tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22203593457481703952024-03-13T14:52:46.149-06:00Simply Schooling ReviewsReviews of homeschooling curriculum, books, subscriptions, and toys. Math, spelling, reading, Bible study, literature, and more!!!!Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-83058480586218238092016-01-21T18:17:00.001-07:002016-01-21T18:17:52.503-07:00"The" Cookie RecipeThis is our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It makes a big enough batch that I don't even have to double it. :)<br />
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1 cup butter<br />
1 cup shortening or coconut oil<br />
2 cups white sugar<br />
2 cups brown sugar<br />
4 eggs<br />
2 tsp vanilla<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
3 cups oatmeal<br />
4 cups flake cereal (Corn Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats)<br />
4 cups flour (we use whole wheat)<br />
2 tsp. soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 cups nuts, chopped (optional)<br />
1 bag chocolate chips<br />
2 cups coconut<br />
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Cream together butter, shortening, and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla, and water. Beat well. Add in oatmeal, flake cereal, flour, soda, salt, and mix well. Stir in nuts, chocolate chips, coconut. Drop by spoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Yields about 10 dozen cookies.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-42271389171247786132015-07-17T16:33:00.001-06:002015-07-17T16:54:11.578-06:00Prime ClimbWhat a wonderful game I was given to review! The first time we pulled it out of the box my math tolerating kids didn't want to play, but after watching the first game, they were begging for us to do another round with them. There was enough chance that the "math brains" didn't win automatically which is often rare in math games.<br />
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Prime Climb has a really cool board where prime numbers higher than 10 are red and all other numbers are a combination if the primes that make them up. For example, 21 is purple for 7 and green for 3; 30 is blue for 5, green for 3, and orange for 2; 60 has two orange segments. You roll the dice and then add, subtract, multiply, or divide as you try to get to 101. The red primes let you draw a prime card with special instructions. They even include 4 blank cards so you can add to the deck.<br />
<img alt="Prime Climb Board" src="http://mathforlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Prime-Climb-Board-300x297.png" />With the color coded board even my younger boys who haven't learned multiplication were able to play with only a little help (and were quickly picking up concepts of multiplication.)<br />
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As a homeschooling mom, I am always looking for ways to incorporate learning though games. Prime Climb is an excellent way to teach about prime numbers, factors, common multiples, and that math is fun! The kids practiced multiplication, division, addition, subtraction skills, while using logic to determine the best combination of moves. In addition to analyzing their own options, they would evaluate each other's rolls and options to see what options the other player had and if it would affect them. The multiplication chart was a great bonus and it was awesome to see their eyes light up when they "got it" and the color markings all clicked. The prime cards were great bonuses for landing on primes and they started memorizing the higher primes quickly.<br />
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I loved how Prime Climb engaged my math loving kids and my kids who tolerate math. It was engaging and challenging enough that no one was bored, but easy enough to understand that no one was frustrated. It was the perfect balance. (It was fun for the adults as well.) It was fun watching the kids puzzle out every different option to decide where to move and listen to them talk through their choices. I liked how they figured out the math on other people's rolls and usually helped if the other person needed it-- or gave away accidentally that they could be bumped back to start. My kids said Prime Climb is like advanced Sorry with the flexibility of Uno to add rules. The blank Prime Climb cards were great to get them brainstorming options to add. Instead of writing something on those cards, they decided to number them 1 through 4 and at the beginning of each game they write out a rule for each number.<br />
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My "math geek" son was laughing so hard during one group game that he had tears running down his face as he suggested combinations to people that would make them bump themselves back to start. He's also played it solitaire style, created several different options for the blank bonus cards, and tried most of the additional versions listed in the instructions. I love all the different options and combinations!<br />
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You can buy the game through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Math-for-Love-Prime-Climb/dp/B00PG9590G/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1437171139&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=prime+climb">Amazon</a> or purchase a printable pdf version <a href="http://mathforlove.com/games/">here</a>. You can also also buy posters of the multiplication table and hundreds chart. The game board is very sturdy and well made and includes 2 ten sided dice.<br />
<img src="http://www.academicschoice.com/images/disclaimer1.png" /><br />
<br />Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-7393626679842679162014-11-17T11:24:00.001-07:002014-11-17T11:24:17.609-07:00VTech toy reviewsWe have had good luck with VTech toys in the past, so I was excited to review some of their new toys. Listed below are the toys we tested, basic info, and my reviews.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Record & Learn KidiStudio™: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b><img src="http://cdn.vtechkids.com/assets/data/products/%7B08852A22-DAA3-46FE-8AC3-6BC86AEBC90A%7D/images/154500_prod_thumb_detail.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/15462/Record_and_Learn_KidiStudio" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">VTech</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Record-Learn-KidiStudio-Play/dp/B00K89KG66/ref=sr_1_1?srs=2530750011&ie=UTF8&qid=1412872930&sr=8-1&keywords=Record+%26+Learn+KidiStudio" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">C</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">hildren can perform and record like a rock star with the Record & Learn KidiStudio. Kids can explore a variety of musical instruments; adjust the tempo and sing-along to the music while recording a musical masterpiece to share with family and friends.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">The light-up keyboard lets them follow the lights and learn to play their favorite melodies.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Kids can sing along to 20 melodies in Rock, Hip Hop, Jazz and Techno styles with a real voice-changing microphone.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Ages 3-6, $39.99<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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My kids love music. We've had simple
piano type toys in the past, but never one with all the features the
Record and Learn KidiStudio has, so I was excited to be given a
sample to review in exchange for my opinions. I love the microphone
and the way they can change their voice. While this toy is intended
for the preschool set, even my older kids enjoyed the voice changer
and special “sound effects” buttons. My kids were laughing
hysterically at themselves and each other with the voice changer.
