Joseph at Sight and Sound Theaters Review

While we were in Branson this summer we had the privilege of seeing Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theaters. I had heard about their show Noah but we weren't able to see it. So when we had the opportunity to see Joseph we jumped at it.

Sight and Sound Theaters has a long history of quality productions. They are a first class theater that offers amazing, well, Sights and Sounds! It is family friendly and worth every penny.

Joseph is the story from the Bible that most people are familiar with. But one that we should all revisit often. The thread of forgiveness and God's providence are woven throughout this incredible story. Sight and Sound Theaters does an amazing job of setting the story to music and dance and visual effects and...

Yeah, it was that good.

I wasn't sure I would like it because I am a pretty tough critic. I direct plays and demand a lot from my actors and seeing a show that does not meet my standards is very disappointing. If the actors don't believe what they are acting it comes across and completely takes me out of the moment. Even if the actor isn't the best actor or singer, if they believe it I believe it. I was so thrilled that the actors at Sight and Sound believed what they were portraying, therefore I believed it too. I was transported to Joseph's family and felt like I was a part of it.

The sets were GORGEOUS, FANTASTIC, AMAZING, SUPERB. Seriously. They were phenomenal. ThePharaoh's palace really looked like we had been transported back to Egypt and the nomadic tribe of Israel included animals! My 3 year old was enthralled with the camels that walked by her. The costumes were lush with colors and textures. They used not only the entire stage but also the sides of the stage out in the audience. There were levels on each side of the audience that enhanced the sets and story. There was also a screen that was used to show videos that blended in with the action on stage and made you look twice to be sure it was really there.

The music was not cheesy. I had to get that out there. Sometimes when we go to a production the sets, costumes, and everything else will be fine but then the music starts playing and it sounds like they recorded it in their basement closet. Not at Sight and Sound Theaters. The music was full and gorgeous. The orchestrations were beautiful, the lyrics were simple and not dorky, and they were both delivered beautifully. I enjoyed listening to them and would even buy the CD. My husband said the same thing and he is a professional singer with CD's of his own out there! That's saying something.

I just really can't say enough about our experience at Sight and Sound Theaters production of Joseph. It was simply wonderful. The theater is beautiful, the people were helpful, and the quality of the production was fantastic. This is a family show that is appropriate for all ages. If you have the chance to go...Do it!

There are videos you can watch on the website but I couldn't get them to load here. I highly recommend watching them if you need to see for yourself how amazing this show is. You can find ticket information there as well. Tickets are Adult: $43.00,Teen: $25.00,Child: $18.00. You can buy tickets Here. Just don't forget to choose either Branson or Lancaster! But hurry because Joseph is only running through October 18th and you won't want to miss it.

 

Here is a little about the theater. You can find out more Here.

Sight & Sound Theatres is the largest faith-based live theatre in the country and has been described as "Christian Broadway." Last year, nearly a million people from around the world came to experience a production at one of Sight & Sound's theatres in Lancaster County, Pa., and Branson, Mo. The Lancaster County location is one of the top three theatre destinations in the country.

In 2013, the organization celebrates 37 years of public productions, but Sight & Soundâs roots go even deeper. Founder Glenn Eshelman, a native of Lancaster County, began to develop his gifting as an artist as a young child on his familyâs farm. His landscape painting led to photographing inspirational scenes that were then presented to churches, schools and civic organizations across the U.S. with a single slide projector and screen, along with a turntable and microphone to provide sound.

 

I know if you go to a Sight and Sound Theaters production you won't be disappointed. We can't wait for the next production, Jonah!

I received free tickets in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

Dixie Stampede Review

We took a family vacation this summer to Branson. We do it every year but this year we decided to spice it up a little!

I sent a few emails to some shows to see if they would be willing to let us review their shows and the Dixie Stampede said yes! We were thrilled to put it mildly. Steven and I had been many years ago and really wanted to share it with the kids this year.

As the day drew closer to us going we tried to rack our brains to remember what would occur. The girls had tons of questions about it and couldn't contain them. All of them-the older ones anyway! The 3yo was just along for the ride.

