Coolest Bag Ever Giveaway ~ OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack

Alright moms, dads, hikers, bikers, and people who just want a cool bag-ers, this bag is it! Optics Planet has given me the coolest bag ever to give away.  It's called the "OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack."  Now that's a mouthful for most of us!

Retail Value: $39.99

This bag is made for people who need to carry emergency gear (are diapers emergency gear?) such as a first aid kit, flashlights, hiking gear, binoculars, ipads, ipods, headphones, cameras, pencils/pens/paper, etc, for those going to the city, the shooting range, hunting, or even for kids going on a field trip for their homeschool!


Features (from Optics Planet):

• Plenty of space - 7 compartments total.
• Tough PVC Material
• Rear concealed Carry Pocket (Holster not included)
• Velcro Patches to accommodate Hook and Loop accessories
• PALS Webbing on Front, Sides and Bottom to add anything you need to get the job done.
• Breathable Mesh Backing for comfort
• Removable and Adjustable Carry Strap with Shoulder Pad
• Available in Black or OD Green
• OPMOD Limited Lifetime Warranty

How do I see this bag being used? By:

• Cops...I mean... police officers or swat team members who need a pre-packed emergency bag to keep in their squad car
• Those who need to carry uhhh emergency items
• People who hike and want to look super cool
• Dads who want a diaper bag that isn't girly (did I really say that?)
• Guys (like my husband) who desperately NEED a man-bag but refuse to carry one 
• Guys (like my boys) who like to play air-soft out in the woods and need to carry bb's and clips
• Girls (like me) who go on field trips with her homeschooled teen boys and sometimes they have to carry the bag.  They won't be embarrassed by this one!

I can see this bag being purchased by:

• Grandmas who need to find a cool birthday gift for their grandsons and are tired of buying them video games.
• Moms and wives who are looking for great Father's Day gifts for the men in their lives.
• Men, of course, who need a bag or pack for all of the things I listed in the second paragraph!
• Photographers
• Preppers
• Hunters, hikers, police, and military
• Last but not least, people who are planning on fighting zombies.

By now, I'm sure you thought of all of the ways you could use the "OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack."  Sign up below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Photo credit: Optics Planet
I was given a Versipack to review and to giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Firmoo Eye Glasses Review & You Can Get a Free Pair Too

I had the privilege of reviewing a pair of prescription eyeglasses from Firmoo and I can't wait to tell you about them!  If you scroll down, you will find some info on how to get a FREE pair of Firmoo glasses for yourself!

To be honest, I've been wanting a pair of purple glasses for a while now, so I started on my search through the Firmoo site.

As I searched the site, these are the aspects that I liked the most:

• I like the search options
• Gives measurements of glasses without having to click ~ just hover over the pic
• Gives choices of faces to see how the glasses look on a person (or you can use your own)
• You are able to save a pair into favorites as you shop ~ very helpful
• Pretty good selection ~ many choices
• Many colors available (being an artist, I appreciate that)

My Firmoo glasses:

Other purple glasses that I like:

Features:

• Women's glasses
• Metal
• Semi rimless
• Single vision
• Color: Purple

I went back to the Firmoo site and didn't find my glasses in purple.  Now they come in pink and red, both of which are very pretty!

My assessment:

• I love the color! The purple is what I would call plum and it's beautiful.  
• I really like the semi rimless style.
• These glasses are very lightweight. 
• 2 things I don't like about them are: this pair is kind of flimsy and could be bent easily.  I'm not a rough and tumble kind of gal so that is ok by me.
• The "sparkle" on the corners of the rims is just glitter.  They could have upgraded that a bit to rhinestones and it would have greatly improved these glasses.
• All in all, I love them for the low price of $29.95!

You can get a FREE pair as well!  

Mandy from the blog Ginger Mandy "purchased" her FREE pair of glasses and paid only $7 out of pocket for shipping and anti-glare!

From the Firmoo website:

Why Firmoo offers free eyeglasses?