They had a hard time resisting the urge to change the way they were
singing along with it. (My teenagers have been playing with it for
over an hour without any little kids around.) They also liked the
“alien” instrument. You have to be fairly close to the microphone
to be picked up, so it didn't pick up background noise. My kids were
already familiar with quite a few of the songs, but for the ones they
weren't the lyrics were in the user guide. There were lots of songs
(20) and the toy never sings the words. The sliders to change the
volume, voice changer, and tempo seem a little fragile, especially
the tempo slider, but the piano keys and everything else seem very
well made. The volume button is fully accessible and easy to adjust
by the kids, so I found myself asking them to turn it down at times
(on loud, it is quite loud). This is a toy that I see my little kids
using a lot as it was intended and my big kids finding reasons to
play along with them and be silly. </div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lil' Speller Phonics Station™:</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b><img src="http://cdn.vtechkids.com/assets/data/products/%7B22C69859-CAA2-4AEE-8FD6-20050BF66C00%7D/images/155000product_thumb_detail.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/15432/Lil_Speller_Phonics_Station" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">VTech</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Lil-Speller-Phonics-Station/dp/B00K89KFVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412872965&sr=8-1&keywords=Lil%27+Speller+Phonics+Station" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">The Lil’ Speller Phonics Station lets children build and learn words with fun sounds, melodies and animations that encourage interactive learning and reinforce words.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Kids can discover letter names and hear their sounds by plugging in the letter blocks one by one, or learn letter order by determining which letter is missing, then plug in the correct letter block to complete the letter order.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">The Lil’ Speller Phonics Station includes 26 letter blocks and four extra blocks to spell words like “mom” and “dad.” It also features a handle and all of the blocks can be stored inside for easy travel.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Ages 3-6, $24.99<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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With 9 kids, we've tried a lot of toys
over the years, and Vtech toys have usually held up well. I love when
I find a well built, fun toy that is also educational. Perfect for a
beginning reader or younger child just starting to explore the world
of letters, sounds, and words up through beginning readers/spellers.
I like how the Lil' Speller gives both sounds for vowels and letters
“c” and “g.” For my 3 year old, who is just learning her
sounds, I just give her a few tiles at a time, that match the letters
she has learned so far and one or two more. She has been picking up
the new ones quickly to “earn” more letters. My 5 year old is a
beginning reader who already knows his sounds. He liked practicing
the abc order game and trying to make words. I liked having a list of
words the toy recognized to prompt him with. He also likes the spell
game and how it shows the word briefly at first. The help button
gives hints if he gets stuck. I did receive a sample toy from Vtech
in exchange for my honest review, but this is a toy I would have been
happy to buy regardless. Overall, I think this is an excellent toy
that sneaks in a big dose of learning while still being fun.</div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Ultimate Amazement Park™:</span></b><img height="189" src="http://cdn.vtechkids.com/assets/data/products/%7BCDFC6C70-876C-45ED-A3D9-BC5B6D3449F8%7D/images/156900_prod_thumb.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/15803/Go_Go_Smart_Wheels___Ultimate_Amazement_Park_Playset" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;" target="_blank">VTech</a><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-Wheels-Ultimate-Amazement-Playset/dp/B00KG3WYJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412872993&sr=8-1&keywords=Amazement+Park" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Race through three AMAZING courses in the Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate Amazement Park Playset!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Drive the included SmartPoint™ race car over the 8 SmartPoint locations, and listen as it responds with different music or fun sound effects.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">The Ultimate Amazement Park is more than three feet long and can be connected to other Go! Go! Smart Wheels playsets (sold separately) to encourage creative play. It’s playtime with miles of learning fun!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Ages 1-5, $59.99<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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If you are looking for a toy with
“WOW” factor, you've found it! This track is huge and impressive!
It stands mid-thigh on me, eye level for my 2 year old son. There was
enough to do that all three of my boys (2,5, and 7) could play at the
same time, but it does only come with one smart car (the smart car
makes sounds as it goes across different parts of the track.) While
that car was easily the favorite, the other cars we own also raced
down just fine. Because of the way the track is set up, you don't
actually race the cars-- the two starting points go different
directions. This set can also be added to if you want (with the <span style="color: #787878;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Go!
Go! Smart Wheels Deluxe Track Set)</span></span></span>,
but I felt there was plenty to do with just this set. I will likely
add the other set for a birthday in a few months. The little car does
have an off option, which I appreciated.
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It did take awhile to assemble, about
an hour without any kids around, so either set it up before hand or
plan on time to put it together. It is much more impressive out of
the box. It would make a perfect “Santa” toy on Christmas
morning. The toy seems sturdy and well made with bright, attractive
colors. The one downside of this toy is that it doesn't break down
easily to store, so it will take up a good bit of space. At the same
time, it is a toy that my boys will come back to over and over again,
so I think it is worth the space it takes. I did receive a sample toy
in exchange for my review, but this is one I would have loved for a
Christmas morning surprise. </div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3-in-1 Care & Learn Stroller™: </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b><img src="http://cdn.vtechkids.com/assets/data/products/%7B7B3E5B7B-91AC-4495-81BD-5298F6396F7F%7D/images/154100_prod1_thumb_detail.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/15809/3_in_1_Care_and_Learn_Stroller" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">VTech</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/VTech-3--Care-Learn-Stroller/dp/B00KG3WYM8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412873021&sr=8-1&keywords=3-in-1+Care+%26+Learn+Stroller" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">The stroller’s smart sensor recognizes when it’s being moved and plays sing-along songs about letters, colors, places and animals.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Transform the stroller into a high chair to hear baby care reminders that introduce nurturing concepts and healthy habits while kids pretend to feed their doll.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Turn the high chair into a bassinet and the doll can fall asleep while listening to classic nursery rhymes or 20 familiar lullabies.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">With three ways to play, this stroller is packed with role-play fun!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8666667938232px;">Ages 12-36 months, $44.99 each</span></div>
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With a new baby in the house, what is
the perfect gift for a 3 year old? Her own baby and accessories! This
set fit the bill perfectly and I was thrilled to be given one to
review by VTech. I love that the baby doll is completely soft, like a
teddy bear. There aren't any hard faces or hands to roll into during
the night to wake her up. Assembly was easy, and the sound can be
turned off (or made quieter) as needed. This one toy changes into a
stroller, high chair, and bassinet (or as my daughter called it, a
changing table/bed). I always like space saving toys, so having 3 in
1 is a plus. Changing from one form to another was easy enough for my
3 year old to do after a little practice-- you just push a button
and turn.