We answered their questions as best we could and showed up for the pre-show. First of all, let me say that you should not miss the pre-show if you can help it. The pre-show we saw was a juggler and his step-son. They were AMAZING! We all just sat there with our jaws on the floor watching them juggle balls and balance golf clubs. It was seriously cool.

After the pre-show you are ushered into your seats in the arena. Yes, the arena. It is just like the horse barn we went to with our uncle when he was buying horses. Except the smell of course! Also in this arena there were tables and chairs to sit in. ;-) We quickly found our seats, which are assigned thankfully, and our server was waiting for us. She was friendly and very helpful.

We were served drinks first. Lots of drinks! Our waitress was refilling our glasses everytime they were a little past the half-way mark-we never ran out of our chosen drinks. Then the food started coming out and it seemed like it didn't stop. We were eating and eating and eating. It was so delicious we didn't not want to try anything! A bonus for the kids was that there were no utensils. They were supposed to eat with their hands! Everyone except the 3year old thought that was a great idea. She just looked at the table and tried to find the silverware. She eventually ate with her hands but went through a bunch of napkins. ;-)

We were completely stuffed. The food is incredibly delicious and the service was fantastic. And they have a vegetarian meal as well!

The show was amazing as well. The horses, buffalo, ostrich races (my favorite, I think), lumberjack races, singing, dancing, magic tricks, pig races, and more all while the North and South compete for flags to win the day.

This is a family show that all ages will not only enjoy but ask to go back again and again.

From the website:

Minutes from miles of everything, including Silver Dollar City Family Adventures Theme Park, family members of all ages and groups of all sizes agree that Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show is the perfect combination of world class entertainment and fantastic four course dining!

If that wasn't enough, in addition to our main event, every Dixie Stampede ticket also includes pre-show entertainment in our world famous Carriage Room featuring our Opening Act where the entire family can enjoy the fun and excitement of our fabulous opening act.

Only Dixie Stampede brings you this diverse mix of talent in such a family-friendly atmosphere. You won’t want to miss it!

Here is some additional information you should know:

• Children under the age of 3 are free only if they sit in a parent's lap and eat from their plate. If you wish for your child to receive a seat or a meal, a regular children's admission will apply.
• The Carriage Room Opening Act begins 50 minutes prior to our exciting show. Plan ahead so you don't miss our fabulous opening act!
• Each Dixie Stampede Show Ticket includes general admission, a fabulous four-course feast, and spectacular show.
• Delicious Vegetarian meals are available upon request.
• Our facilities are fully accessible for individuals with special needs. Please advise us if members of your party have a wheelchair, hearing assistance or other special needs and we will gladly accommodate you.
• The Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction involves live animals, dramatic lighting, sound and pyrotechnics. If you or anyone in your party has allergies or medical conditions, please be advised to take the necessary precautions prior to entering the facility.

Ticket Prices vary according to show and time of year. But generally the Adult prices are $50 and the kids $24.61. Always check ticket prices through their website or calling to make sure you know your total. Like I said, it is pricey but oh so worth it!

You can contact Dixie Stampede here:

3849 Parkway

Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

(865) 453 4400

Or visit their website.

I recommend the Dixie Stampede for the whole family. It is good, wholesome, amazing fun that everyone will enjoy.

 

I was given discount tickets in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own and companies are not guaranteed positive reviews.

Grand Performances!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Course Meal

WINNER of Alone Yet Not Alone

Margaret is the winner of this great book! Yay!

Teen Coder C# Homeschool Programming Mosaic Reviews

 

It's probably no mystery that I am not the most proficient at computer things. See? I don't even know what to call them! I can do only very basic things and only after someone has labored to teach me with countless mistakes. I learn slowly. Very slowly.

Computer programming was not something I ever really thought of doing but always thought it would be neat if my kids knew how to do it. But how do you teach something this technical if you don't know it yourself?

You find someone to do it for you! Or a curriculum to teach it for you anyway. With this latest review we were able to review a curriculum that does just that. Teen Coder Homeschool Programming teaches your kids how to do programming for Windows and Games. I can't even imagine!

