Thrift Schooling

It's OK, Mom

2013-05-21T10:55:00.001-07:00

It's Okay, Mom.

You're going to make it through.

The sleepless nights

The puking kids

The baby (and toddler, and preschool) blues.

You feel a mess

confused

depressed

but the BEST is yet to come.

When the children are screaming

yelling

crying

It's okay to feel undone.

Just steal away, in another room

and take a great deep breath

God gave you this responsibility

He won't leave you feeling helpless!

Pray a prayer

Sing a song

Read a verse or two.

Jesus said He won't leave you comfortless

trust His Word is true!!

We don't live by feelings

or the pains of the day

but the fact that God is real.

He loves you

and created your kids

regardless of the pain that we feel.

Ask for wisdom in speech in the difficult times

you'll be amazed at what you'll say

through the power of the God at work in your heart

when you trust Him and obey.

I'm Going to HEAV!

2013-05-11T17:32:00.004-07:00

So I was up in the air about attending my first ever homeschool convention. Trying to get away for three days when you have three little ones, and homeschool is not easy! Ideally I would love to go with the whole family, the thought of being away from the family for three days is a little scary. But not too scary. I think I'll make it. Actually, once I decided to go, everything just started to fall into place, some great women to go with and.... a FREE ticket. That's right, FREE. I entered a contest on a blog and was just hoping as everyone does that I would win, and I did!!! So excited!! I'm not sure I really saved any money though since I know I'll be tempted to buy more now at the used book sale. Yes, you read that right. They sell used homeschool materials, a dream come true!!! If you've ever been to HEAV or another homeschool convention, feel free to leave me a comment with any tips you wish someone told you before you went to your first one....thanks!

Teddy Mountain Collinsville Review

2013-05-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

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Just a few short months ago Teddy Mountain Collinsville opened it's doors in Collinsville, VA. With three kids ages six and under, I'm always looking for fun and affordable family-friendly activities! When I saw that Teddy Mountain opened up where children can create their own plush toys, I was excited! I was even more thrilled when I found out that their prices are reasonable.
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STEP ONE

$9.99 for an 8 in plush

$12.99 for 16 in
Choose from a wide array of different animals!

You can even make your own pillow pet, LOVE it!!

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STEP TWO

Place a little heart and/or song in your toy for a little extra charge...

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STEP THREE

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STEP FOUR

My sweet little birthday girl holding up her bear
with his cute pajamas she picked out! She named him Max!

They also have a cute grooming station station to groom your little pal before you tuck them away safely in a cute carry home box or backpack! My daughter loved the box that looks like a little house for her new friend! She also has his certificate hanging on the fridge with the picture of her holding Max!

I was afraid she'd wear out the batteries because when she came home all she wanted to do was play the "Happy Birthday" song that she put inside. It's a special gift, because she made it herself! While stuffing the bear, she was able to step on a foot pedal to allow the stuffing to go in. I thought that she would take longing picking out an outfit for her bear since they had so many cute outfits to choose from! But right away she was drawn to the PJ's, so we went with the cute, snugly, bedtime theme!
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The whole experience is what makes it fun, rather than just going to a toy store and buying a toy. This would be a perfect treat for a child who has saved up birthday or chore money to go and create their own friend! Also, we are always looking for something to do when their grandparents come in for a visit! They even hold birthday parties and have a room in the back for groups! If you bring your church group or daycare, the cost is $10 per child. When you buy 6 you receive the 7th FREE! A portable machine is available as well, call the store for details!
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3264 A Virginia Ave Collinsville, VA

276-647-1104

Tues, Wed, Thurs. 1-7pm

Fri and Sat 11-8pm

I received a free product for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jonah

2013-04-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Most of us have heard of the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. It's quite common actually. If I do a post about Jonah I'd probably be preaching to the choir. But honestly when we think of Jonah what are the first things that come to mind? Well, disobedience for one. When faced with a situation that I don't really want to do for the Lord I usually think in the back of my mind, "I don't want to be a Jonah." Really, I don't because through that story we do learn that God will have his way, despite us. God wanted the people of Nineveh to repent. And sure, God himself could simply turn their hearts towards Him, but He chose to use a man. A man who was called. I also think about how crazy it must have been for Jonah to seriously be willing to jump from the boat once he realized the storm was happening because of his disobedience. Rather than allowing all the people of the ship to suffer he was willing to kill himself? I mean in reality that is what was happening. When Jonah ~~jumped~~ was allowed to be thrown into the stormy waters what did he expect to happen? Heaven to open up or for dry land to appear? Whether he had faith that God would save him or not, it was quite a move on his part. Kind of like the akehdah, which is the Hebrew term for the event when Abraham was about to kill Isaac. At that moment that he had the knife in hand, Abraham was willing to accept the will of God, not fully knowing what it was at that moment.

God doesn't always show us the big picture. The Bible says that "we know in part," (1 Cor 13:9) and I guess he entrusts us with "the part" that we can handle at the time. Sometimes we just need to realize that the storms and trials in life really are sent to us by God to reveal our hearts. Sometimes I just want to change my situation when I need to let my situation change me. Jonah really didn't have a choice. He was called by God to preach repentance in Nineveh. Abraham didn't have a choice. He was commanded by God to kill his son, his inheritance, his promise. In both situations, God provided a way out, but only once they took a step of faith proving their obedience. Jonah's provision was a fish. Nice provision. If I was in the sea and was swallowed by a fish I highly doubt I would be thanking God. Sometimes the provision comes in a form that seems like a curse but is really a blessing in disguise. Maybe it's through that person that you can't stand, but God wants to bless you through them anyways! So, when your children are giving you attitude problems, or if you feel like all you do is change diapers, all.day.long, don't lose heart, rather let God change your heart and use you for His glory!

Purex With Crystals Review and Giveaway

2013-04-30T18:39:00.004-07:00

Purex plus Fabric Softener and Crystals fragrance has the same great quality as other Purex products. The Dirt Lift Action assures you that your clothes will stay bright, white and clean! It's funny because I really am a big fan of making my own laundry soap. It's easy, inexpensive and a great skill to teach the kids. But even so, there are times when I like to have a bottle on hand of store bought soap. Purex is a perfect fit for us because it is inexpensive compared to other brands yet it works great!

