seeking HIS heart

Slowing Down for 2011

2010-12-31T15:45:00.000-06:00

What a busy season it has been for me and my family. A whirlwind really, full of surprises and drastic changes.

I am ready for things to slow down and I want to take 2011 at a much slower pace. I want to focus my efforts on home and the hearts that reside in my beautiful home.

I am learning to take life day by day, because if I worry too much about tomorrow, I will certainly lose today.

I am also learning the value of life and loved ones. It only takes an instant for things to change forever. Hold those you love close to you, remind them of your love. Speak to them in their love language.

You will never regret hugs, soft spoken words, and gentle kisses across rosy cheeks.

You will never regret hearing the chuckle of your parent as you remember a fun time together.

You will be humbled as you lift a spoon to their mouths and wipe their precious, wrinkling chins.

Oh, if only we could redeem the time already lost.

But we can start anew each day, because HIS mercies are new every morning.

Thank God for time. I need to trust Him with it.

Tomorrow begins a new year, and a new beginning for trusting in the Lord, and for accepting that s-l-o-w is ok in this busy, busy world.

How about you? Are you so busy that you miss many of the sweet little moments that God gifts us in this life?

Brew some tea and have a seat. Think about the pace of your life. Determine what really matters for your family.

And have a Happy New Year!!

From my home to yours!

And the winner for the Preschool Activity Bags Book 2 is...

2010-09-04T09:05:00.001-05:00

#8 Sippy Cup Mom!
(chosen with random.org)
Thanks to everyone that entered this giveaway!

Savvy Teas and Herbs

2010-09-03T17:15:00.001-05:00

Some of you might not know this about me, but I love tea. I have so much tea that I had to have my husband build extra shelving in the pantry to hold all my teas. I love herbal teas, medicinal teas, yummy fruit flavored teas, every kind of tea...but my favorite tea of all time is chai tea. Chai tea, hot or cold, can seriously make my day!

So I am so excited to announce a website that is offering high quality teas for great prices. Savvy Teas and Herbs. This website is extremely easy to navigate and has tons of useful and educational information about...tea! Brewing tips, health benefits, caffeine information, and the history of tea can all be found at Savvy Teas and Herbs. The photos of available teas and herbs are beautiful and you can view them up close by hovering over the product image.

They carry black, red, green, white, and herbal teas. Each product has an informative description and a how to use section. I really appreciate that they also have included cautionary information when necessary.

Teas can be purchased in different amounts and they even offer a fabulous sampler pack. The sampler packs allows the customer to choose three different teas to try for a very reasonable price. I especially suggest purchasing the sampler to anyone that is new to herbal teas.

They also sell many herbs that are good for their natural healing properties. I have often successfully used herbal treatments and I am looking forward to buying some in bulk from Savvy Teas and Herbs.

Another thing I find awesome is the wish list. How cool is that? I have already made a wish list that I look forward to sharing. A gift certificate is available too, so you can help your friends check items off their wish list. Hint, hint! ;)

So if you love tea and drink it every day, or are new to the world of tea drinking, or a newbie using herbs for natural healing then cruise on over to Savvy Teas and Herbs. They are currently offering free shipping on order of $50(U.S.) and up!

I am off to brew me a cup of chai! Ciao!

Summer Sensations Download N Go Unit Study-Review

2010-08-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

Summer Sensations is an awesome new unit study in the Download N Go series by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse. It is made up of five daily lessons and lapbook components. Lapbook tutorials are included for those of us who are new to lapbooking. The lapbooking graphics are fun. As always, an excellent book list about summer has been included. During the heat of summer, it will be great to stay in and keep cool while reading great new books. There are many video links included with the daily lessons. We really love the time lapse videos. This unit study is packed full of information not only about summer, but fireflies, snow cones, sundials, shadows, and more. History, science, math, vocabulary, and music make this unit study more than complete. There is a list of internet resources if you would like to explore more about summer with your children. Families will also love the Fun Family Ideas section. We look forward to trying some of these before summer ends. Summer Sensations is a really fun way to teach children about the sunny days ahead.

Expedition Mexico Download N Go-Review

2010-08-28T16:02:00.001-05:00

The Expedition Mexico Download N Go by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse is so much fun! This unit study includes an entire week of activities consisting of five daily lessons with lapbook components for each day. I have always dreamed of visiting Mexico and Expedition Mexico has allowed me to take my children on a festive vacation where we have learned about the culture, history, and geography of this fascinating country.

We have also learned new vocabulary words, poetry, and even a little Spanish! The book lists to enhance the study of Mexico are wonderful. There are also many great video links that my children enjoyed. They cannot wait to make a piñata. My son was very interested in the Mayan history, and my girls loved learning about the animals of Mexico! Now I have to convince them that we are not decoration the entire front yard with pink flamingos!

The Download N Go Series keeps getting better and better. We cannot wait until our next unit study adventure.

Molly Goes Camping Review

2010-08-28T15:57:00.001-05:00

Camping. This word stirs excitement and dread inside my heart all at one time. I have only been camping one time, and it was a rainy, muddy, crowded experience. But it was also a lot of fun! However, the thought of planning and packing for my whole family to go camping causes my brain to shutdown. Recently, my husband and I were discussing family vacations. We realize that we are not likely to spend the money on fancy family vacations. So we have decided to start camping, but we are both clueless. I didn’t even know where to start.

Can you imagine my excitement when I received Molly Goes Camping to review for The Old Schoolhouse and Econobusters?

Molly Goes Camping is an eBook full of information for the new camper. There are checklists, menu plans, recipes, and creative how-to articles. I really enjoyed the information on remodeling an RV. This is what we are planning to do for our family and I feel encouraged and inspired.

This eBook contains useful internet links to help locate the perfect camping location. I had never even thought of camping on the beach. Now it is on the top of our list!

We recently got a new puppy. It is our first puppy, and Duke is quite spoiled. We hope to bring him with us and I was happy to read the articles pertaining to camping with Fido.

I also appreciated the reminders that striving for a “perfect” camping trip is stressful and unnecessary. One reason we want to go camping is to be surrounded by God’s creation with all nature pointing to Him. I want to relax, enjoy my children, and have a time of restoration and renewal.

Molly Goes Camping has provided great advice and information. Half of my planning is done for me with the checklists and resources in this eBook. I cannot wait to go camping with my family. Watch out bugs, snakes, and bears-here we come!

Constitution Celebration Download N Go Unit Study (Review)

2010-08-28T11:28:00.002-05:00

Our family loves history. We love watching historical films and documentaries. One of our favorite genres of literature is historical fiction. My 10 year old son and I are probably the most devout history lovers in this house, so we were so excited to review the Constitution Celebration Download N Go by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse.

Constitution Celebration is a unit study consisting of five daily lessons. Each lesson contains daily objectives and lapbook components. The lapbook pieces are very well done and the graphics are very appealing. You can print them out in vibrant color, or print in black and white and let the children color the graphics. I was so excited to see a link to information about how to save on ink when printing. I love how The Old Schoolhouse and Amanda Bennett are always looking for ideas to help their customers save money. The unit study itself is also very budget-friendly. No longer do I have to pay for shipping and wait for something to come in the mail. Now I have a unit study that I can purchase and use after just a few clicks of the mouse.

In Constitution Celebration your children will learn about how our government was established. They will also learn new vocabulary, historical and biographical information on some of our first patriots, science, geography, and even suggestions for arts and crafts. A book suggestion list is included for each daily lesson. We especially like the book lists since we love learning through literature. There are ideas for more family fun such as having parties or going on field trips. I think we will be having a Constitution Party to celebrate our completion of this fun filled unit study.

Another great thing about the Download N Go unit studies is that scripture is included in each daily lesson. It is an important reminder to us that God’s hand has been evident throughout history, even the history of our nation’s difficult struggle to become the United States of America.

If you love unit studies then I would have to recommend Constitution Celebration Download N Go. The educational videos and links are a blast, and making a lapbook is a lot of fun. Maybe it will inspire your family to memorize the Preamble like it has ours. We agreed to recite it at our Constitution Party -so I better get busy memorizing so I can catch up with my kiddos!

Preschool Actvities in a Bag 2-Giveaway!

2010-08-27T09:49:00.001-05:00

Last year I was so excited to win a giveaway during the 2009 Curriculum Clean Out hosted by Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations. I was just reminded of this yesterday and would like to join up for the 2010 Curriculum Clean Out. There are many great giveaways but you must check them out by Aug. 28th.

Preschool Activities in a Bag Book 2-NEW

Here is more info about this resource from the www.activitybags.com

The second book is chock full of fun, new Activity Bags with no duplicates of the first volume. Along with complete instructions, swap directions and supplies lists, you'll find instructions and masters for creating 33 brand new preschool activities to keep your little ones educationally entertained.

These activities are fun for the child to do and they teach a valuable skill at the same time. Children gain confidence as they learn new skills, so they are much better prepared for school. But please, do not think that preschoolers are the only ones that enjoy these activities. Many of our test moms reported that their older children also enjoyed many of the activities. Each activity has been assembled by a test mom and tested by at least 25preschoolers. We are happy to say that we have heard many moms and preschoolers raving about the activities. In fact, our favorite question from our own preschoolers is, "Mom, can I please do another activity?”

In addition, this book includes detailed instructions, complete with record keeping forms and letter masters, to run an Activity Bag Swap. For this, you gather a group of, say 15, Moms. Each makes 15 of one activity bag of their choice. They then trade so that each Mon has 15 different bags. Truly a great idea! This book is laminated and coil bound.

We love Preschool Activities in a Bag, and I hope to bless a fellow mom with this amazing book. Here is how to enter: Please leave a comment below with email so that I may contact you. You can earn one more entry by following this blog(leave another comment), and one more if you re-post this giveaway on Facebook and link back to my blog(and leave another comment). Each contestant can have up to 3 entries. Shipping to U.S. only.

I joined in the Curriculum Clean Out a bit late, so this giveaway will be available until September 3rd at Midnight/Central. A winner will be chosen using random.org.

Thank you all for the entries! Don't forget to leave your email in the comments.

*Please note that the cover I have his solid pink from a previous printing, but the book is brand new. :)

Another School Year Fast Approaches!

2010-08-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

Wow! I really think this was the shortest summer of my life. It has passed so quickly. We have really enjoyed our summer, well, except for all of this 100+ degree weather. Thankfully, we had a bit of rain today.

I wanted to share what we will be using for our next school year. We do school year round, with breaks here and there when it is convenient for my husband to take vacation. However, I do like to start a new grade level in the fall.

Our core will be My Father's World. I just love this curriculum. With all the reviews I have written over the years, I often think the grass may be greener using a different curriculum. But in the end, I always stick to My Father's World because of the commitment to the Bible, and the rich history. (You can read more about MFW here.)

So for this year:
MFW K and PreK package
MFW Rome to the Reformation for Bible and History
Math-U-See, Primer and Delta
Apologia and Answers in Genesis for Science
Rosetta Stone for Spanish
Sarah and David for Hebrew
Intermediate Language Lessons-Serl for English
Artistic Pursuits for Art
Spelling Power for....spelling ;)
Writeshop for Writing

This year I got my hands on The Mystery of History 1 and 2 to use along with MFW. We love reading, and love history, so this will enrich our studies! We love how Mystery of History is written!

We will also add in lessons from Pearables, Doorposts, Championship Chess, and some woodworking activities.

Our extracurricular activities will be piano, choir, violin, drawing, drama, possibly dance, and possibly AWANA. We will also be participating in Mad Science again this year. The littles will be in a PreK science class taught by ..um...me, while their big bro is in Mad Science.

And saving the best for last, we will be continuing with the Younger Boys Book Club using the Wishbone Adventures series. Woohoo!

I am so excited! This journey has been such a blessing. No regrets and no doubts! Here, Here! To Homeschooling!!!!

One of the Best Blog Posts I Have Ever Read!

2010-05-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

As I try to seek His heart in my life, one of my biggest struggles in seeking to be a Godly wife.

Please read this blog post written by a friend at Diary of an Accidental Farm Wife that really touched my heart. It is beautifully written.

http://accidentalfarmwife.blogspot.com/2010/05/am-i-right-kind-of-wife-for-him.html

Hope it touches your heart as it did mine!

Created To Be His Helpmeet Giveaway!

2010-05-16T12:56:00.001-05:00

Somewhere over the passing years and changing culture, women have lost their way. This book is written to lead them back home. Regardless of how you began your marriage or how dark and lonely the path that has brought you to where you are now, I want you to know that it is possible today to have a marriage so good and so fulfilling that it can only be explained as a miracle. From back of book.

A lot of us ladies have been very blessed by Created to Be His Helpmeet written by Debi Pearl. I would love to give a NEW (previous cover) copy to one lovely reader. There are several ways to enter. One entry will be entered for each option below. Contestant must leave a separate comment to inform me of each entry from the choices below. A winner will be drawn randomly May 22nd after 8pm central. Winner will be announced Sunday May 23rd. Please leave a way to contact you in the comments.

1. Leave a comment telling me you would like to enter!
2. Post about this giveaway on Facebook.
3. Become a follower of my blog.
4. Share about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this blog. Share the link to your blog in this comment.

Blessings in Bluebonnets

2010-05-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

Recently we spent some time with my Uncle on his beautiful property. It was covered with beautiful Bluebonnets. Here are some pictures of my children (and the furry child) in the blue sea. Enjoy!

Thankful for Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis

2010-05-16T12:10:00.001-05:00

We recently had our local Homeschool Book Fair and Convention. One of the speakers was Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis. His presentation was an eye-OPENER for me.

I became a Christian at the age of 12 in a small town in Colorado. Shortly after my baptism I moved back to Texas and did not really have an opportunity to go to church until I became an adult, unless I went with friends.

So although, I became a Christian at the age of 12, I was not really raised in a Bible believing, Christian home. I knew I loved Jesus, and I knew he died for me, and I sensed He had His hand on my from the day I was born. But I was very ignorant about the Bible.

At the age of 18, I started attending church again and devoted myself to seeking His heart. I have had many ups and downs on my journey (mostly due to my own poor choices), but I hope to always stay on the narrow path! Anyhow, it was at this time that Creationism was presented to me. I had no problem accepting that the Bible was the inerrant Word of God and a source of True History. In fact, it was far more easy for me to accept Creationism than Evolution. So for the past 10 years, I have been a firm believer in Creation, and in a young earth.

However, being in public schools had trained my thought processes toward a more secular view. Little things that I still thought of as truth or science are not actually in line with Biblical history.

This is why I am thankful for Ken Ham and the mission of Answers in Genesis. His talk revealed to me secular viewpoints I still held and I didn't even realize I held. I thank God for AiG and want everyone to visit their website. Hear Ken Ham and the other men and women that share their hearts with wisdom to any that will hear. It has motivated me again to study Genesis and the Bible and to believe the Lord will reveal truth to me.

The history of Creation is beautiful. Read about it again. Read Psalm 139. We have an awesome Creator, do not deny Him!

P.S. Yesterday my ballerina (4) was sick with a fever of 102. She was tired most of the day. At one point, she sat up, got a piece of paper, and illustrated the story of creation to her little sister. It was beautiful to watch, and brought me to tears. I pray that my children will grow with the freedom the Word of God provides.

Wishbone Adventures Boys Book Club

2010-05-16T11:38:00.000-05:00

One day when talking with the other moms from book club on how it was sometimes difficult for me to choose a good book for the boys each month, my friend Jamin suggested a series. She has been doing a book club for girls using the American Girl book series. (Jamin is brilliant. If you haven't already checked out her blog, you must!) After considering a few different series, and talking with my son, I settled on the Wishbone books. Although out of print, most can be found at the library, and used bookstores for under $2, or purchased on the internet.
I love Wishbone because each story is intertwined with a retelling of a piece of Classical literature. I really want my children to have a love for learning and a love for reading and I of course want them to read the great books! I love how Wishbone introduces them to these works at a young age. Many of these tales (or tails!) would not be read until the high school level. But now my son can tell you all about Beowulf, Treasure Island, and The Prince and the Pauper.
There are a couple of titles that I thought might be a little unsuitable for our particular club, so I substituted some of the Wishbone Classics series. Below is a list of what we will be reading.