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In stroller mode, you are able to hear
sounds about different pretend places, including the farm, park, and
neighborhood. The stroller recognizes when you put the baby in the
stroller and changes where you are going each time. As you push the
“story” button you hear sounds that you would hear on your walk.
In the bassinet set up, the “story” button says nursery rhymes.
Unfortunately, the music button on the toy didn't work, even after
trying fresh batteries. This meant she couldn't play the lullabys or
songs from the stroller mode. It didn't detract from her playing with
the toy, but in the bassinet mode it kept telling her to play music,
which she couldn't do (except one note at a time on the piano keys.)</div>
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When you turn it off, it plays music
and then says “bye-bye,” instead of stopping immediately. (It
does time out and shut the sound off itself if it hasn't been played
with for a few minutes and says, “bye-bye” then as well.)
Second, when you turn the sound back ON after it has been off, it
says, “Sound off” when you are actually turning it on and if you
push the story button when it's off, it says “music off” and then
keeps talking . My seven year old was annoyed by a song about the
rainbow that leaves out the color green as it names all the colors in
the rainbow. They remembered indigo, but left out green. :)
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Overall, my kids and I like this toy.
My daughter was thrilled that it was pink and purple. My two year old
son wanted his turn to play as well and would push around other dolls
in the stroller when my daughter wasn't playing with it. The sounds
were fun, but I was also glad they are easy to turn off if needed.
The plastic part of the toy seems very well built and sturdy. The
fact that one of our music buttons didn't work out of the box makes
me wonder how the rest of the sounds and buttons will hold up.
However, even without the sounds, this toy has lots of play potential
with the three different options and saves space over 3 separate
toys.</div>
Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-81667688347441981882012-02-08T21:38:00.000-07:002012-02-08T21:38:53.230-07:00Free AWESOME Reading ProgramOne of my kids' favorite online reading programs is offering a free 5 week trial. <span>Go to <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=5und4hiab&et=1109185362554&s=9292&e=001MrSlzzlWAUi5j1yl8iBcFXML2zZ7KAlnJtyJkOV2n_-Mcs_lkCjzWEeCr1xVklz6hF0QCdPoppLaaNy00bPevPDiW_Khv29Gu7Li9bfoCUMXdnC6uqfp5Q==" shape="rect" style="color: #605e6c; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">ReadingEggs.com</a> t<strong>Use Promo Code: <span style="color: red;">USH39LGE</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="color: red;"> </span></strong></span> My younger kids have used it and loved it and they just added a new section for older kids to practice comprehension. We haven't done much with that but the beginning readers part from k to about 2nd grade is awesome. I'm amazed at how well Adam is picking up reading with not much effort on my part. Lincoln loves the playroom stuff too and is learning lots of letters and sounds. It has helped Eli practice and improve a great deal this year, and Jeanisha just thinks it is fun. It also have a spelling program that Tyler has been using that he's enjoyed. (We put the words he misses into Spellingcity.com for extra practice).Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-56924286152083573442010-12-01T16:49:00.004-07:002010-12-01T17:06:26.694-07:00Tom's wicked fresh toothpaste<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/TPbhvYrrk6I/AAAAAAAAAoo/th08tU3ap6k/s1600/tom%2527s%2Btoothpaste%2Bimg_logo.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 122px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/TPbhvYrrk6I/AAAAAAAAAoo/th08tU3ap6k/s320/tom%2527s%2Btoothpaste%2Bimg_logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545868195349107618" border="0" /></a><br />I was recently sent a tube of <a href="http://tomsofmaine.com/">Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh</a> toothpaste through BzzAgent to try and review. The toothpaste is peppermint flavored which got mixed reviews from my family. I personally liked it and it reminded me of candy canes and Christmas. My husband hated it, and the kids were split. Basically they either loved it or hated it. The toothpaste retails for around $4.19 for a 5.2 oz tube. I would probably buy it with coupons, but I generally don't pay more than a quarter for a tube of toothpaste, no matter how much I like it. :) On the other hand, it is all natural and doesn't have any artificial ingredients, which is a plus. One thing I really liked about the company was that each employee can spend 5% (12 days) of their employee time volunteering. I like companies that give back to their communities.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-75522339463974828722010-12-01T16:38:00.003-07:002010-12-01T16:46:45.685-07:00Factor Tree<img src="http://img.bzzagent.com/image/factorTree.jpg?Type=activity&Campaign=5104699704&Uid=465857&token=678d9a58a8792a9ab92951f47b070c6b" />I was given a free trial of <a href="http://thefactortree.com/">thefactortree.com</a> a new online math program through BzzAgent. As a homeschool mom with lots of kids, I was hoping this would be something wonderful for math like Readingeggs.com has been for reading. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The program is boring, like a bunch of worksheets that never end. Even my worksheet, busy working daughter was bored. I've tried lots of programs to motivate kids to learn, and this is one I would avoid! Unless they add something engaging and fun to motivate the kids, I'll stick with worksheets. At least then they get a sticker.<br /><br />Another math site that is pretty good is ALEKS.com, but it only starts with 3rd grade. It is also problem focused, but at least gives the kids some choice about what topics to cover!Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-39708809649931556452010-08-01T21:17:00.001-06:002010-08-01T21:17:00.420-06:00Dolphins Unit StudyDolphins are one of my favorite animals, so I was excited to get the chance to review a Download N Go unit study/lapbook on dolphins through The Old School House. Download N Go packets are the perfect resource for times when school is stagnant and mom just needs a break from the daily routine, but you don't want the kids to stop learning. We don't use unit studies in our everyday school, so these are a nice change of pace. They are geared to ages K-4th grade, but can easily be adapted to include older or advanced kids. At the end of the week you have a fun lapbook where the kids can review what they've learned or have something special to show grandma and grandpa.<br /><br />This particular lapbook introduces kids to dolphins in general, different types of dolphins, lots of facts and information about dolphins and more. It is creation based and has some creation based activities included. There are lots of link, activities, and fun things to do as you follow the week long lesson plan. The Download N Go kits are $7.95 through The Old Schoolhouse and come in many topics. You can find other topics <a href="http://downloadngo.com/index.php">here.