Patriots Redcoats & Spies~Book Review

   I was given a copy of this book from Zondervan, in exchange for an honest review.

     I was so excited to see that this book was up for review.  We recently studied the American Revolution this school year!
     Patriots Redcoats & Spies was written by Robert J Skead and Robert A Skead a father/son team.  It is recommended for ages 8-12.    
     This book, Patriots Redcoats & Spies is a very intriguing book!  It is written about a set of twins whose father was injured, while on a mission.  These 14 year old twins are needed to carry out his mission for him, the deliver of a very important message to George Washington! This book highlights that journey.  It is a very detailed story that you can follow as if you were witnessing the story.  This story just draws you in as you follow along.  Do they make it in time to deliver the letter?  Does their father survive his injury?  Check out this book to find out!
This book is set to be released  on Feb 3rd, 2015.  You can check out this book and their other books at Zondervan .
     About the story tellers:   Robert Skead is the author of several popular books for children.  For Patriots Redcoats & Spies, Robert partnered with is father to develop the story.  The father son team belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution.  Their ancestor, Lamberton Clark, on of the main characters in the story, fought in the Revolutionary Was as a member of the Connecticut Militia and the Continental Army.  Patriots Redcoats & Spies includes many historical facts about the Revolutionary War and features events that took place in 1777 in Bergen County, New Jersey, where the Skeads live.
Thanks to Zondervan for the opportunity to review this book!
You can check out the Sons of the American Revolution group here.
             Disclaimer:  I was given a copy of the above mentioned product in exchange for a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinion may differ.

Our Math Curriculum!

Geometry Teachers book & Dvd

     Math has always been one subject that I liked.  I wasn’t necessarily good at it, I just liked it.  Math and Science were the subjects that I looked forward to in high school and college.  Math is all around and something that you will need your entire life whether you are an accountant, engineer, a store owner,  or trying to make or stick to a family budget.

     With homeschooling 4 kiddos what works for one child may  or may not work for the rest of the group.  We have been fortunate that we have been able to use the same curriculum for all 4 kiddos! It definitely makes it easier on the budget ! 

     What are we using?  Math U See!  I was totally intrigued by the name when I first heard it from my sister.  I checked out their website, and was sold on it!  I ordered my first sets of books, Alpha and Gamma, the levels that we needed to start that year.  It was an instant hit for our then 3rd grader!  He loved it and could do it  on his own! 

    Our then 1st grader wasn’t having as much luck with the program.  Math just wasn’t his thing.  After struggling with it for several weeks, both of us in tears at times, I called MUS.  After talking with the rep, we just took it a bit slower for the first couple of years.  Now you wouldn't know that he spent "extra time" on a book.  In the big picture does it matter when you learn to add or multiply? Absolutely not!  Now he loves math and it is the first thing he does in the morning! 

         Each Math U See set includes: an instructional dvd, teachers book, student book and a test book.     There  are also many manipulatives, like blocks or overlays, to help with your learning.

Page in Epsilon book

     Each instructional dvd contains a short video instruction from Steve Demme, the creator, explaining the lesson.  Once the children watch their dvd, the lessons have 6 pages in each book that go with the lessons in the lower level math.  Once you reach the upper levels there is an honors lesson page included as well.

I love that the program is based on mastery, and they have a lot of resources on their site to help you along your journey. 

I also have spoke with them to get assistance when we hit a rough patch with line graphing, and  I have met Steve at the Midwest Homeschool Convention.  He has been at every one for at least the last 3 years to personally interact with his “students and parents” .  He and the Math U See staff have been such a blessing to work with on our math journey! 

Bunny’s First Spring~Sally LLoyd-jones

  I received a copy of this book from Zondervan in exchange for an honest review.

     Bunny’s first spring was written by Sally LLoyd-Jones and illustrated by David McPhail.  In this book she uses a bunny who discovers life his first spring then experiences the seasons as time goes on.  You follow the  bunny on his journey of adventure and discovery as he interacts with nature for the summer and fall.  Then when the seasons change and winter sets in, little bunny doesn’t understand.  He finds comfort with his mom and dad.  Little bunny then sees God’s promise of new life that comes every spring.

     I love this book!  My 8 Year old daughter did too!  What a great springtime story to illustrate the seasons and God’s promise of Spring!

This book won’t be out until next month, however you can check it out and preorder it here from Zondervan.  Be sure to check out their other titles too!

About the author: Sally Lloyd-Jones is a leading writer of inspirational books for children. She is the author of three bestselling children’s Bibles, including the Gold Book Award-winning Baby’s First Bible and, most recently, the Moonbeam Award Winner and ALA notable, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. She has written many picture books for children, including the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller How to Be a Baby: By Me, the Big Sister. Sally was born and raised in Africa, was schooled in England, and now lives in New York City. She can be found at www.sallylloyd-jones.com.

Disclaimer I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate a frank and honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed. All opinions are my own. Your results and opinions may vary

