a glimpse of our life: July 2013

31.7.13

Circle Time

The following is a review of the book Circle Time from Preschoolers and Peace for the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Don't be fooled by the title; this isn't just for preschoolers. Circle Time by Kendra Fletcher: Plan the Best Part of Your Homeschool Day is full of ideas for your whole family, no matter their ages. Though it has a lot of specifics for toddlers, all ages could benefit from the routine she shares. As the author also has older children, she included how she incorporates things such as read-alouds geared for them.

Her best advice: start with prayer!

Several schedules are shared as examples. She also gives ideas for keeping track of memory work and prayer requests. Printables are also included; one has a list of things to check off as your family learns them together during your own circle time.

"It's all about having a plan and carrying it out."

The 33 page e-book is available as an immediate download for $4.99. Instead of a rigid plan, the author shares ideas that you can fit into your own style, using your own activities.

We are getting ready for our "back to homeschool" routine, and Kendra's ideas shared in this book have influenced my planning for this fall. I know that my son especially has more attention to school tasks early in the morning. We already start each day with Bible study, but planning more consistent "circle time" will also include our planned read alouds and the daily lessons that might otherwise get a bit lost in the busy-ness of other demands for our time.

Planning is not necessarily one of my strengths, but following the author's practical suggestions I see how our days may run smoother as we transition back into lessons. The girls do seperate science classes online. With such an age difference between my oldest and youngest, the majority (and some days ALL) of their work is different. I envision circle time as a way to pull us all back together each morning.

See what other crew members shared in their reviews by clicking the picture below:

Disclaimer: A download copy of this book was provided through the Schoolhouse 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. All opinions I have shared are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.

29.7.13

Free Books for Everyone from Tyndale Rewards

The following is shared as a blogger for Fly By Promotions and Tyndale Rewards.

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28.7.13

Scripture & A Snapshot

"Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done." Colossians 2:7

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a comment with a verse that God has placed on your heart this week, or leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a snapshot. Please take time to visit my co-host Christy at Devotion Mama as well as some of the other links, too.

27.7.13

Favorite Things This Week

Organizing my house is one of my goals. Lately I've been making significant progress, but the process done my way also involves a significant mess. I'm thankful that my husband who was the first to point out to me that I clean by moving piles understands and walks around the piles without complaining. He also heard me mention a picture I found and wanted hung, and the next morning when I continued working on "my office" it was hanging on the wall. The end result is making the process worth it. This is "my office" so far:

My girls made me this lovely cake, inspired by an idea that they found on Pinterest. It tasted great, too.

My son has been having so much fun flying this RC helicopter. Even Powpow smiled watching him.

The Rose of Sharon finally bloomed! And after one day of constant rain:

We went to Avery Island last Friday and my daughter and I got lost on a walk in the woods yesterday. Both were wonderful adventures (though I could have done without the bug bites yesterday!) and I'll be sharing more about both, including the pictures we took.

Linked with Miranda's Random Five on Friday

26.7.13

Homeschool Programming Review ~ Kid Coder

The following is a review of Kid Coder completed for Homeschool Programming through the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew.

There are things as a homeschool mom that I want my children to be able to do better than I can. Chemistry is one. Heather likes it, and that makes me more happy than you might imagine. As "digital natives" my three children have been exposed to more technology in their lives than I was even through college. I hope they are more comfortable with the computer lingo that still baffles me at times. Enter KidCoder Visual Basic Series.

Kid Coder is written for students in 6th-12th grades. My oldest daughter started using this program, but I will likely have the other two use it as well. Specs are listed on the website to help you determine if your own operating system is adequate to run their program.

My daughter shared about her experiences learning with Homeschool Programming's Kid Coder Visual Basic Series:

I like the videos that come with the program. Each chapter is split into a few lessons, and there is a video for each lesson. The first lesson in chapter was about the history of the computer. The video lessons include much of the same information that you would get it you just read student textbook. It is only optional to watch the lessons, but the text said not to watch the lessons instead of reading the textbook.