<br /></a>Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-27155323523749477342010-04-01T18:22:00.003-06:002010-04-01T18:22:00.750-06:00Molly's April DigestAre you looking for ways to keep the kids busy during the rainy days of spring or the heat of summer? Molly's April Digest has some fun, easy, inexpensive projects that should keep your kids entertained and learning for hours. I was happy to see that most of them were activities we have not done in the past and that I think my kids would enjoy. I also found several yummy recipes in the menu section, one is cooking right now, and another will be made this evening. There was also an interesting article about frugality and attitude. I also found a new holiday we HAVE to celebrate (No Housework Day on April 7th) and several others that will be fun. Molly's Digest is great for sparking ideas of cheaper ways to do things and giving frugal tips for homeschooling mamas!<br /><br />I was given a preview copy of Molly's Digest to review from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I was not paid for my review, but did receive the April Digest for free.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-1831843242555561952010-03-30T13:41:00.000-06:002010-03-30T13:42:14.496-06:00Automatic Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner<span class="rkr">I have one little tiny box shower for 7 people and I was constantly fighting mildew and soap scum. It never really had a chance to dry out good between showers. I bought an Automatic Shower Cleaner with a coupon and hung it up. It seemed to slow the build-up and times between a good scrubbing, but doesn't completely eliminate the need to clean. When I use my last refill, I am going to try filling the bottle with a vinegar/water solution. The spray seems to get most of the shower, I'm not sure how well it would do with a larger space and a shower curtain. One thing to beware of is that you have 15 seconds to get the shower door closed before it sprays. With a shower curtain, you might get spray outside of the shower, but for box style it works great. I wish it could be hung higher. You could see a faint line above where the spray didn't get. The batteries lasted a long time.<br /><br />It seems really loud when my husband would use it at 5am, but we didn't notice the noise at other times of the day. We also had problems at first with the kids wanting to peek through the door and watch it not realizing it sprays out.<br /><br />I have bought one in the past and just received another through BzzAgent in exchange for my review.</span>Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-66503280344496837852010-03-18T19:03:00.004-06:002010-03-18T19:40:55.831-06:00Farraday Road and Swope's Ridge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LWFMkSiAI/AAAAAAAAAlI/SS59Z_7L5pU/s1600-h/farraday+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LWFMkSiAI/AAAAAAAAAlI/SS59Z_7L5pU/s320/farraday+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450153883832846338" border="0" /></a><br />I just finished two of the best suspense, murder mystery books I have read in a long time! Farraday Road and Swope's Ridge by Ace Collins. Both books combine a modern murder mystery with historic events like World War 2 and September 11th. I received these books to review awhile ago and didn't realize they were a set. I started Farraday Road while I was in the hospital waiting for Lincoln to recover from RSV. This is one of those books you can't put down, and I finished it at 2 in the morning. I loved the story in Farraday Road, but was frustrated with the ending. . . . until I realized I had a 2nd book! You will want to buy both books because I guarantee that once you finish Farraday Road, you'll want to keep going!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LWFiOuttI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/UK4RtAG_Zd4/s1600-h/swope%27s+ridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LWFiOuttI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/UK4RtAG_Zd4/s320/swope%27s+ridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450153889647998674" border="0" /></a>Swope's Ridge was just as engaging and well-written, and I ended up staying up late to finish that one as well. Another wonderful thing about these books is that they are completely clean and free of the junk often found in mystery novels!<br /><br />These books as a set are fabulous and I think they would make a great movie someday, especially if you like ones like "National Treasure." Buy both and you won't be disappointed, buy one and you'll be wanting more.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-72869945417763660902010-03-18T16:20:00.000-06:002010-03-18T20:34:50.614-06:00Exposure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6Lir3mMHzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/5b1k9tMANuw/s1600-h/exposure.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6Lir3mMHzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/5b1k9tMANuw/s320/exposure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450167742358101810" border="0" /></a><br />Exposure by Brandilyn Collins published by Zondervan<br /><br />Summary: Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she's a little crazy. Kaycee's popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing about her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home-- then vanish before police arrive.<br /><br />This murder mystery suspense novel had me confused at first. I had a hard time following the different story lines and almost set it aside. I'm so glad I didn't! The ending tied everything together perfectly. If you can keep track of multiple storylines, I'm sure you will enjoy this book. It's not one you can pick up and put down because you would lose track of what you know, but it also only 272 pages, so you can easily tackle it over a weekend.<br /><br />I will be looking for more books by Brandilyn Collins for a fast, relaxing read.<br /><br />I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-39050504233871155022010-02-18T19:25:00.003-07:002010-03-18T19:39:16.972-06:00Fit to be Tied<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LVv7A2quI/AAAAAAAAAlA/3wmrin037C8/s1600-h/fit+to++be+tied.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LVv7A2quI/AAAAAAAAAlA/3wmrin037C8/s320/fit+to++be+tied.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450153518343564002" border="0" /></a><br />Fit to be Tied by Robin Lee Hatcher<br /><br />From the cover: It's 1916, and Idaho rancher Cleo Arlington knows everything about horses but nothing about men. So when charged with transforming English aristocrat Sherwood Statham from playboy into cowboy, she's totally disconcerted. So is Statham, who's never encountered a woman succeeding in a 'man's world.' Their bumpy trot into romance is frustrating, exhilarating, and ultimately heartwarming.<br /><br />I enjoy a good romance story, but they can be hard to find. This Christian romance story is sweet, clean, and fun to read. It is nice to find a good romance story without all the trashy stuff in regular romances. This is a book I would pass on to my sister or daughter or friends. I especially enjoyed the historic descriptions of Boise, having grown up in Idaho. This is a nice, easy afternoon read.<br /><br />I am looking forward to reading more of Robin Lee Hatcher's novels! Hopefully they are all nice and clean. (If you have read any of her's and would like to share your thoughts, please leave a comment.)