Walking Home . . .

Riding Your Way Into Math - A New TOS Review

2012-02-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wished there was a way that could help your child learn their math facts more quickly without the droning exercise of asking them their facts over and over again or having them write them down repeatedly? Then you should definitely check out this math game for kids that we were asked to review.

The Product:
Math Rider was designed to help the founder's own children who were having difficulty with their fundamental math facts. The premise of the game is that you are on a quest and answering math facts allows your rider to jump the poles and make it through the quest. The interesting portion of the game is that it adapts and learns your child's ability and gives questions that are tailored to your individual child's needs.

Along the way to 100% mastery of the four operations of math (addition,subtraction, multiplication, and division) you and your child can their progress and improvement. And these improvements are rewarded with point bonuses, time bonuses, quest progress, animated rewards, and a comprehensive statistics screen. Take a few minutes and watch the below video which tells you a little more about the program.

Isn't that awesome? The other really great thing about this intelligent math game is that in order to answer the questions and move through the quests is to push the answer in and hit enter. Your child only has to concentrate on answering the math and hitting enter - not wasting time trying to move a mouse or using the arrow keys to also move your horse or person along in the game. That helps the child to be able to fully focus on answering the questions.

The game starts off with addition with all types of math learners and is a great review of the facts if a child has already mastered that operation. The better they are the faster they will go through the quests. As mastery is completed your child will then move onto the next operation of math and the program will adjust to your child's ability.

This program (version 3.10) works for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines but be sure to read the system requirements before downloading the program. They do recommend to not use it on a Linux machine. The cost of this program is less then an hour of professional tutoring - $47. BUT for a LIMITED TIME it is on sale for just $37! (only until February 15th) You will be able to download the program directly to your computer and have your child working on it in just a few minutes. And the game will support multiple users for the same price.

Our Experience:
When Arianna heard we were able to review Math Rider again she was very excited! Audrie was even happy because she has learned more math - doing simple addition and subtraction - so she was hoping that she'd be able to play this time too.

The cool thing was since we had reviewed it already all we had to do was redownload the program (to get the new edition) and Arianna was able to start right back where she was. We decided to start a "new rider" so that she could review the facts she already 'learned' and to be sure that she was truly mastering the operation.

Audrie started at the very beginning. It was a bit too hard for her to do on her own mainly because she gets a little frazzled when things are timed and then she will get very frustrated and just stop what she's doing. If I was in there typing in the answers she called out then she was able to just concentrate on adding. I think we are going to wait a little longer before she continues using the program, but I'm sure she will love it as much as Arianna has when she's able to use it regularly.

The program is great in that when it starts (within any operation) it begins only going to 5, then to 10, and then to 12, allowing the child to slowly gain confidence as they progress through the game. If your child doesn't get through the first section (up to 5), like Audrie, they just remain at that point until they hit mastery level.

My Thoughts:
I like MathRider because it is an intelligent math game which adjusts and changes to each child individually. That has been super helpful with both girls allowing them to proceed at their own pace and I don't have to worry whether the program has become too easy or too hard.

I also think that the price of the program (even without the sale) is a very economical. If you were going to hire a private tutor you'd be paying anywhere from $25 to $50 per session which could vary in length from 30 minutes to an hour. If your child uses this program for more then two hours and you are able to see their improvement you have more then made your money AND the great thing - your child thinks it's just a game!

I hope you take some time and read what others thought about the newest edition of Math Rider. You can also contact MathRider if you have any questions or comments - just know in advance their home office is located in Australia so there will be some delay in getting back to you.

*** I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2011-2012 Crew and receive free products and services in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of money for any of my reviews. My reviews will always reflect my honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences with the products and services that I receive.***

Observing The Night Sky - A New TOS Review!!

2012-02-09T11:08:00.005-05:00

Have you ever just stood outside at night and started into the night sky wondering? I have. I have ALWAYS loved looking at the stars, learning the constellations, and watching out for awesome miraculous events - like solar and lunar eclipses. Not only do I love it, my husband and my children do too. And now we can all learn it together by checking out The Classical Astronomy Celestial Almanack a Visual Representation of the Sky.

The Product:
Jay Ryan, astronomer and author of Signs & Seasons, has created a monthly illustrated E-Zine designed specifically to be a companion guide to the curriculum. Each month he will discuss the Signs of the Seasons, specifically explain what you can expect to see this month in this season in the evening sky, give the astronomical calendar for the current month, and there's even a portion called "Dance of the Planets" - a visual 'map' of the evening sky during the particular month.

Each monthly issue is available for just $3.00 and is a great start to both teaching and learning about the stars, moon, sun, and planets as well as the companion to the classical astronomy book Signs & Seasons (designed for ages 13 and up to teach the traditional constellations, placement of the planets, and following the seasonal cycle of the stars, moon, and sun.)

Our Experience:
I was very excited to be chosen for this review! As I said a little earlier I've been enamored with astronomy for some time. I even Astronomy to fulfill a required science class in college. So having the opportunity to teach this subject to my children at a MUCH earlier age had me very excited! I also think that stargazing can become a fun family activity that will help

We were given the opportunity to preview his second issue of this enlightening Almanack giving us a close eye on what to expect to be happening in our night sky. These Almanack issues have been created to emulate the ones of old that the early colonists used. The February issue of Celestial Almanack talks specifically about the Leap Year and the history of the calendar and how Leap Year came about. He also talks about the connection between the Old and New Testaments coincide with the traditional church calendar.

I spent several days reading the information to my girls (6,8) and I was glad that they were so interested in the information seeing as this was created for an older age range. They wanted to go out right away and see the stars and constellations, but we were reading in the light of day so that made it a little harder. We are planning as a family to observe the night sky throughout the rest of the month - with the key dates being pointed out in the February issue of the Almanack - and begin the process of learning the constellations starting with Orion. You can learn more about the constellation challenge in the Almanack and join us in our quest!

My Thoughts:
I have seen Signs & Seasons and my husband and I have talked about looking into the program when our children were a little older knowing that it was written from a classical perspective and integrated Biblical concepts and Scriptures which are thoroughly intertwined in the study of astronomy. And now to have a monthly E-Zine that can be used as a stand alone informational piece or as a corresponding addition to the full curriculum is a wonderful addition to the homeschooling world. I believe that alone this E-Zine will enhance any science curriculum you are doing and help ground children in the knowledge that the Lord created the universe and He alone designed the Heavens and all that are within them.

Celestial Almanack is packed full of information and well written for all ages. I was pleased to learn more about my favorite constellation - Orion - whose sword includes a nebula! How amazing is that!!

I hope that you take some time to check out what others thought about the newest offering of Jay Ryan - Celestial Almanack and how their family used the information provided and experienced the night sky.

Music is a Must - A New TOS Review!!

2012-02-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

This year I was hoping that we would get another chance to review Kinderbach, since it was such a HIT at our home last year. And we did! We were all very excited.

The Product:
This program is designed for ages 3-7 by Karri Greggor, who teaches all the lessons. Her enthusiastic way of providing the information is infectious. You can't not LOVE it. Each lesson has 4 shorter segments, each about 5 to10 minutes long. With the combination of Karri and fun loving characters like Frisco and the gang they help to teach not reading, singing, composition, and rhythm. And you can try out the first 2 lessons for FREE!

There are even coloring pages, FREE song pages (including Amazing Grace and others),games and samples available at their site, allowing you to explore the program before diving in (which you will definitely want to do.! You can also check out You Tube and God Tube for videos and a peek at some lessons.

Currently they have 60 lessons covering 6 levels starting with the basics and going on to the more complicated music theory. All you need is a computer and an inexpensive keyboard or piano. They have also recently developed an App which is available for iPhone's, iPad's, or tablets. Be sure to contact them if you have any questions about this App so they can help you. So now you can take your music lessons anywhere you go.

Each character stands for a particular note on the keyboard which helps little children connect easier. The characters are all fun-loving and cute which grab the attention even of "big" kids. You have a variety of ways that the program can be purchased including an entire year (at a GREAT discount of just $7.99/mo), monthly ($19.99/mo each month paid separately), or by DVD by purchasing one of their many bundles. They even have a Day Pass! And what's better - a 30 day Money Back Guarantee! So there's no reason not to at least try Kinderbach out ... I'm sure you will love them as much as your kids!!

Our Experience:
My children were thrilled to be able to do this "review" again! I had my older girls go through the beginning lessons a little more quickly as a refresher. But since my little man is now old enough for 'school' and because he LOVES music I started him at the very beginning. I was trying really hard to get a picture of him interacting with the program (especially the lesson with High and Lo in Level 1, Lesson 1), but he was doing it while at the table and he was squatting and umping up on a chair and I just couldn't capture it. Hopefully, I can get him to do it again one time when dad is home so dad can take the picture.

Frisco

Anyway, Seanan was absolutely enthralled at the program. And after watching the lesson he asked for more. I am so happy that he loves at as much as the girls did and still do. Last year I tried to see if you could use the program through the Wii and it worked. I haven't tried that yet this year, but I'm sure it will still work that way. I liked that so that we could all be in the living room and experiencing the lessons at the same time.

We also liked to be able to use our worksheets or coloring pages with the lesson as we were going through the lesson.

My Thoughts:
I have been super pleased with this program. I think it is a solid base to learning music and I love that it was created with the littlest learner in mind. I love that they teach theory which sometimes is left off from many other programs because they think younger students aren't ready for theory. Your child will even be playing real songs (like Happy Birthday) within the first month of lessons.

Kinderbach is a great company! They wanted to pass on to all my readers a coupon code for 30% off on any order for your homeschool, classroom, online or DVD's. Isn't that exciting??!! Oh and the coupon is good for ONE FULL YEAR!! So you can use this code all the way through February 2, 2013!!

Coupon Code = TOScrew2012

You probably don't need much more convincing, but if you want to hear what others thought about the program hop on over to read the other crew members thoughts about Kinderbach . You can be sure to reach them on their website, by email, by phone (563-332-0587), and even find them on Facebook!

Help for a Tired and Worn Mommy

2012-01-30T23:30:00.001-05:00

You know we all have the days where everything goes well and then we also have the days where they don't. I've definitely had one of those latter type days.

My son has been very trying to say the least. One problem we are having is just plain issues with listening and remaining obedient. It's been very challenging. And when he doesn't follow directions the girls get distracted which causes school to take longer then it really has too.

Then our other issue has been about bedtime. He sleeps in his own room and the girls sleep in their room; both are upstairs. Up until recently there was no problems. However, lately he either abruptly wakes the girls up by barging in their room or loudly running up and down the stairs.

And to make things a little worse is that we were used to having children to sleep in until 9:30 (remember, we homeschool) ;) So I've tried everything including bribing with chocolate or marshmallows, watching a special show before his sisters wake up.

So my question to you ... Do you have any advice for this very tired and worn mom? I really could use some. That and some prayer to make it through the "terrible two's/trying three's"

Character Training for Young Ones - A New TOS Review!!

2012-01-23T11:43:00.004-05:00

As parents we are always trying to find ways to instill good character into our children whether that be through a lesson, a story, a book, and even through fun activities. Well, we had the opportunity to try out Virtue Clues from We Choose Virtues. I was very excited to try these out since I am definitely putting more emphasis on character training lately.

The Product:
This company, just two years old, was birthed out of a necessity seen by Heather McMillan that all children needed good character. Her passion and desire was to help children have a lasting change of their attitude for life, not just a momentary change of their actions.I love the explanation on their site that says " children needed to be inspired by simple, positive and consistent instructions, and parents and teachers needed an effective language with which to communicate these instructions." That is why We Choose Virtues with their catchy phrases were born. Heather not only used them with her own four children, but also taught them in her own preschool classrooms as well as share them with fellow teachers and parents.

There are two main sets: the Kids Set (for ages 3-11) and a Youth Set (for ages 12-18). The interesting thing with the sets is that they are not something you do once and you are done. These are created to be used daily, every year, to instill the virtues into the fabric of your child's identity. As a parent or grandparent you will introduce them at the beginning of the day and then reinforce them throughout the day. There are 12 virtues included in the elementary Kids set:

I am Diligent
I am Kind
I am Helpful
I am Obedient
I am Forgiving
I am Perseveralent
I am Patient
I am Gentle
I am Self-Controlled
I am Honest
I am Content
I am Attentive

There are a plethora of products which vary from use in the classroom, in church, in homeschools, as well as posters, different sets of cards, stickers, and even a teacher's handbook. Be sure and check out all the products so you can see ALL they have to offer and the variety of choices come with a variety of prices.

Our Experience:
We were given a set of the Virtue Clue cards ($5.99 now - normally $7.95) for the review as well as a download of the Kids of Virtueville Coloring Book ($3.00.) There are 12 Virtue cards, 1 instruction card, and a contact card all included in a clear plastic case with a Velcro dot closure. The cards are made out of thick cardstock with a semi-gloss touch to them. So on the first day I told the children about them and told them that we would be adding them to our daily teachings. They seemed very happy about being able to use them.

I went through the pack and decided which card each child would be using for that day and gave them each their card. That probably wasn't the best choice (as you will see in the "My Thoughts" section), but they really wanted to see them up close and personal. I went over the catchphrase with each of the children individually, and yes, I did even include Seanan our almost 3 year old. He might not be able to read yet, but he does know how to memorize and he LOVES 'Piggy Bank Frank' which was the character that went with the virtue of patience.

The girls are showing some progress in remembering certain virtues. They get a card at the beginning of the day after breakfast and each and every time they should be exhibiting that virtue I gently remind them to go and look at their card and read it. Once they have read it I ask them if they were choosing the correct action based on the Virtue Clues Card.

My Thoughts:
I wish the cards were laminated. On the very first day that we used them, my eldest daughter (for unknown reasons) decided to bend the card and then once it bent she ripped it. I still am confused as to why she would have done that ... but nonetheless, a thicker card or lamination would have probably prevented the card from ripping.

I was very pleased to find many FREE items on their site including both a student, youth, and family character assessments, kids and youth memory verses and Bible Heroes, a youth mentor meeting report, as well as a kids church schedule. These are excellent resources.

And I don't want to leave without telling you about some of their SPECIALS and PROMO CODES that I have to share with you! For the months of January and February the 100 Days of Virtue Poster and Stickers
would be included for FREE with any Homeschool Kit purchase! And there are two promos:

VIRTUE15 for 15 % off the shopping cart is still available
SHIPFREE for free worldwide shipping

They also have several items that are on clearance (while supplies last) due to a change with their printers so be sure to check these out soon, before they are gone.

Clearance Items:

2011 Kids Virtue Poster $9.75 (from $14.99, 35% savings)
2011 100 Days of Virtue Chart and Butterfly Stickers $11.99 (from $14.99, 20% savings)
2011 3 Rules Poster $7.75 (from 11.99, 35% savings)
as well as the Virtue Clue Cards $5.99 (regularly $7.95)

Well, I hope you go over to read what my crew members thought about We Choose Virtues. You can reach them on their website, by email, by phone (541-255-5085), and even find them on Facebook!

Life in the New Year

2012-01-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if it's just me, but we've had a bit of time getting back into the swing of things now that all the holidays are over and dad (who works at a local college) is back to work too. I really do hope it's not just me. ;)

So since the holidays are over we've been cleaning, rearranging, taking down Christmas decorations (yes, some are still up) and I've been trying to build my Pampered Chef business that has been in existence for almost a year (in March or April will be my 1 year anniversary.) I've been trying to find ways to earn some extra money without having to get a job outside of the home and Pampered Chef has been a good start. This last semester, Stephen's employment at the college was undetermined until about 5 days before he was going to be starting. Talk about stretching your faith!

I have a slew of reviews (from the TOS Homeschool Crew) that we are working from and they range from books to online curriculum to even some "health and beauty" products. So I hope that all you readers keep in touch and stay tuned!

Oh and Happy National Popcorn Day! Great time to purchase the Download-N-Go - Hoppin' Popcorn and it's on sale too!!

Listening to Birds on a Pond - A New TOS Review!!