If you are interested in trying it out enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win

3 BOTTLES OF PUREX WITH CRYSTALS!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Purex Provided me with a free sample of Purex with Crystals for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash Review

2013-04-30T18:06:00.002-07:00

When I had newborns I would always use the typical hair/body wash when cleaning my kids. It was so much easier than having to use both shampoo AND a body wash. None of my kids had a whole lot of hair anyways, so it just made sense to use one product. Well, when it comes to bath time I am still that way. I tend to lean towards products that are universal. For a while we would use soap for their bodies and shampoo for their hair but it would always irritate their eyes! I was excited to try Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash with my five and six year old to see how it would work. They loved it! We received the green bottle, the watermelon scent which smelled wonderful! Formulated for ages 6 and up, it provides

them with a sense of responsibility while getting the job done! Whether they use a loofah or washcloth, it suds up great and works well!

Enter HERE for a chance to WIN $1,000!!!

Enter the Rafflecopter below to

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Disclaimer: I received a free product from Dial for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated here are my ow

Home School In The Woods: Great Empires Review

2013-04-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

When I first found out that the opportunity to review

Home School in the Woods

was available, I jumped all over the opportunity. A friend of mine began using this curriculum with her multi-aged kids and I was excited to give it a try! My oldest is only in first grade so the best fit for us was the Great Empires activity study geared towards elementary aged children.

The Great Empires Study can be purchased either in CD format or download. All materials are printed out (craft and activity supplies are purchased separately).

DOWNLOAD Version: $18.95

CD Version: $19.95

PRINTABLES INCLUDE

~ History Lessons For 14 Great Empires

~ Activity Pages Summarizing All Activities Provided For Each Great Empire

~ Activity Directions Giving Detailed Steps For Each Activity Provided In The Lessons

~ Timeline And Timeline Figures That Tie All 14 Empires Together Throughout History

~ Maps For Each Empire And A World Map To Help With Perspective

The 14 Great Empires

Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Ancient China
Arab-Muslim Empire
Mongolian Empire
Viking Empire
Spanish Empire
French Empire
English Empire
German Empire
Japanese Empire
Russian Empire
The United States of America

What I Love About

Home School In The Woods

Solid History Curriculum: Pictured below are excerpts from our studies of Ancient Egypt, the Vikings and Ancient Greece. We choose to pick an empire and use that as our history class for the week. Each Empire could be done in a week or you can double up the activities each day and fit more in. Since my kids are six, five and two, I chose to study a single empire a week and devote all of our history focus towards that empire. I plan on using this curriculum for history next year since it worked so well for our family!

Creationist Based: I am an intense creationist that fully believes evolution is not just a theory but a religion. And that it is a religion that threatens my Christian beliefs. When I look for a curriculum, no matter what the subject is I always have my "radar" on scanning for traces of evolutionist teachings versus creationist teachings. Believe it or not, the concept of evolution is not just in the science books but has become so much a part of people's thought processes that they might not even realize that what they are saying stems from their evolutionist mindsets. "But the things that come from a person's mouth, come from the heart," (Matthew 15:18). As a homeschooling parent this verse holds a lot of weight when it comes to choosing a curriculum. When I am choosing the materials to teach my children I obviously want them to support what I believe. If the author is a Christian, it should show through when they are writing about any subject, And this is the case with Home School In The Woods. While reading about Ancient Egypt the author reminds the students that there is a creator God that gave people the ability to create amazing things and that we are not the ancestors of apes. This may seem like a small thing to some, but to me it is important that my children understand this in all areas of life!

The Timeline:When I first looked into homeschooling my children I was drawn to the timeline concept. I remember seeing a video of a woman who had the timeline up in her "school room" and thought, "I soooo want to teach history that way!" It just makes sense. It puts everything into perspective to understand which Empires existed and what was taking place all around the world at the same time. I certainly didn't learn history in this manner. I just remember having to memorize a bunch of dates and facts. We currently are using a timeline for our history and are studying the Bible. This puts a great foundation in our children and allows them to see what happened and when. Now that we've begun to look at these Great Empires, I am excited to use this program more in depth next year and to place these empires on our timeline to add to what they have already learned!

Consistent Lesson Formatting: As soon as I received the download, I began printing out some of the lessons and put into a three-ring binder. Each of the 14 Empires have the same format, which is why I liked picking an empire per week. The lessons provide plenty of material for a complete unit study, but if you are more on the eceletic side then you might be more like me and add more to your study! That is one of the beauties of this program! It can be used on it's own or simply lay the foundation for your own style of teaching. For example, with the Viking study we went to the library and found age-appropriate books to read throughout the week. The text was a little over my kids heads but we read as much as we could! I also let them watch clips of "How To Train your Dragon" since they loved that movie anyways! I love just embracing a topic and seeing how to engage my children in it! Each lesson has maps, activities, recipes and more to keep them engaged in that unit!

Multi-Age Friendly: Certain subjects obviously need to be kept age appropriate when homeschooling. Writing, math, reading, phonics, etc. But when it comes to history and science, I am learning that it makes sense to involve the kids together. I'm finding that doing studies like this helps our day go so much smoother as we participate in projects, reading and activities together! Even the slight age difference between my 6 and 5 year old mean they are at different levels in some areas but that didn't stop Home School In The Woods from working for us. When it came to the maps, the older would be required to do more work but they would all participate in one way or another. Even my two year old was able to enjoy several of the activities!

We love to get messy in our schooling! The painting of pots was a wonderful and practical craft that was used during one of the studies! Now my children have a practical masterpiece that they can use over and over again!

I enjoy involving Dad in our schooling so when one lesson called for a beef stew recipe the kids were excited to share their creation with him that evening for dinner!

Maps are a simple, practical and effective way to visualize where each Empire took place.

The above craft was made during the Egypt Study. The children loved not only making their own clay, but writing their name in hieroglyphics! Pictured below are coins made during the Viking Study!

This curriculum was created by homeschooling mom, Amy Pak and was born out of her own experience living "in the woods." Aside from the Great Empires Activity Study that I reviewed, Home School In The Woods also offers Lap Books for children in grades 3-8! Think you might be interested? Check out their freebies and see if Home School In The Woods might be a good fit for you and your family!

You Can Bake Bread! {part 1}

2013-04-21T17:22:00.003-07:00

The whole idea of making my own bread used to scare me.

It was that dreaded word.

T-I-M-E

I just didn't have it.

And if you want to make your own bread, it is a necessity.

I would think about it.

And even tried it once or twice.

But never fell in love with the whole idea.

I mean.

I can just go to the store and buy it myself.

But.

It is just.not.the.same!

Well, the time came when I had 3 kids, all UNDER the age of 4.

Yeah.

Lots of naps, schedules etc, etc.

Which, for me, meant I was home. A lot.

This was about the time I took up blogging, since I was home anyways.

But I also started experimenting in the kitchen.

