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FREE Home-School Resources

Our world is under different circumstances with the closings of schools and businesses due to the Corona Virus. If you find yourself suddenly quarantined at home with your kiddos and have no clue what to do, keep reading. My hope is to provide you some resources from a work from home, homeschooling mama. Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, 2 and a newborn. Here are some easy, cheap or free activities that my kids truly enjoy. I’m hoping they add some sanity to your new homeschooling life as well. It really is a privilege to be at home with your kids!

3-5 years old

Our 4 year old is constantly on the move, but he will sit to do school! He loves it. Here are some free handwriting printables. All you need is the free worksheet, a pencil and crayons. http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/free_pages/Aa_to_Mm.pdf http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/free_pages/Nn_to_Zz.pdf

Music

I use these music cards all the time and they are free to print. https://thefameschoolblog.com/2012/06/06/first-piano-lesson-activity-piano-keyboard-pattern-cards/

I like to play Sing Spell Read and Write music that I find on YouTube while my budding readers are playing. Here is that link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBs2y-XJitQ&list=PLrtE5C373xWbqIvqbhaPhIaNIQYSqsqJp

Art

My kids LOVE art! We use https://www.artforkidshub.com/ often. Your kids will be making masterpieces in no time.

Coloring is great for all ages, here are free topical coloring pages. https://www.coloring.ws/coloring.html

Typing

My oldest uses this to learn typing. I’ve been told this is what some schools use as well. https://www.typing.com/

Math

Free math worksheets for grades k-6th https://www.k5learning.com/free-math-worksheets

This next math suggestion isn’t free but it’s worth every single penny. My kids love it! https://www.ctcmath.com/

Gym

It’s cold outside and our kids need to burn off energy! YouTube to the rescue again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_A_HjHZxfI&t=705s https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Simple Quick Bread Recipe

Kids love to eat, so teach them how to cook and bake! This recipe is so easy and SO good. You probably have all these ingredients in your home, so what are you waiting for? Just be sure to include your kids while making it. http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/10/the-amazing-amish-cinnamon-bread.html

Free Home Fun

-Make a blanket fort

-Make a painter’s tape maze for hot wheels cars

-Do home chores together

-Play with legos

-Read books together

-Side-Walk Chalk Art

-Play a board game

-Make play dough, we love this recipe!

*Here’s one more giant freebie list http://lifeaslanhams.com/free-printables/

The thing about homeschooling your kids, is you are simply passing along the information you know, to your kids.

I don’t want to overwhelm you with suggestions so hopefully this gets you started in a good direction. These are all REAL suggestions our kids enjoy. I hope it helps you as you make the most of this extra time together! No, it’s not always easy. However, it’s always worth it and your kids will never forget this extra time with you.

From the business owning, homeschooling family that thinks YOU CAN do this!

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We’d appreciate your VOTE!

I know, I know. You’ve been hearing about this FedEx Small Business Grant Contest from us for a few weeks now. This contest will end March 8th and we are shooting for the stars with this. You all can vote every day, if you wish. Let me tell you exactly what it is what we do here at Phillips Tile & Stone!

What does Phillips Tile & Stone do?

Demolition- we demo anything.
Installation of Tile, Stone, LVP, LVT, Carpet, Vinyl (just think all flooring) Design Assistance with guidance in purchasing materials. General contracting.

Our customer service is top notch.

We love our hardworking crew.

We exist to serve Omaha and the surrounding areas.

Now that you know what we do, would you please vote for us in the #FedExSmallBusinessGrantContest

Winning this business grant would allow our company, which we created from the ground up, to serve our people better!

Thank you for your vote, here is our link!

https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/home/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1#/gallery/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1

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Do we have your VOTE?

Did you know we collaborate with some of the best designers and builders in Omaha? Our goal is to make the design and construction process as easy as possible for our customers. We’ve built this business from the ground up and I feel as though we’re just getting started!