2012-01-13T11:46:00.002-05:00

I was so excited to hear that I would be reviewing another of the wonderful stories at Maestro Classics. Last year we reviewed Peter and the Wolf and the children still enjoy listening and reenacting the story. So when I found out we were going to receive The Story of Swan Lake, I knew this one would be loved even more. The girls are always pretending to be in ballet (which one day I would love to let them go) and they even have a Barbie show about Swan Lake so I knew this one would be a HIT!

The Product:
Maestro Classics has reproduced Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Story of Swan Lake using the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Stephen Simon as the Conductor and Yadu as the Narrator. If you don't know about the Story of Swan Lake it is the tale of a prince (who has to marry at his 21st birthday) who then falls in love with a beautiful princess. The only problem is that she has been turned into a swan by an evil magician, which of course can only be broken by the true love of a prince.

Of course, my girls LOVED this story because they are ALL about prince's and princesses and dancing - which is what they did for part of the story. The cool thing about MaestroClassics CD's is that you not only get the original music and story but there are several other tracks which teach things about the life of the original author of the music, about music in general, and many others. This CD included:

The Story of Swan Lake
Tchaikovsky's Life
Speed Metal Swan (done by Joe Stump with an Electric Guitar)
About the Music
"Tchaikovsky Wrote a Great Ballet" (Vocal Ensemble by Maestro Classics)
Want to Have Some Fun? Prepare to Perform
"Tchaikovsky Wrote a Great Ballet" Sing-Along (only the accompainment)

They also include in their cardboard tri-fold CD case a 24 page booklet that includes a few activities (dot-to-dot, crossword puzzle, and a maze), facts about the life of Tchaikovsky, information about the conductor, narrator, and executive producer, as well as information on both an acoustic and electric guitars. And once you order your CD ($16.98) or download an MP3 of the CD ($9.98) you even have access to a FREE online homeschool music curriculum which covers math, art, history, science, and more! That's pretty cool and you all know I love FREE. ;) And don't forget that you can check out samples of all their CD's.

Our Experience:
Whenever we have the opportunity to listen to classical music we do. I have enjoyed classical music for many years and hope that my children grow up with a healthy appreciation of that style of music and the wealth of history that is behind this music. The girls seemed to really enjoy the music as well as the story (suitable for ages 6-12, especially anyone interested in ballet.) Even Seanan sat quietly and listened (which for a 2 almost 3 year old is a very hard thing to accomplish.)

The girls listened to the entire one hour CD. Arianna told me that she enjoyed the story a lot and really liked the calming nature of the first track. The "Speed Metal Swan" track was not her favorite. She said it was too rough. ;) Audrie, on the other hand said she liked the "Speed Metal Swan" a lot! She said it was like a "rock star playing it. That was cool!" ;) As you can see these 'Stories in Music' (created in the tradition of Peter and the Wolf) can grab the attention of all children some way or another.

We are still working through the "curriculum" that is available for this CD. You can build a very strong unit study with the links that Maestro Classics has provided on their site. They even have a Kids Club area on their site where children can earn prizes!

My Thoughts:
Once again, I have been very impressed with the story and production of great classical works. I also think that the music can reach all ages from birth through 100+ (even though it is designed for 6-12.) You can also buy them in bundles, either all 9 CD's, the Classic Pack, or the Story Pack.

I would definitely recommend Maestro Classics as a well rounded way to learn classical music plus incorporate other subjects and build on the strong roots of classical music. And as always I hope you don't just take my word for it, go ahead and listen to what my crew members thought about Maestro Classics. You can also find them on Facebook (where you can find FREE coupons and giveaways when you "like" them) or on Twitter.

Movies About History - A New TOS Review!!

2012-01-11T11:46:00.001-05:00

Do you sometimes wonder why children think that school is boring? Do you try and incorporate things like books, unit studies, movies into your school to help keep things interesting? Well, I know a company that you will HAVE to get to know that can help you do just that: Zeezok Publishing.

Zeezok has been around since the early 1990's helping homeschoolers everywhere. Then in 2003 they started building their title base beginning with a unit study on Ancient China. Then in 2010, came Z-Guide's to the Movies. These guides take movies and helps you to easily incorporate them into your learning process while making it fun and interesting for your children. Instead of just watching a movie, Z-Guides are specific to certain time frames in history, that also include 10 activities building on the movie experience. The Z-Guide tells you exactly which movie to use and almost all of them are available through Netflix or your local library.

The Product:
At the beginning of the guide their is a "How to Use the Guide" as well as a "Topic Overview." The overview gives a broader explanation of the actual time period that the movie is set. Then there is a "Movie Synopsis" which gives a snippet to the student of what is going on in the movie, between the characters, and some of the events that are happening.

Then there are 10 activities, like I said earlier, for every Z-Guide. The first one is always Review Questions, which are to be answered WHILE the student is watching the movie. This process makes the student an active learner, as opposed to a passive learner, because they have to pay attention and remain focused in order to keep up with the questions and the movie at the same time.

The other activities serve to build interest around the historical time period that the movie is set. Your student will also use research and writing skills while they work on other of the activities. They have also included at least one hands-on activity, a worldview activity, and a Filmmaker's Art activity. There are also Family Discussion questions which help make this a family activity. All the answers are provided for you at the end of the Z-Guide, so you don't have to "know" everything.

The Z-Guides are created to be done in about a week doing two activities per day. These guides are made as a supplement for your history curriculum, not the core. You can view a sample of a Z-Guide and check them out for yourself.

Our Experience:
When I heard that we were being offered this as a review, I jumped at the chance. We chose the story of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. Since we hadn't really gotten into this time period yet, I chose this one mainly because it was an Elementary Z-Guide, so I thought it would fit us best with a 1st and 3rd grader. I also chose this one because Kit is an "American Girl" and my girls know about them. :)

Once I received the Z-Guide I perused it and printed out the first activity - the Review Questions - as well as the movie synopsis so that Arianna would have them available to her and she could read them to her sister. This movie is based in The Great Depression, so I also thought that we could relate to it more now based on our current economic status.

The girls were very excited to watch a movie as part of school, as they usually are. Here's a picture of all three kiddos watching and listening. The clipboard Arianna is holding has the list of questions they were trying to find the answers for during the movie.

My Thoughts:
For $12.99, I think these Z-Guide to the Movies, are well worth it. And they also have several movies available for purchase in case you can't find the movie locally to "rent." The price for the movies vary so you can check the website for what they have available and for how much.

I love that the guides are able to be chosen by historical time period. Then you can check the grade level for the movies/guides to help you decide which would work best for your family and for your studies. And because these are downloaded straight to your computer, you can use them again and again if you have a larger "spread" of children. So for our family, we will probably use this again in a few years when Seanan is older and the girls will still be in school.

Zeezok Publishing has more then just the Z-Guide to the Movies. They also have audio books, ebooks, Presidential Penmanship, Great Musician Series, and some others so be sure to check them all out. I am sure that we will be continuing to use the Z-Guides as well as other offerings of Zeezok as we continue on our homeschooling journey.

Make sure you head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew and see what my crew members thought about Zeezok Publishing . If you have any questions you can contact them via email. You can also find them on Facebook

Annual Tradtions - Going to See the Lights

2012-01-03T23:09:00.000-05:00

Every year we do several things a family once the holiday season arrives. One of those, is going to James Island County Park and see the lights.
Last Friday was the night we choose to go based on several factors: weather temperature, weather conditions, and timing. I know that I have been looking forward to this as much as the kids. And it's a nice break from the cleaning we've been doing. ;)
Here are a few of the best pictures from the night.

They even rode the train, ride the carusel twice, roasted hot dogs and made smores. It was a most wonderful evening. ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe New Year!!

Happy New Year - 2012!!!

2012-01-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

I pray that you all have a wonderfully prosperous and blessed year, fulfilling all that the Lord has designed you to do and be this coming year!

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-26T23:41:00.000-05:00

I really meant to post something yesterday.

I hope you all have had a WONDERFUL and BLESSED

CHRISTMAS!

So have a ...

Step Back in Time - A New TOS Review!!

2011-12-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

I have been interested in making more things homemade and teaching my children from an earlier age about natural living. We were very excited to be chosen for this product to review. What product? It's called Vintage Remedies. They came into being to fill in the gaps in the natural wellness arena. They have a great mission statement that you can feel free to read at your leisure.

The Product:
The creators of Vintage Remedies believe that prevention is the best medicine and they wanted to help bring back techniques that were readily used and available decades ago. This is why they focus on wellness instead of medicine.

There are many ways to use the information and products of Vintage Remedies. They have several courses that you can register for and be taught on your own pace. There are four you can choose from; each designed to build on each other. They also have mini lessons and mini e-books, as well as many resources and younger curriculum for your family.

I was able to choose from three products to review: Vintage Remedies for Kids (ages 2-6; $25.00), Vintage Remedies for Girls (ages 7-13l; $45.00) and Vintage Remedies for Guys (also ages 7-13;l $45.00). Since my girls are 8 and 6 I chose the Vintage Remedies for Girls because I thought it would fit our family best.

The book we received, Vintage Remedies for Girls, is over 200 pages broken down into three sections. It also includes three appendixes at the end of the book, as well as a how to section and a letter to parents/leaders at the beginning. The sections are:

Food, Nutrition and Culinary Skills
Health and Body
Natural Living

The chapters are broken down a little further with subsections, a "tips" section, a "featured project" as well as "other fun projects" that can be done to help teach the child/student more on that particular lesson. At the end of the chapter there is a guide for the parent/leader which gives an overview of the chapter and its purpose as well as a supply and ingredient list for the featured project.

Our Experience:

When we received our book, Arianna was VERY excited. I had told her that we were chosen for the review and told her a little about the book we would be receiving and she wanted to start it right away! So I let her. ;) I told her to get comfortable and sit on the couch (the other two were resting/napping) and that she could read the first chapter. She was enthralled. When she completed the first chapter and since I hadn't had the chance to even look at it, I asked her to tell me about it. This is Arianna's summary of the first chapter:

This chapter was about teaching us that we aren't eating "real food". These fake foods can cause us to be overweight. It looks very fun. And the recipes seem to be very yummy.

I then asked her to skim through the rest of the book, look at the names of the title of the chapters and at all the featured and other projects and to let me know which ones she thinks she would like to do. I did tell her she needed to pick at least one from each of the chapters.

I am very interested in working on these lessons and learning more. I think chapter 3, 4, 8. 10. 14. and 15 are the ones I would like to do first.

After my husband and I were able to get to the health food store to pick up some of the more unusual items (like beeswax, coconut oil, etc.) we were all set to do our first project. We choose the project from Chapter 8 (Beautiful you - Naturally), because it was making homemade lip gloss. And with Christmas right around the corner Arianna thought that would be a nice gift to make for others.

Daddy was our main "assistant" and he helped both girls with getting out the materials, measuring, and pouring. This project was fun for both girls (and mom and dad too.)

First we laid out the ingredients:

Here is a quick peek of the page of instructions:

The following pictures are of the girls putting in each of the ingredients:

Once the ingredients were combined and mixed they were able to measure out the liquid and pour it into containers to let them harden.

This shows a close up of one set that had partially harden and one that was still a liquid.

We made 2 batches and were able to make 12 orange lip glosses. Now all we have to do is "decorate" them and they are instant Christmas gifts.

Arianna and Audrie were so happy and proud of all that they did. They are so excited to do each of the projects no matter what they are. Another project we have done and will be using it as a Christmas gift is from chapter one - Fruit Bars. Yum! Oh and we will be making cheese too!

My Thoughts:

I really love this product. I am sure that we will be incorporating this into our daily life as we strive to become a more healthier family. These lessons, I pray, will be long lasting and help our children remember that we can use the natural products that God created and gave to us to become more beautiful both inside and out.

Make sure you head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew and see what my crew members thought about their choice of book. Vintage Remedies is located in Franklin, Tennessee and you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, email, or you can call them at 615-807-0882 for more information.

Worshipful Sundays - This is Christmas

2011-12-18T23:05:00.000-05:00

Seeing as we are in the Christmas season and since I hadn't posted one of these in a while, I thought I'd post a Christmas song that has really touched me because of the words. There are some of the best words I've heard in a song in a while. I hope you enjoy!

Feared Fractions ~ Now Fantastic - A New TOS Review!!

2011-12-16T01:43:00.001-05:00

"Fractions are FUN!!" Where or when have you ever heard a child say that??? Well my daughter did after her very first time playing Fractazmic.

The Product:
Fractazmic is one of the games created by Dr. Ron over at I See Cards, created to help children learn while having fun. Fractazmic in particular is a 60 card deck broken down in to three suits identified by distinct colors (red - sixteenth suit, blue - twelfths suit, and green - tenths suit) that have cute graphic representations of the fraction.

Each card is both clearly labelled and numbered with the corresponding graphic. The deck of 60 (20 cards per color) can be played as a 20 card deck, as well as a 40 card deck and 60 card deck, allowing a student beginning fractions to play as well as someone well into their learning of fractions.

There are many ways to play Fractazmic but the main one is to collect as many hands as possible before the first player runs out of cards. You can do this in one of 2 ways: add fractions to make 1 or by making someone go over 1. You can also play a version of WAR.

While playing Fractazmic you are reinforcing the student's knowledge of fractions, as well as measurements and numbers. And all the while you can show how fractions are used in the real world (like when measuring your baking needs to make a recipe of cookies doubled or quadrupled.) And you get all this for the low price of .... $6.95! Isn't that fantastic! Check out how to order your set here.

Our Experience:

We started with WAR since this is an easy concept to understand and because Arianna has just started venturing down the path of learning fractions. And since dad is the mathematician, I gave him the task of playing the game. as you can see in the pictures below, they were both having fun. Audrie even was yelling answers from the other side of the table without ever really having been taught a lick about fractions. I think that speaks volumes of just what this card game can do for any of your math students.

Here are some of the thoughts my husband had about Fractazmic:

This card game is good for improving their speed o recognition of relative sizes of fractions while playing the game like you would play "WAR."
When you are playing according to the "normal" rules, the game is good at helping compare fractions of the same or similar denominator (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, etc.)
It causes enjoyment of fractions - not a normal feeling that most people have.

He and Ari have had LOADS of fun playing and I'm sure this game will be a family hit as the younger two progress on their mathematical journey.

My Thoughts:

I think this is a great game which is not only VERY educational, it is VERY fun!! And the cost is nominal compared to the value you and your family will be receiving. They even have a site that tells you exactly how to play and walks you through. You can also play an online version and win a FREE deck! That tells you how much they believe in their product.

Make sure you head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew and see what my crew members thought about Fractazmic. Just contact them via email.

How do You do ART? - A New TOS Review!!

2011-12-07T10:54:00.002-05:00

Do you have trouble adding art in? Well, we do. It's not really that it's hard, but I just either forget about it or don't know what to "teach". I'd like my children to be better at drawing and painting then me AND I want them to know about the styles of art as well as the history and the artists themselves. Trying to find a program that fits all that criteria probably seems impossible.

Well, the latest review we were apart of might be your answer because it definitely has been ours! What's it called? ARTistic Pursuits!!

The Product:
There are 10 books that you can choose from to start your art journey using ARTistic Pursuits. Each book ($42.95) was created for homeschoolers or independent learning so they are a beautiful fit for any style of homeschooling. Each of the lessons are taught in such a way that allows your child to make their own decisions and choices being creative and original, while remaining true to the style of art being discussed.

As your child progresses through the available books starting in preschool and ending in high school your child first explores the many mediums and materials of art (preschool), then they begin to combine a little art history with hands-on learning projects (elementary), and then on to learning about different artists, distinct techniques of drawing and painting, as well as continuing to learn the history behind the art (high school.) I have loved EVERY project and lesson we have done.
Here is a list of the different books:

They also have art supply packs that they have packaged together to correspond with the books so it makes it that much easier to start your art journey.