Making something yummy for my husband to enjoy when the kids were all in bed

started to become a fun hobby.

At the top of the list, still is homemade pita and hummus.

Yum!

Simple and delicious. Yes, you read that right. Simple.

As long as the fact that you need about 3 hours from start to finish doesn't scare you off, it really is easy!

Homemade Pita

3 c. unbleached white flour (or whole wheat if you prefer)

1 1/2 t. salt

1 T sugar

1 packet yeast

1 1/4 c. warm water

2 T Olive Oil

Mix yeast with 1 c. water and let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix flour, salt and sugar. Add the water with the yeast when ready then add rest of the water and olive oil. Stir together. Once ingredients form a ball knead dough (or use a stand mixer) for 6-8 minutes. When done, place in a bowl that has been lightly coated with oil. Cover bowl with damp kitchen towel. Set aside to rise for 90 minutes. When time is up, punch down and divide into 8-10 pieces and roll in to balls. Place on surface lightly coated in flour and cover with damp kitchen towel for 30 minutes. Flatten dough. To cook I use a cast iron griddle on the stove top. You can also use a cast iron pan turned upside down. Place on preheated, lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Cook on each side 2-3 minutes each.

~ PICTURES:

If you make this recipe and want to submit a picture for me to post, please email it to me with your name and hometown at dinos_still_exist@yahoo.com Thanks!

Beach in A Day

2013-04-18T18:43:00.005-07:00

Sometimes you need to just go to the beach. Even if it is five hours away. And only for a day! That is exactly what we did recently. And it was loooong overdue. A family vacation that is. Rather than spending time waiting, and planning, and getting off of work. We took one day, when we had no plans or work, or anything and just drove to the beach. For a day. It was awesome. The kids came back with buckets of seashells, two hermit crabs and a shark egg. My husband and I came back refreshed. I guess it's kind of like the concept of the 20 minute power nap. Even though there are those days you wish you could get a good two hour nap in, sometimes all you need is that perfect power nap and you are good to go! So do it, rather than waiting around for that "perfect" opportunity, just go make something happen and you might be surprised at the results!

Purex Natural Elements Review

2013-04-18T18:35:00.001-07:00

Summer is right around the corner so why not celebrate now by giving your laundry a fun and exciting tropical scent! When I first poured the Tropical Splash Purex detergent into my washer I was impressed with both the neon-looking color and the tropical smell!

This detergent is part of the Purex Brand Natural Elements line! This particular fragrance is scented with exotic fruits like pineapple and coconut! It can deliver bright, white and clean laundry with the power of naturally sourced ingredients! The detergent works in all types of washers including High Efficiency.

What You'll Love

About Purex Natural Elements

Hypoallergenic

Dye Free

Formulated For Sensitive Skin

Nature Inspired Fragrance

Dirt Lift Action

Available in 50 oz 75oz and 100oz

Enter To Win!

Enter the Rafflecopter Below to WIN your own 3 Bottles of Purex Natural Elements!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Purex Brand Provided me with a sample of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Sale Camel Review

2013-04-14T17:49:00.003-07:00

I enjoy the layout of the Sale Camel deal site. On the right is a list of your daily deals with items ranging from stylish cell phone cases to men's wetsuits. Popular items are on the top of the page with fun accessories such as beanies and trendy sunglasses. My favorite feature is their LOCAL DEALS section. What I like about this is that I actually found a deal for my obscure tiny city. Usually with local deal sites it takes me to the closest large city in my search. I was able to find a local restaurant with a deal for $6 off of a $15 meal! Other features include internet coupons and links to their latest blog posts which includes freebies and giveaway posts! FREE SIGN-UP at SaleCamel.com.

This is a paid post through Pay-Per-Post and Sale Camel All opinions expressed are my own.

ABeCeDarian Company Review

2013-04-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

ABeCeDarian Company provided me with a wonderful package of materials to help get my five year on track with reading!
I've tried three other programs this past school year and none of them really seemed to go at the pace that he needed. I primarily used Student Workbook A1 and the accompanying Teacher Workbook. This program is geared for Kindergarden and First Grade.

My son is a tactile learner and was itching for a curriculum that keeps him active. This program does exactly that! Each lesson allows for interaction between the student and the teacher providing simple yet effective activities to help the student learn, while having fun. You can begin your lessons according to the level where you child is at by taking a placement test. I chose to start my son right at the beginning with lesson plan A1. Even though my son knows how to write most of his letters, his main focus has been on uppercase letters. The beginning of lesson A1 focuses on lowercase letters, so this was a great way to work on handwriting skills. The style of handwriting in this program is similar to Handwriting Without Tears in that they use two lines rather than three. The difference is, the top line is dotted. What makes this program unique is that it focuses on letter sounds above letter names. They actually recommend teaching your child letter sounds before ever teaching them letter names.

That is something I had never heard before or thought of. They suggest that this will prepare the child for reading. This thought process needs to be kept in mind (I would often have to remind myself) while teaching the student each lesson. Instead of saying, "which letter is first in the word cot," I would have to ask, which sound is first. Fortunately, the teachers manuals are scripted to help each lesson go smoothly. The program provides a download for "letter tiles" that they suggest you print out and laminate to use with many of the lessons. I already had letter tiles on hand, so that is what you see pictured here! We would use the letter tiles to practice letter sounds and sound out words. The hands-on activity is something my son looks forward to in his lessons!

The lessons also provide plenty of of opportunities to not only practice reading skills, but writing as well. Each lesson would provide an opportunity for the student to practice sounding out the sounds to each word in a creative way. my son loved the concept of "turtle talk" where he would have to say each sound slowly like a turtle as he read each word. it made the task simple and he wouldn't feel rushed when learning a new word. Frustration can be common when teaching a student to read and this program eliminates the frustration by moving at a slow pace by struggling learners!

The Teacher's Manuel also provides a section with creative and easy ways to teach how to correctly write your letters.
Throughout the unit spelling practice was provided. At the end of the units I used, spelling tests were administered for the child. They were simple, easy and appropriate for the my son's current level. I love the simplicity of it yet the sense of accomplishment that it gives the child at the end of the unit!

Spelling Practice

ABeCeDarian Company Price List

Student Workbook A1: $12.25

Teacher Manual A1: $28.50

Student Workbook A2: $12.25

Teacher Manual A2: $28.50

Set of 10 Storybooks: $21.50

Student Workbook B1: $10.25

Teacher Manual B1: $25.50

ABeCeDarian Aesop $2.50

Altrient Review

2013-04-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Altrient C and Altrient ME are dietary supplements that you add to a cool drink such as water or juice. I personally enjoy it with orange juice. It is a liquid supplement that comes in a foil pouch that is to be mixed in with a drink and consumed on an empty stomach at least 15 minutes before eating.

