonder how many of us developed independent spirits during our college or working days. Has this made it more difficult for us to submit to our husbands in the meek and quiet way we would like?"

Finally...  Anna and Mary's views on this topic seemed to be aligned with their parents, until now. According to Steve + Teri, all of the Maxwell Daughters had planned to be Stay–at–Home–Daughters until marriage.  (See Also.)  (And all 3 Daughters seemed to be doing so, since none had moved out.)  What is more, in 2010, Anna described college as "silly," and said that she thought attending would expose her to unsavory influences, and possibly hold her back from her ultimate goal of "be[ing] a stay–at–home wife and mother."

So, yeah...  This is quite a surprise!  And, while neither Steve + Teri, nor Anna or Mary, has actually confirmed that they’re enrolled at Appalachian Bible College, their appearance on the Facebook Page is definitely suspicious!

Tell Me About Appalachian Bible College.

TL;DR   If you just want to know how conservative and restrictive Appalachian Bible College is, skip down to “Student Life.”

Appalachian Bible College (ABC) is a tiny (~250 Students), insular bible college, located on 150 Acres in rural Mount Hope, West Virginia.  (The Maxwell Family hails from Leavenworth, Kansas, which >800 Miles Away.)  It self–describes as a “non–denominational and fundamental” institution, primarily associated with “Baptist and Bible churches.”  Unlike many so–called “bible colleges,” ABC is nationally and regionally accredited.  (Hurray!)

A lot, lot more information...  After the jump.

Admissions—

ABC requires prospective students to submit an application; transcripts from high school or home school; ACT, SAT, or CLT test scores; and two reference letters, one from a pastor and one from another mentor, e.g., teacher or youth group leader.  A high school diploma or GED is required, unless the student is homeschooled.  In that case, a detailed homeschool transcript is needed, and standardized test scores are “especially important.”

As part of the application, prospective students must attest that they agree w/ the college’s Doctrinal Statement.

Academics—

ABC offers four degree programs—Bible Certificate (1 Year), Associate of Arts (A.A.) (2 Years), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (4 Years), and Master of Arts (M.A.).  In addition, it runs an online program for degree–seeking or non–degree seeking students.  (But, Anna and Mary were spotted on–campus, so they don’t seem to be in the online program!)  Anna and Mary haven’t gone to college, so they almost certainly aren’t in the Master’s program.  Let’s just look at the rest...

(Sidenote—Before we go on, just want to point out...  All ABC graduates must, in addition to completing academic requirements, show that they are members of a church and that they possess good Christian character.  If they don’t, they won’t give their diploma!) 

Bible Certificate—ABC describes the one–year program as an “opportunit[y] for you to dig into Scripture and build your life on its unchanging truths.”  The program has two tracks—Bible + General Education and Bible + Ministry.  As the names suggest, both tracks’ core curriculum is the Bible and Bible study.  Both also require three courses in ministry—Foundations of Ministry, Biblical Theology of Missions, and Personal Evangelism & Discipleship.  Where they differ is is what else they require...

For the Bible + General Education Certificate, students must also take four ‘core’ classes—English Composition, Speech, Physical Education, Music, and “Success Seminar”—plus, an elective of their choice.  (This curriculum also mirrors the first–year curriculum of ABC’s A.A. and B.A. Degree Programs, so students can easily continue their studies, should they decide to do so.)

For Bible + Ministry, ‘core’ classes are waived in favor of extra theology.  Students take Principles of Biblical Interpretation, along with classes on Systematic Theology (2 Classes), the New Testament (Survey Class + 2 Classes), and the Old Testament (Survey Class + 2 Classes).

Associate’s Degree (A.A.)—ABC also offers a 2–Year A.A. Degree in Bible + Theology.  (That’s the only major offered.)  For this degree, the curriculum is a 50/50 split between General Education and Bible + Theology courses, plus a few ministry classes and electives.  All students take the following courses—

General Education   English Composition (2 Classes), Speech, Physical Education, Music, Biblical Worldview, and Ethical Issues in Ministry

Bible + Theology   Principles of Biblical Interpretation, Survey of the Old Testament, Survey of the New Testament, Matthew to Acts, Genesis to Deuteronomy, Paul’s Letters (2 Classes), and Doctrine (2 Classes)

Ministry   Theology of Missions, Foundations of Ministry, Evangelism & Discipleship, and Homiletics I (Males) / Bible Teaching (Females)  

Additionally, students must take a history class, a science or sociology class, and an elective.

Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.)—Finally, ABC offers a 4–Year B.A. Dual Degree in Bible + Theology and in Ministry.  Each student completes General Education classes.  Beyond that, each student is also a “double major.”  Everyone’s first major is Bible + Theology and everyone’s second major is ministry–focused—but, not everyone has the exact same Ministry Major.  (More on that in a bit...)  As far as curriculum, students must complete the General Education, Bible + Theology, and Ministry courses required for the Associate’s Degree, plus the following additional core classes—

General Education   Health, Psychology, Sociology, Finance, 2 History Classes (History of Western Civilization and American Church History), and 1 Science Class (Earth Science or Biology)

Bible + Theology   Joshua to Esther, Hebrews to Revelation, Isaiah to Malachi, Job to Song of Soloman, Doctrine (2 Additional Classes), and Bible Capstone 

Ministry   World Religion and Cults, and Homiletics II (Men) / Women’s Ministry (Women)

Finally, students must also pick a Ministry Major and complete its mandatory coursework.  At ABC, there are seven ministry majors to pick from—some of which have concentrations.  Here’s the list of Ministry Majors, with additional concentrations or sub–specialties listed in parentheses—

Biblical Counseling  (Youth & Family or Women’s Ministries)

Camping Ministry 

Elementary Education

Missions  (Biblical Languages, Foreign Language / Spanish, International Studies, Nursing, or Teaching English)

Music  (Pedagogy, Performance, or Worship)

Pastoral Ministry  (Biblical Languages or Youth & Family Pastoring)

Interdisciplinary

The Pastor Ministry Major seems to be limited to male students.

Click the links to check out the coursework each Ministry Major requires.

Student Life—

So, yeah...  ABC is not a progressive place.  At all.  They’re upfront about it, though, which is nice.  Their Student Handbook is online, available for all to read.  Here are some highlights...  (All italics are mine, not in original.)

Discipline / Consequences—Students who break the rules face discipline in the form of “a verbal or written Carefrontation, a fine, a work assignment, a temporary room or dorm confinement, a social [or] ... campus restriction,” or “some other determination.”  Egregious offenses may result in the student being “suspended ... , asked to withdraw from the college, or dismissed.”

Dress Code—There’s a detailed Dress Code, with different different activities requiring different standards of dress.  Perhaps surprisingly, pants are allowed for female students for all but the fanciest standard of dress.  (For that, they’ll have to wear skirts or dresses.)  Here are a few of the rules...

“Earrings may be worn by females only,” and “all other body piercing is prohibited.”

