Thursday, September 15, 2011
Birthday Party - Round 2
The Wells' family - minus one - gathered to celebrate on Tuesday. The kiddos enjoyed some extra playtime with the cousins before Grandma & Grandpa joined us for dinner. Then, presents and cupcakes and icecream to finish out the evening. Again, my little princess had the best time. I love to see her enjoying herself.
Let's Get This Party Started!
A little quick on the draw, my side of the family got together on Saturday to celebrate Rachel's birthday. A few days of shy of 5, but presents and cake still brought quite a twinkle to her beautiful brown eyes. Of course, as always, her smile was radiant. Oh how I love this precious birthday girl :-)
Time for presents
A new baby from Auntie Val & Uncle Adam. Rachel even let Uncle Adam change the baby's diaper and clothes. I know he was happy to get to play too!
Mamaw & Papaw are keeping the Cabbage Patch Kid tradition alive. I had 8 when I was little... I'm guessing now they have all melted and fused together in my parents attic.
All smiles!
Aunt Megan & Uncle Matthew gave Rachel a "big" baby, complete with real diaper bag and accessories. Everything was so real that Malachi thought he'd found a girlfriend. He had lots of kisses for the baby. So cute!!!!
There can't be a party without a cake! 5 candles this year.
Now to lick the icing off the candles...
Friday, September 9, 2011
Treasure... I mean, WONDERMAPS! - Review
WonderMaps includes:
Whether you choose to print any of the 350 different maps or simply view them from your computer screen, each one can be adapted to the needs and level of the student. I know customization always sounds like a nice option, but often the detailed directions to accomplish such a task are overwhelming and too time-consuming for busy homeschool moms and students. Again, WonderMaps steps up to the challenge and proves to be a winner! The maps various layers can be turned off and on with a simple checkbox. I assure you a small child can handle it, as my 4, 5, and 6 year old children all took turns clicking the mouse to help Mom manipulate the maps.
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We are also using the Galloping the Globe curriculum this year. Therefore, we've just finished an introduction to geography unit where we focused on continents, oceans, landforms, and map skills. This week we moved on to study an individual country. Our focus this week and next is China. I printed the topographical map and left all of the features on. This allowed the kids to get an immediate idea of the terrain, the size, the rivers, the number of cities, etc.
Often, the life of a homeschool product is fleeting, but I know our family will be utilizing WonderMaps for years to come.Our course of study the next two years will have the kids traveling from country to country. Then, we'll head home to the good ol' USA where we plan to be Cantering the Country for a couple years. I'm thrilled that WonderMaps has an entire section dedicated to the 50 states and specific maps for each.
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Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Flea Circus - TOS Review
Fleas? A Flea Circus? FAMILY FUN???? No, I've not lost my mind. I've just been playing a new game with the littles. The game of choice just happened to be Flea Circus.
You know you want to play too! To get started, simply open the colorful, petite little box, and you'll be greeted by 20 itty bitty white rubber cats, 20 blue rubber dogs, and 55 Flea Attraction cards featuring various circus acts, free tickets, acrobatic fleas, clowns, and an animal catcher. I know I was surprised to see so much in a small package, but it all fits neatly inside and is returned to the box as easily as it comes out.
Even with so many small pieces, at first, I found the most difficult thing to keep up with in the game to be the number of special cards each allowing a different action or worth a different value. I recommend Mom and Dad keep the directions close by for a cheat sheet. However, after a few games, it will no longer be necessary. My little ones picked up very quickly and understood the functions of the cards surprisingly well.
If you are competitor like some in my family, you are asking... "Enough already, how do I play? Better yet, how do I win?" The object is to play cards that will award you the most spectators - a.k.a dogs and cats.
Depending on the card you choose to play or later draw, you may gain those spectators from the
pile or from other players. When there are no remaining spectators in the pile, the player with the highest point total of spectators wins.
