11.16.2017

Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth~ REVIEW

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

“Our world can be a bewildering place, especially if you’ve only just got here. Your head will be filled with questions, so let’s explore what makes our planet and how we live on it. From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey. And you’ll figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else… Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too: you’ve just got to be kind.”


I have this Mama heart that seems to get all warm and fuzzy when I hold a picture book in my hand.  Don't get me started about water works, my eyes were almost leaking when I grabbed Oliver Jeffers newest book called Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth.  The most precious collection of prints and words I have ever seen.  I have to tell you I took off this hardcover book's jacket and was oh so surprised with the beautifully inlaid stars and squishy Earth right in the center.

11.15.2017

Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis~ REVIEW

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I have always enjoyed writing and reading in my leisure time even when I was little.  Unfortunately none of my kiddos feel the same way.  Okay, maybe the reading part...but one thing they struggled with was writing and this next Review is a Sharon Watson product.  We have used a few of her products already and have seen Mahala grow the most in her writing.  To a point where she enjoys journaling and narrating after reading.  Several weeks now we have been using Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson and once again we are really enjoying it. 

New Alpha / Omega Kutless CD ~ REVIEW


Have you ever popped in a Brand New CD and literally could not stop playing it?  That is my issue right now....I have been checking my mail daily waiting on the New Kutless Alpha / Omega CD and it's finally here.  What I love is the message of God is so strong in every single song.  Praise music has never been so empowering as it is today and it's because of Artists like Kutless!
I have been listening while working, making dinner, during my morning coffee time and on my way to do errands.

11.10.2017

Digging for Trouble: A Devlin Quick Mystery ~ REVIEW

 
Linda Fairstein, introduced 12-year-old sleuth Devlin Quick to young readers in her first book, Into the Lion’s Den in her popular Devlin Quick mystery series.  Devlin Quick returns this month in DIGGING FOR TROUBLE: A DEVLIN QUICK MYSTERY  as a modern-day Nancy Drew determined to solve mysteries.
I never read Nancy Drew as a kid, I missed that boat.  But Kaden loves a good mystery and trying to figure out the clues as he reads.  I knew this would be a perfect series to have him read.  And like always I like to collect activities and spin off ideas for further learning from the books we read.  This book has lot's of opportunities to explore so many different learning experiences.  Obviously the Dinosaurs, Paleontology, volcanoes, fossils and even geology.  Kaden broke out his huge collection of gems and rocks and reclassified them all.

11.08.2017

Thinking Like an Engineer ~ REVIEW


I knew pretty early on that my kids would be doing something with computers and so far I'm right with Skylar and Mahala.  And here comes young Kaden grabbing his spot in the Engineering world, just like Dad.  We have been using an online course called Thinking Like an Engineer from Innovators Tribe.  They also offer a course about Architecture too that Mahala is extremely interested in.  Both programs are geared towards kids in grades 6th and up. 
Honestly this was the most anticipated review item me have ever had in our home.  Both Mahala and Kaden were chomping at the bit to get started on this course right away.  I was a little nervous about the whole thing, but figured it's self paced I should be able to handle it. :)

11.07.2017

Lord Help Me with My Time


“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
    even those who seem secure Psalm 39:4-5

Thin Stix Creativity Pack~ REVIEW

There is no doubt that I love this next company and all their wonderful products.  I'm talking about The Pencil Grip, Inc. and their Non-Toxic Kwik Stix.  I've reviewed for them many times and this time I get to share with you the ultimate Christmas or Birthday gift for any child.... their Thin Stix Creativity Pack.  Wow, it's huge and includes every color you need to create some really fun projects.  Since the kids have done their own projects with them in the past I decided to jump in and share some of the things I have made.

11.06.2017

A Plain Leaving (The Sisters of Lancaster) ~ REVIEW


I have said in the past that I have never read an Amish inspired book, yet here I am reviewing a 2nd one this year and I'm not hating it one bit.  This next book is the first of a new series called A Plain Leaving (The Sisters of Lancaster).  This book is written by Leslie Gould and from what I can see, she is an amazing author.  I have heard many times that Amish Fiction is the same old story over and over.  But, from what I can tell in this book and in a few of her past writings this simply is not the case.

11.04.2017

Life - Changing Miracles~ REVIEW


Are you a Believer?  Or do you believe in not believing and that life just happens?  I'm a Believer, I believe there is a mighty God who has had His hands in everything.  There are absolutely No mistakes or coincidences in life... but you don't have to take just my word for it.  In this new book I have been reading, Life - Changing Miracles by James Stuart Bell it is filled with stories from ordinary people who have first hand seen God work in their lives.  These people have been on the receiving end of God's grace and miracles.  Walking through sin, sickness, temptation and tragedy to just name a few, this book gives you a huge dose of encouragement and inspiration as you get to peek into the lives of several people who have felt God's comforting hand.

11.01.2017

The Magic Stories ~ REVIEW

Kaden is an excellent reader, but just for fun we have been using The Magic Stories by Allsaid & Dunn, LLC, publishers of The Reading Game and authors of the Wordly Wise series.  I have been a rock star fan of Wordly Wise every since my 1st year homeschooling.  This particular supplemental product is geared for 2nd-3rd grade readers, but I was really interested in reading these short stories myself.  We received them as a digital download along with some worksheets and the 40 Naughty word list with each story that identifies "tricky" vocabulary words.

Gospel Tracts and Evangelism Tools Sampler Pack~ REVIEW

 
We are not big Halloween fans, I save myself for Christmas and break out all the decorating and traditions my Family can stand.  But, we do still dress up, trick or treat and of course hand out candy.  And I am one of those people that puts pencils, stickers, erasers, trinkets and such into the candy bowl.  I want to think that makes me the fun cool house, but I don't know if it really does or not.  Anyway....this year I will be rocking the candy/trinket bowl, but I have added some special treats from Let the Little Children Come.  I'll be handing out goodies from their Gospel Tracts and Evangelism Tools Sampler Pack.