Be a Wolf! based on Beowulf
Salty Dog based on Treasure Island
The Prince and the Pooch
Robinhound Crusoe
Hunchdog of Notre Dame
Digging Up the Past based on Rip Van Winkle
The Mutt in the Iron Muzzle
Muttketeer
A Tale of Two Sitters
Moby Dog
The Pawloined Paper
Dog Overboard based on Kidnapped
Homer, Sweet, Homer based on the Odyssey (omit from book club)
Dr Jekyll and Mr. Dog (omit from book club)
A Pup in King Arthur's Court
The Last of the Breed
Digging to the Center of the Earth
Gullifur's Travels
Terrier of the Lost Mines
Ivanhound
Huckleberry Dog
Twenty Thousand Wags Under the Sea

Classic Series (for younger readers)for those interested. We are NOT reading the majority of these in this book club.
Don Quixote
The Odyssey
Romeo and Juliet
Joan of Arc (will read in book club in place of Homer)
Oliver Twist
The Adventures of Robin Hood (will read in book club instead of Dr. Jekyll)
Frankenstein
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
A Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Red Badge of Courage
Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Ivanhoe

Boys Book Club Information

2010-05-16T11:12:00.001-05:00

Ok, so I started a Boys Book Club at my home two years ago and I am just now writing about it. For some reason, it just didn't occur to me that I should add the info to my blog. I have had some parents asking for ideas and book suggestions. Well, I will start posting the books we are reading and what activities I chose to go along with each book.

This club is geared for boys aged 6-10. We have a discussion time, craft, snack time, and then 30 minutes of play time.

We have our last meeting for this school year this coming Thursday. Then we will begin again in September.
I will mention a few things that we did with each book. I will write a separate post for the Wishbone Series.

This is what we have read so far:
Stuart Little
Cricket in Times Square
Whipping Boy
Ralph S Mouse
Indian in the Cupboard
The 21 Balloons
Zooman Sam
King of the Wind
Flat Stanley
Wishbone Adventures Be A Wolf!
Wishbone Adventures Salty Dog
Wishbone Adventures The Prince and the Pooch

For each book I always do a web search to look for discussion questions, word searches, crosswords, etc, to make it a little bit easier for me. If I cannot find discussion questions I will write my own. Then I try to come up with a craft or activity to go with each book. One that is boy friendly. That means not time consuming!

For Stuart Little the boys made book covers illustrating their favorite scene in the book.

For Cricket in Times Square the boys made crickets out of clothes pins, pipe cleaners, with tissue paper wings.

For The Whipping Boy the boys designed their own coat of arms and learned more about the Middle Ages.

For Ralph S Mouse the boys created their own mazes.

For The Indian in the Cupboard the boys made Native American feather headbands.

For The 21 Balloons we made our own parachute men.

For Zooman Sam the boys came dressed up as for their future career.

For King of the Wind we made origami horse heads. That was fun!

For Flat Stanley the boys made pictures of themselves flat to mail and thanks to my brilliant friend Jamin they decorated Flat Stanley cookies. Below are some pictures from this meeting are from Jamin's blog and a few I snapped at the very end. I NEVER remember to take pictures.

They really liked those cookies!

Molly's Money Saving Digest-April

2010-05-15T19:21:00.000-05:00

Oh, Molly, where would I be without Thee? I am absolutely thrilled with April’s edition of Molly’s Money Saving Digest. First of all, muffin recipes with gluten-free substitutions! Need I say more? This digest is simply overflowing with useful information. Molly shares what products are typically on sale in April and includes forms to help make the most of your money whether shopping for groceries or hitting some local yard sales. This month’s Digest is my favorite issue so far. The frugal decorating tutorial and repurposing sections are the most creative I have seen. I can’t wait to try both and I am already planning how to decorate each room in my house with some affordable artwork. And for all the April showers, Molly has included an excellent list of rainy day activities. These boredom busters are bound to cheer any child that is tired of cloudy skies. So I must give my effusive thanks to Molly for April’s Digest. In the next few weeks you may find me sitting under my kitchen table (I mean princess castle) with my sweet children while eating delicious gluten-free muffins!

Spring Surprises Download N Go Review

2010-05-15T19:17:00.001-05:00

I have become a huge fan of the Download N Go unit studies from The Old Schoolhouse and Amanda Bennett, so I was very excited that we received Spring Surprises to review. The very best feature of this unit study is the inclusion of scripture and Bible stories. The beauty of spring is such a testimony to our amazing Creator. Also, Download N Go is so simple to use, just a few clicks for a weeks worth of fun! Spring Surprises is a week long study divided into five daily lessons. Each lesson is reinforced with lapbooking activities. For those new to lapbooking a list of instructional links is included. We are a family of readers so we really appreciate the lengthy supplemental book lists included in each daily lesson. Reading isn’t the only subject covered in Spring Surprises. Science, poetry, social studies, spelling, vocabulary, and art are just some of the subjects covered in this unit study. These are taught using a variety of methods-from crossword puzzles to educational videos. Children will explore spring with Noah and the ark, baby robins, and sprouting seeds. A family can easily expand Spring Surprises by utilizing the Fun Family Ideas section. I would love to share more about this refreshing resource, but I won’t ruin the surprise!

Simply Soccor Download N Go-Review

2010-05-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

My son has decided that he would like to play soccer next season. I have to admit, we both know very little about soccer. I don’t think I have ever seen a soccer game! It was perfect timing for us to receive the newest Download N Go by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Simply Soccer is an excellent way to introduce children to this popular sport. This unit study includes history, science, geography, and much more. We have learned about the history of soccer, the rules of the game, and how soccer is played around the world. Lapbooking and craft ideas are included to add a hands-on aspect to the soccer study. This study is broken down into five daily lessons. Lapbooking activities are also included in each daily lesson. I find that this helps us to complete the lapbook at a reasonable pace and the kids are not too overwhelmed. I really appreciate the book list included for each lesson. These lists are a major time saver for me. I am not wasting countless hours on the library website reserving books that may or may not be appropriate for my children. My kids and I enjoyed the educational links included in Simply Soccer. We especially love the instructional videos. Now I will not feel so ignorant about this sport when we show up to our first practice. This unit study is great for boys and girls-and moms!

Awesome SodaStream Giveaway!

2010-04-27T11:31:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,

Heidi is hosting a giveaway for an awesome SodaStream machine! We don't usually drink soda, and I haven't had a soda since January, but this looks like a healthier alternative that would be lots of fun for birthdays, family movie night, etc.

Head on over to Heidi's blog and enter this contest!

The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade

2010-03-01T23:30:00.001-06:00

The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade by Susan Wise Bauer has been my amazing introduction to Classical Education. Well, I am very impressed. Written to high schoolers and adults The History of the Medieval World engages readers with witty narrative. History is shared with a Biblical worldview. Church history is combined with the history of the world. Susan Wise Bauer has done a fabulous job weaving the stories of multiple cultures into one text. I now have a better understanding of what was occuring in Africa, Europe, and China during the same periods of time. This book is advanced, but I believe my older child will enjoy having parts read aloud. I believe that I am better equipped to teach my children chronological history having read most of this text (I am still reading through the over 700 pages of history). I also appreciate the maps and timelines included with each chapter. But the best feature of The History of the Medieval World is the footnotes. These contain a wealth of information and could almost be a book in themselves! I don't know too much about Classical Education, but Susan Wise Bauer has inspired me to investigate more about this teaching method. You can learn more about Susan Wise Bauer and Peace Hill Press here.

This book was provided for me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Molly Makes $7 Slow-Cooker Suppers Review

2010-02-21T18:50:00.000-06:00

I am so excited! Dinner tonight: Chicken Salsa Burritos from Molly Makes $7 Slow-Cooker Suppers. I have long had a relationship with my crock-pot. It has always been a faithful servant. I love to search for new recipes to prepare for my family. Slow-cookers are the perfect tool for the busy mom. This eBook provides ample recipes and the cost breakdown for each recipe. Great for the frugally minded! There are many mouth-watering photographs included. The recipes included “Notes From the Test Kitchen” offering useful and encouraging information. Everything from soup to dessert is covered in Molly Makes $7 Slow-Cooker Suppers. Many of us have purchased slow-cooker cookbooks in the past only to realize the recipes were too expensive or unappetizing. But not with this cookbook! You will be inspired to use your crock-pot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Mom’s this is a must have for every kitchen. Plug in that slow-cooker and save yourself some time and money.

Molly Makes $7 Slow-Cooker Suppers was provided by The Old Schoolhouse in exchange for a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Love and War by John and Stasi Eldridge

2010-02-20T22:15:00.001-06:00

Love and War is one of the best books on marriage that I have read. Unlike many other books written to help one change actions only, this book reveals to readers the spiritual aspects of marriage. Most importantly, that Satan wants marriage to fail and having a loving, Godly marriage requires diligent Spiritual Warfare. Love and War is co-authored by a husband and wife and can be read individually or together as a couple. I am so thankful for the hope and renewal the Eldridges reveal is possible for every marriage. I also appreciate reading the differing perspectives written from the hearts of this man and his wife. They are candid, and humble, and very easy to relate with. This book is a powerful tool! Read it and pray. And pray. And pray. Our God is an awesome God who wants every marriage to be amazing. Love and War will help you build up your covenant spiritually-which will lead to improvement in every aspect of your marriage. 10 thumbs up!

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

In the Footsteps of Paul by Ken Duncan

2010-02-20T21:55:00.000-06:00

In the Footsteps of Paul is one of the most breathtaking books I have ever seen. It is a photographic journey following the Biblical accounts of Paul. Each photograph includes a summary of the historical event and scripture. However, the story is really told through the beautiful photography. There are 175 pages full of majestic views and architectual wonders. This hardcover is the pefect coffee table book and would make a beautiful gift.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm

2010-02-20T21:31:00.001-06:00

The Big Picture Story Bible is a wonderful hardback book with amazing illustrations. Children of all ages will enjoy this beautiful book. There is over 400 pages of simplified-yet accurate-Bible stories.I really appreciate how this story Bible includes the more sobering events. Many children's Bibles only have the warm-fuzzy stories, and I believe chlren need to know the whold picture. The Word of God is just as powerful in the life of a young child as it is to an adult. My children love the brightly colored illustrations. I have to admit this is the first Bible sotry book that leaves me completely satisfied. You can learn more about it here.

This book was provided by Crossway Books for review.

Tea With Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis

2010-01-29T16:26:00.002-06:00

I must admit when I first opened the envelope that contained Tea with Hezbollah, I felt the urge to stuff it back in and mark "return to sender" on the front. I have been so overwhelmed with my own life, my own problems, and I surely didn't want to think about the problems in the Middle East. So why did I request this book for review? God.

Despite my initial resistance, I found that I could not put this book down. Tea With Hezbollah is absolutely riveting. Better than any suspense novel I have read, and yet the mystery and suspense in the Middle East in not fiction.

This book is thought provoking, a beautiful journey into the desert of man's heart. Can we truly love our neighbors, our enemies? Can our enemies truly love us? Read their words, discover their world.

Please read this book! It has touched the depths of my being, and although it has ripped me up inside as I have acknowledged my hypocrisy, I hope to live more Christ-like toward all men regardless of nationality, race, or religion.

This book is not about who is "right", but about the possibility of finding peace with our neighbor through love...just as Jesus did.

And thank you to Ted and Carl and to all who added their voice to this book. Your precious time has not been wasted. Tea With Hezbollah will change lives, it has changed mine.

Please note: I am a believer in Jesus and The Bible as the whole truth and inspired by God. I believe salvation comes through Jesus only.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Author Bios:
Ted Dekker is the author of many nationally bestselling novels, including Bone Man’s Daughters, The Circle Trilogy, Thr3e, and House, which was coauthored by Frank Peretti. His unique style of storytelling has captured the attention of millions worldwide. Visit him at TedDekker.com.

Carl Medearis is the founder and president of International Initiatives, LLC, an organization that promotes cultural, educational, and commercial exchange between the East and the West. He is an advisor on Arab affairs to the members of the U.S. Congress and leaders in international business.

Valentine's Day Download N Go by TOS and Amanda Bennett

2010-01-26T11:22:00.001-06:00

I absolutely LOVE the Valentine’s Day Download N Go by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse. It is great for all ages. Lapbook templates and instructions are included in this fun-filled unit study. Are you new to lapbooking? Then this is the product for you. The activities are broken up over five days, so it is a simple and gentle way to start lapbooking. Internet links are included to help illustrate the folding and making of mini-books. The Valentine’s Day unit study begins with an amazing booklist with many fabulous titles to enrich learning. Bible, math, science, history, geography, literature, crafts, and even cooking are covered over the five day study. I enjoyed the educational video links provided with each lesson. I can’t wait to share the videos on making candy hearts and the button heart card. Near the end of the study a long list of internet resources are provided with many more Valentine’s Day activities to do with your children. I am excited to be able to share with my children the history of this sweet holiday in such a delightful way.

Update

2010-01-20T17:16:00.003-06:00

For those of you that were once readers of my blog (I say once because I have not written in over 6 months) I hope to get back in the groove of things. Life has turned upside down-more than once. Dealing with sickness, hospitals, and family drama can be draining.

I am thankful that it seems a season of calm has come to our home. I am also thankful for all the prayers said on behalf of my family.

Homeschooling is going great. We still love it and I have recently been refreshed by reading more about Charlotte Mason.

We have implemented the Workbox System by Sue Patrick and it has changed OUR LIVES! I can't wait to share more about this awesome organizational tool.

We have been trying to change the use of several rooms in our house. I decided it was time to make this my home, instead of a characterless house. I will post pics of our first two "renovations". Gotta love Craigslist and Ikea!

I have many things to write about, but will save for future postings!

XOXOXO

Need to Organize?

2010-01-20T17:15:00.003-06:00

Found this awesome info at Econobusters...Just wanted to share!

Molly's Money Saving Digest-January

2010-01-20T17:06:00.003-06:00

The January edition of Molly’s Money Saving Digest is overflowing with inspiration for the new year. Many recipes, how-to’s, and organizational tips are packed in this month’s digest.
Readers will be delighted with the Perfect Pies tutorial. I have always been terrified to try making pie crust from scratch. After reading the simple instructions and looking at the wonderful pictures I am motivated to make delicious homemade crust for my pies. And the photos of turnovers make my mouth water. My family cannot wait to try the cherry turnovers.
You can count on Molly to include a list of special days and holidays in each digest. I did not know that national cuddle-up day existed, but I will be celebrating with my kids this year. A list for the types of items on sale in January is very helpful for the frugal shopper.
I have always enjoyed the home decorating tips in Molly’s Money Saving Digest. There is a column that demonstrates how to decorate the home with scripture. It is so important to have God’s Word throughout the house to get me through the day. I am so excited to beautify my home with Molly’s lovely ideas.
Molly writes about starting a household management binder. Having a binder like this has changed my life. I am thankful that this digest includes forms to help organize the home. The clothing inventory chart is included this month. I put this chart to use immediately. Laundry often overwhelms me. It never occurred to me that some of my family members simply have too many clothes. Thanks to Molly I am hoping to tame my personal laundry monster.
Menu planning is a very important tool that can aid any household. Molly includes a simple plan for one week of meals. She includes the recipes for each dish, and s shopping list for each ingredient. I am looking forward to trying some of these delicious meals. The Pork Tenderloin and Pretzel Salad sound fabulous.
January’s digest includes a new feature just for kids. Each month a column will be written to teach children frugal skills. I love the piggy bank made out of a soda bottle. In my home, porcelain piggy banks do not last long. It has been frustrating to purchase new piggy banks every year. Now the kids can make their own banks, paint them however they like, and I will not have to constantly spend money to help the children save money. Thank you, Molly!
The beginner’s checking account tutorial is a great way to teach children money management skills. I think the forms Molly included to teach the children to practice writing checks are great. Detailed instructions are given on using the checkbook register. Oh, how I wish I had been taught these skills as a youth. It would have saved me a bundle.
There is much useful information included in Molly’s Money Saving Digest. I recommend that everyone who wants to be frugal but not lose their creativity invest in this digest. Learn to track your spending, organize your jewelry and photos, and beautify your home for less than the cost of a cup of designer coffee.

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

2010-01-20T16:23:00.004-06:00

I have long been a reader of Joshua Harris, and his newest book does not disappoint.

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris opened my eyes to aspects of Christianity I had never before considered. All these years as a Christian and I never pondered the words orthodoxy, theology, or doctrine!

This book has led me to a deep study in the above terms, strengthening my love and commitment to Jesus Christ. I cannot believe how important it is to really know and live out true Biblical doctrine. But to know because I have read God's Word and searched out this truth for myself.

