Old Standbys, and eating out...

OK, I've been rather absent posting these lately, but thought maybe I'd take a shot at it this week...
Now things are a little "in flux" because we have company (My dad and his bride) coming this week, but I'm going to do my best~

Monday~ Pizza with Pesto and Sausage, and Pizza with Pesto and carmelized Onion
Tuesday~ Tuna Salad Sandwiches and Salad!
Wednesday~ Airport pick-up.... probably dinner out
Thursday~ Maybe... possibly....hopefully.... Seafood! (Possbily Lobster, steamers, Corn on the Cob, and Potato Salad... maybe even Watermelon! ;) DH cooks the seagood, I'll make the Potato Salad )
Friday~ French Fry Soup and Salad before our first AWANA club meeting of the year~ it's a family affair at our house! :)
Saturday~ Dinner with both FIL's... likely out (Or carry out), and based on what I know of both fathers.... Seafood again! :)
Sunday we have a double digit birthday boy, and he'd like to go to Texas Roadhouse. I'm going to try to dissuade him, and suggest a nice picnic instead, but we shall see.... birthdays only come once a year.

YIPES!  Dinner out possibly 3 times??? EGADS! However, this is what often happens when famly visits infrequently... should be fun! :)

Be sure to check out lots of other menu plans by clicking the picture/link at the top of my post~ Blessings~

Homeschool 2010~ (or Ode to the Mighty Glue Stick)

Just thought I'd try to keep a little record here of what we're doing this year. My fingers aren't so grand at typing right now (Have a "Ganglion cyst" at the base of my right wrist that is causing me some trouble~ going to see a hand/wrist ortho guy on Friday...), and adding pictures is a little difficult, but I will make an effort. ;)

Today we started by reading an overview of Gladys Aylward in Dave and Neta Jackson's Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes** . I am looking forward to this series, which will I will use to incorporate Bible, history, and Character education. Very Cool!

Both kids whipped through their spelling, and math. While Middlest was still at his math, Eldest read Littlest his Before Five In a Row (BFIAR) book with him, and started on his first lapbook (from the Homeschool Share site). Excellent! He is soooo loving this! Then Eldest went right to work on her science, and Middlest was working on his writing.

After 1.5 hours of paining my right wrist(grrr.... printer cover is too heavy!), and trying to get my printer software and my computer to cooperate, I finally was able to reproduce some timeline pics (legally allowed) from Ultimate Geography And Timeline Guide** (my understanding is that the newest printing of this book includes the images on CD-Rom... YAY!) , and finally get to History. We just decided on what course to do today, so how is that for last minute? The kids wanted to actually go through a complete era in History for a change (instead of our patchwork history via reviews for the TOS Crew the past 2 years), so we are just "Reading" in Story of the World Vol 1 to catch us up to where we left off in Mystery of History Vol 1. We then plan to combine the two together using this schedule (BTW, that site, Paula's Archives" has a wealth of information~ I often forget to check there, and then slap myself upside the head when I finally remember! ;) )

So that was it for the day, time to eat a quick bite and get Eldest off to Irish Step-dance, for her first class of the week. Then to the voting booth, and a quick run to CVS and Market Basket.

One most excellent benefit to the start of the "official school year"  that I am noticing right away, is that Littlest isn't clamoring for PBS television right off the bat, and Eldest isn't trying to use it to "Babysit"... everyone is too busy! :) 

On the other hand, I may have to buy stock in one adhesive company or another.... I put a glue stick in each child's new school supplies~ we've frequently had glues sticks dry up at our house from lack of use, so I only bought one package when they were on sale at Staples. Major miscalculation! Littlest does NOT follow his siblings inclination to keep their fingers clean! It's only "Day 2", and he's gone through a half a stick of glue! Yikes! (At least "some" of it was used very purposefully on the lapbook, but this kid just loves to cut scraps of paper, and then glue them in stacks... piece on top of piece....)

