Our story: The past and the future

As we wind down our fun in the sun – summer programs, and prepare for fall – I’m sitting here thinking back to all the programs we’ve facilitated over decades. I’m especially thankful for the unexpected EDventures over the past decade.

Over a decade ago Mi Families facilitated early education programs, trainings for early ed providers, and parenting classes in classrooms and homes. I worked with kids and adults while my boys were to school. Like many mom’s I worked while they were on “traditional” school paths… until my husband asked me to try homeschooling them. One needed to “catch up” and the other needed to “slow down.” One was getting lost in a system that was pushing him ahead when he wasn’t ready, and the other was literally getting lost because he was a “runner” and wouldn’t stay in the classroom – or even the building.

The runner had 3 years of special ed programs and traditional classrooms with group speech therapy before homeschooling. Within months of us taking him out of classrooms and getting him 1on1 speech he began to talk and lost most of the “red flags” that labeled his needs. As he began to talk we realized he could read. He was fast at learning new skills and still fast at running, so we put him in lots of sports and found groups through community and church programs, etc. We found homeschool groups for him and his brother and they found friends and thrived.

My boys would have survived school, but they thrived with homeschool. This fall the 100mph boy has been accepted into an Engineering Academy where he’ll be doing “early college” through the community college and career tech center. His brother just finished a graphics arts program at the career tech center, where he was awarded Student of the Quarter and Honor Roll multiple times. He will continue at CTC for their Writers Studio program. My boy who had multiple learning labels, including dyslexia, has plans to be an author / illustrator! This boy went from needing multiple therapeutic services and other services to finding his gifts and talents as an artist and storyteller. He started homeschooling in 2nd grade and is starting his senior year.

This year we will have a senior, 11th grader, and 2nd grader. My kids have spent their educational years doing their core subjects at home in their own timing and own learning styles. They spent their educational years having opportunities to travel, having opportunities to learn to fly, having opportunities to take classes of interest and meet friends with similar interests – instead of just friends based on same age classrooms. They spent this past decade with many of the same friends who weren’t separated into different classrooms every year. They have friends who have become family. We are friends with their friends families. I’m so thankful for the unexpected EDventures over the past decade and the supportive friends we have met along the way.

If you are looking for homeschooling support email me at Christi@MiFamilies.com. Email me if you’d like to join our homeschooling groups and meet more friends as you navigate such unexpected EDventures. Here are the EDventures we are prepping for this fall.

Heads up – ALL programs have limited spots so if you’d like to save a spot get in touch soon!

Hope to see you this fall!!!

Posted in Back2School, Education, Family, Homeschool, Mi Families, Michigan, Parents Tagged with: , , , , ,

Jan-May24’Review w/Summer Preview

Mi Families (“my families”) facilitates programs for families. All sorts of programs! Check out our website to learn more AND click the pics below to see what some of our programs looked like this past spring. From 1on1s to group EDventures our programs include tot thru teen developmental services, preschool-high school classes, field trips, and more! This past semester we had fun in tutoring sessions, life skill challenges, gym & self-defense classes, STEAM studies, outdoor ed … We explored museums, enjoyed performances, met up to skate, sled, bowl… and our teens even met up at dances. Take a look at our fun below and the upcoming “fun in the sun” summer programs attached to end of pics! At the end of our summer programs we’ll have a “not back to school” party and back to the books-swap before starting our 24-25 “school year.” Tomorrow we’ll end our spring programs at the Pit Spitters game!

We always have so much fun together during the school year that we don’t want to stop in the summers! Our summer programs are not just for homeschoolers 🙂 They are for anyone who wants to have fun in da sun with us! Click the pics above for more info on: Mi Mini Camp Monday Mornings (like outdoor ed for 3-8yr olds), Team Time Tuesdays (sport camp afternoons for 7-12&13-18 yr olds), Wilderness Wednesday (hikes for the whole family), Therapeutic Thursdays (& Tutor times), AND Free fun Friday’s for those enrolled in the other programs. At summers end we’ll have our annual not-back2-school party and a school supply swap (August 21st) before starting our fall programs after Labor Day! Those in our 24-25 school year programs will be invited to more field trips and activities such as a graduation party this time next year! Hope you can join us for all the fun. Any questions? Email Christi@MiFamilies.com

Posted in Education, Family, Homeschool, Learning through Play, Mi Families Tagged with: , , , , ,

…There’s more in store for 2024

2023 was an unpredictable year, but we still had lots of fun in all our programs. Here’s some pics of what we were up to the last half of the year … and info on what programs we’ll have starting off this new year!