I like that you don't have to let the videos load, and they aren't slow. (This is a big deal, so many other things we have tried lately have been difficult with our currently maxed out internet speed.)

The textbook and videos are full of pictures to show what certain things looked like, and to help guide you through certain steps you need to take.

The first chapter tells you the history of the computer, and main parts. Then it show how to download any free, third party programs that you will need on your computer. There are only one or two extra programs that you need to download to be able to use kid coder, but it doesn't take too long. Plus, kid coder provides step by step instructions for how to download the extra programs.

By the time you get to the second chapter of the student textbook, you are already starting to set up your own program, on your own computer.

I like all of the additional tips included in the course, such as what to do if your work disappears. There are steps and pictures to walk you through many things that could go wrong.

There are fourteen chapters in the student textbook, with 3-5 short, concise lessons per chapter; and there is a chapter review and "your turn" section in each chapter. In the "your Turn" section, you get to try out different things based on what you just learned in that chapter.

So you see, even a child with a not so techie mom for a teacher can work through this program and understand as they go. Who knows, I may even try it for myself. Kid Coder is available in the 2 semester pack which we reviewed for $145.00 including videos or $120.00 for just the courses, or you may opt to purchase one semester at a time.

The first semester which my daughter attempted includes Windows Programming. Students learn how to build fundamental programming skills. The second semester is Game Programming, and they will actually learn how to write computer games!

Homeschool Programming offers several different programs for students interested in technology, and other crew members reviewed different ones so be sure to click to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Disclaimer: A download version of this program was provided for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions I have shared here are my own or that of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

25.7.13

Children's Atlas of God's World

The following is a book review for MasterBooks.

One of the authors who we were privileged to meet when we toured MasterBooks/New Leaf Press last fall was Craig Froman. He shared about the book he was working on at the request of My Father's World. This book! Our family just completed Exploring Countries and Cultures with My Father's World, and The Children's Atlas of God's World has been the perfect tool to review our entire year.

The book shares from the perspective that this is God's world!

All ages will enjoy this resource. My Powpow took a pictorial trip around the world with us as we flipped through the pages from cover to cover together on his back porch.

Each continent is featured on a two page spread in this large (bigger than 9x13!) hardback atlas. Countries within each continent are listed in the sidebar, and then select countries are featured on the following pages.

Different facts of interest are featured from each country like these cheeses and cakes from France:

Joseph enjoyed reading about the unusual animals that were featured. This picture shows an example of how animals from different country are introduced. This was on the country page for Israel.

This atlas would make a great resource for any family.

Disclaimer: As one of the Moms of Master Books, I was given a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

24.7.13

Lilla Rose Sale! One Day Only

Today only (Wednesday) Lilla Rose http://www.lillarose.biz/prettyhair is offering 10% off of these new items:

They have also listened to customer requests and are now offering some favorite styles of flexi clips in additional sizes:

Disclaimer: I am an independent consultant with Lilla Rose. Clicking on the link shared will take you to my website. This link: http://www.lillarose.biz/prettyhair
Jennifer

Picaboo Yearbooks

The following is an informational review for Picaboo Yearbooks.

I first heard of Picaboo yearbooks because of the opportunity to review them with the Schoolhouse Review Crew. The very first time I visited their website, I was hooked. My daughter and I were actually at 4H camp, and we decided then that it would be perfect for making a 4H yearbook.

While photobooks are not a new idea to me (we have a lot of digital photobooks printed) the idea of making a digital then printed yearbook was a new twist. As I had just finished a group T-shirt order requiring me to coordinate payment, the idea of having to collect everyone's money again wasn't appealing. Guess what? Each person pays on their own! The more I read on this website, the more I liked it. We are now well into creating our group 4H yearbook, and I'm enjoying the ways my girls can express their creativity.

