Character in Action {Character Concepts}

Way back in 2011 I was given the opportunity to attend my very first homeschool conference.  Our keynote speakers were a husband and wife team representing a company called Character Concepts.  Rick & Marilyn Boyer both spoke on several different topics, many of which, even 5 years later are still some of my favorite conference talks of all time.

At the time I was still struggling with the "should I" homeschool question.  My biggest fear being that my daughter would not listen to me like she does for others...or that we would grow too frustrated with each other to enjoy each others company.  Marilyn Boyer put my fears to rest in a series of talks at conference (I bought all the Boyer CDs they had!) pointing out that homeschooling is more than just academics, it is a matter of the heart.

Wow!  I needed to know more!  It was though a great blessing from the Boyers that I was given a Character Concepts for Preschoolers set to review setting us on a path of learning good character and teaching and training your children to be the kind of people you WANT to be around all the time.  After completing this I purchased Character Trails and then Kids of Character and then Proverbs People... and the rest is history.  Believe it or not I STILL use all of these products frequently in my homeschool each year.

At this point I bet you can imagine my excitement then when Marilyn approached me to review one of their newest products called Character in Action.  This book still follows the curious and adventurous Boyer cousins.  (I was squealing over the cover.  Just look at how the cousins have grown!  I love it!)  The Boyer cousins are bigger, wiser and just as sweet as ever!  And in this book they are going to show you just how you can put character in action!

In previous books children learned character qualities like attentiveness, compassion, generosity, and joyfulness.  Sharing lives from famous people from the Bible and sweet stories of the cousins, and famous historical heroes, previous books set you and your child on the path of building good character, but that was only a beginning.

Their newest book, Character in Action invites your family to "take the next step" by literally putting character into action.  Full of practical steps to take, Character in Action teaches your family various ways to reach out and become engaged with those who need our help.  Real-life stories with the cousins demonstrate to children all the ways we interact with others and shows the "why" behind the importance of good behavior.    

Each chapter introduces a "catch phrase" and scripture, a true story, and a section entitled "Taking the Next Step" that gives your children several ideas to put their character into action.  Included at the bottom are suggested scripture stories to further your study of each character quality.

This book is great!  My kids favorite story so far is of cousin Lauren and Mrs. Burks.  Mrs. Burks was a little elderly lady who was a bit lonely but Lauren made a special project out of giving Mrs. Burks a hug whenever they saw each other.  Such a small and simple thing brought great joy to both Mrs. Burks and Lauren.  By her example both of my girls have worked on picking someone each Sunday to hug and make them feel loved and special.

This book is a very welcome addition to my Character Curriculum Library and I think you will enjoy it too.  

Character in Action is available for purchase at CharacterConcepts.com and currently retails for $19.99 in a nice hardcover or $14.99 as an e-book.  Sign up for their email list and they often have coupons and other special offers!  Looking for an uplifting message from Marilyn, check out her blog!

Disclaimer:  I was given Character in Action free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my very own.  No affiliate links were use.  (I'm not looking to make a buck, just share a great product!)  Thanks for stopping by Swinging on Small Hinges! 

Ozark Empire Fair

A few weeks ago we snuck out to visit the fair.  It was really a nice day to go, cloudy and overcast.  The girls had a lot of fun and rode a great variety of rides.  Kayley was actually too tall for the bouncy house this year...what a bummer!  Here are a few pictures from that adventure.  ;)

I was surprised that Maggie went down the slide.  

Usually my shy, hesitant girl, but she is getting braver each year. 

The bumper cars were really noisy. 

Back to Homeschool 2016-2017

I am SO glad it is time to go back to school!  This was our first year taking the entire summer off and I tell you what!  I will NEVER do that again!  Or at least not the whole summer...it was crazy and getting back into a routine has been quite a challenge!  I have a lot to share with how we are scheduling our days and what curriculum we are using, but I'll save that for another post.  For now here are the girls first day back to school pictures!  Hard to believe I have a 5th grader this year and that this will be our 6th year homeschooling! 

Maggie, 1st Grade...

Kayley 5th Grade... 