<br /><br />I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-11504613442530404782009-12-01T12:58:00.002-07:002009-12-16T13:09:47.479-07:00General Mills Movie CashHave you seen the cereal boxes with movie cash coupons on the front? They are on General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Trix, and Reese's Puffs. You only have to buy 2 boxes to get a free movie ticket-- and with the price of movies in my area, that's like getting the cereal free-- or better than free if you use coupons and sales to buy the cereal. (The movie cash is good for up to $12 and can be used on ANY movie, even ones that say no passes). I was sent some of the movie certificates from General Mills through myblogspark and they worked like a charm. It was basically like using a check made out to the movie theater. There are not names on them, so you can give them as gifts or use them for yourself. Mine didn't expire until Sept 2010! I plan on watching for these specially marked boxes of cereal-- and will post an update if I see them around here.<br /><br />In addition, I get to give away one packet of 4 movie tickets. If you are interested, post a comment, here or on Facebook or email me: simplyfun123 @ gmail.com (remove the spaces) Tell me your favorite movie memory or the first movie you remember going to in the theatre. Mine is Harry and the Hendersons.<br /><br />The winner will be selected on 12/15/09Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-78751769804902464782009-08-22T18:54:00.003-06:002010-03-18T19:00:22.992-06:00Hope of Refuge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LLgQaGrYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/VWw8vG6FuPw/s1600-h/hope+of+refuge.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 261px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LLgQaGrYI/AAAAAAAAAk4/VWw8vG6FuPw/s320/hope+of+refuge.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450142254092430722" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:#33cccc;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: rgb(51, 204, 204);"></span></span></u><span style="font-family:Garamond;color:teal;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; color: teal;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The <span class="il">Hope</span> <span class="il">of</span> <span class="il">Refuge</span></span></span></i></b><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span></span> by <u><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:#33cccc;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: rgb(51, 204, 204);"></span></span></u><span style="font-family:Garamond;color:#33cccc;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; color: rgb(51, 204, 204);"></span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;color:teal;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; color: teal;"></span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Cindy Woodsmall</span></span></p>Summary:<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: black;">Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother <span class="il">of</span> a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail <span class="il">of</span> memories leads Cara and Lori out <span class="il">of</span> New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface <span class="il">of</span> Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“<i><span style="font-style: italic;">Be me to her</span></i>”– despite how it threatens his way <span class="il">of</span> life.<br /><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: black;">This book is a sweet story that draws you in. I loved getting a glimpse into an Amish community. The author does a great job of tying together several subplots and creating real, engaging characters. This is a relaxing book, perfect for lazy summer days. I have a copy to give away, so please send me an email if you are interested. </span></span></p><br />I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. You can find places to purchase the book by visiting <span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:#993366;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Garamond; color: rgb(153, 51, 102);"></span></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;color:#993366;"><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400073962" target="_blank">http://www.randomhouse.com/<wbr>catalog/display.pperl?isbn=<wbr>9781400073962</a></span>Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-80651643993052905502009-08-21T11:54:00.001-06:002009-08-24T12:39:08.455-06:00I love Crayola<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SpLUD0XLaMI/AAAAAAAAAgE/a17g8OhOq54/s1600-h/Crayola+Creativity++Pack_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SpLUD0XLaMI/AAAAAAAAAgE/a17g8OhOq54/s320/Crayola+Creativity++Pack_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373590467466979522" border="0" /></a>I love Crayola products. They are the only crayons I buy because they are so much better than the other brands.<br /><br />In addition to the basic crayons, markers, and colored pencils, Crayola has introduced some other fun products that I had not seen before. The MyBlogSpark, I was able to test some of them and I'm impressed. (One lucky winner can win a Crayola Creativity pack this week.) See details below.<br /><br /><p> <span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">The Crayola Creativity Pack includes the back-to-school list staples like 24-ct. Crayola Crayons, 10-ct, Crayola Markers and 12-ct. Colored Pencils and some of the new, innovative, affordable variations on these classics: </span></p><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=CRAYONS,BASICS" target="_blank">24-ct. Crayola Crayons</a>, the quintessential back-to-school tool that kids love for their vibrant colors, and moms and teachers choose for superior quality and value<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=MARKERS,BASICS" target="_blank">10-ct. Crayola Markers</a>, with an array of consistent, true colors to complete any task<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=PENCILS,BASICS" target="_blank">12-ct. Crayola Colored Pencils</a>, which come pre-sharpened with thick, strong lead made to tackle touch projects and art activities<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/splash/markers/pip-squeaks/" target="_blank">Crayola Pip-Squeaks Colored Pencils and Glitter Glue</a>, which give children big color in a small size and are perfect for jazzing up art projects with bright, bold, shimmering colors<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/splash/crayons/window/" target="_blank">Crayola Window Crayons</a>, to help let your little ones transform glass surfaces into instant decorations with bright colors that lay down smoothly, dry quickly, and wipe clean with a damp cloth<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=BEGINNINGS" target="_blank">Tadoodles Washable Crayon Buddies</a>, which are colorful little characters that hold a triangular-shaped crayon that twists up when the tip wears down - perfect for little hands!