Friday's Fave Five

Yes, this one is late too!  But I am determined to keep doing them so I am going to post late.

Here is my list for Friday's Fave Five.

1.  Jury Duty!  No, I didn't get picked but I was thrilled just to have been asked.  (think Sally Field here!)  I was so thrilled to get my summons and hopefully next time I will get to serve.

2.  Sabbath Week.  This is the single best thing we have done for our school, our family, and for me-ever.  Don't know what it is?  Here is my post about it.  It was perfect timing yet again.

3.  T.V.  Yup, I said it.  I love watching t.v.  We don't do it much during the day and only watch certain things in the evening but I just love watching t.v.  lol  Movies, too.  We love movies.  This week my girls chose to watch Gone With the Wind all on their own.  They had seen it before, at least the bigger ones, but they wanted to watch it again.  AND they ALL sat through the whole things and LOVED IT!!!  Better yet, the two older ones have learned the allure of Clark Gable.  *sigh*  I love me some Clark Gable!!

4.  I love our church.  Friday night our two older girls were given the opportunity to serve the younger kids while earning money for The 30-hour Famine they are participating in.  They are getting so many opportunities to serve others and to grow their faith.  It blesses this momma's heart so much.

5.  This week Bug started asking us to pray at dinnertime.  We have always done this but this week she grabbed the girls' hands and said, "Pay".  When we asked if she wanted to Pray, she beamed!!  We said a prayer and she asked for "Mo."  lol  This time I asked if she wanted to pray and she nodded.  So I had her say this prayer, "Dear Jesus" -"cheesus", "thank you"- "thak uuu", "for this food"- "food", "Amen" -"AAAmennnn"   It was just about the most precious thing ever.  I wish I would have gotten it on video.

What are your Fave Five?  Want to read some other Fave's?  Head over to Living to Tell the Story and check them out!!

Jury Duty

A few weeks ago I went out to get the mail and was thrilled at what I saw.  There was an envelope with my name on it from our state. 

Taxes...

No...

Bill of some kind...

don't think so...

When I finally opened it, I was jumping up and down for joy.

It was a summons to appear for Jury Duty!!!  aaaggghhhh!!!!!  it finally happened.  I have been waiting since I was eighteen to get this letter.  I told everyone I knew-even the guy behind the counter at the movie theater!!  Yes, I really did tell him.  ;-)

I looked forward to it for two weeks.  But, when I told some people about it they felt bad for me and expressed irritation at having to do it.  :-(  I don't understand that.  I know it is an imposition in our lives but it is our Civic Duty.  That is one of our Rights as American Citizens-the right to a trial by a jury of our peers.  If I was on trial for something I would covet people to be on the jury.  I wouldn't want the to do it grudgingly.  Does that make sense?

While I was in the Jury Assembly room, there was no end of complaining about having to be there.  I expressed my thrill at being there one time but was met with shocks and derision. 

When did this privilege become a something to despise?  I am so sad that this amazing process that we all get to take part of is something that is now to be gotten out of.   There was no end of "excuses" to get people out of serving on a jury.

I didn't end up getting picked.  I was put in to the Jury Pool that had to call in the next night for instructions and ended up being released.  I almost cried.  Really.  I so much want to serve and be a part of our country in this way.  I know that that is not a popular opinion and I'm okay with that.  Hopefully, I will get another summons and then be picked sometime in my life.

Until then I will keep watching the mail for my next summons.  ;-)

Thankful Thursday

I missed Thankful Thursday this week.  I thought about it but then it completely went out the window!

so, here it is a few days late.  ;-)

I am so thankful for real, true friends.  You know the ones.  They stick by you even if you say things you shouldn't.  They love you no matter what and take your side instantly.  (even if they later tell you were wrong-privately ;-) !!)  They listen without condemning.  They laugh with you and cry with you. 

I am blessed with these kinds of friends.  In real life and online. 

Love my friends!!

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MathRider Review

We've all been there...the whining, crying, and fighting over doing Math Drills.  It is a painful yet necessary chore.  But just because it's necessary doesn't mean it has to be painful.

MathRider is here to help.

In this day and age our kids are bombarded by video games, online games, and whatnot that eat up their time and their brain cells.  Why not use modern technology to help their brains develop? 

I am all for that!

MathRider is a wonderful game to help kids learn their Math Facts.  Seriously.  A fun game that kids will love that will actually teach them their Math Facts!  Interested?

I know we were.  ;-)  In the MathRider game, your student goes on quests while answering  Math Facts questions.  This page has a great description of the game.   I strongly suggest you check it out.  This page has the System Requirements which is very helpful to read before you purchase it.  The FAQ page can answer any other questions you may come up with.  You can also try it for FREE at this page.







Right now you can purchase MathRider for $37 by heading over to this page.  There is a 30 Day Risk Free Guarantee!  You can't beat that!

Our girls had so much fun playing this game that they didn't even realize that they were practicing the dreaded Math Facts.  That is the kind of learning I'm talking about! 

MathRider is a great addition to any homeschool, public school, or private school education.  It can be used to supplement any math curriculum for a fun, easy way to practice math drills.  Check it out!


**I was given a download of MathRider to use in giving my honest review.

Kinderbach Review

Just the other day I was complaining to Steven that our girls didn't know how to play the piano...I may have even been pouting.  Not saying that I was; but I might have.

Thankfully, there is something that can help.

Kinderbach is a wonderful tool to put in your homeschool toolbox.  Kinderbach is full of colorful characters, lively music, and useful information your kids will learn and use. 

The Kinderbach method is easy to implement. 

All you need is:
1. Piano/Keyboard - (check out FAQs about piano/keyboard)
2. Computer - for viewing web video lessons and/or printing activity pages
3. Hi Speed Internet or a DVD player
4. CD player (optional)  
5. Craft materials - Scissors, printer paper, crayons, markers, craft paper, glue etc...




That's it!  The Kinderbach website has all the information you need.  Just check out their FAQ page!  If you want to start a FREE Trial offer head over here.  Kinderbach is $7.99 a month or you can buy the CD's/DVD packages starting at $40.45.  There are tons of Freebies, Extras, Songbooks, and more on their website. 

Kinderbach is great tool for teaching Music Theory and developing your child's ear for music.  We have thoroughly enjoyed using the Kinderbach online videos.   My girls watched them and watched them-even the older ones!  They have learned much about the piano and about listening to music.  It was fun to turn the on the videos and just watch my kids laughing and learning. 

Check it out for yourself and see how much your kids will enjoy learning about music.

**I received a short-term membership to Kinderbach in exchange for my honest review.