She Stood for Freedom by Loki Mulholland {Book Review}

She Stood for Freedom by Loki Mulholland, tells the untold story of his mother, Civil Rights heroine Joan Trumpauer Mulholland.  As a white teenager growing up in the deep south, Joan was shocked by the injustice and horrible effects of segregation...  Determined to join the Civil Right Movement, Joan wanted to help put an end to these unfair practices.  Joan attended some of the most famous demonstrations from the time period including the Freedom Rides, Woolworth's lunch counter sit ins, and the the March on Washington.  She even met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!  Joan was even the first white woman to attend an all black college and be invited into an all black sorority!  Even though she faced threats and ended up getting arrested she never gave up the belief that segregation was wrong and that she could "make a difference."  Her courage against injustice is an inspiration for us all.

Joan said, "Anyone can make a difference.  It doesn't matter how old or young you are.  Find a problem, get some friends together, and go fix it.  Remember you don't have to change the world...just change your world."

Recommended for ages 8 and up, She Stood for Freedom is a perfect complement to our studies of the Civil Rights Movement.  It is chock full of original pictures and images of historical documents,  including Joan at the Woolworths counter and with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!  The back pages include an epilogue and timeline of events in Joan's life.  It is easy to read and understand even for the youngest of readers studying this time period.  Even as an adult my understanding of the time period was deepened by witnessing the effect that Joan had on her world.

She Stood for Freedom is available for purchase now at your favorite book retailer.  Happy Reading!

Thank you so much to Shadow Mountain for giving me an advanced reader copy of She Stood for Freedom.  I was not compensated for my review and all opinions expressed here are my very own.

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast {A Steampunk Proper Romance}

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for.  A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border. 

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret.  He is brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors - even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett.  He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister Marie.  Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?   

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor.  but can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles?  Can she love the man - beast and all?

What an awesome opportunity I was given to review Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen!  I was pleasantly surprised at what a delight this steampunk romance turned out to be!

So, really, this was my very first time reading something that was classified as "Steampunk."  If you are anything like me, you may be wondering...what exactly is steampunk anyway?  I Googled up a definition for you, which really doesn't do the word justice according to the book, but here:

Steampunk 

1. a genre of science fiction that typically features 

   steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

And this is true...  there were "automatons" or "'tons" doing the work of servants, airships, horseless carriages driven by 'tons, "Tesla stations" to send messages, etc.  All the while this book held onto the dreamy victorian era that this Proper Romance girl adores!  

So, my opinion and definition of steampunk is really more like this:

Steampunk

Where the Victorian era crashes into the future.

According to the book description it is where 

"Jane Eyre meets Beauty and the Beast"

 Let me tell you more about this book....  

Lucy Pickett is a scientist, biologist, herboligist and an amazingly self-reliant lady when she arrives at Blackwell Manor to care for her cousin, Kate, who is mysteriously ill.  As she tries to get to the bottom of Kate's ailment there are whispers and rumors of a curse that afflicts only Blackwell brides...  Like Lord Blackwell's late wife...she only survived for a month in her marriage before she met a tragic end.  A no-nonsense skeptic, Lucy has no time for that until she is confronted by the ghost of Marie herself, Lord Blackwell's sister who was murdered in the gardens.  What is her unfinished business?  Does she have something to say about the curse?  Was she victim to this curse as well? 

As Lucy gets to know the handsome and brooding Lord Blackwell she realizes that he holds a secret...one that could shed light on the mysteries plaguing the residents of the manor.  

Duhm, duhm, DUHM.... 

Are you intrigued yet?

So, what did I REALLY think of this book?

First of all, this genre was way out of my comfort zone.  I began reading it with trepidation because I was pretty sure that I was not going to like it.  I mean, vampires? werewolves?  really?  But, I gave it a go....and by page 65 the book grabbed ahold of me and refused to let me go.

Trust me when I tell you this book will pull you in just like all the other amazing proper romances!   I really enjoyed it and I think you will too!

You can purchase Beauty and the Clockwork Beast from your favorite retailer!  

Disclaimer:  I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my very own.  Thank you so much for stopping by!