I really wanted this for my high schoolers but they had too much work at the beginning of the year to be add one more thing but my 11yo desperately wanted to try it. It is a high school class so I wasn't sure if she would be able to figure it out. She in honors math-6th grade doing Honors Pre-Algebra and doing two sciences courses this year so she is motivated and smart enough!

I still wasn't sure though.

For Mosaic Reviews we were given the course materials to download the curriculum and that challenged me almost to the breaking point. ugh I told you I'm not computer saavy. I clicked the link to download everything and it went to a zip file.

Okay, I can do this. I really can. I won't panic and I will read all of the pop-ups to make sure I know what they say. I won't download it only to lose it to a saved file I didn't look at the destination for. I will remember...I will remember...

Whew! The file unzipped and I remembered where it said it was saving it to. I was so pleased with myself. I felt accomplished and oh so smart. Maybe I would take this course after all!

I should have known it was too good to be true.

Once the files were saved and I found them again I opened them to get the program started. Umm, am I supposed to know what to do now? I opened all the files to see what they all were and finally calmed down enough to read what I was seeing. One of the files I opened had more files to download with pdf files for instructions. Praise God for those pdf files! I kept them open on the desktop and clicked back and forth between the two the entire time I was downloading things.

I got the Student Files and Solution Files downloaded and was breathing a sigh of relief. I opened them to familiarize myself with them and saw the Student Book in there. Another shout of praise went up as I saw the Student book was printable and had detailed instructions for the daily activities. Woohoo!

I set up the printer and started looking for other things to discover. Then the printer decided it was too tired to work and just stopped. No reason. So not cool. I couldn't turn it off or hit the reset button because the 252 page book was only 1/3 of the way printed. Deep breathing helped keep everyone alive. I really think it was just tired because it started working on its own until it got a paper jam. Twice. Seriously.

After about two hours I got it to complete the print job and didn't care that it was only one sided. It was done. And we were ready to begin for real this time.

Only our main computer locked up when trying to download part of the software we needed to do the class. I was just about to give up and just write an informational review but Hannah kept begging me to keep trying. I canceled the process and started it again. It kept trying for 28 hours. My husband finally told me to stop. Sigh. Then, Hannah had a brilliant idea. Try your laptop! Well, it couldn't hurt could it?

I pulled out my laptop and went through the process again and this time it was surprisingly simple. Everything worked the first time. The files all opened and everything was where it should have been. Woohoo! We 3-hole punched the Student Book put it in a binder and started up the first lesson.

Can you say foreign language? I honestly couldn't understand much of what I saw but Hannah was devouring it. She read the entire first three chapters and was ready to start on the computer. She followed the instructions for the first Activity and couldn't get it to work. It was supposed to have a page pop up on the screen with the words Hello, Form. We just couldn't get it to work. We will frustrated. We quit for the day.

The next day she came back to it and remembered the steps to do it again and tried it. This time it worked! She was thrilled and was ready to plow ahead. She breezed through the next Activity and was able to do all the items they asked. She changed the color on the page, changed the font, put a button on the page, and a few other things. It is pretty cool. And she feels like she accomplished something.

She is going to love this program and learn so much from it. It is really great. But enough about us, here is some information about this program.

Here is some information abut Homeschool Programming, Inc:

Our courses are self-study and can be completed on the student's own computer, at their own pace. You can steer your student in the right direction with no prior programming knowledge. Students only need typical computer usage skills to start; we will teach them programming from the ground up!

Each course comes with student activity starters, supplementary instructional documents, a Solution Guide, fully coded solutions for all activities, tests and answer keys, and guidance on evaluating projects.

Most questions about how to code individual activities are easily answered by referring to the Solution Guide (with or without parental involvement). We also provide free technical support to assist with any aspect of the courses!

Teachers who wish to closely monitor and grade student progress for credit purposes can administer chapter tests which are provided (with answer keys). We also provide advice and guidelines for evaluating student activities.

And here is some information about the TeenCoder we reviewed:

Our TeenCoder C# computer science courses for high school teens are listed below! Each course is roughly one semester long depending on the student pace.

