From Our Family to Yours...

Happy New Year!

May it be filled with the overflowing love of the Lord!

Wordless Wednesday - Us

TOS Crew Review - World's Greatest Stories

"The World's Greatest Stories" are an award-winning series of dramatic audio CDs that tell the stories of the Bible, using the direct words of Scripture itself. Narrated by dramatic storyteller George W. Sarris, the Bible comes alive through his skill and passion.  Available in both NIV and KJV, there are 23 stories contained in 6 Volumes:

• The Prophets - The Blazing Furnace, The Handwriting on the Wall, Daniel in the Lions' Den, Elijah and the Prohets of Baal, and the Prophecy of Jonah
• The Life of Christ - The Real Story of Christmas, The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus, The Healing of the Blind Man, Things Jesus Said and Did, and The Real Story of Easter
• Beginnings - In the Beginning, A Lame Man in Lystra, A Jailer in Philippi, The Story of Ruth, and The Raising of Lazarus
• Joshua and Esther - The Battle of Jericho and The Book of Esther
• Joseph and His Brothers - Genesis 37:2-46:7 and 46:28-50:26
• Defeating Giants - David and Goliath, Naaman the Leper, Micaiah the Prophet and Jeoshaphat the King, The Sacrifice of Isaac, and Gideon and His 300 Men

(You can hear samples of each Volume here!)

For this review, I received a copy of The Prophets. We opened it up while we were heading for a little day trip about 2 hours from our house, and we finished listening to the whole thing (each CD is about an hour long), the kids BEGGED to hear it again!  They loved the voices and drama that were infused into the Bible stories.  I loved that it wasn't just a version of a story, it was straight, pure Scripture, presented in a way that captured my children's attention and really brought to life the emotion of every scene.

Each CD is only $7.95 and shipping is free if you order 6 or more, which, in my opinion, is a very reasonable price.  My children love audio stories to listen to in the car, at bedtime, or while doing chores, and The World's Greatest Stories are a wonderful way to pour pure Scripture into their hearts in a way that is engaging, exciting, and fun!  I definitely recommend them!

Be sure to see what other TOS Crew Members thought by checking out the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer:  I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here  on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other  compensation in regards to this review.

A Song for Saturday

7 Quick Takes Friday - Volume 13

Why, hello there!  It's been a while since a "real" post, huh?  Let me say, life with 6 children is just different than life with 5.  You'd think one more wouldn't make much difference, especially in an already larger-than-average family, but it does!  I think the other ones getting older as well has something to do with it, too, maybe. Time just isn't mine to spend as it used to be.  So please forgive my sporatic blogging and stop in when you can and I'll try to do the same!

Anywho... here's a brief recap of life lately.

I did it! I  ran a 5K - my first one in NINE years!  Phew!  It was fun and challenging, and I couldn't have done it without my good friends who supported and encouraged me the whole way.  I'd like to say I did the same for them but I was too busy trying not to fall down and die, so thankfully they were strong enough on their own!  Here's a picture of the three of us, all hot and sweaty.  

I really want to do another one, but that would mean, well, actually running again some time soon.  So that makes me give it a little more thought.

In other exciting news, Nathan lost his first tooth!  It caught me off guard, because he's not even 5 yet!  One day it was a little wiggly, and just a few days later, out it came, while he was brushing his teeth.  He was super proud - and so was I!  There's something about that first tooth that is sentimental for me.  Like the first step into big-kidness or something.  Of course, I made a scrapbook page about it!

Can you believe Rachel-girl is already 10 months old?  She's getting so big!!  She's gotten 4 teeth (two top, two bottom), is standing on her own, and can blow kisses!  I think she may be the first of all the kids to walk before the 12-month mark... time will soon tell!  Here are some pictures!

 

Her nighttime sleeping has improved, for which I am so, so thankful! Now to get some daytime sleep pattern established.  She's busy, busy, busy - always on the go and into anything and everything she can find, especially the stuff she shouldn't be in!  Such is life with a mobile baby.

Speaking of Rachel, I wanted to address one of the most asked questions I get: "What's it like having a girl after all those boys?".  Let me tell you!  It's awesome.  It's fascinating.  It's fun.  And it's a bit on the terrifying side.  You see, with the boys, I know that for the most part, they're looking toward Michael for their example of how to be - men, of course. (Not that they're not looking at my example, too, but it's not quite the same!) But now I've got this person to whom *I'm* the main example - of motherliness, femininity, what it means to be a girl/woman... yikes!  To be honest, I didn't come into a good understanding of my own femininity until I was in my 20's, and still feel like I have so much more to learn and areas to grow in.  So, all my flaws, faults, and failures are magnified to me even more now, and I pray daily for the Lord to make me into a Godly example for my daughter.  I'm so thankful that He is faithful and working on me!!