<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/splash/color_explosion/extreme/index.cfm" target="_blank">Crayola Color Explosion Black Extreme Surprises</a>, which comes complete with a stencil sheet and two Broad Tip Color Explosion clear ink markers that reveal a different surprise design as they´re colored on 18-page tablet<br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.crayola.com/products/list.cfm?categories=MARKERS&categories=Specialty" target="_blank">Crayola Color Switchers</a>, which are dual-ended markers that allow kids to magically change the colors of their drawings with a swoosh of the "color switch" tip</li></span><br /><br /><br />My kids favorites are the Crayola window crayons and Crayola Color Switchers. They have had some much fun leaving messages on the windows and mirrors and making changes to their pictures. Adam has enjoyed the crayon buddies (and really, all of his older siblings did as well). He has shown more interest in coloring and is so proud of his creations.<br /><br />I love Crayola and back-to-school time. I loved getting a new, fresh box of crayons at the start of the school year. And while the 24 pack is great, you really need the 64 pack with the built in sharpener or the 120 mega-pack with every possible color.<br /><br />To enter the drawing, please leave your name and tell me what your favorite Crayola product is and why you like it or email me. I will draw a winner on Wednesday.<br /><br />There is also a twitter event, use #gno, sponsored by momitforward.com on Tues, Aug 24th that will be giving away free items.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-20316791368130248402009-06-26T15:41:00.002-06:002009-06-26T15:51:25.679-06:00Molly's Money-Saving Digest for JulyMolly's Money-Saving Digest this month features how to save money on clothing, landscaping, and decorating. There were several ideas dealing with thrift stores and sewing, and hints on how to build a classic wardrobe on a budget. My favorite section was "Parenting that Pays." It focused on gratitude and teaching that trait to our children. I think that is especially important when money is tight and our initial response may be to complain or focus on the problems instead of the blessings. Molly's digests are a great resource for families new to the frugal lifestyle. It is helpful to glean ideas from other frugal moms and to know you are not the only one pinching pennies. <br /><br />I've also found that when I regularly read something about saving and taking care of finances, it keeps my focus on that aspect of my life and helps me avoid impulse purchases. I think of it like scripture reading. When I keep the Lord in my life everyday, my spiritual body is nourished and spiritual things are at the front of my mind. While finances are not as essential in the eternal perspective, they are important temporally and keeping my priorities straight is a blessing to my family. <br /><br />Molly's digest can be purchased as a e-book through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-54043271570105985522009-06-05T20:08:00.002-06:002009-06-05T20:14:42.876-06:00Stealing Home by Allison Pittman<a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421364&ref=externallink_mlt_stealinghome_eaj_0408_01">Stealing Home</a> gets a thumbs up from me for being a sweet, well written romance story without all the shady scenes found in many romance novels! I enjoyed reading this story and would be completely comfortable sharing it with my 16 year old sister or having someone pick it up off the table to read a few pages.<br /><br />It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol. That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville, Missouri, so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.<br /><br />Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm. Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.<br /><br />I have 2 copies to share, so if you would like to read it, email me or post a comment and I will choose 2 lucky readers. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you comment. Drawing will be 2 weeks from today. I'm noticing a 2 theme, so please share your 2 favorite summertime books as well!Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-36349479769663801002009-06-05T19:59:00.002-06:002009-06-05T20:07:59.495-06:00Saints in Limbo by River Jordan<a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307446701&ref=externallink_wbm_saintsinlimbo_eaj_0408_01">Saints in Limbo</a> is an easy, gently moving novel for summer. Written with descriptive language and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">imagery</span>, it's a relaxing book to read on lazy days.<br /><br />Ever since her husband Joe died, Velma True’s world has been limited to what she can see while clinging to one of the multicolored threads tied to the porch railing of her home outside Echo, Florida. When a mysterious stranger appears at her door on her birthday and presents Velma with a special gift, she is rattled by the object’s ability to take her into her memories–a place where Joe still lives, her son Rudy is still young, unaffected by the world’s hardness, and the beginning is closer than the end. As secrets old and new come to light, Velma wonders if it’s possible to be released from the past’s deep roots and find a reason to hope again.<br /><br />I have one copy to giveaway. Please post a comment or email me if you are interested. The winner will be selected 2 weeks from today.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-53649971272680674962009-05-29T18:40:00.000-06:002010-03-18T18:50:35.918-06:00Night Watchman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LI2Twj_vI/AAAAAAAAAko/CsOQuAs0kBA/s1600-h/Night+Watchman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/S6LI2Twj_vI/AAAAAAAAAko/CsOQuAs0kBA/s320/Night+Watchman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450139334414171890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="il">The</span> <span class="il">Night</span> <span class="il">Watchman by </span></span></span></i></b><u><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span></span></u><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span></span><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:teal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: teal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";">Mark Mynheir </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Summary:</span></span></u><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> </span></span><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";">Ray Quinn is a tough, quick-witted homicide detective in love with his partner, Trisha Willis. She gives Ray something to live for—something to hope in. Until a barrage of bullets leaves Trisha murdered and Ray crippled. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";"> Struggling with his new physical disability and severe depression, Quinn turns to whiskey, scorn, and a job as a <span class="il">night</span> <span class="il">watchman</span> to numb <span class="il">the</span> pain. But when a pastor and dancer are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, <span class="il">the</span> pastor’s sister approaches Quinn for help. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";"> Reluctantly, Quinn takes <span class="il">the</span> case and is plunged into <span class="il">the</span> perilous Orlando. Soon he discovers that, not only was <span class="il">the</span> pastor murdered, but <span class="il">the</span> case may be linked to his and Trisha’s ambush. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";">If you enjoy murder mysteries, this one will pull you in and keep you turning the pages. It is well written, with interesting characters and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.