Our Experience:

We were given a chance to choose which product we'd review so we choose K-3, Book Two. The girls were SUPER excited to get started in it and have enjoyed the lessons as well as the hands-on. If I'm being honest, I'd say they "put up with the lesson" so that they could get going on their activity. ;)

As you open the book you come across the Table of Contents which tells you the name of the artist and the piece that they will be learning about. For instance, the first lesson is on Cimabue (CHEEmah BOO eh) who was an artist from the Gothic time period. The girls were told to go and observe their neighborhood and ten paint what they saw. Below is their interpretations of our duplex. I think they are pretty good.

Audrie's

Arianna's

After the Table of Contents, they place a material list that you can see at a glance which lays out what you will need and how many of a certain item are needed. That way if you have art materials already you can know what you will need to go and purchase. They also have this list broken into groups (painting, modeling, drawing, etc.) so that you know what you need for each lesson.

In the next set of pictures you can see that the first part is the history part of the lesson which describes the artist briefly and how they approached art. I've really enjoyed the history portions of the lessons because it has helped me learn things I hadn't before or remember ideas from years past.

Arianna has really started to blossom in her own artistic pursuits. Here is another painting she did which was emulating the use of gold leaf (we didn't purchase that but instead used yellow construction paper) incorporated into a painting.

Jesus' birthday with 'gold leaf'

My Thoughts:
Both of the girls love any and all aspects of art. I LOVE the easy instructions for me to "teach" them. I even plan to join in on some of the lessons when I can. That is one of the best things about homeschooling - you can learn too! So if art is a subject that you struggle with because you just don't know how to teach it, let the people at ARTistic Pursuits help you and your homeschool. Let them do the teaching and you just read the lessons and join in the fun!

Make sure you head over to the TOS Homeschool Crew and see what my crew members thought about their choice of book. If you have any questions about the program, I'm sure Dan or Brenda Ellis would love to hear from you and help you. Just contact them via email or phone (303-467-0504).

Teaching Language Doesn't Have to be Hard - A New TOS Review!!

2011-12-05T10:37:00.001-05:00

Since the beginning of our homeschooling journey, my husband and I decided that we would be teaching (and possibly be learning ourselves) several languages along the way. The first we started with was Latin. We have been pursuing to learn Latin for about 3 years now, ever since Arianna was in first grade. This year, however, our family was chosen to review a product from Great Commission Languages. We had a choice of Spanish or French and since I have had Spanish both in high school and college, I thought it would be a great refresher for me and it would be an easy transition from Latin to Spanish .

The Product:
Great Commission Languages was created in 2004 by a homeschooling family providing a Christian language program for the homeschooling arena. They want to assist others in fulfilling the Great Commission as commanded in the Scriptures.

One of the greatest things probably about this program is that you DO NOT have to know Spanish in order to teach your children this program. Teaching languages is a hard and daunting task and Marie and Peter Sherwood have taken on the task and produced a good product.

The product we received was !El Espanol Facil! (The Easy Spanish!) Junior Level which is for K through Grade 3. I thought this would be the best fit for us since I have both a first and third grader. What we received was a spiral bound book that included 2 CD's. The first CD has printable activity sheets to go along with the lessons, a full index of the tracks, and the listening tracks for the first 12 lessons. The second disk has lessons 13-34 as well as the storyline on odd tracks and vocabulary on the even tracks, and six "bonus" tracks of extras. The disks can be found in the back of the back so you won't lose them.

There are 34 lessons which are created to be done once per week. Each lesson includes a short story, vocabulary, an activity, some cultural information, teacher helps and "front cover work" created to help the child remember the lessons from a glance at the front of their binder. You can go to their sample page (for both the Junior and regular levels) and watch a video where Marie discusses how to use the program. You can also check out the samples of the Table of Contents, and 2 lessons including the lesson, vocabulary, and storyline.

The creators of the program follows Charlotte Mason's Method as well as Bloom's Taxonomy and higher order thinking by Dr. Jeanne Chall. They also have used native speaking from both Mexico and South America, allowing the children to hear the differences in the language spoken. The words chosen are done phonetically as well as incrementally making sure to use those that are found in conversation and are used with high frequency. These methods help this program to have a solid foundation.

In the Junior level (which is $69.95), the focus is more on the stories and songs which is easier for the younger child/student. The older kids level ($139.95) goes more into depth with the grammar and writing, but doesn't lose the fun of the stories and songs and can be spread over 3 years for a younger student or a 1-2 year program for an older student. And if you want to check them out without taking the full plunge you can order their sampler CD which has both samples of French and Spanish. If you decide to order the full curriculum at a later date you get a rebate of $15 (the cost of the sampler) and then you can hand the sampler off to someone else! That's great!!

Our Experience:
I was super excited to be getting a chance to start another language program, since we had been doing Latin for a while. When we received our book however, there was a minor glitch ... my CD Disk #1 was for French. :( After a longer then expected wait we finally got the CD corrected and were able to start our first lesson. I will say that through the time of waiting I had GREAT customer service! Marie was great, quick to respond - which was something I wasn't quite expecting. I also didn't expect the author to be the one responding because that's just not what happens.

Unfortunately due to the slow start and the holidays we are only a few lessons in. Once I received the book I read the teacher notes, which seemed minimal to me, as well as look through the lessons and activities, trying to make a plan of how we would be incorporating the program into our day/week. I had a few more questions for Marie about the way the program was intended to be used. She was gracious to speak via email several times as well as send me some new introductory notes they are/have been working on which I greatly appreciated.

So far, I think this version, is a little less difficult then I had expected. Each lesson is to be done per week, but the lesson in the Junior level are at a lower level then where my daughters are able to perform. I think it has to do with the several years of Latin they have under their belt.

However, they do love the stories, learning the new vocabulary, as well as the fun activities. I think we will keep at this for a while to get a better handle of the program and I will be using Marie's suggested weekly schedule she shared with me.

My Thoughts:
I think this is a great program, especially if you have had no or very little language study. However, if your family is like ours and has been studying language for a while, then you might want to get the sampler CD and check out both the Junior and regular level to see which fits your family best.

I also have loved my interaction with Marie via email. She has been great to talk to and has loved the feedback and I have loved her willingness to help us fit the program. That shows to me people who are committed to their program and to homeschoolers at large, not just out to make money from your purchase.

So if you are looking for an easy way to get your family studying language then you want to check out Great Commission Languages. You can see what other Crew members thought about all of their different programs. And please feel free to contact Maria via email and ask her any questions that you may have.

Christmas GIVEAWAY from TOS Homeschool Crew!! TODAY only!!

2011-12-01T12:16:00.000-05:00

Have you heard the commotion this morning?? The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's very own TOS Homeschool Crew is giving away 3 BIG Toydle Forts!!

These would be the perfect gift for that special little one (or ones) in your life who are always making tents with your pillows, cushions, and blankets. All you have to do is go the blog giveaway page and enter the giveaway! But be sure and do it NOW, the contest ends at 3pm EST!! And they are giving away, not one, not two, but THREE of these amazing forts!!

You can check out Toydle on Facebook or at their webpage to see all of the amazing gifts they have to offer. So what are you waiting for??? Go NOW and enter!!

*** This contest is open to United States residents only. TOS staff, and TOS Crew Members (and their families) are NOT eligible to enter this contest. ***

A Game for Learning How to Read - A New TOS Review!!

2011-11-28T10:10:00.001-05:00

Do you have an early reader who could use some extra practice? Well, we've had the opportunity to review a new product called The Reading Game. This game is from the creators of Worldy Wise. They designed this for ages four and up and you will need two players - one is the student and the other is the 'tutor.'

The Product:
This product is a card game that contains 6 card sets with corresponding books to help hardwire words into the students brain. After the first game there will be 30 words that the child has memorized in this way. The corresponding book will tell a story that uses only those first 30 words that have been hardwired in. At the end of the entire game there will have been a total of 180 words retained by the student and added into their vocabulary. The game retails for $24.95, which is a minimal investment for a tool to help your student continue on their path of learning how to read.

The words chosen for The Reading Game come from the list of words that are the most common in the English language. That means that these words will be used again and again. Each story uses just 30 words. Then they are broken down into sets of five words, meaning there are 5 sets for each card game and story. After the first two sets have been completed the child will read a series of two test sentences which use only the words that were learned. If the student is proficient in the reading of the sentences they can move on to the next set in the game. If not, they can do some more review of the previous sets.

Here's a video of their first test student after she had been working on game 1 for a week.

Our Experience:
We started this game and for us it took quite a few times before Audrie was able to recognize the words when just looking at them. She is just in the beginning stages of reading so I wasn't sure if she'd like this program or not. We started with the first set of 10 cards, 2 of each word. It took several times through for her to get all 5 of the words in set 1 correct. The second set was much harder for her, because those words had a few that she hadn't been taught the rules on how to sound them out; words like 'stay' and 'this'. Once I explained the sound rules it was easier for her to continue.

We haven't been able to move much further from this set because she doesn't seem to remember them when we go back and do the game on another day. I'm not sure why, but we'll keep trying ... at least for a while. Audrie has been my 'struggling' reader and it took a while for her to start reading. But once she starts it seems she then gets into it and then all the learning we have been doing comes flooding in making her progress quickly. I expect that is what will happen with this game and the words used.

One other thing that I really thought was nice was that the "tutor" could be an older student. So The Reading Game could be played with Arianna being the "tutor" and Audrie being the "student." This makes it a perfect activity to be done so that mom can get some housework done or put a little one down for a nap or even help a toddler with their 'school'.

My Thoughts:
I am not a big fan of memorization of words that can be phonetically sounded out. However, I do know others who work quite well with this type of learning style. It doesn't seem that Audrie has taken to this program, but only time will tell.

The cards and books are wonderfully crafted. I especially like that the book you get to read after the first game is complete - the skunk set - ONLY uses words that had been discussed in the games. That is a plus in my book. Some other programs use additional words which make it hard for the new learner to feel proud of their accomplishments when they end up making more mistakes. The Reading Game has almost instant reward for their accomplishments in reading the words.

I hope you take some time to see what other Crew members thought about their program. Please feel free to contact them via email and ask them any questions you may have.

Black Friday 2011

2011-11-26T22:56:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure if I have shared this before, but I am one of those crazies that go out Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving ... more affectionately called "Black Friday."

Usually I go out and meet my mom and sister, but they weren't in town this year. But my mother-in-law, who DOES NOT like shopping, asked if I'd like company, I said sure. That way I had company and she'd get some of her shopping done WAY earlier then usual.

But this year was different in another way too. The stores opened as early as ten on Thanksgiving night, and a lot were opening at midnight. So I left my house around 10:30p and started toward Wal-Mart. The parking lot was FULL, but I had said a prayer for a close spot and as I was driving down an aisle, a car backed out from the fourth spot. ;) First blessing.

I found all I needed there except one item so we left around 2 to head to Kohls and Target across the road. We were going to go to Kohl's first, but after going in and seeing the EXTREMELY long lines we would have to stand in for hours, we decided to leave.

At Target we stopped for a drink and snack before searching for more deals and sales. That snack break was badly needed since my feet were hurting soooooooo bad.

So there were some more stores to go to, but my mother-in-law was very tired, as was I, and she was going to be watching my children later that day so she needed to get some rest. I made it back home by 4:30am.

After sleeping in Friday morning, thanks to my wonderful hubby, I was a little refreshed; enough to get some more shopping done in the afternoon with hubby and without kids.

All in all, a great day, great savings, and great time to get into the Christmas spirit. I'd love to hear if you venture out on the busiest shopping day of the year. Did you find any good deals?

Family Movie Night - Game of Your Life

2011-11-23T22:46:00.000-05:00

Family Movie Night has done it again! They have come up with another movie to be viewed by families. The newest one is called Game of Your Life. A young man, Zach Taylor, has won a valuable scholarship to a top notch technology school called DIGD - Digital Institute of Game Design. This is a great opportunity for Zach, even though he is leaving behind his father and some family friends.

Zach eagerly awaits being under the tutelage of Marcus Bentton, a renowned legend in the gaming arena. In order to make his dreams of a prosperous career in gaming design, he must make it through his first semester as a Freshman, by conquering a three month group project. This project usually eliminates over half of the class.

Zach is paired with two other young men, Donald and Philip who have other of the necessary skills to make the group complete ... until they entice Sara to join them as the project producer. While the pressures of the first semester at the school are difficult, Zach is also dealing with the knowledge that his father is in financial trouble with his business and family home ... which Zach feels is his last connection to his mother who passed away a few years prior.

Zach is approached by Mr. Bentton and persuaded to work alongside of him, secretly, on other outside projects - which are prohibited during the first semester. Zach agrees to the additional work in order to help out with the family financial problems. Doing this ultimately brings Zach to the realization that loyalty, friendship, and responsibility are hard to decipher when you aren't looking at things with a clear perspective.

Due to his inconsistent behavior his team has to remove him which forces Zach to reveal the truth of what has transpired. These events help Zach realize that there is more to life then making money.

My husband and I really enjoyed this movie. It was a great film about honest, relationships, and loyalty. You can be sure that your entire family will enjoy this Family Movie Night. Game of Your Life is set to air on NBC on Friday, December 2nd at 8pm. To get you interested make sure you check out the trailer.

If you enjoy these Family Movie Nights, make sure you have "liked" them on Facebook. You can also follow them on Twitter. I'd love to hear what you think of this family movie, so be sure to let me know after next Friday!

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 19

2011-11-19T23:53:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I have done one of these, but I truly am thankful today.

I am thankful for our dog, Treble, who passed this afternoon between 2:30 and 3:30pm.

He was a wonderful dog. The pictures above were taken last night. We noticed he was not acting or being himself just this week on Wednesday. On Thursday he seemed a little sluggish, but not really too much difference other then that. On Friday there was a tremendous amount of difference, including heavy, distressed, labored breathing; no eating; little drinking; and little of expelling.

We let the girls know (Seanan is younger so he will 'forget' the dog faster) that he was not feeling well and that he was VERY old. Then we told him the story of how we got him and how old he was. And then we let them know that we felt that he might be going to Heaven ... soon. They were sad, but seemed to understand.

Little did I know it would just be one more day. BUt late Friday evening/early Saturday when the dogs had to go to the bathroom, Treble didn't make it out of our bedroom. He collapsed ... from lack of energy, I think, right by the bed and so my husband had to pick him up and return him to the bathroom where they sleep.

Then in the morning he had to be carried outside. The children were all out most of the day today with their Savtah (grandmother) today so when Treble was at his worst they weren't here to see that. The girls are having a sleepover and won't probably find out that he has gone to Heaven until Monday. Treble passed while sleeping.

He was a Collie rescue (although we are pretty sure he was a mix due to his "pointer" abilities.) We were his foster parents after he had been thrown from a moving vehicle and left on the side of the road. At the time we received him our other Collie dog, Harmoni, was just 7-9 months old. We were told this new collie was at least a year, but he was much smaller. (I'll come back and put the picture from their first week together soon.)

He was a very gentle and affectionate dog who loved to bark at small motored objects and vehicles, birds of prey, and 'point.' Here is a picture from about 2 years ago.

You were loved dear Treble. You will be missed. Thank you for your love to my family. What are you thankful for today?

A Mammoth Program - A New TOS Review!!

2011-11-18T10:59:00.001-05:00

Why is it that most people you talk with have issues with math? Because math is one of those subjects that seems so "mammoth" compared to others. It is also one you either love or hate. Well, I have found a program, and it's author, who are trying to make math more accessible to EVERYONE.

The Program:
What is the program? Math Mammoth, of course (haven't you seen my clues?) This is a company that has something for everyone between 1st and 12th, builds on concepts, has a strong emphasis on mental math, encourages self-directed learning, flexible, low preparation on the part of the teacher, and is very affordable.

The Product:
There are many options to choose from so let me try and explain them all:

The Blue Series - Topical worktexts for grades 1-6/7 that contain explanations to the topics and is like having a combined textbook and workbook all in one. Each book concentrates on only a few topics. Each book is between $2 - $7, or you can purchase the whole package for $95, or you can buy only for 1-3 or 4-6 for a reduced bundled price. They do have a suggested order to study the books, a supplement to your current curriculum, a review of material, or to help with remediation.