On a bittersweet note - I have resigned from the TOS Homeschool Crew.  The year and a half that I was a part of the Crew was a great blessing for me, and I so appreciated the opportunity to participate in the fun reviews!  However, I'm just at a point in my life where my blog cannot be a priority any more, and my family needs more of my focus.  We also needed less distractions away from our main homeschooling goals.  So while it's sad to say goodbye, I'm also excited to have one less extra activity on my plate.  I have one more review that will be coming up next week, and that will be the last.  I do hope that my time on the Crew has been a blessing to my readers and maybe even helped with a few curriculum decisions!

For Thanksgiving (also my birthday week), we went up to Amish Country in Pennsylvania to visit with my sister, brother-in-law, and parents.  We were able to stay in a great little house at my sister's work (Black Rock Retreat Center, in case you're ever in the area - it's awesome!) and it was perfect for hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  We spent lots of time outside and playing family games.  We also learned a new game called "Ga-Ga" (or "Israeli Dodgeball") - google it if you're curious!  It was quite fun and a great wear-them-out game for the boys!  There was a nature center with all sorts of various reptiles and other critters, and the kids got to go feed them every day.  We even had professional family pictures done, some of which I hope to share soon!

It was so much fun spending time with everyone!  Here's a picture of my sister, brother-in-law, and the kiddos (this is not one of the professional ones, obviously!):

(I love the different personalities that show through!)

I promise this isn't an ad, and I don't get any kick back whatsoever for making this recommendation, but I have to share about a product that has revolutionized my breastfeeding experience!  Seriously, I would consider this a MUST-HAVE for any nursing mom.  What could this be?! Undercover Mama nursing "tanks"!  I say "tanks" because they're not actually tank tops - they're bodices that attach to any nursing bra to act as a tank top.  You see, regular nursing tanks do not work for me.  By themselves, they're not supportive enough.  Worn over a nursing bra creates two sets of clasps to be undone.  But not Undercover Mama Tanks! They. are. AWESOME.  No, really, they are.  No more worrying about belly skin showing while I nurse.  No more cold baby hands on my side while I nurse.  I can wear one under anything, and it's not bulky or too hot (but they do help in adding an extra layer when it's cold outside!), and come in a variety of colors.  I *love* *love* *love* them.  Can I say that enough?  I don't go a day without one on, seriously!    Nursing + Modesty = Wonderful!

Well, there's more I have to share, but maybe I'll actually write a real, live blog post sometime soon to share my other thoughts. We'll see if time allows me!  Thanks, as always, for stopping by - please feel free to leave a comment to say howdy!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - First Album!

I completed my first Scrapbook Album!  Recognize the story line?  (Hint: It's from this post!)

Judah's Park Adventure - how to create a free slideshow

TOS Crew Review - Pitsco Medieval Machines

 

Pitsco is a company that specializes in educational, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) products and curriculum, including products specifically designed for homeschoolers.  For this review, I received the Medieval Machines Pack, which included a Trebuchet Kit, a Catapult Kit, a Siege Machines book, and counterweights for the Trebuchet. 

The entire kit, as packaged.

Catapult

Trebuchet

This pack is specified for Middle School ages and up, so Isaac (5th grade) was just on the younger side for this pack, but he and I had no trouble putting the kit together.  It would have been more of a stretch for my younger kids, however, so the age designation is very appropriate (unless you have a younger child who is very into and experienced with models and kits).  The instructions were detailed and thorough, but not difficult to follow.  The hardest part was waiting for the glue to dry on each step!

Unfortunately, because we were out of town for over a week during Thanksgiving, we did not complete the Trebuchet at the time of this review, but we did complete and use the Catapult.  It is a huge hit!  The pack comes with clay to make little launching balls out of, and the kids enjoyed seeing how big or small the balls had to be in order to fly the most effectively.  The Catapult is quite sturdy and has held up to use in this household of boys!  I full expect the Trebuchet to be the same, and we are looking forward to trying it out soon.

Here are two videos of our first tries with the Catapult.  We did it outside just in case, but we have since used it inside very safely!  The first one hit something and didn't go far, which is why we did a second video - hopefully between the two of them you can get a good feel for the Catapult!





The Siege Machines book includes a history of each machine, and then various experiments to try with each one, as well as space to record observations and results. Science concepts that are taught include Mass, Tension and Torsion, Force and Motion, Gravity and Levers, (plus more) and Mathematical concepts such as averages, metric conversion, and prediction.  I, personally, love how so many topics can be covered by playing with a fun toy that my boys love!

The Pitsco Medieval Machines Pack is available for $21.95. To build the kit and utilize some of the activities, you will need basic household items such as glue, scissors, and a ruler.

Also available are Teacher's Guides for both the Trebuchet Kit and the Catapult Kit that include multiple hours worth of STEM activities and lessons.  For added savings, you can get everything included with the Medieval Machines Pack, plus the two two Teacher's Guides and extra clay in the Trebuchet & Catapult Pack for $64.95.  Be sure to check out many of the other Science, Technology and Mathematical products Pitsco has available for Homeschoolers! 

Also see what my other Crew Mates thought over at the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!

Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.