So... on with the adventure~ we shall see what tomorrow brings, as my plans are laid as we walk through this week. (Next week should go MUCH more smoothly from MY perspective at least.)

Blessings~

The First Day of Homeschool Year 2010-2011

Well... FINALLY~ Monday we started off RJP's 8th grade, JDP 1's 5th Grade, and JDP 2's Pre-K3 grade of school!

The kids took their traditional photos on the front steps,

MyBlogSpark~ A Surprise Dinner!

Well~ I suppose that this could apply as a Frugal Friday post in some ways, and not so much in others... ;)

I have enjoyed trying out various products and reviewing them, so I thought that signing up with MyBlogspark.com would be a good idea. Imagine my surprise when I received the following email:

"Dinner’s on us, you deserve it! As a thank you for being a member of the MyBlogSpark network, we would like to treat you and a guest to a night out.
You and a guest are invited to a special dinner at Myers + Chang in Boston where you will have the chance to meet other local members of the MyBlogSpark network. The exclusive dining experience includes a special four-course dinner and drinks for two (limit of one alcoholic drink per person) as well as a $50 gift card to cover any incidental costs such as transportation or parking. Guests must be 21 years of age or older."

I mean... really?? I hadn't had the chance to review anything for them yet, and they were taking me out to dinner??? That's awfully nice! :)

I invited my friend and next door neighbor to come with me for a "Girls' Night Out", since our hubbies were willing to get kiddos to and from their various activities. Then it was time to RSVP and  mapquest the directions to Myers & Chang.

Most of our "Adventures" related to actually GETTING to our location... (Who knew that there is a "U-turn" on the Mass Pike in Cambridge for those who mistakenly got on in Boston because the signs are seriously lacking!!!) but thankfully parking was a breeze, and we ended up less than a block away. :)

When we arrived at Myers & Chang, we were welcomed by members of MyBlogSpark, and given a seat at a table near the window. the table was set with a cute silver fortune-cookie place card, holding our special menu choices. The waiter took our drink orders (WOW! House-made Sodas... lychee-vanilla  was far and away my favorite, although the mint lime rickey was good as well ~ @ $5 a pop, this would be the part that is NOT so frugal... but oh the yumminess!).

We started with mama chang's pork dumplings, followed by wok-roasted lemongrass mussels and thai ginger chicken salad with rice vermicelli. We then had a choice of about 8 entrees. We decided to go with the Shrimp Lo Mein and the Orange Chicken.

All during dinner there was a film crew roaming and videoing various tables and diners (And their dinners). They didn't stop at our table, but it was fun to watch.

Finally, round about dessert time (coconut cream pie with lime whipped cream and chocolate and cocoa nib terrine with vietnamese coffee sauce), the MyBlogSpark folks started handing out fortune cookies~ and therein lay the second surprise~ our entrees were not crafted by Myers & Chang (I have to admit to having been surprised by the "Typical-ness" of the options, but didn't really think about it at the time), but were frozen Wanchai Ferry dinners! Hello! I didn't expect that curve ball! I have to say that while the sauces were rather more sweet than spicy, overall the dishes were very good, and I wouldn't have guessed that they were frozen dinner kits. I am pretty sure that my boys would enjoy the orange chicken, and the shrimp lo mein was VERY good (the shrimp was delightfully tasty and tender, if just a little saltier than I like), and would be a hit with the other seafood lovers in my house.

We WERE interviewed after the surprise was revealed to find out what our reactions were... fun~ fun~ Hope I don't end up on TV in a Wanchai Ferry commercial!

As we left the restaurant we were each given little plastic chinese take out containers in which were enclosed coupons for 3 free Wanchai Ferry dinners. I contemplated doing a give-away for these on my blog, but my DH convinced me that he would like to have the opportunity to try the shrimp lo mein as well, so we're keeping them to feed the family one night. However, if YOU are interested in trying them out, I have noticed a number of coupon sites with printable Wanchai Ferry coupons. Check it out the next time you're in the mood for Chinese at home! :) (Hence the frugal aspect of this post)

Disclosure of Material Connection: MyBlogSpark provided the dining experience, $50 gift card, coupons, and  the  fortune cookie place card holders. I was not required to post or to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

CSN Stores~ Sets~ Dining, Swing, Bedding and more!