The Light Blue Series - Also covers 1st - 6th, but covers all topics (a complete curriculum) for each grade level which is broken down into "A" and "B." The focus in this series is mastery. Tests, reviews, answer keys, and even a worksheet maker are included in this series. There are many pricing options for this series as well, including discounted bundles for 1-6, 1-3, and 4-6. You can check out these and other purchasing options here. They even have placement tests for this curriculum to help you decide which book is best for your child to begin.

The Golden Series - Created for grades 3 - 8/9 (Algebra I), contains problems only and broken down into grades. This series DOES NOT TEACH the subjects so it is better suited for a teacher or tutor to use or for use as a review of subjects previously learned. It also is broken into part "A" and "B". Each sheet has only one topic on it but uses a variety of problems to help the student see multiple ways the problem could be approached. Each grade level has between 120-150 worksheets. You can purchase these either on CD ($70) or downloadable ($65).

The Green Series - Also created for grades 3 - 8, and like the golden series contain problems only. However, these are organized by topic (for example, integers, statistics, multiplication, fractions, etc.) So each book covers multiple grade levels of the same topical area. This series also has variable problems that help assess the understanding of concepts as well as word problems and every day computations. The Green Series is available as a bundle package with the Golden Series.

The last series/curriculum is their Make It Real Learning workbooks. These workbooks are designed to help the student(s) understand how and why you really need math and when you will use it in the "real world." Each workbook concentrates on one thematic area of math while answering the age old question of "When am I ever going to need this?" They take real life activities or problems and data and use math skills they have learned to solve these real problems, such as population growth, calculating money, and music downloads, just to name a few. If this program interests you, be sure and check out their FREE sampler. You can purchase all 11 workbooks for just $39.99, or separately for just $4.99 each. The subjects taught in this series range from Arithemetic to Fractions to Linear Functions to Calculus (grades 3 - 12).

Our Experience:
As you can tell there are many different programs and the choices can seem a bit daunting, but Maria makes it easy for you. You can contact her to help navigate your choices. That is how we came to the products we ended up choosing and reviewing.

I have both a 1st grader and a 3rd grader and my 3rd grader is very proficient in her math skills. I'd even go so far to say she is a bit advanced in them. Her sister on the other hand is just beginning her trek into math so I was hoping to find something I could review with both of them at the same time. I let Maria know this and since I really couldn't decide she sent me 3 worktexts to use and review- Early Geometry, Introduction to Fractions, and Money.

These were a perfect fit because Arianna's current curriculum was just going into these subject areas so it made for a quick and easy transition. I was surprised to see how much Audrie (1st grader) was able to do and accomplish right off the bat. We started first with the Geometry and then when that got a little more difficult, we switched to the Fractions. After a few weeks, we came to a point where Audrie was getting a little overwhelmed, so she stopped. But she enjoyed the worksheets tremendously. She loved the pictures and colors and being able to participate in math with her sister.

Arianna on the other hand was very excited to be starting "geometry." Some of it was a bit of a challenge and other parts were right on her level so it gave her a good mix of skills to work on. Each of the subsections we treated as a "lesson" and completed 1-4 pages per day. When the geometry got a little harder (for Audrie) we switched to the Fractions worktext so that we could work together for as much as possible. When we "switched" that was only Audrie, Arianna continued progressing through the Geometry text.

The Geometry text started out with exploring different shapes and then progressed into learning about right angles. It also goes over area, perimeter and solids, but we haven't gotten there yet. The Fractions worktext uses a visual representation of a fraction to help teach the concepts. And in this Introduction to Fractions they DO NOT broach the topic of adding unlike fractions or division of fractions.

Both my husband and I worked with the girls with these worktexts and we both really thought they were really good. My husband, being the 'math guy' in our house ended up doing more of the 'instruction' so that I could get him to really evaluate the program. Math is really not my thing. ;) But I loved the way that these worktexts explained the concepts being taught. Stephen says that the program is really solid and loves the way it teaches the concepts. He's also used several of the Make It Real Learning when he was teaching high school math at a local private school. He really like the approach of "real life" math to help teach upper level math concepts.

My Thoughts:
Both my husband and I believe that this is a solid curriculum, whether you use it for supplementing your current program, review of a concept, for remedial work, or as a complete curriculum. You will not be disappointed. The books don't mention grade levels and can be used over many grade levels easily. And I also found out that the downloadable PDF versions of the books are now annotated, which allows the student to type directly into the worktext.

Isn't he cute?

I also love the way that Maria is so personal and wants to help each and every child get the right fit. Since there is overlap with some of the books, she will help you decide which series as well as which book in that series will be best for you and your child. This one-on-one placement is a great asset of Math Mammoth. So do not hesitate to talk with Maria. If you sign up (at the bottom of the main page) you can receive 7 video tutorials as well as 300 FREE sample worksheets. That is pretty amazing!!

Don't just take my word, check out what other Crew members thought about their program. Please feel free to contact them and ask them any questions you may have. You can also read her blog or watch her math videos to gain more insight and information.

Learn to Type in 1 Hour! - A New TOS Review!!

2011-11-14T11:14:00.002-05:00

Do you have a child who is between 6 and 12 years old? Do you have a child who wants to learn how to type on the computer like you do? Do you have a child who while working on improving their handwriting would be better served typing? If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, then you may want to check out Keyboard Town Pals.

The Product:

Keyboard Town Pals is a typing program that teaches children to type in one hour. That might sound unreasonable, but that is what the goal and mission of the program. Seeing as how typing has become a necessary skill for all ages, Keyboard Town Pals takes a stress-free approach, with a short time period in which to show noticeable results. Their mission is to teach young children using a real "Qwerty" keyboard with no stress on the part of the learner and to be able to complete the learning in a short time period.

One of the most revolutionary parts of the program is that they teach typing vertically instead of horizontally. This approach lets your child begin typing real words within minutes and helps build their self-esteem. This is a NEW method connects two unrelated items (a puppet and a key on the keyboard) to one another helping your child recall where the letter is without much thought. They also teach proper hand placement and finger placement so that the "hunt and peck" way of typing (which actually causes muscle strain) is virtually eliminated.

I said that the program can be completed in one hour, which is true. But you can also teach it one finger at a time which would be about 8 minutes each session. Or you could choose to teach one hand at a time, approximately 30 minutes for each session. However you decide to fit Keyboard Town Pal Learn to Type program into your day, your child will learn how to type quickly, efficiently, and without stress. You can learn more about the programs creation on this page.

The font and background colors of the program can be changed to make it easier on the child who is using the program. It is also helpful for all types of learners, whether they have dyslexia, short attention spans, or other learning styles. Keyboard Town Pals program has disabled the backspace and delete programs so time isn't wasted having the child try to correct themselves as they go along. And one more thing ... there is no timed tests!! No timer, no stress!

There are many different ways to purchase the program, either alone (on sale for $35.00) or bundled (also on sale, for $45.) They also have a coloring book (digital copy available too), stickers, finger puppets, and even a concentration game all created to help enhance the learning process.

Our Experience:
Arianna was very excited to get started typing. We set the program up one afternoon and she wanted to sit and do the whole thing. I had her sit at the table on the laptop and to minimize distractions we worked on the lesson while Seanan was napping and Audrie was doing her own quiet time activity in the bedroom. Here are some pictures from her time of learning.

All I really did was set the program up with a name and password that we would both be able to remember. Then I let her go. I had planned on stopping her after a half an hour, but by the time I realized how long she was on the program she announced she had completed it. I could not believe it had taken that short of time.

Here are some of her thoughts.

"I think the characters were between a little younger then me and right at my age. I think those younger then me (I'm 8) would think it was very cute and fun. Those a bit older then me wouldn't like the characters as much, but they would probably still do the program and complete it."
"I loved that I completed it all in one day. I think the length of the program is PERFECT!"
"I think other children should try the program for themselves and see just how easy it is."

My younger daughter, who is just 6, has had to do it at a slower pace (one finger at a time), but thoroughly LOVES the characters and the presentation.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't quite sure if the one hour time period would be sufficient, so I was a bit apprehensive of their claims. However, when Arianna was complete, she took the little "test" at the end., which essentially was her writing the alphabet forward and then backward without mistakes. She did both without hesitation and was done with them in less then 5 minutes. Can she type perfectly? I'm not sure. We don't require "typing" for many of our school subjects. Does she seem to be able to find the keys faster? Yes. She also asks to use the computer so she can type, so I take that as a successful learning experience.

If you want to read how others on the Crew thought of the Keyboard Town Pals program, make sure you check out the TOS Homeschool Crew page. Please feel free to contact them and ask them any questions you may have. You can also read their blog. They are also on Facebook and would love to have more followers. You can also call them at 1-866-200-8881 if you'd rather talk to them in person.

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 10

2011-11-10T21:21:00.001-05:00

It seems as if I can't keep this up daily, but I am trying. Some days just get away from me. Anyways, today I am thankful for my parents. Both of them sacrificed to make sure that I was educated. I was the first one who had ever gone to a 4 year college. My mother is a registered nurse, but when she went through school, they didn't need the same amount of schooling. My father never made it past the 6th grade. So to send me to college was a BIG deal. I am thankful that I not only was able to go to college, but also attended law school which was another BIG step in my educational journey.

My parents also sacrificed in many other ways over my life and I am so thankful to know that they have always supported me and my family. There are always times in life that you go through trials and hardships. And in these times I have known that my parents were there to pray for me, help me, and support me in whatever way they can.

I've read it somewhere that it says you didn't choose the family you were born into, but the Lord did. So thank you Lord for my parents. There is no such thing as the "perfect parent" or a "perfect family" for that matter, but I was given to the parents who would do the best for me ... whether I agree or not.

I hope you take a minute and link up with us over at the Garden of Learning for the Gratitude Challenge. I'd love to hear ... what are you thankful for today??

"Mom, What Should I Look For in a Spouse?" - A New TOS Review!!

2011-11-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

The Product:
Our newest review is a wonderful book called The Person I Marry. It is part of the "Bright Future Series" over at Bower Family Books. The 32 page book is hardback with beautifully illustrated pictures on all the pages. Below is a picture of the front cover which will give you a glimpse of just how beautiful the illustrations are.

The book is written with creatively crafted poetry by Garry Bower and illustrated by his wife Jan Bower, an award winning artist. The story captures things that a child (and even a grown child) to think about both before and after they say those famous words "I Do." I've included a video where Gary and Jan explain the thinking behind the book.

The Person I Marry from Bower Books on Vimeo.

You can purchase this book for $11.99 regularly, but right now they are on sale for $11.49. And when you order you can request to have it autographed by the author and add personalization too.

Our Experience:
We were given a downloadble version of the book (just for review purposes). So one day I read the story to them. They LOVED it!! Then on another occasion, I had Arianna read it aloud to Audrie but had them sit together in front of the computer while reading. I stole a few pictures while they were reading.

As you can see they were quite engrossed by the book. I am definitely planning on putting these books on the Christmas list for this year. Bower Family Books has many great choices including a book on Adoption, and another series called the Little Lovable Board Books. You can also order artwork.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book and love the basis for the creation of the books. I would love to have ALL of these books, but that will take some time. Until then, we will be reading this wonderful story and making sure they really understand the topics covered in the story about integrity, love, patience, and many others.

Make sure you read up on what my other Crew members thought of the Bower Family Books. You can also contact Bower Family Books on Facebook or you can email them if you have any additional questions.

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 7

2011-11-07T23:54:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to participate in the Gratitude Challenge that's happening over at the Garden of Learning, but I have not been successful of making it every day.

Today I am thankful for my husband, Stephen. He is a wonderful husband and father. He's a great cook. He is always trying to provide for me and the children in ways that are more meaningful then just monetary, like leading us down the path of righteousness in Christ.

There are many more things I can say about why I am thankful for my husband. But mostly, I'm thankful he asked me to be his wife and spend the rest of my life with him almost 15 years ago. I love you, Stephen.

A Reading Program on An Island - A New TOS Review!!

2011-11-07T09:58:00.002-05:00

I have really loved my time being on the TOS Homescool Crew, especially when our family is chosen for a review that becomes a favorite or is a GREAT fit. That is what happened with our latest review of Ooka Island. It is actually both!

The Product:
OokaIsland is an early reading program for pre-kindergarten through second grade, which is downloadable. The program is based around Zobot, who leads your child around the Island doing tasks based on phonological awareness. You can read about their method in full detail if you want to know the entire OokaMethod.

These 'tasks' that Zobot has your child do include:
The Cave of Sounds - letter sound recognition
Bubbly Trubbly - letter sound correspondence
Clumsy Wacky Moving Co. - rhyming and blending sounds

There are more activities too, which will keep your child interested for the entire session. Each session is 20 minutes of "instruction" followed by 8 minutes of free play. But before your child can get started they get to create themselves an avatar to go through the game. At the end of the instruction your child will go to the Popcorn Library and gets to read a book they have captured. The book is read a few times and each time they are 'tested' in a different way. You can see a little more about the books for yourself in the trailer below.

Our Experience:

We first had to download the VERY large program (2GB) onto our computer. It took several hours, so be sure and check the system requirements before you start the process. After the program is downloaded then you are ready to sign in and set up your child's account. You will need a separate account for each child that will be using the program but there are many options. You can see that here:

Audrie has enjoyed OokaIsland since we began. The first day I had to get her used to using the mouse on our 'new to us' laptop, but once she got the hang of that she was good to go. She sits and follows Zobot around the Island doing her activities. Then when she's reading the books she seems to be answering the answers before they are asked, which I think is pretty cool.

Even her brother likes the program, but he's a little too young as of yet. But he does sit and watch as the program is on. He is not able to control the mouse so until then watching will suffice for him. I know he's still learning because he's copying the sounds and "helping" Audrie as she plays.

Audrie asks to do her computer work all the time which is great. She can do it on her own so we save the "computer" time for nap time usually so mom can get more done in a short time span while the big girls are doing computer work and brother naps (and isn't into everything and trying to take over the computer.)

Her favorite game is the Cave of Sounds, but she also really loves the Popcorn Library. Sometimes she spends her 8 minutes of Free Time reading the books over again and again.

My Thoughts:
One of the cool things about the program is even though it need access to the web, it's not through a browser. The game is totally self contained and the children are never directed outside the game to other content.

I also love the independence of the program.. It allows a time when your child has complete control of their progress. I think that the many games help encourage the child to really know their letters and sounds opposed to faking as kids sometimes do.

For a limited time there is an launch special that you can take advantage of ... 30% off on a monthly subscription! So if you think that this program is what you have been looking for then check out the other reviews, take the trial period and then make sure you grab this code to SAVE!

If you want to see what other Crew members thought of the OokaIsland program make sure you check out the TOS Homeschool Crew page. You can also check out OokaIsland on Facebook or Twitter and you can email them for any additional questions you may have.

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 5

2011-11-05T23:08:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful for warmth. ;)

First we spent today in the early morning getting our family pictures done. It was loads of fun, but quite nippy. I wanted to wait and cash in my FREE photo shoot (that many of you helped me earn a few months ago) in the fall. I love autumn and you can use fall pictures for your Christmas cards - I tell you I'm always thinking, aren't I? ;)

Then we made some meals for two new moms in our church family.

The last part of our day was spent at the fair that is our annual family tradition. It became super cold, so I'm glad we prepared and found our gloves, scarves, long coats and multiple layers.

But after being out most of the day with a nip in the air and wind chill, I'm glad to come home to the warmth of our house.

What are you thankful for? Make sure you link up over at Garden of Learning for the Gratitude Challenge.

2011 Gratitude Challenge - Day 3

2011-11-03T22:35:00.002-04:00

Today I am thankful for safe travel.

I'm in FL with a few friends so we can attend a day conference for the curriculum that our church uses. It's called The Orange Tour.