Altrient ME

This formula consists of B vitamins with traces of minerals and cinnamon extract to help your body burn fuel more effiently. It claims to unleash energy from the foods you eat giving you more energy.

Altrient C

Provides you with 1,000 mg of vitamin C to help boost your immune system.

My Experience

You know how when you go to the doctor or fill out a form of the medical variety they always ask, "are you allergic to any medications?" Well, for me, the answer was always no. But then again if I think about it, another word for medication is drug. The definition of drug is, "a substance that had a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body." There is a drug I used to take, caffeine. And that drug is a stimulant, no doubt abut it. Now, as for allergic reactions to this drug. The definition of allergy is, "a damaging immune response by the body to a substance."

When I consume caffeine, in any manner whether coffee, chocolate, or what have you, my body reacts very negatively. I tell people I am "allergic to chocolate" and they look at me weird. But I have quite intelligently come to the conclusion that when I take caffeine, there is a direct negative response from my body. Some people would say similar things concerning red or blue dyes in artificial food flavorings. It does not mean they are bad for everyone, just some.

With that said, I miss caffeine. Seriously. I am a mom of three young children, whom I homeschool. I remember when they were the ages of 3, 2 and a newborn. Those were the days that their energy was high and mine, not so much. I lived off of caffeine and could literally not make it throughout the day without it, (that should be the first sign of a problem right there, addiction). I always knew in the back of my mind that if I would just eat right then I would have all the energy I need. Which is true. We honestly do try to eat healthy in our family, lots of fruits, lots of greens, limited sweets, etc. But even when we try to eat our best, we have to think about our past. All the junk that we may have fed ourselves in the past may have messed us up. Truly.

I just learned recently that if you start taking herbs for the first time (in large quantities) then your body won't know what to do with them and won't absorb them. That is a huge problem. The way herbalists address this problem is providing you with a "tincture." My understanding of a tincture is you take the herb and mix it in a solution that you drop under your tongue. This gives it the opportunity to go directly into your bloodstream.

Now I know nothing can replace healthy living and right eating. The natural fiber and such that come from eating raw foods are irreplaceable. But, if we as a society are willing to take a drug to cure the pain from unhealthy living then why not take nutrients taken from these foods and place them directly into our bloodstream. Seriously. We will literally inject poison into our bodies for a quick fix but are often scared to try something deemed "natural."

These Altrient products work in a similar fashion to an herbal tincture. You take it in your drink and the highly concentrated nutrients go to the places in your body where they are needed most. And as a living example, I can tell you, it works!

I personally received both the Altrient C and Altrient ME and was immediately drawn to the Altrient ME which claims to provide "more energy." Since I gave up caffeine, that is exactly what I needed! The first time I took the Altrient ME I immediately saw results.

$39.95 for one box of 30 Altrient supplements

It was kind of eerie. I had the same exact feeling of energy that I used to feel when I took caffeine. The only difference was, I kept waiting for that "crash" that I was so used to with caffeine, and it never came. Honestly. It never came. I feared that I wouldn't be able to sleep that night because that was a problem that I always had with caffeine, even if consumed early in the day. I slept like a baby and woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to go! I was amazed at the results, it really worked!

Disclaimer: Altrient provided me with the above product for this review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

2013-04-02T10:54:00.002-07:00

One day I was craving some Buffalo chicken dip and still needed a plan for dinner that night. I looked at the ingredients I had on hand and found a delicious recipe for a casserole with similar ingredients to the dip! I made this for some visiting relatives over the weekend and they devoured it. No leftovers in this house!

The recipe below serves 8-10 people so for a smaller family just cut the recipe in half

Ingredients

~ 4 Large Boneless Chicken Breast
~ 1/2 Bottle Ranch Dressing (10.5 oz)
~ 1/2 Bottle Franks Red Hot Sauce (add more to your liking)
~ 10 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
~ 6 Ounces Colby Cheese (shredded)
~ One Cup White Rice (cooked)
~ One Cup Broccoli (can be frozen
~ One Cup Corn (can be frozen)
~ 2 Packs Cream Cheese (8 oz) (softened)

Directions

Fill large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add chicken and reduce heat to medium high. Boil 20 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Drain and wait until cool. Shred chicken and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, combine ranch, softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese and hot sauce in large bowl. Add corn, broccoli, rice and chicken. Pour into greased casserole dish and top with Colby cheese. Cook in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or when it bubbles.

Our Most Recent "Home Birth"

2013-04-01T07:22:00.004-07:00

Our Two New Babies!!

Mike and Sweetie born here on the homestead!!!

Make Money In Your Spare Time

2013-03-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

How do you successfully make money blogging? Still a question I would LOVE to find an answer to. Basically what I've concluded is this: Blogging needs to become a FULL TIME job or an intense second time job! Both of which I do not really have the time for as a homeschooling mom. There is enough on my plate as it is! BUT, with that said, if you enjoy being on social networking sites and being connected with like minded folks online as I do, then it could be an exciting hobby with some perks! Basically, I don't make a whole lot of money, but I do make some and I have received plenty of wonderful products that I have been able to review. I prefer not to say that I get "free stuff" for blogging because honestly, I do spend time reviewing and posting and in my opinion time is money! Therefore, I consider the products pay for my work, as most bloggers do!

If I had the time to preform all the intense tasks of growing my blog in the areas of Facebook page likes, blog page views, a great Alexa score and Google Page Rank, then I might be a good candidate to share how to make money for an income, but, I'm not there.

What I WILL do is give you two links of trusted sites that I personally and currently use to make just a small amount of pocket change on the side. I'm not being paid to promote any of these sites to you, I honestly use and have received payment from these companies.

Beyond Hello Mystery Shopping

Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends Review

2013-03-28T11:03:00.001-07:00

As a Purex Insider I have been able to review several different types of products geared towards moms. Now, I've had the opportunity to try something the whole family can enjoy! Even though our family isn't a big cereal-for-breakfast kind of family, we do enjoy it for a snack once in a while! I love most anything honey flavored and I'd have to say Honey Bunches of Oats is on the top of my list! So when I was chosen to review their newest flavor, "Tropical Blends," I was thrilled! When I received it in the mail I immediately opened it up and informed the kids that it was "snack time!" The two predominant flavors are Crispy Mango and Crunchy Coconut. Does it get any more tropical than this? The way the box is designed is a tropical looking pattern with an orange palm tree on one half of the front cover promoting the mango and a green tropical flower pattern on the other half promoting the coconut. At first glance I thought maybe there were two separate cereals in the box. Maybe one box with two bags? But when I opened it I realized it was just one cereal, hence the name "Tropical BLENDS." I figured out that the whole point was that they were blending the two flavors together, I guess it was just a quick judgment I made without really thinking, hahaha. When I opened the cereal the aroma was quite tropical. A tad unusual for cereal, but still inviting! Mango and coconut are two of my favorite flavors, but having it in a cereal took a little getting used to! Once I took my first bite I enjoyed it jut as much as any of their other varieties I've tried! All of my kids enjoyed it, my five year old loved it the most and wanted seconds!

