Lille Punkin'

HOSS Wheel Hoe Review: 5 Top Features

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:09:00 +0000

Gardening can be one of the toughest jobs you'll do all year. That's why new inventions, like the one we tried in our Hoss Wheel Hoe review, is so exciting! Working in the garden is practically a full-time job, and that's with the help of my husband, myself, and all 6 of the kids! Our soil is clay -- "gumbo" as it's called here near the river bottom -- which means that it gets dense, packed down, and very sticky when wet.

Hoss wheel hoe review

We have a great tiller that we use to initially break up the soil, but we were looking for something manual, yet durable, that we could use to dig rows, tend to weeds, and even plant, when needed. We ordered the Deluxe HOSS Double Wheel Hoe, and anxiously awaited the garden season to start!

Hoss Wheel Hoe Review

How did it work? Putting it together seems intimidating, but -- if you follow directions -- it shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes. The wood is very solid, and the metal parts are smooth and finished. The steel wheel is especially durable and turns easily with just a little pressure. I like that it seems to be able to withstand both wear and any moisture it will come in contact with in the garden.

(Note: We love this tool, however, so we will be storing it in our shop to prolong its life!)

We tried out this new gardening tool. What did we think? See our verdict in the Hoss Wheel Hoe review.

The Hoss Wheel Hoe is considered the ultimate garden tool for a variety of gardening tasks, including cultivating and weeding, thanks to its versatility, durability, and effectiveness.

Here is my daughter using the HOSS Wheel Hoe to create rows in our garden **(Note: We often use the furrowing plow as a way to create deep rows. It’s great for potatoes and transplants!)**

We tried out this new gardening tool. What did we think? See our verdict in the Hoss Wheel Hoe review.

The hoe did a very good job of keeping things straight, and was able to work through any rocks or roots that were remaining. It was still work – kids under 10 would have a hard time pushing through our dirt – but it definitely made it easier than using a typical hoe and has the potential to save time – and your back! The double-wheeled model kept things on track and gave us some stability when working over bumpy areas.

While I haven’t tried the Hoss Single Wheel Hoe, I can imagine the two wheels made it more steady, although you’ll need to give it a bit more room to work. Both models have Amish-crafted hardwood handles and powder-coated wheels that deter rust.

Hoss Wheel Hoe Review: Accessories

Several accessories come with this deluxe model, including an oscillating hoe. The Hoss Wheel Hoe features a thick steel tool bar, enhancing its durability and allowing for the attachment of a variety of gardening implements, such as the oscillating hoe, weeding blades, and cultivator teeth. It includes a pair of weeding blades and 4 cultivator teeth and it also includes the shorter axle for converting back to single wheel version. We, unfortunately, were unable to use the weeding blades on too much of the garden, due to an issue here on the farm. The areas that we could use the weeding blades look FANTASTIC! This is definitely one of the top wheel hoe attachments you can get for weed control.

No weeds between rows, which is probably why our yield on our green beans has been so high. I’m also looking forward to seeing how our potatoes (which were also weeded with the hoe and blades) will do this year. It was certainly easier than pulling large weeds by hand later in the season.

We also invested in a seeder attachment. It was designed to keep us from stooping down and hand-seeding everything (or mess around with homemade seed tape, plus it is set up to evenly space the seeds.

We had a little difficulty setting this up at first. In fact, my husband was convinced that it wasn’t seeding at all – until we found 2 incomplete rows of green beans mixed in with our tomatoes a week later. It turns out that it did an amazing job of planting and spacing the seeds; we just didn’t realize how the dirt would lay over the seeds after we passed through.

I think we will definitely master this accessory for next year. Our first time was a bit of a learning curve, and we would test it on the sidewalk (like they said in the directions.) Our eagerness to get the seeds into the ground clouded our judgment to work on our art. ** Overall, we’re happy campers with the money we spent to do the Hoss Wheel Hoe review. (Sample was NOT provided.)**

It’s something that we have used every season in our vegetable garden since we first gave it a try in 2013! Even with hard wear and tear, it’s in great condition and cleans up nicely. You get what you pay for with this premium, high-quality implement for home gardeners that truly delivers on saving time and energy.

The HOSS Wheel Hoe comes in a variety of models, and there is about every accessory you could need for your garden. It’s a solid investment that I’m glad we made. For the serious gardener, homesteader, or small hobby farmer, it’s perhaps the only way we’ve found to manage the in-ground garden.

While we’ll continue to use raised beds for about half of our harvest, this makes the ground tending much easier on our backs and gives us some motivation to keep up on the day-to-day of garden maintenance. It’s our preferred garden tool for having kids help out in the garden when they aren’t quite ready for power tools or tillers.

If nothing else, it may make you slightly less apprehensive about cultivating and weeding your garden – even if you’re a newbie at using garden tools.

You can find the entire line of products mentioned in our HOSS Wheel Hoe review here.

HOSS Wheel Hoe FAQs

What is the difference between the HOSS wheel hoe and the HOSS double wheel hoe?

Both products offer durable construction and a simple design, but the HOSS double wheel hoe has two round wheels, while the single has just one. HOSS makes it easy to make your existing single wheel hoe more powerful with their Double Wheel Conversion Kit.

What is the warranty coverage on a HOSS Wheel hoe?

HOSS offers a one-year warranty that covers defects in workmanship or materials, it goes in effect on the date of purchase. Discoloration caused by light or chemicals is not covered. If HOSS can't repair your item, they will replace it with the same product or one of similar price and composition. They may also refund your money, if you choose.

How can I use my HOSS Wheel hoe warranty?

Call HOSS Tools at 1-888-672-5536 within one year from date of purchase.

What wheel hoe attachments are available?

HOSS has an extensive selection of accessories and attachments for their wheel hoes, as well as other useful garden items. They expand their offerings every year, but some of the more exciting products include the drip tape layer attachment and a wheel hoe success kit with oil, wrench, sander, and file to help you keep your HOSS Wheel Hoes well-maintained.

How to Save Money On Homeschooling with SchoolhouseTeachers.com (A Review)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 02:30:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received this product free through the Homeschool Review Crew. I'm also an affiliate, so if you make a purchase through my links, I earn a small commission.

I get asked about the fastest way to homeschool every day. Usually, I recommend a boxed curriculum, which happens to be one of the greatest things about the SchoolhouseTeachers.com Ultimate PreK-12 Annual membership. In today's review, I'll share how to get started with one low price for every student in your household. (You won't need to buy additional books or courses or materials, either!)

What's in a SchoolhouseTeachers.com Online Curriculum Membership?

What do you get with your subscription? Depending on whether you purchased the Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership (recommended), you'll get access to a variety of online classes, some in printable format to be used offline and others that open up in a video window for your child to watch completely online.

Each course comes with a preview, so you can see what's involved before you decide. There are complete lesson plans for each, as well, to help you know how many activities or videos to do each day and also see how the course will fit into your daily lives. Since planning is often where homeschoolers get tripped up, this is what I see as a HUGE advantage to using SchoolhouseTeachers.com.

Here's an example of the different science curriculum options available for different levels:

Of course, you can access any of the courses at any level. If you buy your curriculum in a box and decide you want to do a more challenging or easier science course, you can! But you can also access just the grade level courses that are recommended. Each "box" is a complete curriculum!

Much more than all the courses

Homeschool families also get access to printable planners of all kinds, including those with basic layouts that just let you record your progress each day. There are more involved planner sheets, including those with chore lists and meal plans and even household appointments. If you have no idea how to get started using any of the courses, resources, or lists, you only have to check out their support tools. There doznes of articles and guides to show you how to best use the materials on the site.

Each yearly membership also gets you access to some neat paid tools, such as RightNow Media, a Christian entertainment and educational hub with a video library, movies, and more. You'll also get World Book online access, which includes research sources and an encyclopedia. We've used this for our debate club assignments many times!

Pro tip: Be sure to sign up for emails from the site! When you first get started, you'll receive some handy tips to remind you of all there is to enjoy and what to do to make the most of your membership.

SchoolhouseTeachers.com School Boxes Homeschool Curriculum

If you're looking for an all-in-one curriculum kit for a particular grade, look no further than SchoolhouseTeachers.com! New homeschoolers, especially, find a curriculum in a box solution to be the fastest way to start homeschooling, since you don't have to pick through publishers and find the just right option. Here's how to get a curriculum box from the site:

1. Join. You can pick between the "Ultimate" for all grades or just the Pre-K through 8th option.

2. Select the School Boxes tab, and choose your grade level.

3. Start choosing what courses you want to use! You can choose to do all of the courses in the kit, or just a few. (I recommend doing just one to start if it's your first year homeschooling, then slowly add in new courses as your child gets adjusted.)

4. Get help if needed. There's a handy FAQ with many answers to your questions, such as "Do I need to buy additional textbooks?" (Hint: The answer is "no." You get everything you need in this one purchase.)

What if you need more than one boxed set? You can access as many sets as you want, and it's included in the original price. Yes, you'll want to be sure to order the "Unlimited" membership option if you have kids in higher grades, but even if you have five kids at home, you can download the materials for all five kids and never pay another dime for the year. It's a super affordable way to get your homeschool plan done and ready for even those with very limited resources.

The site offers a variety of teaching modes (videos, printables, etc.) to support multiple learning styles. All the classes come unlocked, so you can preview lessons and see what your child will be learning before they start.

Schoolhouse Teachers Review Summary

Final verdict: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has been a staple resource for homeschooling families like mine for years. We look forward to the articles and guidance in getting kids of all ages through their homeschool career. I trust them, so it makes sense that they would expand their expertise and network of homeschool supporters into a full online learning hub.

Schoolhouse Teachers comes with access to:

Over 400 online, self-paced courses with lesson plans

And it's priced per family. So even the biggest households won't pay more than the $30 per month or so for all tools and courses. This is a incredible value if you like learning online.