The TeenCoder C# programming courses are designed for 9th-12th gradestudents who may be interested in computer science as a career, hobby, or who may need a computer course for high school graduation. Build your school transcript with a high quality technical elective that is easily recognized by college professors.

The TeenCoder C# Series uses the free Visual C# 2010 Express development environment. Each course maintains the same fun, easy-to-learn style as ourKidCoder series but cover more computer science topics in depth.

Microsoft's latest generation programming language, C#, is commonly used in business and academic settings. Students will learn with a free version of the industry standard Microsoft Visual Studio development environment that C# programming job applicants should know when starting a software career.

Each chapter explains a programming concept in detail with corresponding sample code. In hands-on activities for each chapter the student will write their own programs based on the chapter topics. Students are encouraged to be creative and personalize their programming projects!

Optional Instructional Videos!

We offer optional Instructional Videos for each course, perfect for your audio-visual learner! These videos do not replace the Student Textbook, but they do re-inforce every chapter and lesson in a fun, animated manner. We cover the same conceptual topics using different examples and, in some cases, screen recordings of a real programmer accomplishing a task within the development environment.

This is a great program and I am so glad we were able to review it. If you would like to buy one of these packages for yourself Here are the prices for the program we used:

$130.00

TeenCoder: C# Year Pack (Courses Only)

$155.00 TeenCoder: C# Year Pack (Courses & Videos)

$30.00

TeenCoder: C# Year Pack (Videos Only)

Homeschool Programming, Inc. offers programming for all ages. They have KidCoder Visual Basics and Web Series as well as TeenCoder Java Series. Each program can be bought individually or as a package. Check out this page to see all the programs and check out the prices. The TeenCoder series is a high school credit class for 9th-12th grades with each semester being .5 credits.

To find out what other reviewers over at Mosaic Reviews thought head on over there and check them out!

 

My Soapbox (one of them anyway)

The ideas expressed here are my own and not intended to be forced on anyone else. Please take it in the spirit it was written. ;-)

 

I have been reading more articles than I care to admit across the blogosphere lately about one topic. It is a hot one and gets people riled up pretty quickly. Lines get drawn. Mud is slung. Feelings are hurt. Condemnation is rampant. It.is.ugly.

And such a waste of time. Okay, not the subject of the articles-that is near and dear to my heart; but all the other junk that goes along with it. If everyone would take a step back, breathe, and remember that we are all sinners saved by Grace we would have a much easier time talking about such topics.

What is the topic of which I speak, you ask? Are you ready for it? Are you sure? 'Cause I am about to get all up in your business here!

Modesty.

Yup, that's it. Just plain ole modesty.

Now, before we dive into this muddy quagmire let me tell you what I think modesty is. And what I think it is not.

First, I think modesty is about more than just covering up your body. It is treasuring and honoring the body, heart, soul, and mind God gave you and keeping the parts hidden that He intended for your spouse alone. Modesty is about honoring those around you. By keeping certain areas of your body, heart, soul, and mind covered you are keeping them from seeing more than they should. It keeps you from temptation as well as others.

And I do mean that for both genders. There are posts all over the web, and I do mean ALL over, talking about girls covering up and not taking provocative pictures ( I am all over this one btw) but they don't address the boys that are half-naked doing muscle poses or with their pants hanging low enough to 'almost' see places we shouldn't. Where is the outrage for those pictures? Why is it just the girls that are being chastised? I have FIVE daughters and let me tell you--they notice the boys that are half-naked. But they are also disgusted with the boys that have low-hanging pants. Yeah, they may have a great body but you can clearly see what they think of others by the disrespect they are showing with low-hanging pants. But no one says anything about that.

And that's not fair. My girls have to just ignore the pictures of the half-naked boys but they are chastised for posting pics in their swimsuits-not that I would allow them to-but you get my drift. Even if those pics are the same variety as the boys'-friends in a group, playing or whatever. Somehow because it is girls in the pic that means they are being immodest by posting it and yet a picture that is exactly the same just with different genders is okay.

Boys are just as responsible for this modesty thing as girls are.

