2 Free Interactive Storybooks

Story Time For Me is giving away 2 FREE multimedia storybooks for kids- the stories are wonderful and engaging with excellent vocabulary. These interactive storybooks are truly a first rate selection of well written literature aimed at 2 age groups, preschool-4 and 4-8.

With features such as word or phrase highlighting, auto read or manual modes, clickable keywords to hear repeats, and vocabulary picture associations your child will grow in their confidence as a reader. Additional functions such as polls, activities and community videos, discussion questions and an art room expand on each stories theme and really let a child indulge in their own creativity.

I love this site and my 22 month old will watch and repeat the words when I click on them. It really is a great way to expand her growing vocabulary. I hope you check it out and let me know what you think about it.

Mandy

So many thoughts

running through my brain. I am having some trouble focusing on any one thing. It’s like the craziness of the holidays has engulfed me. I have schoolwork to correct, a house to put to order, a tugging pain in my heart for a unknown child in the Father’s arms, a rebellious son wreaking havoc, thoughts of inadequacy, and physical ailments to top it all off. In short I am exhausted, cranky, frustrated, angry, sad and my back is killing me (ice is my friend right now). I hopefully will be able to form a coherent thought in the next few days. Right now I just want to point out I have some reviews coming up, we had a lovely Christmas that turned into something  atrocious, and we were all sick with head colds. Happy New Year everybody! May this year be the last year I give Santa credit when it is God who is Glorified.  We are so very blessed by the Almighty even in (especially) our times of suffering.

Mandy

Our Christmas Card to You

We love and appreciate you all.

Some of you only know us through this blog and others are frequent visitors to the various homeschool yahoo groups I am on and we have gotten to be closer. Some are also friends on Facebook and Twitter and have shared in some of our ups and downs as we share in yours. I am glad to call you all friends. Some of you are even my friends IRL (in real life) and I cherish those friendships as well. God chose each and everyone of you to be in our lives for a reason and for that I am grateful.

You have blessed us in ways unimaginable, oh Lord. Your angels here on earth hold us when we feel far from you.

Personalize your own free ecard

Merry Christmas to all my Earth Angels!

Mandy

I Caught Santa Contest

Imagine the look on your child’s face when you can give them the proof they need to keep the belief in Santa alive. ICaughtSanta.com does just that by combining your room photo and their Santa pose into a picture that is truly worth a thousand words. They have other characters you can catch if you are not of the Santa persuasion too!

Oliver’s Labels – Tomoson Review

I have kids, kids tend to lose things. Lost things can be a big problem.
Oliver’s Labels = problem solved

Oliver's Labels makes high quality waterproof labels and tags to stick on all your kids' stuff. Our labels are dishwasher & laundry safe and will never fade, scuff or peel.

Tiny Planets – TOS Review

Product: Tiny Planets Website
Company: My Tiny Planets Ltd.
Price: Free to various pricing options.               Ages: 4-12

I’d like to introduce you to a couple of my friends. Meet Bing and Bong, the loveable duo who takes your child on a trip around their galaxy. Along the way your child will be able to visit 6 planets, learning “to think for themselves, assume social responsibility, take care of our planet and learn about the mysteries of space.”

ALEKS – TOS Review

I always hated math in school. It was truly my worst subject. Not because I didn’t understand it but because early on I was taught to hate it. I remember it well. I was in 2nd grade and was so proud of myself for finishing more than I had to. When I turned it in and my teacher saw I had done more than assigned she rapped my knuckles with a wooden ruler. I was mortified and from that day hated math. As I progressed in school I only did just enough to get by in all subjects and math remained my worst subject. I would avoid it and subsequently get behind.
Fast forward 25 years and I am teaching my children math. My oldest seems to fly through it and my middle child drags his feet. I have used a few different types of programs to try to fix what the schools missed (with my oldest, 9th grade) and broke (in my 3rd grader).
Enter ALEX. I love this program…

I gave Joy to the World when I....

birthed my 3 beautiful children. My daughter, who is almost 2, & my sons, who are 8 and 15. We have had our ups and downs with medical issues and money problems but through it all my children have reflected God’s love. They are so happy all the time even if something less than what they expect has happened. I sometimes think God gave me this particular children just so he could see me laugh. All of my children have a humor streak a mile wide and for that I am grateful. I love to hear my 8 year old laughing turned high pitch squeal, to see my 15 year old  with tears streaming down his cheeks while laughing without sound, and to watch as my giggly baby girl chases everyone who will be chased. All ending up in a pile of laughing children on the floor. Yep, I thank God for the joy he has sent to this world through me, he knew I would need it.