We provide free glasses for new customers to try our products & service, as well as to help some poor people or people with low income correct their vision problems. Our free offer is open to almost all countries in the world, such as U.S., Canada, Australia, etc. Therefore, this is quite a good news especially for people who'd love to buy frames online.
Every new customer qualifies for getting their first pair free. If you purchase two pairs at one time, the one that you apply the free glasses code to will be free. So we may call this "buy one get one free".
Moreover, we offer varieties of classic and fashion eyewear for customers to choose from, including eye glasses, prescription glasses, sunglasses and safety glasses (also called goggles). But currently we don't offer glasses for kids at the age of 12 and below.
If you're lucky enough to get a pair of free sunglasses, you'll just need to pay shipping; 

 Firmoo glasses review
Free pair of glasses
Free Firmoo glasses

The Story of Jesus for Kids by Zondervan ~ Book Review

Homeschool mom, are you looking for a Scriptural devotional to use with your children in the morning?  The Story of Jesus for Kids tells about Jesus from His conception to His time on earth after the resurrection.

The chapters in this book are taken from actual Scriptures in the New International Reader's Version so the text is an easy read for kids or for read alouds.  The chapters are not in "chapter and verse."  They are from all four gospels in "one seamless narrative" (says the back of the book).

There are three things that I really like about this book for your homeschool:
1. It's about Jesus!  You can't go wrong when your focus is on Him.
2. The chapters are taken from all four gospels. I love that!
3. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

This is a short, small book.  It's just right for a change of pace in your regular devotions or Bible teachings. It is written for ages 9-12 but can easily be adapted for younger and older kids.  (Homeschool moms are good at doing that!)


There is nothing that you will teach your kids that is more powerful than Jesus.  They can learn about everything under the sun but they must grasp the power of the gospel, Jesus Christ.  That is the teaching that will ultimately change their lives and the lives around them.

Price: $2.99
Links:
The Story of Jesus for Kids by Zondervan
The Story by Zondervan



I was given The Story of Jesus for Kids by Zondervan for review. All opinions are my own.

The Dragons of Starlight Series: Starlighter Book Review ~ Thoughts from a teen

When Zondervan offered the Dragons of Starlight Series for me to review, I was a little hesitant.  A whole series...of stories...for my computer nerd teen?  He ate it up!

The boy who doesn't like to read books much, the boy who would much rather watch a video and critique it, the boy who wrinkles up his nose and almost any book I recommend, devoured the Starlighter by Bryan Davis.

So, what is the Starlighter Series about?
"In the first novel of a new four-book fantasy series for young adults by bestselling author Bryan Davis, human and dragon worlds collide when Jason Masters enters the dragon planet and meets Koren, a descendant of humans who were kidnapped and are now the dragons’ slaves." (From Bryan Davis' website.)

This book has:

• Action
• Heroes
• Bad guys 
• Descriptive characters 
• Christian symbolism & beliefs
• Thoughts of love & forgiveness
• Mystery

Did you like the book? Why or why not? "Yes, because it was full of action.  The writer did a very good job keeping me absorbed in the book."

What was good about it? "In regards to the book itself, the font is easy to read and the size of the book is just right.  Any bigger and it would be awkward and feel like a kid's book and if it were smaller it would be difficult to read."

Did any parts make you laugh? Which ones? "In the beginning of the book, one of the main characters outsmarted another main character and I thought how he did it was funny."

1. Does this book remind you of any movies that you have seen?  "It reminds me, in a very small way, of Lord of the Rings."
2. What are some of the major themes of this book? "Adventure, heroism, caring for others."
3. Who was your favorite character? What did you appreciate about him/her? "I didn't really have a favorite character because I liked them all.  I did really like the old guy, Tibalt because he was a little crazy. Out of nowhere he would come up with stories of things his dad told him."
4. Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? What is he or she willing to figtht for? "Jason was the main character for me.  He was willing to fight for freedom and laid his life down for other people several times but always escaped."
5. At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? "Yes."
6. Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not? "I don't think I would say it was a quick read but it didn't take a long time to read.  It felt like a standard length story."
7. What are the most important relationships in the book? "The friendships between Jason, Tibalt, Elyssa, & Randall we important because they helped each other stay alive and get to where they needed/wanted to go.  They trusted each other with their lives."
8. What makes a minor character memorable? "Prescott was the ruler over the human world and was assassinated which called plenty of trouble.  He was a governor who was somewhat uncaring."
9. What did you think of the style of the writer? "I really liked the way Bryan Davis writes.  It kept me in this book! I liked the details he included."
10. Would you recommend this book to your friends?  "Yes, if they decided to read books instead of playing video games." (He laughs out loud as he walks away...)