I'll add links when I'm at a computer, but make sure you link up at Garden of Learning and let us all know what you are thankful for.

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 2

2011-11-02T23:44:00.001-04:00

Today is Day 2 of the Gratitude Challenge over at Garden of Learning.

I am thankful for my small group. Tonight after our lesson we had planned on having BREAKFAST! It was so much fun prepping, cooking, and eating together (even though one of our members was home studying.) I took a few pictures (that was my job since I really didn't do any of the cooking or prepping or come to think of it, any cleaning up afterwards.)

They are a GREAT bunch of people and I have really enjoyed getting to know them.
What are you thankful for today? Make sure you check on what's happening with others for today's challenge.

2011 Gratitude Challenge Day 1

2011-11-01T15:41:00.001-04:00

Well, today marks the first day of November, which is the first day of the Gratitude Challenge over at Garden of Learning. So I've been thinking that today I will be thankful for the best thing in my life ... my Lord.

The Lord has done great things for me both personally and for my family. I thank Him every day for all His blessings and for all the things in life He allows me to have or to take part. I am thankful for His saving grace which renews each and every day. I am thankful for His great love which allowed Him to send His only son to this earth to take ALL of our transgressions and pay for them with His blood being shed. I am thankful that He has paid the price for all eternity ... and it's a FREE gift, which I am thankful to have been given.

I hope you join in this Gratitude Challenge. I'd be thankful for all your comments. ;)

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise;

be thankful unto Him

and bless his NAME."

Psalm 100:4

I'm Participating in the Gratitude Challenge, Are You??

2011-10-31T21:13:00.000-04:00

Last year I participated in the Gratitude Challenge over at Garden of Learning. It was great. So I'm going to be participating again this year. Hopefully I will post something each day ... that's the goal.

If you want to find out more about the Challenge, I'd encourage you to check out this post and read the 'loose rules.'

I hope you will also take time to participate and post (if you have a blog) or you can just leave a comment each day if you'd like. I'd love to hear from you or leave a link from your own blog post. So I will see you back here tomorrow with my first post of thankfulness.

Did You Say, "Say Anything"?? - A New TOS Review!!

2011-10-27T20:57:00.002-04:00

This is game week ... well at least in my posts. We were chosen for not 1 but 2 games to review. As I mentioned earlier this week, we received a copy of Wits & Wagers Family Edition, from NorthStar Games (you can see that review here.) What I didn't mention was that we also received a second game called, Say Anything Family Edition. Family game night is definitely going to be fun!

The Product:
This game is about what you and your family members think. You can settle any of those really heated household 'wars' like "What should the government spend less money on?" or just get an answer to a question you just have to have the answer to ... like "What would be the coolest make-believe animal?" This is where you can really "Say Anything!!" And those are just 2 of the 360 available questions.

In order to play you need at least 3-6 players (or teams) and about 30 minutes to allow for game play. And it's very easy to teach the game to people who haven't played before. The youngest player goes first and they get the 'SELECT-O-MATIC 6000', which then makes them the Judge. They will NOT be answering the question. They get to draw a question card and ask it. Then all the players right their answers down as quickly as possible, placing it face up.

Once all the answers are visible the Judge chooses their favorite answer on the 'SELECT-O-MATIC 6000' and places it face down so no one can see. The remaining players then get to guess which answer the Judge chose by placing their 2 tokens down on the answer(s) that they believe is the lucky one, Then the Judge reveals their choice, points are awarded and the next person becomes the Judge. Game play continues until everyone has asked 2 questions. The winner is the one with the most points (can earn a max of 3 points per round) at the end of the game. This game, like Wits & Wagers, also retails for just 19.99 and you can purchase yours at any of these retailers.

Our Experience:
My husband and I played this on our own (even though you are supposed to have a minimum of three players) just to see how we thought the girls would be able to participate with this one. It was fun and enjoyable. I definitely think that having at least 3 people is necessary, but I think having the max number or even teams would be WAY more fun.

With only 2 people playing the game was a bit faster. The other missing link was that my husband and I know each other VERY well. We used to play another 'couple' game before being married and would beat people who had been married for many years. So, adding in a few more people, especially people you don't know much about, would be pretty cool.

That is why I had planned on taking this to our small group for game night a couple of weeks ago, but silly me forget and left the house with the box sitting by the door. Fortunately, we will have other relaxed nights so I'm sure this will be a hit at our next get together.

My Thoughts:
Because this one is more 'writing intensive' so if you have younger children who can't write on their own they will have to be teamed up with someone who can. Or you could even play this with a bunch of really close friends - say at a church small group as an ice breaker or get to know you better meeting.

The simplicity of the game is one of the reasons I think this game and others that NorthStar Games offers are such a hit. Well that and that you can complete a game in about a half an hour. Most other games are so lengthy that they become tedious and can not be used as a part of a family night, but instead take up the entire evening.

I also like that you don't have to write an answer in order to play. So if you can not come up with an answer don't write one. Just choose from the given answers and you might still end up a winner.

There are more views to read about over at the Homeschool Crew blog, so make sure you take a few minutes and see what they have had to say. Have fun at your next Game Night!!

Just a Glimpse of What Our Day is Like

2011-10-25T23:43:00.000-04:00

Today I finally had a chance to catch my little boy while we were going over some of our "school." He was in a good mood ... mostly. Hope you enjoy these.

Oh and please forgive my singing (and talking) voice, but I just HAD to share. Watching these back tonight had my husband and I cracking up. He is so darn cute ... don't you think??

What Will Your Wager Be? - A New TOS Review!!

2011-10-25T09:30:00.005-04:00

Does your family like games? My husband and I do for sure ... and we are a bit competitive. I presume that when our girls get a bit older a weekly game night will begin a rotation. As for right now, we are starting to introduce games, but some of them aren't really for the age bracket we have (8,6, and 2.5.) So when I found out we'd be reviewing games from NorthStar Games, I was very interested to see what they had available that could involve most of our family (not really looking for something for the 2.5 year old.)

The Product:
We were sent a copy of Wits & Wagers Family Edition, which is dubbed "the most award winning party game in history." This is game is for ages 8 and up with at least three people. The rules are easy (simplified from the original Wits & Wagers game) so that you can get right to playing. First a question is asked. Then everyone rights down a guess as their answer.

All guesses are numbers, so that makes it easy even for those younger players. Then once all the guesses are made you get to place your Meeples (your wager) on which guess is correct without going over. You can bet on your own answer or someone else's answer. Then points are awarded based on whether yours was the winning answer or whether you choose the winning answer.

So what is a Meeple, you ask? It's a people shaped game piece that you use as your "wager." Each person (or team) gets one big one and one little one and the size determines how many points you receive. You also get an answer board and a dry erase pen to write the answers down.

The game only takes a few minutes to "teach" or explain and then less then a half an hour to play. First player (or team) to collect 15 points wins. There are over 300 questions, 2 per card, which should last about 20 games without repeating a question. And the best thing about the questions, is that you are NOT supposed to know the answer. It's all about the GUESS! That's what makes it so fun and exciting and easy for younger players to participate.

So who wouldn't want to have all this fun for just $19.99? I thought so. ;) So where can you get your copy? Well you can purchase it directly online or at other retail locations.

Our Experience:
Even though my daughters are at the brink of the age range, one being only 6, we still had us all play together. The first time through we had Audrie (6) on with Daddy as a team, while Arianna and I (with Seanan who wasn't really a teammate so much as the "eraser") each played individually. After the first game she thought she had gotten the hang of it and was able to play on her own.

The girls had so much fun. They were making guesses and sometimes Arianna would even guess the correct answer. Although Audrie had some fun, her guesses were ... a little 'far out' so most times she received her points by placing her Meeples on mommy or daddy's answer. Arianna even won the second game we played! So you can see this is just about being able to be a great guesser!!

I foresee that this game will become a well loved and most requested game as our family game nights emerge into existence. ;)

My Thoughts:
Having a short time where the game can be completed in is great when you have littler ones. It keeps them from becoming bored and antsy while the family as a whole plays. I also really love the Meeples. They are cute and as entertaining as the questions.

Another feature I really enjoy is that all the answers are a number. That is ingenious! Because of that fact I think as long as your child can guess a number and write that number, they can play. The scoreboard is cute also. A line of colors that match your Meeple and all you have to do is put a mark in the circle. That also allows a younger person to be the scorekeeper if they can't write or guess numbers.

I hope you head on over to NorthStar Games and check out their Wits & Wagers Family Edition as well as any other games that might interest your family. You can also read what the other TOS Crew members thought of Wits & Wagers too!

A WholeHearted Approach - A New TOS Review!!

2011-10-24T00:21:00.001-04:00

Homeschooling is sometimes a hard decision for many to come to terms with. We that do homeschool are really in the minority and sometimes we have to defend our decision or call. Having to always be on the defensive can wear on the parent as well as on the child. So it is refreshing to find encouragement and training all in one location.

The Product:
Clay Clarkson (with his wife Sally) have managed to do just that in the book Educating the WholeHearted Child, first published in 1994. After many years this book, now in it's third revision, contains over one hundred new pages full of new information from over the fifteen years since it's initial publication.

And it is a HUGE, 8.5 x 11 x 1 thick softcover with 376 pages of information and encouragement, not only for homeschoolers, but for ALL parents. It is reminiscent of a textbook (although one you will want to read many times through, I know I want to.) One that you will want to study and take your time ingesting the information, praying, and applying it to your life and homeschool.

The book has been divided into four main sections: Home, Learning, Methods, and Living as well as having a Preface, an Introduction, a Postscript and Resources ... lots and lots of resources. ;) The sections are filled with very detailed and straightforward information, along with additional helpful hints and advise.

They also have placed quotes, Scriptures, definitions and more in the margins to help explain or enhance a particular topic area. And that's not all. The Clarkson's have also included a personal touch by adding their In Our Home sections which show the principles they have discussed at work from their own experiences. You can take a look at the Table of Contents and read a little more about the book as a whole.

Our Experience:
I've had this book for a little over a month and am shocked at how much I have been able to learn in such a short time. Here's just one of the many quotes that have spoken to me.

"Your child's behavior is like a PowerPoint presentation of whatever is directing their heart. Jesus said that a person speaks from the overflow of whatever is in their heart, whether it is good or evil (Luke 6:45). Your role as a parent is to fill your child's heart with as much good as you can, and then train them to choose the PowerPoint slides of behavior that pleases God."

As you can see from this small passage that these ideas are life-changing, home-altering words.

My husband and I do plan on studying this book together and I can't wait. I'm sure there is much more for me to learn. I do know from my surface reading that I have been challenged, encouraged, and even convicted on how to better mold our home into one that reflects a more wholehearted approach. Their approach puts emphasis on nurture, discipleship, instruction and learning through Biblical principles.

Don't just take my word for it. You can read a sample of the book for yourself and decided from there if you think this is a wise investment in your children, home, and school. And this isn't just any sample - it's the FULL first chapter. You can see just how much the Clarkson's have poured into this book.

My Thoughts:
This is a definite must read for anyone contemplating homeschooling, a homeschooler (beginner or seasoned), as well as the Christian parent who wants to learn or train to be more Christ-centered. This book is a timeless treasure for the ages and worth WAY more then money, but it's available for just $22 through Apologia Educating Materials.

Apologia also sells a plethora of other homeschooling materials including science, history, and even retreats for homeschool moms. You can learn more about these other aspects of their company by visiting the links or calling them at 888-524-4724.

So if you are in the market for an encouraging, informative, transformational book, then look no further. Head on over to Apologia and purchase your copy of Educating the WholeHearted Child: Discipleship, Whole Books, and Real Life! WholeHearted Christian Home Education for Ages 4-14. And if you haven't made up your mind yet and want to read more about the book, be sure and read what other of my Crew members are saying. I'd love to hear what you thought about this book (after you've read the chapter) so be sure to leave me a comment.

Another Winner!!

2011-10-22T23:17:00.000-04:00

Last night the giveaway for the new Jeremy Riddle CD Furious ended. So I went to Random.org and the WINNER is:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max:

Result:

2Powered by RANDOM.ORG

#2 = Lisa!

Congratulations!!

You are going to love this CD!!

The Mighty Macs - Movie Review

2011-10-21T23:30:00.000-04:00

I have loved the influx of family friendly TV shows and movies that have been coming out lately. The newest one is called The Mighty Macs. If you had recently been to a movie (at a theater) you may have seen a trailer.

It is a movie that revolves around a true life story of Immaculata College in Philadelphia, a tiny Catholic all girl college, and Cathy Rush, a women's basketball coach, who wants to teach basketball after her own dreams were cut short. All Immaculata was looking for was a coach before the season started. What they received was a coach who was determined to help her girls learn life lessons, pride, and teamwork while being a part of her team.

Coach Rush and her team were disadvantaged from the beginning with little to no school support, no gymnasium to play in, and girls who do not know what it means to be a team. Not to mention the "big time" teams they would be playing against.

Will the team prevail? Will the girls learn to trust and work together as a team? Will Cathy Rush help or hinder the college with her forward thinking? You will have to find out for yourself. I don't want to spoil anything, but I would love to see this movie again and again.

My husband and I both watched it and were again reminded of how much we need to bring family friendly movies to the big screen. The Mighty Macs opens today so it is very important that if you are wanting to see more of these types of movies, that you support them on opening weekend. I know I'm posting this late, but I hope if you have plans to go to the movies that you might consider this true life story.

You can also visit the Mighty Macs on Facebook and Twitter. You can even watch the trailer on YouTube. I'd love to hear what you thought about the movie and what your thoughts are on how we can promote more family friendly movies for the current generation.

Dinner Rejuvenated - A New TOS Review!!

2011-10-21T11:47:00.001-04:00

I love to cook. But I do NOT like to have the same thing all the time. I get bored and then I get lazy and dinners become the same thing over and over again. Well, that has all but changed in the last few weeks. I was given the AWESOME opportunity to review E-Mealz and it has revolutionized our mealtimes.

The Product:
Right about now you might be thinking, "What is E-Mealz?" Well, let me tell you this is one very COOL product. What E-Mealz does for you is takes the weekly sales at the grocery store and creates meal plans on those sales, saving you money. They even go one step further and have 28 dinner menu plans which cover large families, families of just 2, and specialty meal plans for gluten free, low carb, low fat, portion control and vegetarian. Isn't that AWESOME?!

All you have to do is go to the site pick your plan, print it, go shopping, cook and enjoy! The weekly 2 page plans are 7 dinner meals broken into 3 columns. The first column tells you the meal with sides and whether it is a crock pot meal, family favorite, quick meal, or needing to be marinated - so it gives you hints so you know what you will have to do at a glance for that night's meal. The second column gives you the ingredients and the third column are the instructions for the meals.

The second page, also columned, is broken down to let you know the specific ingredients, which meal they go with, and their price. The sale price is noted in red. At the bottom of the page they tally the price to give you an approximate total. All you have to add then is your staples that you might be out of, breakfasts and lunches (unless you have left overs) and voila! your menu planning is complete!

And you won't believe the price ... $15 for 3 months! That is only $1.25 per plan or $0.18 per day's plan. And for someone me like me this is just awesome! There is even a member's only referral program. And the program is recommended by Dave Ramsey. If you want to learn more come and read their FAQ's. I also learned that they have Gift Certificates available and with Christmas coming up this might be just the thing you've been looking for for that special food enthusiast in your life.

Our Experience:
Well as soon as I had access to the plans, I took advantage. That is because I really have been struggling with coming up dinners that are unique, but easy to make as well as kid friendly. E-Mealz has definitely done that. I chose to do the Publix Family meal plan since I thought that it would be one more people would use. We've been trying that one for about 8 weeks and have had some really great meals.

I do plan on switching to the low carb plan when Stephen and I get back to our strict low carb lifestyle diet, which hopefully will be soon. But for now we've been happy with the "regular" Publix plan.

