Summer Schedule

How has your summer been going?  Ours has been going well.  It has been busy though, so we have not done as much school work as I had planned on doing.

We are currently in rural area where it takes 45 minutes to go to town and our main internet comes in the form up dial-up, so I have not been on the internet very much.  Last week and this week, the children have had swimming lesson, so I have been able to do a couple of things at the library that I can't do at the ranch.  Today I am taking the opportunity to write this blog post. 

Along with swimming lessons we have been branding, playing with cousins, and doing the chores.  We get to feed cats, horses, baby calves, and bulls and cows for our chores.  I am hoping that soon we will be able to go on some horse rides.  I enjoy using the 4-wheeler to do work with though.  In August we will be fixing fence almost every day as the cows enjoy going on the meadow that is waiting to be swathed (grass being cut and baled).

Have a wonderful week!  And I hope to post more later this week.

My Very First Noah’s Ark Playtime by Lois Rock and illustrated by Alex Ayliffe (Review)

My Very First Noah’s Ark Playtime

by Lois Rock and illustrated by Alex Ayliffe

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Children

Published by- Lion Hudson

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 16

Age Group- young children

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $7.99, ISBN 978-0-7459-6414-0

Lois Rock has written and Alex Ayliffe has illustrated, My Very First Noah’s Ark Playtime.  This book is filled with fun information about Noah and illustrations which will keep children captivated. 

Children will have the opportunity to place stickers in the correct spots, play a game, count and find differences on different pages, and bake a gingerbread ark with an adult. 

About the Author-

Lois Rock specializes in Bible stories, information books, and prayer books.  Her books have been translated into over thirty languages.

About the Illustrator-

Alex Ayliffe has won the Sainsbury’s Best Book for Babies award in 2000 for her paper collage illustrations.

My thoughts-

This is such a cute book.  My seven-year-old daughter was excited, because she was able to read it herself with very little help.

She said, “I liked the illustrations.  I liked the recipe to make the gingerbread Noah’s ark.  I liked sticking the stickers on.  It would be good for kids my age and younger.”

I really enjoyed the illustrations and text.  Children who have had Noah’s Ark Playtime read to them will learn about Noah and what happened to him and the animals.  The game, activities, and the making of a gingerbread ark will help enforce what they have been learning.

I highly recommend this book.  It would be perfect for a rainy day or anytime a child needs a fun activity.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received My Very First Noah’s Ark by Lois Ark and illustrated by Alex Ayliffe free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Bible Memory Games from Christianity Cove (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received Bible Memory Games from Christianity Cove for review purposes.

                           

Product link: Bible Memory Games

Vendor Contact Information: Christianity Cove

Age Appeal: 5 and up (They need to be able to memorize long verses)

Format: PDF (Printable download)

Price: $29.00

The Bible Memory Games PDF contains 42 different games that can help children memorize Bible verses by using all of their five senses.  It can be used in Sabbath School or homeschool.  There are seven different categories: Salvation, Love, Faith, Good Behavior, Faith Over Fear, Heaven, and Seeking God.  Each scripture is taught using two audible games, two visual games, and two hands-on games.

Some of the games are:

• “Scripture Bounce”- In this game you need a bouncy ball, large piece of paper or cardboard, and a watch with a second hand.  You will write the verse on the paper, then each child will say the verse to the rhythm to the bounce.  After that child has finished it will be handed to the next person.  The team that finishes in the shortest time wins.
• “Breaking the Code”- In this game the children will have a code sheet and the copy of the symbols and they will break the code and figure out the scripture that is written out.

There are many more fun games to play.

Our Experience:

I was interested in these games, because we are actively memorizing verses in our daily homeschooling.  When the e-mail came I downloaded the PDF and then started looking at the different games.  I was having a little bit of problem with some of these games, because there is just B and C.  Team games can be very difficult to play with only two children.  I was able to find enough games and different activities to work on for the two of them.  It would be a perfect program for larger families, Sabbath Schools, and Christian Schools. 