ABC students are prohibited from getting new tattoos.  If a student has an old tattoo, they may be required to cover it at all times if the Dean of Students deems it “offensive.” 

Prohibited Activities—ABC says that, “in order to remain above reproach,” students are prohibited from the following “questionable activities”...

Consuming “alcohol as a beverage,” tobacco in any form (including e–cigarettes), or drugs for non–medicinal purposes.  (Penalty for violating this rule is dismissal.)

Serving alcohol to others, even if done in the course of a student’s off–campus employment.

Gossiping, or engaging in “other forms of impure speech.”

Listening to, viewing, or reading “unwholesome” media or literature, or accessing websites “that do not promote godliness.”  (See Prohibited Media and Prohibited Music.)

Attending “commercial movie theaters.”

Gambling.

Dancing.

Prohibited Media—Per the ABC Student Handbook, ABC students shall not consume “any media (including social media) that features vulgar or obscene language, sexual innuendo, nudity, immodest clothing, or ... a blatantly non–Christian message.”  Additionally, students may not—  

Watch movies rated PG–13, R, X, or NC–17, or shows rated TV–MA.

Play video games or use apps rated A, M, or RP.

... and, they’re strongly cautioned to avoid media that promotes “unbiblical definitions of love”; endorses “witchcraft or the occult”; mocks “law or law enforcement”; denigrates “marriage and the traditional family”; or contains “excessive violence.”  Students are urged not to consume media made by people—e.g., actors, producers, directors—“known for their stand against Christian values.”

Prohibited Music—Students are banned from listening to music “that includes God–dishonoring language, anti–biblical messages ... , a prominent resurfacing beat, pulsating and driving or dance rhythms, or sensual overtones in the music itself or in the performance.”  They’re specifically cautioned to avoid...

Rock—Because the “lyrics may be unacceptable” and “[t]he beat of the music may become the most prominent element.”

Country—Because the “lyrics may be unacceptable” and the underlying “music may be connected to a heavy rock beat.”

Folk—As “[e]xistentialism, humanism, or hedonism may be propagated through the lyrics.”

Jazz—Since syncopation may be “extensive[ly] use[d],” and “a sensual performance style may be employed.”

Contemporary Christian—Since “a sensual performance style may be employed,” “a beat may be overly prominent,” and the “lyrics may be theologically incorrect or existential in their emphasis.”

Relationships—

“The Bible restricts sexual activity to marriage between a man and a woman.  Thus, fornication, adultery, incest, sexual abuse of a minor, homosexuality, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, and other such activities are forbidden.” 

“[N]o display of affection through physical contact (including holding hands) on the part of non–married couples, on or off campus.”

Dating students are forbidden from sitting together in class or chapel.

No male–female pair, dating or not, may be alone together in anyone’s home or residence, on– or off–campus.

No male–female pair, dating or not, may socialize off–campus without a chaperone, unless they’ve been at ABC for at least 4 Semesters.

Divorced students “shall not be permitted to date other ... students.”

According to ABC’s Student Handbook, all these rules apply to all students, at all times, on– or off–campus.

All in all, it’s great if Anna and Mary are attending college, even if it’s a super–duper conservative one, like ABC clearly is.  The fact that they’ve possibly left home and are out there, living on their own...  Crazy to even think about, given Steve’s apparent iron grip on his household.  It can only be good from them to venture out on their own, even if it’s just to a slightly less stifling place.

[gaemkyuu]

Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy

Warnings: none! A/N: This is my valentine’s day entry for @cherrymaybank ! Back to back posts about Charlie, Riley and little Emerson! We do talk about the potential to having another one in the family, but I’m not sure if we like the trio as it is... do you guys want to see Dad!Charlie with a new born and an 8 year old daughter? Disclaimer: This is a FICITONAL writing piece! In no way do I claim characters in this piece act this way in real life.

Masterlist *now taking requests ;)

Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy

Riley emptied the contents of her stomach into the toilet, Charlie rushing into their ensuite to help hold her hair back. He soothed her back and got her a glass of water from the sink. They had gone to the clinic yesterday to confirm whether or not she was pregnant, since she had been nauseous and throwing up a lot lately. The drug store pregnancy tests were negative, but then again the same thing happened when Riley was pregnant with Emerson. She was normally irregular and active, but grew up with the doctors always saying she would have fertility problems. Emerson came to her as a shock.

“Mommy?” they heard their little girl call out from the hallway, and Charlie got up to intervene before she saw her mother.

“Hey Princess, bad dream?” Charlie scooped Emerson up from the hallway, feeling her heaviness set in. Emerson was 7 and soon to be 8, but Charlie wouldn’t pass the opportunity to pick her up. He didn’t want her growing up too fast, although mentally that ship had sailed.

“No, I had a weird one” she hugged his back and laid her head on his shoulder. “Can we have a midnight snack Daddy?” that’s when Charlie noticed the clock in the hallway read 1:13AM. He contemplated it for a moment, thinking about how Riley wouldn’t approve, but she wasn’t there to stop him and she would appreciate him distracting Emerson.

“Sure, you get the cookies and milk. I’ll be down to help with plates and stuff.” he set her down and kissed her on the head. Emerson looked up inquisitively at him and then back at their open bedroom door. Charlie noticed, and turned her around, gently pushing her towards the kitchen. “Mommy’s fine, just a tiny upset stomach. I’m gonna go make sure she’s good, so don’t eat all the cookies without me” 

This made the little girl giggle as she made her way to the kitchen. Charlie went back to check on Riley, who had her back to the wall adjacent to the toilet. She looked better, less pale, but still exhausted. “You want me to help you up?”

“No, I think I’ve got another round coming in a moment or two. Emerson okay?” Charlie nodded, taking the glass from her hand and refilling it. “Let me guess. Another round of Gillespie’s Midnight Munchies?”

“What can I say? She’s super persuasive” He passed her the glass and she scoffed before taking another drink. “She’s got me wrapped around her fingers”

“Well then don’t let me stop you! You’re princess awaits!” She made a flamboyant gesture of hands referencing her daughter, grateful for her acceptance of Charlie in her life. Riley had to admit that it was helpful to have Charlie around! 

Since the wedding, Riley had made the decision to homeschool Emerson. It meant that she could play with kids in the neighbourhood, but do schoolwork at her pace. Riley was able to work a lot more from home and with Charlie’s acting hours, it meant that he could be home a lot more too. She was often in charge of setting up Emerson’s curriculum, but it helped to have Charlie around. She knew Emerson was learning because she would hear her daughter teaching Charlie the concepts that she went through that day when he would get her ready for bed. Emerson often expressed that she liked doing this more than what they had been doing before. Occasionally, she would go to a daycare program when both of them were busy, but Charlie often brought her to set when he could.

