Pumpkin Patch Fun

We missed the Pumpkin Patch Field trip with our homeschool group so the L family decided they wanted to go with us and another family on a different day.

I am so glad we did. We had a blast!

Here are some pics of our fun.

 

 

A Light for My Path Mosaic Reviews

 

As most of you probably know, I love books. I reall love books. Especially books that are uplifting and appropriate for my whole family. But, an even better book would be one that uses God's Word for teaching my little ones.

A Light for my Path by Davis Carman is just such a book. It is put out by Apologia and it is an ABC book based on Psalm 119 and it is so sweet. It is a precious way to teach your children the alphabet while instilling a love and reverance for God's Word. At the beginning of the book is an introduction that helps parents understand the way the book was written and ideas to help you foster a learning time with your kids.

There is also a section in the back that will help your children learn the Hebrew alphabet. "Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, a literary composition in which the writer uses the letters of a word or alphabet as the intial letters for a series of lilnes or stanzas. This particular poem is divided into twenty-two stanzas, one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet." You can have fun learning Hebrew and reading the Psalm that goes with it. It is a gentle approach to learning that is a good fit with pre-schoolers.

Here is my own alphabet about this book:

A-Amazing

B-Beautiful

C-Clever

D-Durable

E-Excellent

F-Forever(God's Word is forever)

G-Gracious

H-Happy

I-Irreplacable

J-Just

K-Keeper

L-Lovely

M-Mommy and me time

N-Never Alone

O-Original

P-Perfect

Q-Questions answered

R-Reflective

S-Searching

T-Time

U-Understanding

V-Very Helpful

W-Wonderful

X-Excellent!

Y-Yearning

Z-Zoo

You can buy your own copy of this precious book for $14.00 at the Apologia website. It is a soft-bound book with a durable cover and thicker pages to stand up to little hands turning it. This will be a book you go to over and over for that snuggle time with your little ones.

You can also check out their social media pages!

• Website
• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest

To find out what other Mosaic Reviewers thought of this sweet book, head over to Mosaic Reviews and check them out!

 

Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! Review

I have been in on conversations lately about whether to take kids into the worship service with adults or send them to a seperate service so they don't disturb anyone.

I am firmly in the camp of Family Worship that is all together in the same service in the sanctuary. I love having my children sitting beside me and learning from the pastor. I want to sing worship songs with them and I want them to see me taking notes and learning from The Word.

So, when I had the opportunity to review this book I jumped at it. Rufus and Ryan Go to Church is all about teaching children what to expect in service and how they should behave. It is just adorable! The pictures are sweet and having the monkey along with Ryan helps kids relate on a less intimidating level than just rules and regulations.

I loved reading this book to my 3yo and watching her expression as she saw the pictures and found Rufus in each one. I also loved watching my 8yo read this book to my 3yo. It was pretty precious!

"In Rufus and Ryan Go to Church!, four-year-old Ryan explains to his stuffed monkey, Rufus, what is happening as they attend church on Sunday morning. He lets Rufus know when it's time to sing and to pray and to be quiet. Author Kathleen Bostrom brings a delightfully light touch to the text as she provides an introduction to an experience that most children are eposed to long before they understand why. And children everywhere will relate to the idea of explaining their surroundings to their favorite companions as they go about their daily activities."

This is just one of the first titles in a new series of inspirational books for preschoolers. Also available now: Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers.

This sweet little book will be a favorite for your kids because of the pictures and characters and yours because of the sweet way it helps kids learn about church.

WHO is this book for?

- Children ages 2 to 5 and their parents, grandparents

- These faith-based board books make great gifts during any season: Christmas, Easter, baby

- Toddler birthday

- Gift from grandparents

- Gift for your child's Sunday School teacher of children's minister

- Perfect for church nurseries, Sunday school classes, preschools, and church worship settings

About the Author

Kathleen Long Bostrom is a published children’s author in both the Christian and trade markets. She has a Master’s in Christian Education and a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching, and she has worked in children’s ministry for many years. Kathy and her husband, Greg, have three grown children and live in Illinois.

About the Illustrator

Rebecca Thornburgh began illustrating children’s books full-time in 1996 and today has almost 100 books to her name. Rebecca’s vibrant watercolors have been showcased in previous Ideals titles, including the new edition of The Story of Christmas. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two daughters.

Rufus and Ryan Go to Church!

Written by: Kathleen Long Bostrom

Illustrated by: Rebecca Thornburgh

Publisher: Ideals Books

Board book

$7.99

Available at IdealsBooks.com

Buy It / Stay Connected:
http://www.idealsbooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Blesses Beyond Words

Last weekend Bethany and I set off on an adventure. We left on Thursday for Tulsa, Ok. I made sure the girls staying behind had their planners done and their work laid out for them and that Steven knew exactly what needed done. I also set up meals for them while I was gone. The home front was taken care of.