Remember the $40 Gift Certificate giveaway I did a few weeks back from CSN stores? Well, I've been offered the chance to review an item for them, so I've been perusing their site(s). With over a million products to choose from, it's difficult to narrow down my choices. They have dinnerware sets(The holiday dinnerware caught me eye, and they are all on sale right now for 20-50% off! Time to start thinking about Christmas! :) ),  swing sets (yup.. still looking at those swings~ and trampolines, too!), and bedding sets!

Stay tuned to see what I picked to review, and go check out their stores... you will be amazed at the variety offered. :) Right now looks like a good time to shop, too, because many of the CSN stores are running sales right now, AND there are promotional codes for various categories.

Oh, and I have to mention... they are also offering a bunch of Hatch a New Habitat contests... from bedrooms (Closed to entering, open for voting Here's my cyber-friend's entry If you want to vote for her, click "rate this item" at the top, and give her some stars. :) ), to bathrooms to backyards... I might have to think about entering one of those, too! ;)

OK, time to let you get back to your important web-work/browsing/playing, and time for me to get back to my kids and the real world. :)

Blessings~

Busy summertime~ Cultural Exchange!

Hey~ have you all been wondering where I've been for awhile? Well, in addition to New England actually benefitting from real "Summery" weather (hence... outdoors, not inside at the computer...), we are once again hosting a Japanese exchange student.

This year we have a sweet 13 year old girl named Yukino, from the Yamaguchi province (Southwestern tip) of Japan. She is quiet and shy, but gets along well with my crew. So far Blokus, Dutch Blitz, Uno and drawing with colored pencils have been the most regular, DAILY, activities.

Wanderin' In the Desert~ What's in the Bible? (DVD Review)

"Wanderin' in the Desert"  is the 3rd volume of Phil Vischer's (Creator of Veggie Tales) new series What's in the Bible (With Buck Denver). Being great fans of Veggie Tales, we were happy to have the chance to preview this series. 

Just a little background on the series to date. 
The first two DVD's in the series cover some foundations (What IS the Bible?" , "Who WROTE the Bible?" and some Basic Biblical vocabulary, as well as giving kids the "Big picture"  of, well... What's in the Bible! (Genesis and Exodus, to be precise) The Volume that I was sent to actually review was volume 3, which continues on through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy~ to finish out the Pentateuch. The plan is to have 13 DVDs in the series that will walk the younger generation through every book of the Bible, to give them a general overview of the entire Bible. (Each DVD retails for $14.99)

Making the internet "work" for you

Hey, I figured I ought to send out a post about some of the money-saving aspects of the internet that I have benefited from. Some of these programs DO have referral benefits(Signified with a **) , so if you haven't signed up, I'd really appreciate it if you used my referral links. Others are just great ideas~ So, here goes:

Book Review~ Somewhere to Belong

Here's another Bethany House Christian Fiction review. This time it is a novel by Judith Miller : Somewhere to Belong : Daughters of Amana #1

This was a pleasant read that I could recommend on more than one basis~

• Historically: I learned about  the Amana colonies, a religious colony/commune similar in some ways to the Amish, but very different in others~ (Ever heard of Amana Radar Ranges? So, they don't show up in this book, but there is history here)
• Relationally: There are a number of great lessons to be drawn from this book, from parent/young adult to "seasoned" marital/emotional bonds
• Character-building: Again, some great action/consequence type lessons with themes like honesty and responsibility.

