The Dow's Schoolroom

I love toys. I always have. Thankfully, I have been blessed with six healthy boys to buy toys for. One thing I have learned is that there is a limit to the amount of toys any single family should own. Since I can't keep buying toys for my kids, I figured I would buy for others. With the addition of an Educational Toy section to my already established Home School Curriculum website, I can buy lots of toys and then ship them off to others that have bought them from me.

No, we are not a big warehouse with tons of inventory, we don't have a store front (at least not yet) for you to come browse around in. We are a normal family with inventory taking over our garage. We are learning to put the internet to use bringing some wonderful educational toys to people that are looking for them. We appreciate your support and would feel honored if you share our website with others. If, as you browse through the Educational Toys section, you find a limited amount of girl toys, just keep in mind that with six boys, I don't have a whole lot of experience buying toys for girls. I tend to just automatically know what little boys want and need. Be patient with me, I'm learning.

Let me introduce my family. We have six sons.

Matthew is now married to a lovely girl (Sarah) who was herself home schooled. He just recently received his degree in graphic design and is working and living in the Los Angeles area. Sarah is a nanny which is allowing her to do one of her favorite things -- be around kids.

James is now attending college as a freshman at mine and Danny's alma mater Florida College. He has only been there a couple of weeks but I think he's really enjoying himself. He is in the Chorus. That was one of my stipulations before he left -- he had to try out for it. He held up his part of the deal.

Andrew is ready to start learning to drive. He is a great help with his little brothers and he is in the process of making his own mandolin. He plays the viola and will be learning to play the bass violin this year.

Timothy is definitely our music lover. He plays violin, viola, piano and will begin taking trumpet lessons next week. He spends his spare time making his own violin and writing music.

Jonathan is a great reader and still loves to draw. He will have his first really hard year of school this year. We'll see how it goes. Up until now, we've just been learning to read, practicing reading and doing a little math. He's learning to play the piano.

Benjamin is almost ready to start reading. I think once we really get started with the phonics he'll pick it up quickly. He's the last one, so we're kind of hanging on to his babyhood as long as we can.

I am the mom (Diana). I do the academic teaching around here. I also teach violin/piano lessons privately in my home. This will be the third year for a home school string orchestra that I'm conducting. This year I have nearly 30 students in 3 different orchestras. It is a lot of fun. I'm also starting something new this year. I'll be teaching a beginning Latin class. That's something I never would've thought about learning if I hadn't started home schooling. One of my favorite things to do is to teach Bible class. You can read about the current class I'm teaching at my blog Diary of a Bible Class Teacher. Occasionally I blog about other things going, especially about home schooling at my blog entitled I'm In It For The Long Haul.

Danny is the dad and my husband of 27 years. He has preached the gospel for the past 26 years. He is presently laboring with the HUNTINGTON CHURCH OF CHRIST in Huntington, Texas. He is our spiritual guide and is thoroughly enjoying helping Andrew and Timothy make their instruments.