Dug Down Deep is refreshing, humorous, and humbling. Joshua Harris is so open and honest in his writing. I appreciate it when an author is humble and shares their trials. It makes it easier to relate and respond to the author's work. Anyone can read this book and walk away ready to pursue God and his Word.

If you do not understand the terms of doctrine, orthodoxy, or theology-you may be missing the depth of relationship you have been longing for with Jesus. I highly recommend you read Dug Down Deep today. Then follow Joshua Harris' example and start digging for your own nuggets of Truth.

Click here to purchase Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Author Bio:
Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg , Maryland , which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children.

The Sweet By and By-Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

2010-01-05T18:45:00.005-06:00

The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans (with Rachel Hauck) is a beautifully crafted story. Readers embark on a wonderful journey and will witness God's mercy and grace.

The characters are believable and come to life page by page. Difficult issues are addressed without the immodesty or crude descriptions we find so often in today's literature. The mother-daughter relationship will provide hope for many wounded hearts.

This novel is relevant and refreshing. It moved me to tears, tears of purification. The Sweet By and By will cause readers to take a deep look inside their souls. And reminds of the choice to be rid of unforgiveness -for their own actions as well as the hurts caused by others.

I was surprised that this novel effected me so deeply. I do recommend it and look forward to reading more from Sara Evans.

Elimination Communication

2009-07-24T14:52:00.003-05:00

I tried EC with one of my daughters. I gave up too quickly because of issues taking care of my Dad. I am hopeful to try again. I am also excited to share this link from Sensible Living. This is a contest for a free EC Starter Kit! I am entering, and hope that all my friends with babies will read this blog for great info on EC!!

The Vanishing Sculptor-Review

2009-06-26T18:25:00.003-05:00

The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K. Paul is an excellent novel. I used to love fantasy novels. I have stirred clear of them since I became a Christian (except for C.S. Lewis), because too much of the plots or characters glorified sinful lifestyles. However, this book was very wholesome, with no bad content, unless you disagree with talking animals.

This novel has such amazing characters. The story is told from the point of view of an emerlindian girl and a parrot! Many of the characters have hilarious personalities. I especially enjoyed the banter between Fenworth and his librarian.

The Vanishing Sculptor is definitely a page turner. It is going to be a great read aloud for my children. I am sure they will love to join the quirky band of friends on this amazing quest.

Book Summary:
Donita K. Paul’s 250,000-plus-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles series has attracted a wide spectrum of dedicated fans–and they’re sure to fall in love with the new characters and adventures in her latest superbly crafted fiction novel for all ages. It’s a mind-boggling fantasy that inhabits the same world as the DragonKeeper Chronicles, but in a different country and an earlier time, where the people know little of Wulder and nothing of Paladin.
In The Vanishing Sculptor, readers will meet Tipper, a young emerlindian who’s responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate during her sculptor father’s absence. Tipper soon discovers that her actions have unbalanced the whole foundation of her world, and she must act quickly to undo the calamitous threat. But how can she save her father and her world on her own? The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions–including the nearly five-foot tall parrot Beccaroon–and eventually witnesses the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder. Through Tipper’s breathtaking story, readers will discover the beauty of knowing and serving God.

Author Bio:
Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and eight novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles, a series which has sold more than a quarter million books to date. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs , Colorado , where she spends time mentoring and encouraging young writers. Visit her online at donitakpaul.com.

Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart-Review

2009-06-18T22:10:00.004-05:00

I am excited to say I finally read a book by Chuck Black. Roo had read one of his novels in the past and really loved it. Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart is Book 3 in the Knights of Arrethrae Series.

Well, I really loved this book. The characters are so realistic. I was riveted by the plot. I was impressed with the Christian allegory throughout the book. The passion of the characters for their King and Prince is moving. It also portrays the dangers of being lukewarm-a very good lesson for our children.

I am thankful for authors like Chuck Black. This novel is an adventure story that I can trust my children to dive in and enjoy. We can't wait to read all of the books in the Knights of Arrethtrae Series.

Summary:
Sir Dalton, a knight in training, seems to have everything going for him. Young, well-liked, and a natural leader, he has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn.

But something is amiss at the training camp. Their new trainer is popular but lacks the passion to inspire them to true service to the King and the Prince. Besides this, the knights are too busy enjoying a season of good times to be concerned with a disturbing report that many of their fellow Knights have mysteriously vanished.

When Sir Dalton is sent on a mission, he encounters strange attacks, especially when he is alone. As his commitment wanes, the attacks grow in intensity until he is captured by Lord Drox, a massive Shadow Warrior. Bruised and beaten, Dalton refuses to submit to evil and initiates a daring escape with only one of two outcomes–life or death. But what will become of the hundreds of knights he’ll leave behind? In a kingdom of peril, Dalton thinks he is on his own, but two faithful friends have not abandoned him, and neither has a strange old hermit who seems to know much about the Prince. But can Dalton face the evil Shadow Warrior again and survive?

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes Giveaway!

2009-06-12T14:45:00.003-05:00

I was given a free copy of Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes to offer as a giveaway on my blog!

Please leave a comment by Tuesday, June 16th including contact information such as email address or blog address. I will post the winner Wednesday, June 17th.

Thank you for entering this contest and for reading my review!

Blessings,
E.M.

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes-Review

2009-06-12T14:37:00.004-05:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I read Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn. I was very thankful that this novel invited me to have some good, clean, fun with the characters. It is difficult sometimes to find a novel, even by a Christian author, that doesn't have too much inappropriate imagery or subject matter. I like how Gunn touches on deep emotional issues, without having to describe all the ugliness of human nature. I related to the characters, and enjoyed watching them mature spiritually in the midst of struggle. I also like the theme of Godly friendships. I think many women would enjoy the Sisterchicks series. I look forward to reading more that Robin Jones Gunn has to offer.

Here is a summary of the book:

When a mammogram result comes back abnormal, midlife mama Summer Finley makes a snap decision to relegate fear to the back burner and fulfill a lifelong dream. Summer heads for Holland where she meets up with tulips, wooden shoes, and her best friend, Noelle.

Pen pals since fourth grade, Summer and Noelle have never met face-to-face. Through decades of heart-level correspondence, they have sustained a deep friendship. A week of adventure helps both women trade anxiety for a renewed and deeper trust in God. When Summer confides in Noelle about the abnormal medical report, Noelle finds the freedom to share a long-held heartache, and both women discover they needed each other more than they realized.

Women ages 35 and up, readers of Christian Boomer Lit, and fans of books such as The Yada Yada Prayer Group will enjoy Robin Jones Gunn’s humorous and uplifting style. True-to-life characters and moments of poignancy bring a deeper understanding of the value of life and the gift of true friends. Readers guide and bonus material included.

Author's Bio:

Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Glenbrooke, Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, and Christy and Todd: The College Years teen series. The Sisterchicks® series has sold more than 300,000 units, bringing her total sales to more than 3.5 million books worldwide. A Christy Award winner, Robin is a popular speaker, both at home and abroad, and is frequently interviewed on radio and on television. www.robingunn.com www.sisterchicks.com

Amish Love

2009-05-30T15:00:00.000-05:00

What’s all the hubbub about Amish fiction? Major media outlets like Time and ABC Nightline are covering it, and authors like Cindy Woodsmall are making the New York Times bestseller list regularly. What makes these books so interesting?

Check out the recent ABC Nightline piece here (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7676659&page=1) about Cindy and her titles When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and When the Soul Mends. It’s an intriguing look at Amish culture and the time Cindy has spent with Amish friends.

And don’t forget that Cindy’s new book The Hope of Refuge hits store shelves August 11, and is available for preorder now.

The Night Watchman

2009-05-30T14:40:00.003-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to read and review the novel The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir. I have included the summary followed by my opinion of this novel.

"Ray Quinn is a tough, quick-witted homicide detective in love with his partner, Trisha Willis. She gives Ray something to live for—something to hope in. Until a barrage of bullets leaves Trisha murdered and Ray crippled.

Struggling with his new physical disability and severe depression, Quinn turns to whiskey, scorn, and a job as a night watchman to numb the pain. But when a pastor and dancer are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, the pastor’s sister approaches Quinn for help.

Reluctantly, Quinn takes the case and is plunged into the perilous Orlando . Soon he discovers that, not only was the pastor murdered, but the case may be linked to his and Trisha’s ambush. Torn between seeking revenge or responsibility, Quinn is thrust into the case of his life.

Author Mark Mynheir gives readers his most profound police thriller to date with The Night Watchman (first book in The Night Watchman Private Detective Agency Series). Readers of all ages will devour this gripping murder mystery that bristles with tension and intrigue. In a taut cop-style all his own, Mynheir delivers an inside look at the thoughts, feelings, fears, and challenges police officers experience while investigating violent crimes and the lost souls who commit them. "

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I highly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more titles from author Mark Mynheir. The plot is intricate and suspenseful. And very believable. I started out not liking Ray Quinn, the main character. Toward the end, I was rooting for him and hoping that he would find God's peace. You can read more about this fascinating novel here-E.M.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

Molly's Money Saving Digest-June

2009-05-26T20:06:00.004-05:00

I really enjoy Molly's Money Saving Digest and I was happy to receive the June edition for review.

When I read Molly's Digest I feel like I am reading a letter from a good friend. Her style of writing is very friendly and inviting.

The Digest is full of practical money saving ideas. June's edition is all about vacations and how to save money while still having a great time. I wish I had this information available a couple of weeks ago when we went on our first family vacation. There are websites listed for vacation planning. Many ideas are included for entertaining children on a long road trip. Also, there are ideas for stay-cations, and day trips to the lake. Molly has included a travel budget form and a vacation checklist to aid in trip planning.

Molly also interviews the Hillbilly Housewife. I learned how to be more frugal using meal planning. There are recipes included and a link to the Emergency Menu that can feed a family for approximately $45 a week.

Also, picnic planning ideas are given. Our family loves picnics. We have picnics at home, the park, sometimes we drive to the Botanical Gardens for a "day-cation" and enjoy eating together while we are there.

I absolutely loved the information on homemade bug spray. The Digest is worth the cost of $4.95 for that awesome recipe. Oh, and I loved the nature jars! June's Digest is just full of fun ideas for any family this summer.

Try out Molly's Money Saving Digest and you will not be disappointed! You can learn more about Molly at Econobusters.com

What Does the Bible Say About That? Review

2009-05-03T11:36:00.004-05:00

I recently received a copy of WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THAT? by Carolyn Larsen, published by Crossway Books.

This book is written for ages 8-12 and includes over 300 topics. The purpose of the book is to lead children to scripture to answer their questions. Ranging from sin issues, to world events, to relationships, this book is a great tool for any parent.

Mercy is one of the topics covered in What Does The Bible Say About That? First, a detailed explanation based on biblical scriptures is given. Then the information is supported by one or more scriptures. In this case, Exodus 34:6, Lamentations 3:22, and Hebrews 4:16. The next section is Face the Facts, and shares how to apply these scriptures to life. The last section on Mercy is a call to action, Today I Will, which describes to children how they can implement Mercy in their life right away.

The book is very easy for children to read, and it is written in a conversational style. There are also many fun illustrations throughout the book. My son has enjoyed reading this book with his devotional in the mornings.

I love that this book teaches children to look to God's Word for the answers. His Book really does answer all of our questions. I look forward to reading this book with my children for years to come.

Famous Men of Rome from Memoria Press

2009-04-30T23:25:00.004-05:00

Memoria Press has reprinted Famous Men of Rome by John Haaron and AB Poland. They have added 30 beautiful illustrations, and many black and white illustrations are included as well.

We received the Famous Men of Rome text, the Teacher's Guide, and Student Guide.

The text is beautiful. It includes the stories of Great Roman leaders, the good and the bad. It starts with the foundation of Rome and ends with the story of Constantine. I would consider this a living book. The roman history and people come to life. My children wanted to hear the stories over and over again. My son especially enjoyed reading about the Roman battles.

The student guide has facts to know, vocabulary, comprehension questions, and activities. There is also an appendix with timelines, maps, and a pronunciation guide. The teacher's guide is identical to the student guide, with answers provided. The answers for the comprehension questions are also included.

Famous Men of Rome is a wonderful way to introduce historical biographies into your school. I look forward to reading the other Famous Men books by the same authors. I am thankful to Memoria Press for reprinting these awesome books.

Prima Latina from Memoria Press

2009-04-30T22:28:00.004-05:00

Prima Latina is a beginners Latin course for grades K-3. We received the Teacher's Guide, Student Workbook, Instructional DVDs, and the Pronunciation CD.

Prima Latina is a formal language program. Each lesson contains a Latin saying, a Lesson (Lesson 1 is the Alphabet), Vocabulary, a Latin Prayer, and English Derivatives. These are then followed by Review Question. Following that is a Translation and Speaking Latin lesson. Then a Write and Learn section is provided to reinforce the entire lesson. Some lessons contain a Fun Practice lesson at the end.

Prima Latina will teach your student 125 Latin Vocabulary Words, 25 Practical Latin Sayings, and 4 Latin Prayers. These are just a few of the many topics covered in this Latin Curriculum.

Roo and I decided to tackle Latin together. We have had a fun time learning the practical Latin sayings and incorporating them into our conversations. The pronunciation CD is very helpful and we listen to it at the end of each lesson.

The Teacher's Guide is identical to the Student Workbook. All of the answers are included which helps with the translation. The student workbook is very practical. Each section is short but thorough. We really enjoyed the Fun Practice.

The Instructional DVDs are great for busy moms. The complete lesson is given by Leigh Lowe. The DVDs are very professional. The sound is great, and the lessons are easy to read. It is like having a teacher come to your home and teach Latin to your children. How wonderful to have a private Latin Tutor.

Although we never planned to learn Latin, we have decided to fit it in to our school. We will continue to use Memoria Press. Prima Latina is an awesome curriculum. We look forward to using Latina Christiana next year.

If you want to include Latin into your school, I highly recommend giving Memoria Press a try. They have many samples on their website.

Tapestry of Grace DE Review

2009-04-23T20:46:00.004-05:00

Tapestry of Grace is a History and Geography curriculum written for the Classical homeschooler. Tapestry is separated into four years of study each broken down into four units. Each unit is for 9 weeks, but can be extended over a longer time if the parent wishes. There are 16 total units to complete the four year study. The students should cycle through each year 2-3 times.

The curriculum is designed for all ages to study together. Included in each unit are lesson plans for the Lower and Upper Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric stages. For example, if you have a child in Lower Grammar and a child in the Dialectic stage you can teach them together focusing on one subject. The work is then tailored to the age/learning level of the student.

Tapestry of Grace is also considered a Unit Study. The study of History is reinforced with related topics in Literature, Art, and Geography.

We received the DE version of Tapestry of Grace to review. The installation is very simple and allows for immediate use. The unit is viewed in LockLizard, a protected PDF viewer. It only took me a few minutes to download our unit. The Tapestry website offers sample downloads and I recommend viewing it to understand how Tapestry DE will be installed.

Tapestry offers supplements to go with each Year or Unit. They offer lapbooks, pop quizzes, map aids, evaluations, and writing aids. These are available at additional cost. We received the lapbook for the Middle Ages and we enjoyed putting it together. The directions were easy to follow.

Tapestry of Grace also offers The LOOM (a CD and webpage) which has a wealth of information not included in the units. Updates and corrections are posted here. Websites that relate to the topic of study are listed. Scheduling advice and assignment charts are given. And many resources for each stage of learning are listed as well.

We reviewed Year 2 Unit 1 : The Middle Ages. My son picked out this unit because he wanted to learn about knights and castles. Since DE was delivered within minutes to my PC I was able to start exploring. I found the book list and reserved titles at my library. I printed out any worksheets for the Upper Grammar for the first two weeks. I looked at the activities and decided which ones we would try. I made a list to gather supplies. I was also very overwhelmed.

Tapestry of Grace has a wealth of information. Background information from World Book and other sources is given for the teacher to read. I feel like I am a scholar of the Middle Ages now. But it took a long time for me to sort through the information and find what I needed for my son. It may be that I am used to printed curriculum and navigating a digital curriculum takes practice. I feel that after spending several weeks looking at the DE version I am very impressed.

PROS

I love the book choices.
I like that all grade levels can be taught at one time.
I love the hands-on projects.
I like the lapbook from TOG for our unit.
I like the Unit Study format.
I like the background information given to the teacher in each week.
I love the LOOM.
I like the forum.
I like the ease of downloading the product.
I can print only the pages that I need.
Takes up less space than a printed copy.
Easy to customize for each student and family.
I love the unit celebrations.