SchoolhouseTeachers.com is the site that homeschool moms and dads need to check out. It's best for Christian families looking for a one-stop-shop for your upcoming year. It's also vital for all those "add-ons" your kids will eventually come asking for. Whether you want to give them a semester of Spanish or get them learning about media and culture. there is likely a class already created and ready to use on the site. One price gets you access, too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Schoolhouseteachers.com Christian?

The owners and most creators of the programs are Christian. While not all courses include faith principles in the learning, parents should assume that they will and can come up. The resource is best for homeschooled families with the Christian faith of any denomination and will include many more references to the Bible, God, etc., than a secular curriculum.

Is Schoolhouse Teachers for high school students?

Schoolhouseteachers.com offers courses for high school students as part of its higher-priced Ultimate Membership for K-12 grades. It also offers a plan for just K-8th graders. Both plans are billable monthly, quarterly, or annually, with the most savings offered for annual plans.

What materials do I need to buy to use with Schoolhouse Teachers?

Schoolhouse Teachers is an online program that offers all the lesson plans and instruction materials for the entire K-12 experience, such as video lessons, printable files, and lesson plans. Parents will need to provide a computer to view and plan lessons, a printer for printing out worksheets, pen, paper, and some additional reading materials. Books for additional reading can be found from the library to help lower the overall cost. Most courses can be done with just the material provided with membership.

3 Great Spongebob Titles for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:54:00 +0000

Spongebob Squarepants has held a very special place in my family's heart since the beginning. In fact, when I first met my husband over 20 years ago, he was wearing a Spongebob t-shirt! As a result, we have embraced most things Spongebob, enjoying the original series season after season and even bringing some of the new "spin-off" titles into our home these past few years.

This past month had some exciting releases for the franchise, that I hope you'll consider adding to your entertainment library. We got the opportunity to review these from Paramount Studios and Nickelodeon.

First, we have Kamp Koral: Spongebob's Under Years, Season One: Volume Two. This DVD continues the adorable saga of a very young Spongebob and crew. The animation style is my kids' favorite, and their adventures really appeal to my younger kids. It contains episodes 14-26 of this first season, plus a fun extra: The Tidal Zone: A SpongeBob Universe Special, in a 2-disc set. Our favorite episodes in this collection include "Night of the Living Stench," "Camp Crossbones," and "Eye of the Hotdog."

This is just such a sweet show with a lot of the same humor as the original Spongebob but with a little less complex humor. It won't go over the heads of younger kids as much, which makes it a great show for the whole family.

Next we reviewed The Patrick Star Show (Season 1, Volume 3), perhaps the zaniest of the franchise. It's full of over-the-top humor, quick dialogue, and physical humor. With an entirely different premise, you'll recognize many classic Spongebob characters in a new light. The star of the show is, after all, Patrick and the misadventures he and his TV family get into. I found this series to be the loudest and most slapstick of all of them, but my 10-year-old REALLY loves it. A few episodes a day is a great treat for him when he needs a laugh.

The 2nd half of the first season contains 13 episodes, including my favorite, "FitzPatrick." Even my husband enjoyed this one.

Finally, we have the complete thirteenth season of my family's favorite show: Spongebob Squarepants! This series has not lost any of its original pizazz, and we really enjoyed digging into this classic show with our kids. This is a HUGE collection, with all 26 episodes from the season on 3 discs. It kept us busy for much of the holiday break, and my kids are already rewatching their favorite episodes.

All three DVDs are available now, wherever your favorite Nickelodeon videos are sold.

P.S. People often ask why you need DVDs when there's so much to stream online. These DVDs are an example of why my family still loves DVDs. Whether you're traveling in a car without WiFi, need to save the data for gaming, or just want to watch shows not readily available on most streaming platforms, these DVDs are great to have on hand. They make viewing accessible at any time, and the shows come without commercials or the risk of harmful online content that I don't want my kids to watch when I'm not around.

For safe entertainment, we are glad to have our Spongebob DVDs. You can add these to your collection now, too!

The Shift: Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 01:54:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've done a movie review, so when I was offered the chance to watch Angel Studios' first-ever original production, The Shift, I wasn't sure I would have the time. Intrigued by how well other independent movies were doing at the box office, I didn't want to miss out on what could be another surprise hit.

The Shift Movie Review

I knew the premise (somewhat), that it had a faith aspect, and that it featured one of my favorite all-time actors Neal McDonough. I had no other information about the film; this is my honest review.

A brief synopsis of The Shift (no spoilers)

The Shift features our central character Kevin Garner (Kristoffer Polaha), as he loses his job at Bear Stearns and finds himself at the bar, considering whether you fall off the wagon after some time in sobriety. He is joined by future spouse Molly (Elizabeth Tabish), and they flirt about as they recount what life would be like together. A sweet montage of their future plays out, and you get the idea that they are a happy family with one child in the years to come.

That's when everything goes sideways - literally. After a bad day at work, followed by an argument with his wife and a car wreck, Kevin finds himself hurt and confused in an alley. The man assisting him is known only as The Benefactor, played by the charming yet freakishly terrifying McDonough. The setting, now different from before the car wreck, features cowering people, empty streets, and a choice to make: Will Kevin agree to work for the Benefactor and resume the life he knew and loved?

Kevin's choice lands him in what can only be described as an apocalyptic nightmare, filled with poverty, gun-wielding overlords, and a growing longing for his wife and child. He works on a plan to reunite with them and passes the time writing his vague recollection of Scriptures to share via an underground messenger (Sean Astin.)

As the movie unfolds, he is met with violence, betrayal, and glimpses of what life could be had he made another choice. He is also continually tormented by The Benefactor, even as he calls out to a God who isn't exactly choosing to make Himself visible in this dark world.

It's only when he's given one final choice to make that things can turnaround for Kevin, but if he ever gets that choice is left up to viewers to discover in this imaginative film.

What I loved about The Shift movie (2023)

There are many things to praise in this film. While the budget was significantly smaller than blockbuster films by major studios, Angel Studios played it safe in keeping the "world" small, even though it spans across literal dimensions. Coffee shops, bars, small apartments, and a few single street scenes are realistic, even as we are asked to believe in high-tech futurism, doppelgangers, and alternative universes.

The cast is talented. You already know my feelings on the McDonough. However, other characters followed the assignment well. Astin provides a much-needed twist, and Kevin's wife shows the complexity of a woman in pain, even as she holds out hope for better things. Even the guy at the futuristic movie theater caught my heartstrings as he puts cat food out for his missing feline every day for 4 years. It had a humanity.

The message didn't fall flat. This is an important point to make in a "faith-based" film, because so many movies from similar studios push the message so hard, and it comes out louder than the artistry.

Yes, this is a retelling of Job.

Yes, you hear about it more than a few times in the film.

Yes, it features underground Bible smugglers, "This Little Light of Mine," and many, many references to God.

But it also features choices made to ungodly paths, paths with strip clubs, alcoholism, and murder. While subtle and in no way gratuitous, this isn't all sunshine and roses; consequences are shown for what they are. I appreciated that.

Things I didn't love about The Shift movie (2023)

Maybe it was the screening platform that paused three times while viewing (or the fact my kids needed me to get up and help them once or twice), but the movie felt long. There were three points in the movie that I would have thought were the climax (had I not known how much was left), and then it went in another direction. It was true three-act form, but by the third act, I was hoping for the final showdown. You knew it was coming.

Can't we just beat the devil already?

While the movie was a religious allegory, it wasn't preachy. It didn't moralize. In fact, God and His people weren't notably present in the movie, at all. And that was kind of the point.

If Kevin is left to be tested again and again, without God assisting, what would that look like? How preachy can a movie where God isn't moving stuff around and lifting people up into heaven actually be?

Yet, there were a couple of moments where I thought, "Yes, we know this is a story about Job. We get it. Yes, it's Job story." As a Christian, I knew the Job story and I felt like most people who weren't Christians were familiar enough with it that they could have mentioned it once, and we could have followed along.

Is The Shift movie for you?

First, I understand the temptation to rate a "faith-based" film differently from other films. I'm attempting not to do that here. While The Shift has significant Biblical themes, including an overarching Job story, it plays out very nicely as a philosophical movie, too.

What would you do if given the choice Kevin had? Are we the product of our worst choices? What about our best choices? Is it ever too late to do the right thing?

Perhaps the most poignant point in the movie is a scene where The Benefactor is challenging Kevin, and he states what evil is. Evil, he says, is not devil horns and the like, but it's selfishness. Choosing one's self over and over leads us to make the choices that create a horrific world.

That scene stayed with me long after the movie was over. Because while there are some really great "religious films" this didn't feel like one. It was more like a philosophical thought exercise set in a futuristic world, filled with talented actors and a message of hope.

I think the world could benefit from a movie like this. I was entertained but uplifted, and I typically do not like the bulk of cheesy, "faith-based" films.

This movie is for anyone who:

Likes McDonough, Sean Astin, or the other actors in the film
Is open to thinking more deeply about the world and how we can truly affect positive change
Wants to support independent film
Enjoys thrillers, futuristic stories, or tales of good and evil

Is The Shift for children: parents guide?

This movie is rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements, and I think 13 years of age is an appropriate age for filmgoers. Some younger children may be able to handle the mature content, which includes the following (not exhaustive) list of topics:

Drinking, especially beer and wine, are shown repeatedly; alcoholism is alluded to, and it's used to tempt the main character

While there is no sexual activity aside from kissing, a few brief flashbacks take place in a strip club or party-like scene with multiple women and one man; it's implied that the main character (wearing only a robe) is with two women while they sit on a couch; another timeline has him being suggestively aggressive with a scared women (no violence is shown here)

Violence is a prevalent theme in this movie, and the majority of the film takes place in a universe where martial law keeps the citizens in check. Tear gas, laser guns, and real guns are used repeatedly on innocent people. The main character has cuts and butterfly bandages throughout the film, gets shot, and handles multiple attacks. Characters are implied to be killed offscreen. However, all of the violence is in context, adds to the story, and is in no way gratuitous.