Riley smiles fondly the first time Charlie brought her to set on a project he was working on. She snapped a picture as they walked through the door, Emerson wearing a pretty dress, Charlie in his comfy clothes and a pink backpack that was way too small hung over his shoulder. They walked hand in hand to the car and waved goodbye to her. The time that the two spent together did include a lot of shenanigans and sometimes being outnumbered or out voted, but Charlie never let it get out of hand.

***

Emerson’s lip quivered as her mother shook her head no. She wanted ice cream, but Riley had refused because of the cotton candy she ate earlier. Emerson didn’t take a nap and woke up early, and more sugar would mean a bigger problem later that day. Not wanting to take no for an answer, Emerson asked Charlie, who also agreed that she should forego the ice cream. 

That was the straw that broke Emerson’s back.

Riley had never seen Emerson tantrum so bad before, especially since her toddler was known to be very mature. She was used to her daughter clamming up and refusing to talk to her until she was ready, but that day was a completely different experience. Here she was screaming and crying, insisting she deserved ice cream.

Charlie sensed Riley’s flusteredness and tried to calm Emerson down. When she screamed and cried louder, she flailed her arms about, hitting Riley and Charlie. That’s when his usual sparkle and mischief that was normally present in his eyes disappeared.

“Emerson Gianna Gillespie. That’s enough.” Emerson was in shock at the tone of his voice. He didn’t yell, but he wasn’t quiet either. She could see that his eyes meant business, and he had never used her real name. She sunk to the ground in a last attempt at defiance. “Please stand up, or we are going home.” Emerson refused to stand. Charlie motioned for Riley to pack up their stuff quickly, as he picked up Emerson and brought her to the car. He didn’t say a single word, even as Emerson started to cry softly on their way to the car. She had started to realize the errors of her actions and felt awful.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a bad girl” she sniffed as Charlie buckled her into her booster seat. “Can we still get McDonalds?” she wiped away a few more tears as Riley got into the passenger side. Before she could reply, Charlie quickly answered the little girl.

“We are going home. We will talk about this when we get home” and with that he shut the door, and they drove home in silence. Emerson walked over to her time out corner in the house, a place where she rarely sat, but knew it was meant for her to reflect upon her actions. Emerson didn’t know that Charlie felt awful about being stone cold to her and was upstairs whisper venting to Riley, who patiently sat and listened. 

They made up over dinner that night and this was the first time that Emerson saw Charlie acting like a Daddy and not like a Charlie.

***

“Take all the time you need. I got Emmy” he kissed her head and went to join his little one at the kitchen island. As directed, the jar of cookies was on the counter, along with the jug of milk. She sat on the stood and swung her legs back and forth singing a song, waiting patiently for him. “Ready for some late night snicky snacks?”

“Mommy okay?” the little girl sat there waiting patiently but worrying about her mom. Charlie grabbed two dessert plates and two glasses for the milk and cookies. Charlie nodded and dished them up some cookies and poured the milk into the glasses, humming to himself. They clinked their glasses together and enjoyed their food in silence, only the sounds of the cookies crunching.

“Are you going to tell me about the weird dream you had?” he asked, a few crumbs spilling from his mouth. He wiped the corner of Emerson’s mouth with his thumb and took a sip of his milk.

“I had a dream that I had a baby brother” Charlie spat out his milk and choked, coughing at her comment. Emerson patted the man on the back, something she often saw adults do to other adults when they choked and something her parents did for her. “Isn’t that why mommy has an upset stomach?”

“Who told you that?” Charlie wiped his mouth and the counter of his mess, moving to dispose of the paper towel in the kitchen garbage. Emerson quietly munched on her cookie and took a drink of milk. “It was Uncle Owen wasn’t it?” she nodded, knowing that speaking with a full mouth was rude. Charlie made a mental note to chastise Owen later. Emerson was smart and perceptive but she was still a kid and who knows what the giant told her in his panic. Charlie gave her another cookie.

“Is this meant to keep me quiet? Uncle Owen did that last time. He said adults like to bribe children with things so they behave and don’t expose them. Didn’t anyone tell Uncle Owen that he’s not supposed to keep secrets or lie?” The little girl greatly accepted the cookie from Charlie and took a big bite, sipping on some more milk to help wash it down.

“No, it’s not a bribe. I’m giving you another cookie because you’re so tiny! I have to fatten you up if I’m going to bake you into a pie!” he joked as he tickled the girl. She laughed and dropped her cookie as Charlie attacked her sides and blew raspberries into her neck.

Even though Riley was 5”2 and her mother was short, Emerson seemed a little too much on the tiny side. She was still the height of your average six year old but she was thin and weighed very little despite the amount of food she ate. Her pediatricians worried that she wasn’t growing as healthily as the other children, but found no problems or illnesses within her. She was simply a late bloomer. It didn’t help that she was twice as smart as kids her age either, but Charlie made sure she knew that was something to be proud of. Both parents always told her that real friends would like her despite her differences and that being like the other kids is boring. 

“Seems like you two are doing fine without me!” the two froze in their act as they realized that Riley had walked into the kitchen. She smiled and grabbed the cookie off Charlie’s plate, sipping on his milk.

“Yup. Definitely pregnant. I guess I am getting a younger brother” Riley’s eyes were as wide as saucers and Charlie rolled his. She looked to Charlie for answers.

“Owen?”

“Owen.”

“Daddy? I think I’m ready to go back to bed” Emerson rubbed her eyes and hopped off the chair. Her mother smiled and gave her little girl a big hug, she couldn’t believe that Emerson would soon be 8.

“You and mommy go upstairs. I’ll clean up down here” Charlie gave both of his girls a kiss on the head before they retreated to Emerson’s bedroom. He began to pick up the plates and wipe the counter down, not bothering to wash the plates. He was supposed to be cooking breakfast for everyone in the morning, so he thought to wash their dishes then, but seeing as they were up so late, breakfast might be brunch. Just as he was putting away the milk and cookie jar, he heard soft footsteps rush into the kitchen. When he closed the door, he saw no one except a little red present box on the counter.

To Daddy

From Emmy

He smiled and carried the tiny box over to the bedroom. Riley was just tucking Emerson in, when he popped his head into the bedroom and shook the box. Emerson blushed and hid under the covers and Riley turned around seeing the box that Charlie shook.

“Is that where you went? I thought you were going pee!” her mother prodded, poking her daughter who was trying to hide. “Why are you hiding Emmy? There’s no need to be shy about it!”

“Did you know about this?” Riley shook her head no and peeled the blanket off her daughter. She hid her face in her hands, blushing a deep pink. “Emmy, come on, I wanna share this moment with you!” Charlie sat down at the foot of the bed and Riley sat beside her. Emerson lowered her hands from her face.

“Uncle Owen helped me with this when he babysat me last week” she smiled, avoiding eye contact. Charlie opened the box and instantly felt his heart grow big. Seeing his reaction, Riley peered into the box and understood the man’s reaction.