We would spend a couple of days on each category working one or two verses, then we would move on to the next one.

I Liked:

• I liked the variety of games and the different categories.  It covers every category that is important for children.
• I thought the variety of games was good and after these verses have been memorized, I can use these game ideas other verses to memorize.
• I was impressed with the games, because C remembered some of her verses several weeks after we played the games.

I Disliked:

• I think the price is very high for just homeschoolers, but it would work for Sabbath Schools.  I think it would take them a very long time to work on the verses in school, because it often takes a long time to memorize them.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in third grade) Liked and Disliked:

It was a good product.  I liked it.  It helped me learn memory verses.  It is good for kids my age.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in first grade) Liked and Disliked: 

I liked the game where you bounce the ball.  It is good for kids my age.

Dad’s Call: 

Dad was unavailable for this review. 

Mamma recommends Bible Memory Games.

A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener

A Season of Mysteries

by Rusty Whitener

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Fiction / Christian / General

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 352

Age Group- Adult or Older Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4322-0

A Season of Mysteries, by Rusty Whitener, is a sequel to A Season of Miracles.

In this sequel, Dr. Richard Powell narrates the part of his life that is filled with Boy Scout adventures, new friends, and possible demonic and angelic episodes.

It is a gift that helps Dr. Powell remember conversations and details about what happened when he was younger.  Could it be this gift that the demons wanted when he was younger?  Are there really demons of is it their imaginations?

About the Author-

Rusty Whitener currently lives in Virginia with his wife.  His first book, A Season of Miracles is in final movie production.

My thoughts-

A Season of Mysteries was an excellent coming of age story.  Rusty Whitener did a good job of building up to the mysterious demons and angels.  I was disappointed (when I finished the book) that most of the action didn’t happen until the last 150 pages, but I was really surprised when it did.  It was something I wasn’t expecting.

I was very impressed by the amount of faith that young Richard and his friends had.  They were good soldiers for Christ.  Willie was the person I was the most impressed by, because he was the youngest and didn’t seem to be as involved with everyone else.

I think both adults and older young adults would enjoy reading this book.  I recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Season of Mysteries by Rusty Whitener for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Tangerine Morning by Rita Garcia

Tangerine Morning: Jezzica’s Story (Book 2 of the Serenity Cove Series)

by Rita Garcia

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Tate Publishing

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 206

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- Paperback ($5.73), Kindle ($2.99), ASIN: B00B9o2U86 

 

 

Jezzica Leigh has recently moved to Serenity Cove after the tragic death of her husband.  She has purchased a bookstore and her sister has come to help support her.

Detective Zack Johnston has been helping her with the bookstore and to find the criminals that killed Jezzica’s husband.

Will Jezzica be able to move past her husband’s death, can she grow in her faith with God, and can she have a relationship with the detective?

About the Author:

Rita Garcia currently lives in California with her husband.  They have four daughters and seven grandchildren.  She is currently working on more books set in Serenity Cove.

 

 

 

My thoughts: Tangerine Summer, by Rita Garcia, was good.  I thought the first couple of chapters didn’t flow smoothly, but I was soon involved with the story and characters.  I enjoyed the mystery, romance, and intrigue in each chapter of the book.

Jezzica’s growth in her relationship with God was encouraging.  It showed me that I can have a better relationship with God if I have help from the right people and I put forth the effort.

I thought the end of the book could have been different.  It seemed as if the relationship between Jezzica and Zach went too fast after it had gone so slowly.

I would recommend Tangerine Morning to those who like mysteries and romance.

Informational and Purchasing Links:

Follow Rita Garcia on her website: http://www.ritagarcia.com and her  blog: http://www.reflectionswithdrrita.com.

Purchase on Amazon or through Tate Publishing.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received a free copy of Tangerine Morning by Rita Garcia to review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of The CWA Review Crew. All links were current when posted.

Shipwrecked from See The Light (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received Shipwrecked from See The Light for review purposes.