Both programs above will start with a meet and greet January 31st, and end with a park picnic and graduation celebration around Memorial week. Both programs include open play / hang out times as well as field trips. This is an extended winter-spring semester with lots of fun hands on and feet in activities planned! We hope you can join us for the activities, but spaces are limited so please find Mi Families on Facebook to message for more info OR email Christi@MiFamilies.com to hold student spaces! ( PS. New developmental assistance programs and tutor time spaces will be opening up soon as well. )

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with:

Time to plan programs: Fall23

I thought we were still in the middle of the summer – so I was surprised to get messages asking what fall programs are planned. Then I realized next week is August and fall programs start in just over a month. So I asked some of those in our summer programs what they’d like offered this fall. I got a lot of requests for more “active” learning, more hands-on-messy-learning… so scroll through the pics to see our summer learning and view fall programming options. (Click to see details)

Join us this fall for a 1st – 5th grade kid creation class, a teen time creation class, a teen team gym and games program, elementary gym and games, and an early ed program. We’ll also have a family craft and choir time in December with senior sing-a-long! It’s going to be a great fall semester. This summer we’ve been busy with mini camps and tutor times – and finding time for group adventures and field trips. Did you know that when you sign up for a class you get first invites that semester to private field trips? This summer our spring students got to go to a PitSpitters ballgame for FREE and we a had a lovely private tour of the bug/butterfly house! In the fall we usually do apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes in the dark, holiday parties, the music house at Christmas time … We have such a great group of families and our small group classes really help kids get to know each other and build long lasting friendships. Some of our students have spent the past 7 years learning and growing together! If you would like such an experience for your family, email Christi@MiFamilies.com

Posted in Back2School, Curriculums, Education, Family, Health, Holidays, Homeschool, Language/Literacy, Learning through Play, Math, Meet our Director, Mi Families, Michigan, Motor Skills, Our World, Parents Tagged with:

2023 review & preview

Well the first half of 2023 sure did fly by! Mi Families – families kept busy enjoying unique programs for tutoring services, early education opportunities, tot thru teen electives like art and gym, and private field trips … Below are some pics from our winter/spring EDventures AND information about our upcoming summer mini camps! Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for information about our summer mini camps &/or plans for next fall! The 23-24 school year will be here before you know it ~ between now and then join us for some fun in the sun!

More information about activities for the second half of 2023 will be posted soon 🙂

Posted in Uncategorized

’22Yearbook &’23Programs

Here is what Mi Families programs looked like fall-winter 2022. Click pics for a better view –

and scroll down for info on what programs will look like during our spring 23′ semester…

February – May 2023 will be a busy one! Click images above for some details …

There are a couple tutoring spots for Mondays still available, Tuesdays we have PE classes for tots – teens, Wednesdays we’ll be offering lil’ learner programs through the HEN co-op, Thursdays will be all sorts of arts and smarts programming for tots – teens, and Fridays there is 1 tutoring spot left open. Most tutoring spaces and classes are full. Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for any information regarding our past, present, or future programs

or visit our programming page here

AND CHECK OUT OUR HANDBOOK HERE

Posted in Uncategorized

’21Yearbook &’22Programs

As I prepare for the 2022-23 school year I thought I’d write an update …the plan for those asking what classes and programs we’re preparing for.  I think many are preparing for this school year with high hopes that we’re done with the covid-chaos.  Covid isn’t going to disappear, but most have made their personal decisions regarding masks, vaccines, etc – and are ready to move forward.  Forward, into the future, feels unpredictable after the closing and cancelations covid caused, so we move forward with plans based on what if’s.  What if it all goes as planned and we have an amazing year with this present plan? The present plan is to offer tutoring options Mondays, Tuesday mornings is a pre reading/writing/illustration class for little learners, and Tuesday afternoons there will be outdoor ed options for elementary groups and tweens/teens.  Wednesdays we’re prepping for a fun art eXperience for teens at the HEN co-op (Homeschool Enrichment Network).  Thursdays there will be gym classes, self defense / martial arts, arts, and acting.  Friday’s are filling up with field trip options…  (Click to read more about some of the program options below):

PXL_20220816_032732667

PXL_20220816_032028857

PXL_20220816_032113101

PXL_20220816_032221058

PXL_20220816_032305571

PXL_20220816_032416843

PXL_20220816_032526643

PXL_20220816_032614439

So, the present plan is to prepare for these future classes.  Past classes during the last school year included a Rockin-Recorder Band, Self Defense programs, teen Skill builderZ, Gym classes for all ages, early EDventures, art smART, STEM/science studies, Tech Time (computer programing, video editing, 3d printing, robotics, rockets…), iLLUSTRATION and computer graphic arts, D&Drama storytelling … So many amazing classes with some amazing students! We also did a family program of “wandering in the woods”  and offered opportunities for youth sports and playdates and field trips and so much more! Here’s last years “year book” – which is NOT an any particular order since there were too many memorable moments to get through! After you scroll through and see the moments made together – you’ll find contact info to sign up and join in the fun!