In the tiny red box lay a plastic guitar pick which had a picture from their wedding printed on it. It was a photo of the three of them, a stolen shot, between professional takes that encaptured their family’s dynamic. They were all smiling and laughing. It was Charlie’s favorite picture and it was his phone background. At the top of the pic was a tiny hole that connected it to a chain that he could wear around his neck.

“I haven’t been to daycare in a while, so I missed the Valentine’s day crafts. I’m going to a tea party with Aunty Savannah and mommy for Valentine’s day, but I didn’t have anything for you” Charlie opened his arms and beckoned for the little girl to crawl into his lap and hug him back. He rested his chin on her head and sniffed back the tears that had formed. “Did you read the back?” he pulled away and flipped the pick around.

Happy Valentine’s Day Daddy!

“Gosh Emmy, you are just so smart” he pulled the little girl in for another hug, a tear escaping his eye and he kissed her head again. “You didn’t have to do this Princess!”

“It’s my first Valentine’s day with a Daddy. Every year, the girls at the daycare got to have a Valentine’s day date with their Dads and would make them stuff at craft time. This is the first year I get to do it, so I wanted it to be special” she smiled up at him, happy that he liked the gift.

“I love it Emmy. I’ll never take it off” he placed it around his neck and fiddled with it again. Charlie really meant that he never wanted to take it off. Everything precious to him was represented on that pick. He made a mental note to thank Owen and probably not chastise him as bad as he wanted to before.

“Does that mean I get to spend Valentine’s day with the both of you?” Charlie and Riley shared a confused look, wondering where the question came from. Sensing their confusion, Emerson clarified her question. “Uncle Owen said that on Valentine’s day, you guys were going to play hide the zucchini, so he’d probably babysit me again. I thought it sounded like fun”

Cancel that. Charlie was definitely going to kill Owen.

[kidactivitiesalexa]

Homeschool Curriculum for 1-Year-Old: A Comprehensive Guide

Summary: In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various aspects of creating a homeschool curriculum for your 1-year-old, including suggested activities, learning objectives, and frequently asked questions.

Homeschool curriculum for 1 year old can be an enriching experience. At this tender age, your child's brain is like a sponge, ready to absorb knowledge and develop essential skills. Designing a suitable curriculum for your little one requires careful consideration of their developmental needs.

Developmental Milestones:

Understanding your child's developmental milestones is crucial for tailoring a homeschool curriculum. Here are some key areas to focus on:

Cognitive Development:

 Stimulate curiosity through sensory experiences like exploring textures, shapes, and colors.

Introduce cause-and-effect toys and activities to foster problem-solving skills.

 Encourage language development through talking, reading simple books, and singing songs.

Motor Skills Development:

 Promote gross motor skills through activities such as crawling, walking, and playing with balls.

 Encourage fine motor skills with activities involving finger painting, stacking blocks, or playing with puzzles.

Social and Emotional Development:

 Arrange playdates or social interactions with other children to develop social skills.

Nurture emotional intelligence through responsive interactions, cuddling, and positive reinforcement.

Suggested Activities:

Engaging lesson plans for 1 year olds can enhance their learning experience. Here are some ideas to incorporate into your homeschool curriculum:

Sensory Play:

 Set up sensory bins filled with safe materials like rice, sand, or water for your child to explore.

 Provide a variety of textured objects and toys for tactile stimulation.

Music and Movement:

 Introduce simple musical instruments and encourage your child to explore sounds and rhythms.

 Engage in movement activities like dancing, clapping, and mimicking animal sounds.

Reading and Storytelling:

Read board books with colorful pictures and simple stories to develop language skills.

Incorporate interactive storytelling by using puppets or acting out scenes from the books.

Arts and Crafts:

 Encourage creativity through finger painting, playing with playdough, or tearing and gluing paper.

Offer age-appropriate art materials like crayons or large brushes for exploring different mediums.

Learning Objectives:

While formal academics are not the primary focus at this age, incorporating learning objectives can promote overall development. Here are a few examples:

Language Development:

Expand vocabulary through exposure to new words and repetition.

Encourage early language skills like babbling and imitating sounds.

Cognitive Skills:

Foster problem-solving abilities through simple puzzles and shape-sorting toys.

Promote cause-and-effect understanding through toys that make sounds or move when interacted with.

Motor Skills:

Strengthen gross motor skills through activities like crawling, walking, and playing on playground equipment.

Develop fine motor skills through activities like stacking blocks or playing with manipulative toys.

FAQs:

Q1. Is it necessary to follow a strict schedule for a homeschool curriculum for a 1-year-old?

A1. Actually, it is optional to follow a strict schedule. Flexibility is key at this age. Focus on incorporating learning opportunities into daily routines rather than adhering to a rigid timetable.

Q2. How long should each homeschool session be?

A2. Short and frequent sessions work best for young children. Aim for 10-15 minutes of focused learning activities several times a day. However, remember that learning can happen naturally throughout the day as you engage with your child.

Q3. What if my child seems uninterested in certain activities?

A3. One-year-olds have short attention spans, and their interests may vary. If your child loses interest, try different activities or revisit the activity later. Follow your child's cues and adapt accordingly.

Q4. How can I assess my child's progress?

A4. At this age, formal assessments are not necessary. Observe your child's developmental milestones, engagement in activities, and overall growth. Celebrate their achievements and provide a nurturing environment for learning.

Q5. Can I incorporate technology or screen time into the homeschool curriculum for my 1-year-old?

A5. It is generally recommended to limit screen time for children under the age of 2. Instead of relying on technology, focus on hands-on, sensory-rich activities that promote active engagement and interaction with the environment. However, some educational apps or interactive digital resources specifically designed for young children can be used sparingly and under supervision.

Conclusion:

Designing a homeschool curriculum for your 1-year-old is an exciting and flexible journey. Focus on their developmental milestones, incorporate engaging activities, and create a nurturing environment that fosters their growth. Remember to adapt the curriculum based on your child's interests and cues. Enjoy this precious time of discovery and learning with your little one!

[backtothestart02]

The Football Star and the New Girl - 1/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: I suck at titles lately...oh well. Enjoy this first chap! The story itself is based loosely on a dream I had. :)

...

Synopsis:  HS!AU - They were like ships passing in the night. Would they ever meet on the same page?

...

Chapter 1 -

Francine West walked down the hall and peeked into the open doorway of her daughter’s bedroom. She found her sitting on her bed, her things packed in multiple suitcases at her feet, but she herself – Iris West, 14 ¾ years old – did not look very excited to be leaving her home without her family. She was looking at a photo album. Tears were staining her cheeks.

Francine rested her head against the door frame as she watched her, her heart aching to heal the wounds she knew would only grow more with time.

“It’s not too late to change your mind, you know.”

Iris’ head whipped toward the sound, and she hastily shut the photo album and tossed it onto her bed, wiping her cheeks quickly after.

“Mom!”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t interrupting, was I?”

She walked into the room, and Iris scooted over a little so she could sit next to her on the bed.

“No, not at all. I’m glad you’re here.”