Again, an excellent pick from Zondervan.  When looking at the stack of thick books in this series, I think my son felt a little overwhelmed at first (since he doesn't usually read novels or series of novels).  On the other hand, it didn't take long before he was absorbed...chapter after chapter.  Kudos to Bryan Davis!

I am glad that we have been introduced to Bryan Davis.  I appreciate the fact that he is a Christian author and that he puts allegory into his stories.  Right in the middle of this book, we watched the movie Chronicles of Narnia which has a lot of symbolism and allegory in it.  I think that helped Espresso to see the symbolism in the Starlighter.

I give this series a HUGE thumbs up!








In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Zondervan.  All opinions are my own or that of my family.

Speed to Glory Book Review ~ Thoughts from my son

When Zonderkids gave me this book to review our youngest son (Double Espresso) was totally into the Olympic swimming.  He was recording all of the swimming, rooting for the swimmers, and researching the swimmers on the internet.  Needless to say, he was excited to read Speed to Glory.

About the book:
"He conquered the thing that nearly took his life At five years old, Cullen Jones nearly drowned. While some people might stay away from water after that, Jones conquered his fear when his mother enrolled him in a swimming class. Not only did he learn to swim, he quickly found that he was a good swimmer... and would become one of the world's best. Discover how faith, courage, and hard work led Jones to win an Olympic gold medal and set a new world record in his event. Find out what can happen when you overcome fear and strive to become all God calls you to be. Includes a personal note from Cullen Jones."


I was really excited about receiving this book as well.  I knew Double Espresso would love it.  When you find a book that an active 13 year old boy wants to read, it's a good day!

1. What did you enjoy about this book?  "I enjoyed it because the Olympic swimmer got a gold.
2. What did you appreciate about him/her? "I appreciated that Cullen taught other kids how to swim. The book said that 'Nearly 70% of African American children and 58% of Hispanic children have a low or no swimming ability.' So Cullen joined a program that helped people learn to swim. The program was called Make a Splash."
3. Consider the main character: what does he or she believe in? "Cullen Jones wants to give everyone a chance to learn to swim."
4. Have you ever experienced anything similar to the action of this book?  "Yes.  When we were on vacation we went to a wave pool and the wave sucked me out too far and I went under.  That is similar to Cullen because he almost drowned."
5. Did you find this book a quick read? Why or why not? "Yes.  It was an easy read because the chapters are fairly short and the book is only 12 short chapters."
6. How did you feel about the main character?  "I think he's cool! I think he is a good role model."
7. Are any of the events in the book relevant to your own life? "Oh yeah! Cullen won a couple of gold medals and I have won a couple of basketball championships."
8. What did you think of the style of the writer?  "Yes.  Even if you are not the best reader you can still read this story with expression."
9. Did you find any flaws in the book?  "I actually found a couple of typos."
10. Compare the hardcover and paperback covers. Which one do you like better? Why? "I like the paper covers better because you can fold the book over while you are reading it."
11. What sort of people would like this book? "I think swimmers and athletes would like it."

As a homeschool mom, It's a proud moment when your child finds a book that they love and can't wait to read.  I love that!  Another great thing is that Cullen Jones is a Christian and the author doesn't hide that fact.  That was another motivator for Double Espresso.  He loves to find Christian athletes who are not ashamed!

This book is a great "intro" type of book if your child doesn't necessarily love to read.  It's short, inspiring, small in size (which doesn't intimidate), and has a good ending... gold medals!

I was given this book by Zondervan and was not compensated for my opinion. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own, and I was not required to post a positive review.

Upcoming Review: Science on Demand for Homeschool

Yeah!  I will be reviewing Science on Demand real soon but first I wanted to tell you a little about it.

Homeschoolers everywhere are searching for the perfect materials for their students.  That's why I wanted to make sure to tell you about a resource that I just discovered.