CONS

I could not find half of the necessary books at the library, including the alternate books.
The suggested books are necessary to the curriculum. (However, the books can be purchased from The Bookshelf.) Without the proper books, many assignments and worksheets in TOG cannot be completed.
So much information is given in each week, that it was hard for me to find exactly what I was looking for. (This became easier for me as I became more familiar with TOG.)
I dislike looking at the PC for hours working out lessons plans for each week.
I do not have a laptop, so I really need a printed version to travel with me.
The cost of printing the DE version will exceed the price of the printed unit from TOG.
I think the evaluations or pop quizzes should be included with each unit.
There is not a book list for the required books on the LOOM or in the unit itself. The teacher must scour the pages of the DE looking for the reading assignments.
Math, Science, Spelling, Bible, etc have to be added since this is a History/Literature product.
A lot more teacher prep is needed than I prefer.

Some families can really benefit from the structure offered by Tapestry of Grace, and the convenience of the DE Version. DE Units are $45 each, and for $36.30 you can receive a print version along with it for a total of $81.30. A printed unit of TOG is $60.

Large families might also appreciate the multilevel units.

I like Tapestry of Grace and I strongly considered switching to TOG. The application of DE, however, is not for us. The three main reasons I decided it would not work for our family were the difficulty in finding books, the amount of teacher prep needed, and the amount of time I had to spend looking at the PC. I personally need a curriculum that I can pick up and teach from immediately. Seasoned users of TOG might be able to use the Year Plans in that way, but it may take me too long to get to that point.

We are looking forward to our Unit Celebration, and will be ending it with a field trip to Scarborough Faire Ren Fest.

Exploring Creation with Zoology1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day

2009-04-09T18:28:00.004-05:00

I was thrilled to discover we would be reviewing one of the Elementary Science Texts from Apologia Educational Ministries.

First of all, Jeannie K. Fulbright did an excellent job writing to children. She doesn't talk down to them, and has a conversational style. My son was completely engaged in the text. In fact, the first day he picked up Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, he read the entire book. He took it in the car when we ran a few errands. I never thought he would read a Science book like a novel.

This is a Science text with a Christian perspective. Apologia does a wonderful job of sharing God's awesome creation with children. All information is given is such a way to glorify God, and support Creationism.

Apologia uses an immersion approach, not a spiral-approach like the public school system. There are a total of 14 lessons, which can be broken down into daily requirements based on the student. Some may choose to use 2 weeks to cover each lesson since because of the wealth of information given in each lesson.

Unlike much of the Science curriculum I have seen, Apologia does not use worksheets. Instead they suggest notebooking and narration. Each chapter ends with a project or experiment to further the child's understanding of the subject. Most of these projects can be completed with common household items. I was thrilled to find a complete supplies list in the front of the text showing every single item needed for each week. This helps if there are any items I need to buy. I can take a quick glance or copy the page to keep in my purse.

The pictures are beautiful. They are in full color. We loved the hummingbird pictures, the picture of the hatching bird, and my son loved the bats.

Apologia offers a course website that holds links to information on many of the subjects in Zoology 1. The student can log in with the password given in the text and learn even more about Zoology. This is an awesome bonus. It saves me the time of looking up websites when Roo wants to know more, which is often the case.

I look forward to formally using Apologia for our Science Curriculum in the years to come. I wholly endorse the Elementary series by Jeannie K. Fulbright. It works with my eclectic/Charlotte Mason style. And my son loves it, what mom could ask for more?

Classic Bible Storybook Review

2009-04-01T22:20:00.006-05:00

The Classic Bible Storybook by Kenneth N. Taylor is such a precious book. My husband and I have enjoyed reading the beautiful stories aloud to our children at bedtime. The book itself is a beautiful hardback that many parents will want to add to their “forever” collection.

The stories in this book are very concise. Most are 2-3 pages long. The Bible stories are well-written and accurate. This is very important to us because we don’t like Bible books that add events to the story to make them exciting for children. We believe the original story can captivate our children, and we appreciate Kenneth Taylor’s method.

There are more than 120 stories included. Each story has review questions to help lead a discussion with the children about what they have learned. I like using the questions because my children often glean truth from the stories that I would never have thought possible. The questions help me to draw out their hearts as we talk about our Lord.

The illustrations in the Classic Bible Storybook are wonderful. Each page is given an antiqued look. There are many beautiful color illustrations of the stories and my children love looking at them as we read together.

I think this book is a wonderful companion to our Bible studies. I am thankful to have it, and the Classic Bible Storybook has become a favorite in our home. I am sure in a few years it will show the signs of being well-loved.

Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure Review

2009-04-01T20:57:00.004-05:00

My family was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure DVD.

First of all, Max Lucado has been instrumental in my walk with Christ. When I first became a Christian, Lucado’s books help to reveal God’s heart for me. I am thankful for the wisdom God has allowed Max to share with thousands of people. When I discovered several years later that Max Lucado was involved in children’s ministry through books and movies I was very excited.

Hermie’s friend Skeeter has a crooked stinger. This causes him to feel inferior to other mosquitoes, especially his brother Sinclair, who seems to be perfect in every way. Sinclair has come home to find a treasure hidden by the mosquitos’ father. Skeeter wants to help, but is not sure if his stinger can lead the adventurers to the treasure.

This movie is very sweet. It teaches us that God makes all unique, and he thinks that we are perfect just the way we are. It also teaches us not to compare ourselves with others. Believing God loves us can help overcome feelings of insecurity and self-doubt.

My children really like this movie, and ask to watch it often. We also like the recipe that is included as a bonus.

Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure is great if you are looking for a good moral lesson for your children, without it being too “cheesy”. Click HERE to read more about Hermie, Skeeter, and all of their friends.

The Critical Thinking Co.-Beginning Mathematical Reasoning

2009-03-23T21:04:00.004-05:00

Critical Thinking Co. publishes books for all ages to increase test scores, to increase grades, and to sharpen the mind. They have curriculum available for Language Arts, Science, History, and Critical Thinking.

The company has been publishing for over 50 years and has many wonderful products to offer.

We received Beginning Mathematical Reasoning PreK to review.

My ballerina (3) really enjoyed working out the problems in this workbook. She was excited to have school, and her confidence grew as we progressed through the book. The lessons are colorful and simple. Each page has a small amount of problems, so the lesson is easily completed.

I enjoyed using Beginning Mathematical Reasoning with my daughter. I was impressed several times by the amount of math knowlegde she retained from day to day. I would recommend this product to families that are looking for a math workbook for the little ones.

The only drawback is the price. Beginning Mathematical Reasoning PreK is on sale for $24.99, regularly priced $29.99. For our family, this is a lot to pay for a PreK workbook. However, many families who start schooling at a younger age might find this product a wonderful investment.

The Critical Thinking Co. website offers samples and printables. They also offer software demos and discounted bundles. I have been perusing the catalog and I am very interested in the Mind Benders series, and the Teaching Signs for Baby Minds DVD series.

The Critical Thinking Co. does offer quality products. If the products for older children are as well done as for the younger, I would happily use their workbooks to supplement our homeschool. I think Critical Thinking Co. workbooks are worth the investment.

Home School In The Woods-New Testament Activity Pak

2009-03-16T22:14:00.004-05:00

We have had a blast putting together the New Testament Hands-On-History Pak from Home School In The Woods. The New Testament Pak is a Lapbooking unit study that is great for independent study or to supplement a Bible study curriculum.

These Activity Paks are not your everyday lapbook. The time and detail put into this product is shown every step of the way. The instructions are very easy to understand. The Paks include pictures to aid assembly of the lapbook. For this reason, I believe Home School In The Woods Paks would be great for the first time lapbooker.

There are a total of 15 fun lapbook activities to put together. The activities are very detailed and include excellent illustrations. Also, the Pak includes pop-ups and other fun paper crafts to place in the lapbook. Roo really enjoyed putting together the Last Supper activity. I enjoyed helping with the Nativity Scene. Here is a list of some of the New Testament activities:

* The Lineage from David to Jesus
* The Birth of Jesus Christ * Miracles of Jesus * The Beatitudes * Fruit of the Spirit * The Parables of Jesus * The Last Supper * The Crucifixion	* The Resurrection * The Ascension * Pentecost * Prophesies Fulfilled * The Twelve Disciples * Paul's Missionary Journeys * Postcards from Paul

There are also 2 bonus activities included in the pack. The New Testament Times newspaper activity, and the Armor of God Activity Poster. We haven't attempted the newspaper yet, but we had so much fun putting Roo's face on the poster. He claimed it for his room even though I wanted to hang it in the living room.

We can't wait to try the Old Testament Activity Pak, and Roo is dying to do the Civil War Time Travelers Pak.

Home School In The Woods also offers timeline figures and I would like to purchase them to go along with our studies next year. We love hanging a timeline along the kitchen walls, it is our family's "conversation piece"! I highly recommend The New Testament Pak. I am sure your children will love it!

Please pray! You can HELP! God hears our prayers.

2009-03-14T11:16:00.005-05:00

I have copied and pasted the last two posts from my friends blog...feel free to share...and if anyone has any info that might help...please contact me. Her sweet daughter is 3 years old and is just as beautiful as can be. God is keeping his eyes on this sweet child, he never lets her out of HIS sight.

Love,
E.M.

Zala's Diagnosis
"I know that I posted this as a bulletin, but I just wanted one more way for people to know Zala's story...still working on how to start her fundraising...treatments will be around $150, 000 total...I'll let everyone know when we get it all started...any help or info is appreciated...

Well, after 9 months of testing and research we finally have a diagnosis. For those of you who don't know, my youngest daughter Zala started having seizures in May of last year and has had 16 total since. Since the seizures started, she has lost some of her speech and has had difficulty walking. She has had several tests ran, including a CT, MRI, PETscan, upper GI, and several basic blood test, all with normal results. Since she was born she has devel..oped at a normal rate, except for the fact that she is small for her age. Seeing how I'm 5'1" and Dad is 5'6", that is no surprise. She has seen several specialist, all with no answers, until now. She was seen by a genetic specialist.. about 3 weeks ago. Dr. Basinger ran about 10 different tests with symptoms matching seizu..res and regression. These were only to be the first tests, as she had more to run if they all came back normal. On Thursday February 5th, I got the call. They confirmed that Zala has what's known as LATE INFANTILE NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS, sometimes referred to as late infantile form of Batten Disease. I will not go into great detail of the symptoms. If you google the disease, you will find all you need to know. The prognosis for the disease is fatal. Children don't typically live past 8-12 years old. At this time, there are no treatments available in the US, but China is offering a treatment that seems.. to be helping. The disease is very rare, only 4 cases in the state of Texas including Zala. We are staying positive, I know that my God works miracles and his hand is on the situation. We will be starting a website for her and be doing fundraising to collect money for future treatments, as they are very coslty. Many people are praying for her, and she can use all the prayers she can get. I will try to keep everyone updated, as things possibly change. Thanks in advance for all the support I know she will receive. If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask."

Quick Update on Zala
"Zala had her eyes checked, and they are perfect. She also had a swallow function test, and it was perfect as well...what a blessing.

About a week ago Zala lost her ability to walk. She is now crawling and scooting to get around. She has lost most of her speech, but likes to yell stuff alot, it's like music to my ears.

Please continue to pray for her, as we are believing in full healing. "

Schleich Animal Figures

2009-03-11T14:44:00.007-05:00

We have long been familiar with Schleich toys. We often see them when we are grocery shopping at Target. Occasionally, I let the kids pick out a new animal for their collections. For Christmas, we gave Roo one of the Schleich sharks in his stocking.

We received several of the animals for our review. We received the African black rhino, the walking lioness, the standing sheep, the walking orange cat, the new Gazelle, and the beautiful Lipizzaner Stallion.

My Ballerina loves the horse. My Sweet Pea loves them all (as you can see from the below pic), but is partial to the orange cat. Roo liked setting up all the animals and creating adventure scenes.

One great thing about Schleich is the quality. The animals are so realistic. I wanted to take a close-up of the horse to show how much effort was put into the crafting of these toys, but my camera would not cooperate.

Another thing that is great about these figures is that they are so solid. My children cannot break them. They will probably last forever, and my children can pass them on to their children, and so on. Each model is hand painted with obvious care.

Roo has bee drooling over the Knights collection. (Ok, so I like them, too!) I used to collect horses as a child, and I think any horse loving kid should have at least one of the Schleich horses.

The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality of toy that is being purchased.

Our family LOVES Schleich! Here are several photos for you to enjoy!

Alphabet Alley Review 2

2009-03-11T14:23:00.006-05:00

This past month has been a huge blessing to our family. We have received so many great products for our kids. Last year I reviewed the Two by Two Matching Game and Noah's Ark Go Fish from Alphabet Alley. This year we received the Our New Baby Magnetic Playset to review.

My girls have had a blast with this playset. Unlike other magnetic playsets we have used in the past, this playset has strong magnets. Also, there are not tons of tiny, easy to lose pieces. There are a fair number of pieces but not so many to jumble up the play area. The set also has a wipeable carrying case.

We take the playset in the car, and to meetings where the children stay with us. Alphabet Alley has high quality products. There focus to provide Bible based toys should be supported. Please take a look at all the great products they offer. The toys and games are sturdy and of good quaility. The prices are great, too!

You can find my review of the Noah's Ark Go Fish and Two by Two Matching Game here.

One2Believe Product Review 2

2009-03-11T14:11:00.008-05:00

My children have greatly enjoyed the products we have received from one2believe. We first received the Nativity scene before Christmas. This time we received the Tales of Glory Noah's Ark set and we were thrilled. The Noah set was on our wish list and my kids couldn't wait to see what animals were in the package.

There is Noah, of course, complete with staff. Then there are a pair of these animals: donkeys, elephants, monkeys, ostriches, lions, sheep, and camels. The toys are sturdy and cute. The ark opens up and all of the animals can be stored inside. The ark also comes with a detachable ramp so the animals can enter the boat. The ramp also stores inside the body of the ark.

We will continue to purchase toys from one2believe. We really appreciate a company dedicated to bringing Bible based toys to our children. Thank you one2believe!

You can see my review on the Nativity Set here.

God is so faithful...

2009-03-11T13:54:00.003-05:00

God never fails. Never. I have had the Lord reveal His love to me and my family in so many ways, and I have overlooked many of them in my pride. Ah, pride is a nasty thing, and it keeps us at a distance from our Maker. Everyday I need to work on my prideful strongholds. My pride rears its ugly head in the little things, and in the big things, and half of the time I do not recognize it because I feel justified in my attitude.

When I go back to God's Word I am shown the right attitudes I should have.

Ephesians 4:2- "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

How quickly my heart forgets His Truth. I feel comforted, especially when I read Psalm 139.

"¹ O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You."

No matter where I go, I am HIS. Thank God for His purification through fire. He is removing all the waste from my life, His Holy Spirit is alive in me, and I am learning to look to Jesus for my answers.

Having too much pride can wreak havoc on your life and cause pain to those who love you. Leaning to be humble is well, humbling. When I go to my children and ask forgiveness for an attitude of anger or judgement, I am pleasing the Lord. My children will see Jesus in me through my humbleness, not my religiosity.

God is faithful to the tiniest detail. I strive to have the same faithfulness for my Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you have given me, and all you continue to do in my life!

SpellQuizzer Review

2009-03-07T21:11:00.003-06:00

SpellQuizzer is quite simply a spelling software that allows the parent to create a quiz by recording the words verbally through a microphone to be added to a list. The child then selects the list and can hear the word spoken, and then repeated in a sentence. The child then enters the word into SpellQuizzer, and the program corrects the student if the spelling is incorrect. The child is then given the opportunity to retry any missed words.

At first, I wasn't sure how to implement SpellQuizzer into our homeschool. We use a curriculum that doesn't have a weekly list, but changes daily, so imputing all the words into a list would be impossible. However, I decided that I can just enter the words my son spells incorrectly a week at a time. We will use this program as a fun way to reinforce the correct spelling of missed words.

This spelling program is a lot of fun for my children when I use goofy sentences as suggested by SpellQuizzer. I also tried creating lists for subjects other than spelling. We quizzed state capitals, simple addition, and Scripture.