Final thoughts on The Shift

I was able to watch the movie for a second time with my family to see if they shared my views. My teens, who are strong in their faith but harsh movie critics, really enjoyed it and commented on how well done it was. This is the generation grown up on TikTok, so I think that's saying a lot.

They also mentioned that it was much better than the trailer hinted at; it was very well written and had good dialogue - something that's hard to discern from the short trailer.

You'll probably be seeing a lot on social media, including many positive comments from viewers. You may be thinking, "Are they just saying it because it's faith-based?" And while I'm sure that colors the view people have of the film, it's not an inaccurate assessment.

The Shift takes a cast of very talented actors, throws them into a dark and imaginative world, and shows us what happens when tested. Many of us get tested daily and may not give much thought about the consequences.

This isn't a movie about regret or shame. In fact, the main character makes many mistakes throughout the film, some with devastating results.

But throughout it all, he waits on the Lord. He understands, even in moments of weakness, that we are on a path so much bigger than any of us can really know. God, when not showing up in winged angels or vision of the Old Testament, reveals Himself in other small and hopeful ways.

And in the end, when we choose to not put ourselves first, we are opening the door for goodness and closing it on evil. Love for our fellow man is of the Lord. It is holy. It is needed now more than ever.

You can see The Shift now in select theatres across the U.S., with more showtimes being added all the time. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of something unique in film. You don't want to miss it!

Wanna Win? We are giving one lucky reader two tickets to see the movie while it is in theaters. Note that you must be in an area where the movie is showing and live in the U.S. You have until December 2nd at 11:59 pm EST to fill out the entry form at this link.

Good luck!

(Prizes and review opportunity provided by Angel Studios. Opinions are my own.)

Crispy Fried Cabbage Rolls: Perfect for Parties!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +0000

In our part of the country, stuffed cabbage rolls are a big deal. We also have this tasty baked dish that consists of fresh bread wrapped around a seasoned meat filling with cabbage. While nothing beats this recipe, baking bread is such a pain. That's why I was happy to try out a version of this recipe with Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers! It's also easy to eat and perfect for your game time family moments.

Note: This is not your typical boiled or mushy meat filling stuffed into a cabbage leaf. This fried dish is actually more like an eggroll.

Fried Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

To make this fantastic recipe, you'll need:

1-pound ground beef (the leaner, the better)
2 cups shredded green cabbage or (finely shredded)
1/2 white onion (finely diced)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons sauerkraut with juice (from a can or jar is fine)
6 Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers
Ketchup, for dipping
Oil to deep fry

Start by making the filling. Simply brown the ground beef, shredded cabbage leaves, and onions together until the meat is fully cooked. Add the seasoning, sauerkraut, and Worcestershire. Taste to ensure it is salty enough for your liking. (Note: These can have incredible flavor with more salt, but not everyone appreciates as much sodium. I like mine a bit more peppery, as well, so I double the pepper for my husband and me.)

Drain as much juice from the meat mixture as possible, then set aside to cool.

Wrap your fried cabbage rolls by first putting two big spoonfuls of filling about a third of the way from the bottom of the wrapper. Leave a little room on both sides. Tuck in the sides, then start rolling up, tightening the wrap around the filling as you go. Leave a little strip at the top, use your finger to dampen this with a little water, then finish wrapping. Make up all the rolls and set aside while you heat your oil.

Heat your deep fryer or a small saucepan with 2-inches frying oil over medium heat until the oil reaches 375 degrees. You can test the oil by tearing off a little wrapper and seeing that it floats and browns up immediately. (Remember, your filling is pre-cooked, so the quicker you can fry your rolls the better. If they take too long, they will hold oil, and that's no fun to eat, at all!)

Fry for just long enough to brown, turning the egg rolls if needed, to make them evenly cooked.

Remove from the oil and let drain on paper towels. Wait 2-3 minutes to cool, then serve with your choice of sauce. We love ketchup! It's the perfect dipping sauce for this dish.

The Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers are the perfect size for this hand-held party food. You can find them via their social handles here:

As well as their website!

You can purchase Twin Dragon Wrappers at Walmart, Albertsons, Shaw's, Von's, Stater Bros, Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Associated Stores, Giant Stores, Shop N Shop, Winco, and Price Chopper!

Fried Cabbage Rolls FAQ

Can you make fried cabbage rolls in the air fryer?

You can certainly wrap these as normal and fry in the air fryer, but you will not get the same bubbly, crispy texture as if you fry in in oil. To help achieve that crunch we love, lightly spray the outside of your cabbage roll wrapper with cooking oil or use a basting brush to lightly add some. Then, air fry as normal.

I don't have ground beef. Can I use ground pork for the fried cabbage roll?

Yes! You can use ground pork, ground turkey, or even ground chicken. While the beef is a more traditional flavor, this is a very flexible recipe. Use what you have on hand.

2023 Homeschool Gift Guide with Special Deals!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 01:52:00 +0000

It's time for my favorite time of year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales! This is where we stock up on the things we need in our homeschool and save some big money. With a family of 8, it can be difficult to get everyone what they need for both learning and fun, so I try to scan all the best deals for homeschool families and share via our annual gift guide.

Are you ready to learn and save? Check out these top deals from our affiliate partners and other brands we love!

Veritas Press Self-Paced Courses

My kids love both the self-paced history and Omnibus classes from Veritas Press. (You can read our Veritas Press Omnibus review for more information.) While priced a bit high, they are well worth the cost, since I don't have to do any of the teaching. These engaging courses are just what kids need to get a classical education in history, literature, theology, and more. I highly recommend the Omnibus courses for families wanting students to be college-ready.

From now until December 5th, Veritas Press is offering a Buy-One, Get-One deal. Save HUNDREDS on the cost of a course when you buy two or more and use code BOGO23 at checkout.

Makeblock Coding Toys

I really feel that coding is an essential skill for kids today, but it doesn't have to be a chore to learn. With the Makeblock line of products, kids get the basics of coding while having fun. Build a robot, teach it tricks, and design experiments for your robot to conduct. What I love most about this brand is that they have something for everyone, with little robots for kids as young as preschool age and more complex builds for high school and up!

We will have a full review of the mbot ultimate within the next few days, but I encourage you to check out their HUGE Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales going on right now. This is the best time to save all year, with discounts of up to $90 on select items. If you've never considered yourself a STEM homeschool, this sale can help you change that!

Green Kid Craft Boxes

I love subscription boxes, but not all are very engaging. I can vouch for the quality of Green Kid Crafts, however, which offers thoughtful and eco-friendly activities for kids of all ages. With a focus in STEAM, they provide hours of fun. Save big with and get $85 off (3 months FREE!) for 12-month plans & 25% off sitewide with code BESTDEAL or check out their holiday promotions with free gifts for even more ideas.

Hoss Herb Garden Seed Collection

I'm a big believer in gardening as the #1 way to teach your kids about plants, nature, weather, nutrition, and more. Even if you don't have room in the backyard, an indoor garden offers many STEM benefits. Get kids learning (and spruce up your cooking, too) with this set of seeds from HOSS. It includes all the varieties you need to season dishes perfectly and help kids understand where their food comes from.

(Love gardening? See our HOSS wheel hoe review for our thoughts on this perfect garden tool.)

Get this collection and many others at the HOSS website.

Harkla Weighted Blankets and Sensory Tools

We love Harkla weighted blankets. We have three in the home and always buy another around this time of year. Unlike cheaply-made blankets, the weighted stuffing stays in place, and they are super-soft! We have washed ours several times with no issues, and we just can't sleep well without them. They also come in lower weights for smaller kids, making them a safer alternative to bulkier blankets made for adults that you find in discount stores.

The blankets are just one favorite item. We've also tried their weighted compression vests and body sock! If you haven't checked them out, it's a must for anyone parenting a child with sensory issues. (And many of their items work for fidgety adults, too.)

From now until November 27th, get 20% all of their sensory items. This is a huge savings, and you won't want to miss this opportunity for high-quality gear. (Not sure? See our review of the compression vest to help you decide before you buy.)

Journey Homeschool Academy: Experience Astronomy Science Class Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 06:30:00 +0000

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

(I liked this course so much, that I joined as an affiliate! Some of the links to the course in this review are my affiliate links, which means I may make a commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our blog as we try to give you comprehensive reviews of future homeschool services!)

Science is a subject that we've found difficult to do well in our homeschool. There are so many options out there, but many of them take an incredible amount of time, or they aren't that engaging. Journey Homeschool Academy has made a new offering available for families that solves both of these problems. We had the chance to review their Experience Astronomy course for Elementary students. I'm excited to tell you what we think about it!

Journey Homeschool Academy Review

What is Journey Homeschool Academy: Experience Astronomy Elementary Class?

When you sign up to buy the course, you get access to video lectures, printable lesson plans, notes, quizzes, copywork (in both print and cursive) and optional hands-on activities. There is also a link to buy supplemental items, such as the coursework printed out for you. A handy extra reading list is included, too. (You can have your kids check out the books from the library for even deeper learning, but these books are always optional.) Everything is beautifully-designed, too. (I usually print out things in black and white, but these had such a nice look to them that I used color ink!)

Who are the Journey Homeschool Academy science courses for?

Experience Astronomy is an Elementary level science course. I used it with my 10-year-old and my 6-year-old. The 10-year-old was able to watch the videos and complete all the coursework on his own (with some additional guidance for the projects), and my 6-year-old watched all the videos with us and joined in on the discussion.

This course is based on Christian faith history and values. Expect to hear about Creation in the lectures and the content. Scripture is referenced in each lesson and was one of the things that my kids liked most about this course.

What did we like about this series of video lessons?

First, I have to say that I was blown away by the quality of the videos. We've watched dozens of science lectures and videos over the years, but this may have been the best series we've experienced. A few things really stuck out to me as we watched:

The presenter is engaging. He not only knows the topic, but he's excited to share it with you. You can tell he loves astronomy, and that love gets passed on through his presentation style.
The content is rich, and never talks down to kids. We fully believe that kids should be given access to as much material as possible, even at a young age, and that they will absort what resonates with them. This course gave so much fascinating information that my husband and I sat down to watch it with the kids. We were amazed that we learned a few things too.
The video quality, illustrations, and demonstrations are top-notch. Expect to see some content you won't see anywhere else, along with visual depictions of the some of the mroe confusing aspects of astronomy, like planet rotation, solstices, and more.