Would you please vote for Phillips Tile & Stone LLC? Winning a business grant like this would only help us hire more talent and serve our customers better! Which is what we strive to do daily.

https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/home/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1?fbclid=IwAR335JaP04iQfl3_n3-tXph-GcdVzwAwExjTsSDHzZUx8SvHqI_h9hoxAk0#/gallery/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1

One more plug, WE ARE HIRING!!! Phillips Tile & Stone is expanding and we are hiring additional craftsmen for our company. Please email PhillipsTile.Stone@Yahoo.com for more information.

#PhillipsTileStone #Omaha #FedExSmallBusinessGrantContest #hereforYOU #daretodreambig #hiring #wearehiring

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FedEx Small Business Grant Contest-Can you help us?

Let me tell you something, I stumbled across this pretty sweet small business grant and decided to push fear aside and GO FOR IT! Haven’t you ever heard, “Try something everyday that scares you?” If you haven’t, there is a slight possibility I made it up, but I’m positive I’ve heard it somewhere.

Well, a month ago I ran across this FedEx Small Business Grant Contest and decided to go for it! Here’s a little bit about Phillips Tile & Stone LLC. We exist because of YOU. Since 2010 we’ve been in business because our customers have referred us to their family and friends. That’s pretty much how we ran for a couple years. It was by the seat of our pants and learning as we go how to operate a business. Fast forward to now. 2020. We’ve learned a little bit in the past 9 years. We’re looking to hire more craftsman and marketing talent to expand and earning this small business grant would literally help us serve our customers and employees better! Which is what we strive for daily.

This contest voting runs through March 8th and you can vote for us EVERY DAY if you want! My due date is March 1st. I would be so grateful for your vote. We all would here at Phillips Tile & Stone. Thank you for letting us serve Nebraska (and Iowa) since 2010 with the best craftsmanship and customer service. It’s a true honor.

https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/home/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1#/gallery/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1

Michelle Phillips and the whole Phillips Tile & Stone Team

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Show Your Home Some Love

February. The month of love. You might be considering what to get that special person in your life. I recommend grilling a good steak at home and cuddling on the couch afterwards eating brownies and ice cream, but Valentine’s Day inspiration isn’t my intention for this blog post. I wanted to give February a different spin and offer some ways to show your house some love! Soon it will be spring and we will want to be outside as much as possible. Let’s take advantage of this indoor time period and show our homes some lovin’.

1. Clean the Fridge (and the Freezer, Too)

You’re about to have all sorts of fun produce to load up in your fridge, so take this time to clean out your frig and make it shine again. Think of the grapes, watermelons, lettuce that will soon take over your frig space! Plus ice cream and ice pops in the freezer. Make things easier for ‘Future You’ and make the space now. Pull out all of the drawers and racks and wash them. Clean the inside with a de-greaser or scouring pad to get rid of sticky residue. Replace that old box of baking soda with a fresh one and don’t forget to vacuum the condenser coils on the back! Your fresh veggies will thank you!

2. The Oven

If you can’t see thorough your oven window or if you’re getting used to that smell of food burning every time you preheat, then it’s time to clean your oven! If you have an oven with an auto-clean cycle, it’s important to wipe out any big spills first to prevent flare ups.
For manual cleaning, try using a natural paste of baking soda, water and liquid dish soap instead of harsh chemicals.
Be sure to wipe up grease and grime spills as soon as it happens instead of letting it sit inside your oven and get harder as time goes on.
Clean that thing now and it’ll be pristine and sparkly when you are ready to fire it up again.

4. Carpet and Rugs

Carpets accumulate a lot of dust, dirt and even fungi over time, all of which are unsightly, unhygienic and can be potential health hazards. Up to 80% of carpet dirt is loose and on the surface, and can be removed with regular vacuuming. Kinda makes you want to vacuum right now, right?
Let’s further extend the life and appearance of your carpets as well as banish those really stubborn bugs and stains with regular deep cleaning.
It’s well worth renting steam-cleaning equipment or hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to do the job.

