Happenings of a Homeschool Family

Hello!  I know my blog postings have been sporadic.  It seems like summer kind of creeps up on me and then has consistently been trying to melt me into oblivion!  Oh, how I hate the summer heat!  Terribly!  After traveling to Virginia and back again I have also fallen so far behind in so many different aspects of my life that I am just barely catching up!


I had posted a few times in the past in the Homeschool Mothers Journal link up and I was gearing up to do that tonight when I learned that HMJ has been moved to a different host and the link up has changed a bit.   Since I wasn't really looking to link up I thought I might just give my own update and catch you up a little on the Happenings of This Homeschool Family....

1.  My Life This Week:  Whoot!  We have a BUSY week planned for certain.  This Thursday will be Kayley's 6th birthday!  We are not going to have a friend party this year, instead we are going to do something a lot different.  I am creating a "progressive birthday party."  As we go through the day Kayley will receive envelopes with clues that will take her to her next stop.  I am throwing around a few ideas still but I really think she is going to LOVE it.  Shhhh!  Don't tell her!  It will be a surprise!

2.  Our Homeschool This Week:  I have a LOT to share in this area but I'm saving it up for next week when I will be participating in the Schoolhouse Review Crew 5-Day Blog Hop and it will all be rambled about there.  Needless to say, we are doing pretty darn good! 

3.   Places to Go/People to See:  This week = nobody!   Last week was the dentist for Kayley where they gave her a cap on one of her teeth.  She was so brave!  I was really proud of her. 

4.  Church and Family Activities:  Glurg!  As a counselor in the primary I taught Sharing Time the last couple of Sundays and again for a couple of Sundays in August.  The kids give me a run for my money!  Its summer and they are full of energy!  Yesterday we learned about honesty and I did a "Mormon Trail" race to the Salt Lake Valley.  I hung up pictures of 15 major landmarks on the trail and as the kids were given scenarios at each stop, answered questions about what the honest choice was, then they could move ahead.  A few scenarios were "uh oh, stuck in the mud or lost your cow" scenarios and they had to lose a turn.  It was actually pretty fun.  :)

5.  Whats We are Working On:  Routine, habits and character training.  We have been out of our routine for so long that it has been tough getting back into one.  I love routine and my kids thrive on routine so I know we need to get this going.  Not to mention bad habits are running rampant.  We are working on learning good character qualities.

6.  I'm Reading and Studying:  Right now I'm reading Coming to Know Christ by Robert Millet.  It's a review for Deseret Book.  I'll be posting about that later this week.   In my to-read pile here from Deseret Book,  A Perfect Brightness of Hope by David S. Baxter, More Than Miracles by T.C. Christensen and Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Swofford Nielsen.  I am enjoying a wonderful partnership with Deseret Book!  Since I have been swamped with requests from them I have backed off of my other book review programs.  I couldn't keep up with all that reading! I'm also excited to be offered a chance to review a program through TOS from Apologia called I Don't Have Enough Faith to be and Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek.

7.  I'm listening to:  Pretty Darn Funny, music from the web series courtesy of Deseret Book and Simply Charlotte Mason's Laying Down The Rails podcast (I'll be moving into the study guide this week when I've completed listening to the seminar.  It's all about habits training and it is SO interesting!)

8.  I'm watching:  Not much right now, but I'll admit that I love So You Think You Can Dance so I've been tuning into that every Wednesday night!

9.  I'm Cooking:  This week, I'm on the lookout for a Zucchini Bread recipe.  We are getting an abundance of garden-goodness from our neighbors!

10.  And I'd also like to share....  I made some changes on my blog.  It felt good!  I have been out of blogging for a while and just doing the bare minimum while I have traveled.  It had also gotten to where my blog was taking a direction I didn't like with all the reviewing I have been doing!  Once I got out of the habit of doing family updates it has felt hard to try to get back into them again.  I'm working on setting up a blogger schedule and trying to keep a mix of family updates mixed with reviews.  I love my partnership with the Schoolhouse Crew and with Deseret Book so I will keep busy with those, but I am going to back down on the book reviews from other companies like Booksneeze, Waterbrook-Multnomah, Tyndale and such.  It will be a good thing.  My blog needs swing back the other direction for a while! 

Many of you may also be wondering where we are at in the adoption process.  We are going nowhere fast.  Getting our profile done is still our main goal but we have just been so busy.  Not to mention that, busy or no, I am not feeling the PUSH to get it done.  With Kayley and Maggie I had the push to get our paperwork completed and ready to go but right now I'm just not feeling it.  This is ok though.  It gives us time to evaluate and reevaluate before we move forward. 

And, for your pleasure...

This is a picture of Gramma extricating gum from Kayley's hair.  

Fun fun fun!

Eventide - Deseret Book Review

When a traveling bard stumbles into a dragon's den, he is forced to tell stories to the fire-breathing menace or end up being eaten. Eventually running out of tales to share, he makes a deal with the dragon: for his freedom, he will return with new sagas of adventure, romance, and bravery.