                          

Product link: Shipwrecked

Vendor Contact Information: See the Light

Age Appeal: 6 and up

Format: DVD with 260 minutes of content (You will need a black light, florescent crayons and pencils and pastels.)

Price: $14.99

You can see the list of art supplies at the website for the DVD Shipwrecked.

The Shipwrecked DVD is based on Apostle Paul and the stormy journey to Rome, when he was a prisoner.  The story is viewed through the eyes of Giovanni, a child.  The art lessons are taught by three of the See the Light instructors.

• Heidi Shorts teaches how to write the word courage to look like weathered wood.
• Pat Knepley teaches the children how to draw the ship with Paul pointing to a cross.
• Jim Pence uses mixed media to show the children how to draw a light house.

Our Experience:

I knew when we were selected to review Shipwrecked that I was going to have Dad work on the lessons with B and C.  Dad has worked on a lot of art projects and is much more artistic than I am.  The children and I watched the story about Apostle Paul together.  On the weekends when Dad had free time we would watch one of the art lessons while we were eating a meal, then Dad and the would work on the lesson while I watched them have fun together.  Each weekend we would work on one of the three lessons.

I Liked:

• I liked the thoroughness of each lesson by the instructors.
• I liked that even if you aren’t very artistic the pictures turn out really well.
• How much fun B, C, and Dad had working on the lessons together. 

I Disliked:

• Nothing.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in third grade) Liked and Disliked:

• I liked the painting and drawing.
• Getting to use the black light was really cool.
• It is good for everybody.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in first grade) Liked and Disliked: 

• I liked the art lesson, “Who Will Save Us?”  I got to work with with pastels.
• I liked making the word, courage, with the florescent pencils and seeing it with the black light.
• I didn’t like that the art lessons took so long.
• The art lessons would be good for people of all ages. 

Dad’s Call:

I like See the Light art projects. At first they appear to be complex (for an elementary level art) but the instructors break the artwork down into easy to handle tasks. We found that watching the video first then starting the project makes the task at hand so much easier and more enjoyable. B & C are able to handle each segment as it comes along. The instructors teach each segment at an even pace and there's time to pause the  DVD so the kids can finish each of their parts of their paintings before moving on. I never felt rushed or hurried by the instructors and that makes a huge difference with the kids. They are able to enjoy what they are doing and are able to complete it with very little difficulty.

I especially like that each project, when completed, has a reference to Christ and His teachings. It's art with a purpose.

I highly recommend See the Light Art Curriculum. They have everything you need on their website or you can use the provided materials list and purchase at your favorite art supply store. Either way you won't go wrong with this homeschool program.

Mamma recommends Shipwrecked Story & Art Lessons by See The Light.

Not Quite Healed by Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe

Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse 

by Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Christian Life / Men’s Issues

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 288

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4270-4

Cecile Murphey and Gary Roe have written, Not Quite Healed, to help male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

They are survivors and they have filled this book with self-affirming truth statements and personal thoughts and opinions to support the statements.

Some of the chapter titles are:

• “I acted out.”
• “What good comes from grief?”
• “How do I combat the lies?”
• “How do I complete the circle?”  

About the Authors-

Cecil Murphey has coauthored or written more than 100 books such as, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.

Gary Roe has three adopted daughters from Columbia and has been in ministry for more than thirty years.

My thoughts-

I thought, Not Quite Healed, by Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe, was a book that both males and females should read.  We need to understand what happens and how to help.  Good books like, Not Quite Healed, will help those who have been abused and those who have not.

I was very moved when I was reading this book.  I liked how Murphey and Roe wrote the book together and were able to give their own thoughts and opinions.  The inclusion of God was so important.  God is crucial to the recovery process.

The most important part is the list of 40 self-affirming truths in the back of the book.  I firmly believe that these statements and the information in these chapters will help many people become who they truly want to be and to not believe the lies.

I highly recommend Not Quite Healed. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.