4.Windows Inside and Out

Clean, clear windows make any room feel lighter and cleaner simply by letting more light in, and the more natural light you get, the less electricity you use! How’s that for a fun fact? Not to mention, the lighter the room, the lighter your mood!
When cleaning your windows, wipe the inside up and down, and the outside left to right. If you end up with streaks, you’ll know which side they’re on. Don’t forget to wash screens and sills/tracks.
Are your window coverings drab? Just run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel (to attract the dust) for 15 minutes, and rehang immediately.
For a quick, complete wipe-down of your window blinds, shut the blinds and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Then close the blinds in the opposite direction and wipe other side. Tada! A little cleaning makes a huge difference.

I’m all about a little bit of daily progress. Cleaning these areas will also help get rid of germs that might be lurking around from the January we just finished. I think it’s totally necessary to show our homes some love. What other areas will you be cleaning this month?

Happy Valentines Day,

Michelle Phillips

love

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Tile & Stone Care

While we install so much more than Tile & Stone, it is what we excel in. Taking care of your natural stone does not need to be difficult. There are a few do’s and don’ts to know but basically you just need to use a cleaner especially designed for natural stone. Natural stone is very porous so the best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer at the time of installation. I hope you find this informational and helpful! We love getting to serve our clients and want to help them protect their new and beautiful spaces.

  • We will apply two coats of sealer, one before grouting and one after. It’s a premium sealer.
  • Natural stone needs to be sealed to manufacturer specifications.
  • Grout may stain or discolor over time. Follow the manufacturer instructions for stain removal. Pay particular care to the type of products recommended for cleaning.
  • Quickly wipe up spills or they may stain your grout and some porous stones.
  • Tile and stone require routine maintenance to retained the beauty and preserve their look. Sweep or use a vacuum (without a beater bar) to pick up dirt and grime. Dust and damp mop on a regular basis. Wipe off residue to avoid leaving a film. Avoid excess water.
  • Place floor protectors under your furniture.
  • We have certain grouts now that are stain and mold and mildew resistant. We will discuss all your grout options with you at our free consultation meetings.

We want the best for our clients! Omaha, we enjoy making you more beautiful, one space at a time.

~Phillips Tile & Stone Team

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Happy New Year

“Never allow waiting to become a habit – live your dreams and take risks, life is happening now.” – Paulo Coelho

We are rooting for you! May 2020 be a productive year for us all. Now let’s get to work!

From the Phillips Tile & Stone Team

2020

It’s a fun time to reflect on 2019, here were our most ‘liked’ Top Nine pictures on Instagram. Here’s to more blue prints, more happy commercial and residential clients, more social media involvement, more employee hires and more Husker wins!

As always, we are thankful for YOU! Thanks for making Phillips Tile & Stone LLC possible by spreading the word. Happy New Year!

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*Merry Christmas*

All might not be calm. All might not even be bright. But the true reason why we celebrate Christmas is! We are wishing a joyful day to you and yours!

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing’ Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Merry Christmas from the Phillips Family and 30 week old baby belly.
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Phillips Christmas Letter 2019

Dear friends, clients and family;

It seems my Christmas card list of those dear to us grows every year, I decided to try something a little different and write our Christmas letter here! We hope this ‘letter’ finds you in good spirits and continuing thankfulness all throughout the year.

Do any of you come up with a word to refer back to throughout the year? I knew this year would be a year of healing and slow progress, so the word I decided to use was ‘simplicity’. I do think you’ll find how simplicity was woven throughout our year, and I’m more than ok with that because I know, just as a seed germinates, more was happening than meets the eye.

Our kids are growing and shaping into people with their own interests and it’s so fun to watch. Collectively they enjoy art, music, sports and family vacations. We are pushing through the school year with home education and finding a rhythm for accomplishing all that needs to get done and when to rest. A few highlights for school this year are: music lessons, math (they all seem to get the love for math from their daddy) and they also won a trophy (for most original business idea, two years in a row now) at the business fair they participate in. It’s been fun to let them explore their entreprenueral interests.