Science on Demand is taught by:

"Catie Frates is a dedicated bondservant of Jesus Christ, wife, and mother of three. She is an educator of over twenty years, author and nationally recognized Biblical Scientific Creation Speaker.Catie is a high school science teacher and home educator of over twenty years. She specializes in using science to prepare her students for their station in life and for their college experience. "

What makes this so exciting to me is that Catie actually teaches the students through video just like they are in class.  Check it out here:  Homeschool Science Class

I will fill you in with more info as the months progress and we get into our school year.

College Textbook Rental Brings Smiles to Children

(photo credit:Operation Smile)

When you see the little ones with the crooked smiles, don't they just touch your heart?  What I mean by crooked smiles is cleft lip smiles.  Operation Smile provides surgeries for children whose families can't afford it and  is supported by Campus Book Rentals.

You, too, can make a difference by renting your textbook from Campus Book Rentals!

Campus Book Rentals will donate a portion of their proceeds to Operation Smile with the hopes of providing at least 1000 smile surgeries this year.

Renting textbooks saves families money!  Check out the price difference on this Algebra book:  Algebra  Purchasing the book will cost $91.96 and renting it will only cost $26.13!

I am excited to hear about this.  It brings a little relief to the thought of the college expenses for us in the very near future.

This is how it works:

Other perks:

• 30 day worry free guarantee
• Book Rental Scholarships  
• Monthly giveaways
• Refer a friend benefits
• Great customer service

As a homeschool mom, this is important to me.  Not only do our kids need the right books, but in getting them, we can help others which is part of what we teach in our homeschool; having a generous spirit of giving.  My boys aren't in college yet but are well on their way, and I am happy to partner with Campus Book Rentals in getting the word out about the benefits of renting books and Operation Smile!


Disclosure: I may receive compensation for helping to promote products that I believe in. See my full disclosure here:  Homeschooler Cafe Disclosure

Time4Learning

I'm sure by now, you've heard of the online homeschool program called Time4Learning!  Their ads are all over the place on websites, blogs, and in magazines.  You can give Time4Learning a try in exchange for a review on your blog or website like I did! (Sign up to review Time4Learning.)

Time4Learning offers a variety of subjects depending on the grade level of your child. Time4Learning offers subjects for grades pre-K through 8th.

Features from their website~

Time4Learning includes the following:

• Online curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8th
• More than 1,000 interactive animated lessons
• Self paced lessons that kids will enjoy working on
• Math & algebra tutorials & printable worksheets
• Language arts, phonics & grammar lessons
• Interactive, project-based reading activities
• Science (grades 1st - 6th) & social studies (grades 2nd - 7th)
• Detailed reporting for easy record keeping
• Extensive lesson plans & teaching tools for parents
• and much more... 

Monthly cost:  $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child

My opinion:

Time4Learning is very animated, musical, and exciting.  That is helpful for my son (12) as it appeals to his learning style.  He likes it and learns from it; so I like it!  

At the moment, we only use the Language Arts, LA Extensions, and the Math.  Many times during this trial use, my son said that he learned in the subjects that he was doing.  I appreciated hearing that!  He also liked being able to take a break and go to the "playground" to play games.  (The parents can set the time limits for the playground... another plus!)  

Since I am a Christian, I am very picky as to what goes into my child's mind.  In order for him to do the Social Studies and Science, I will have to listen in on every lesson.  Time4Learning is not approached from a Christian worldview and I believe that there are many questionable concepts being taught.  There is a discussion board on Time4Learning where people post about questionable teachings.

Another feature that I like with Time4Learning is the Parent/Administration area.  I can look in on anything that my son has done.  I can see what lessons he did and the grades that he got.  I can even print his grades!  

Try before you buy:  

Time4Learning lesson demos

Scope and sequence 

Review Time4Learning

I give Time4Learning  4 out of 5 stars!

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it.  I received no other compensation for this review.  The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions.  Please read my full disclosure policy for more details. 

Learn Our History DVD Review

I have received 3 DVDs to review from  Mike Huckabee's 'Learn Our History: TimeCycle Academy' 

Since I don't watch much of the tele and I definitely don't watch much news (sorry Mr. Huckabee), I was really surprised to stumble upon the commercial for the Learn Our History DVDs.  I was instantly intrigued; my curiosity was peaked!

Being a homeschool mom, I hate to admit it but, I have never really appreciated history!  Gasp!  Now that I am older, some of it does interest me.  I also have to admit that I did learn from these Learn Our History DVDs.