They shared a sweet look, then Iris leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder. Francine held out her hand, and Iris intertwined her fingers in her mother’s grip.

“I still want to go,” she assured her.

“Yeah?”

She nodded against her shoulder.

“I need stability, mom. I can’t be moving around going from school to school every six months. I’m proud of dad, of course, and I love being with you all. I’ll miss you a lot, but…I want friends and the same school and a life.”

“A boyfriend?” Francine nudged her gently.

Iris rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Maybe…eventually. I’m only 14, Mom.”

Francine nudged her again.

“14 ¾.”

Iris laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, okay. A boyfriend would be nice, once I get to know the guy for more than a couple months. But first, friends.”

“Friends are important too.”

Iris nestled into her mother’s embrace and sat in silence for a while.

“What about Wally? Is he going to be going to new schools every-”

“I’ve decided to attempt homeschooling.”

Iris lifted her head.

“You have?”

She nodded.

“He’s only 10, so the curriculum is simpler, and he’s pretty introverted, even around us, so Ruffly can suffice for his friend. At least for now.”

Francine pursed her lips. She did want real, live human friends for her son, as well as for her daughter. But for now their golden retriever seemed to be what got the most laughs out of young Wally West. She would hope that lasted at least through another school year.

“I’d take him with me if I could,” Iris said.

“You’d take both my children from me?” Francine asked, only half joking. “What am I supposed to do all day long without your brother to drive me crazy?”

Iris looked into her mother’s eyes and saw that they were watering.

“Oh, Mom, I didn’t mean-”

“It’s okay, honey.”

She sighed and pressed a kiss to her daughter’s temple.

“I know it hasn’t been easy for you, losing your friends so often because we have to move. It’s the life of a military family, I’m afraid. I signed up for it when I agreed to marry the man, but you, my baby, were just born into it.”

She pulled back to look into her eyes.

“I want you to know though that if at any time the school isn’t working out for you, we’ll come get you in a heartbeat.”

Iris winced. She knew it wasn’t that simple. They were moving overseas to a new post. Iris would be staying here in the U.S. Even if the school was a bit of a move for her too. It wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to.

Still, she obliged her.

“Yeah, okay, mom.”

She smiled, but Francine knew better.

Footsteps sounded down the hallway, and interrupting their little moment came Joe West with little Wally West on his back. Joe was dressed in all camouflage wear, and Wally was giggling from bouncing up and down on his “horsie”. Ruffly was close at Joe’s heels.

“What is this here?” Joe asked, witnessing the tear streaks on his two ladies’ faces.

“Dad!” Iris sprung up.

She ran to him, and he slowly released Wally off his back, who promptly complained when his shoeless feet hit the floor.

Joe hugged his daughter tight, lifting her off her feet briefly and kissing the side of her face.

“Oh, baby girl, are you sure you want to go?”

Iris laughed when she was back on her feet again. She wiped away fresh tears.

“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m just gonna miss you guys, but I need this. For me. Okay?”

He sighed and nodded, then looked across the room at his wife.

“She’s so grown-up.”

“I know.” Francine sniffled.

“Why is everyone crying in here?” Wally asked. “Aren’t we gonna see her for Christmas?”

Everyone laughed.

“Aren’t you gonna miss me at all, you little punk?” Iris asked, ruffling his curly hair.

“Eh, maybe a little.” He shrugged, uncaringly.

Iris rolled her eyes.

“Well, it’s time to get going then, yeah?” She looked at her parents who nodded.

“Yeah,” Joe said. “That seven-hour drive is no joke.”

“Seven hours! That’s a lifetime!” Wally whined.

Ruffly barked.

“Just wait till your plane ride,” Iris egged him on. “That might be even longer.”

Wally groaned. “I hate traveling!”

“Better make sure you have something to keep you occupied with then, Walls,” Joe said, and with that Wally zipped out of Iris’ room to make sure his many bags included plenty of toys to play with on his very long journey.

“I’ll go help him,” Francine said. “We’ll meet you at the door with his things.”

“Sounds good.”

Joe smiled, but it was pained. Once Francine had left, all the toughness had melted away again, as it often did with his baby girl.

“Boy, am I gonna miss you,” he said.

“I’m gonna miss you too, Dad.” Another tear streamed down her cheek, and he was quick to wipe it away. “You look so handsome in your uniform, Dad.”

He chuckled.

“Alright, enough sadness for now. We can do this again in seven hours.”

She laughed. “Okay.”

“You wanna help me get all a million and one suitcases out to the car?”

She took a step back and looked around her room.

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

“You can apologize by helping me.”

“Deal.”

She smiled, and slowly they made their way to the front door and then the driveway with all seven of her suitcases. It took a few trips, but then she knew she would need every bit of her belongings for the long school years that lay ahead.

Her family would visit as often as they could, of course, but it would be difficult with them living overseas. She probably wouldn’t see them again until her dad was forced to move again like they were doing now.

But she’d thought long and hard   this. She longed for friendships that lasted, for a life beyond what was available to a military family. She needed to connect and to be free for a while, even at the sacrifice of not seeing her family every day, especially her mom and baby brother. This new school – Huntington Farm and Boarding School – would be just the ticket.

Out in the middle of nowhere somewhere down south, the school was on a huge stretch of lush land that also served as a farm – no animals, just crops, which was a shame, Iris thought. She’d miss having even just her dog around too.

But the place was renowned for its academics and social scene there in the middle of the wilderness. A boarding school for those who needed it, traveling families mostly; and if the colorful flyer they’d sent in the mail was any indication, Iris would absolutely love it.

“Everybody ready?” Joe asked, when everyone had piled into the car sometime later.

“Ready!” the family cheered.

Joe chuckled and started the car.

“Huntington Farm and Boarding School, here we come. Watch out for your most dazzling student yet.”

He met Iris’ eyes in the rearview mirror, and they sparkled.

“You know it!” Iris said.

Joe grinned and backed out of the driveway.

They were all on their way to bigger adventures now.

…

One year later…

Iris sat on top of the fence on the edge of the football field, waiting for who she hoped she hadn’t misinterpreted wrong. After nearly a year of first claiming he didn’t like her and then months of mixed signals, Iris was convinced he actually did like her, as much as she liked him.

Sitting on the fence post waiting for the guy to come kiss her seemed like an odd tradition, but it was built into the social aspect of the school, and she figured it was the only guaranteed way she’d know if he was really crushing or not.

She’d dressed as cute as she could for a game, and soon she’d know if it would pay off or not.

Biting her bottom lip, she gasped quietly when she saw him coming around the corner heading right towards where she had herself perched.

Barry Allen was the star football player – star of every sport he could get himself into really – and they’d been making genuine eyes at each other for weeks. Now, as he approached her, it felt as if their whole future was hanging in the balance.

He stopped about 20 feet away. Bracing himself maybe for the decision he’d have to make? Presumably have gained the courage, he continued his walk, headed straight for her and stopped directly in front of her.