I am very picky so I was a bit concerned that I'd be having to modify the meals A LOT. I am happy to tell you that I did not. I think one of our first meals was called Creamy Enchiladas and they have been a meal we've had again and again. We even have made it when we had to bring a dinner to a family at church. Here are some pictures of our finished products for a few of the meals we have LOVED!

When you first sign up you have access to the current week's meal plan as well as the prior week's plan, so you have 14 meals to peruse through and plan for. Of course the current week's plan will be based on the sales of that week, but I found that sometimes we had most of the items necessary for a few of the prior week's plan so if I liked one meal over another I'd do that instead. Now that I have 8 meal plans, that have been downloaded to the computer for use at a future time, I have a TON of meals at my fingertips that require little planning on my own. That is just a very cool service.

My girls have even rated my meals at 100% good or 2 thumbs up after finishing them. I was even able to get my non-meat eater to eat meals with meat in them (Audrie only eats chicken and hot dogs) with no complaints. The meals have been completely satisfying. We have also had many meals where there were enough leftovers for at least lunch enough not another dinner.

My Thoughts:
I have been super pleased with the service that E-Mealz offers. I have also been surprisingly happy with ALL the choices. And in the past two months I haven't had a repeated menu plan - each day has been unique. They do try and keep the menus from repeating for at least five or six months.

Personally, I did not like that over the weeks I've had my plan there have been several meals that were "breakfast for dinner" ideas, but that is just me. I'm weird like that - I also don't like "dinner type" foods for breakfast. ;) However, I don't think there has been more then one of these "breakfast meals" per week.

I would highly recommend this program for it's ease of use. And you can check out a partial sample plan for any of the plans that interest you. You can also check out my other Crew members who have reviewed and evaluated the other available plans. I'd love to hear what you think about this program and which plan you would choose. Here's to good eating!

I've Been Nominated ... Please VOTE for ME!!!

2011-10-20T16:33:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you have heard but the Homeschool Misfit Awards are officially open and you can vote. And guess what?? I was nominated ... TWICE!! First in the category of "The Meme Forgotten Award" and then again in the "Not Coming Soon Award" both of which fit me perfectly. I always have good intentions, but then I don't stick to my guns. ;)

Anyway, Lori, over at Not So Superwoman, has lovingly taken the time to put this all together and there are PRIZES!! So I'd greatly appreciate y'all to vote for me and spread the word.

Be sure to check out all the other nominees. They are all pretty great bloggers! There are several other categories including:

The Wannabe Award
The "Squirrel" Award
The Harried Homeschooler Award
The Perfect Procrastinator Award

There are other too, so please stop by, check them out, vote and most importantly share with each other as we all go through this journey called HOMESCHOOLING!

Thanks again Lori!!

VOTE FOR ME!!

PLEASE!!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream - A New TOS Review!!

2011-10-19T09:36:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't like ice cream? Not many people. And for sure not little kids. And my daughter definitely LOVES ice cream in all flavors. So who wouldn't like an all girl online game system that is named Always Icecream? See, I peeked your interest, didn't I? Thought so.

The Product:
Always Icecream is created exclusively for 7-12 year old girls who can play in both an educational and fun learning experience. It also has a social community that your daughter can join in that is both certified and
complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

I love the thought of allowing some social activity with your "real life" friends. I didn't think my eldest was old enough yet, so we didn't explore that area. If you want to know more about Always Icecream's safety precautions, I encourage you to read them. One of the best things about this area is that it is moderated; you as the parent are kept in the loop of all friendships; and there are no ads. What could be better?

The premise of Always Icecream is to reward the girls with "Scoops," the online currency of the game, which can be used to purchase items for their home in MiniWorld or to take care of their virtual pets. Scoops are earned for practicing basic or advanced math, geography, science, typing and even Bible. You can even check out the geography game yourself and see how much you know. ;)

You can try Always Icecream for yourselves for just $0.99 for the first month and then a mere $4.99 per month after that. There are several other payment options including a yearly and a lifetime fee which are greatly reduced. There's even a way to earn free months for spreading the word!

Our Experience:
As soon as I could I signed Arianna up so that she could get started. She really seemed to love the look and feel of the program ... especially the PINK - her favorite color!! She wanted to first start with her pets and virtual world, but mom told her to try and do a few of the 'educational games' first. She did and then she earned a TON of scoops which she was so happy about because that meant she could buy more items to decorate her house!

After the first few times I have felt comfortable to allow her to play on her own without having to keep an eye out for what might be on the site. Arianna asks almost daily to play. I asked her to tell me what she thought about the game. She told me that some of her favorite games are "math, the state game and well, I really like everything. I also love making things for my world and home. And picking the pets and hatching them is very cool too." She has hatched several pets. I think that might be her most favorite part. She has to take care of them and make sure they are fed, bathed, and cared for otherwise they get sad. It's very cute.

My Thoughts:
I love that this is an all girl site. I think that helps with its appeal, especially when a lot of other game systems have a lot more 'boy' influenced games. I also am highly grateful for the educational value to the games. They keep the learning fun AND educational which is always a plus in my book.

The parent area is pretty unique too. You can sign up to receive weekly emails which will let you know what your daughter has been learning about. You also have the ability to set it up that when your daughter perform tasks that are done in "real life" (like a chore or practicing an instrument) they can earn more 'Scoops'. You can even customize the content of the games your daughter plays.

I hope you take the time to read what others on my Crew thought about their experiences with Always Icecream. And be sure to take advantage of the $0.99 first month option to try it out for your daughters. And don't forget, I scream, You scream, We all scream for Ice Cream! ... Always Icecream, that is. ;)

Two Winners of my THEO giveaway!!

2011-10-15T22:30:00.000-04:00

I only had 8 comments and they only came from 2 people, but thankfully I had TWO DVD's to giveaway!!

So my winners are:

kercheval5

AND

Sara @ Embracing Destiny

I've sent you both an email, so I look forward to talking with you.

For those of you who are wanting to win something (especially since we are SOOOO close to Christmas) don't forget to enter my Jeremy Riddle giveaway. You can also look forward to 2 book giveaways coming up.

Fall: My Favorite Time of Year

2011-10-14T22:53:00.000-04:00

I love fall (or autumn whichever you prefer to call it). I love the colors. I love the crispness in the air. I love the smell of the leaves falling and the crunch you hear when you step on them. I love all that Fall is and brings.

I also love what fall represents. It is the time of harvest ... when you get to "bring in" all that you have worked so hard to cultivate. And this can be different for different people. Right now I have several 'harvests' I am working on.

First I have my teeny, tiny garden which doesn't have much growing in it. However, there are some pepper plants blooming and some which already have the start of peppers on them; we also have had pumpkin plants which have been there since the beginning of the growing season back in March. I'm hoping those become real pumpkins ... that would be awesome! We also have some onions, garlic, and potatoes which don't seem to be doing anything, but you never know.

Then I have a relationship I have been cultivating with a new friend. I have been trying to meet with her regularly, talking with her about life and just sharing my experiences with her. Praying that the Lord continues to put us together to sharpen each other as we grow in Christ.

Most importantly is the harvest I am seeing from our choice to homeschool. I thoroughly believe that my daughters have been afforded the absolute best education because of our choice. My middle daughter, who just started first grade is now reading on her own. It is not at the same level of her sister, but she was able to go at her own pace and not just be put in a box.

That is just one of the many examples I have, just from this year, that continually reassure me that we have chosen the right path. So what is your fall harvest? I'd love to know so please leave a comment. ;)

Or better yet come and join into the TOS Homeschool Crew's Blog Hop. You will learn more about my crew members on the TOS Homeschool Crew as well as any and all homeschoolers who would like to explore Bringing in the Sheaves - the topic for this month's Blog Hop.

So if you are a homeschooler and would like to join in, we'd love to have you, just be sure to check on the guidelines. Each month has a new topic and they start on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and continue until the end of the month.

Don't Forget to Enter

2011-10-12T09:19:00.001-04:00

I have two giveaways still going on that only have a few entries. If you could, pass the word along or enter them yourself. That would be great!

Have an awesome day!!

Furious, Jeremy Riddle - Review and Giveaway!!

2011-10-06T21:22:00.001-04:00

I love listening to good Christian music. So I was thrilled to be able to review the newest studio album, Furious, by Jeremy Riddle. Jeremy is currently the worship leader at Bethel Church in California, but also has been a part of the artists of Vineyard Music.

If you haven't heard of Jeremy you will want to become acquainted with him after hearing this clip from the album. He's even opened for Big Daddy Weave and Rebecca St. James. That's pretty cool!

The songs on the CD are very refreshing and speak volumes in their relatively short lengths. The lyrics to the songs all show the immensity of God's love for us and how we just can't put it into words. You can purchase the new CD from Vineyard for just $11.99. And before you buy, here are the titles on this album (along with a brief snippet of them all):

FALL AFRESH

FURIOUS

LOVE CAME DOWN

ONE THING REMAINS

ACQUITTED

YOU ARE GOOD

WALK IN THE PROMISE

ONE THIRST

GLORY TO THE LAMB

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

HERE

ALWAYS

The music is peaceful and deeply intense all at the same time. You can feel the love of the Father wrapping His arms around you as you immerse yourself in the midst of the beautiful music and lyrics. Jeremy captures the way that the Lord loves us ... furiously in love. This is a most wonderful worship encounter both individually and corporately.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now it's time for me to tell you about the GIVEAWAY! Yes, that's right, you will have the chance to win this CD for yourself or church or a friend or as an early Christmas gift! (you know there's only 11 and a half weeks left, right?) All you have to do to enter is follow the directions for the mandatory entry and then you can do any of the following:

Mandatory Entry

Head on over to Vineyard Music and tell me what is special about Jeremy's schooling. ;)

Additional Entries:

Follow me with Google Friend Connect (publicly) or tell me you already are. (1 entry)
Subscribe to my blog (1 entry)
Tell me where Jeremy was born. (1 entry)
"Like" Walking Home on Facebook (and leave a comment there so I can see you) (1 entry)
Follow me on Twitter. (2 entries for this)
"Like" Jeremy Riddle on Facebook (1 entry)
"Follow" Jeremy Riddle on Twitter (1 entry)
If you are a member of 'The Crew' let me know (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on your blog (leave me a link) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Facebook (only once per day) (leave me a comment each day with link if possible) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Twitter (and tag back to me) (only once per day) (2 entries)

This giveaway will conclude on October 21st at 11:59 EST. The winner will be announced the next day. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. If I do not hear from you within 48 hours you will forfeit your win and another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck and Enjoy!!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Come Check out my Guest Blog Post on Laundry

2011-10-06T10:18:00.000-04:00

Have you all heard of the book called 31 Days to Clean? Well, I've been working along in it (and I plan to do it a couple more times since I couldn't accomplish everything this time around) and I have found it to be very helpful with creating a minimal daily household cleaning schedule.

I also had the awesome opportunity of being a guest blogger over at the Homemaker's Challenge as they had been going through the daily tasks and then giving us encouragements and other tips and hints through blog posts.

I would love it if you would head on over to their site and check them out. I also would LOVE to hear what you think about my post on LAUNDRY ... the beast that keeps coming back. Now, I need to run ... I believe there is a load in front of the laundry room that needs to be attended to as well as a mountain in my bedroom. ;)

The First Month Back

2011-10-03T23:42:00.000-04:00

I haven't been able to give a weekly update of how school has been going, so I figured now that we are in the second month of school I should probably go ahead and do that.

When we started back in September, Arianna was in 3rd, Audrie in 1st, and Seanan ... well, he's just in Tot School. But if you ask me his schooling takes WAY more time then the girls. He is soooo busy all the time .. but I'll get back to that in a bit.

I decided to start the girls back a little slow, but not too much. This past summer we didn't stick with our "themed" or unit study week's so I really wanted them to get back into it quickly. So we started back right away with math (of course) and both reading and Grammar. After about a week to two, the girls were back up to speed and ready to get going with history, science, and everything else we do. Some may hear our list of subjects and think. "That must take forever." Or "Why do they do all that" but the children really love all of it and when we miss any part of it, they ask why we missed it. I think that's the best.

I also wanted to make sure we started back with our history and science because we were finishing up what we didn't get to at the end of last year since we did more of a relaxed style of homeschooling over the summer. I am happy to say that today we finished our science from last year. We'll be taking a week off before beginning again with Christian Kids Explore Chemistry. Arianna is VERY excited. They both love experiments. We are still plugging along in our history, but we are getting there. I'm hoping to stay on track and not get behind this year. Here's to hoping. ;)

For Arianna, she is still working on handwriting. She's in book D of her Italics Handwriting Series and doing much better. The recent lessons have made her font size be more of a regular handwriting size instead of the 1" size you start off with. I think it's making her remember the way to make the letters better and because it's all in italics cursive, it's neat and legible. That's a plus in my book.

In her math we have changed some things. Mainly that dad is now teaching her lessons to her in the morning most days before he goes to work. Some days when she has reviews or practice pages and there's no new lesson he won't "teach" anything, but otherwise he's the math teacher full-time now. Right now Stephen is working with her on money. She just finished doing some simple multiplication and division.

Audrie is loving school. She has 2 math books (one is from Singapore, and the other is a Kumon book) and does one page at least in each, per day. Then she has her own handwriting book. She recently finished Book A and started on Book B.

The biggest and BEST change is that she is finally beginning to read!! I could not believe it when we finally got to a lesson and she was able to have all the bit and pieces we had been talking about for so long click and have a sentence come out of her mouth. That was exhilarating! We are now somewhere between lesson 35 and 40 in The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. I am so very proud of her and she's proud of herself too.

As a family we all do history, science, PE, and Latin. We also add in music, art and nature study when we can. We also do Bible devotion and a Bible and character lesson for the week. We have already memorized the fist 20 books of the Bible and even Seanan knows some of them.

Seanan is my best student as well as my hardest to deal with. We try and get anything that needs quiet when he's napping, which lately hasn't been as much as it used to be. During the morning I am usually able to have him doing something at the table with us as the girls work on their books. He sings along when we do our Latin and knows almost as many words as the girls do. He has also memorized several verses for church - which is his Bible lessons - now that's he moved to the next class.

I think that is all for now. As you can see we've been busy. If I don't give a weekly update I hope to catch you all up to how we are doing next month. Thanks for stopping by (and be sure to check back for all the giveaways coming up!)

Little Teacher

2011-09-30T23:10:00.001-04:00

I took this picture and wanted to share one of the reasons I love homeschooling. So here is Seanan "teaching" his big sister her 'maf'. Love my kiddos.

Theo Presents ... A Review and 2 GIveaways!!

2011-09-26T23:40:00.001-04:00

A little while ago I was sent this DVD from Whitestone Media called Introducing THEO - Teaching children God's Word. Introducing THEO is a DVD which has two short videos on it. One is called Saving Faith which is about 10 minutes long and the other is called Good News and is only about 5 minutes long.

Theo Presents' central character, Theo, is a student of God's Word and teaches through stories and illustrations that can reach children of many ages. Theo lives in a small English cottage and has two guests who also live with him, Luther and Belfry - the mice. Through object lessons, acted out by Luther and Belfry, humor, and animations, Theo is able to teach the children watching the video all about the Gospel and its principles. Some of the principles that are covered in Theo Presents are sin, faith, salvation, the Bible and all are conveyed in such a way that captures children in an instant.

Not only does Theo Presents come in a DVD format, they also have books, an audio series, and curriculum that goes hand in hand with the DVD series. They can be used individually or in conjunction with each other. This learning tool can be used in your own homeschool as your Bible curriculum, but also in children's classes, Sunday School, or in mission work.

You can find coloring pages, information about their curriculum ($39.99), a blog, and even a sample of some of the videos on the links I've provided. On the sample page you can even download "Good News" entirely which is a short video on the salvation plan. The curriculum can be purchased through Lifeway and you can see a sample session for "Good News" as well as the parent pages for each of the four episodes, plus the Bonus - Good News, five pages in all! They also have a downloadable app for your iPhone or iPad.