  • Meeting the Husker baseball players and dreaming of football!
  • The business sign the kids made.
  • At the business fair.
  • Winning their second trophy for Most Original Business Idea.
  • Elias pitched for his team this year.
  • They wanted to have a lemonade stand ALL summer!

Phillips Tile & Stone LLC continues to grow and spread. We are thankful to have such amazing clients that help by sharing this company name through word of mouth. Our love for our city of Omaha grows every year, too. This really is the land of opportunity. We’ve come across some great mentors this year that have encouraged us in different areas and we’ve hired a few phenomenally skilled workers. Business owning is an adventure, we thank God for this opportunity.

So very thankful. 9 years! Phillips Tile & Stone LLC. We create beautiful spaces you love.

We continue to enjoy spending our time serving at our local church. I think I’ve heard all of our kids say at different times how they enjoy going to church. We hope their desire to learn and love God grows with them!

Our family vacations this year were mainly camping at Nebraska State Parks. We did make it up to Minnesota to visit my (Michelle’s) brother and his family, our time spent on the beautiful lakes in Minnesota are always a highlight of our summers. In our 10 years of marriage, trips that include just the two of us are very few and far between. So when a sweet friend gifted us a hotel stay we gladly set off on a long weekend together…sans kids and had a great time! We also celebrated our 10 year anniversary! Every milestone deserves to be celebrated, and we did celebrate but rather with our word ‘simplicity’ in mind. Guess what- it was memorable and enjoyable thus proving that a little creativity in planning for activities is the way to go!

  • Our getaway to KC
  • Platte River State Park
  • 10 year anniversary
  • Minnesota beaches
  • the girl cousins
  • some of the boy cousins…

Our most exciting news of 2019 was announcing my pregnancy. This came as a bit of a surprise and we are so excited at the thought of having our very own rainbow baby. Our miscarriage last November was hard. Loss is hard. But even in the middle of grief and saddness, we saw God working and His finger print was all throughout that journey. Lord willing this babe will join our family in March of 2020.

This year we’ve walked with friends and family that have experienced grief of the greatest levels. We’ve learned, on a deeper level, what it means to be content. We’ve seen prayer requests come answered and all these circumstances have strengthened our faith. Life is not always smooth sailing but we known we can rely on an unchanging God. We are so thankful for His faithfulness! We are grateful for the HOPE our great God brings even when life isn’t as you had pictured.

We hope, this Christmas, that you’ll find JOY in an unwavering God. Thank you for being our client and our friend. Serving your home or business with design and construction services truly brings us great satisfaction! Have a very Merry Christmas and a beautiful New Year! We look forward to serving you and yours in 2020.

Trevor & Michelle Phillips plus the kiddos

Phillips Christmas Letter 2019
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
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grateful & thankful

As Thanksgiving Day gets closer, I think it fills the heart to stop and consider all the people, things and circumstances we have to be grateful for. I’ve learned in my own life, when we stop and take time to be grateful, our mindset changes. One way I started purposefully putting gratefulness into practice is actually quite simple. I use the notes part of my iPhone and everyday (or everyday I remember!) I enter three NEW things I’m thankful for. This is something I’ve been doing for a few months so my list is long and only continues to grow. As I come up with three new things daily I’m thankful for, my mindset shifts to being grateful for everything that is in my life. A few items on my list look like this….

– A reliable, paid off vehicle

-fresh vegetables to eat

-children

-freedom to worship God

-hot coffee

-warm clothing

-art

-great clients

You get the idea. The crazy part is, everyday, your thankful list will look a little bit different. It will reflect how a portion of your day has already gone. For example, say you went to the DMV that morning, and the lines were low. I would be thankful for just that, “Short lines at the DMV!” It’s not rocket science, but there really IS something to be thankful for in everyday. Once we unlock our eyes to see this simple truth, our mind does a shift and realizes we really do have so much to be thankful for and it was right in front of us all along.

We hope you and yours have a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Day!