Now, I am NOT saying that the sexy, duck-face (which I abhor, btw), bathroom shots of the chest with the butt popped up and out are okay. I.am.so.not. Those are highly inappropriate and I better never catch my girls doing them. Duck-face is something we are working on, however. On a side note, whoever told girls that that was attractive can you please speak up and tell them it was a cruel joke to get millions of girls to look stupid? Please? Oh and if I see your daughter in an inappropriate picture and I know you in real life you can bet that I will let you know about it. I expect the same from you. I troll my daughters social media almost daily and try to talk with them about what is appropriate and what isn't but we all miss things. Right?

Okay, moving on.

What modesty isn't. (to me anyway) It isn't about covering up every possible piece of skin so that no one will see it. I don't think it means that girls have to wear skirts all the time unless they feel a conviction to. That is a personal choice between them and God but shouldn't be pushed on others. We do not feel convicted to wear skirts all the time but DO feel a conviction to not let our girls wear spaghetti strap shirts out in public. Someone else might think that is silly-they don't see anything wrong with spaghetti straps. See how that works? They can wear them and we won't. I find those types of shirts immodest because of how much skin they show, others may not. I also won't allow my girls to wear shorts that are shorter than the tip of their thumb. No booty shorts here. They even have to bend over in their shorts to make sure things aren't exposed. Others find the length of our shorts too long. They allow shorter shorts. (I'm not talking cheekers here. You know the ones that show the lower cheeks when they walk? Yeah, those.)

We also don't allow yoga pants or leggings to be worn on their own unless they are going to theater practice or dance. But then they have to cover them up until they get there. Don't even get me started on jeggings. bleh. Yoga pants and leggings leave nothing to the imagination and you might as well be nekked. Yes, my opinion. But imagine the boys seeing your girls in nothing...ya know like the skin tight leggings, yoga pants, or jeggings...not cool, huh? How about the writing on the butt of pants or shorts? Yeah, I want boys and men of every age staring at my daughters' butt to read what is there. Um..NO! Not going to say anymore about that bc it makes my blood boil. Yeah, we don't allow those either.

On to swimsuits. This is a pretty touchy subject for a lot of us. But here goes...I think that Christian women/girls should not wear bikinis at all. I mean seriously, just go out in your bra and underwear already. Sometimes bras and underwear cover MORE than bikinis. This is where hiding the parts of you that God only intended your spouse to see comes in. I don't want boys drooling over parts of my daughter that should be saved for her spouse-no one else should be allowed to see that. It is special. It is private. Again, my opinion. But, I don't really want my husband to see parts of other women that he shouldn't . Not because he is a crazy sex fiend but because he shouldn't be seeing it. He is not that other womans husband, he is mine. See that protecting others thing about modesty? Here is an example. We could get into the whole what swimsuit IS appropriate because they are all skin tight...but let's not. We wear one pieces with shorts over them and that is our choice. I have beautiful girls and boys will look at them if they are in potato sacks!

So let's move on.

There is so much more to talk about with girls here. But, I'm not going to. You see modesty is for everyone not just girls. Girls need to do their part but so do boys. Modesty is an attitude as well as a style of dress. A girl can be dressed modestly and still act inappropriately to draw attention to herself. Boys can do the same. Pictures of boys posing with their muscles in a bathroom is just as wrong as their counterpart. They are drawing attention to them in a sexual way. Yes, they are. Otherwise why would they be doing it? They are trying to attract girls to them and saying Hey, look at my body. See, it's the same. Only we view it differently because boys are allowed to go without shirts. I wish they weren't though. I so appreciate boys that wear rash guards at the pool. Let me tell you that girls oggle boys just as much as boys oggling girls. They comment about the abs, the pecs, the arms, and the low-hanging pants that show the V of muscle right before it dips down to places better left not talked about.

The talk about girls' bodies being sexual is true. God created a woman's body to entice a man-her man, her husband. But a man's body is similarly enticing to a woman. Oh yes, it is. Why else do they pick 'hot' guys to model and be in movies and have them take off their shirts? see? So if we can agree that both genders bodies' are intended to be sexually enticing to the opposite sex then can we agree that the responsibility for modesty is on both genders?