Iris waited, her heart hammering a mile a minute in her chest. He was tall enough to reach her – so tall, but she bent her head anyway, and sure enough their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

She opened her eyes as he took a step back, but the smile on his face was undeniable. So was hers.

Just as he was about to say something truly romantic – she’d decided – one of his teammates burst behind them.

“Did you just kiss Iris West?”

Barry spun around, panic on his features.

“I-”

Another teammate appeared.

“Wait, what?”

“Barry just kissed Iris!”

“But I thought he hated her. He swore he did.”

Iris tensed on the top of the fence, waiting for Barry to smooth the whole thing over. It couldn’t be that big of a deal that he’d pretended to hate her all while flirting with her on the downlow for nearly a year…could it? It was annoying to her for sure, but his teammates couldn’t be that annoyed, could they?

Barry never smoothed it over.

His teammates left, looking disgusted, and Barry looked back at Iris for one more moment, not knowing what to do. Then he left, calling after them.

“Wait, guys, it’s not what it looks like!”

And Iris sat alone on top of the fence, the magical memory of her first kiss completely shattered.

How would they come back from this?

[shandragdotson]

5 Ways To Pay Off Your Mortgage Quickly

A lot of people are, understandably, interested in demolishing all of their debt and that includes figuring out how to pay off a mortgage quickly. It’s an admirable goal, and living a debt-free life can open doors to a whole new world of possibilities. 

Want to travel around the globe? Cool—with some careful planning, a valid passport, and savvy saving, the sky’s the limit! 

Ready to quit your job to homeschool the kids? You can afford to type up that resignation letter and start surfing Pinterest for curriculum ideas. 

Dream about filling a bathtub up with quarters and bathing in it like you’re Scrooge McDuck? Well, that’s kind of weird, my friend, but I’m not here to judge you. 

Eliminating your monthly mortgage payment can significantly increase your cash flow—and just about everyone likes having extra money on hand. So let’s talk about how to pay off a mortgage faster. 

How to Pay Off a Mortgage Quickly

Okay, let’s do this in five quick tips. Ready? 

#1 Pay More

Let’s start with number one, because starting with any other number wouldn’t make much sense: pay more. Yep. Have more money and then budget that money to pay more towards your mortgage. Presto Change-o, no more mortgage. 

So, yeah, that one’s important. Top notch personal finance advice, truly.

And then the next step is…well, wait, it will come to me. Okay, you know what? I forgot the other four. There were going to be five. Number one is to pay more, and that’s a good one. I had a strong start here. 

Alright, I guess it’s just the one tip, which is a bummer because five tips sounds better, and frankly, number three would have amazed you, but to pay off your home loan quickly, you have to pay more. 

However, this one tip is such a good tip, I think it’s fair to expand upon it. 

How to Pay More to Pay Off Your Mortgage 

#2 Increase Frequency of Mortgage Payments 

It seems like cheating to start on number two when this is really a new list now, you might be thinking, but what you need to be thinking about is how to pay off your mortgage quickly. Focus, people! 

A quick and relatively painless way to pay more towards your mortgage payment is to pay bi-weekly instead of monthly. Breaking your payments into two each month, even if you don’t increase the overall amount of your monthly payment, results in one extra payment each year. 

With 52 weeks in a year, bi-weekly payments means you’ll make 26 total payments, or 13 monthly payments…without impacting your monthly budget much. 

Check out YNAB’s Loan Planner tool to see how how making extra payments will affect your own outcome!

#3 Make Extra Payments Towards Mortgage Principal

When putting extra money towards your mortgage, it’s important to specify to your mortgage company that you want the overage applied to principal. 

Interest makes up a significant portion of your mortgage, and since it’s calculated on the principal balance, paying down the principal reduces the amount of interest that you’ll pay on a fixed-rate loan. 

That extra payment you’ll be making in the above bi-weekly scenario? Mark it as going towards your principal for that extra debt paydown oomph. 

See that extra money in action with YNAB’s Loan Planner.

#4 Refinance to a Shorter Loan Term

If you have a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, refinancing to a 15-year loan means you’d be paying it off in…15 years. 

(The good advice just doesn’t stop here, folks, and it’s free!) 

Yes, your monthly payment will be higher and you’re likely to have some closing costs associated with this plan but 15-year mortgages often come with a lower interest rate and you’ll be paying a lot less interest over the life of the loan due to the reduced timeline. 

Learn more about if you should refinance.

#5 Get Clear on Priorities 

When YNAB’s founder, Jesse Mecham, was 25 years old, he had a new baby and didn’t own a home yet, so he did what any normal 25-year-old would do (no, not really) and wrote “Pay off mortgage by the time I’m 30” on a notecard and stuck it in his wallet. 

And then he did it. Do you know how? 

(Okay, we just went through this whole “you have to pay more” thing and you don’t know how?) 

Let’s move on to why then:

Because he wanted to. He wanted that so much that he stayed focused on it. He lived in a mostly unfurnished home that echoed a lot and his friends and family members thought it was all very odd. He worked harder and he sacrificed other things because he wanted to pay a mortgage off enough to write that down on a notecard and stick it in his wallet before he even had a mortgage. 

So decide if you want to pay off your mortgage quickly. If that’s not one of your financial goals, that’s okay. A lot of people don’t mind having a mortgage; interest rates are low, real estate is an investment, maybe they have a prepayment penalty, or have student loans that take precedence, but for whatever reason, it’s not high on their priority list. There’s nothing wrong with that. 

Paying a mortgage off quickly has to be your priority if you want to make it happen. You choose your own intensity; maybe you get a side hustle, perhaps you skip take-out and vacations, but you pay more and you feel good doing it because you’re working towards something you really want. 

And one day you’re sitting in your bathtub full of quarters in that home that you own free and clear, thinking, “That YNAB writer said this was weird, but so was the way she numbered that list.” 

I’m looking forward to that day for you, because it will all have worked out well for both of us. 

Ready to find room in the budget to pay more towards your mortgage? Try YNAB free for 34 days.

Try YNAB for Free

The post 5 Ways To Pay Off Your Mortgage Quickly appeared first on You Need A Budget.

from Finance https://www.youneedabudget.com/five-quick-ways-to-pay-off-your-mortgage/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[theworldoffostering]

Sunday Six

1. We had a week of solid rain and grey here in the Midwest. The sun came out today and my energy levels came right up. I need to move somewhere where I see the sun more consistently throughout the entire calendar year, instead of just summer.

2. I had a guy come out to bid an egress window for the basement. $6k. 😳 It’s scheduled for the end of October. I don’t even know any more. We should not be putting that kind of money into our house because we’ll never get it back out. On the other hand, we have been here since 2009 and our family is literally 3x the size it was when we moved in. DS wants to sleep in the basement. I want to feel like it’s safe for him to do so. Free financing for the win!