Enter to Win!!! One Winner receives 2 COUPONS for a Free Box of HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS TROPICAL BLENDS. Enter the Rafflecopter Below to Win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post provided a free sample of their Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends so I could review them. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh Review and Giveaway

2013-03-20T10:48:00.001-07:00

The New Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant provides odor protection for up to 72 hours. The pulse activated wetness protection is formulated to keep you dry all day long! Dry Idea's motto is Never Let Them See You Sweat because we all know that there are those certain occasions we absolutely, positively want to be sure that our clothing are sweat free.

* School Plays
* Dance Recitals
* Picture Day
* Oral Report Day
* Prom Night
* Weddings

Really, the list goes on. But usually it is when you are speaking in front of people, or having pictures taken that you want to be certain to stay dry! I'm used to using a solid type of deodorant so when I received Dry Idea's roll-on liquid deodorant I asked myself how can a liquid can keep me dry? Well it does! And it smells great too! This is the first time I've tried a roll-on type and I have seen no visible flaws or sweat stains on my clothing. Actually, I don't have to worry about that white streak showing up on my clothes like you do with the solid kinds!

If you want to give it a go enter the Rafflecopter below to WIN 3 Coupons for Dry Idea's Advanced Dry Fresh!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dry Idea Brand provided a free sample of their Dry Idea Advanced Dry Fresh brand antiperspirant and deodorant as I could review it. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

It's SPRING!!!!!

2013-03-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy First Day of Spring!!!!!

To celebrate our 100th Day of School the other week, we planted 100 plants! (Well, actually we got a little carried away and did a tad more than 100). We simply put soil in newspaper and once they grow to be small plants we will plant them outdoors. If they grow too fast, before the frost danger then they will have to hangout in the greenhouse for a bit. Needless to say, the signs of spring are here!

We also bought some chicks from Southern States! The kids are loving them!

And the biggest news of all, our nanny goat just had twins! Lots to do here on our little homestead!

Essentials In Writing Review

2013-03-19T17:58:00.002-07:00

If you are looking a quality writing curriculum to incorporate into your homeschool, Essentials in Writing

is a perfect fit! I have had the opportunity to review their First Grade program and have been extremely impressed with the quality, content and high interest level that my son has for this program.

For $40 you receive a DVD with video lessons and printable PDF worksheets.

If you prefer not to print out the worksheets, you can order a workbook for $20 more.

This program is available for First Grade through Twelfth Grade

Although this isn't labeled specifically as a "Christian Curriculum," I found it refreshing that these lessons were filled with biblical principles and concepts. I am constantly looking at different materials and curriculum ideas and sometimes I have to sift through certain things. I find myself searching for the good and omitting the bad. We set some pretty high standards in our reading and video watching in our home so sometimes when different things like, magic or lying, appear in our homeschool material I think, I might as well just send my kids to public school! What I'm saying is, if I'm going to homeschool, I want to do it right. And I want quality curriculum that meet my needs and live up to our family's standards.

One day, my son who reviewed this program was having some issues with his little brother. When his dad left the house that morning, he told him to write three things that day that he liked about his brother before he came home that night. My son kept putting it off and we went on with our day. Then, we began our Essentials in Writing lesson. First, he watched a short video that went along with the lesson that day, (about five minutes long, roughly). Then, we get to the coinciding worksheet. At the bottom of the worksheet it says to write several sentences about a sibling. And be nice! I think God was seriously trying to tell my son something that day!

The amount of work required in a day's lesson is right on target. First, the student watches a short video on the provided DVD taped in a classroom setting teaching the principles of the lesson.

Then, the student receives a worksheet to reinforce and practice what was learned. My son loves the video. The lessons are quite short so some days he would want to watch several at a time. One day I said, okay, we are going to learn about predicates. Apparently, he watched that lesson already and told me what it was even before we began. I was impressed.

What I enjoyed about the program was you could split up some of the lessons over several days if you needed to. For example, the parts of the letter. I was so excited to teach my son this because of it's practicality. There were several worksheets provided for the one lesson so we just broke it up over a few days. Then, once he had a basic understanding, he wrote his first, "proper" letter with all five parts of the letter and sent it off to someone who needed some cheering up!

I also liked how many of the writing assignments make the writing personal and allow for creativity. It made my son think outside the box. He was also able to write down things such as his favorite pet, best friend's name and things that he enjoys doing. Writing can be such a tedious task for many students and these worksheets weren't dreaded by any means but were fun and engaging for my son! I will continue to use this with him over the next few months and look forward to seeing his progress!

Kindergarten Touch Math Review

2013-03-17T18:42:00.002-07:00

Some students love math. Actually, my first grader looks forward to his math lessons and when asked what his favorite thing in his homeschool was, he replied, "taking math tests." What? I certainly cannot relate. I dreaded math in elementary school all the way through college! I guess for him, it just "clicks," it makes sense. Every child is different as I'm learning now that I'm homeschooling my kindergartner. The program I used last year with my older son was Abeka. Very structured. Worksheets. A lot of repetition. It worked great with him. Not so much with his younger brother. And that's one the reasons I'm so excited to have the chance to review different types of materials this year. I have a chance to see what is out there. Instead of becoming frustrated when what I think should work isn't working, I can simply change not only my curriculum but my method. I received the Touch Math curriculum for Kindergarten which includes the downloads pictured above. I received Units A- D which retail for $59.95 each. (If you buy all four together it's $199.95). They also have materials for pre-k through second grade.

The name of the program says it all, TOUCH Math. The program is designed for tactile learners who thrive with hands-on learning activities. Instead of handing your child a "hundred chart" each day, you work with manipulatives and worksheets to help your child understand the concepts of what each number value is. Instead of simply teaching them "the number 2," you are teaching them that "2" is actually a symbol for a specific quantity.