Menu Monday~ Pizza, Quiche with Rice crust, Popcorn Chicken (links)u

http://orgjunkie.com/2010/07/menu-plan-monday-july-12th.htmlHmmm... let's see what we're going to think about eating this week~

Monday~ Salad and Pizza (Using leftover crust I made on Saturday, topped with onions and zucchini)
Tuesday~ Quiche with a rice crust ~I made something along these lines a couple of weeks ago, but with different "fillings', and it was YUMMY! I used advice on this website for cooking the rice a little more quickly that the typical 50 minutes.
Wednesday~ Didn't get to this one the last time, so I think I'll plan for it again! Popcorn Chicken
Thursday~ Pork Tenderloin and rice
Friday~ Taco "Something"... either "traveling" or pasta, we'll see what we feel like.

We've been enjoying fresh cherries, watermelon, and some delicious plums that my daughter and I have dubbed Plumbanapples because they have flavors reminiscent of those three fruits~ And Youngest son has declared a need for carrots by his continual snacking on them! :) (Not a bad thing)


Be sure to check out Organizing Junkie for hundreds of other families' menu plans for this week if you are looking for some inspiration. :)

Blessings~

CSN Stores Giveaway~ We have a winner!

 First~  thank you all for entering my give-away, and I'm happy to say that most of the entries followed through the two-step mandatory entry process. :)  There were only a couple that I would have had to disqualify if they were chosen by random.org, but thankfully, that scenario didn't come up! :)

SO....... I am delighted to announce that the winning number, picked by random.org was number 17, which corresponds to Beverly's entry telling me what she would like to apply that $40 certificate towards.

Beverly, I am sending you an email to get contact info. Please reply within 48 hours, and CONGRATULATIONS!

Blessings~

CSN Stores~ $40 Gift Card Giveaway~ How DeLIGHTful! :)

Now this is fun! I have won a few little giveaways over the past couple of years, so it is really nice to be able to offer one to my readers! :)

The folks at CSN stores (There are over 200 different stores! WOW!)  have an incredible number of items and options to browse through, and their prices seem reasonable as well(in fact, some of them are most excellent!). I was checking out their solar lights , since our neighbors have installed some great lighting in their landscape.
Look at this fun little item that caught my eye ~  could be great for camping! I mean... wouldn't the kids get a kick out of a solar charged flashlight? (It claims to hold a charge for 3 hours... I wonder if that would be just about right? )

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... chattering birds, breezy leaves
I am thinking... that I wish I had more hours in the day
I am thankful for... the hours that I have
From the kitchen... Pasta will be steaming soon for cold pasta salad
I am wearing...blue with white polkadots, and a "creamsicle" jean skort
I am creating... order out of chaos..(? I hope!)
I am going... shopping soon for 13th birthday party foods
I am reading... my computer and many blogs
I am hoping... that I am done with what needs to be done by tomorrow
I am hearing... basketballs bouncing, children's footsteps
Around the house... still too much chaos, but it's getting better
One of my favorite things... making breakfast cookies and smoothies
A few plans for the rest of the week: finish preparing for the party, and then~ BREATHE!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

For more "Simple Thoughts"~ 
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Menu Monday~ 6/21/10

Well~ I'd better make this quick, because this week is crazy/busy, just like the last few weeks when I've been MIA with menu-planning~ Here's my hopeful plan for the "work week". :)

• Monday~ left overs from dinner out yesterday, and a big salad~ no outside plans, thank goodness~
• Tuesday~ Little League playoff game~ pasta salad(Maybe a curried tuna or swordfish pasta salad)
• Wednesday~ sleepover birthday party~ Tortilla Chip Casserole, chips & salsa, and Chocolate Suffle' Roll for cake
• Thursday~ Breakfast for the girlies~ maybe pikelets, maybe muffins(pumpkin chocolate chip  if I can find the canned pumpkin~ apparently it is strictly "Seasonal" in some grocery stores :/)       Dinner~ I'm thinking hot dogs before the hopeful Championship Little League Game. Potato Salad if I get the potatoes...
• Friday~ Hmmm.. this looks interesting! Looking for a good idea for our night with no major outside plans...  Popcorn Chicken

Be sure to check out Organizing Junkie for hundreds of other families' menu plans for this week if you are looking for some inspiration. :)

Oh, and visit Heavenly Homemakers for some cute, free, printable "summer themed" menu planners and grocery lists~ I like the beachy theme at the bottom! :)

Blessings~

Character Classics Winner

I have a  winner for the Character Classics Books and Music~ The Burkherts had comment # 12 :)

Congratulations and Blessings!