One final bonus? This course addresses astronomy in context with history. The teacher frequently references things like the structures in Ancient Egypt and how they were built for viewing of the stars or sun. This is useful to not only drive home the point of how the sun, moon, and stars work, but also helps tie into other programs your kids might be using. (My children are studying ancient Egypt in their other curriculum, and this was perfect!) Of course, the teacher always brings back the topic to God's truth about science, and he compares and contrasts what people of Ancient Egypt may have believed vs. what Christians believe now.

What we would have liked

I can't believe how much we loved this program. After this review, we fully intend on purchasing the other courses. The only negative that we experienced was in the loading of the videos. Under normal circumstances, you could watch the videos with anything over 1Mb download speed with no issues (maybe even with less.) Unfortunately, there were times this summer where we had internet repairs done, and buffering of the video ahead of time would have saved us some frustration. There's no way that I can see to pre-load or download the videos for offline viewing or even queue up 5 minutes at a time for watching in "chunks."

Because of this, it wasn't always accessible during times of laggy internet. Hopefully, this is something they address over time. It really is a terrific science option!

How we used it

This science class would make a great option for one lesson a week, but there were weeks my kids were excited to move on to the next lesson, and we did two a week. It's also possible to take breaks, when needed. This course is designed to go at your own speed and can be used with several children.

Summary: Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Astronomy Review

For what you get, this class offers incredible value. The teacher is both knowledgeable and engaging, making it simple for even science-averse kids to forget they are learning and start having fun! The class can be as hands-off as you wish, making it good for working parents. With many optional reading lists and activities, however, it can also be stretched out into a full-year learning opportunity for fans of just about any homeschool curriculum style.

If a faith-based science astronomy course is your aim, but you want it to be heavy on actual science, history, and--most of all--fun, you can't go wrong with this program.

Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Astronomy FAQs

What ages is the Journey Homeschool Academy Astronomy Elementary course appropriate for?

The course is marketed to parents of kids in elementary. It is engaging enough for older kids, as well. Because there is copywork and tests that require reading, those with solid literacy skills will get the most out of it. Younger siblings may enjoy watching the videos, however.

Note that this a separate course from the Astronomy course offered for junior high and high schoolers.

When do the Journey Homeschool Academy science courses expire?

Some courses, like those for highschoolers, provide access for one full year - although you may finish them earlier. The elementary-level courses, like Experience Astronomy Elementary and Experience Biology Elementary, have no expiration date after purchase. Buy them once, and enjoy them with all of your children in the household.

Connect with Journey Homeschool Academy here:

Facebook

Instagram

See what other parents think of this program here!

Kidpik Review: Fashionable kids clothing - Simplified!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:26:00 +0000

For most of my children's lives, I bought their clothes. It wasn't that they didn't care about how they looked; it was just that I could pick things out for them at a good price. They would get the looks they loved - and more of them - than if they went into a store and picked out one thing they really adored at full price.

And then things got complicated. I had 5 boys to shop for, little time, and even less budget to work with. We had no way to reasonably use hand-me-downs, since all of my youngest kids were slimmer than the older kids were at that age. Nothing fit for more than a kid or two.

So, here I was with Manny, our youngest, needing some new clothes. And he didn't have a style. All he wanted was t-shirts with cats on them. (That worked for hanging around the house, but when we went out to events, I wanted him a bit more put together.)

That's when I was offered the chance to discover the beauty of Kidpik with some samples! This subscription-style clothing retailer had so many cute trends to try, but with none of the guesswork. I was given the chance to try a box of pre-selected items for Manny, and I wasn't going to turn it down.

(Note: It's been well over a month since this review. The items are still very impressive. If you haven't tried your first Kidpik box yet - now is a great time to give it a try.)

What is Kidpik?

Kidpik is an online clothing, shoes, and accessories store for kids sized 2-16. They offer items for boys and girls, as well as husky and slim builds.

This online store prides itself on making shopping a breeze. You can buy anything from the site, and it will pretty much go with anything else on the site. It's a great way to keep building a wardrobe without worrying about how your new items will work with older items.

Our Kidpik Review

Shopping for Manny was a cinch. I chose his size and one of the several "personalities" available for the boxes. I chose the Big Brain Wonder, because it had a nice selection of things he could wear to parties or church or even a casual wedding. The items seemed comfy, and I like the potential to layer items in a "mix-and-match" manner.

It was just one of many different styles available, and some came with extras, like accessories.

Choosing to buy Kidpik subscription boxes

The box we ordered was just one way to shop, however. If you want to have a stylist pick out items for you, take advantage of their personalized shopping service. There's no additional styling fee to have someone choose items just for your kid. They offer free returns on the entire order, or just individual items. (You get a discount if you keep all the items.) And you don't get sent shipment after shipment. You can order just a single box and then order again when you're ready.

This clothing subscription option is in addition to ordering from the site I shopped. Both sites are Kidpik sites, offering two ways to shop based on whether you want to pick your looks - or you want someone else to help. Honestly, some people love surprises, so I can see the appeal of both ways.

(That brings me to a very important note about Kidpik: they understand "sensory issues." When taking the 3-minute style quiz to participate in the styled boxes, you can opt for pants with no clasps or buttons. This is a big deal if you have a child who can only do elastic waist pants. They had a nice assortment of clothing items - even jeans and dressy pants - that didn't have buttons or sharp snaps. This is a game-changer for us. )

Is Kidpik any good?

Our Kidpik box, when it arrived, had a polo, sweater vest, flannel, a pair of jeans, and a pair of chinos, plus a bracelet. We admittedly haven't worn the bracelet yet, because my son doesn't usually like the feeling of jewelry.

Everything was very thick and durable, and I immediately noticed that the items could all be worn any number of ways with no concern for "matching." This means Manny can grab a shirt (or two) from his dresser and a pair of pants and know that he can go out with whatever he chooses. We can leave the cat shirts behind.

How did the clothes fit? He found one of the pants a bit long, so I rolled up the legs. I think they fit true to size; he's just a bit on the short side. I like that we will get another season of wear out of these, and the fabric quality means they should last that long.

The box also came with a mix of long sleeves and short sleeves, which matters a lot to my kid who seems to always be cold. The flannel was thicker than some shirts for kids I've purchased in the past. My other kids commented on how stylish Manny looked but also how the material was on part with name brand clothing.

How durable is Kidpik clothing?

We have washed them several times, with them only getting softer (but not thinner). We had an incident with some sauce, but with the stain treatment, the stain came right out. So all the clothes earn high marks for washability.

Finally, we didn't pay for this box of clothes (thanks, Kidpik), but we did notice that the prices are competitive with other clothing retailers. It's not as cheap as a big-box discount store, but it's more budget-friendly than a boutique or high-end retailer that sells "matchy" outfits. So, for someone who watches prices, this store is an ideal fit.

Would we shop Kidpik again?

I think so! I've been back to the website since our review, and I see many more cute Kidpik outfits that my son would like. I know that if I pick out another shirt, for example, they'll go with the pants I bought. Or, I could purchase an entire box again; all the pieces would work with what he has!

They also seem to have a nice Clearance section for even more affordable items, with some deeply discounted items not eligible for returns. (Read the details before you order.) All of the items are just so soft and well-made.

The only thing we didn't love about Kidpik was the tags on the clothing. I realize that this is kind of a nitpicky thing, but my son's sensory issues make it difficult for him to wear clothing with tags. I know that high-end clothing manufacturers almost always include tags, and if you want to resell or hand-down clothes, tags are great; they seem to last longer than the printing on no-tag clothes.

That said, it was easy to snip the tags from my son's shirts. They aren't bigger or more notable than other tags; just the fact there were there was enough for him. Problem solved and really no big deal for an otherwise great clothing line.

Note: Do get on their mailing list for sales. This business frequently runs promotions that bring the cost down even further. The shipping is pretty quick, so you can still stock up for the holidays and have your kid looking good for whatever church or family events you have going on.

Kidpik reviews online

When searching for other customer reviews, I did run across some that were dissatisfied with their subscriptions, but they seemed to be older reviews and didn't reflect the way we shopped. Based on our experience, we wouldn't be hesitant to put in more Kidpik orders, although I'm not typically a fan of subscription boxes. I think having some control over what we get is important.

Buying the pre-styled boxes, where I can see what we get, is the best blend of having style help and still approving our order in advance. Read reviews with discernment. We have been pleasantly surprised and would definitely shop there again.

Visit the Kidpik website to start browsing styles. The company also offers select items on Amazon! Be sure to look for big sales during the holidays. Some items are 50% off or more!

Fall / Halloween Craft: Acrylic Paint Stamped Squash

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0000

We are not quite ready to harvest our pumpkins, but we did have some very overgrown squash that were no longer edible (but were quite beautiful!) I looked into ways to decorate them and considered that painting them with a basic acrylic paint would work well. Here is an easy way you can use acrylic paints to give you squash, gourds, or pumpkins a little pop!

You will need:

Squash/gourds/small pumpkins (don't have a garden? Walmart has several types in stores now!)

Acrylic Paint
Stencils (optional)

Brushes, sponges, and other applicators

Baby Wipes and a drying cloth

Ribbon

1. Make sure your squash is clean, free of any mud, and dry. Cut any stem down to a reasonable length for displaying.

2. Get your paint ready. I just squirt the colors of my choosing onto a foam plate so that I can toss it when I'm done.

3. Cut your sponges or other applicators down to the size and shape of your design elements. For the leafy fern design, I cut a kitchen sponge into a "leaf" shape. For the polka dots design, I used a giant marshmallow.

4. Carefully apply your paint. I messed up a few times, but it was easy to use a baby wipe to clear the canvas and start over.