Mandy

Toms of Maine Buzz

I love finding new things that fit wonderfully into my life. Tom’s of Maine is one of those things. They are a company that makes personal care products with our future in mind. From using natural ingredients to ingredient disclosure Tom’s is helping to do their part to conserve our resources and be responsible.

 

Tom’s of Maine:

 Toothpaste, Dental Floss,    Mouthwash, Deodorant, & Soap

 

“Good people making
Responsible Choices

KB Teachers - TOS Review

I love printables and KB Teachers has plenty of just that. The fact that I can pop on over to this site and find a specific worksheet has saved me oodles of time.  I homeschool our 2 boys, 7 years between them, do you know how hard that is to find stuff for them both in one place? KB Teachers has thoughtfully helped me in this regard. They have worksheets, clip art, activities, crafts and my favorite, web quests (online info treasure hunts ) geared to ages pre k-12.
This is far more than a simple worksheet generator. You can tailor multiple activities to create a complete unit study or use a few to review it’s up to you how you use it.

The Write Foundation- TOS Review

I was very excited to receive this writing curriculum for my 15 year old reluctant writer. It is presented as a pick up and go type of product, yet I was overwhelmed at first, it's a lot to prep and understand before you get into it.  I was hoping this would work for our family but it did not. My son actually said he hated it and it made him not want to write even more. I would say he was exaggerating but he actually said how much he hated it, every time I pulled it out it was a battle.
I asked him what he thought the problem was and he said it crams too much together. I think he is correct but it is more the way it is laid out, very step by step. This seemed like overkill to him, I think. Other families may need this for their children, however.

Elmer’s and Xacto-BZZ Agent Review

A few month’s ago I signed up to be a Buzz Agent. It’s basically a word of mouth campaign for various products. I have been using the newest kit set to me, which includes the Elmer’s and Xacto products pictured below.
It really is no surprise that this crafty momma loved doing this Buzz Campaign. I think my favorite item was the corner punch, so smooth and easy for even my kiddos to use. I also really like the Craft Bond Glue Pen. Only the right amount right where you want it. Working with my boys to make birthday cards this worked out so well.

MFW-ECC

I had fully intended to use this blog as a weekly record of sorts for what we are doing in My Father’s World - Exploring Countries and Cultures. Well  that has not been happening. It seems my boys would rather stretch everyday out as long as possible. I find it harder to get up and started on time and I am almost dreading each day. I don’t think it has anything to do with the curriculum but with me needing more sleep and the boys getting away with too much. I am going to try to do better about posting a weekly or bi-monthly wrap-up.

We are in Week 6 and visiting Mexico so here are some pictures of that and what I have since Week 1.

                           United States Meal

 

       Apple Pie                                    Southwest  Fiesta Dip

 

 

 

 

Quilt Blocks                         Working on Primary Language Lessons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working hard during Weeks 3 & 4

 

 

 

 

 

Working on Weeks 5 & 6

 

 

 

 

                                   PINATAS!!!

 

Mandy

Man In Training

There are so many things I wish for my oldest son on his 15th birthday. My first baby is becoming a man and I see a glimpse of who that is. A protective, caring, passionate man with a heart for God but still immature in his faith. He has a ways to go but has come so very far.

Do not despair for He is not finished with you yet! The Lord has great works for you, and I can’t wait to see what you become.

This past year has been a trying one, with being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He has been strong in Christ and determined to persevere. I am proud of my young man!

Mandy

Homemaking Haven

 

Week 2 in the challenge says this:

“Play soft music everyday in your home. Choose worship, classical or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships. Remind your family to avoid seething anger, tattling, criticism or back talk. As the wife/mother, work on gentleness this week.”

So that is what I am going to do. This should be easier for me as I am very drawn to music and it soothes my soul. I think I may download a few songs to the mp3 player so as to free up the computer. A mix of Celtic, worship, and lullabies will do the trick I think.

As for this past week I have struggled but it has been easier to get back on track once I see my candle. I am praying every time I see it. However, I am also cursing it when things are not going well. I hope to change scents this coming week and maybe that will make a bit of difference It’s not as though I dislike the one I have but it is a little too subtle in my opinion.

So here’s to days full of peace ahead!

Mandy