Monday, August 8, 2011

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate

I recently joined Book Sneeze and so any books I review will appear in this blog. I read this e-book over the past 2 days...


This book explores the lives of two women who have strayed from their faith after devastating personal events. At the beginning of the story, they are not living the life God desires for them and are floundering in their careers. They come in contact with each other through a mutual friend/family member who encourages and mentors them. The two women become close friends with each other and learn through events in each of their lives to fully embrace God’s grace and mercy. They also begin to love God wholeheartedly and place their dreams in His hands. By the end of the story, there are amazing and unexpected things happening in each of their lives!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as there is romance mixed with suspense in the plot. As you read, you feel as if the main characters could be your own dear friends and family. It encourages you to reflect on God’s grace and mercy in your own life, asking yourself if there’s anything in your past holding you back from loving God wholeheartedly now. My only criticism with the book is that there are quite a few sub-characters introduced in a short amount of time which may lead to confusion later in the story when they are referenced in the plot. The story is not thoroughly predictable, which makes for an enjoyable read you don’t want to put down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Friday, August 5, 2011

New school supplies!!!

The kids and I went shopping for new school supplies for this school year today.

Here are some of D&K's favorites...


I found a big pack of dry-erase crayons at Target for $5! The box includes an eraser mitt and sharpener!


When we returned home D&K emptied their turn-abouts so I could clean them before they load them.

I was able to find a 3rd turn-about at a garage sale this summer for C...so D&K's supplies from last year now reside in C's turn-about. She is delighted to have her own school things!



I was originally thinking our first day would be the 15th but I think beginning on a Weds would be a better way to "ease" back into our school routine...so next Weds (8/10) is what I am planning now!

I have a few fun ideas to kick-off our year... :o)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, August 1, 2011

August already?

We ended up taking the summer off after deciding to use something other than HOD this coming year.

I am excited about this year as D is in 2nd grade & K is in K!

We are planning to use FIAR together for all subjects except math & phonics/grammar.

Saxon will be our math this year with K using K and D using 3rd grade.

For phonics, K will go back to 100 EZ lessons to finish it and then move to Phonics Pathways.

We will start in a few weeks!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, June 10, 2011

monkey see...monkey do!

K was coloring a bunny & 4 carrots for her math activity Thursday morning. C climbed up on a chair at the table and wanted to join in which does not work as C messes things up!

So I drew a bunny & carrot for C to color - which made her content (for the moment). :o)
Then K could finish her math page in peace! :O)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Fruit of the Spirit

We're learning about fruit this week and more importantly...The Fruit of the Spirit!

We're emphasizing 1-2 "fruits" a day and reviewing the verses (Galatians 5:22-23) daily. To remember what we're learning, the kids are each making their own lapbook.

(these pictures are of D's book)

The cover:
Inside left: fruit basket & Runts Math

Inside Right: verse & individual fruit mini booksInside the mini books, the kids are drawing pictures of ways to show that "fruit"...top pic below is D's "love" pic where he's made a card for someone. The bottom pic is D's "joy" pic where he's shown his soccer team losing the game but he is choosing joy with a smile on his face. These were his ideas all on his own...I'm so proud of him!


We sampled a TON of fruit Monday morning.


I was so proud of D trying new fruits!


K learned that she LOVES kiwi!


C really enjoys raspberries.



The kids really enjoyed doing math with RUNTS! Before opening them, they each "estimated" how many candies were in the box. D guessed 40. K guessed 60...both boxes actually had over 100 in them. We'll keep working on our estimating skills! ;o)


After estimating & counting, the kids then sorted them into little cups, counted each group and graphed them in a simple graph.

K also had fun making patterns with her Runts.And they made happy faces...
I let them eat about 10 and then we poured all of them into a jar. It's the "fruit" jar - candies are handed out when I observe them displaying a "fruit." They cannot ask for it, they cannot brag about their actions...J or I have to "catch" them showing "fruit."

Get lapbook printables from the links here. The only place around me where I could find Runts was the Dollar store! I tried both big grocery stores and neither sold them, the bulk food section didn't have them either. And the big box store didn't sell them...cRaZy! They must be on their way to being retired, maybe?!?!