20210922_134155

20210922_164630

20210929_100649

20210929_111955

20210929_193340

20211006_124018

20211006_133841

20211013_104119

20211013_135521

20211013_233220

img_3497_51693073157_o

IMG_20220710_141749

original_b795a546-c544-4b90-a3f7-a2fd7a03a920_PXL_20220405_173109388

PXL_20211020_163324481

PXL_20211026_184048034_2

PXL_20211026_221143103

PXL_20211027_151331180

PXL_20211027_170105629

PXL_20211103_153344227_2

PXL_20211103_164822611_2

PXL_20211127_184009663

PXL_20211201_154431841

PXL_20220201_204055201

PXL_20220210_184309973

PXL_20220301_183251823

PXL_20220303_194359694

PXL_20220308_185550546

PXL_20220312_190031134

PXL_20220313_205034388

PXL_20220315_183107494

PXL_20220317_181429770

PXL_20220322_193007951

PXL_20220405_181652229

PXL_20220406_190723466

PXL_20220407_175945529_2

PXL_20220411_180316557

PXL_20220412_001532061

PXL_20220412_181920609

PXL_20220414_181847004

PXL_20220419_174400155

PXL_20220421_173206318

PXL_20220504_174050422

PXL_20220505_173016131

PXL_20220505_182611362

PXL_20220510_175000893

PXL_20220510_192445859

PXL_20220511_193806789

PXL_20220517_173452763

PXL_20220517_194803281

PXL_20220519_172944325

PXL_20220519_190923713

PXL_20220523_160607114

PXL_20220524_173721149

PXL_20220526_202728771

PXL_20220601_191138923

PXL_20220607_172636827

PXL_20220609_203926285

PXL_20220621_144027047

PXL_20220623_235151849

PXL_20220629_211859635

PXL_20220808_190639352

43705

If you made is this far you can see why I don’t consider my family or Mi-Students simply “homeschoolers.”  We are world schoolers or life schoolers or whatever else you want to call us.  Join us and discover a lifestyle that fosters a lifetime love for learning.  You can join these upcoming classes and other HEN programs by visiting www.MiHen.org or by emailing Christi@MiFamilies.com

Posted in Uncategorized

Back2School * The chaotic FUN of2021

I’m sorry I haven’t posted program updates in a LONG time … The covid-choas kept changing program plans so we thought we’d wait to post updates til’ things calmed down. I’m not sure when that will be though so I’m just gonna post what we have been up to so far this year. Even with the chaos – 2021 has been fun! Here’s some of the pics taken during covid closings / forced family time AND our adventures with homeschool friends / small Mi Families groups.  Scroll to the end to see plans for future Mi Families groups and programs:

FB_IMG_1614089902859

winter picnic

20210203_161757

snow boarding

20210221_172633

sledding party

20210217_113815

sk8 class

20210303_115033

ice skating 101

20210223_162900

snow man building

20210223_185517

snow tub challenge

20210223_173447

mini hot tub

20210221_174017

don’t waste fires during nice weather 😉 make bonfires in winter

20210226_162114

watching snow melt

20210302_132217

skiing 101

20210302_181754

ski races

20210301_154821

ice blocks

20210312_155831

snow painting

20210312_155354

mr snow heads

20210309_155829

melting snow = mud monster

20210320_164418

mining

20210113_191320

best chess set

20210126_122314

baking

20210126_171135

robotics

20201229_190610

books

20210101_154844

homeschool

20210128_162249

speech therapy = bubbles and hand puppets

20210201_123826

b/c I wanted a grilled cheese 😉

20210202_121602

use old poster board as a safe painting spot

20210205_180527

reward readers

20210202_130216

chore challenges

20210205_194542

have them make their own games

20210226_221200

classic comics

20210225_132721

reading with daddy

20210306_163849

STEM studies

20210319_124149

pizza party

20210316_173606

art smart

20210404_120121

splash pad

20210322_165137

my monkeys

20210323_162206

jump start

20210405_000401

mine ruins

20210415_162325

weather watchers

20210415_162507

weather wheel

20210418_172437

swamp monsters

PXL_20210512_174153524

live action science class

PXL_20210519_173758917._exported_1165_1621461066439

EDventures: Explore and Experiment

PXL_20210519_165705585

frisbee golf fun

20210414_124841

making up games/sports in Fit Fun = art and action class

20210407_164331

martial arts / self defense

20210414_133615

outdoor ed

20210428_122803

art in the park

PXL_20210709_203331083

spring cleaning

PXL_20210516_190705508._exported_1332_1621192108197

veggie garden start up

image

bird house

PXL_20210528_152814614._exported_962_1622236449072

bug house

PXL_20210528_152532411.MP

bees and honey

PXL_20210602_150944548

Park Preschool (rock art day)