Book Review~ She Walks in Beauty

 

Now that the 2009/2010 year of TOS Crew reviewing has come to a close, I have a little bit of time to do some recreational reading and reviewing.

Thanks to the good folks at Bethany House, I have received a copy of Siri Mitchell's novel She Walks in Beauty for review.

She Walks in Beauty is set in 1891.  In this novel, Clara Carter, a physician's daughter, would rather be studying her books and conducting experiments, with an eye to attending Vassar College. However, it is her father and aunt's wish to see her poised to be the season's most desirable debutante, with the goal of snagging the most coveted heir in the city "To restore the family's honor".

The "Gilded Age" of New York was a time where your entry to fashionable society was dictated by the gloved fingers of the Vanderbilts, the Asters, and their like. As is still the case, sometimes it's who you know, or WHAT(about others) you know that seems to matter more than who you ARE.  I appreciated that the most impoverished and the most wealthy can both feel like so much "merchandise", but the reality is that God loves us, and knows each one as an individual who matters. This did come through in a few parts of the book, without being "preachy".

I would consider this a "light reading" book, with a few moments that gave me pause to ponder. In addition to being an easy read, this book gives an interesting (and educational) insight into exactly HOW those famed 18-inch hour-glass figures were formed, as well as a brief look at the corruption of Tammany Hall. I felt that this book would be most particularly interesting to an older teen/twenty-something, as they deal with the expectations of today's society.
You can find She Walks In Beauty at Bethany House,  Amazon**, CBD, and other book sellers


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the Bethany House Book Reviewers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 
** affiliate link

Top 100 Children's books from the School Library Journal

With Summer-time upon us, and lazy reading days ahead, I thought that this was an appropriate time to post this~   A few friends have posted this list on their blogs, and I thought I'd join the fun~ 

I'm going to list them  with this "code"

*****Read 1st time as a Kid and Loved it

****Read 1st time as an Adult and Loved it

***Read 1st time as a Kid ~ Bleh

**Read 1st Time as an Adult~ Bleh

*Started, but never finished 
*****(Children read and loved) **(Child did not care for)


**********#1 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
*****#2 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
#3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
**********#4 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
*********#5 From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
**#6 Holes by Louis Sachar
*****#7 The Giver by Lois Lowry
**********#8 The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
*********#9 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
*********#10 The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
#11 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
*#12 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
***#13 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
#14 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
#15 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
#16 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
#17 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
#18 Matilda by Roald Dahl
****#19 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
*********#20 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
#21 Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riodan
****-****#22 The Tale of Despereaux: by Kate DiCamillo
**********#23 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#24 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
**********#25 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
#26 Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
**********#27 A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
**********#28 Winnie-the Pooh by A.A. Milne
**********#29 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland /Alice Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
*****#30 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
#31 Half Magic by Edward Eager
*********#32 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
#33 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
#34 Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
#35 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire JK Rowling
**#36 Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
*********#37 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
#38 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
#39 When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
**********#40 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
*****#41 The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
**********#42 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
**********#43 Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
***#44 Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
#45 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
***#46 Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
#47 Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
*********#48 The Penderwicks:  by Jeanne Birdsall
#49 Frindle by Andrew Clements
***#50 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
*********#51 The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
*****#52 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
**********#53 Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
#54 The BFG by Roald Dahl
#55 The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
****#56 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
**********#57 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
#58 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
#59 Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
**-****#60 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
#61 Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
#62 The Secret of the Old Clock (The Nancy Drew mysteries) by Caroline Keene
*********#63 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
#64 A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
*********#65 Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
*********#66 Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
#67 Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
**-****#68 Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
*****#69 The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
*********#70 Betsy Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
****#71 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
**********#72 My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
*********#73 My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
*********#74 The Borrowers by Mary Norton
#75 Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
#76 Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
#77 City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
**********#78 Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
*********#79 All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
#80 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
#81 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
*****#82 The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
#83 The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
#84 Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
**********#85 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
#86 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
#87 The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg
*****#88 The High King by Lloyd Alexander
**********#89 Ramona and her Father by Beverly Cleary
****#90 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
#91 Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
**-****#92 Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
****#93 Caddie Woodlawn by C. R. Brink
*********#94 Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
**********#95 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
#96 The Witches by Roald Dahl
*****#97: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