How It Works

It is recommended that you double the age of your child and spend that many minutes working each day with them. When I started, my son was four years old. That means, 8 minutes a day. Simple yet effective. What makes this program unique is that it does not plan out every single detail for you. Rather, it provides you with methods, ideas, concepts, and goals. For example, in the first module (which is what my son has been working through) one of the goals is to count to 50. The instructions for each day do tell you what is excepted and which worksheets to use, but how you do it is entirely flexible. You can count objects in the room, outside or right in front of you.

Instructions

We would use our own manipulatives to encourage counting. Our time each day was usually spent doing the worksheet and using counters, like the monkeys pictured below, or wooden blocks that I had in the house.

We used our own counters that we had on hand

Student worksheet.
I printed mine in grayscale, they can be printed in color

Progress Chart

Not only was I able to review the curriculum, but I received their 3-D Numerals which includes a CD with printables.

Touch Math also provided the Touch Math Tutor Kindergarten Software that retails for $99. Thanks to this program. The software and the concepts learned in Touch MathThis was the first time my son really has had success with addition. At first, he would actually use the physical touch numbers on his lap as he played the game on the screen and successfully solve addition problems. Once he got the hang of it, he was able to look at the touchpoints on the screen and figure it out from there. He enjoyed the games and the challenge but he actually preferred the time spent at the table working on the hands-on learning!

Click here to head over to their site where you can watch video samples of the lessons on the software! I found the quality of these videos to be outstanding compared to educational games that my children have tried over the past few years. It uses the different states for the levels and teaches your student where on the map each state is and gives some facts about each one!

I also received Touch Shapes which cost $30 on their site that can be used to teach basic shapes such as triangles, circles, squares, etc.

The curriculum takes shapes a step further and uses the shapes to help with addition and subtraction! Several of the lessons incorporate these shapes with their worksheets for hands-on learning!

Overall I would recommend this program for a homeschool family with children with developmental delays or for those who just need the hands-on style learning environment! I could see this working well in a public or private school setting! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to review these products!

EGM READS Review

2013-03-14T13:11:00.002-07:00

READS Parent/Child Reading Comprehension System is a homework helper supplemental program designed by EGM Educational Systems, LLC to help parents encourage their to children become independent learners! A great additon to any reading program. When children are in the grades between 1 and 4, their reading and writing skills are developed and strengthened. Children are usually required to read, at home, for at least 20 minutes on their own. This program helps to make their reading time fun, engaging and successful. How many times has your child read a book and you asked them, "what was the book about" and the only response was a shrug of the shoulders. This program helps to eliminate this scenario and allows parents to help their children with reading comprehension skills!

$19.95
READS HOMEWORK HELPER INCLUDES
Parent's Manual
Question Cards, on a ring
Reward Chart
Stickers
Magic Finger
Reading Guide Strip
Speedy Speller, a Handbook for Readers and Writers
Storage Pouch

WHO?

Children Grades 1-4
Can be used for struggling readers who have a hard time with reading comprehension
For those who tend to "rush through" their reading
Can strengthen reading skills in advanced readers

WHAT?

Remember when you first started reading to your child? You probably used your finger as a guide to help them follow along. This package includes what they call the "magic finger" that the child can use to help them keep their place while reading. Also included is a reading guide strip that the reader places on the sentence they are reading so they don't lose their place. How many times has your child read to you only to re-read the same sentence several times because they were confused as to where they were at in the story? My son seemed to prefer the finger over the reading strip because it was fun and engaging but I could see how the reading strip would be successful for many students! What I love about this program is it seems to help with the transition from reading with a parent to reading on their own. When I would first have my first grader go off and read on his own he would pick the shortest, easiest book because he wanted to take a short cut. Since I've started the READS program, he actually enjoys reading and doesn't try to simply take the easy way out.

HOW?
I enjoyed the interaction encouraged between the parent and child in this program. It causes the child to be involved, engaged and thinking. Before the child begins reading the parents allows the student to choose a question card to think about throughout the reading.

These question cards and the sticker reward chart are my son's favorite aspects of this program. This is definitely a program I will continue to use throughout the year and am excited to do so! Pictured below is the speedy speller which is perfect for my son! If your child needs help spelling a word when answering their READS question, this "mini dictionary" is perfect for little hands! Actually, we use this in other subjects in our homeschool because of the perfect selection of words in this speller. It isn't overwhelming and easy for a beginner to use!

My son loves to write, but spelling is a challenge. This speller helps him tremendously! All in all this program is a great supplement whether your child is in public school, private school or a homeschooled! This is not a curriculum but can be used with any reading program that your child is already using. Excellent materials that can be sued year after year for a great price!

Schooling in the Kitchen

2013-03-12T11:35:00.002-07:00

This year I started using the "My Father's World" curriculum with my first grader. There are parts I love about it and parts that I don't care for. But overall I would say it has been a great fit for our family! I'm open to new ideas for second grade but I definitely want to use this with my younger ones when they are in the first grade! What I love about it, is the focus on biblical history. It's basic yet informative and has been engaging my first grader tremendously! The writing, history, phonics and crafts all tie together with a common biblical theme. Many hands-on activities are suggested including making "Lentil Stew" similar to what Esau sold his birthright for in the biblical account of Jacob and Esau. We've even had a traditional family Jewish meal which my kids truly enjoyed!

The Lentil stew was a bigger hit than I thought it would be! The kids helped make it and even wanted seconds at mealtime! What a way to make the Bible come to life in their little minds!

Not only to we use the kitchen for some of our Bible lessons but for science experiments as well! The chemical reaction that occurs when you mix baking soda with vinegar, making rock candy, and seeing what happens to food coloring when you drop it in soapy water.

But of course "school" doesn't really ever end for us, or even "begin" for that matter. Our homeschool is all about creating an atmosphere for growth. For learning. For education. As soon as our feet hit the floor in the morning there is work to be done and things to learn. My boys love to not only help make breakfast but my oldest has now learned how to make his own scrambled eggs (with supervision of course)! And my younger son is with me in the kitchen three meals a day helping me put cheese on salads, stirring sauces or melting butter. My goal is to not only teach my kids to cook but to enjoy it! Not to make it a tedious task but an art form!

If we really think about it when are the three most difficult times in raising young children? Usually it's:

1- Mealtimes

2- Bedtime

3- Going Out in Public

If you've ever seen the show "Supernanny" you know exactly what I am talking about. These are usually three of the top areas that need to be dealt with in the area of unruly children! If we can teach, train and thrive in these three areas of child-rearing, I believe wholeheartedly that we will have raised solid, responsible, stable adults. Think about it, some of the issues that adults struggle with today are eating healthy, getting good rest, and social disorders! If we can raise healthy eaters, good sleepers who are socially well-rounded then I believe we've succeeded!