<br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: "Century Gothic";"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. You can find places to purchase the book by visiting <span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#993366;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; color: rgb(153, 51, 102);"></span></span><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#993366;"><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529355&ref=externallink_mlt_thenightwatchman_sec_0414_01" target="_blank">http://www.randomhouse.com/<wbr>catalog/display.pperl?isbn=<wbr>9781590529355&ref=<wbr>externallink_mlt_<wbr>thenightwatchman_sec_0414_01</a></span></p>Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-52687431391056762912009-05-28T16:05:00.003-06:002009-05-28T16:22:19.870-06:00Jesus Calling by Sarah Young<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sh8LJacQFwI/AAAAAAAAAfE/jSAIl4NyoBU/s1600-h/Jesus+Calling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sh8LJacQFwI/AAAAAAAAAfE/jSAIl4NyoBU/s320/Jesus+Calling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340999939429242626" border="0" /></a><br />This little book is small enough in size to slip into a purse, but filled with enough insight to ponder throughout the day. It is set up with a devotional thought for each day of the year. The passages are written as though Jesus is talking to you, encouraging you to trust Him and find peace through Him. Each passage is only a few paragraphs, so it can be the starting point for a more in-depth study or a quick thought to ponder throughout the day.<br /><br />I tend to hit-and-miss with a daily book, so I ignored the dates and read the messages as time allowed, some days were missed, some days I read several. I found many treasure thoughts to highlight and ponder. None of the messages are "new" information, but reminders of promises Jesus has already made to His followers. There are also scripture references at the end of each day for further study.<br /><br />I enjoyed leaving the book in my car to read while I was waiting for children. It is easy to pick up and enjoy when you only have a few minutes or to read for longer times while you wait. I also liked the small size, about 4 inches by 7 inches.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-47423274413151409722009-05-21T12:43:00.005-06:002009-05-21T13:15:41.911-06:00Hero and Giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/ShWoSmshIDI/AAAAAAAAAe8/obF-I53Q3_Y/s1600-h/hero.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 257px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/ShWoSmshIDI/AAAAAAAAAe8/obF-I53Q3_Y/s320/hero.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338357970895970354" border="0" /></a><br />Hero: Becoming the Man She Desires is written by Fred and Jason Stoeker. It is directed at young men and talks about the importance of leaving the girls they date better, instead of worse, for having known them. It talks about many of our cultures' lies about intimate relationships and why physical relationships prior to marriage hurt both men and women, but especially women. It examines several different "myths" about physical relationships before marriage.<br /><br />My boys are still young, so I don't know what age, if ever, I would just hand them this book to read. It is pretty straight-forward and open about the p*rn and garbage that the media portrays as normal. I do think it's a good book for parents or leaders of young men to read. There are many points in the book that I think are valuable for teaching, and that could be beneficial to a discussion. I liked how it teaches young men that women want a "knight in shining armor," a hero who will love, honor, respect, and protect her. There are several good analogies and personal stories/journal entries that make the book (after the first few chapters) read more like a story and less like a lecture. There is one section of about 3 paragraphs that I skipped. The authors warn you that a graphic list of garbage found in some current, popular PG-13 and R movies is coming. I would black that section out with a marker because we don't allow those in our home and I don't want the descriptions here either.<br /><br />I think the message in this book is essential. We need more young men and women to take a stand for purity. Here is a link<span style="font-size:130%;"> to</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:10;"> the Random House website with options for purchasing the book online:<span style="color:#993300;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span> <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071098&ref=externallink_mlt_hero_kef_0403_01"><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#993366;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11;" ></span></span><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#993366;"></span></a><span style="font-family:Century Gothic;font-size:85%;color:#993366;"><a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071098&ref=externallink_mlt_hero_kef_0403_01">http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071098&ref=externallink_mlt_hero_kef_0403_01</a></span><br /><br />I have two copies of this book available as give-aways, so if you are interested, please leave a comment or email me. I will do the drawing 2 weeks from today.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-64017419523567966802009-05-12T21:31:00.001-06:002009-05-12T21:53:16.296-06:00What Does the Bible Say about That?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sgo-2dU-NvI/AAAAAAAAAe0/pMOQXa69dt4/s1600-h/what+does+the+bible+say.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sgo-2dU-NvI/AAAAAAAAAe0/pMOQXa69dt4/s320/what+does+the+bible+say.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335145813880223474" border="0" /></a><br />The Bible is filled with advice about all aspects of our life, but finding which scriptures apply to a given situation can be a challenge, especially for kids who are new to studying the scriptures.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433502135?ie=UTF8&tag=simpschorevi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1433502135">What Does the Bible Say about That?</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=simpschorevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1433502135" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> is a charming book by Carolyn Larsen, that covers over 300 topics like patience, kindness, jealousy, planning, and even homework. Each topic has a simple one page summary with scripture references, commentary, and a daily goal related to the topic. This book, published by <a href="http://www.crossway.org/home/books">Crossway Books,</a> is written for 8-12 year olds, and deals with issues that are important in their lives as well as topics that apply to all ages.<br /><br />By taking everyday topics and relating them to scriptures, this book is a gentle way to teach children how to study the scriptures and apply the teachings to their own lives. I have been using it with my 8 year old. Each morning we read a topic together, then look up the quoted scriptures in our KJV (the book uses the English Standard Version). This is helping my son learn WHERE to find the quoted scriptures. We then compare and talk about the versions. We are LDS and have also been looking for related scriptures in the Book of Mormon.<br /><br />I would recommend this as a book for parents to use with their children. From an LDS perspective, I only noticed 3 topics that don't match up exactly with LDS doctrine, (Hell, Salvation, and the Trinity) and they were presented close enough that it was easy to explain and expand.