#98 Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
*********#99 The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
#100 The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder 

Hmmmm... not too bad~ Out of 100 I have read 56. There also needs to be an extra single * on one of the Harry Potter books, but I don't recall the name of the 1st one. I just know that I started it as an adult, but had no desire to finish it ~ so that would be 6 books that I wouldn't include on MY top 100, and I think I would add to that "The Golden Compass".  By that token, I've read 56/93. ;) And at least my eldest has read 39 of the 93... not too shabby! :)


Some books I would add to the list... (to make up for the ones that I didn't care for ^)


Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
Redwall by Brian Jacques
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Rascal by Sterling North 
The Wheel On the School by Meindert DeJong


Ok... so this makes me think that I need to write up another post with my own list of MY top 100 Children's Books, and then possibly my top 100 Picture Books as well! :) 


I hope you enjoyed reading this, and maybe you'll be inspired to go pick up a book, and READ! :) 


Blessings~

Give-Away~ Character Classics

Wow~ I've been pretty quiet over here for a bit... must be that end-of-the-school-year craziness getting to me (Plus planning my FIL's surprise 80th birthday party, getting ready for an Irish Step-Dance Recital, oh, yeah, and Little League has kicked in! )...;)

So, anyway, now that I have a minute on this Memorial Day, I'd like to offer up a contest for you all(My first, I think!) ~ One that makes me think of the type of person we should be thinking of and memorializing today~ Those that have served our country, and given their all, so that we can live free. Those men and women were people of great character~ something that I am hoping to raise my children to be as well.

In the midst of some "Cleaning up", I discovered that I had duplicates of two "Character Classic" books and workbooks. If you'd like to get an idea of what I'm talking about, here are a couple of links for you to check out. The official "Character Classics Website", and the National Character Education Center. The last link has a sample or two for you to listen to....

So~ My contest is for the "Self Control" set with activity book, Hardcover Storybook, and CD of music, and for the "Obedience" set with activity book, hardcover storybook, and CASSETTE tape of music.

If you think you'd be interested in these two sets for your kiddos, here's what you need to do to enter~

• Entry #1~Follow me on this Blog, AND  leave a comment telling me so

Extra Entries~

• Visit either one of the two websites above, and come back to leave a Comment telling me what other top two Character Traits/Classics you would like to work on, BESIDES Self-Control and Obedience. 
• Follow my Homeschooling Reviews blog Acorns~ Or Homeschooling Nuggets of Gold  and come back HERE to leave me a comment telling me that you are following me over there. 
• Post about this give-away on your blog
• Post on facebook about this give-away

This contest will close on Sunday, June 6.Hopefully I've thought of everything I need to do to run a give-away here on my blog! :)

Thanks for joining me!
Blessings~

Ultimate Blog Party 2010~ Better Late than Never!

I me oh my! I almost missed out on this one~ (It's been a bit of a crazy hectic week, but then, what week isn't... no excuse really~)

Anyway, there is this one event that happens every year that is a lot of fun~

This is a great way to find some new blogs, new products, and be entered to win one of almost 200 great prizes. All it takes is a little bit of time, and possibly a post on your blog. Sorry that I am catching up to this on the LAST day to post, tho'. :p If you want to join in, do it quick!