3. I spent about 20 hours working this weekend. The thing about having a nearly FT job and kids home all the time, is that it’s hard to work, and now I will never have weekends again. I appreciate the flexibility, but hate never having a break. I spent most of yesterday prepping and recording a lecture, plus grading a lot of little assignments, and fixing a couple of tech mistakes in various classes. Today I was facing over 40 outlines. I have five left to go.

4. Most of DS’ curriculum came in so I’m hoping to sit down tonight and figure out a weekly plan for him, plus organize all the books and stuff that comes along with curriculum. After doing that, I’m hoping to magically figure out what Ms. 6 needs. I’m going to buddy her up with DS for science (I think). To truly homeschool her is going to take monumental effort. Here’s to hoping I don’t fail worse than the public school.

5. My new washing machine is installed and working. It’s huge! Does nearly twice as much laundry as my old one. Now my dryer won’t be able to keep up. We had to bring the washer in the house through the front door instead of the back and straight down the basement stairs. The back door wasn’t wide enough. We have a tiny landing for the back door. We nearly got it stuck. It took myself, DH, and five of the kids to get it where it needed to be. DH hauled the old one out to the alley and called a scrapper. He came and took it away for free.

6. In an effort to create some sort of bedroom space for DS in the basement, I have to get DH’s stuff out of there. He keeps his clothes down there, so I made a major effort to clean out our bedroom closet and dresser in our tiny bedroom. We are now in the process of moving his clothes into our bedroom. Welcome to ten years of marriage, folks. We are going to share a closet for the first time.

[theoddcaptain]

Alternatives to the traditional O and A Levels in Singapore: Secondary School/Pre-College

This post is not sponsored by any of the organisations listed below. 

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to criticise the Singapore education system. While it has its merits, I simply didn’t find that it was helpful to me or anyone else around when I struggled to force myself to learn things in which I had zero interest, nor did I feel were beneficial to my ever-changing future plans. This post serves as a guide and is based on my personal experience and research. Please note that this is not intended to encourage students to take the easy way out - do your absolute best in everything that you do, be open to alternatives and you’ll get there.

Living in Singapore, the route of traditional education was the one that was most familiar to my parents (and just about anyone else). It was expected that I went to a school - not necessarily one of the top ones -  followed a strictly set curriculum which consisted of a lot of rote learning, subjects I didn’t necessarily care about and a ridiculous emphasis on exam performance (meritocracy at its finest). Add this to the usual challenges of growing up - no prizes for guessing that I was not a very happy person. Instead, I preferred to learn what I wanted, when I wanted, where I wanted. Being stuck in a classroom for hours on end was a big no in my books, and by the age of 15, I hit my breaking point.

Note: Under the Compulsory Education Act of 2000, all Singapore citizens must attend and complete education in a national primary school for six years before attaining the age of 15, unless the Ministry of Education grants you an exemption, which is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please do not under circumstances break the law. 

With some research and convincing, my parents finally let me take charge of my education, and I’m doing what I love today.

If you (or your children) are looking to homeschool, want to try another way, or are just looking for a backup option, here are three alternatives you may wish to consider to help you get to university or wherever you choose.

1. International GED (General Educational Development Tests) Diploma

Screenshot from the GED website

Cost: US$75 per subject (S$101), or US$300 (SG$404) for all four subjects. Time: As long as you’d like, but I’d recommend doing an exam every week for a month, or one every two weeks to keep the momentum going.  Age restrictions: Generally 18, but you can get an age waiver from GED if you are at least 16 years old (with parental consent).

According to the GED website, it is the #1 most recognised higher secondary certificate around the world. With four subjects that include the Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, the GED Diploma is a credential that is accepted by universities even in Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and the like. You can find a full list of countries and universities that accept it here. Do note, however, that while the GED Diploma is accepted by the listed universities, this may not always mean direct entry to their undergraduate course, rather to their Foundation programs. Always do your research - call to ask if you have to!

I’d also recommend that you take the SAT or ACT and do your best to get a good score, as it would take a significant headache off you when it comes to attempting to apply to universities. The GED, like CollegeBoard for SAT and ACT, also offers accommodations for those with learning differences or disabilities that you can apply for with documentation. Additionally, the GED Ready tests are a great help to gauge your preparation for the real exams, and there are also some prep courses you can take if you need a helping hand. The GED Diploma may also grant you college credit if you do decide to study in the US.

Once you pass all four subjects, you get a nice diploma and transcript, and it’s yours forever, with no expiry date. Congratulations!

2. Cambridge or Edexcel IGCSE or A Levels (British Council)

Screenshot from British Council Singapore

Cost: S$395-$595 per subject (depending on if you take the Double Award Sciences, Extended papers, etc) for IGCSE, and from S$296 to $900+ for the ‘A’ Level subjects. Time: Depends on how much you study, but I’d recommend 6 months to a year of preparation.  Age restrictions: None.

These exams are what public schools in the UK take. Whilst similar exams are taken in Singapore, there’s no requirement to take Mother Tongue (MT) subjects. I’d still recommend that you do, though, because being bilingual or even multilingual goes a long way on your university applications and when it comes to applying for jobs eventually. Here’s an article on why being multilingual would be a great help in getting hired. There’s also no practical sciences (Alternative To Practical papers are taken instead). Be aware that for IGCSE, the Double Award papers are a combination of all three sciences, so if you’ve been made fun of for ‘not taking Pure Science’, here’s your chance to give it a go.

Most universities I’ve seen require one to have at least five to six IGCSE subjects and at least three A Levels, but again, different places have different requirements.

3. US Advanced Placement ‘AP’ exams

Screenshot from the CollegeBoard AP website

Cost: US$125 (about S$168) per exam Time: It depends, but don’t rush. Age restrictions: None The Advanced Placement (AP) exams are in subjects at college-level standards. They are recognised worldwide, and some universities also recognise them for direct entry into their undergraduate programs. The subjects on offer include Calculus, Physics, Psychology, World History, Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science. While they’re not impossible, do remember that they are college level exams, and one should not treat them lightly. 

The AP has the potential to save you time and money when you eventually go to college - you can even earn credits before setting foot on-campus, allowing you to skip introductory courses and proceed to higher-level ones. 

Not a one-size-fits-all approach

Everyone learns and progresses differently. We each also have our own strengths and weaknesses. By extension, our paths to success may differ, as well as the definition of success to each person. No matter which path you may take, it helps to remember that you are special in your own ways, and that learning and education is a lifelong journey, so if one way doesn’t work, try another! 

Good luck! 

[a-woman-apart]

Watch "I'M BACK! WHY I LEFT YOUTUBE FOR TWO YEARS!" on YouTube

This scared me so badly, because this is EXACTLY what happened in my life, except it was all in The Reverse.

I graduated with an Associate Degree in Music Performance in 2018, but instead of running TOWARDS my dream/calling I ran hardcore AWAY from it. My pride in graduating only lasted a month before I declared myself Utterly Unmarketable and sought to go after a "real degree" and get a Big Girl career.