<br /><br />Some of the topics are very similar to another, like Honesty and Integrity, but the commentary is different even when the quoted scriptures are the same. Even with 300 topics, there are several important ones missing, like Baptism, Jesus, and Savior, but that is probably because different denominations would present those topics differently.<br /><br />Overall, my son and I have enjoyed the book and will continue using it for our morning devotion time together. It has been a good way to show him how the Bible can answer his questions and that it has important information on almost every topic.<br /><br />You can find more information about this book at www.crossway.org/blogSimplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-60161236279158504412009-04-30T17:46:00.000-06:002009-04-30T21:23:26.442-06:00Famous Men of the Modern Ages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SfprCtYR6XI/AAAAAAAAAek/jui4a8I40t8/s1600-h/Famous+Men.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 125px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SfprCtYR6XI/AAAAAAAAAek/jui4a8I40t8/s320/Famous+Men.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330690803231746418" border="0" /></a><br />I received the "Famous Men of the Modern Ages" from <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/">Memoria Press</a>. I have other versions of the "Famous Men" series (Greece and Rome) and love how they bring history to life by bringing the people of that time period to life. Memoria Press takes their text even further with beautiful illustrations to compliment the written stories.<br /><br />Famous Men of the Modern Ages starts after the fall of Constantinople with Lorenzo the Magnificent. <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/sample/FMMT/FMMTtoc.pdf">Here</a> is a direct link to the table of contents. I love these books because I have many gaps in my own knowledge of history. It was really sad how many of these famous men-- from only the last 500 years-- I knew nothing about. Some I remember memorizing, probably along with a date that I have long since forgotten. This book has interesting details about each person that make history more interesting.<br /><br />Memoria Press also has student and teacher guides to go along with the text. The guides turn an interesting book into a year long study of the given time period. There are 33 lessons and 6 review lessons. They include quotes, vocabulary, comprehension questions, and activities, like timelines and mapwork. The teacher guide is the same as the student guide, but with the answers filled in. The Famous Men of the Modern Ages text is $16.95 and each of guides are $17.95 or you can buy the set of all 3 books for $39.95. My son is in 3rd grade and dislikes writing, so we did many of the comprehension questions orally. His favorite way to use the book was for both of us to read the text silently, then "have a contest" to see if he knew the answers better than I did.<br /><br />If you are a classical homeschooler or would like an enjoyable way to fill in the gaps in your own knowledge, The Famous Men books are a great starting point. I think anyone would benefit from the text. I would not consider it a complete history curriculum, but it is far more interesting than any of the history texts I had in school and I expect my son will retain more from this book and study guide than I did from the "complete" curriculums to which I was exposed.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-88220418157238400182009-04-30T17:36:00.000-06:002009-04-30T21:57:49.633-06:00Memoria Press Latin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sfpt81q8FPI/AAAAAAAAAes/4PhWwOLbYYE/s1600-h/Latina_Christiana_I_set.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 130px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/Sfpt81q8FPI/AAAAAAAAAes/4PhWwOLbYYE/s320/Latina_Christiana_I_set.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330694000913159410" border="0" /></a><br />Salvete, amici Latinae.<br /><br />I can read that now! And I know what it says! Latin was always something I thought would be good to teach the kids, (because smart people know Latin, right?). However, since I had no background or experience, I was apprehensive and probably never would have gotten around to it. <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/Latina1.html">Latina Christiana I</a> by <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/index.html">Memoria Press</a> has taken away the fear. I received not only the student and teacher guides, but the Instructional DVD's that go through each lesson in the books. The DVD's are directed to the student and my kids enjoyed watching them. All of the kids sat and watched and I was surprised how much even the little ones picked up. We have taken it slowly, repeating rules and lessons until it is understood.<br /><br />It has been nice to just sit and learn along with the kids. I did have a little bit of Spanish in college which has helped with understanding the grammar and helped me pick up on some things faster, but I think you would be fine without any foreign language background. The teacher book seems well laid out, and could probably be used without the DVD's, but for me the DVD's have changed Latin from a fearful subject to an enjoyable one. I have used the teacher's guide more as a supplement than as the main resource.<br /><br />Memoria Press has many other interesting items, and different members of the Crew reviewed different items, so check out what my fellow crewmates had to say <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/674905/">here</a>.Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2220359345748170395.post-61262385617574780672009-04-27T16:10:00.000-06:002009-04-27T16:15:01.561-06:00The Noticer by Andy Andrews<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SfYuFxsQ_OI/AAAAAAAAAec/LfXy3ef_MkA/s1600-h/the+noticer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nxng083YrHE/SfYuFxsQ_OI/AAAAAAAAAec/LfXy3ef_MkA/s320/the+noticer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329497885812784354" border="0" /></a><br />This book is A MUST READ!!! It is one of the best books I've ever read, and I read a lot. This book is based on an amazing true story and has the potential to change your life! <p></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The story follows an old man, Jones, not Mr. Jones, just Jones, who manages to show up in Orange Beach, Alabama just when someone's world is falling apart. He gently shares his wisdom and perspective and changes the struggle into a moment of growth. I kept thinking this is how the Three Nephites from the Book of Mormon or the Apostle John would minister while they waited for the Savior's return.<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It has the qualities of a classic and I know I will read it over and over again, especially at those times when I'm discouraged or worn down by life's trials. I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn't put it down. There are so many gems of truth and wisdom in the pages of this book. Andy Andrews makes you feel like you are living the story along with him. I have already recommended it to many friends and will be buying more copies as gifts.<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Simplymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11758682568325475104noreply@blogger.com0