PXL_20210618_180920081

farm field trip

PXL_20210614_152131865

putt-putt

PXL_20210705_222123378

climbing trees – sideways

PXL_20210705_221856684_2

lk superior

PXL_20210704_211236973

fishin buddies

PXL_20210702_233429090

canoe adventures

PXL_20210630_215232936_2

copper harbor, Mi

PXL_20210701_012109807

keweenaw fall tour

PXL_20210701_194146283

berry pickin w/ grandma

PXL_20210703_023226640

fireworks and fires

PXL_20210702_211947934

copper mine

PXL_20210630_214801445

ft Wilkins

PXL_20210630_201001027_2

Brockway mtn

PXL_20210525_173642476.PORTRAIT

homeschool summer school

PXL_20210613_203757869

biker gang

20210830_162557

rock and shell collecting

20210826_160418

lk Michigan

20210826_144316

sleeping bear dunes

20210826_145505

hot hike

20210820_102122

cuyahoga valley national park

20210819_124733

Gettysburg

20210818_144734

Smithsonian

20210817_192302

they saw ALL the DC mall monuments

20210817_185407

Vietnam wall…looking for Papa’s friends name

20210815_160708

National Aquarium

20210815_123120

Liberty bell

20210814_150100

Empire st bldg

20210814_115651

Ground zero… We saw all 3 memorial sites on this trip: the Towers, Pentagon, and flight93

42102

Liberty sunset cruise

20210812_222319

Cedar Point

20210812_151015

Lots of fairs and our first amusement park adventure

20210829_200049

drive in movie

20210831_113659

sand dough

20210901_113019

back to school – all about me sheets

Three

Back 2 school photo for these3

20210825_144954

my PK kid loves books – especially from Usborne! Want some – I’ll hook you up 🙂

20210829_155344

CLICK to see our goal for this fall… It won’t happen as is, b/c of life, but we’re slowly starting to have a schedule again

FB_IMG_1618509312903

Need homeschool help? Looking for co-ops? Seeking a tutor? Email Christi@MiFamilies.com

If you made it through all that ~ Congrats 🙂 You win! I’m not sure what you win, but I hope you win a great Back2School season, whether that is in a traditional classroom or homeschool setting.  Need any homeschool help or looking for co-op? Seeking a tutor or developmental services? Email me at Christi@MiFamilies.com

ALSO email me if you’d like updates as Mi Families begins to build up our post covid-crisis classes.  These classes will be covid cautious (some indoors some outside). Most of the fall programs are full, but there are a couple tutor time spaces available and winter programs will be posted around the holidays and start right after new years. 2022 is on the way and so are some great opportunities for education through recreation, hands on and feet in activities, field trips and other EDventures!

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

NEW year = NEW programs

In 2020 Mi Families shut down with the rest of the world! We knew we would have to be creative when we re-opened programs to make sure everyone stayed safe and healthy … So the last half of the year was spent outside in small groups!

The first part of this next year is proving tricky to plan because of Michigan’s weather, but my family (& Mi (my) Families) is coming up with some AMAZING new programs for this new year! Take a look through what we were up to the last part of 2020 and at the end of our picture review you’ll find 2021 programs!