Click here to read more posts about Schooling in the Kitchen!

Delight Directed Teaching

2013-03-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

Behold, Children are a Gift

of the Lord.

The Fruit of the Womb

is a Reward.

Psalm 127:3

It's your first child. A toddler. They are driving you, up.the.wall. Everybody and their great-grandmother of your sister's neighbor tells you, "they grow up so fast," and "enjoy them while they're young." The gray hairs are increasing and your patience is running thinner and thinner each morning. You've always wanted to homeschool, even before you started having kids (maybe, I know with several of my homeschooling readers that isn't necessarily the case). But the stress keeps getting to you and yes, you consider sending them off to.....never mind. Here we are.We bury those feelings and decide to go for it and homeschool! Yes we go through ups and downs on the emotional roller-coaster but, we've made it this far and we can keep going.

And not only can we make it but we can thrive!

And honestly, we are not alone. The difficulties and struggles I face each day, you've probably faced them too. Maybe not the same scenarios per-say, but the same emotions. The helplessness, the wondering if I even know what I am doing at times. We are all different, yet we all struggle at times with the attitudes, the tears and the wondering. So why do we keep pressing on? Because...

It is not. about. us.

Some of you were used to having a few hours to yourself each day when your kids were in school, but you gave that up. Others quit their career to stay at home and teach your children. We all make sacrifices. From the time our children were born new sacrifices had to be made. God had called us to be parents, everything we knew about life, now changed forever. When we choose to homeschool our children we know we must count the cost and we've found that

The cost of complete sanity is worth it for the sake of our kids.

In the past two years of homeschooling I've learned this. I love being with my kids! And the way that I can honestly say this in complete truth is by understanding that homeschooling does not have to be like public school. Once I truly "got it" and understood that homeschooling is simply creating an "atmosphere of learning" everything changed. For the better. When I would try a method of learning that would cause complete frustration on my part and the kids I would have to ask myself this question.

Is there a better way to present the material?

Usually the answer is yes. If I just have a few workbooks to "get through," I feel as though I have missed the point completely. Yes my older ones obviously do worksheets and my oldest takes tests but my methods have drastically changed over the past couple of years. We love to read. To be engaged. To partake in hands-on activities.

Churning Our Own Butter

Homeschooling does not have to be full of just "getting through " the day but an enjoyable learning adventure. When the kids were younger there was a time when I dreaded waking up in the morning because I feared what I would have to sacrifice that day. Now, I look forward to what is in store and look forward to spending time with my children both teaching and learning from them!

Click here to read more posts about Delight-Directed Learning!

Teaching Creatively Giveaway

2013-03-09T00:30:00.000-08:00

This year is my first year as a reviewer with the Schoolhouse Review Crew! It's only March and I've already reviewed several products and have enjoyed this opportunity immensely! Next week, I will joining over 40 other members of this crew in what is called the, "5 Days of Teaching Creatively Blog Hop." Join us as we share our experiences, joy and challenges in the world of homeschooling!

Day 1: Delight-Directed Teaching

I will be sharing with you a little about our style, where we do schooling and basically how we run our day!

Day 2: Schooling in the Kitchen

You'll see how we tie in the skills of the kitchen directly into our lesson plans!

Day 3: Toys, Games and Puzzles

We LOVE games in our homeschool. I'll share what games work, what don't, and why!

Day 4: Homeschooling in a Crisis

What do you do when mom is sick??

Day 5: Hands-On Projects

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a Gourd Birdhouse!

I'm joining in with Marcy @Ben and Me and Sam @Sam's Noggin to bring you this awesome giveaway during the 5 Days of Teaching Creatively Blog Hop, hosted by the Schoolhouse Review Crew!

The Blog Hop won't begin until Monday, but we are starting the fun early by giving you the opportunity to win incredible bundles of books and homeschool resources!

There will be a total of 3 winners chosen -- one GRAND prize, a 1st RUNNER-UP and a 2nd RUNNER-UP! The contest will begin at 12am on March 9 and end at 12am on March 17. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter, but read the contest rules in this post, first.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive ALL of the following -- a $525 value!

Geography Matters -- Profiles from History Package ($50 value) Looking for a way to help your students connect with history? The Profiles from Historyseries is dedicated to telling the stories of people, whose lives are worth remembering. Whether they made a discovery, led heroically in a war, created a masterpiece through music, or art, used a pen to change the world, or impacted humanity with their bravery—they made a difference. We can learn so much by looking at those who came before us. Be ready to change your mind about history, with Profiles from History, Volumes 1, 2, and 3.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine -- 1-year membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com, a new Print Issue of The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine, and a Homeschooling with Heart Tote Bag ($90 value)

SchoolhouseTeachers.com is an online classroom and has more than 2 dozen expert teachers who cover 25 different subjects presented via teaching videos, ongoing lesson plans, worksheets, lapbooks & unit studies, writing prompts and other assignments to choose from, students can additionally interact personally with the teachers by asking them questions and gaining feedback.

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett -- Passport Geography set, consisting of the Combos (K - 12) for United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany ($50 value)
Taking an in-depth look at world geography with the new Passport Geography™(PPG) series by Amanda Bennett. These one-week studies use a cross-curricular approach (covering geography, history, science, etc.) to take students on virtual journeys around the globe. Each study is interactive, including daily lessons for both elementary grades and Jr/Sr High grades, with no prep required.

Shining Dawn Books -- Early Spring Bundle ($21 value)

Early spring is known for its wonderfully rainy weather, leading to lots of beautiful fungi. It’s also the season when animals busily go about their regular activities after the relative quietness of winter. This bundle will help you to explore each of these exciting aspects of the spring season in-depth.

A+ Tutorsoft -- 1-yr subscription to the online A+ TutorSoft math program -- winner's choice from grade levels 1st-4th ($150 value)
A+ TutorSoft, Inc. provides Multi-Sensory Interactive MATH Full Curriculum products to help students improve their grades at all levels. Our Multi-Sensory Interactive MATH helps homeschooling families as well as public and private school teachers and students. A+ TutorSoft offers everyone a FREE 30 day trial on all products. Visit the top right corner of our website: http://www.aplustutorsoft.com/. And through 3/31/13 they are offering 50% off all products with code spoffer50!

Five in a Row -- Complete Digital Holiday book ($34 value)

A complement to any lifestyle of learning, this book is different from the Five in a Row manuals. It doesn’t give a specific book to study for each holiday, rather it is a treasury of traditions, memories and ideas for making your own! Each unit also includes calendar pages, blank pages for recording your own memories, and combinations of traditions and recipes, book and movie suggestions, quotes, decorating ideas, and more!