Between 2018 and 2020 I had major life changes.

My dad died of stomach cancer

I broke up with my neglectful boyfriend

I turned down a Full Ride to a major college

I hospitalized myself for Suicidal Ideation (Sept 2019)

I quit my job of 5 years

I started working for my best friend and became her Office Manager

I started dating the Love of my Life

I lost my friend group and peer support

I lost my mind and left college due to COVID-19 (but not before making one of my best decisions in taking a Screenwriting class because I WANTED not NEEDED it)

Started distancing myself from the toxic women in my life and definining Womanhood/Adulthood for myself

Visited my brother's grave after over a decade of waiting and got closure

Fully acknowledged my childhood trauma/abuse

Rediscovered my sexuality

Was disowned by who I erroneously thought was a close friend of 17 years over my political views

Joined and exited Unity2020

Turned in my car for repossession

Spent a week in the hospital after having a severe, paranoid psychotic break, but came out completely free of the vice of self-consciousness I was living under

You know what is nuts? I feel in many ways, I have completely reverted to who I was in the summer of 2011. I was off my meds, and it WAS mania, but personality-wise, the tempestuous, gum-chewing, cigarette-puffing, flirtatious, humorous, free-spirited ball of fire that drove all the way to Colorado on a whim wasn't rebellious, SHE WAS ME.

I just wasn't Me around the right people, and it wasn't the Right Time.

My inner Sagittarius moon would remain in a dormant state for almost a full decade. I would spend the next 9 years heavily sedated, sleepwalking through life, only alive at The Sound of Music.

It was Torture to feel so much but be afraid to express myself. I had to Hide while doing a major that demanded that I Command Attention. I am by nature "dramatic", "theatrical", "emotional", "expressive" but that part of me was so suppresed that I was frequently told I sang with excellence but without emotion.

Aside: During my 2011 manic episode, I spoke a lot about Doppelgangers. Without going into excessive detail, this is a German word that means "Double" and it is considered bad luck to encounter yours.

In the past 2 weeks, I have encountered people that look/sound like me (Josephine is Nigerian-Canadian and I am Nigerian-American and I kept thinking about her work even though I initially disagreed with her lot) and a woman with my name (different spelling) who was NOTHING like me and I also think might've had malice in mind for me.

I was DEFINITELY an agnostic atheist when I started this year, but as a result of undergoing so much weird shit I almost certainly believe in God, and yes, "God is a Woman." (More on that later)

Also, I realized that I really DID, as many teenage girls, "lose interest in math and science" but that was because of the terrible, unfactual way it was presented in my homeschool curriculum and by my mom, who was a Math major but whose disinterested detachment made every algebra lesson an excercise in torture.

I have always loved biolology and anatomy and I remember so much more chemistry than I thought. Geology class in community college was amazing and also helped me understand-- even more than the Theory of Evolution-- why young earth creationism was completely impossible.

As for math, I spent 15 years thinking it was my greatest weakness when I have had to use arithmetic in cashiering, my managerial work, and my monthly budget for the last 7 years. Also, as annoying as it was to hear constantly, my mom parroting "What you have to do to one side, you have to do to the other" (but in reverse) gave me the ability to do Algebra quickly and (mostly) effortlessly. I could never get A's, but I got a B in Quantitative Mathematics with no real help aside from occasional teacher input and the "Help me solve this" function of MyMathLab.

Here is where it Gets Weird. I am a Creative. I have been writing stories since I was 6 years old. I have loved Story all my life. My parents were in math and science fields and they completely lacked any creativity. COMPLETELY. It was part of why they were so religiously rigid, authoritarian, and draconian. There was no room for spontaneity or childish imaginativeness.

Looking back, I had major sensory and processing issues. I was likely speech delayed, I learned to read late, and I recently confirmed that when I am stressed my dyscalculia kicks in bad (it IS real). Numbers and symbols get really interchangeable (like an 8 and infinity symbol become kinda the same) which is why I had to recite phone numbers out loud to remember them or write them on colorful backgrounds so I can see them in my head as an image. Also explains my aversion to math but my ease with fractions (1/2 is half a sandwich, etc).

My spatial awareness is also shit when stressed. Before I turned in our car, I had earned the nickname "U-turn" from my boyfriend because on that Floating Death Machine left and right got completely crossed, frequently.

By the way, I struggled with right and left until I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. I literally didn't understand the concept of a mirror and 3D space, meaning that the basic understanding that my right is someone else's left didn't come into play until I had an argument with my [now-deceased] brother about it.

What is so weird, is that because of years of correcting for these issues, my sense of direction, ON FOOT is good, if not better than most people. Also, once I realized that, given the opportunity, I very much do whatever I can with my left-hand, and that my hearing is MUCH better than I even thought, I am far less clumsy. Depth perception is still crap, but that is probably also because I was forced to spend years without the glasses I needed (and got earlier this year after living with chronic eye strain)

When I talk about these "issues" it is in line with female autism, but you know what? If really do have adult autism, then I am a Complete Boss because I have pwned that ho.

After being rehospitalized, a kind nurse suggested I may have PTSD and suggested medicine for insomnia and nightmares. It was extremely helpful. I had been looking into C-PTSD for a while, because I didn't think I had "suffered enough" to have "real" PTSD. But that isn't how diagnoses work.

Btw, I still have Bipolar I, Psychotic Features. Another kind nurse told me I don't need anti-psychotics, and no, I don't. I was given Zyprexa by a bitch nurse and it was like getting drunk. I stumbled the halls, almost fell over (possibly did) and woke up with a neon "Fall Risk" bracelet. Anti-psychotics also fucked up my menstrual cycle for years and I have had lingering hormonal isssues. Haha no thanks.

Anyway, I digress. Of course I am fucked up. I lived under family members who questioned my reality, attempted to crush my dreams, threatened me with physical punishment any time I behaved in non-neurotypical ways, violated my rights and interfered with my treatment even though I was a full legal adult, undermined my relationships, tortured and socially isolated me, etc., all under the guise "of knowing best."

In minority cultures, our darkness hides in plain sight, and ESPECIALLY in the Bible Belt, with its supeestition and idolization of familial hierarchy/patriarchy, victims of financial, spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse have no where safe to turn. The Long Arm of the Law is often Short when it comes to "breaking up the family", and women and children are victimized openly with little to no intervention.

On top of doing my Creative Work, I plan to create legislation to make sure that what happened to me and my siblings isn't allowed to go unpunished. We lost my older brother, and I almost died, too, but Enough is Enough.

The Time is Now.

P.S. If Josephine is an Air Nomad I identify as a Water Bender. I basically have no water in my astrological chart, but water signs bring me great comfort in times of need (and make bad romantic partners for me obviously)

Also, this is one Bad Biyatch.

I also found out I am an ISFJ, not INFJ. Yep. Gonna be a Playwright and Director. I want to be a part of the action, not just writing about it.