5. While the paint is drying, tie some colorful ribbon to the neck of the gourd or squash. Blacks, browns, and oranges work well for this!

When completely dry, you'll have a pretty piece to add to a centerpiece, cornucopia basket, or pumpkin display. This project is not waterproof, so indoors only!

What fun designs would you paint on your squash? If you are pressed for time you can also check out these creative stencils!

18 Squash Recipes You Have to Try This Fall Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 21:13:00 +0000

Squash is one of my favorite fall foods. Since it is in abundance in stores this time of year (and is currently lining my counters from a very active garden), I am always on the look out for amazing and delicious squash recipes. I rounded up some of the best ones I could find, and with squash being so good for you, I'm sure you'll want to give them a try.

1. Mushroom Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
2. Harvest Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
3. Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
4. Simmered Kabocha Squash
5. Persimmon and Squash Autumn Slice
6. Sausage and Buttenut Squash Frittata
7. Butternut Squash Chia Spelt Waffles

8. Butternut Squash Vegan Cookies

9. Creamy Garlic Butternut Squash Ravioli
10. Brussels Sprout Carbonara with Chile Pomegranate Roasted Squash
11. Fall Inspired Breakfast Tacos With Avocado Cream
12. Summer Squash Gratin
13. Butternut Squash Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese
14. Butternut Squash and Parmesan Lasagna
15. Acorn Squash Apples Pancetta
16. Butternut Squash Cheesy Balls
17. Roasted Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seed Oil
18. Tomato Pesto Spaghetti Squash Bake

Squash is so good for you! It contains the following daily allowances of things we need each day in every cup:

Potassium - 11%
Vitamin A - 31%
Vitamin C - 23%
Vitamin B6 - 10%

Which ones are our favorite? It would have to be our butternut squash vegan cookie recipe, and creamy garlic butternut squash ravioli dish!

PAW Patrol: ALL PAWS ON DECK Available Now (Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:54:00 +0000

How has a PAW Patrol fan in their home? We still adore the series, even as my youngest turns 10 this year. With positivity, great animation, and fun music to sing along with, it's a cute way to entertain the kids at home or in the car.

If you didn't already know, the PAW Patrol: ALL PAWS ON DECK! DVD hit stores and online retailers on August 29th. What's is all about? Here's what you should know.

The DVD features the title episode "All Paws on Deck," with Codi Gizmody using technology to mess things up for the residents of Adventure Bay. (Yeah, another sly criminal with their own agenda for the world!) But, don't despair, the pups are in action to make things right, and there's even a new teammate to help restore justice to the community.

This episode introduces Tracker (as Spanish-speaking pup), Everest, Tuck, Ella, Rex, and Liberty - among other friends and family. The team really comes together in their signature fashion to promote collaboration, kindness, and putting others first.

PAW Patrol is one of our favorite shows because of it's emphasis on selflessness. We need more of this in the world, and as I choose different ways for my children to enjoy entertainment, I try to center this value above all else.

What do you love about PAW Patrol?

PAW Patrol: ALL PAWS ON DECK! costs just $10.99 (less than the cost of a movie ticket) and features the title episode and these additional episodes for hours or fun from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and Paramount Home Entertainment.

MIGHTY PUPS SUPER PAWS: Pups Meet the Mighty Twins

Pups Save a Playful Elephant Calf

Pups Save a T-Rex Tyke

Pups Save the Pup Pup Boogie Contest

Liberty Makes a New Friend

Pups Save Travelin' Travis From Really Big Bill!

BIG TRUCK PUPS: Pups Stop a Flood

Pups Save a Box Fort

Pups Save a Flying Farmhouse

Pups Stop a Super Shaker

Get the DVD now where your favorite videos are sold!

Wanna Win? We are giving one lucky reader their own copy of this DVD to share with their family. To be entered to win, use the form below by September 5th at 11: 59 pm EST. Open to U.S. residents ages 18+ only. We will contact the winner by email. Giveaway sponsored by the distributor.

Entry -Form

Macaroni Rainbow Craft with Cloud (Great for Kids!)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000

As a homeschool mom, I never really stop having the kids home, so we have lots of craft odds and ends on hand to create last-minute crafts when they seem restless. In time for St. Patrick's Day, we decided to create this cute macaroni rainbow craft. It has fluffy clouds, keeps little hands busy, and looks beautiful as a hanging decoration when you're done!

How to Make the Adorable Macaroni Rainbow Craft

Since we are anxiously awaiting spring, and we have kids of all ages and skill levels, I put together this easy macaroni rainbow craft. Depending on if you have each kid do their own -- or you have them do one together -- it can take anywhere from an hour to 4 hours.

Supplies for the Macaroni Rainbow Craft

To make it, you will need the following items :

Large Elbow Macaroni Noodles
Foam or Paper Plate
Bag of Cotton Balls
Twine or other Stiff Thread
Poster Paints
Buttons
Tape

Start by painting your noodles. We use poster paint, but most any water-based paint will do. Be sure that you help younger kids to keep the noodle in place while you paint it. (It may help to hold one end of the noodle with a toothpick inserted.) Note: Don't use TOO much paint. One coat is fine. Anything more than that can cause the noodle to dissolve. You will want to paint the same number of noodles in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple colors. We did about 20 per color, plus extras.

After the macaroni has dried completely, the kids can string them! Start by creating a an "end" to the string by tying a button on one end; this will keep the macaroni on the string... then, you can start string the macaroni on.. one by one.

Here, you can see the noodles all on the string, with the buttons holding them on at the end. (You can snip the extra string off when you're done.) Leave at least 4 inches of string at the other end.

Here is my son stringing his red noodles on...

After you've strung all the separate colors, you can create the "cloud" from one half of a foam or paper plate. Punch holes along the flat edge, and glue cotton balls all over it.

String the noodles strands through the holes so that the string comes out the back, and tape the string down against the back of the plate. (I put the tape very close to the flat edge of the plate. This not only holds the string down, it reinforced the holes in the plate so that they don't tear.)

Now, you can hang your rainbow! Put a picture frame hanger on the back to put it on the wall, or a magnet to keep it on the fridge!

This was such a fun activity, and we really loved how the macaroni rainbow craft turned out! What kinds of activities do you like to do with your kids during Spring Break? Is crafting one of them?

Valentine's Day Treat: Easy Sweetheart Cake Pops!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 11:15:00 +0000

I love the idea of giving out treats for holidays, especially during Valentine's Day! But buying sweets for everyone on the list can be a bit of a stretch for our budget. Having some homemade options is definitely money-smart and lets us custom design delicious gifts that everyone will love!

My daughter put her cake pop skills to work this week with this neat way to create and decorate treats for a classroom, family, or that special someone.

Here's what you'll need to make them:

1 box Pillsbury Funfetti Valentine's cake mix (plus, eggs, oil, and water as per the instructions for cake)
1/2 can pink frosting (Betty Crocker Whipped! works best)
1 package Wilton candy melts (red) or (pink)
1 package Wilton candy melts (white)
Assorted edible decorations in red, white, or Valentine's assorted
Lollipop sticks

Start by making the cake according to the directions on the box. Allow it to cool and then crumble it up in a mixing bowl. Add the half can of frosting and mix with your hands until fully mixed. Form into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Refrigerate for one hour then remove from fridge.

Melt the candy melts in a bowl (one for each) according to the instructions on the package. (We used the microwave.) Dip the candy sticks 1/2" into the melted candy, then immediately stick into a cake ball. When all the balls have sticks in them, put back into the fridge for 5 minutes.

Remelt the candy, if needed, then dip each ball into the color of your choice.

Use different techniques to create different designs, such as using a fork to drizzle a different color, or double dip for two-toned balls. If you use candy or sprinkles, be sure to add them while the melt is still soft. Refrigerate the balls for another 5 minutes before serving.

Don't you think these would be great for a Valentine's Day party? We do!

Enjoy your own Valentine's Day baking!

Mouth-watering, Healthy Fruit Smoothie Recipes for a New You!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:26:00 +0000

Smoothies are delicious, and if done correctly, they can be healthy, too! Forget getting your fruit fix from a franchise smoothie stand; these recipes take just minutes to whip up, and the majority of fruit ingredients can be stashed in the freezer for easy access when you need them -- regardless of what's in season!

My favorite recipe is a quick and dairy-free option for those who don't care for yogurt-based smoothies (like my husband.)

For this, you'll need:

1.5 cups apple juice
1 peeled kiwi
1 banana
5 frozen strawberries (Great Value brand has nice, big whole strawberries, perfect for smoothies)
1-3 tablespoons of honey, to taste
1/2 cup crushed ice (skip the ice if you use frozen bananas, like I do!)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. (My Ninja Ultimate Blender makes quick work of it, and gets even the frozen pieces evenly chopped.)

Pour immediately. This recipes serves two!

If you're looking to do something a bit more daring, you might like this creamy drink with cereal as an ingredient. You'll need:

Dairy Free Coconut Milk
Crunchy flake cereal (Special K works well)
1 banana (I prefer frozen)
1/2 cup mixed frozen berries

Finally, here's one that's good for overall digestive health. The Kefir gives it a tart yet thick consistency. You'll need:

1 cup fresh-cut pineapple with juice
1 cup Kefir (I like vanilla)
1/2 cup frozen sliced peaches
1 tablespoon flax seed

You can also add ice if you find this to be too thick.

All of these ingredients were picked up at my local Walmart, which is pretty impressive, since a few of them we have NEVER purchased before (like the Kefir). You can keep many of these ingredients on hand for weeks at a time to ensure you always have a variety for that last-minute smoothie craving! (And it's a fraction of the cost to get your smoothie from a smoothie shop!)

WORLD Watch News Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 19:50:00 +0000

WORLD Watch News Review

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

There is a lot going on in the news today. Some of it is very important, but do you really want to expose your kids to everything out there? One solution for an approach to media literacy is WORLD Watch. This news service, aimed at Christian students in Junior High and High School gives a different approach to the news.