20200901_145526 20200901_155742 20200902_101127 20200902_112320 20200902_132245 20200902_134109 20200902_144308 20200902_161148 20200902_161244 20200903_115431 20200906_203428 20200908_111543 20200908_144807 20200908_145844 20200909_112256 20200909_140259 20200910_110443 20200914_170851 20200915_144252 20200915_165307 20200915_173429 20200915_174309 20200916_111047 20200916_114723 20200916_224258 20200918_150838 20200922_141802 20200922_142122 20200923_115125 20200923_123730 20200923_125648 20200923_180627 20200924_112135 20200924_114727 20200929_151915 20200929_221930 20200929_222301 20200930_115631 20200930_130122 20200930_135134 20200930_135646 20200930_143223 20200930_190129 20201001_112506 20201004_112523 20201006_143319 20201006_150726 20201007_110711 20201007_111617 20201007_113800 20201007_161027 20201011_124808 20201011_145811 20201012_115457 20201012_234706 20201013_232740 20201013_232843 20201013_233005 20201014_125137 20201016_153607 20201020_225114 20201021_115001 20201021_153346 20201025_170003 20201027_141936 20201027_231623 20201027_232848 20201027_233152 20201028_111744 20201028_111814 20201028_112705 20201028_135621 20201028_224032 20201028_230453 20201029_112506 20201103_142807 20201103_150251 20201103_151547 20201104_205929 20201104_222508 20201104_222726 20201105_121725 20201106_173531 20201107_233552 20201108_232055 20201108_232242 20201109_113602 20201109_174346 20201114_123422 20201119_163940 20201124_154918 20201125_121621 20201130_154841 20201202_183210 20201214_162531 20201224_202356 20201224_221112 20201226_213132

Even though the world shut down in 2020 – our family did not.  We continued to find ways to interact with our mi families friends and are looking forward to our 2021 interactions and covid-conscious programs.  Click image below to see schedule in larger format.  the activities highlighted in yellow are groups that you may be able to add your child too… If you have any questions about those programs  – or tutoring etc – email Christi@MiFamilies.com

20210101_140411

HAPPY NEW YEAR – we’re so happy to offer new programs … dates and details will be announced soon!

Posted in Uncategorized

Back 2 School 2

20200705_193307

Time to finish up another adventurous summer.  Time to start an adventurous fall!

20200729_115104

Our family has outdoor adventures year round and this fall we’ve invited other families to join us.

20200729_120301

Mi Families programs will look a little different this fall as most will be outdoors!

20200821_152450

Mi Families facilitates programs for families and those who work with families across the state,

20200724_115810

but due to covid most programs this year will only be offered in the grater Grand Traverse area.

20200804_212416

This year all large group classes will be held outdoors, even some of of our small group and one2one services.

20200707_153547

Tutoring and developmental services will have indoor options, which will include mask options.

20200813_191306

Masks will not be required outdoors, but social distancing will be encouraged in all programs.

20200813_131053

This fall our programs include homeschool consultations for individual families and local groups.

20200825_151807

FUNctional FAMilies will be be offered for individual families and local groups as well.

20200825_145126

We also are offering a family EDventure program and a tween/teen EDventure program.

20200825_150457

There will also be 2 different Park PK+plus programs that are a part of an Early Ed Explorer curriculum.

20200804_212957

Fit and Fun curriculums will be a part of a local local coop, as well as a Morning Muscles and Martial Arts group.

20200827_105711

Smaller group options are also starting up for a D&D club and STEAM classes.

20200827_14541420200827_145546

ALL classes and programs will provide hand sanitizer as well as supplies to do activities from home …

20200826_230523

Supplies will be provided if a family wants to participate separately due to germs or weather.

20200825_134454

The first week of programming our weather was perfect and it looks like another perfect week for adventures.

20200827_114731

If you are participating in programs this week please bring water bottles!

20200827_113330

You might also want to bring sun screen, bug spray, and changes of clothes depending on activities.

20200827_113333

You might also want to bring your phone to take pictures and for safety…

20200827_182834

This week we’ll be talking about safety in a lot of our classes and focusing on SUPER ME activities.

20200827_112401

This is going to be a super school year! Think positively as you start your back-2-school season.

20200827_105756

Even if covid has changed your back to school plans think and act positively!

20200818_164907

Kids feel our negative and nervous energy.  During transitions try and show excited over anxious energy.

20200818_164441

Talk to kids about their feelings during any transitions, especially when heading into unpredictable times.

20200826_132137

This school year is an unpredictable time but try and show off excitement as you head into a new semester.

20200830_224953

Each semester looks very different at our house but we never stop learning.

20200824_134213

Semester and seasonal activities change but we always keep our routine similar for easier transitions.

20200824_133349

Instead of stopping one grade and having a summer off of learning and starting school again in fall –

20200824_133135

we have a transition day when we finish certain goals and celebrate moving onto next grade levels.

20200824_134132

We celebrate and talk about goals and plans and the schedule for the next season.

20200824_134159

Our back to school process looks different than others, but we’re going back to school too!

20200824_132603

Our school year looks different than past years, but we’re still learning and still having fun adventures!

59e21d641500002800da1713

Want to join us for adventures? Email Christi@MiFamilies.com or visit www.MiFamilies.com for more info

Capture_2018-06-14-09-02-34-1

Posted in Uncategorized