And if all these resources aren't enough, let me tell you about their campaign - Buy 1 Give 1! The campaign supports their mission which is to reach the world for Christ through Theo. So in order to do this every God's Love DVD purchased, Whitestone Media along with Child Evangelism Fellowship will send a child in need their very own DVD!

I am so excited to see the next videos. I thought the ones we viewed captured the Scripture in a magnificent childlike manner, but yet not too childish for even your older children. I will definitely be spreading the news about THEO to friends, family and churches alike.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now it's time for me to tell you about the GIVEAWAY! Not just 1 but 2!! Yes, that's right, you will have the chance to win this DVD for yourself or church or a friend or as an early Christmas gift! (you know it's less then 90 days away) All you have to do to enter is follow the directions for the mandatory entry and then you can do any of the following:

Mandatory Entry

Head on over to Theo Presents and tell me which one of their upcoming videos are you most excited about.

Additional Entries:

Follow me with Google Friend Connect (publicly) or tell me you already are.
Subscribe to my blog
"Like" Walking Home on Facebook (and leave a comment there so I can see you)
Follow me on Twitter.
"Like" Theo Presents on Facebook
If you are a member of 'The Crew' let me know (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on your blog (leave me a link) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Facebook (only once per day) (leave me a comment each day with link if possible) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Twitter (and tag back to me) (only once per day) (2 entries)

This giveaway will conclude on October 14rd at 11:59 EST. The winner will be announced the next day. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. If I do not hear from you within 48 hours you will forfeit your win and another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck and Enjoy!!

Lifting Up Marriage

2011-09-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

This weekend our church put on a marriage conference called Art of Marriage. It was a huge success on many levels.

Many couples that came were touched by the Lord and took steps to commit to each other and the Lord to work on their marriage.

Our leaders and our volunteers served with love and humility and I am blessed to be a part of a church that is truly walking out what the Lord has called us ALL to do. With transparency and grace Journey Church reached out to the community to help the people in our circle of influence.

Thr Lord has called us ALL to help those around us. Are you there if your neighbor or co-worker just needs to talk? Do you take time to get to know your neighbors, bring them a desert our make them a dinner, just to bring glory to Him?

I know I'm being challenged to be more open to those around me, in my circle, and do whatever that brings glory to my Lord. We are on this earth to bring Him glory, to tell others about Him and to help them know Him.

Thank you Journey Church for being real ... being transparent... showing Christ to as many a we can.

And The Winner of "Get In I'm Driving" Is ...

2011-09-21T15:31:00.002-04:00

Sarah!!

It was kind of inevitable for Sarah to win, but she has! So Congratulations!! I'll be contacting you shortly and thanks for entering.

What Do You Do BEFORE 5? - A New TOS Review!!

2011-09-20T23:20:00.002-04:00

I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who are like me ... you have several in school, following a routine and then at the same time you have a baby, toddler, or preschooler. And most times it is very challenging, to put it nicely, to contain them or keep them happy while also keeping your older elementary thru high school students on task.

The Product:
Well I was luckily chosen as one of the reviewers for a 'currriculum' called Before Five In A Row. Children love to read and to be read to. So what Jane Claire Lambert has done in their 150 page book, is give a huge selection of of activities which correspond with specific stories. The book, created for ages two to four, has been broken down into two sections: the stories and activities and a parent's section that gives creative ideas for learning readiness. And it only costs $35. This is one awesome curriculum. Oh, and you can also purchase all the books necessary for the curriculum as a bundle or individually.

The learning readiness section of the book (Part Two) gives parents oodles of ideas and activities as suggestions on how to create the most out of your time with your littles. Most of the sub-sections in this area explain how they help prepare your young child to be able to 'formally' learn. It covers ares from nursery rhymes, poetry, singing, hand games, marching and dancing, to dribbling or bouncing a ball, blowing bubbles, threading and lacing, to activities you can perform during bath time, at the store or in the kitchen.

Now for Part One - the stories and activities or lesson plans. There are 24 specific stories each with a lesson plan that includes pertinent information about the book (author, title, copyright, illustrator, and any awards it may have won), a summary of the book, Bible (a memory verse that relates to the story), and many other areas like science, art, music, language, sequencing, pets, history, shapes, colors, etc. Not every lesson has each category. Under each category is a paragraph or more explaining how to use the book to "teach" the child about these specific 'subjects'. Before Five in A Row has a heart to allow your child to be taught and to grow in their learning through play all the while building everlasting childhood memories.

Our Experiences:
One of the first things that I did was to read through the list of books. I determined that I would start with the very first one and work my way through the book as far as I could during the review period. Some of the books my library had and others had to be requested from other libraries in the area. For the most part, I have been able to find the first eleven books (which is where we are now ... give or take.) Some of the books include Blueberries for Sal, Yellow Ball, and If Jesus Came to My House.

The first book we picked out was also the first one on the list, Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom. To this day this is Seanan's FAVORITE book. We have read it sooooo much that he can basically read the book himself ~ with or without the book present. But let me go back to the beginning.

When we returned home from the library Seanan was so excited to have his own books. He couldn't wait to sit down and read them, so that is exactly what we did. We read Jesse Bear two to three times the very first day. We continued to read it daily, most days more then once, for the first week. I had decided we'd stick with one book for a while to get the hang of the 'curriculum' and their suggestions. He was enamored with the book, both with the rhyme as well as the beautiful illustrations. I also LOVE this book. It shows such love between the mama, papa, and baby Jesse that can be felt through the words.

As we continued to read the book over the next few weeks we have talked about things within the pictures and asked him to find them, games like peek-a-boo that was mentioned in the book, finding a matching pattern or items on a page that all match - like the bears. Seanan has really grown quite fond and attached to this book, so much so that we are thinking it will be a Christmas present for sure! Here is a short video of one of our latest reading times.

Although he hasn't had the same reaction with other books we have read, the simple lessons connected to the books have made it fun for him to read a story over and over while still learning new and exciting ideas. He has enjoyed his new reading books and is now very excited every time we go to the library.

I've also enjoyed the memory verses that have been picked to correspond with the books. Some of the lessons even give you ways to tie the verse in with the Scriptures helping your child see how God is in everything ... even a library book. Seanan has also seemed to have a better appreciation for books and learning now more then he had before. He is more attentive to when his sisters are learning and wants to be right there too. He has even been joining in on our Latin, history, science, and English lessons with raising his hands and repeating rules and songs.

My Thoughts:
I am so happy that I was given the blessing and opportunity to review this product. I know that my son has grown in his learning just from these short weeks and I can't wait to see what other doors are unlocked while we continue our "lessons" and learning.

I do agree wholeheartedly with the author when they said that the "few brief years of early childhood can never be reclaimed later ...." I truly believe that their book, Before Five In A Row, has the passion for teaching while keeping the necessity for children to play and be children at the forefront of their

If' you'd like to read more reviews about this product, I'd love for you to go check out my Crew members' thoughts. And as always I'd love to hear what you think about this product.

A Tangled Birthday

2011-09-18T00:06:00.001-04:00

Audrie loves her Disney princesses, even though shes not really watched any of the movies. So when she decided to do Rapunzel (the one from Tangled) I wan't really surprised.

After talking about it she decided on the scene she wanted recreated and I complied. So here are some pictures of the cake a it was being created, as well a the completed project.

Time 4 Learning - A New TOS Review!!

2011-09-14T11:28:00.002-04:00

Sometimes we find that our children need either extra practice on a subject, or we parents need something we can depend on to still be able to teach our children while we go through a particular stage in life (new baby, sickness, moving, etc.), or we want to make sure we are 'hitting the mark' in our teaching so we want a supplemental program. Then maybe Time 4 Learning would be exactly what you have been looking for.

The Product:
The girls were given a 30 day Free membership to Time 4 Learning for us to check it all out. There are two levels the lower level (pre-K-3rd) and the upper level (4th - 8th) as well as a parent forum area. Also as a parent you have access to set up assignments and view reports of your child's progress. They even average all the quizzes and tests for you. That's a plus for many. ;)

When you sign up for Time 4 Learning you can be using it for your core homeschool curriculum, supplemental, summer school, or as an after school program. Your membership will include:

Online curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8th
More than 1,000 interactive animated lessons
Self paced lessons that kids will enjoy working on
Math & algebra tutorials & printable worksheets
Language arts, phonics & grammar lessons
Interactive, project-based reading activities
Science (grades 1st - 6th) & social studies (grades 2nd - 7th)
Detailed reporting for easy record keeping
Extensive lesson plans & teaching tools for parents
and much more...

Time 4 Learning has either 4 areas (Language Arts Extensions, Language Arts, Math, and Science) for those in the younger grades (1st - 6th) or 5 areas (which adds Social Studies to the other four areas) for the older grades (2nd - 8th). Each area is broken down in to several skill sections which are then broken down even more.

For instance, in Language Arts they have an area called Comprehension. Once you click on that 'skill area' you are then brought to a new area which has Comprehension broken down into several parts or skills. One of those is Summarizing. When you click on that the lessons are broken down and include quizzes. Once the child completes all of the lessons and quizzes for Summarizing they will receive a green check mark and then can move to the next 'skill' to be taught for Comprehension. Here's a picture of one of the 3rd grade questions for Language Arts.

You can check it our for yourselves by viewing the lesson demos or sample lesson plans to decide whether you think that Time 4 Learning will fit your family. If you decide that this is something you could or will need then the cost will be $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child. They also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you are not completely happy with it you can cancel within the first 14 days for a full refund. You can sign up for the program if this is something you have been searching for.

Our Experience:
We have had fun exploring all that Time 4 Learning has to offer. Arianna seems to really enjoy the lessons. I did not 'set up assignments' but I just told her to do 1 section in each area whenever she was working on the program. Because she's in the 3rd grade level I let her do it mostly on her own. She reinforced some learning on the Vikings which we had previously covered. I feel that her knowledge of that time period has been greatly increased because of the time she spent reading and doing quizzes.

Audrie on the other hand does not get free reign on the computer, so she had less time to explore on her own. I also like to be there with her during her learning time because of her age. She was very excited to use the program and it was quite entertaining. Because of her grade level (1st) the computer would "talk" to her and read the questions to her. That was very helpful considering we are still in the process of learning to read.

My Thoughts:
I love the ability to use this as either a supplemental program or as your core. I found that using it to reinforce certain skills or lessons we were learning has really helped those ideas be cemented into their memories.

Since this is an online program we had little trouble with it, even though I run a LINUX system which is good. I do however have to check the box to 'open in troubleshooting mode' in order for the screen size to look correct. That being said, it did not seem to have any other issues or problems.

I am on the fence with the pricing. On one hand the price of less then $20 for your core curriculum sounds great. But as homeschoolers, many have larger families so the additional price per child is where it becomes difficult ... at least for my family. I do also think that if they had a separate pricing for each area that might help bring in more customers. Say $5 per month per section. That way if you were having a hard time with math or science you knew that Time 4 Learning had a way to help you too.

All in all I thought this was a solid program. I don't think our 30 day free membership was enough time to really get all we could out of the program. I still feel like we are exploring it. If you want to read more about the program please head on over to the Homeschool Crew site and check out what my other Crew members are saying about the program.

"Get In, I'm Driving!" (and GIVEAWAY!!)

2011-09-13T21:56:00.003-04:00

This is the title of the latest CD from Ginny Owens, which is being released today!

Don't know who Ginny is? Well she's a 3 time Dove Award winner, a winner of ASCAP multiple times, has sold over one million albums, and has been heard on Christian and mainstream radio stations alike. Her style of music is very much a jazz/soul feel and you can hear her passion in her songs.

"Get In, I'm Driving!" is her 9th CD release and she's even posted a video blog to explain where she's been in the last few years.

I found this album exceeding my expectations. Through her music you are able to hear her soul and connect to exactly what her words are portraying. I have many of Ginny's previous CD's and really love her style and I was definitely not disappointed in this latest one. You can also check out one of her previous albums, Before You Fly, on iTunes.

I hope you take some time and check out her website as well as the organization she founded, Fingerprint Initiative. And before you leave I need to tell you about the GIVEAWAY! Yes, that's right, you will have the chance to win this CD for yourself! (Or as an early Christmas gift - you know it's not that far away) All you have to do to enter is follow the directions for the mandatory entry and then you can do any of the following:

Mandatory Entry

On Ginny's website in Ginny's Journal there are several songs she discusses and gives you the why behind them. Tell me which is your favorite (and it'd be great if you left Ginny some comments too.)

Additional Entries:

Follow me with Google Friend Connect (publicly) or tell me you already are.
Subscribe to my blog
"Like" Walking Home on Facebook (and leave a comment there so I can see you)
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow Ginny on Twitter.
"Like" Ginny Owens on Facebook
Go to Ginny's website and tell me one thing about her or her songs.
If you are a member of 'The Crew' let me know (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on your blog (leave me a link) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Facebook (only once per day) (leave me a comment each day with link if possible) (2 entries)
Post about this giveaway on Twitter (and tag back to me) (only once per day) (2 entries)

This giveaway will conclude on September 20th at 11:59 EST. The winner will be announced the next day. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you. If I do not hear from you within 48 hours you will forfeit your win and another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck and Enjoy!!

Always Remember ...

2011-09-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

I remember exactly what I was doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. I was in my office getting things ready for a few closings we were having. We had the radio on and then we heard the report. We then found a television, plugged it in and turned on the news. They started showing images that I could just not believe were real. Then the second plane struck. It was real. We were under attack.

The next several hours my entire office watched the news reports as all the information begun streaming in. People were instantly killed. Others were trying to hang onto any strand of courage, faith, and hope that they could as they started to leave the buildings as quickly as they could. Would they get out? Would they survive? Where were their family members - their wives, their husbands, their children? No one knew. All anyone knew was that this was not a time to be frantic, but instead to be calm. To slowly and steadily descend.

Now on the anniversary of one of the most horrific historical events of the United States I am taking time to remember ALL who sacrificed. Those who sacrificed their lives. Those who sacrificed their time. New York City and the United States as a whole would never be the same.

But we need to remember that there is One who sacrificed His life for us too. His name is Jesus. And only Jesus can truly save and protect us. I hope that you remember. I also hope you know Him. If not, take some time now, pray to the one and only true God and ask Him to come into your heart. He can save you and bring you out of your despair. He can transform your heart and life into one full of peace even in the midst of turmoil. He loves you ... not for anything you do, but for who you are. He remembers and He is still here waiting for you.

I'm going to leave you with this song by Alan Jackson. Remember ...

(These pictures are from Press Association and others found at 9/11 remembered and 9/11 Memorial Website)

Let's All Be Civilized - A New TOS Review!!

2011-09-09T10:01:00.001-04:00

This year at the TOS Homeschool Crew we seem to be having a trend toward games. Today's review is on a game from Gridley Games. We were chosen to review Civilize This! which is a travel game as well as an expansion game to the Wise Alec Family Trivia Game.

The Product:
Civilize This! is a fun, educational history game which can engage children and adults of all ages from the history buff to the beginning learner of history. It is also created to be able to be added to the original Wise Alec family trivia game in order to elongate the laughter and fun while throwing in some more interesting questions and facts from history. All you need is at least 2 players and off you go travelling through the periods of time. (It is recommended for ages 8+, but my almost 6 yo was able to answer a few from the categories that we have covered in history.)

Civilize This! is broken down into three time periods - one for each set of cards: Ancient (red), Medieval (green), and Modern (yellow.) Each card has a 3 point or a 7 point question that can be asked. Then you also have Wise Alex cards (purple) which are give you an action to do, a brain teaser, a tongue twister, or a fun "miss your turn" card. The Wise Alec cards also have points on them.

At the start of the game you need to either set a point limit or a time limit and decide who goes first. After that you will just roll your die and whatever color it lands on is the time period your question will be asked from, or you will have a Wise Alec card. If the question is answered correctly, you get the points. If not, no points are awarded. Then your turn is over. The game is over when the point total has been made or the time runs out, whichever was your chosen path. There are alternate ways to help level the playing field which are included in the rules.