This game is designed for children 6 and up, and I find that to be an accurate description. Rachel is soon-to-be-five and definitely needed some assistance, but my boys 5 - almost 6 and a solid 6 1/2 did fine on their own. They were even able to practice some of their basic math skills since cats are valued at 1 point and dogs 2. When a number card of 2, 3, or 4 was shown, they had to determine what combination of cats and dogs added to that sum. When calculating their total points, they were able to practice counting by 1's & 2's. The "fun" practice of skip counting was perfect!
Flea Circus can be purchased from the R & R Games Website for $15.95. Use the coupon code CREW20 to get 20% off any purchase for the rest of the year. After our enjoyment and entertainment with Flea Circus, I have spent some time on the R & R Games website. I encourage you to take a peek. Not only will you find some wonderful options for your next family game night, but you may just score the next hit with a great party game. Also, it's never too early to think Christmas gifts!See what others are saying about Flea Circus at the TOS Crew Blog.
**Disclosure: I was provided this product in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated for this review.
Gymnast in Training
Little Miss Priss is giving gymnastics a whirl this month and is having a ball. It's so funny to watch her. Some skills are natural and graceful, and she doesn't look like a beginner at all. Others... well, let's just put it this way, I've never seen an uglier somersault. In fact, I'm surprised she isn't hurting herself. Nonetheless, whether it is something that comes easy or is requiring some extra attention, she is all about practicing. Unfortunately, so much so, that after working with her teacher on something new, she'd run back over to the mats to attempt the somersault again... and again... and again. Mommy was up out of the bleachers on several occassions redirecting Rachel so that she'd rejoin her class. Thankfully, there are only 2 other little girls in her class, so Miss Courtney is able to give them each a lot of one-on-one attention, and there isn't too much down time.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Homeschool Mother's Journal - Here, There, & Everywhere
In my life this week...
It truly felt like we were here, there, and everywhere. We were definitely on the move!
- Monday - We went to see Winnie-the-Pooh with our CHIL Book Club. This was a nice treat after reading and discussing A.A. Milne's classic book last week. The kids were excited to see their friends, and Momma was excited we went on 75 cents day.
- Monday night - Rachel started gymnastics. She had a wonderful time. I'm really pleased that there are only 3 kids in her class because it allows her to get a lot of attention and practice.
- Tuesday - We were off to the zoo with the Howell's. Caleb made a new friend with an elderly gentleman serving as a docent. The man was a wealth of information and Caleb is ever so inquisitive. Needless to say, we were at the zoo a lot longer than I originally intended since we had a personal tour guide for each exhibit the last half of the way.
- Tuesday night - I had a Light Will Rise planning meeting. We are gearing up for our Ethiopian New Year Celebration & Global Partnership Kick-Off, September 11th. I'm very excited about this event and the ministry opportunities our group is soon to be involved in at our Children's Hope Chest Care Point.
- Wednesday - ahhh! A day of rest and catch-up on schoolwork.
- Thursday - another fun day at CHIL and our awesome Adoption Support Group at church in the evening.
- Friday - The boys started karate. They are the very youngest kids in the class and are a little intimidated by the big boys, but they held their own. It appears that there is definitely going to be a learning curve with this activity, but they are excited nonetheless. I'm hoping they feel a bit more comfortable at next week's class.
- Saturday - Grocery Shopping with all 3 kids - ACK!!!
- Sunday - Church and lunch with Adam & Val.
Even with all of our extra-curricular activities and field trips, we actually did accomplish quite a bit. Rachel is writing her numbers so well now! Jeremiah completed an Explode the Code book. Caleb is working on subtraction. All the kids enjoyed some computer time this week. Jeremiah & Rachel spent quite a bit of time on Starfall's website and Caleb has been doing lessons at BigIQKids (look for my TOS Review soon).
Helpful homeschooling tips...
Some of the best lessons learned aren't planned. By far, Caleb gleaned the most information from the gentleman at the zoo this week. While I was in a rush to get home to complete math assignments, Caleb soaked in all the docent had to say. He's been repeating the factoids he tucked away to anyone who would listen to him this week.
My favorite thing this week...