Knowledge Quest -- Wonders of Old Timeline Book ($25 value)

Wonders of Old is divided into four historical time periods: ancient, medieval, new world and modern. Significant dates are listed at the conclusion of each section as a helpful reference. This hardcover book measures 9x12 and is printed on extra thick 70# paper for durability.

In the Hands of a Child -- 1-Year Super Membership ($75 value)

Super Memberships Save You Time and Money! Each month Super Members receive two free downloadable Lapbooks. These Lapbooks are always brand new and have not been released for sale to the general public. Super Members also receive:

15% discount off all purchases of existing eBook Lapbooks.
A free Birthday
Lapbook10.00 off the price of any custom ordered unit

Southern Hodgepodge -- A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels ebook ($20 value)
Looking for an easy way to add art to your days? With A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels ebook – just add chalk pastels and paper! Short lessons for a whole year, 100 pages of tutorials, art for all ages.

Tricia Goyer -- Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska ($13 value)
Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But When singer Ginny Marshall travels to the isolated town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, she is charmed by the town's colorful characters and stunning scenery. She discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between an early missionary to Alaska Territory and his accidental mail-order bride. Written by homeschool moms, Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss.

Frontier 2000 -- No Regrets: How Homeschooling Earned Me a Master's Degree by Age Sixteen by Alexandra Swann and Looking Backward: My Twenty-Five Years As a Homeschooling Mother by Joyce Swann ($20 value)
No Regrets: The engaging story of Swann's experiences growing up as a Southern Baptist homeschooled child from New Mexico earning her education at a highly accelerated pace. At the age of fifteen she became the youngest student ever to graduate from Brigham Young University in its 111 year history.

Looking Backward: From 1975-2000, Joyce Swann homeschooled each of her ten children from the first grade through master's degrees by the age of sixteen. In this book, she discusses the methods she used to teach as well as the obstacles that threatened her success.

____________________________________________

The 1st RUNNER UP will receive ALL of the following -- a $225 value!

Geography Matters -- Cultural Geography Package ($50 value) Have you ever thought that geography was a boring subject? Then you've never used these books! Eat Your Way Through the U.S.A. and Eat Your Way Around the World are a taste buds-on approach to geography. Each state or country has its unique geographical features and agricultural products. These influence both the ingredients that go into a recipe and the way food is prepared. Why stop with only your taste-buds? Let's involve all the senses by adding Geography Through Art! This hand-son approach will supplement any study of geography, history, or social studies. Geography Through Art is sure to make a lasting addition to your home or school library. You'll find yourself reaching for this indispensable guide again and again to delight and engage students in learning about geography through the culture and art of peoples around the world.

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett -- Discover the Senses Download N Go ($9 value) In this study, your child will investigate a new sense each day, learning what it is and how it works, as well as what it does for him. He will learn what impacts that particular sense. And he will meet some of history’s heroes, such as Louis Braille, who helped along the way. Each day, your student will explore and investigate, creating and adding more learning components to his Discover the Senses lapbook—building a wonderful reminder of all that he is learning to be enjoyed for years to come.

Shining Dawn Books -- Remarkable Rain ($9 value)

Quiet and peaceful, or wild and raging – rain comes in many forms. This NaturExplorers unit sets out to examine rain in all its beauty, observe its effects and make you look forward to the next rainy day!

A+ Tutorsoft -- 3-month subscription to the online A+ TutorSoft math program -- winner's choice from grade levels 1st-4th ($50 value)
A+ TutorSoft, Inc. provides Multi-Sensory Interactive MATH Full Curriculum products to help students improve their grades at all levels. Our Multi-Sensory Interactive MATH helps homeschooling families as well as public and private school teachers and students. A+ TutorSoft offers everyone a FREE 30 day trial on all products. Visit the top right corner of our website: http://www.aplustutorsoft.com/. And through 3/31/13 they are offering 50% off all products with code spoffer50!

Five in a Row -- Set of Five Audio Files from Steve Lambert ($20 value)

We all need some inspiration from time to time! Steve and Jane Lambert have been encouraging homeschoolers on their journey since 1994. These Five in a Row audio files have been recorded at major state homeschooling conventions around the United States and Canada and have been chosen because we believe you’ll enjoy it for its wisdom, humor and encouragement shared by Steve. Including: Where do I Begin?, I Can't Teach All the Grades at Once, Making Your Children into World Changers, On Becoming Great Teachers, and High School and Beyond.

In the Hands of a Child -- 6-Month Super Membership ($55 value)

15% discount off all purchases of existing eBook Lapbooks.
A free Birthday
Lapbook10.00 off the price of any custom ordered unit

____________________________________________

The 2nd RUNNER UP will receive ALL of the following -- a $190 value!

Geography Matters -- Adventures of Munford Package ($35 value) Although he's just two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, Munford is all adventure. He can be rain, snow, sleet, or steam. He has traveled the world in search of excitement. Throughout history, he has been present at some of the most important and world-changing events. Fun and educational, Munford will inspire your children to learn more about many of history's greatest moments. These readers make a great addition to your learning experience in areas such as history, geography, and science. This book series is written on an elementary reading level, but provides plenty of read-aloud entertainment for the entire family!

Shining Dawn Books -- Remarkable Rain ($9 value) Quiet and peaceful, or wild and raging – rain comes in many forms. This NaturExplorers unit sets out to examine rain in all its beauty, observe its effects and make you look forward to the next rainy day!

Five in a Row -- Volume 4 Digital Unit of Winner's Choice ($9 value)

Five in a Row was created by Jane Claire Lambert, a successful homeschool teacher with more than 17 years of experience. To use Five in a Row, just pick one of the 70 books used in Five in a Row, locate the corresponding lesson plan in your teacher’s guide, read the story aloud each day during the week and use Jane’s suggestions and lesson plans to lead your children on a wonderful learning adventure. It’s that simple! Each unit covers Social Studies, Geography, Language Arts, Applied Math, Science and Art in a way that causes children to fall in love with learning.

In the Hands of a Child -- 2-Month Super Membership ($45 value)
Super Memberships Save You Time and Money! Each month Super Members receive two free downloadable Lapbooks. These Lapbooks are always brand new and have not been released for sale to the general public. Super Members also receive:

15% discount off all purchases of existing eBook Lapbooks.
A free Birthday
Lapbook10.00 off the price of any custom ordered unit

a Rafflecopter giveaway