I think that for some families, with multiple children, and multiple spelling lists, SpellQuizzer will be a daily life-saver. For our family, and the spelling curriculum we already use, SpellQuizzer will just be a fun supplement.

SpellQuizzer offers a free 30-day trial, and it can be purchased for $29.95. Enjoy quizzing your kiddos! We have had a blast!

ARTistic Pursuits Review

2009-03-05T22:42:00.005-06:00

ARTistic Pursuits is a fabulous art program. I have used several art programs now over the years and the past several months. I am thrilled with ARTistic Pursuits.

Let me share a bit with you about the company, and then I will share with you what my family thought of this program.

From the company website:

"The Artistic Pursuits program presents both the expressive and the technical aspects of art in an age-appropriate manner. Children are curious and expressive from the start, so we work with the interests that they have in their world to teach them to observe more closely, and to express what they see on paper in the way they choose to do it. Many ideas are presented in each book, so children are learning, and at the same time, each child has freedom to choose those ideas which captured his interest and best suits his needs. As children are able to handle more difficult approaches to seeing and techniques for using materials, these things are demonstrated. We expect a child to be a child and we value what they produce from their own hands. So you will not find projects that try to force young children to draw like adults, requiring patience and discipline to complete, which often leads to frustration. Children don't need patience when their own interests and motivation are guiding them.

At the K-3 level students want to learn what it is to be an artist. In book one they do the same things as artists do, so the lessons build instant confidence. We start an exciting look at art history using the idea that art is more than just a picture on a wall. It is made in many cultures and found in many types of places, broadening their ideas of what art is. Students are encouraged to use the information within the book and their observations of the world as a starting place for their own ideas. In this way young students understand and use the concept of personal expression. We begin the more formal study of the elements of art and composition when students become perceptually aware, usually around fourth grade."

We reviewed K-3, Book 2, Stories of Artists and Their Art.

I will list what we really appreciated about this program below:

No nudity

non-consumable
children's artwork shown in book for encouragement

very detailed instruction, even shows how to set up workspace, and hold paintbrush, etc.

very teacher friendly, easy to teach (read the lesson aloud), and very little prep-time

all materials are listed in the front of the book and are grouped by media. The projects are then given the correct group number to show what supplies will be needed for the lesson.

projects are perfectly suited for the age range given, but can be adapted for older students if necessary

short lessons so my son did not lose interest

good discussion questions that engage the children with the artist's work

the "works" are reproduced in the book so I did not have to search for art prints online or at the library.

Are overall experience with ARTistic Pursuits was fantastic. The only thing I found to not like was the price. The cost of $42.95 for one book seems quite high especially when art supplies need to be purchased. However, many families would find the price to be very affordable since the book can be used for more than one student and is non-consumable. Also, it is possible to do the projects by group, using the same supplies for a time before moving on to the next medium. The website also provides information how to obtain the required supplies at discount prices.

We have decided to continue with ARTistic Pursuits in our homeschool. Take a look at some of our "masterpieces"!

Roo's calendar

Roo's tiger

Roo!

The first half of my calendar (Roo and the baby)

Mother and Daughter
(It has been 10 years since I have used watercolor!
I had a blast! This program just isnt for kiddos!)

See, even the hubby is painting!!

Take me Out of the Bathtub Giveaway!

2009-03-03T13:04:00.007-06:00

I have a fun book to GIVEAWAY!! If your children love to sing silly songs, they will love Take Me Out of the Bathtub by Alan Katz and David Catrow.

This authors takes 14 well-loved childrens songs and add new lyrics to make hilarious new songs.

My children absolutely love this book. We read if for the first time when we had a long day in the car. The children were laughing and singing and quite entertained for the whole trip. I was very happy about that.

The songs are catchy, and I find myself singing the silly songs while I am doing the dishes. My three year old really enjoyed the songs, and has tried to memorize some of the lyrics. The illustrations are a lot of fun, too.

My children's favorite song is "Stinky, Stinky Diaper Change". Yes, there is a bit of bathroom humor, but nothing I found too objectionable.

I bought a package that contained an extra copy of Take Me Out of the Bathtub, and I am offering the new copy here for FREE! This is my first giveaway, and I am excited to see how it goes.

If you would like a chance to win this book, please leave a comment with your blog or email address so I can contact you.

The drawing will be held March 10th!

Note: There is only one paperback copy of the book available in the giveaway.

Also, keep an eye out for more giveaways in the near future!

CONGRATS TO CRAZY MOM!!! ENJOY YOUR BOOK!!!

Five in a Row Review

2009-03-02T21:07:00.003-06:00

I have found gold!

Yes, real treasure.

Not diamonds and pearls, but something of far more worth.

I received Five in a Row volume 3 to review, and I am so thankful. My children love it, I love it, even my husband loves it!

Five in a Row is a literature based unit study written by Jane Lambert. Volume 3 contains units for the following books:

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco
Andy and the Circus by Ellis Credle
The Wild Horses of Sweetbriar by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ill. by Ted Rand
Henry the Castaway by Mark Taylor
The Finest Horse in Town by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Truman's Aunt Farm by Jama Kim Rattigan
The Duchess Bakes a Cake by Virginia Kahl
Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty
Daniel's Duck by Clyde Robert Bulla
Warm as Wool by Scott Russell Sanders
The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer
Climbing Kansas Mountains by George Shannon
Amber on the Mountain by Tony Johnston
Little Nino's Pizzeria by Karen Barbour

One book is to be chosen for each week. We chose The Salamander Room and The Bee Tree for our first books. Five in a Row offers activities for Literature, Applied Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, and Music. History and Geography are included in some of the lessons as well. Each day, for five days in a row, you read the book aloud to your children. After the book is read, you choose one of the subjects such as Math and choose an activity to do with your child. Most subjects have several activities to choose from so the curriculum is very flexible. So in one week, you should have covered all the major subjects in a very gentle way.

We had a lot of fun with The Salamander Room. We learned about parallel construction. We explored salamander habitats, learned the parts of a cricket, and Roo wrote about what he would have in his own salamander room. We counted all the animals in the book. My three year old counted the salamanders on each page, and then wanted to start all over again!

I absolutely LOVE this approach to learning. I wish that I had found Five in a Row when I first started homeschooling. We are a book-loving family, so reading the same book everyday for a week is not a big deal to us. In fact, my children often bring their favorites for me to read several times a day! I found that they retained more when they could tie the information back to the book. It is so exciting to see my children absorbing facts like little sponges.

I have now purchased all of the Five in a Row volumes. I also bought Before Five in a Row to use with my littles. The volumes are not too expensive, but to me they are priceless. Five in A Row is my new treasure. But it is a treasure I want to share will all homeschool moms. This gentle approach to education has amazing results. Try it and see!

Cadron Creek-Prairie Primer Review

2009-02-27T20:43:00.004-06:00

I was very excited about receiving the Prairie Primer by Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum. We are huge fans of Little House on the Prairie. Most of our movies from Netflix are the old Little House TV show. We have also used some of the books last year in school. The whole family enjoys Laura Ingalls Wilder and her stories.

The Prairie Primer is a literature Unit Study that is based on The Little House books. As per the company website:

"In addition to literature and history, The Primer covers social studies, geography, writing, science, health, nutrition, Bible, character building, and life application."

It does need to have grammar, math, and possibly some science supplementation based on the ages of the children participating in the study.

We started with The Little House in the Big Woods. We enjoyed studying about bears, corn cob dolls, and so much more. However, what I enjoyed the most about the Prairie Primer was the focus on Scripture and moral principles. We learned a lot about the application of certain Scripture through the actions of Ma, Pa, Mary, and Laura. We also had fun trying some of the recipes!

There are many activities suggested for every chapter. Some chapters have more suggestions than others. It was easy for me to pick out which ones would work best for my family. We did not dig through owl pellets! But that was my personal preference. Some families would have a lot of fun with that activity!

The Prairie Primer is an excellent tool to become more acquainted with American History during the Pioneer Era. It also brought us closer to Laura and her family as we began to fit together the puzzle pieces of Pioneer history that we had learned over the years.

The Cadron Creek website has a ton of information to help supplement the Primer. It offers planning guides, study guides, background information, worksheets, an activity index, and an answer appendix. The also offer resource packs that include some of the additional texts needed to supplement the Primer. I am glad they offer this because I did have a bit of difficulty finding the books I needed at the library. However, it was fairly easy to substitute different titles.

The teacher prep was a little more intensive than I am used to. I usually gather a few things each day as I go, but I had to prepare a couple of weeks ahead when using the Prairie Primer. There were guides at the front of each week to help me pull together the needed supplies.

My family has had a blast with the Prairie Primer. We will continue to use it as a literature and Bible study. We also look forward to trying Further Up and Further In, a unit study based on the The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis published by Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum.

The Prairie Primer is a must have for all the Little House fans out there! And the price is very reasonable!

Heads UP! Review

2009-02-24T19:45:00.004-06:00

I was first made aware of this product for the TOS Crew. I have never heard of, or seen, products that are carried by the Heads Up! company. They carry products for special needs and highly distractable children. From their website:

"Heads Up! is a company designed to provide expert information and products for special needs children. Our items have been selected to accommodate various learning styles and strengths, regardless of curriculum used. These special needs products have been found to be especially helpful for children who are distractible or hyperactive.

Our goal is to provide materials and information for homeschooling families, occupational therapists, speech therapists, teachers, and specialists who work with children who have developmental delays, learning disabilities, or other special needs. Professionals, as well as parents and families interacting with special needs children, need materials and teaching tips that will be effective in promoting successful learning experiences while reducing frustration for children, teachers, and parents.

Special needs children such as those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) are often exceptionally creative or talented in areas not traditionally recognized in academic settings. Many such children thrive in a home school setting, yet still benefit from the use of simple special needs products that help to maximize their success. "

We received a wide variety of colored frames to review. The frames are to be placed over a sheet of text to change the background color. So instead of black text on white paper, it would appear to be black text on blue, green, yellow, etc.

I have included a few pictures of the different frames offered.

My two littles are not reading, so Roo and I were the testers. He is a very focused reader, but he enjoyed changing colors while he was reading. His favorite color was orange. I found orange hard to look at, I liked the blue or green filters the most.

I can see how this product could be beneficial for students struggling to read.

To learn more about Heads Up!, visit their website today!

Math Tutor DVD Review

2009-02-24T19:14:00.003-06:00

Math Tutor DVD offers many instructional math courses taught by Jason Gibson. The DVDs are topical and range from Basic Math to Physics. MathTutorDVD.com offers many samples on their website. They also provide worksheets for purchase to go along with a few of the DVDs.

We received the Algebra 2 DVD and the Word Problem DVD. My son was a bit young for the Algebra 2 so I viewed that one. I am a VERY visual person and I appreciate seeing all the problems worked out step-by-step. I believe that if I was currently enrolled in an Algebra course I would find Math Tutor very helpful. I like the setup of the DVD because you can choose a particular topic to cover, and he gives more than one example for each topic. Mr. Gibson is very easy to understand, and he uses terms that I can understand. For an adult, some times it may be a bit repetitive, but on some subjects I appreciated having the information repeated several times.

My son watched the Word Problems DVD. He enjoyed it and tried to "race" the teacher in getting the correct answer. After a while, he did not want to watch and I realized that the word problems were a bit too easy for him. He said he did like how the teacher showed each problem step-by-step on the board.

Based on Roo's feedback , I think we could use these DVDs in our schooling if one of my children was struggling to understand a concept. I also think that I can benefit from watching these DVDs as I teach my children math- especially since math is my weakest subject.

If you are needing a tutor, but not able to afford the cost of a personal tutor, you should take a look at MathTutorDvd.com. There are plenty of samples that can be viewed to see if this program would fit the needs of your family.

Homeschooling ABCs

2009-02-16T21:41:00.003-06:00

When I began homeschooling, I wish that I had a resource like Homeschooling ABCs by Todd and Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest, Inc.

Homeschooling ABCs is a 26 week course. Each week a new lesson is mailed out to help a family new to homeschooling achieve success and to receive encouragement.

When I began schooling my children, I had several families around me to support me. However, I did not meet a family that schooled the way I really wanted to school my own children. I basically didn't even know there were different philosophies and approaches to homeschooling. The Homeschooling ABCs address this issue early on. I would have saved so much money and time if I had known this in the beginning. And I would have been much less frustrated. My son and I were unhappy schooling the traditional way. Learning came alive for us when we found living books and the Charlotte Mason approach.

I did appreciate my friends and their input, but I needed more. This course provides the meat, the core of homeschooling information. With Homeschooling ABCs you could start schooling right away. In fact, they claim to get you started in 48 hours or less!

Some of the topics covered are:
*10 important steps to get started
*Biblical Foundation
*Scheduling
*Learning Styles (I love this one)
*Homeschool Philosophy ( I am totally a Charlotte Mason with a pinch of unit study!)
*Choosing Curriculum
*Finding Support
*Dealing with Toddlers
and so much more!

I have homeschooled for nearly 5 years now (officially) and I gained new information from Homeschooling ABCs. I think veterans can benefit from this course just as those new to homeschooling. I still feel like a newbie all the time.

There are freebies included in many of the lessons from different publishers and authors to help smooth the way.

I am really impressed with the time and effort put into this product. Homeschooling ABCs is $10 a month, and lasts for 6 months. Five years ago I would have paid much more than $10 month for the information Terri Johnson provides. It would have saved me more time and money than I can imagine. Also, I love the fact that only one lesson is given each week. It gives me time to chew on and actually implement the ideas presented

If you are new to Homeschooling, or if you just need a refresher, I urge you to invest in Homeschooling ABCs.

Math Mammoth Review

2009-02-16T17:25:00.008-06:00

Math Mammoth books are self-teaching texts written by Maria Miller. The books are available in four series: Blue , Light Blue, Golden, and Green. The Light Blue Series is a complete curriculum for grades 1-5. The Golden Series are Workbooks (worksheets), arranged by grade. The Green Series are Workbooks (worksheets), arranged by topic.

We received several of the Blue Series for review. The Blue Series offers explanations and worksheets. The Blue Series can be used for supplemental use or for a complete curriculum for grades 1-3. Answer Keys are also included.

Maria was very helpful when I asked her which series would best fit our family. I told her my strengths and weaknesses, and my son's strengths and weaknesses. Based on our communication we received the Clock book, Measuring Book, Introduction to Fractions, and Early Geometry.

The books came in PDF form. Within minutes I was able to view the curriculum and get a basic understanding of how to use it in our homeschool. We decided to use it as a supplement and began with the Early Geometry.

Math Mammoth breaks down each concept into very simple terms. The worksheets are colorful and engaging. I also like that the worksheets have a smaller number of problems than other curriculum we have used. My son felt like he could complete them easily, and he was not overwhelmed by the amount of work.

Roo had fun measuring, drawing geometric shapes, figuring time, and I had fun re-learning fractions!

Just recently, Roo asked if we could continue to use Math Mammoth for our core curriculum. I am strongly considering it, and one huge reason is the price! Math Mammoth is very affordable. For instance, the Clock book is only $3.50. I can download this book, print out the pages as needed. Or I can just print the pages I need for supplementing our current math curriculum. I can make copies for all of my children and not have to buy multiple workbooks!

I am not great at math. I have been learning and understanding math concepts with my son. It is amazing that I can understand math more quickly than when I was in school. Texts like Math Mammoth that have clear, direct explanations have helped me a great deal.

Well, if I was rating this product based on my son's opinion it would receive two thumbs up. He ASKS me to do math now! So obviously I must give Math Mammoth two thumbs up as well.

Take a look at MathMammoth.com and view the free samples. I think you will be impressed.

WriteShop

2009-02-04T20:35:00.004-06:00

We really enjoyed our review of WriteShop products.

Here is a little information about the products we received excerpted from their website:

WriteShop® StoryBuilders card decks help to jumpstart a creative writing project by providing students with the basic elements of a story—character, character trait, setting, and plot—laying a foundation for a joyful writing experience with some clever surprises thrown in along the way.

My son is VERY imaginative. In fact, sometimes we have to tell him to come back to reality when he is in the middle of his imaginings. He loves to make up stories and tell them to me. However, he hates writing. He labors at it. He stalls and finds many reasons not to finish in a timely way. He gets distracted easily and will begin to daydream. It is like pulling teeth to get him to write.

So I am very thankful to have received the StoryBuilder card decks. We used World of People and the Christmas Mini-set.