The stories start off with a group of kids that have some sort of question about something that happened in history.  One of the boys is the brain of the group and invented a time machine that the group uses to travel to the place and time needed in order to get their question answered.  Sometimes it is a dangerous place like Ground Zero or Nazi Germany.  Needless to say, by the end of the story, the kids find the answer to their question and more.

Learn Our History makes the following claims:


The Learn Our History: TimeCycle Academy series uses the incredible lessons of history to present important themes to your child, such as:

• The need to stand up to bullies
• The importance of self-respect and respect for others  -including their elders
• Belief in democratic values such as freedom and equality
• Faith in God as a key principle in America’s development and greatness

My opinion

Pros:

• Learn Our History DVDs do stand up to the claims that they make
• A lot of information is given on a single topic
• Our boys (12 1/2 and 15) did enjoy the movies and learned a lot
• I appreciate the republican viewpoints (of things such as socialists) made throughout the stories
• They don't leave out the scary parts (such as Nazis or terrorists), although they are spoken about in a way that is suitable for children
• There is a bond throughout the group of kids except with the bully

Cons:

• The bully calls names that some moms won't want their kids repeating (stupid, hillbilly, brainiac)
• The bully has a constant negative attitude that is irritating
• The smart girl often has a know-it-all tone 
• The graphics stink but youngest son (12) doesn't mind

Cost

FREE Gift Offer:  $9.95 plus $3.95 shipping/handling plus 4 free gifts (If you are not 100% satisfied, you may return the DVD within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price, with no questions asked. The free gifts are yours to keep, no matter what you decide.)

Then, once a month you will receive another DVD and your credit card will be charged $11.95 plus $3.95 shipping/handling.  You have up to 10 days to cancel the next DVD selection.  You can cancel your subscription at any time.

About TimeCycle Acadamy
Frequently Asked Questions







I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it.  I received no other compensation for this review.  The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions.  Please read my full disclosure policy for more details. 

Time4Learning

Are you interested in trying Time4Learning with me?

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Wanna Win? My Memories Suite Giveaway

You are going to love this!

Digital scrapbooking, cards, calendars, blog banners, photo books... these are just a few of the creative things you can make with My Memories Suite!

I was contacted by My Memories to review this digital scrapbooking software and I get to give one away!  I am so excited to be able to pass this blessing on to one of my readers.


The official rules are on my personal blog:  Homeward Bound

Here are some samples of what I made:

This video tells all about what you can do with My Memories Suite:



______________________________________________

Receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store.  
Code:  STMMMS93521

______________________________________________

• Contest ends September 26th, 12:00 PM Central
• Find official rules here:  Homeward Bound

One Way I Stay Sane ~ Coffee Pot Review

Remember when I posted that I was going to do a review for CSN Stores?  I said, "In order for our homeschool to function properly, I have to stay sane!"

As a homeschool mom, there are several ways that I "stay sane" and one of those ways is, my husband and I have coffee together every day. I call this our quality time.  That is the time that we catch up on our day and I either give the boys their praises due them or... tattle!

I chose to review an espresso machine / coffee maker from CSNstores.com.  This is quite a machine.  I can make espresso and coffee at the same time!  Not only that, but it has a built in frother.  I can add froth to my espresso to make a tasty cappuccino or to hot chocolate for the boys!  (Check out the video below.)

At first, I was a little intimidated by the espresso machine and frother.  My husband started making coffee right away, but I waited for 3 whole days to attempt espresso!  I had no idea that it was so easy.  I had perfect espresso and the creamiest froth the first time I tried it.  The instructions are quite simple and very easy to follow.

Delonghi - BCO120T - Espresso/Coffee Maker

Price:  $99.89 with FREE shipping

This machine is such a great addition to our kitchen; I am thinking about buying another one for our church coffee shop.  It would make a delightful gift for anyone who likes coffee!

 I can't wait to have friends over for coffee and share my very special treat!    I wish I could share a nice cup of cappuccino with all of my friends in the blog-o-sphere.  After all, we homeschoolers need to stay sane together!

Not a paid review ~ All opinions are my very own! I was given a gift card in exchange for an honest review on the CSNstore website.

CSNstores have it all!