Click through and read some of the reviews of crew members who already created their books. They each made the 20 page softback yearbooks which are available for $8.99. See what other crew members shared in their reviews here. I'm interested in a hard copy instead of a soft cover for long term durability.

There are several features of this process that I really like. One is that everything is stored on Picaboo's website. That means you upload your pictures as you go and can access it from any computer. That is a big deal. I've spent hours in the past on different programs that require one big upload of the finished product at the end, and my somewhat slow internet couldn't handle it. With Picaboo, though, we have had no problem returning to our book and working on it at different times.

A unique feature is the personalization aspect. Do you remember looking through your own yearbooks specifically for pictures of you and your friends? We just wrapped up our 4H year with the state shooting sports competition. Now we can add pictures from each event the kids have participated in, featuring each of them in the personalized pages of their own books.

My girls found the website easy to use. As they worked through it, they referred to Picaboo's examples for ideas. Unlimited possibilities, they had fun looking through the background choices for each page. You can even use your own pictures as backgrounds or as full page pictures. It lets you store the pictures that you want to use, so when you are ready to add them to your page design it just takes a simple click. The website saves your pictures and your previous yearbook designs.

This is so much different from my own yearbooks from high school and college. The standard page after page of rectangle or oval pictures lined up in rows is not required. Another difference from my high school yearbook staff experience is how the team works. You can create a group of who gets to see your yearbook and who can make changes to it.

So click over and check out the website. Do you want to create your own Picaboo Yearbook? For less than $10 your memories can be published! I have a feeling we will be creating yearbooks for more than just 4H.

Disclaimer: This is an informational review. No product was received for this review. I am sharing as a part of the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

23.7.13

Cleaning out and organizing

Absurd! The amount of stuff collected in this one little room is unbelievable. It's also a bit overwhelming.

The original blueprints had a laundry room there. I didn't like the idea of the dryer vent directed out toward front porch. I also wanted a mud room that went into a bathroom. So my husband make changes, and the space was called my scrapbooking room. That was the original plan anyway. When my son was born my mom suggested I give him that little room and keep his bedroom for my office. I didn't do it but I still like the idea. "My Office" as it is now called, contains enough occupational therapy tools and books to fill a small clinic. It also holds all of our craft supplies, sewing supplies, gift wrap and gift supplies, scrapbooking supplies which are rarely used now, and yes homeschooling pours into that room too. (Homeschooling fills our entire house, so surely you expected that.)

So Monday I began tackling this room. This space that could be quite useful was emptied out bit by bit. I found so many projects either in progress or with items purchased that had never even been opened.

I let my son light the candle that he bought me. The calming scent of "Paradise flower" filled the room and then the whole house, while I filled the table with craft supplies and then the whole house with the rest of the boxes and clutter from the room.

The kids swam while I cleaned, then when it started raining they bathed the dogs outside in the rain. I continued to empty my office. Forget the small therapy clinic. There is enough stuff to fill a small island.

You know those papers that pile put in a box to get out of the way when company comes? I found them. What? You've never done that?

Completely out of my favorite caffeine fix diet Dr Pepper, I started this day with more coffee than usual. In the past I have found candy bars and even money when cleaning my house, But today I was so happy to find this:

Three bottles of my favorite unhealthy fuel! Are you a pepper too?

By lunch time the room was only halfway cleaned out. But when my husband got home from work that night the room was beginning to look great. Not the rest of the house. My daughter said "How did all of that fit in there?" My husband asked what I was doing with all of the stuff now.

A few friends have encouraged me with my organizing efforts. The Crazy Mom and I challenged each other last year to get rid of 40 bags of clutter. You would think after a project like that things would still be in order, right? I do know that I don't need to by any of the typical school supplies. Anyway, this year she suggested we do something even bigger to get our homes in order. Then I joined Jon Acuff's START Experiment. He challenged us to reach out toward our dreams, our goals that may seem unattainable. An organized and welcoming home is my dream right now. I want, when we have friends over, not to have to scramble at the last minute and stuff clutter in "my office" which is part of the reason it looks the way it did. I want our home to be cozy, yet uncluttered.