Our Experiences:
When we first got this, we were actually on the way out so we "tested" it out in the car. We decided to modify the game completely and since I know my kids had really studied the Ancient time period we just asked questions from there. We also didn't do a point system, but the kids didn't care.

Audrie answered only a few and was getting frustrated at herself, but I had to remind her that we studied the Ancients 2 years ago when she was only 4. I thought she had done WONDERFULLY and that's all that mattered.

Arianna on the other hand was smoking. She answered MANY of the questions correctly and even before her father (who at our house knows EVERYTHING about everything.) She was impressed with herself. Stephen was impressed with her too. I was flabergastered that she had remembered anything from 2 years ago!

However, doing the game as originally instructed wasn't as successful. That has more to do with that we are just now getting into the modern times. We do love the fun and silly Wise Alec questions which cause the laughter to explode in the room. We tried a few times, but since then we have decided we'd just leave the modern time period cards out until we have learned more this year. Once the new year comes, I'm sure we'll be adding those back in the mix. Until then, we will continue having fun, learning new or remembering facts from our lessons and have fun on family game nights.

My Thoughts:
I expect that this game will become well loved AND it's a great review of history! What parent wouldn't want to play a game where you can get both of those results? I know that I have loved playing this game and that we will continue to play it for years to come.

I also love the mobility of the game. It comes in a very sturdy cardboard box that has a magnetic closure on the lid, and a specific place for the playing cards and die. The rules are printed on the inside of the box so you have no papers to keep track of or lose.

I am very interested in the orignial Wise Alec game as well as the other 2 expansion sets. You can read other reviews on this game as well as one other expansion set - Nature Nuts over on the Homeschool Crew site. If you are interested in purchasing Civilize This! or any of the Gridley Games, make sure you check out their retailers.

A Good Day

2011-09-08T23:34:00.000-04:00

I will report some more later, but I wanted to write down just how good today was. Even though I had a headache and had no meds to take and no Coke Zero, we still had an awesome day. I've been REALLY trying to be slow with my speech to my children and not to get too caught up in the "what has to get done."

Today we were able to do math, English grammar Latin, handwriting, reading, and Bible. Then Arianna asked to do an extra math lesson (yay!) on her own ... and dad didn't even have to go over the lesson first. I did a reading lesson with Audrie and Seanan even had his own lessons with counting and saying the alphabet.

Arianna then spent almost 2 hours working on Word Qwerty (typing which includes spelling rules). Then at dinner we did a different grammar lesson just for Arianna. And I have to say my eldest was a pure joy to be with today. She answered "yes ma'am" every time, was quick to help and only had one time out.

After the kids were all ready for bed we watched a short video (that I will be putting a review up in the next few days) called Theo. And as they were going to bed, dad came home to give everyone kisses ... the perfect ending to a great day.

All in all it was a good day, despite the headache. Hope you come back tomorrow ... another game will be getting a review!

It's Raining Cats & Dogs - A New TOS Review!!

2011-09-07T10:42:00.002-04:00

I always love playing family games, but it always seems difficult to find ones that work for the WHOLE family. But this next review was a game and you will be happy to know that it can work for your whole family without much trouble.

The Product:
Flea Circus is one of the family games by R&R Games and it is the game our family was given to review. The premise of the games is that each participant is trying to attract the dogs and cats (game pieces) to their show (one of the Flea cards) in order to be the big winner at the end. You can also steal your neighbor's audience or have your own stolen from the Animal Catcher.

Even though this games is for 6 and up, we were able to play (with some help) with our 2.5 yo - he collected the audience (the dogs and cats) when it was our turn. You do need at least 2 players and can have up to 6. The game pieces, which are the dogs and cats, are made of very firm plastic so they will definitely take some wear and tear. You get 20 white cats and 20 blue dogs, along with 55 playing cards at a reasonable price of $15.95.

Our Experience:
The first day this game arrived the girls could not wait until we were able to play. We had to plan it in our day so that they could calm down. ;) So we cleared off the little train table and set it up for us all to play. I went ahead and read the rules for myself and then dad and I described each card so they would know what they looked like and what action they needed to take when they had a particular card. Here's the table after we got it all set.

The first player is the youngest and then you go around clockwise. Audrie was happy about that because that meant she was able to go first. With a little help along the way making sure the girls played their cards properly, we had a grand time. There was laughter and fun and even a little bit of strategy on their part. They played it so well, that Audrie won AND Arianna came in second. Here you can see the happiness on her face from winning.

We've played several other times since this first time and it is still a joy to play. The girls haven't ventured to play just with each other yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon enough. One of the funny things is how much the kids like the little animal game pieces. Audrie likes to collect the cats. Seanan likes to line them all up as we get them and then he knocks them over. Arianna seems to be the first one truly grasping the strategy behind "stealing" others audiences.

My Thoughts:
One of the great things about this game is the time necessary. It is very short to play. We've been able to play an entire game in about 10-15 minutes. Since the game is over when you are out of dogs and cats the more people playing the faster the game will go.

I also love the pieces. They are sturdy enough for toddlers to handle and play with without them breaking yet big enough that they aren't really a choking hazard. The game cards are not flimsy. Instead they are a little thicker and have a glossy covering which helps protect them. And the entire game is able to be kept in a small 4x7x3 inch box which is both portable and easy to store.

Flea Circus is one of seven 'family games' that they have, not to mention their party games, kids games, and strategy games. And if you think this game is one that would make your family game times even more enjoyable, R&R Games is allowing me to pass on a coupon code to all of my readers. If you go to their site you can enter the code CREW20 to receive 20% off any purchase from their website until the end of the year (expires 12/21/11)

Make sure you check out what my Crew members thought about this game and another game called Pig Pile. I'd love to hear about your experiences with Flea Circus or any other game you might decide to purchase.

Transforming Your HEART - A New TOS Review!!

2011-09-05T10:25:00.001-04:00

Well, the ship has set sail and you are cordially invited to sail along with me as a guest upon board of the TOS Homeschool Crew ship. The day has finally arrived where I bring you the first new review of the year! Isn't it exciting? I can't wait so let's jump right in!

The Product:
The very first review for this year is a book. You heard me right, a book. No, not a curriculum book or a game or toy, a book. And this book is WONDERFUL! How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids is a book written by Rachel Carman (published through Apologia Press) that exposes how we really should be learning about and from our kids.

Rachel and her husband have seven children all of who they homeschool, but that was not always so. Rachel never imagined that she would be the one homeschooling. She was preparing for life after kindergarten ... you know, when you can send your child off and have all day to cook, clean, and do all the things you couldn't put full effort into while your children are very young.

But something happened during those first few days Rachel and her husband came to the conclusion that it was not safe for them to send their child away, especially after him getting lost, forgotten and learning pretty much nothing. So they timidly discussed and decided to homeschool ... BUT just for this one year. Little did the Carman's know that this is the door God was looking for to transform their HEART's, especially Rachel's.

The book includes an ntroduction, five poignant chapters, and an epilogue. Even though the book looks small, of only 205 pages, every page, every word is full of encouragement, candor, life, and love. I have felt my heartstrings tugged upon as I read the words on the pages with an open heart and mind. At the end of each chapter there's also what Rachel calls a "Heart Checkup." This is the place to stop ... ponder and pray and answer with all honesty. If you are like me, you will be surprised at your answers.

The five chapters are aptly names for the acronym H.E.A.R.T:

H - Have a Heart for the Things of God
E - Enrich Your Marriage
A - Accept Your Kids
R - Release Them to God
T - Teach Them the Truth

Within each chapter are short sections that deal succinctly with specific parts of the whole of the chapter. They are full of Rachel's life experiences, trials and triumphs, as well as Scripture. I have loved how Rachel has poured herself into the pages and I feel I have learned much and still have much to learn.

My Experience:
I feel challenged after reading How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids to really be more intentional in changing my character to match that of God's and therefore being a better example for my three lovely children that I have been blessed with. One of the statements Rachel made in her book really spoke to me.

She says, "If we were to catch just a glimpse of what these children could do to impact the world for Christ, we would not only be liberated from our short-sighted plans for our kids and their futures, but we might even be rejuvenated for the task of raising and teaching them."

I have found this to be true. I believe that the reading of this book was the beginning of my own transformation. I plan on reading this book again and I've asked my husband to read it. I know now with an even greater revelation that the choice for my husband and I to homeschool was the only choice we could make. I have a heavy responsibility to with the help of GOD and my husband, to rear our children and teach them the TRUTH ... It's all about HIM.

This book is available through Apologia Press, a division of Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc., for just $13. You can also read the table of contents and a sample chapter directly from their site. If you are contemplating homeschooling, newly homeschooling, or have been homeschooling for years, I truly believe that this book will speak to you. This book is designed for both parents, not just the mom.

My Thoughts:
I highly recommend you reading this book, but not like any other book. I suggest reading it one chapter at a time, section by section and really asking yourselves the checkup questions. I also suggest reading it a second time and even a third until you also Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids. Be sure to check out what all my other Crew members thought to learn how others experienced this book. Happy Reading!

Family Movie Night - Game Day: Tackling the Past

2011-09-03T21:10:00.002-04:00

Tonight at 8pm - on NBC Family Movie Night is showing their latest show - Game Day:Tackling The Past. This time it revolves around a story about 2 brothers, both who had promise in the football arena, but only one made it - Jake Walker. Jake is a professional football player living what he feels is his dream. Meanwhile, his dad and brother are coaches for the high school that Jake and his brother graduated from. But one incident, which occurs to Jake and his brother, would shape their futures forever.

Jake hasn't been back home in years until he gets a call that his dad is in the hospital. Through a series of events Jake is challenged to tackle his past in order to face his new future. What happens in the short time he has at home, not only changes his future, but that of his brother, his father, and their families.

I was given the great opportunity to not only watch this movie in advance, but to also be able to "chat" with the mom of the family - Catherine Hicks. Most of you might know her best from Seventh Heaven where she also played the mom. Catherine told us that this film was completed in about 5 weeks in North Carolina. She also let us know that she jumped at the chance to be in this film because of it's message as well as she would be co-starring with Beau Bridges (who plays the dad). ;) I had a lot of fun watching "with" Mrs. Hicks.

Here's a trailer that you will enjoy that will peek your interests. You can also check out some more clips and videos here. I hope you all enjoy the Family Movie Night and that you go and check them out on Facebook - that way you can keep apprised of their next movies.

I am so sorry for not posting this earlier this week, but some urgent matters occurred yesterday which prevented me to.

An Afternoon Tea

2011-09-01T23:38:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is my eldest daughter's birthday party. She has chosen a theme of an English Afternoon Tea, especially after we studied about them in a unit recently.

One problem ... for the last 2 days I have not been feeling well at all. :( So tomorrow I have TONS to do and I still am not feeling well. I'm praying that I can accomplish everything including cleaning, running errands and purchasing necessary items, decorating, wrapping presents, making the little cucumber sandwiches and other goodies including specially decorated petit fours.

Thankfully, hubby is OFF tomorrow! AND my mother-in-law will be coming over straight after work (hopefully by 2p) so that I will have no kids for at least an hour and a half before anyone comes. I would appreciate prayers for me to be in total health or at least have enough stamina to make her birthday as special as her.

Favorite Books

2011-08-30T21:18:00.000-04:00

Lately we have been reading a lot as we are gearing up for the beginning of school (which is only a week away.) And that includes my dear little boy. We've been making sure every time we go to the library that he gets his very own books now too. And let me tell you he LOVES to read.

Right now I think we have a favorite book. I've even had to renew it and have a feeling I might have to again (after we return it - our library only allows one renewal. :( I know it's sad.) The funny thing is that we have read this book so much he can almost say the lines before you do. I personally think that is adorable.

What is this book? Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom. He asks to read it multiple times a day, especially before nap and bedtime. He will even chant the story during his play time.

Do your children have any favorite books that they can't go a day ... or even a few hours ... without? I'd love to hear about them.

And stick around because this book has been part of our reading curriculum for Seanan due to an upcoming review. I also have my first TOS review up this week as well as some other reviews and giveaways. I have a feeling that September will be a hopping month!

Hurricanes and School

2011-08-26T23:26:00.000-04:00

Well, as many of you know we have Hurricane Irene heading straight toward the eastern seaboard. And since we live in SC, we had been preparing for the worst, knowing that in all likelihood, she wouldn't hit us and possibly not even crash into the US.

We've actually been talking a bit about it since Tuesday (when there was also an eastern earthquake that stretched from AL/GA all the way up to NY/MA.) We've been watching the weather channel and keeping up with the news a little as we thinking about the need to prepare. And as we have been doing that we've been steadily chugging along on our very relaxed introduction back into school (we don't start school until the first FULL week of September.)

So what do we, as homeschoolers, do?? A fun and interactive mini unit all about hurricanes of course. ;) And since today was Friday AND dad was home, we had some fun with it too. So this morning I did a quick search online and found 2 very informative sites. The first one was a free unit on Homeschool Share that also included a lapbook. I didn't use much of this one, but that's mainly because of the impromptu nature of our study. The second was the hurricane section of Weather WizKids.

This was a pretty awesome site. I had Arianna read through it out loud so we could all hear. Before that I had printed some of the FREE resources on the bottom that were appropriate for the age level in our house, including the tracking chart and this booklet that I also had Ari, read and then do the questions at the end.

Then as soon as we were done and getting ready to run some errands the weather began to change. So we went outside to investigate. This is a video we took of what we were watching in the sky.

Then I had dad work with Ari doing some fun 'real life' math from this page that called it Disater Math. I also went over to KB Teachers and did a search on hurricanes to see if there were any other FREE printable we could do today. Dad was also living here in SC during HUGO and talked all about his experience and what it was like to be outside during the storm when the eye was over the area. He even found some cool images of Hurricane Hugo so the girls would be able to compare Hugo to Irene.

We finally were able to run some of our errands and here are the pictures. This one is from the afternoon.

Then these are from the evening. The first 2 are with a different setting on my pone (the night setting) which made it too bright and it wasn't as pretty as it was in real life. The last one is the best night picture.

So that was our Friday. A day of FUN homeschooling. What did you do today?

I'm linking to:

The Grace Card Giveaway Winner

2011-08-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

I ran the comments last night through Random. org

AND

the WINNER IS:

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 23
Result: 2
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

So that means Marcy won!

Congratulations Marcy!

I will let Propeller know that you are my winner so they can send you your copy. I hope you really enjoy this movie and that it touches you as it has touched me.

Worshipful Sundays - Don't Worry Now

2011-08-21T16:11:00.001-04:00

This is a very touching song. I hope you really feel it. And while you listen please pray for friends of ours who's son just went to Heaven this morning at 3am. He was only 9, but has been battling a serious medical condition since birth. Thank you Jesus for sharing him with us and please minister to their family.

I Might Write a Book

2011-08-19T22:39:00.000-04:00

It would be a children's book, but still ... that counts, doesn't it?

See a few weeks ago my son wanted me to tell him a story, but he wanted one he hadn't heard and it was at night time and the lights were off so I couldn't "read" him one. So I decided I'd make one up. When my girls were little I told them stories that I made up with Princesses in them and a variation of their names were the Princesses names.

Well with this one I based the story on a little prince and the prince wanted a pet. BUT, I am not going to tell you WHAT the pet was! (Ha! I know, I'm mean, but if I write the book I'd like you to READ it.)

Well, the amazing thing about this 'story' is that it has become a book. He now asks for it to be read every day, usually at night time and sometimes at nap or in the middle of the day. I've retold it so many times that he can tell the story himself. It is quite cute. He even makes others tell the story (which was kind of funny since Daddy and Savtah hadn't heard the story before the time they had to tell the story.)

So now I am trying to rework it in my head to make it more appealing. I've even talked to my mother-in-law about doing the illustrations for me (she's a VERY good painter). So I think I can truly say I am writing a book! Never thought I would write (Ha! - a pun) those words.

Are you doing or planning to do something you NEVER thought you would? I'd love to hear what. Drop me a line and let me know. ;)