Tales of the Dragon's Bard is the story of one man's quest to collect the most exciting stories he possibly can, and Eventide is the first town he encounters. With wish-women, gnomes, a centaur farmer, a resident Gossip Fairy, and a blacksmith dwarf, those living in Eventide have enough going on to keep the Dragon's Bard busy collecting—especially if he can liven up those adventures a bit with his own ridiculous plots. 

 Author Tracy Hickman brings us a fun work of fiction in his new book, Eventide-Tales of the Dragon's Bard.  A fantasy story following the adventures of Edvard the Just and his unlikely apprentice Abel as they travel the country-side in search of exciting stories to share with the mighty, man-devouring dragon, Khrag.  Passing through Eventide, Edvard is certain he has found his next greatest story in the awkward Jarod Klum and the lovely daughter of the High-Wish Woman, Caprice Morgan.  As the bard sets the scene and arranges his cast of characters - the scene is set for his next greatest story...


What I thought of Eventide:  Fantasy is not my favorite genre and I did find this a bit difficult to read as it is written with an "olde English" kind of style dotted throughout and it started a bit slow BUT I did enjoy following the sweet romance between Jarod and Caprice once the story got going.   

Eventide - Tales of the Dragon's Bard retails for $23.99 at Deseret Book.  It is also available as an ebook for Deseret Bookshelf or as an MP3 download.

Jeepers Peepers - Schoolhouse Crew Review and a Coupon Code!

We are always game for a game!  Since we have a family game night every week finding a fun game that can be enjoyed by grownups as well as kids, is challenging.  We enjoy being able to sit down together, have a sweet treat and play a fun game but as a homeschool mom, I want our games to be not only fun, but educational as well.  A hearty thank you to Super Duper Publications and the Schoolhouse Review Crew for creating so many fun & educational game nights at my house!  We have laughed until we cried playing Jeepers Peepers!

Who is Super Duper?

Super Duper Publications was founded by Sharon and Thomas Webber in 1986.  Specializing in easy-to-use therapy materials Super Duper offers creative and colorful educational products to enhance your at home (or at school) learning experience.  Read more HERE.

What is Jeepers Peepers?

(From the website)...

 Am I a monkey? A hamburger? An astronaut? How many questions will it take to find out?

That’s the question on everyone’s minds—or glasses—in Jeepers Peepers, The Ask and Answer Question Game that builds questioning skills, describing skills, categorizing skills, problem solving skills, and more! Have one student put on the glasses. Place a photo card in the Peepers slot without showing it to the student. Have the student face the other players and ask yes/no questions to find out what he/she is! Then, have everyone play!

What did we think of Jeepers Peepers?
Let me just tell you.  This game is fun-fun-FUN!  You start off with the giggles while wearing your Elton-John-ish glasses.  They are just enough too big for my daughter's head that her nose looked like a bizarre little bulb sticking out between 2 big circles.  Once you have your glasses on, put a card up in the holder (no peeking!) and then start asking questions!  For example, if you have a train in your glasses:

You can't see it (even though we tried)...  So then you start asking questions.  The other players can only answer with a yes or no.  Luckily there is a handy-dandy cue card to prompt your questions if you get stumped like I tended to.  You start asking..."Am I a toy?  Am I gray? Do I have wheels?  And so forth."  By asking questions you can solve the riddle and figure out "Am I a train?"  "Yes!!"  And play moves on to the next person.

There are myriad ways to play -- each type of game getting progressively more challenging.  Jeepers Peepers is recommended for Kindergarten and up but big kids and adults will have fun playing this too!  We sure did!

Jeepers Peepers includes:
-6 Pairs of glasses
-Cue Cards
-101 photo cards
-Spinner and bingo chips (for more advanced play)
-Instruction book

Jeepers Peepers sells for $29.95 (order HERE) and you get free shipping on orders of 20 dollars or more!  You can also purchase extra glasses (set of 6) for $11.95 and 101 Add-on cards for $15.95.

Here is a great deal for you as well!  A coupon code for Jeepers Peepers! 
Save 30% until Aug 31, 2012 using code BLGJP30 at checkout!

Several of my fellow crewmates also reviewed Jeepers Peepers and many others reviewed different products from Super Duper.  To read more reviews, click the linky below!





Disclaimer:  I received Jeepers Peepers free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Map Trek by Knowledge Quest - Schoolhouse Crew Review

When learning about history, it always makes sense to head to the globe or map and tie everything together by discovering exactly where a historical event happened.   Geography is an essential part of learning history and thanks to some amazing products by Knowledge Quest, stringing these events together is super easy!  As part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew we were able to review a great product called Map Trek that allowed us to look at mapping the world in a way that really brings history alive!

What is Map Trek?

Map Trek is an atlas plus historical outline maps that allow you to teach geography alongside history. This is a resource that any homeschool parent can use with brilliant success, even if you don't remember a thing from your history or geography classes in public school.

Map Trek is a 6 book set and you can choose from individual ebooks, CD-ROMs or a complete collection hardcover book with CD-ROM included for convenient printing.