What is WORLD Watch?

First, this is an entirely streaming service for educational use. You sign up for a subscription, and you can start watching any of the daily newscasts, as well as access past archives. All videos are done with an eye for big news happenings, with some uplifting and educational segments mixed in. This is a Christian worldview product, so at least one of the additional segments usually highlights someone doing something inspirational in the name of service or God or others.

The news segments at the beginning are on the same topic as the things you may see in your mainstream newsfeed. During our month of watching, we saw segments on the Afghanistan withdrawal and natural disasters. We learned about the Olympics, fuel prices, and voting.

We also saw something that weren't covered so prominently in the news. We were shocked to learn about things in other countries, including persecution and regime changes. These little tidbits actually left my husband and I feeling more informed than if we were just watching our favored news channels.

How can you use it?

The entire daily news segment runs 15 minutes or less. We usually watched it in the evenings after dinner with the kids. I would bring my laptop to the table, as this was easiest. You can also stream it to your TV with a Google Chrome cast or other casting device, but you can also use Roku TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV apps and devices.

Neat extra features

Each day, I would get an daily reminder email letting me know about the day's news and what segments would cover. I could click to get directly to the entire newscast or choose to just have my kids watch one or two of the educational/inspiration feature stories instead.

Depending on the day, I felt that a heavy news segment just wasn't what we were looking to do, so I may skip it or only show the Feature Stories, which might cover animal migration or an archaeological discovery.

These Feature stories were usually something I could show each day, even on the days that I was feeling heavy from the news and needed a break from showing the hard-hitting new segments included in the beginning of the full broadcasts.

Other days, we were ready to hear everything the news briefs brought, so we would watch everything. I liked having the choice. We could also catch up if we were busy and missed a day or two. Watching the past week's news segments is very easy.

WORLD Watch Review Summary

Remember, this news service is from a Christian perspective, and while the news seemed accurate and well-reported, there is a Christian message of hope at the end of each day's news. This is often all that families may need to take the heaviness of news and put it into perspective. That, and the well-produced segments that had the "nightly news feel" without the opining, sarcasm, or conjecture often seen from mainstream news pundits felt like a reprieve for this family who had only recently allowed our kids to get back into the news.

WORLD Watch is also very non-denominational. Most would find the segments done by Christian journalists appropriate for Protestant or Catholic homes.

There is always at least one segment that was completely new to me, whether it be a story from the natural world, science, or culture. I felt WORLD Watch expanded my grown-up horizons with just a 15-minute daily commitment. If I felt this way, imagine how my kids encountered it.

For those looking to stay informed but not saturated with the break-neck speed of today's digital news cycle, WORLD Watch is a worthy choice with a noble aim of Biblical discernment. I would recommend it for a news literacy option for Junior High and High School homeschooled students.

World Watch News Reviews Free Trial

Not sure if this service is for you? While we really think it encourages critical thinking and love it for our family, some people need to experience a trial period before they buy. World Watch News has a 7-day trial period where you can see if you like it. You receive unlimited access during this time and decide if it's for you. Cancel anytime before the trial ends, and you won't be billed.

Learn more:

You can see more on their website, or follow their social channels here:

Read other parent World Watch News reviews here.

World Watch News
Reviewed by Linsey Knerl on Nov 12 2022
Rating: 4.5

Minions: The Rise of Gru Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 17:20:00 +0000

You couldn't turn on the news a few weeks back without seeing the TikTok trend of "gentleminions," where kids dressed up to see the new movie Minions: The Rise of Gru. While no one was getting their debate suits out of the closet for this home screening, we did pop some popcorn and settle in for a family movie night with all five of our boys (several of them teens) and both parents.

No one was going to miss this epic and long-awaited movie title!

Minions: The Rise of Gru is just as charming as its predecessors, even though it's a prequel to the Despicable Me films. Those who are familiar with the Minions lore will love that it's situated after the Minions first find Gru, but before he becomes an accomplished villain.

The story follows an 11.5-year-old Gru as he navigates school, family life, and teen fandom, which includes obsessing over the "Vicious 6" -- a gang of supervillains with their own posters, lunchboxes, and more. When young Gru receives an invitation to try out for the gang with a full "The Voice" style audition, he is disappointed to learn they didn't know he was a child, and he resorts to drastic measures to get their attention and that long-awaited invitation to join the gang.

At the same time Gru is testing his villain skills, the Minions are learning new moves of their own, in the form of martial arts through a plucky, middle-aged woman they find in San Francisco's Chinatown. This may be one of the more comical story arcs offered in the film, with plenty of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" moves all done with the laughable incompetence that only a wide-eyed minion can provide. This was the part of the film that got the most laughs from all of our family members.

Other story details include a reconnection with an almost-retired superhero, some creepy mystical powers that turn the supervillains into animals, and music -- so. much. music. The 70's funky soundtrack is just too delightful to miss, with the minions even doing their own rendition of the Stones' "You Can't Always Get What you Want."

This movie has enough silliness with sight gags and fart guns to keep the little ones roaring, but contains that same heart and message of belonging we've come to expect from the Illumination Studios franchise. If other movies released this season have you doubting the future of family films, consider renewing your hope with this refreshingly honest and innocent flick.

Voice talent includes: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin.

Minions: The Rise of Gru is available on digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD now from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. (Be sure to check out the bonus features included on select formats.)

*screener provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Opinions are our own.

Ways Social Media Is Helping Us Plan Our Move

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 02:37:00 +0000

Guest post by Melissa Batai

My family has lived in Arizona for nearly eight years. Recently, my husband secured a job in New York, so we’ll be moving 2200 miles in the next few months. While any move of that size is challenging, we’ve found that thanks to social media, planning is much easier.

How Social Media Is Helping Us Plan Our Move

I’m amazed how much social media, especially Facebook, has helped us so far! That was also true when we moved to Arizona in 2014, but we’ve gotten even more help with this move, likely because more groups have formed on Facebook in the intervening eight years.

Asking about Local Neighborhoods

I joined a Facebook group of 40,000 moms in the area we’re moving to. I searched the files and read comments about all of the nearby suburbs. After I had that information, I asked the questions I had about the neighborhoods that other people hadn’t previously asked. Over 70 people responded, giving me the answers I needed and more.

Finding Friends for Our Kids

My 12-year-old daughter has a Facebook Messenger account. During the pandemic, I used a Facebook group to find kids she could interact with throughout the United States. She has three friends online with whom she interacts regularly.

In one of the homeschool groups for the area we’re moving to, I asked if anyone had 12-year-old daughters. One woman piped up; we shared our kids’ Messenger codes, and soon they were chatting. When we visited the new area in person recently, our family met with her new friend’s family. So, at least one of my kids already has a friend in the area. That helps make the move a bit less stressful for her.

Finding Homeschool Groups

Through Facebook homeschool groups for the new area, I now know about several co-ops nearby and which groups are more active and arrange more get-togethers. I am also learning what suburbs have the most homeschool activities and which don’t. If we choose to live in an area without a lot of homeschool activities, I know I’ll need to drive 20 or 30 minutes to get to activities. Pre-social media, I would have likely had difficulty determining this.

Learning How to Homeschool in a High Regulation State

Perhaps most challenging for me is moving from a low-regulation homeschool state to a high-regulation one. To homeschool in Arizona, all I have to do is submit a homeschool declaration once. If I stop homeschooling, I must notify the state. That’s it.

New York is a high-regulation homeschool state. I must submit a homeschool plan to the local school district, submit quarterly progress reports, and have my kids take a standardized test yearly or every other year depending on their age.

Thankfully, I found a Facebook homeschool group that exists only to help parents navigate the New York homeschool system. There are files and videos that walk parents through the process step-by-step.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning a move, don’t underestimate the power of social media. We’ve used Facebook to help us narrow down the area where we want to live, find our kids friends, find homeschool groups and activities, and learn how to homeschool in the new state. We already have all of this information a few months before we move.

4 Things I Would Tell My Younger Homeschool Self

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 May 2022 01:34:00 +0000

By Melissa Batai

Part of living is making mistakes and learning and growing through those mistakes. Sometimes, we have to recognize that we did the best we could do at the time and, in hindsight, see we could have handled the situation differently. As my oldest child is preparing to graduate, I find myself looking back on our homeschool journey thus far and reflecting on what I would tell my younger homeschool self.

Every family’s homeschool journey is unique, so the advice I’d give my younger self might not reflect your homeschool experience. However, I hope I help some who are just starting their homeschool journey.

4 Things I Would Tell My Younger Homeschool Self

My family’s homeschool situation is unique in that all three of my kids have special needs. Two have high functioning autism, two have ADHD, two have dyslexia, and one has dysgraphia. Yes, they all have multiple diagnoses.

1. Get Help with Disabilities Earlier

When two of my kids struggled to learn to read, I didn’t know why. We tried several different programs, and each was just as frustrating to them as the previous one. I began to suspect a learning disability or dyslexia , but when I asked in various homeschool communities, almost everyone assured me that some kids just take longer to read. I even brought up my concerns at the public school where my children received speech therapy. I was dismissed.

Not getting help with their dyslexia earlier is partly my fault because I trusted when others said some kids just catch on to reading slowly even though my gut told me the problem was deeper than that. However, I did try various avenues to get a diagnosis, and it was incredibly difficult because so many dismissed my concerns.

If you’re new to homeschooling and your gut tells you that your child’s struggle is deeply rooted, listen to this instinct! It took me several years to finally get the diagnosis of dyslexia for two of my kids, but once we had a name for their struggle, our situation improved because we could get them help. Both of our kids went through the Barton Reading and Spelling program and are now doing well with reading.

2. Don’t Replicate School at Home

The first year I homeschooled, when my oldest was in 4th grade, I tried to replicate school at home. We had textbooks, he took tests, and we even had him take standardized testing. The school mentality was firmly planted in my mind, especially since I didn’t know if he would go back to school or not the next year.