Roo enjoyed the World of People the most. Just today he wrote a story about an angry astronaut who received a mysterious letter while on the moon. It was really cute. The astronaut was a fox. The letter was written in code: paw prints, and scratches, and various animal markings. He even included the text of the letter properly! I didn't know he could do this, or that he would be willing to do this.

I am so happy that I found an outlet for his imagination. One that he enjoys, and that encourages him to write!

Currently, I am not grading his stories. I do point out errors to him, but they are few. His stories are so important to him that he takes care to ask questions and to write legibly.

I am going to collect all of the StoryBuilder card sets. I am also VERY interested in trying WriteShop Primary. It may repeat a bit of what he knows, but it looks far more engaging than the curriculum we use now.

Check out WriteShop. The StoryBuilder sets are a great price and well worth it!

TEACH Magazine....

2009-01-30T20:17:00.005-06:00

I was so happy to discover TEACH Magazine.

This is the one resource I recommend for any WIFE and for any MOTHER. The pages are simply full of encouragement.

When I have my low moments I can go to the inspirational articles and get a lift. And every article points to the Lord and His Word.

Scripture is woven throughout TEACH Magazine.

In our society it can be difficult to find like-minded women. Women who want to honor God, revere their husbands, and train up their children as the Lord commands.

Teach Magazine provides the wisdom and encouragement that we ladies need!

There are recipes, how-to articles, and homeschooling helps. There is poetry, and beautiful personal testimony.

I have become an affiliate for TEACH Magazine. I stand behind this product 100%.

TEACH is having an AWESOME special for subscriptions and product bundles.

Subscribe to TEACH Magazine for 1, 2, or 3 Years for an Unbelievable price of $20.09 per Year (Savings of up to 23% off!)

OR

You can choose any bundle from their list of topics such as Marriage, Godly Women, Family Dinners, Quiet Times, Prioritizing, Chores (plus 8 more topics) for only $20.09! (This offer is good until 2/4/09.)

AND if you put MY NAME in the notes section of the checkout process, you will receive a FREE GIFT!!!! Teaching Children Responsibility eBook.

I look forward to reading this book myself.

Take a look a TEACH Magazine. Here is a link to a FREE MAGAZINE SAMPLE!

I am going to renew my subscription, and probably get Teach's Character Training Bundle.

This publication will bless you in so many ways. If I could only have one magazine subscription, this would be it. No doubt about it.

TEACH also offers books and other fun products. Take a look at the Teacher's BookShoppe.
I was so touched when I received my first order from Lorrie Flem. She included a tea bag and a sweet note of encouragement. It was such a lovely, personal touch and I think it speaks volumes about Lorrie Flem and her company.

If you are a TEACH Magazine fan...feel free to leave some comments for my blog readers! Thanks so much!

Bible Story Songs

2009-01-26T18:39:00.003-06:00

We recently received a different type of product to review. A music CD to help children remember scripture.

Bible Story Songs

Their Misson Statement:

Our desire is to encourage and promote singing the Bible. Singing Bible StorySongs provides
fresh opportunities for children and families everywhere to enjoy learning the Bible together!

We reviewed Matthew Part 1. I was so glad because we are studying the book of Matthew in school this year. I put in the CD and the kids immediately started dancing around the house. Wow! They love it. They ask to hear it all the time. They REMEMBER the words.

Tonight during dinner, Ballerina started singing "Peacemakers, Peacemakers, blessed are the peacemakers!" She just turned 3 not too long ago and she is learning scripture.

So you have to know that I absolutely adore this product and I want every single CD they have!

We also received the Color N Sing Books. The Old Schoolhouse was giving them away free recently. The kids enjoyed coloring a page that had lyrics and guitar chords. This is AWESOME since I am slowly learning to play guitar. I am able to play some of these songs with for my children.

I really expected this to just be another "cheesy" kids CD. I figured we would give it a listen, and then stick it in the back of the CD case never to be found again. Well, we listen to this CD nearly every day.

If you are interested in teaching scripture to your children check out Bible Story Songs website. They have sample songs you can listen to. This would be a great addition to your Bible/devotion studies.

My kiddos also like to listen to Matthew as they are doing their chores.(I am smiling as I type this. There is something great about seeing your children do chores while singing scripture!)

Oh, and they are located in Texas. I like to support our local God-honoring companies!

All About Homophones Review

2009-01-26T18:13:00.007-06:00

Being a part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew is awesome! I love All About Spelling, and I was able to review another product by Marie Rippel.

All About Homophones

This book can be purchased in print form or as an eBook. I received the eBook version. I was easily able to navigate my way through the pages, and in less than 15 minutes I had printed out the few pages appropriate for Roo to use.

This was a lot of fun for us to do together since we have not officially studied homophones.

Some of the worksheets are fill-in-the-blank using one set of homophones. For example: to, two, and too. There are 10 sentences and the student must decide which word is appropriate for each blank.

My son's favorite sentence was "The blue monster had such a bad cold that he had to blow two of his noses at the same time." All of the sentences are creative and fun. Some of them even follow a theme, for instance, the story of Icarus. There is also a place at the end of the worksheet for the student to write their own silly sentence or tongue twister. Roo wrote "Blue bunny blew out his blue birthday candles."

All About Homophones also has crossword puzzles that are simple and based on grade level. Graphic organizers are included, but we have not tried them as of yet.

I think our favorite time using this product was about a week ago. We had finished dinner, my husband had built a fire. We read some books together and the Bible. Then I started reading the puns, riddles, and tongue twisters that Marie included in this book. We all enjoyed it so much. And of course my brainy husband was able to answer all the riddles and puns, which made the children so excited. It was a fun time.

I believe this is one of the rare finds that is worth the time and the price to supplement homeschool curriculum. My son knows without a doubt what a homophone is. AND the book is geared for grades 1-8 so I will be able to use it again and again!

If you would like to add this awesome product to your homeschool, All About Homophones is offering $10.00 coupon for any purchase until Feb. 2, 2009! Just enter the word FUN into the customer code box during checkout.

Please be patient with my posts...

2009-01-26T18:11:00.001-06:00

If you find a few errors/typos. My monitor is about to die...I think...it is acting strange and driving me CRAZY as I try to type out my posts. Thanks for bearing with me!!!

Molly's Money Saving Digest

2009-01-26T10:33:00.006-06:00

Molly's Money Saving Digest is relatively new at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Store. I was able to review a copy of the upcoming February edition.

If you know my husband, you know that one of my goals in life is to live as frugally as possible. I always appreciate tips and advice in this area. I was excited to be chosen to review this product!!

This eBook is FULL of inspiring articles. The first one I read was about the amazing women of the Great Depression. This article convicted me, and confirmed in my heart, the need to persevere. It can be hard to live in today's world with a frugal philosophy in life. These women had far less than me, and yet they learned to grow, save, reuse everything so that their families would thrive. I will be implementing two things I read about in this article in order to save more money.

This eBook also included information for coupon users. Practical and simple advice for clipping newbies such as myself.

There are so many money saving tips in the eBook!

Another article I enjoyed described frugal ways to decorate your home. Pictures are included to spark your creativity. My favorite idea was the pot rack. My husband has been wanting me to do a pot rack for a long time to save space in the kitchen. He always tells me, "You won't run out of space going up!" It sometimes drives me crazy, but he is right. I need to start using my "vertical space" as he calls it. Well, thanks to this article, I just may be able to get myself a very affordable pot rack!

Molly includes recipes that sound delicious. She also includes awesome gardening information. I have been interested in square foot gardening for a long time. This eBook contains simple steps on how to start a garden using this method. There is even a list of suggested plants to start a herb or salad garden.

This eBook would be worth buying just to read about raising chickens to save money. Now if I could just get the courage to approach my city and home owner's association to let me have a few chickens...My dear husband has been wanting to raise chickens for some time. He is considering rabbits since we are not allowed to have chickens. I think I would rather have chickens!

Most of you know I clean my home with chemical free cleaners. I even use Norwex products to use the least amount of cleaner possible. Molly's Money Saving Digest February edition contains recipes to chemical free cleaners at home! I am thankful to have recipes. I have searched online many times for homemade cleaners. I do get some wonderful ideas, but I like having a step by step guide to follow. Now I can make my cleaners quickly since I have some printable recipes. I am starting to get the Spring cleaning itch a little bit early this year.

I think Molly's Money Saving Digest is a wonderful product. It has given me SO many ideas to save around the house. My husband will be pleased, and we will have extra money to put toward our goals. I think this eBook is worth every penny! It will save you more pennies than you spend to buy it! That makes this digest a good investment.

While you are waiting for the Feburary edition of Molly's Money Saving Digest, follow this link to the Januaray edition. For just $4.95, you can download this awesome eBook!

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=166&products_id=8079

Kinderbach Review

2009-01-05T20:27:00.003-06:00

My children and I have enjoyed our time reviewing the Kinderbach Piano Lessons online. We reviewed the web-based program. The website includes instructional videos, games, and printable worksheets.

This was a difficult review for me because Roo has taken piano for a couple of years. He was not very interested in the program. And it confused me also because I feel that the transition from the characters in the Kinderbach program to actual musical notation could be confusing. It is almost like learning a completely new language. (Okay, maybe I am a bit biased because we have an awesome piano instructor.)

However, my daughter (3) LOVED it! She loved singing along with the songs. She really enjoyed drumming along with the videos. She learned finger numbers. She still sings about Dodi and learned where Dodi's house was on the keyboard. She was not ready to play the simple songs, but she had a great time trying! I had a lot of fun watching her play the piano and color the worksheets.

I think Karri Gregor has created an innovative product for introducing children to the piano. For older children I do prefer a more formal approach, but that is just personal preference. If a family has a child not too interested in piano, Kinderbach would be a great introduction.

There is a link to free sample lessons and I encourage my friends to try them. It is a joy to see the little ones playing their "drums" to the videos. The songs are cute and catchy. I am very grateful that I have been able to review this program with my younger children. Kinderbach is one of the best products I have reviewed so far.

I also think this program is very affordable at $14.95 a month, or $7.16 if billed in a one time yearly payment of $85.95. The cost is similar to $85 per month or more for a piano instructor so Kinderbach is much more affordable than traditional lessons. They even offer a DVD course for those families with slow Internet. Great Product. What more can I say?

Visit Kinderbach and let me know what you think.

All About Spelling Review

2008-12-24T18:02:00.005-06:00

I am so impressed with this product. We received All About Spelling Levels 1-4. (Level 5 is to be released in 2009.)

I do not know a lot about the importance of spelling, or the proper ways to learn spelling. All I know is that spelling seems to be a skill that comes naturally to some and not to others. Roo is a natural speller and all the spelling curriculum we have used has bored him.

When we received All About Spelling I was so overwhelmed by it. There was so much teacher prep and I felt that I would never actually start the program. The program uses letter tiles on a magnetic board that are used as manipulatives for the student. Each tile had to be cut out and attached to a magnetic strip. Then there were tons of flashcards to be cut. At that point, I would not have suggested that anyone buy this product. I like very little teacher prep in our homeschool. With little ones, I feel that I need to get to the "meat" of the lessons very quickly. But I decided to implement the program into our school to see how it went.

The actual teacher prep for each lesson is minimal. The lessons are very well laid out. They are in an easy to follow format. We did spelling about 15 minutes per day. It is obvious that a lot of thought was put into creating this program.

Roo stayed interested in the whole lesson. We started on Level 1, which was very easy for him, but a good review. He enjoyed using the letter tiles and flashcards. The lessons are short and sweet, but memorable. My 3 year old even began to learn sounds and the spellings of three-letter words when she watched us. Spelling is no longer a chore with All About Spelling. We have just begun Level 2, and Roo is still happy to do spelling. He no longer complains about his boring spelling workbooks. What an accomplishment!

AND GREAT NEWS!! Maria Rippel, the creator of All About Spelling, will be changing the product to make it easier to use for parents/teachers. The cards and tiles will at some point be perforated. This means I HIGHLY recommend this product for everyone. I think the price is very reasonable. All About Spelling does offer samples, you can take a look here.

Merry Christmas!

Motherboard Books

2008-12-21T17:44:00.003-06:00

This was a really fun review. Roo and I worked together and built a webpage in just a few hours! In a few days I will upload it to me webstore so that you can see the final copy. (I just have to figure out how to do that part.)

At first, we ran into a big problem. The ebook, Let's Build a Webpage, is an excellent manual. It is very detailed and gives screen shots to help the children (and adults) understand exactly how to complete each step. Our problem? The author uses Coffeecup software to demonstate the lesson.

This was an issue for us, because when I was originally starting our web business, I explored how to design webpages. This was several months ago. Well, I had downloaded Coffeecups free 30 day trial previously, and it iss long expired. So, I had to search for another free HTML editor to use. I did find one, and with my help, Roo was able to build a webpage. But if it weren't for the good instruction in this ebook, I would have had a difficult time.

I think if we had used Coffeecup, it would have been a much smoother project, but it was still a lot of fun. We learned a lot and hope to order the other books from Motherboard Books. We are especially looking forward to Logos Adventures.

Alphabet Alley

2008-12-21T15:42:00.005-06:00

Fun!

We received two items from Alphabet Alley to review. Alphabet Alley is a company that produced faith-based toys. From their website:

Alphabet Alley is a faith-based company that produces high quality toys for the early childhood market. We use all original graphics to illustrate solid values in a fun and entertaining way. Children choose Alphabet Alley products because they are fun! Parents, teachers and schools choose Alphabet Alley products for their educational, motivational and spiritual values.

We received the Noah's Ark Go Fish game and had a blast! The cards are cute and very well made. They are thicker than any other game cards I have ever seen.

And we received the Two by Two Matching Game. My daughter (3) especially loved this one. The pictures were large and bright. She quickly caught on to the game, and did not have trouble flipping over the cards. They were the perfect size and shape for her little hands.

I am already compiling my wish list for this company. I am very impressed with their products, and I am grateful that they are using Biblical stories as the theme for their games and toys. I strongly give my recommendation for Alphabet Alley and all of their wonderful products. I can't wait to try out the magnet playsets!

Puppetools Review

2008-12-21T15:21:00.004-06:00

I have to admit I was pretty dubious about Puppetools. I tried to explore the website a few times, and became very overwhelmed by all the information. And then I discovered the "hinge". Now, we are having a lot of fun with Puppetools.

And although it was a bit overwhelming for me personally, the information provided about education is excellent, and today's parents should engage their children in play to facilitate learning. I completely agree, and I never would have thought about puppets if I had not reviewed this product.

Ok, so I am artistic, and most say creative, but I couldn't figure out puppets? I don't know why, it just never occured to me. We use puppets at church in Sunday School, but it never crossed my mind to use them in my homeschool. This has opened up a lot of new possibilities for us, and I am grateful.

We have spent some time making puppets now, and the kids adore them. They love the "hinge" mouth. They like to feed the puppy and giggle when the puppy takes the food from their little hands. It has brought a lot of joy to our house lately. I have been ill, and the kids have been entertaining me with wonderful puppet shows!

I think that if you like the idea of puppets, but you are not sure where to start then Puppetools is an excellent resource for you! If you are an experienced puppeteer, you might benefit from the educational information and resources available on Puppetools.com.

Maybe we will do a live show sometime and post it here for all to see. For now, here are a few pictures of our first puppets.

Asking for Prayers

2008-12-21T15:19:00.002-06:00

Well, I have been sick with the flu since last week. I am making a slow come back. My children have displayed a few symptoms, but none have had the full blown attack that I did. Please keep us in your prayers, we would really like to be well in time for Christmas!

Core Learning

2008-12-19T17:32:00.008-06:00

We were thankful to have another art program to review, since we are big on art around here. Core Learning sent us their Crayola Art Studio to review. It is a program for the computer that is better than Paint or even Kidpix, in my opinion.

The kids have had hours of fun exploring the program. It is easy to use and even my 3 year old can understand what the buttons do. This is excellent for her because she does not get frustrated.

Roo loves creating and printing his creations. I will copy one of his pictures below.

I also enjoyed this program, as an artist, I really appreciated how realistic the tools are. Marker looks like marker. Acrylic paint looks like acrylic paint. I ADORED the oil pastel function.

This program is super fun and VERY affordable. For only $24.95, your child can learn computer skills while creating their own masterpiece!