Seeing Caleb keep his emotions in check and overcoming fear. While he was excited to start karate, he was extremely nervous and anxious. Tears were shed before class started, but he pulled it together and performed well. He was touch-and-go a few times and looked to the sidelines for Mom's reassurance quite a bit, but he didn't have a meltdown. This is a huge sign of maturity for my super sensitive boy. I was very, very proud of him.
Things I'm working on...
- Rachel has a birthday coming up! Party plans are in the works.
- Plans for our Galloping the Globe Co-op - we're moving into countries now. The kids will begin studying China on Monday.
- Planning for our Light Will Rise event September 11th.
- A couple presentations for workshops I'm leading at an Orphan Care Alliance seminar September 17th.
Adopt Without Debt by Julie Gumm
Before you ask, while adoption is definitely in the plans for our future, it's not on the radar yet. Well... at least, not on Jon's. I'm guessing it will be a couple years before we start the process again. Only God knows the details. Still... we speak so often about adoption and money is always a major concern to others. The title of this book is what every adoptive parent longs for, so I thought I could get some pointers to pass on or tuck away for the future.
I'm grateful for...
Labor Day - Jon gets a day off to be home with us! Hooray!
How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids - TOS Review
What great teacher doesn't utilize great tools and strategies?!! Mnemonic devices are tried and true, proven ways to ingrain information in the brain, and it appears that Rachael Carman's memory aid of choice is the acronym. Although rather than lodging facts and figures into the reader's brain, shes imparts Biblical knowledge and truth that pierces straight to the heart. It is a natural assumption from outsiders looking in that a homeschooling mom would be acutely attuned to the heart of her children. Sure... we love our kiddos, but are we connected to their precious hearts? In How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids, Rachael Carman, a mother of 7, challenges us that indeed to truly have heart for our children and to really know them as God created them to be we must first and foremost know our heavenly Father.
Using the acronym H.E.A.R.T., Rachael leads us through a five part heart inspection. While more pleasant than a physical exam, the introspective look at the heart can be quite convicting. Even still, the thought-provoking, little 5x7 hardcover book is without condemnation and instead offers a heartwarming and uplifting message of encouragement.
Below are my take-aways from each of the book's main points.
H--Have a heart for the things of God
**If I desire for my child to have a relationship with God, I must live mine visibly in front of them each and every day. They must see and hear me pray, read the Bible, and worship.
E--Enrich your marriage
**A strong marriage centered on Christ is the foundation for a thriving family. From my marriage, my children learn lessons in grace, sacrifice, commitment, encouragement, forgiveness, and teamwork. In a household led by a committed couple, children are safe, secure, and empowered. Knowing how important marriage is - I must invest myself wholeheartedly in preserving, growing, and enjoying this relationship.
A--Accept your kids
**Each of my children are individuals created in God's image, and they each possess unique gifts, talents, and abilities. They are fearfully and wonderfully made, and I am to rejoice in who God has created them to be!
R--Release them to God
**I must remember who my children belong too - they are children of God first and foremost! I have only been entrusted with them to teach and guide them in the ways of the Lord. He orders their steps and has plans for their future.
T--Teach them the truth
**Using the equation 2+2=4, Rachael makes a compelling argument for absolute truth. I LOVE that she uses such a simple example to deal with such a weighty subject. The most important book I will ever read to my children is The Holy Bible. Sharing the truths found within God's Word will serve them far greater than any lesson plan I create or teach.
I recommend this book as a great, inspirational read for homeschooling moms, and I encourage you to read what other TOS Crew Members are saying here. If like me, most of you are early enough in the school year that this book will guide and aide you in setting the tone for your 2011-2012 homeschool. It will assist you in gaining perspective and reiterate the importance of keeping matters of the H.E.A.R.T at the very heart of your school, home, and daily life.
How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids
Author: Rachael Carman
See the table of contents.
Read a sample chapter here.
ISBN: 978-1-935495-41-3
Hardcover: 205 pages
Price: $13.00
Order: Apologia
Apologia Press, a division of Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.
1106 Meridian Plaza, STE 220, Anderson, IN 46016
Phone: (888)524-4724
Fax: (765)608-3290
*Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.
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