I am super excited to tell you about an upcoming review that I am doing for CSNstores.

They have plenty of educational items for your homeschool.  They also have tons of toys to choose from!  Take a look at their swing sets for kids.  After all, spring is on its way and the kids are going to want to get out of the house!

One thing that is important to our family is the quality time that my husband and I spend together.  In order for our homeschool to function properly, I have to stay sane!  Maybe a swing set would help keep YOU sane but I am thinking of something more in the lines of.... my tastebuds!

I am going to review something that will enhance our quality time together, and I can't wait to tell you about it.  Stay tuned!

Wyndham Vacation Resorts from a mom's perspective!

We had the privilege (and I mean that) of staying at Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Glacier Canyon in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.


Wyndham Vacation Ownership is the world’s largest timeshare company with more than 135 timeshare resorts worldwide and I would LOVE to tell you about our experience from a mom's perspective!

From their site:

"Great Accommodations. Step up to a roomy 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedroom vacation condominium instead of a small hotel room. Enjoy the comforts of home with living rooms with media fun galore; elegant dining areas; fully equipped kitchens, and private bedrooms with pleasures like private spas." 

"You’ll stay at a brand-new property that assures you the same impressive list of amenities Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort guests enjoy — including five water parks within walking distance."

From moment we pulled up to the resort, excitement was in the air. Yes, the kids were excited about the indoor water-parks, indoor mini-golf, laser tag, playground and arcades, but more than that, I was excited about ultimate relaxation!

The front desk was wonderful.  They were extremely friendly and accommodating.  They informed us that once we get to our condo, we won't be bothered again!  Not once do they come through to make beds or change towels.  I really like that.  The only time they "bother" you is when you ask them to!

Things that I liked from a mom's perspective:

• Beautiful condo ~ tastefully decorated with high ceilings, leather sofa, and fireplace
• Open concept ~ helps the family feel "together"
• Private split floor plan ~ separates master for privacy
• Open kitchen with bar and stools
• Kitchen completely stocked with everything you will need except food
• Master suite ~ king size bed, feather blanket and pillows, flat screen TV, large whirlpool bathtub, private bathroom, large 2 person shower with glass enclosure
• Washer, dryer and dishwasher all inside the condo

This place was a dream and we were instantly comfortable.  From the moment we stepped into the condo, I felt pampered.  The whole place was great, but the thing I liked most was the master suite.  It was so big and open that when I needed privacy and time away I didn't feel like I was squished into a little room.

Our condo was just a short walk away down a few halls, to many fun activities.  Since it only took us a few minutes to get to indoor water-parks, laser tag, min-golf, candy stores, and so much more, we were able to easily go back and forth as we pleased.  That allowed me to rest and relax even though there was plenty for our family to do everyday!


Another thing that I really liked was that we never had to leave!  Everything that we could have needed (except groceries) was already there!  There was entertainment, stores, and restaurants right at our disposal within a few minutes walk.

If you are looking for a place to go for spring break or if you are just needing a family get-away, I highly recommend  Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Glacier Canyon in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

I will be telling more about our stay in future posts so stay tuned!

Here are some photos from our trip:

You'll find more photos and videos at this link:  Wyndham Vacation Resorts Review

This was not a paid review.  All opinions are definitely mine!  ;)

Homeschool Spanish

Pimsleur ~ Quick & Simple Spanish

Learn to Speak and Understand Latin American Spanish with Pimsleur Language Programs

4 CD set

Lessons 1-8

4 Hours of Spanish lessons

Price:  $19.95

From Pimsleur:

"On the surface, the Pimsleur Method is a way to begin speaking and understanding a foreign language effortlessly. In fact, it is a dynamic combination of techniques that will pull you inside a language allowing you to engage in complex conversations with confidence and fluency."

I love to use these CD's for Spanish.  The boys do well just sitting down at the table for a lesson.  What I really like to do is to put the CD lesson on the stereo and let everyone go about their day.  It's amazing how much Spanish sticks in their heads (and mine).  As they are playing their video games, walking around doing chores, or playing with the dog, they are repeating what the teacher says on the Spanish CD! 

This CD set would also be good to play in the car.  It's amazing how kids can learn that way.

Sample lesson available here:  Homeschool Spanish

I give this product 3 1/2 out of 5 stars!