Some of the features of this program are:

Features:

*12 realistic art tools including tempera paint, acrylic paint, watercolor, chalk, crayon, oil pastel, colored pencil, marker and more
*Select from hundreds of pre-set colors or mix unique colors on digital palettes
*Easy-to-use complete range of drawing tools
*Progressive undo and redo features support experimentation
*Several Hundred editable art images to supplement artwork and learn digital editing techniques
*Customize the interface with selections of backgrounds, icon sizes and tool configurations
*A special Begin to Draw level helps beginners learn basic computer drawing skills
*The software is pressure-sensitive when used with a mouse pen or stylus that is
enabled for pressure-sensitivity

I am so thankful we received this product! (Crayola Art Studio would make a great gift!) They also have more advanced art programs available for older students.

Roo's Underwater Adventure

My oil pastel :)

Core Learning also sent us product demos for their programs in health, math, and language arts. The Health for Kids, Explore Your Body demo was what Roo enjoyed the most. Of course, he has always been fascinated by the human body. The math program seems to be helpful, I think it was more advanced than we were to fully review it properly. The lessons seem to give concise information. I think it could be a good supplement, if you like a more text-book approach. We did go over the fractions and I found it helpful for me, It is geared more toward 5th/6th grade, but I am no math scholar!
We also looked at the Easy Grammar II. This was also a bit advanced for Roo, but I went through several of the lessons and quizzes. I like the setup and if I were struggling to teach a concept, I could see myself using this program to help my children understand.

I think Core Learning offers good educational products at reasonable products. Another thumbs up!

ALEKS Review

2008-12-19T14:56:00.003-06:00

One of the best things about being a part of the TOS Crew is trying products I never would have thought to purchase.

ALEKS.com is one of these. It is an online math program. Here is a description:

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn. As a student works through a course, ALEKS periodically reassesses the student to ensure that topics learned are also retained. ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple choice questions. A student who shows a high level of mastery of an ALEKS course will be successful in the actual course she is taking.

ALEKS also provides the advantages of one-on-one instruction, 24/7, from virtually any web-based computer for a fraction of the cost of a human tutor.

ALEKS is awesome. I signed up for a trial version for myself and Roo. Roo has really enjoyed it. He likes how simply he can navigate through the website. He also likes how he can choose what area of his "pie" to work on. The explanations are very thorough and his math skills are rapidly improving. This is a web-based program so we have had limited use, as we limit PC time, but it is well-worth the time we have invested.

I signed up for the Algebra 1 course. I thought I would do pretty good. NOPE! Can you believe I have forgotten how to even work simple fractions? I have been fascinated with "teaching" myself math.

ALEKS sends out a report on each student so you can track their progress. I was happy to see that my math skill are actually improving! HA!

If you have a student that dislikes math, or is struggling with math, I would recommend trying ALEKS. They are offering a FREE one-month trial so check them out today!!

I was so happy we did, and I plan to continue our family's use of ALEKS.

Trigger Memory Systems

2008-12-16T22:18:00.005-06:00

I am very impressed with Trigger Memory Systems. They offer great products, at great prices!

I am familiar with the company because I purchased the Bedroom Cleaning for Kids Clean N Flip book about a year ago. I had been looking for a way to break down the cleaning steps of a very messy bedroom for my son. He would get very overwhelmed. I can understand. I am the type of person that can end up moving things around the room until I am back where I started. Well, we both loved the simple instructions given in this chart. I bought some laundry baskets from the dollar store and labeled them according to the directions. This system really works! It is fast, and efficient, and maybe a little fun, too! We have even used it for the other rooms in the house.

Here is a description from the website:
* Makes cleaning FUN!
* Complete a task & flip the page
* Add extra personalized chores
* Boosts self-esteem and organizational skills

My son feels a sense of accomplishment, and is more eager to clean his bedroom now that we have a guide that adds structure.

So....when I received more Clean N Flip charts from Trigger Memory Systems I was SO excited!!

Zone Cleaning for Kids was one of the titles we received. It includes written and visual instructions for cleaning the Living Room, Kitchen, and Bathroom areas. The pictures are great, and even my toddler can understand the instructions. The chart has added space for adding additional chores and tasks. The book is non consumable so it can be used again and again. Simply check off completed tasks with a dry-erase marker! I love Zone Cleaning for Kids. I love to see my children excited about chores! I love it when they ASK me to clean. I am forever indebted to Trigger Memory Systems.

We also received the Laundry for Kids Clean N Flip Chart. This is great timing because I have been training my 8 year old to be responsible for his own laundry. I have showed him a few times, and now I can just refer him to the chart when it is his laundry day. There are a couple of tasks that I would have included, but it was easy enough to add them to the chart. One task is checking pockets, after a melted crayon in the dryer, I never want Roo to forget about pockets. The other task is to empty the dryer vent. Overall, the instructions were simple and easy to follow. Complete a task and flip the page to see the next task. I absolutely have to recommend this product to every parent! Kids are capable of so much, and to see their joy at success is a beautiful thing.

Trigger Memory Systems also offers educational products. We reviewed Times Tales, a program to memorize upper multiplication facts. This is what the website has to say:
"
- Covers the most difficult to memorize times tables: 3x6,3x7,3x8,3x9,4x6,4x7,4x8, 4x9,6x6,6x7,6x8,6x9,7x7,7x8,7x9,8x8,8x9,9x9

- FAST - most children learn in two 45 minute sessions!

- Non-consumable - can be used by the whole family.

- FUN - kids love this learning method and ask for more!"

Roo is in 3rd grade, and we are just beginning lower multiplication. But I really wanted to see if this product could help a child learn times tables in just two sessions. The answer is YES! After one session, Roo knew many of them, after the second session, he knew them all! I have gone over the multiplication facts with flashcards and quizzed Roo while we drove in the car. He KNOWS the answers. And quickly. I am completely amazed. The stories in Times Tales are cute and simple enough to recall quickly and accurately. I suggest that any parent concerned about teaching their child multiplication invest in this program. I believe it can help any child that is struggling.

In closing, I would like to say that I highly recommend Trigger Memory Systems and hope they continue to make great products. I am thinking of buying some extra cleaning charts to give to friends for Christmas!!

Time4Learning.com Review

2008-12-15T21:43:00.003-06:00

Time4Learning.com is a tool where parents can help supplement their child in Math, Language Arts, and more!

Many parents have enjoyed the features offered by Time4Learning. The child is assigned activities based on grade level. We reviewed PreK and 3rd grade. The PreK had some fun games on it, but I think it would be more suited for an older preschooler as my daughter had trouble using the mouse. She liked the games but grew impatient with the directions being read repeatedly.

My son had the most fun with the Science and History. He enjoyed some of the games Time4Learning offered for Math and Language Arts. He really liked the pattern maker and the section on Astronomy. He also enjoyed learning about dinosaurs.

The sections are divided by Subject and have quizzes and tests so that the parent can monitor the child's progress. I believe the parent can even assign lessons to the child.

We do not spend a lot of time on the computer, so it took a while for us to get through the activities on Time4Learning that we chose to explore. Families with older children, or that spend a great deal of time on the computer may find this educational website very useful.

We appreciated our time on Time4Learning.com, but I have to warn that evolution is present throughout the lessons. And in one of the preschool games, there was an image of a witch. For these reasons, we did not spend as much time with this particular resource. There is a forum provided for Christian Discussion, but I still don't want my children to play games where evolution is taught. I have been careful in choosing curriculum that supports this ideal, so I must be careful to choose supplements that have a creation view.

I do think Time4Learning.com is a VERY useful and fun website. I think many children will enjoy the lessons and it will be beneficial to help them improve in subjects where they might be struggling.

Please visit Time4Learning.com and take a look!

Schoolside Press-The Little Man in the Map

2008-12-15T20:33:00.003-06:00

I was excited when we received The Little Man in the Map. And it was the very same week we were studying the United States geography with My Father's World!

The children wanted to read it right away...and again, and again.

The Little Man in The Map by E. Andrew Martonyi is "A journey through the 50 states using catchy rhymes and clever pictures. The boundaries of the states are used to create visual images to connect state names to their location on the map". We did enjoy the pictures. My favorite was the Virginia Ham, and Roo enjoyed the little man in the map.

Roo, after reading the book one time, was able to identify 39 states! We had done a pre-test on U.S Geography two days before for our regular curriculum. He was only able to identify 5 states correctly at the time. The second time Roo read the book, he could point to 43 of the states!

This book is fun, but there are some images parents may not agree with, such as elves, and a monster face. As an educational tool, I do recommend this book. The Schoolside Press website offers supplemental material to go with the book. You can download coloring pages or purchase a wall map.

As a book children will love, I highly recommend The Little Man in the Map.

Spears Art Studio Review

2008-12-10T13:16:00.007-06:00

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!

I love ART. In all forms. I have studied art for years, and this was my focus in college, although I have not yet finished. I love painting, drawing, ceramics, and papermaking. My dream (which for now is on hold while I fulfil a more important task...wife and mother) is to be an Art Therapist. I want to work with terminally ill children. I would use Spears Art Studio K-8 Christian Art Curriculum if this dream ever became reality.

At this point in my homeschooling journey Spears Art Studio is the best art curriculum I have seen. I am really impressed by each and every lesson. I feel that Dr. Spears put forth her very best, and included so much "meat" in each lesson.

The curriculum is for students grades K-8, but my 3 year old was able to do many of the K projects, so we did the K and 3rd grade projects. A lot of information is given to explain why teaching art is so important, and the best methods of relating artistic objectives to your children.

Each lesson contains a theme with art objectives and targets. The lessons are divided January-December with activities to go along with the season. There are scriptures included to support the theme of the art project. Some lessons include vocabulary, teacher focus and inspiration, and art history. These lessons are very well planned. A supply list is given, and a teacher prep section is included.

Each activity is explained very well. It was a breeze showing my kids what to do and explaining the directions to them. I think that parents who need help teaching art would LOVE this program. I learned quite a bit myself!

I was thankful for the teaching rubric, and other evaluation methods given in this curriculum. I have always been unsure how to "grade" my child's artwork. I also have wondered how my art was graded when I was in school. I think Dr. Spears teaches to be very constructive, encouraging children to do their best.

BUT, the best part....

All of the activities were FUN! We had a blast. We were not doing simple, brainless activities. My children were stretched, so to speak. They created art that they thought impossible. I had so much fun working on these projects with the kids.

We received the program in PDF format. I was able to print the pages I needed. This helps to not have paint spilled on the expensive art curriculum! And I will be able to use this program for years. I looked at the older grades and I can't wait to try some of the lessons with my children.

Take a look at the pictures of the kids using the AWESOME Spears Art Studio Curriculum.

Salem Ridge Press Review

2008-12-08T10:16:00.005-06:00

All of my family and friends now that I devour books. I LOVE reading. I mostly enjoy reading classical literature. In college, I took several British Lit courses.

Then I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I was convicted early on that I must be very careful in my reading choices. As a Christian, it can be difficult to find wholesome novels to read.

I share this concern for my children, but especially for Roo who is an avid reader like me. He will pick up any book and have it read in less than 2 hours!

You can imagine how excited I was to be receiving 3 books from Salem Ridge Press. Salem Ridge Press is a publishing company started by a homeschool graduate. They are "dedicated to bringing back quality children’s books of the 1800’s and early 1900’s for a new generation of readers and strive to republish books that are well-written, interesting and wholesome".

The box was delivered by the postman and it was quickly opened. Roo and I split up the books. We spent a quiet afternoon reading and enjoying our new literature.

The first book he devoured was American Twins of the Revolution by Lucy Fitch Perkins. Every time I saw him the book was attached to his nose! He did not want to play legos or go outside. I had to make him take breaks from the reading. He loved the story, and told me about how the family had to trust in God throughout their adventures. I read the story next, and enjoyed it very much. It does have content, such as slavery, that you may want to address with your children before they read this book.

We also read Mary Jane Her Book by Clara Ingram Judson. This was a fun story. The little ones really liked hearing about Mary Jane and her day. We look forward to getting the next book in the Mary Jane series. I think this is a great book for little girls.

The last book I read was Glaucia the Greek Slave by Emma Leslie. I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were very real and I found myself very involved in their struggles as the book continued. As a Christian, the story of the early church is fascinating. It was wonderful to take part in the journey of these characters as they learn of and accept Jesus Christ. The story was powerful and I will be ordering more books from Salem Ridge Press by this author.

The Salem Ridge Press website is very user friendly. It is very easy to find titles by author, time period, alphabetically by title, or age of reader.

If you are an avid reader, or have avid readers in your family, I highly recommend reading a book republished by Salem Ridge Press. The books are wholesome, well-written, artful in language, and are just plain fun to read!

Rime To Read Review

2008-12-07T17:18:00.004-06:00

Have any of you used the Bob books to help your children to read??

I didn't although I heard of them. I found some used books, and made up a lot of my own. I wish that Rime to Read was available when I was teaching Roo to read.

Rime to Read offers 20 books online to aid in teaching your children to read. These books teach single syllable short vowel words.

Here is a little information from the website:

Rime to Read: A program for Beginning Readers is now available ONLINE!!
Rime To Read
Highly effective approach to beginning reading
Emphasizing word families (rimes)
Unique color-coded system
Structured for success
Having trouble reading a word? CLICK it and it will be read back to you.
The cumulative 20 book program can be printed or read on your home computer monitor.

and

How is a Rime different from a Rhyme?
Rimes are word families (e.g., rat, cat). They are consistent both visually and auditorily, as opposed to rhymes (son, fun), which are just consistent auditorily. We believe that consistency is important for beginning or struggling readers.

Roo sat with me and we read through these books. We both enjoyed the stories and illustrations. We felt they were very creative. My 3 year old wanted to read the books, too. Although I did not sit and try to teach her reading, she picked up PAT and CAT and DAD very quickly. The authors of Rime to Read do not recommend teaching a child to read until the age of four. So, I did not sit down with my little girl and try to master a book, but I will be working with her using Rime to Read in the near future!!

There are 20 books in all. They can all be viewed on a computer monitor or printed out to make small booklets. I like the option, and have printed several of them out.

My children really enjoyed clicking on a word to hear it spoken. This is one benefit of viewing the books online. If a child is struggling to sound out the word, they can simply click on the blue text and hear the word spoken quite clearly!

So, I will wrap up by giving Rime to Read two thumbs up...or 6 thumbs up if you include all of our thumbs!! Visit Rime to Read and view a FREE SAMPLE BOOK!

It has been too long

2008-12-07T16:51:00.004-06:00

It has been too long since I last posted. It is funny how life creeps up on you. I have found little time these days for my internet related activities. I do love blogging and I hope to have more time to blog in the near future.

We have had a lot of change. Aaron started his new job and it is going very well. The kids and I have been battling a cold for quite some time. I have had a cough for over a month now.

Aaron's grandmother came for a wonderful visit! She is a lovely lady, and the children enjoyed her so much! It is so refreshing and encouraging to sit down with a woman who is mature in the Lord. She was a breath of fresh air!

Dad is in the hospital. Please pray for him. I am still not sure the doctors have determined what they need to do. He has a terrible infection that may have spread into his bones.

The kids are doing great, and having a wonderful time preparing for the holidays.
I will post some pics of our recent adventures.

The best is my little sweetpea covered in roasted marshmallow!

I will hopefully post several reviews this evening! I have been able to use some really great products!

Love to everyone!!

The Missing Link: Found

2008-11-17T19:59:00.005-06:00

I recently received a copy of The Missing Link: Found written by Christina Gerwitz and Felice Gerwitz. Christina and her mother wrote this book with homeschoolers in mind. In fact, Christian was just a teen when she and her mother collaborated to produce this novel.

I was excited to receive a book that was written for youth from a Christian perspective. I happen to love mystery/action novels, and if your child does, you may want to consider purchasing the first book in the Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

The characters are portrayed honestly, and their struggles in choosing the Godly thing to do adds reality to the novel. My eight year old started to read it and loved the beginning. I do think the content was a bit much for him, so I do recommend this book for older children.

Here is an excerpt from the author's website:

Once again, the Murphy teens are propelled into another exciting adventure! While on vacation in the Keys, a devious plot unfolds, and the Murphys find themselves in the middle of a full-speed boat case and encounter with the FBI. Their vacation plans are then cut short by the arrival of a cryptic message form Dr. Murphy�s brother, requesting his immediate presence at an anthropological dig along the Peace River. What Dr. Murphy, Christian, and Anna find there is anything but peaceful!