We left and were having a great time until we came to the exit we needed in Tulsa when our GPS died. No problem, we remembered the exit number and we had a printout of the directions so we were set. Until we saw that the exit was closed. :( I pulled off on an exit to get my bearings but it wasn't an exit. It was a private drive for a railroad company! We got turned around from that and found the highway again. Moving back up to the highway was no problem until we realized we were going the wrong way. ugh I pulled over to the side of the road and we tried to figure out which way to take but couldn't see how any of them were right. We chose a ramp and went for it only to realize that it was the wrong one after it was too late. double ugh.

We drove for a bit, then turned around to try again. We took the ramp that looked right only to find ourselves right back where we started! Oh my word. I was pretty upset by this time. I took the opposite exit this time and it was going pretty well until we saw the exit we needed two seconds after we passed it. I'm not gonna lie, I said a bad word. I'm not proud of it but after an hour of going in circles in Tulsa I was pretty done.

We finally got the directions to pull up on our phones(it wasn't working until this moment) and headed to my friend Marsha's house. We arrived an hour after we thought we were going to but were safe so I wasn't going to complain too much.

On a side note, I have known Marsha for several years now through Tapestry of Grace Yahoo group and facebook but have never met her in real life before now. Let me tell you...She is so precious and my life is richer for knowing her. She is lovely and riding in the car with her for 14 hours flew by in a flurry of sweet conversation.

We took off from Tulsa and headed to Memphis to spend the night. We made it without incident and stayed at a wonderful hotel. An early start the next day kept the trip moving right along and we were soon getting closer to our destination. We talked and sang the entire time. We were even serenaded by Bethany at one point. :-)

As we drew closer and closer to our destination our excitement grew. It was palpable. We counted off the minutes and miles with giddy expectation.

When we finally saw the sign Callaway Gardens were almost in tears. You see we were on our way to a weekend with friends we had met online. Each year there is a SuperMeet where lovely ladies get together and fellowship. Bethany and I were pretty nervous since we hadn't actually met any of the women before but they all felt like close personal friends and we couldn't wait to meet them.

Pulling into the resort we noticed a car behind us and realized it was a car of our friends. The fun was starting already. We hugged and cried right there at the gate! lol We did get back into our cars so we could find our rooms and see everyone else but it took a few minutes.

We quickly found our rooms and the other ladies that were there already. It really was just like we had known them all of our lives. Each one was so precious to me as I recalled praises and prayers we have shared over the years. I cried for joy at each hug and laughed with each lady as we met.

It was a perfect weekend. We laughed and ate and fellowshiped and prayed and sang and ate and stayed up too late and loved on one another. It was amazing. I will never forget it. I am forever changed by these ladies and their beautiful hearts.

Here are a few pictures of our weekend.

There are more pics but that's all I will post at the moment. ;-)

 

Out of touch

Yeah, still not doing so great with the blogging thing. I think every day that I will make time to sit down and post but it just doesn't happen.

Here's why:

Monday's we have Homeschool Group, Play Practice, another Play Practice, and then Soccer Practice.

Tuesday's we have school and Cheer and BSF.

Wednesdays are usually free except school and when I scchedule appointments on it bc it is our only free day! Oh wait, Ballet, Steven's mentoring meeting, and Youth Groups!

Thursday school and Cheer and Soccer Practice.

Friday is school and getting ready for the weekend and Bug leaves.

Saturday is soccer day.

Sundays is church, babysitting for the girls, Bug comes back, planning for the next week, and catching up laundry.

This list doesn't include any extras we have for the week. It is pretty overwhelming at times but i just can't seem to cut anything out. We have 5 kids and that is just the way it is.

So, this is my place in life right now. I have to be okay with it. Because I know all too well that in just a few short years the kids will be grown up and living their own lives. I WILL enjoy it while I can.

Itooch by eduPad Review

More than 30 apps from 3rd Grade to 8th Grade

iTooch goes in-depth with official educational curricula from 3rd Grade to 8th Grade, tobe used at home or school.

• Elementary School: learn and practice Math, Langage Arts and Science from 3rd to 5thGrade
• Middle School: learn and practice Math and Langage Arts from 6th to 8th Grade

available on the App Store, Windows 8 and now on Google Play Store

iTooch is back-to-school on Android from September. Every level is available, includingsome new features just for you!

From $4.99
(free versions available)

Check out the Website and see all the apps they offer!

 

We used a couple of the Free apps and I liked them. The Music app had great theory questions as well as history questions. With the lessons we tried there were questions to answer but there was also an information page the student could read before hand or use as a reference while answering the questions. Once the subject matter has been mastered the student can take a test.

You can download some FREE versions but need to purchase full versions.

 

Head over to Mosaic Reviews and see what everyone else had to say about iTooch.