Not a paid review

All opinions are my own



Homeschool Learning Network - Unit Study

Have you checked out Homeschool Learning Network's FREE unit studies?  They are packed full of great information and cover several grade levels at once.  You are in for a real treat!

I reviewed "Understanding Earthquakes".  This unit covers several subjects: science, language, math, and history.  In the beginning, earthquake terms such as faults, seismology, and richter scale are defined.  These terms are important as there are more articles on earthquakes further into the study.

This unit also covers earthquakes in history.  Did you know that there was an earthquake in China in 1177 BC?  Cool!

Not only does this unit study cover facts about earthquakes, but it also covers what to do and how to prepare for an earthquake.  A lot of people don't think that they need to know what to do because they don't live in California but many people live near faults and could, some day, experience an earthquake!

Further into this unit study, there are tons of links for further learning.  Although some of the links are expired, most of them do work and will help you and your student find out all about earthquakes!

Features:

• Tons of information
• Links for further study
• What to do
• Experiments
• Lessons
• Easy to follow format

You can read "Understanding Earthquakes" online here: Understanding Earthquakes Unit Study

You can download and save the FREE unit study here:  Free Unit Study


This was a sponsored review.  All opinions are my own.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Subscription and Tote

Get a free Homeschooling with Heart Cranberries & Cream  colored tote bag from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! This limited-edition tote bag is a beautiful cranberries & cream flavor--very festive for Fall and the upcoming holidays. This is the same tote as the brown/blue and brown/pink bags you may have received in the past. Made of sturdy canvas, these bags snap on either end to prevent the contents from falling out. Each bag is a rich, cranberry color with warm, creamy accents. They make gorgeous gifts, too! The Cranberries & Cream bags ship in mid-November and will arrive in time for Christmas gift giving or to enjoy yourself during the holiday season.  

This is time sensitive, so please read carefully.

Receive two years of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and get a FREE Homeschooling with Heart tote bag in a beautiful Cranberry & Cream color! Plus, you'll receive their Fall 2010 Issue and a wonderful new E-Book: Cranberry Christmas - all FREE.

1. Before midnight PST on Saturday, October 2, purchase a two-year subscription for just $19.95, and you'll also receive:

· New Cranberries & Cream Homeschooling with Heart tote bag --- FREE!
· The Fall 2010 print issue --- FREE!
· The TOS E-Book: Cranberry Christmas: packed full of everything cranberry!

The unique, Cranberry Christmas ebook includes recipes, fun history-of-cranberry information, and activities for the children, including homemade napkin rings and place cards for your Thanksgiving and Christmas table settings.

This offer ends at midnight PST on Saturday, October 2. All subscriptions begin with the Winter Issue, but you'll receive the Fall Issue as a bonus in October!

The sooner you subscribe the more issues you receive. Plus, you'll guarantee you get one of the gorgeous Cranberries & Cream Homeschooling with Heart tote bags.

New and renewing subscribers. U.S. and Canada.

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.phpmain_page=index&cPath=460

2. Here is what you get from Sunday, October 3 through midnight PST on Wednesday, October 6, 2010-they're taking away a year! Before midnight PST on Wednesday, October 6, purchase a one-year subscription for just $19.95, and you'll still receive:

· The free Homeschooling with Heart tote bag
· The Fall 2010 Issue
· The TOS E-Book: Cranberry Christmas: packed full of everything cranberry! Includes recipes, fun cranberry information, and activities for the children, including napkin rings and place cards for your Thanksgiving and Christmas table.

All subscriptions begin with the Winter Issue. But you'll also receive the bonus Fall Issue in October!

New and renewing subscribers. U.S. and Canada.

http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=460

 ENJOY!

Do you have a Spanish curriculum yet?

You may want to check out Step by Step Spanish.  It's a complete home study curriculum - DVD.

I will be reviewing this DVD in the coming weeks and will post my findings.

Price: $47 (includes shipping)

"A three module (3 PDF Manuals + 97 MP3 audio lessons), step-by-step  course that will enable the student to understand spoken and written Spanish; it will also allow you to actively engage in conversations with an abundant vocabulary of several thousand words. The Basic "Step by Step" Spanish Course is  primarily geared to conversational Spanish, and is usually the first course you should used in most language studies. It is more holistic and intuitive, and is focused not on grammar and written Spanish, but on practical "real life" speech and conversation."