Encountering a deadly illness, the Murphys must also wrestle with a startling discovery and its potential results. The Missing Link has been discovered, finally providing evidence for the theory of evolution. But, what about the Bible? Didn't God create the world as recorded in Genesis? In addition, is there a connection between their adventure on the high seas and their discoveries a the dig site? Join the Murphys as they are faced with danger and a race against time in search for the truth.

In the Truth Seekers Mystery Series, you'll experience adventure, mystery, heart stopping suspense, and faith played out first-hand by the Murphy family. This action adventure mystery will keep you guessing to the very end!

The other great thing about this book is it is using Creation Science to add to the adventure. The Media Angels website is full of resources pertaining to Creation Science.

Visit Media Angels and Truth Seeker Mystery Series Today

HelpMe2Teach.com

2008-11-03T22:37:00.010-06:00

I have had the opportunity to review HelpMe2Teach.com, and I believe this website can be very helpful to homeschool families. Here is an excerpt from the site:

"Over 2300 Safe, Educational Links for Children, Parents and Teachers
Updated Daily
Pre-K through High School
Use as a Complete Curriculum or to find Supplemental
Material"

As I searched on subjects related to our current studies, I did find many
fun and educational links. I found several links on Deserts, Lapbooks, Wild
Animal Tracks, Preschool Games, Thanksgiving and Autumn, and many more. All links have symbols to show the age appropriateness of the listed website.

I realize that the creators of HelpMe2Teach.com are very careful about the content of the sites, and that I could allow my older child to do his own research. I am very careful when it comes to the Internet and my kids. In fact, I can probably say that I have NEVER let my son look things up online. But I do feel that I could let him explore HelpMe2Teach safely.

There were times when a search resulted in no links. This was about half of
the time. Of course, I was not searching for the most common subject matter. I
know that Elaine, the creator of this site, has done wonders compiling all of
these websites. She has been very responsive to emails and has great customer
service. She updates the site daily, and has included several websites suggested
by reviewers after she has a chance to evaluate the content.

I do think this website to be very helpful. Helpme2Teach.com offers different membership options, and you may find one that works great for your family. It was a bit higher in price than I expected. However, it may be worth it to have a safe place for your children to "explore" the Internet.

One2Believe Nativity Playset

2008-11-03T21:52:00.008-06:00

I am so thrilled to have been chosen to do product reviews as part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew. It has been like Christmas everyday for the past few weeks!

Recently, we received the 17-piece Nativity set from One2Believe. My children could not wait to open it and were fascinated by the baby Jesus.

The figures are the perfect size for little hands. They are made out of PVC and seem very durable and well constructed. I really enjoy the animal figures, especially the camel. The characters all have very sweet faces. This set is suitable for children 3 and up.

The playset also comes with a book containing the Nativity Story in three different languages: English, French, and Spanish. I really appreciate the scripture that is included with this product.

As a bonus, the company offers "points" on the product box. These points can be used to earn free toys from One2Believe. My family can't wait to purchase and earn more of the Biblical playsets.

Our family usually decorates for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. My 8 year old son told me, "I really, really like this Mom, and I want it out all year long!" So we are grateful to add this Nativity Playset to our holiday decorations.

Thank you One2Believe for producing Faith-based toys for our children!

Homeschool Library Builder-Review

2008-10-21T14:37:00.006-05:00

I have just been made aware of a website every homeschool family needs to visit!

Homeschool Library Builder
http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com/

Here is an excerpt from their website explaining what they have to offer:

"We offer new and gently used books for all ages at affordable prices, giving others an opportunity to build their own home library. We stock titles used in literature-based curricula (Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, Ambleside, Five in a Row, Beautiful Feet, and others), as well as those useful for unit studies for all interests and grade levels. ."

So, I have been spending a the better part of an hour pouring through this site. I have already found so many books that I want to purchase. You can't beat the prices.

Currently, they are having a Big Bin Blow-Out sale.
They have "bins" offering books for these great prices: $1, $2, $3, and $5!!!!

Oh my goodness, I cant stop shopping! The also offer a wish list, and mine is filling up quickly! I am compiling all the books that I like in the wish list, and then I will make some final decisions on what to purchase now, and what books to save for later.

They have a point system, too. You can earn points from purchasing books, or referring a friend. And for those of us needing to raise money to fund certain homeschool activities, they have an awesome Fundraiser. Wow, they offer so many services!

Last, but not least, they offer the HSLB Marketplace. A way to advertise and promote your business...for FREE!!

I believe this site is a homeschoolers dream. I am sure that as time passes, these ladies will have even more books and great deals to offer our community. Check them out!

http://www.hslibrarybuilder.com/

P.S. Shhh...I am buying some Christmas presents...so don't tell my kids!!!

My Beautiful Family

2008-10-21T14:25:00.004-05:00

My Wonderful Husband

2008-10-20T20:27:00.004-05:00

We have had a lot of changes. It turns out that this might be the most exciting season of my life! My husband has a new job. He starts in November. He will be spending MUCH more time with me and the children. We are both excited. It is an answer to prayer.

He also will now have time to pursue his dreams, his hobbies. I am sure we will be discovering so much about ourselves during this time.

We are going to be working on our garden a lot more. I think I have enough tomatoes to start canning! Hubby wants me to be very successful: growing groceries!

Well, I am just giddy. Super excited. I cannot even describe my joy and happiness.

Those who know me, know I have a Mr. Steady. This change was a HUGE leap for him. But I believe he has landed right where God wants him. I am so thankful. If I think on it too much, I start to cry.

Dear Wives, never stop praying. My husband is coming home. He said he never prayed for the change. It was just me, behind the scenes. But his heart changed, thanks to God's Grace. Never stop praying for your husband.

But let me caution you to not nag him about it. Do not approach him about it all the time. Let the Lord direct him in the way he should go. Your hubby may change to please you, but you could be setting yourself up for hidden bitterness and resentment.

The Lord is so faithful. He has given me the DESIRES of my heart. His LOVE NEVER FAILS!!!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Fall Special

2008-10-05T15:25:00.002-05:00

Most of you know how much I adore this magazine. I stumbled across it a few years ago, and it has been such a blessing to me. There is so much encouragement found in the articles. And the products they review have helped me to make some important homeschooling decisions.

I wanted to tell you all about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Fall
Special. You can get two years of the magazine, 6 fabulous physical
gifts (no downloads!) worth over $120, plus the current issue of The
Old Schoolhouse Magazine that is full of ideas for the new school
year, so you start receiving your magazine in a flash!

It really is one of their best deals ever and you don't want to miss
out. In fact, they've got a really cute Homeschooling with Heart tote
bag (valued at $13.95) for the first 1000 to subscribe. About half of
them are gone, but you should still be able to get one if you hurry!
(They will remove the info from the subscription page when the bags
are all gone.) The total value is over $212, but you receive it all
for only $39 - 50% off of cover price! Plus subscribers get their
online monthly Teacher's Toolbox which focuses on a different topic
each month, giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching
ideas, book recommendations, field trip ideas, and a bonus download
item.

See the special here: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/US_Promotion.php

I also have to tell you that when I sit down with this magazine, I feel that I am sitting down with friends. I can relate to so many of the articles, and I know many of you will, too!
Enjoy!

It is no fun to be sick!

2008-09-30T21:48:00.002-05:00

I know that is how my kiddos are feeling. It has been a long week so far. I just pray that everyone feels better soon!

I am about to start The Love Dare with a wonderful friend. I will keep you all posted!

Goodnight!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Affiliate

2008-09-24T23:37:00.001-05:00

I also have become an affiliate for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I have done reviews on their magazine and planner. Many of you know how great this publication is. Check it out!

The Homeschool Crew

2008-09-24T23:12:00.003-05:00

I am so excited. I was chosen to be among some great homeschoolin' moms. We are part of a focus group doing product reviews for THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE and their vendors. WOOHOO!!! Stay tuned for some great information about some great companies!

My Little Ballerina

2008-09-24T22:46:00.002-05:00

Yes, my first baby girl turned 3 a week ago. I had a lovely party planned for her, but she woke up ill on Saturday morning. So I made a little cake, and her Daddy came home. We sang Happy Birthday.

She opened her gift. Her eyes became so animated. She grabbed her new doll, and said "I love you, Dolly!" She proceeded to hug the Cabbage Patch doll with all her might. She then named the doll Sylvia.

Sylvia and my Ballerina have been inseparable. It is so sweet to see how she mothers her baby. It is also encouraging, because she is so sweet, and I have high hopes for her future.

I will post a picture of her soon, but we have had a house full of runny noses, so I decided to wait a few days!

Seasons Change

2008-09-24T22:24:00.003-05:00

This has been a busy and bittersweet season.

I have really struggled the past couple of months keeping my attitude positive. My focus on God's goodness has not been foremost in my thoughts. This is frustrating to me. When I realize how much I have needed Him and His presence in my life, I want to weep.
I know my Lord will comfort me in our trials.
We have received so many blessings and answered prayers.
I hate to admit that I was so focused on the bad, I never thanked God for all the amazing things he has done for my family.

Honestly, I struggle a lot with my husband's work schedule. I try to be supportive and cheerful. But every now and then I just can't seem to get past my negative emotions when it comes to his job. I really need to focus on the fact that my hubby is doing everything he can to come home more. We have such a blast when he is home.

I guess I have felt pretty lonely lately. Our church is dissolving, and I am heartbroken. I believe it is the Lord's will for our church at this time, but it still is painful. I know that my friends will remain my friends, and we are still the Church. For it is not the building, but the people, who make God's church.

Friday night will be our last Ladies Group, and Sunday will be the last time we meet together to worship Almighty God.

Also, my beloved Grandfather is ailing. He has had a stroke and several more health related problems. He is my only living grandparent. He is so precious to me.

I want to encourage all of you to pursue relationships. With your spouse, children, family, and friends. Seek them out, and let them know of your love. We get so caught up in our busyness that we let relationships fall off of our "To Do" lists.

So, Fall has arrived, and with it a new season in my life. I want to embrace God's path for me as a helpmeet to my husband. I want to embrace our new (old) church. I want to seek out new friends in my homeschool community and neighborhood. I want to spend sweet time with my children, holding them in my lap, giving them butterfly kisses.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The crips air is so refreshing. Likewise, Jesus and the Holy Word are so refreshing to our souls.

I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me the coming months!

Kitchen Inspiration

2008-09-05T10:38:00.006-05:00

I was inspired by a good friend to REALLY clean my kitchen. You should check out her blog. Her honesty is refreshing. Please visit her, and see why I was so inspired:

http://keepingthehappyhome.blogspot.com/

So, here are the before and afters of my kitchen! I am really ashamed to post the dirty pics, I went a day without doing dishes, and dishes took conrol! LOL! I was listening to a Chris Tomlin worship CD, and it really helped me stay energetic and motivated. Praise God!

Where is the sink?

?
I am really embarrassed!

This is most of the dishes in my dishwasher. There were a few left over, and I washed them by hand, while Roo dried and put away.

My sink is clean now!

It feels so relaxing to be in the kitchen now! My husband was very thankful. And to make sure it stayed clean for one whole night, we celebrated and had our dinner in the backyard. The weather was lovely yesterday, so we grilled, and ate on the picnic table. It was a lot of fun...until the mosquitoes discovered us, but that is a post for another time! :)

My Little Sweet Pea

2008-09-04T16:48:00.003-05:00

My 16 mos old daughter is my sunshine. She is so fun! She loves to sing, dance, and make jokes. Her blue eyes sparkle all the time. I am so thankful to be her mother. Isn't she gorgeous???!!!

The Schoolhouse Planner

2008-08-30T23:18:00.004-05:00

The Schoolhouse Planner

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=123&products_id=2499

Finally, what all of us homeschoolin’ mamas have been waiting for! Summer of 2008, The Old Schoolhouse published their “everything” planner. I have been going through it every day, and I find more useful forms and information then I ever believed possible in ONE planner. This is a calendar, planner, organizer, record keeper, address book, and home school guide.

The planner comes in eBook format. You download and save the planner to your computer. It is in PDF format, and is very easy to navigate. The Table of Contents is linked to the different forms and articles. One click and you are taken directly to the relevant page. There are 247 pages of information. You have the option to print out the planner in its entirety, or print the pages relevant to your schooling needs.

The Schoolhouse Planner is divided into months. Each has a calendar, and a fun recipe or two. Several wonderful authors have written inspirational and informational articles. Fun charts are included that correspond with the monthly theme. Some of these lists feature: U.S Presidents, Wonders of the World, Famous Composers, United States and Capitals, a Timeline of Inventions, Kitchen Conversion Chart, and my favorite-The Periodic Table!

There are many forms important for planning your home school year. Annual plans, yearly goals, curriculum planning, course of study, and subject forms are available to help you prepare. There are forms for recording grades and tests. There are progress reports and report cards. A tracking log for high school hours is included. There are many forms for core subjects like Science lab sheets, Bible memorization, Nature Journals, and Unit Studies. Extracurricular activity logs, field trip logs, co-op, and support group information can also be recorded when using The Schoolhouse Planner.

But this planner is not just for home school! It is also for the HOME! I have constructed Home Management planners for several years, and they have always been lacking. With The Schoolhouse Planner, you don’t have to worry about leaving anything out. There are meal planning sheets, chore charts for you and the kids, and a Bible Verse Log. Of course an address list is included, and there is a form for important websites. A budget planner and gift log help to manage finances.

A Bible reading schedule and prayer journal help to maintain focus on our Lord. This is very important to me, and is the sole reason I home school. It is good to have a reminder to study the Word of God. In the midst of life, laundry, and schooling, it is too easy to put off our number one relationship. I am thankful that The Schoolhouse Planner is equipped to keep me on track with my Bible.

I could go on forever about the contents of this planner, but I could never describe it all. I am excited about implementing it this school year. I plan to be very organized this year. Thank you to The Old Schoolhouse for publishing such an awesome resource. I encourage everyone to look at the free preview. Please consider this planner for all of your Home and School needs!

Free Preview:

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=145&products_id=2629

The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine

2008-08-30T23:12:00.002-05:00

The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine-Summer 2008
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com

I have spent the past several days exploring my favorite home school magazine The Old Schoolhouse. However, this time it was online, in digital format. At first, I was a little dubious but I quickly fell in love with the digital version. I have the summer 2008 in print so I was able to compare the digital and print copies. The digital is EXACTLY the same, but the pages always stay free from coffee spills and sweet toddler finger prints!

The first thing that I discovered was on the front cover. You can click on the featured articles, and you are taken directly to the correct page. No more searching for the tantalizing article that first caught your eye. And no paper cuts because the table of contents utilizes the same function. One click on any article and your reading adventure begins!

This magazine is very user friendly. There is a keyword search that returns a list of all the articles with the specified word. You can download articles, and easily email them to friends with the Share option from the top menu. Of course you can print the articles, and there is even a bookmark.

But this is not even the most exciting part of the digital magazine. If you are like me, you love seeing the advertisements for home school resources and Christian living. I have always written down websites for products I saw in the magazine. I like the opportunity to research all the things offered to us for our children’s education. In The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine, every advertisement includes a link directly to the product website! For instance, KONOS, one of my favorite curriculums is advertised on page 6. Just click on the web address in the advertisement and you are visiting KONOS online!

I can’t say enough about The Old Schoolhouse digital magazine. It has been exciting to be able to review it, and share it with my friends and family. I never loaned out my print magazines before. I read them over and over again, and I feared not getting them back! Now I can email articles and loan out my print copies with no worries! Please give the digital magazine a try, you will not regret it!

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_60&products_id=2330.

Joyfully Yours,
Erika Keswick
Seeking His Heart Books

New Blog

2008-08-30T15:26:00.002-05:00

Well, I have decided to make a blog just dedicated to our homeschooling journey.

You can read it here:

http://keswickcoyotes.blogspot.com

I intend to update this blog daily. Or as at least weekly :)

We have been having so much fun this year. Roo LOVES his P.E. class. And I am exhausted. I am so grateful to be at home, and to be able to school my children. Sometimes, in the middle of the day, I let myself feel the stress of homeschooling, and it can really effect my attitude.

But I know my heart. My heart is for my Lord, and my husband, and my children. I love learning about new HS resources. My heart quickens when I think of all the fun activities that I will be able to do with my children. And I know they are exactly where God wants them to be. I can nurture their hearts and minds more adequately than any other. God has equipped me to be the wife and mom He wants me to be. I just need to take time to seek Him more, and learn at His Beautiful Feet. It may take my whole life, but I want to learn about the plans He has in store for me and my family.