So now, I'm tackling the sorting and purging, and hope when he comes home tonight he isn't greeted with this monster of a mess I've created. He picked on me when we first got married, that I moved piles to clean. He was right, but it works as long as I don't just move those piles back. I'll share pictures when it is done. Time to grab one of those diet Dr. Peppers and get started.

22.7.13

***EXTRA EXTRA-- Read All About It! Limited Time Special Offer!

The following is a promotion of my own home business, Lilla Rose,

the absolute best direct sales company I've ever been a part of!

Lilla Rose is offering an extremely rare special for new consultants. From now through the end of July, they are waiving the shipping charge for new consultant kits! So the party kit is only $49.95! I've never before seen an offer like this since I signed up! I recommend the party kit over the show kit as the party kit includes 5 flexi clips, one each of our 5 most popular sizes. Catalogs, brochures, business cards, and everything you need to get started is also included in your enrollment kit.

An additional option is the Fast Start kit, which is only available at sign on. Along with giving you inventory to have on hand and begin selling in person and using, choosing the Fast Start option (only available at initial sign on) also gives you a Fast Start to earning commission from your team when you recruit friends to join your new business. Ask me for more details at cmjenniferm@yahoo.com

No matter which option you choose, as soon as you sign up you will receive a 30% discount on every order. Higher sales volume results in even more of a discount as bonuses are added.

If you are ready to start your own business, contact me for details or head to my website and sign up: http://www.lillarose.biz/prettyhair Be sure you are at my website which will say prettyhair in the url. That phrase will be replaced with your own name or phrase of your choice, and your own website will go live immediately after you sign up!

Lilla Rose is not like any other direct sales business I've been a part of. The company is steadily growing, but still small enough that when I call and talk to someone at the office, they remember me. Their support is amazing, and their product guarantee backs up our quality hair accessories. Their friendliness when I first inquired about this business is what hooked me. Another favorite thing about this business-- no minimum order requirement!!! No matter if you just have just one clip sold in a month (though that is rare,) you will still earn 30% from that sale.

Disclaimer: I am an independent consultant for Lilla Rose. All opinions shared here are my own. If you join my team, we will both profit! If you make a purchase from clicking through to my website, I will benefit. I am sharing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
Jennifer

Photography by https://www.facebook.com/MoriahElisabethPhotography used with permission;
Model wearing Roses Headband.

25 Truths ~ a Book Review

The following is a book review completed for Ed Douglas Publications as a member of the TOS Schoolhouse Review Crew.

25 Truths (Life Principles of the Happiest and Most Successful Among Us) by Ed Douglas is a small paperback book that is filled with 25 truths (plus one) contained in 25 fairly short chapters which you may find yourself reading again and again. My girls and I found the book easy to read. The 3-8 page chapters end with a concise summary followed by "workshop" discussion questions.

My teenagers and I read this, though my 9 year old listened and interjected his opinion in our discussions as always. Though not the main text, Scripture verses are included throughout the book relevant to the truths shared. The author does share that this is not meant to be a substitute for Biblical wisdom, rather a list drawn from his own life experiences.

My 14 year old daughter shared a bit about Chapter 13: Best day. "Worrying about the small stuff keeps you from enjoying every day. Writing down the things that make you happy can help you realize how special things there are in life." I've tried doing that, and I wholeheartedly agree. Journaling your blessings can help change your focus away from the negative influences in life.

Chapter 20 Make A Difference, through my 15 year old's eyes: "This isn't new information to me, But it is very useful information. In this chapter, he talks about how we aren't all going to be the president or find a cure for cancer, But we can make a difference. Wherever you are, You can help someone else. To be most successful find something that you are motivated about; This will help you to be more passionate about helping others."

21.7.13