TAGS:
Homeschool Spanish
Spanish for Homeschoolers

Not a paid review

Art Instruction: How Great Thou Art

Beginning Drawing with Barry Stebbing
DVD lessons - age 6 and up

Are you looking for an affordable art program for your homeschool?  This is it!  Mr. Stebbing takes students step by step through the basics of drawing - from drawing geometric shapes to ending the sixth lesson with drawing "still life" objects from around the house.  Drawing skills are sure to improve!

Features that I like:

• Starts DVD with Scripture
• As he shows how to draw an item, a picture of the end product is shown
• Introduces concepts of shading, contrast, shapes in foreground & background, plumb lines, and light source
• Each concept builds upon another to improve drawing
• Concepts are introduced in an easy to understand way for children
• Uses the proper words (such as contrast) and doesn't baby talk students
• Gives tips along the way (like look up at what you are drawing)
• Tells which pencil to use that the proper time (very detailed instruction)
• Challenges students
• Mixes sketching actual objects with simple cartoons

3 DVD's (6 sessions) contain about 320 minutes of instruction for $29.95.  (Regularly $49.95)

Beginning Drawing

"With the passing of the years, I have had great revelations of the simple fact that God is an artist. Jehovah Eloihim—the great Creator. And since we are all made in his image and likeness, with the ability to create, he has given us all a measure of that ability that only needs nurturing. All we have to do is believe in ourselves and to practice as much as possible—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). "  Barry Stebbing (ChristianBook.com interview)

Take a Peak!


The Espressos are sure to get a great start in their art education using Beginning Art.  They were both able to follow along easily and draw what Mr. Stebbing instructed.  They had great concentration on their faces as they perfected their drawings.  (So much better than the blank look while playing video games!) Even though art isn't Double Espresso's specialty, he did great with Beginning Art.

I was very impressed with the amount that is covered in the six lessons.  I can't wait to see how the boys' skills improve over time.  This is a great product for the price!

How Great Thou Art

TAGS
Art Lessons for Kids
Homeschool Art

Not a paid review.  All opinions are my own.

The Ultimate Mom's Meal Planner eBook

by Wendy Young

Wow!  This planner is packed full of great help!  Recipes according to seasons, a calendar for planning meals, measurement conversion chart, deserts, and menus are just a few of the invaluable ideas in this book. 

The ULTIMATE Mom's Meal Planner is a great aid for me.  I'm not a Martha in the kitchen!  To be honest, I'd rather be studying, writing or researching.  The good thing is, I do like to plan and this book can help me to do that effectively.  Planning ahead helps save money, keeps our family eating healthy, and keeps us ahead of the game!

The summer and winter menus are broken down into 6 weeks.  Each week has a set of recipes that goes with it.  I find that very helpful.  You don't have to look the recipes up; she has it all laid out and organized for you.  Also, the recipes aren't full of strange ingredients (that's good for me since I'm not a Martha). 

Another great thing about this planner is that Wendy Young incorporates the children into the preparation of the meals.  Each meal has a helping hand logo.  Your children can help with things such as setting the table, making toast, mixing muffins, making toppings, chopping, and grating.  This is a great encouragement for mom to include the kids so that they, too, can learn how to feed a family.  There are MANY lessons to be learned in the kitchen!

Features and benefits:  

• 
  
  The work is done for you
• 
  
  Easy to follow recipes
• 
  
  Healthy food
• 
  
  Food from scratch
• 
  
  Helps cut down on food bill
• 
  
  Each week's meals planned out
• 
  
  Easily adaptable to your family
• 
  
  Helping hands ideas

Where can you get The ULTIMATE Mom's Meal Planner?  At:  Homeschool Curriculum for Life

How much is it?  $12.95

I am very impressed with this meal planner.  There are numerous benefits to having this resource.  The things that I like most are the work is already done for you and everything is easy to follow!

Who is Wendy Young?  "We are a homeschooling family in South Africa. We have always homeschooled and our children are now 15, 13, 11 and 8 years old."  You can find out more on her website: http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/

Family Photo

 

This was not a paid review.  All opinions are my own.