Here are the prizes I would love to win in order~

• USC 17 –  CmomGo is offering up a $200 Apple Gift certificate. (Because we could spend so much $ at the Apple store, if only we had the $)
• US80 – A collection of inspirational pewter Treasures charms (Would be FUN for my soon-to-be 13 year old!)
• US75 – $100 Gift Certificate to SummitCampingGear.com (Our family has recently begun an annual camping trip... this would be helpful, I'm sure!)
• US101 – One lucky winner will get this $450 Human Touch Foot and Calf Massager  (oh... just because! :) )
• US8 – Buds to Bloom Photo Tile Necklace (This is really Pretty~ I like!)  
• US112 – $50 Amazon Gift card (or any other Amazon Gift Card, because these are the economic times we're in... )
• USC 35 - $50.00 CASH ~ Paypal Transfer (Or any othercash/Visa Gift Card~ Same as above~ Every little bit helps!)
• USC 3 – A $50.00 Target Gift Card.(or any other Target Gift Card.... same reasons as previous 2)
• US20 – $50.00 in jewelry from Cookie Lee   (one of my favorite bracelets is Cookie Lee) 
• US71 – A $50 Bear Bucks Card to Build A Bear Workshop.(because I have 3 BAB fans!)
• USC 25 -$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card (Because we're all bookworms over here!)
•  INTL 14 – Complete custom blog makeover for Blogger.com(ummm... can you tell from my blog design that I need help? :) )
• US113 – $25 Walmart Gift Certificate (I'd take this as well! Diapers aren't cheap!)

Failing any of these.... well, I have an almost teen girl~ jewelry would be fun, a 9 year old boy, and an almost 3 year old boy, so anything that would be applicable would be wonderful. :)

Thank you, Susan and Janice for sponsoring this again! :) And Thank you, Pamela for all the work you're putting in as well!

Hey, it's not too late for YOU to go check it out as well... you still have 10 + hours... ;)
Happy Friday!
Lis

Review~ Adventures in Odyssey CDs~ Take it From the Top

My kids were very excited to receive the Adventures in Odyssey "Take it From the Top" CD set from the Tyndale Blog Network to listen to for review purposes. The set includes 4 CDs with over 5 hours of audio, and 12 stories on Serving God and more....

The stories on these CD's include humorous looks at characters that my kids can identify with.
The stories and lessons with a few "notes" from me:

• The Inspiration Station~ "Inspiration"
• Clutter~ "Storing up treasures in heaven" (My kids could identify with this family a little too much, perhaps...)
• Game for a Mystery~ "Procrastination"(Hmmm.. not sure RJP and JDP1 got the point the first time listening, but I'm hoping it will sink in.. :) )
  
• Target of the Week~ "The folly of revenge"
• For the Birds~ "Responsibility"
• When You're Right, You're Right~ "Pride"
• Grandma's Visit~ "The importance of family"
• Finish What You.....~ "Responsibility"(And time-management)
• The Jubilee Singers~ "Perseverance" (This one may be a little too intense for the younger kids. My 9 yo thought it was a little scary. My 12 yo thought that it was really good tho', so perhaps that gives you a little insight~)

We had some Adventures in Odyssey stories from YEARS ago that I wasn't overly thrilled with, due to the usage of words (like "boring") and "name-calling" that were not promoted, but seemed somewhat gratuitous(ie, didn't have anything to do with the story line). I was interested to see how things have progressed, and I think there is a combination of fewer unwarranted "attitudes" on the CD, and maturity on the part of my kids~ They've "grown into" Adventures in Odyssey. ;)

This set gets a thumbs up, 5 star rating with a note from mom that it is probably most appropriate for ages 6-12, with the Jubilee Singers possibly requiring a "preview" to see how it fits with your family. (My children are admittedly a little more "sensitive" than some, so that is the "lens" I am looking through.)

Take it from the Top (Adventures in Odyssey) CD's retail for $24.99, but can be purchased from Amazon for $16.49, and may be available for less at sites like CBD....:)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."