The 6 books are:
1.  Ancient World
2.  Medieval World
3.  New World
4.  Modern World
5.  US Edition Vol 1
6.  US Edition Vol 2

Map Trek gives you complete lesson plans that walk you through historical places, unlabeled student maps allow your children to find each historical location and color them in.  Don't worry, full color and fully labeled teacher maps keeps the teacher from stressing out and allowing them to kick back and enjoy learning about geography as well!  Each lesson is divided by age range so all of your children can work through the same geography lessons, but at their own level while still working all together!

To find out more, click HERE.

Map Trek can be used by itself as a stand-alone geography curriculum or use it in conjunction with your regular studies.  No matter what curriculum you are using, Map Trek works with you to enhance your history studies.  Complete - FREE- Curriculum Integration Guides are available on the Knowledge Quest website.  Choose from Story of the World, A Child's History of the World, Streams of Civilization, Truthquest and so many others!  These curriculum guides coordinate weekly lessons from your history curriculum with the corresponding map lesson!  Easy and convenient!

How we are using Map Trek: 
Since we started using Sonlight this year we have taken full advantage of the Curriculum Integration Guide that fits with A Child's History of the World as it is used in Core B and C.  It is a great addition to our homeschool day!  It fits in nicely and we are LOVING it!

To make using Map Trek a bit easier on the pocketbook and to save time and money in copying the pages again and again I took the liberty of sliding each map into a page protector and giving Kayley dry-erase markers to use when labeling and coloring her map.  It wipes off easily and we can use that map again and again without stopping to make fresh copies! 

You can download a free sample HERE if you are interested in getting a peak and what we have been enjoying!

Purchasing Information:
Map Trek 6 ebook set as Instant Download:  $47.00
Complete collection on CD-ROM:  $39.95
Hardcover book + CD-ROM:  $55.00
Individual ebooks run from $14.95 to $19.95


Ready to order your own copy of Map Trek from Knowledge Quest?  Buy it HERE.

Would you like to read more reviews? 
Click the linky below to see what my fellow crewmates thought of Knowledge Quest maps!


Disclaimer:  I received Map Trek free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Keyboarding for the Christian School -Plus Coupon Code! -- Schoolhouse Crew Review

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Remember that?

I learned how to type in High School on a vintage, classic, HUGE, typewriter.  Of course that was back in the dark ages before they even had "self-correcting" typewriters.  I remember carrying around that little white box of correction paper that you stuck in the typewriter, then hit the special "fix-it" button to erase your error.  Don't get me started on what happened when you were writing a paper and made a serious error!  You had to type that page all over again!  Ugh!

Thank goodness for this day and age where everything is easily done on a computer.  Knowing how to use a computer is a great skill.  Since typing is second nature to me, I hadn't put much thought into exactly how or when I would teach my children to type...  Now I don't have to worry about it!  Thanks to an opportunity through the Schoolhouse Review Crew we had a fun time reviewing Keyboarding For Christian Schools, Elementary Version by Leanne Beitel.

Did you even know you could teach really young children to type?  I didn't either!  Keyboarding for the Christian School is Christian Small Publisher's Exclusive E-Book Winner for 2012.  This version offers the basics of learning the keyboard through the help of Miss Mabel the ladybug!  Simple and effective you learn the Qwerty keyboard without the seek-n'-punch!

About the Program:
The program is no-frills and easy to follow.  The lessons are broken up as follows:
1.  Introductory material - Why learn how to type, Qwerty Keyboard geography and terminology, and Touch Typing Technique such as how to sit, hold your wrists, etc.
2.  Lessons 1-20 are learning alpha keys.
3.  Lessons 21-25 are learning symbol keys.
4.  Lesson 30 is on horizontal and vertical centering.
5.  Lesson 31 on enumerated lists.
6.  Lesson 32:  Timed Writing tests

What we loved about Christian Keyboarding:
-Once you make your way through learning the keys you begin typing Psalms.  Love it!
-Kayley felt SO grown up and she was thrilled to be learning how to type.

What we didn't love about Christian keyboarding:
-Horizontal and vertical centering directions are incompatible with my Word for iMac program - I am running the 2008 version.
-The type was so small - I sure wish we had bought the large-print.  Kayley lost her place so easily looking back and forth.  I'd recommend one of those stand-up clip boards with the moveable ruler to help you find your place.

Christian Keyboarding-Elementary is available in a regular or large-print edition for $12.95 as a pdf download or you can order a hard copy for $45.00 (which includes shipping & handling). 

Check out some sample lessons HERE.

Great news!
Christian Keyboarding is offering a great deal for my readers! 
Save 20 percent off your purchase at checkout using code:

SUMMER2012

Expiration: 8-29-12

Ready to purchase?  Click HERE.

Want to find out what my fellow crewmates thought of Christian Keyboarding?  Check out there reviews by clicking the linky below:




Disclaimer:  I received Christian Keyboarding free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed herein are my own.