However, I learned my lesson, and we loosened up the second year. That was also the year my younger kids started kindergarten and first grade. I moved to a literature-based learning model for all three kids, and we started enjoying homeschooling more.

3. Let the Kids Determine the Activities They Do

Just as I was locked in the public-school mindset when I started homeschooling, I was also worried about socialization. This led me to put the kids in more activities than they wanted to participate in. As a result, we didn’t have time to do as much schoolwork. In addition, two of my kids are introverts, so all that time participating in activities they didn’t enjoy exhausted them.

I’ve learned my lesson, and now the kids participate in fewer activities, but they’re activities that they enjoy, so we’re all happier.

4. Don’t Use the Same Curriculum Just Because Kids Are Close in Age

Spend any time in the homeschool community, and you’ll hear people advise if your kids are less than two years apart, teach them the same curriculum together. I understand the motivation for this—you can save money by buying only one curriculum and time by homeschooling two kids at once. For years this is what I did with my youngest two who are only 17 months apart. However, looking back, this wasn’t a good decision after the preschool years for several reasons.

Children Have Different Learning Styles

My two who are 17 months apart have different learning styles. One is an auditory learner, so when we read aloud and I asked questions afterward, she would get them all right while her sister, who is a kinesthetic learner, would not.

When we did hands-on activities, the kinesthetic learner thrived, while the other was annoyed by the activities. This led to some bickering and bad feelings.

They Compete

I assume there is some degree of competitiveness between siblings close in age, and my kids are no different. They competed against one another and sometimes criticized one another’s learning styles. I didn’t want this to continue, so I stopped teaching them from the same curriculum when they were in 5th and 6th grade. Looking back, I should have stopped a few years earlier.

They Have Different Interests

Likewise, they have different interests, which become more pronounced as they got older. Even though separating their curriculum required me to spend more time homeschooling, both kids were happier. We found curriculum that worked for each of them and that they each enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re new to homeschooling, welcome to this way of life! Remember, you will make mistakes along the way, but you will likely enjoy this journey with your children, and they will likely thrive.

Helpful Garden Hack: Wrapping Cages in Plastic Wrap

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 May 2022 23:47:00 +0000

So, we've had some crazy springs and summers here in Nebraska. High winds, hail, random freezes, and heat waves have made it very hard to put newly transplanted bushes and tomato plants into the ground and have them make it.

My husband came upon a clever idea to use Saran Wrap (or any high-grade plastic food wrap) around the bottom of tomato cages to keep out bunnies, hail, high winds, and cold temps. I have been over the moon with how well this works.

Use several layers of wrap to keep it strong, and make sure it's tight! We have seen some very sickly looking plants turn out super-strong after a week in our wrapped cages.

Use this method on pre-bought cages, or make your own cages with fencing cut to size and bent into a circle (like above.)

Have you ever heard of doing this? What has your experience been like?

Meow is Not a Cat Book by Kelly Tillis Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 May 2022 03:21:00 +0000

Thanks to The Children’s Book Review and Kelly Tills for partnering with me on this post and providing me with a copy of the book to review. Opinions are my own.

My kids are still at the age that they love cute picture books, and my 8-year-old especially loves any books about cats. Well, this book is a bit different in that it is NOT about a cat. Well, not really.

Meow Is Not a Cat, is written by Kelly Tills and illustrated by Max Saladrigas and reads easily at a quick 44 pages. It's aimed at kids 4 and up, but older kids with wild imaginations will adore it, too.

If you've ever had to tell your child to do something, you can relate to how difficult it can be. Kids don't always follow directions well, and in this book, the author explores how kids (and any person, really) may look the world differently. While the book doesn't explicitly come out and mention kids on the spectrum, neurodiverse children, or those with special needs, it most certainly applies here.

The main character has a hard time following directions, staying in line, being still... you get the idea. Maybe this sounds like one of your kids (or even you?)

In this book, there are a lot of silly illustrations and lines that will make readers giggle, and I'm sure most kids can see themselves in the main character. It's really a goofy way of looking at a serious issue: communication and understanding one another. If your child has ever struggled to express themselves or interpret others' views, you will immediately understand what this book is trying to say.

It also portrays a kid just trying to go through the day, even when everything seems to go wrong. But, it's OK. Everything turns out in the end, inspiring readers to give themselves a little grace, too.

The author Kelly Tillis has done a great job of making kids feel a little less alone in this world, as well as gives parents a way to explore these things with kids in a very approachable way. I look forward to the conversations parents can have with their kids after reading this book!

Learn more about Kelly on her website, as well as on:

Snag a copy of Meow is Not a Cat at Amazon!

Wanna Win? Enter for a chance to win a copy of Meow Is Not a Cat! 5 winners will receive a book. Enter to win via the form below!

How to Teach Shakespeare to Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 19:30:00 +0000

By Melissa Batai

When I was in high school, I took English classes for almost all of my electives. Yet, I was never taught any Shakespeare except in 6th grade when we performed the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When I went to college and had to take a course on Shakespeare, I struggled. . .a lot! Now that I’m homeschooling, I teach my children Shakespeare so that they know some of the most famous plays.

How to Teach Shakespeare to Your Kids

The best way to teach your kids Shakespeare is to immerse them in a play slowly rather than deciding to tackle reading a play one semester. Here’s how we do it.

Introduce Shakespeare When Kids Are Young

Beginning in 3rd grade or so, I started reading my kids Tales from Shakespeare. This book, written for children (but also enjoyed by adults), retells each play in common English narrative, though the characters’ dialogue is similar to Shakespeare’s original, but easier to understand. My kids loved reading these stories. In addition, the stories help them understand the plot of the play so when we read Shakespeare’s works, they already understand the framework of the plot.

Another option, if your child is a visual learner, is to have him read Shakespeare graphic novels. These books boil the plays down to the bare minimum needed for understanding, but they have excellent graphics that help your child further grasp what is happening.

Watch Movies

In addition to reading a book like Tales from Shakespeare, watching a movie based on a Shakespeare play can help bring the words to life. You might consider The Taming of the Shrew starring Elizabeth Taylor, Much Ado About Nothing starring Kenneth Branagh, or Hamlet starring Mel Gibson.

Watch a Live Performance

Nothing beats seeing Shakespeare performed as a play. If you live near a college, the students there may perform one of Shakespeare’s plays that you could watch. Or, some cities perform Shakespeare’s plays in the summer outdoors. If you have any of these opportunities available to your family, take your children.

Read the Play

Once you’ve read the play as a story and watched the movie, it’s time to read Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s vocabulary can be challenging for us today, but your kids will likely understand better because you’ve already built the framework for understanding through your previous work.

How to Help Your Kids Remember Shakespeare

References to Shakespeare are found everywhere in our culture. The more your children are familiar with Shakespeare’s works, the more they can identify these references. I try to utilize strategies to help my kids remember the Shakespeare plays we study.

Memorize Famous Lines

One of my children loves to memorize poetry. We put this love of poetry to work by memorizing some of Shakespeare’s most famous lines. Now, she can recite short passages of plays, which helps her remember them better.

Perform the Play

As I mentioned earlier, my only exposure to Shakespeare in school was when my 6th-grade class performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I played the queen, Titania, and I still remember many of my lines as well as all of the action in the play.

If you have enough people in your family, or if you want to recruit your children’s friends, have your kids put on their own Shakespeare play. By immersing themselves deeply in the work, as performance requires, your children will easily remember the play in a few years.

Final Thoughts

Part of a college liberal arts education includes studying classic works of literature like Shakespeare’s plays. However, whether or not your kids go to college, they can benefit from learning about some of the most famous works in the English language. These strategies should help you make Shakespeare more accessible and understandable for your children.

(Editor's note: For a Christian worldview and robust Shakespeare study, we recommend Veritas Press' Omnibus courses. Their self-paced and live offerings include many of Shakespeare's title, and our kids have learned to love them through this curriculum program.)

ACT Mom Online Class Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 18:32:00 +0000

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

ACT Prep can be stressful for families, but I truly believe that most (if not all homeschoolers) should include test prep as part of a rigorous high school and college readiness education. While I have tried many ACT prep products in the past, the ACT Mom Online Class is unique. Read on to see why we find the self-paced option from ACT Mom to be one of the more valuable solutions on the market.

What is ACT Mom Online Class?

Designed by homeschool mom Kati Johnson and her husband, the course is an online, self-paced version of the in-person workshops she's been doing for years. The course can be completed in your own time, through 18 hours of videos and exercises delivered in bite-sized chunks of information and encouragement. We also received a book in the mail with actual ACT test samples to help us study and put the skills we learned to work. (We received year access to the program for our review.)

The course is broken up into four mini-courses, one for each subject on the ACT test. You can start them in any order, but I recommend getting through all of them as soon as possible, then returning to the subject matter as you need to.

Each video is followed by a comprehension question (or more) to see that the student picked up one of the major themes or lessons from the preceding video course.

How is the ACT Mom Online Class different?

Johnson explains in the beginning of the course that she has poured over years and years of tests to find the patterns and the mechanics behind the questions. Nothing is really to chance. The course is made to give your child actionable tips for reading and answering questions, and she even includes unique tips about what to eat and the order of how you should tackle each section. She uses real-life examples from her own children, as well as what she's seen on the tests from over the year. She shares that other test prep products may not be based on actual ACT tests; she only uses ACT tests to form her approach.

Johnson is warm but direct about what kids need to do to excel. I feel like I'm getting actual coaching, and she sets herself apart from other programs by being intentional with every video. No time is wasted, and the 18 hours of coursework is packed with tips and information from actual tests and testing experiences.

This course doesn't incorporate games, drills, or gimmicks to help kids prepare. It's seriously all about using old tests and sample tests from the official ACT website to form a plan of attack. Her approach of reverse-engineering to prep for specific ACT themes and knowledge topics is impressive and had me excited to start this process with our son.