I hope so because like I said I have FIVE daughters and I want them to marry men that respect themselves as well as the others around them.

 

One Minute Reader ipad app Review

 

Reading is important in our household. We have tons of books and I want my children to love to read. I want them to get lost in the pages of an adventure book or revel in a mystery. I want them to love reading.

When you have a struggling reader it makes it difficult for them to love or even like reading. The more you push the harder they resist and can even turn away from reading any more than necessary. That is not a scenario anyone wants.

The One Minute Reader ipad app is a way to help struggling readers gain confidence as well as proficiency in a way that is fun and engaging. I am all for using technology to help kids learn but tend to shy away from quite a few apps because they can be more game than educational.

The One Minute Reader is not that way at all. It is fun and educational without being frilly and silly. The stories are level appropriate while still challenging the reader. There are vocabulary words that will widen their knowledge base and give them words to impress their friends!

How does it work? Visit the website for great information about reading fluency and frequency as well as the About Us page to find out more about this great app. Want a Print Version? No problem, head over to this page and check it out! The One Minute Reader App is free on iTunes with samples of the six levels - E, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In App purchases are $2.99 each. The One Minute Reader App for a certain level is $19.99.

From the website:

Reading is a fundamental skill, one which adults sometimes take for granted. But many students have trouble learning to read. As they struggle to master this skill, they often find other subjects difficult too, and their self-esteem may suffer. Becoming able readers is crucial to students' success in school, and in life.

Struggling readers need more than just books. They need a structured reading program that applies research-based principles to keep them on track and maximize results. They need a reading program like One Minute Reader.

Engaging Content

One Minute Reader features interesting, nonfiction stories, packed with fascinating information. This engaging content taps into students' curiosity, so they want to find out more. Examples of book topics are Natural Wonders, Cool Creatures, and Fun Festivals.

Develops Reading Fluency

The One Minute Reader program is based on learning strategies that research has shown are effective ways to develop reading fluency:

Modeling by a fluent reader: Readers read along with a recording of a fluent reader to help them learn how to say the words and how to read in a natural voice.

Repeated reading: Readers practice reading each story several times until they know the words and can read accurately and expressively.

Enhances Vocabulary

One Minute Reader includes audio-supported definitions for selected vocabulary words in the stories. This helps readers learn the meanings and pronunciations of words they may find challenging. One of four comprehension questions at the end of each story also focuses on vocabulary. And an optional crossword puzzle in each book gives readers additional exposure to key words from the stories.

Promotes Comprehension

A quiz step asks questions about the story to make sure students think about what the story is about and the ideas in it. The questions generally focus on identifying the main idea, attending to details, understanding words in context, and making connections in the text.

Motivating Feedback

Readers see graphs of their initial cold-timing score and then of their final hot-timing score, which shows how much they've improved. Watching their scores go up motivates readers to keep working.

The Right Fit for Each Reader

One Minute Reader offers books in a range of reading levels from early reader through fifth grade, so each reader can find stories that are a good fit for his or her ability.

Once you download the app and set up the student they can begin. The first screen is a selection of books/subjects to choose from. The student can choose the one they want, I had Naomi choose the first one, and begin.

The first time they read through the story is a Cold Read to see where their reading level is at. Don't worry, they get a chance to improve this score. After the cold read is a chance for the app to read it for them while they read along. On this option there are highlighted vocabulary words they can tap to find out the definition. After the Read Along, there is a Read Alone where they are timed again. Then there is a Quick Quiz to ensure reading comprehension.

If you don't know what level to put your child in, that's okay because there is an in-app Placement test that will test them and tell you which level they should be at. Cool, huh?

There is also a Help button on the app to help with any questions or problems you have. The Support from the website is available on This page.

The One Minute Reader really did help Naomi improve her reading fluency and comprehension. Plus, she had a good time doing it! She was a little intimidated by the story and scoring at first but once she realized she could improve her scores she was all over it. She wanted to practice and keep bumping up that meter.

We will continue to use this for our young or struggling readers in our homeschool. It's a great tool and I recommend it as an educational app.

Hop on over to Mosaic Reviews to find out what other reviewers thought of The One Minute Reader!