Homemade Fabric Softener

Have you tried to make your own laundry detergent yet?  If yo haven't, you should!  You can check out how I make it with the Duggar Family recipe here!
     Now, what about fabric softener?  Don’t worry, I have that too!  When  it comes to store bought I have to use Downy.  My kids were allergic to Snuggle and I never had the desire to switch or try store brands because of that.  With this natural version it hasn’t been a problem to use with any of us.
I was doing some reading and found that vinegar has many many uses!  It is a natural antiseptic, deodorizer and many other things.  So I took a bottle of vinegar and filled the compartment in my washer for fabric softener with it.
       I have to say that I was nervous.  I don’t really like the smell of vinegar and my hubby hates it!  I thought that if our clothes came out smelling like vinegar, how many times would I have to rewash them to get that smell out?  That would 't be very cost effective now would it?  It was worth the try for one load was the conclusion I came to.
     When the cycle was finished I took the clothes out of the washer and they smelled like a hint of vinegar.  Great now I have to rewash, or do I?  When I wash my floors with vinegar, they don’t smell when they are dry.   Would laundry be the same, or would it get into the threads and not come out.  I went ahead and popped them in the dryer.
     Do you want to know how it turned out?  I though you would!  Well, they didn’t smell like vinegar!   So, now I take a gallon of vinegar and fill the washer dispenser one time with vinegar.  Then I use my essential oils and put in 50-60 drops of what ever scent I have on hand, and viola!  Homemade Fabric softener!  I like lavendar, as I have previous stated, so that is what I have right now.  I have found that I can order my oils online or purchase them at our new Jungle Jim’s! 
     I do about 2.5 loads of laundry a day and I go thru about a gallon of the vinegar a week.  So for about 2.00 a week I have my own natural fabric softener!   Give it a try and let me know what you think!
     When making any homemade cleaning products, make sure that they are clearly labeled as to what they are so that they are not misused!

Pure Love Pure Life: Exploring God’s Heart on Purity~By Elsa Kok Colopy

 

 I was given a copy of this book by Zondervan in exchange for an honest review.

     We have 3 sons and one daughter.    Their purity is something that has been a part of our decisions from the day that our first was born.  Whether we are talking about books, movies, music or dating…. purity should be on the top of the list, shouldn’t it?  There is a song that I love and listened to with my kiddos many many times when they were little.    It talks about being careful about what you see, say and do because the Lord up above is watching down with love.  Have you heard the song?  If you haven't you should check it out!  The song is called O Be careful Little Eyes and is by Gregory.
       Being careful with what we see and hear and do, is really something that we should be watching regardless if we are 3 learning the words and motions of the song, going on a date for the first time or out in the big world on our own.  We need to be mindful our of our entire lives.

      In the book Pure Love Pure Life, Exploring God's Heart on Purity, Elsa Kok Colopy talks about just this.  She explains how and why God wants us to be pure.  This isn't another list of all the things that we shouldn't do.  Elsa, keeps things real by using her life experiences, her mistakes and lack of trust in God.  We all have mistakes, we all have times when we may not have leaned on God as we should.  She talks about things that most of us can relate too.    
    This book not only explains why God wants us to stay pure, but lists some of the bible verses that explain and emphasize  how we are to live our lives guarding our God given purity.  At the end of each chapter there is a journal and discussion section.  I love these sections!  It gives the reader at least some reflection time on the chapter, even if they don’t write anything down.  This book was intended for teenagers, however I think that it would be a really good book for anyone who has questions on purity.  

This book sells for $9.99 from Zondervan in paperback and is also available in E-Book format.  You can check this out and other great books from Zondervan here!  

Thank you Zondervan for this opportunity!

 
Publisher's Description
When you think of purity, what comes to mind? Perfect behavior? Impossible standards? Everything focused on waiting for that special guy? If so, you’re not alone. The good news is purity isn’t just a list of don’ts—don’t think that way, don’t look that way, don’t act that way. It’s a God-designed plan for a happy life. Honest, humorous, and real, Pure Love, Pure Life provides practical tools to help you navigate the temptations and frustrations you face every day, stories from girls who have been there, and tips on what to do if your pure life takes a detour. Discover a new vision of purity, how you can live it in today’s broken reality, and why it’s worth the effort.
“This nonfiction book is real and honest, and should be required reading for teenage girls and their parents.” – Christian Library Journal

Author Bio

Elsa Kok Colopy is passionate about purity. As a MOPS author and former editor for Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family magazine, Elsa understands the profound impact of teen purity on the hearts of young women and on the health of their future families. Author of five books and hundreds of articles, Elsa is a sought after speaker with a deep desire to communicate God’s heart in a compelling and authentic way. Elsa and her husband, Brian, live in Colorado Springs, CO and are the proud parents of four adult children and two handsome pups. 

Disclaimer

I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate a frank and honest review.  A positive review is not guaranteed.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and opinions may vary

Crockpot Oatmeal

    We love oatmeal!  I had tried many times to make oatmeal in the crockpot….. unsuccessfully.  It was always so frustrating to wake up and have a mushy mess in there an not prepared breakfast.  I have finally figured it out!  Now there is an alternative to cold cereal on cold mornings! Great for when  we have to get out of the house too!  Wanna know the secret to delicious crockpot oatmeal?  I will be nice and share it with you!   Here goes, it is steel cut oats!  In the past I used the old Quaker rolled oats.  At least for me it never turned out.
  So to make your quick morning oats, all you need is your crock pot, steel cuts oats, Pam, milk and water.  Don’t forget the mix ins for the morning!  I am not going to list these with the ingredients as they can be endless.
      First, you need to spray your crockpot well.  Trust me, it isn’t fun to scrape off the sticky caked on oatmeal!  Then add the oats and liquid for your desired amount of final oatmeal.  I make a double batch for my klan.  So for me, I take 2 cups of oats and then split the 4 cups of liquid, half water-half milk.  By mixing the milk and water, it gives it a richer taste with out all the calories of total milk.   I have also used juice when making it on the stove, however haven’t tried this in the crockpot.  If you give it a try, I would love to hear how it turns out!
  Back to the crockpot!  Crockpots are great for putting your food in them and then forgetting about them.  This recipe is no different.  I make mine about 11pm and when we get up at 7am it is ready to go!  The kids loved it so much that I didn’t get any the first time that I made it!  Top with your regular oatmeal toppings:  chocolate chips (my fav!), a stir of your favorite jelly or jam, yogurt or whatever you put in there!