Finally, Johnson developed her approach through actual evidence-based testing and experience with her own kids. She didn't just come up with something based on what she thought; her methods were formed after what she did and saw. The proof is in the pudding here, and I loved that she was honest about how many points each of her children were able to raise their score. While not every child in her family increased equally, she was able to get each kid to their own aptitude with impressive scores that I would have been pleased to see from my own kids.

ACT Mom Online Class Review Summary

I'll be honest. We have used many test prep solutions over the years. My oldest daughter was able to raise her score 3 points just by taking the test more than once and becoming more comfortable with the process. This is something that Johnson acknowledges, and part of the strategy is to retake the test 3, 4, or even 7 times until you get a much higher score. If you aren't willing to put in the work, study and practice at least weekly, and invest in the cost of retaking the ACT, this course likely won't do much for you.

Howevever, if you watch the very first video, she explains why she put together this program. I'm not one for fluffy words of encouragement, but she gets very real about how ACT tests are a part of college and one of the best ways to get money for college. She explains that standardized tests aren't something most of us as homeschoolers really align with, but it's something we must accept. She gets right to the nitty-gritty on how this program should be used and what's at stake if it's done consistently.

As a mom who loves to tackle problems systematically, this course felt so good to use. We have a long way to go, only having just started it with our son. But, I've previewed almost all of the lessons, and I feel like I finally have a strategy to helping my son. She is very honest that, if your child can learn, this is something that can happen -- it's not just for genius kids!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this for anyone wanting to either familiarize their child with the nuts and bolts of ACT testing or who needs to raise scores to be able to pay for school. Your mileage will vary, and you must be willing to put in the work. Armed with this plan, however, I do truly believe that the ACT Mom's approach is one of the best around.

(Note: With COVID making it difficult in some areas to test for the ACT, colleges have been making some test scores optional. I still highly recommend you have your kids study and prep for the ACT, with the goal of finding a testing avenue for during or after COVID. Even if schools do away with the ACT, I'm of the personal opinion that those kids who DO test will stand out in their initiative and commitment to overcoming what has been a really awful situation for our kids.

The ACT Mom Online class can be a powerful tool in your toolkit for helping your kid earn scholarships and fight their way into schools that may have otherwise been closed to you due to financial reasons. Keep at it!)

Learn more:

You can read about the course on the ACT Mom website or see her on Facebook!

Read other parent reviews here.

The Perks of Homeschooling High School

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 02:25:00 +0000

By Melissa Batai

My middle child will be in 8th grade next year, and, because we can, she’s going to have a few high school level courses mixed in with her middle school courses. While many homeschool parents are intimidated by teaching high school, there are perks of homeschooling high school that I’m looking forward to.

Cater to Your Child’s Interests

When you homeschool, you can cater to your child’s interests at any grade, but high school allows the time to dig deeper. My child and I plan to cater to her interests in a few different ways.

The Courses She Takes

Currently, my daughter has aspirations to be a neuropsychologist. We plan to have her study biology and human anatomy and physiology. She also plans to take several psychology courses in high school including psychology, abnormal psychology, and human growth and development. I don’t know about you, but when I was in high school, we only had one psychology class we could take. I’m excited that homeschooling gives her the opportunity to create a unique course of study that may not be available at the local public high schools.

The Learning Style She Uses

When you homeschool, you can cater to your child’s learning style. My daughter is a kinesthetic learner, which is often a neglected learning style in many brick-and-mortar classrooms. We’re excited to delve into labs and other hands-on learning opportunities to enhance her learning.

Flexible Schedule

We plan to utilize the flexibility homeschooling high school offers in several different ways.

Start High School Classes in 8th Grade

If your child is ready, you can have him take some high school classes in 8th grade. That’s what we plan to do. I want my daughter to have a lighter schedule in 12th grade when she is applying to colleges. I would also like her to have space in her schedule to participate in an internship her senior year if she is able.

Earn College Credit in High School

Many homeschoolers earn dual credit in high school by enrolling in classes at the local community college. That is a path my daughter is considering taking, but we won’t make the decision for a few more years. I want to evaluate how she handles high school classes first.

If your child is able to handle dual credit, you can save thousands of dollars by having your child complete up to two years of college before even graduating from high school. Plus, your child will be able to graduate college with a four-year degree by the time she’s 20!

Graduate Early

Another option my daughter is considering is graduating early. However, if she takes dual credit, she will graduate on time rather than early.

I, myself, graduated a semester early from my public school, but doing so wasn’t easy because the principal had to agree to it. He tried to dissuade me because most kids didn’t try to graduate early.

Explore Career Interests

When you homeschool high school, your child does not need to spend as much time doing school as students enrolled in brick-and-mortar schools. Brick-and-mortar students attend school for six to seven hours a day and then have homework to complete after school. Your student may be able to complete a high school homeschool day in four to six hours, which gives him more time to explore his interests or work if he wants to. My daughter reached out to a local educational neuropsychologist who said she would be glad to have my daughter shadow her to see what the job entails.

In addition, homeschool students have more time, which they can use to volunteer and give back to their community if they so desire.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling high school can be intimidating. However, doing so can offer your teenager excellent opportunities including what subjects she studies, increased flexibility, and the chance to explore career interests.

Two New Toys for Spring: All Pro Passer and LaserX

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 04:29:00 +0000

We received both of these fun toys to try. Opinions are our own!

So, it's that time of year when you do what you can to get your kids outside. Can you do it? I think having the right toys helps. We have been trying to get our kids throwing the football around more, but it can be a challenge when there is just one kid out there or a smaller kid that can't throw very well.

That's why the All Pro Passer Robotic Quarterback was a really great addition to our family's outside toy collection. This cool football has a special end that you stick on the "pump." Kids pump up the ball to the level indicated on the base, then press the play call of their choice. Then, stand back! With a super-powerful passing function, the ball is projected into the air. Kids have to run to get it!

This products takes C batteries, so be sure you have some on hand (not included.) It is durable, versatile and available at Target.com and Walmart.com. We were really impressed with the power of this toy. While the football is lighter and smaller than a typical football, it does help kids develop hand-eye coordination and get them outside playing and having fun!

The next toy we tried this spring was the new LaserX Long Range Blaster Set. We already have a few of these toys, and they have lasted years and years. We love to play with the various models together, as they are compatible. This particular model has super bright rainbow lights that you can switch to the color of your choice and get some very cool play time out of during the night. (They also work in the day!)

You won't need to use the vest or accessories, as the laser shooters themselves capture the shot. These are larger than previous versions, making them fun for kids who want to imagine they are handling much larger laser weapons. They also have everything you need to start (just get batteries), as they include two blasters, so you can set up two teams and play right away!

Designed for older kids of all ages, this is one that we can see using all year-long!

Find it at Target.com!

8 Gift Ideas for Graduating Seniors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:39:00 +0000

‘Tis graduation season. Whether you have a child who is graduating from high school or you have extended family members or family friends graduating this year, you’ll likely want to celebrate their accomplishment by giving a graduation gift. If you can’t decide what to give, consider these gift ideas for graduating seniors.

8 Gift Ideas for Graduating Seniors

What you give depends on your relationship with the graduating senior and your financial situation.

Cash

All young adults welcome cash. If the teen is going to college, he can use the money for food, books, or other incidentals. If he’s moving out on his own, he can use the cash to help set up his living space.

As the gift giver, you determine how much to give. You might gift as little as $10 or as much as $100; the choice is yours.

Luggage

One present that will always be useful is a nice piece of luggage. The graduate can use it to travel back and forth from college if she attends a school a few hours away. She can also use it for international or business travel ten or twenty years from now. Luggage is a gift that keeps giving for decades.

Laundry Basket Filled with Goods

Once a student moves out, he’ll have to do his laundry. Make this task easier for him by gifting him a laundry basket full of laundry essentials such as detergent, softener or wool dryer balls, and a roll of quarters. You may also want to include a stain-release pen for those hard-to-get-out spots.

Mini-Fridge

If the graduate is going away to college, one gift she’ll likely be grateful for is a mini-fridge. She will be able to store food and drinks in the fridge, allowing her to have a bite to eat when the campus cafeteria is closed.

A mini-fridge is surprisingly affordable. One that holds four to six cans of soda is approximately $30 to $40, while larger ones that have several shelves and a small freezer compartment are $130 or more.

Toolset

Just like luggage, a toolset is another gift that will last decades. Even if the graduate doesn’t like to tinker with things, he’ll need a toolset for basic repairs around the house. A small one that contains a hammer, a variety of screwdriver sizes and types, scissors, a tape measure, and a wrench can be had for as little as $20. The most expensive portable toolset is about $30, making this an economical, practical gift.

Monogrammed Towel and Bathroom Caddy

If the graduate will be living in a dorm, a bathroom caddy is essential. Fill the caddy with shower essentials such as soap, shampoo, a razor, and perhaps a loofah. If you’d like to do a bit more, consider adding a monogrammed towel set.

Gift Card to College Bookstore

Another idea is to give the graduate a gift card to their chosen college’s bookstore. She can use the gift card to buy books, supplies, or even spirit wear.

Cookbooks & Kitchen Essentials

Especially if the new graduate is moving out on his own, consider gifting a cookbook and kitchen essentials such as a spatula, ladle, good knives, and potholders. He can put these items to work immediately if he’s living in an apartment. Even if he’s going to college and living in a dorm, you could gift him a hot pad and a soup pan for making quick meals in the dorm.

Final Thoughts

If someone in your life is graduating from high school this year, know that for gifts, cash is always king. However, if you want to give something practical and enduring, you can’t go wrong with these suggestions to help the new graduate begin adult life.

Lille Punkin'

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What is Journey Homeschool Academy: Experience Astronomy Elementary Class?

Who are the Journey Homeschool Academy science courses for?

What did we like about this series of video lessons?

What we would have liked

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Summary: Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Astronomy Review

Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Astronomy FAQs

What ages is the Journey Homeschool Academy Astronomy Elementary course appropriate for?

When do the Journey Homeschool Academy science courses expire?

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Our Kidpik Review

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What is WORLD Watch?

How can you use it?

Neat extra features

WORLD Watch Review Summary

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