Great Book Offer from the Jeub Family

I love reading blogs.  Here's a new-to-me one that I found today.  And they are giving away a FREE book.  Please go check it out for yourself.

Jeub Family Free Family Business Book

WinterPromise Sea & Sky

We started our new program (WinterPromise Sea & Sky) last week.  Overall, I love WinterPromise.  I love the book selections.  I really love the hands-on projects (which is why I decided to give WinterPromise a try). 

But, I've come to a realization, I'm just not a follow-the-curriculum type of girl.  I hate having a daily reading/activity schedule.  I feel like if I haven't completed it all, then we've failed for the day.  So, I'm doing my own thing - I'm following the basic program, but adding a lot of my own touches.  We're following a schedule that works for us.  In fact, we've jumped into the pirate portion, and then we'll go back to the previous ship history that we bypassed.  The kids were just so excited about learning about pirates, that I felt like we needed to fast forward to the golden age of pirates.  We are learning a lot, and having a bunch of fun with pirate crafts.  I'll share some pictures soon.

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Blogs I have to read daily

 
I am hopelessly addicted to blogging.   Seriously.  Oh I know you are looking at my blog and thinking, not so much, Kim - look at the gaps in those posts.  I mean I am hopelessly addicted to reading blogs.  I have over 100 blogs subscribed in my reader, hopelessly addicted.  I am cranky if I don't read certain blogs daily - and oh my gosh, if they don't post on a daily basis, I have to go directly to their blog and look at previous posts (I know, I know - hopelessly addicted).

In no particular order, here are the ten blogs I love to read daily.

1. Almost Unschoolers - I love, love, love how she homeschools / unschools.  This is where I want to be one day - it's how I hope our homeschool evolves.  Once I relax and take it easier.
2.  Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers - I always, always love what Kris has to say.  I relate to what she says on her blog, and how it can relate to me.
3.  To Be Busy at Home - another homeschooling blog, are you noticing a trend here?  I do have other blogs that I read that aren't just homeschooling, I just really love to read about homeschooling.  I especially love Samantha's blog, because she tells it like it is.  She's inspiring to me.
4.  Money Saving Mom - I like to save money!
5.  Lynn's Kitchen Adventures - Food, yummy!
6.  Life As Mom - great tips, great recipes, great blog.
7.  Smockity Frocks  
8.  Ramblings of an Unschooling Family - this is the blog of one of my local friends - I love reading her stories!
9.  Our Busy Homeschool - Again, I love, love this blog - I feel like I know Tristan, and I love reading about her homeschooling days.
10.  The Crafty Crow - I love crafts.  I adore crafts.  Cutest crafts available here.

So, do you have a blog I should add to my top ten list?  Leave me a comment and I'll check it out, it may just make my reader, I am addicted to reading blogs.

Be sure to check out what other great top ten lists are in the blogosphere this week over at Oh Amanda - Top Ten Tuesday.

See you there!

Time4Learning Review - Coming Soon

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as an online homeschooling curriculum, a web based afterschool tutorial or an online summer program. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Happy Birthday J-Guy!

I can't believe it, but my little boy is 11 years old today.  Does that mean I can't call him my little boy anymore??

It seems like it was just yesterday that he was born.

Happy Birthday, J!!

Love,  Mom.

Tuesday Top Ten - Favorite TV Shows we love at my house

Okay, we probably watch too much TV, we don't even have cable, or we'd probably watch even more.  I'm a visual person, so I just love watching TV - in my defense, I do usually have something crafty in my hands at the same time.  Without further ado, here are shows that my family & I enjoy.

1.  Glee - I absolutely love this show.    My kids watch it, too - although sometimes I have to send the younger ones out of the room for a few minutes.  Love it, love it, love it.  I can't wait for next week with the tribute to the Rocky Horror Picture Show - I've already been practicing the Time Warp with my kiddos.  Airs on Tuesday nights on Fox.

2.  Raising Hope - This is another Tuesday night show.  It follows Glee.  Not necessarily appropriate for little children, but hubby and I find it to be very funny.  The characters are great, I highly recommend it.  Need a good laugh?  Definitely check it out.

3.  Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - We have Netflix, so this show is in our instant queue.  It brings back Saturday morning cartoon memories for me, and my kids are really enjoying it.  Bill Cosby was so young!

4.  Criminal Minds - Wednesday evening television.  I have loved this show since it premiered in 2005.  Not appropriate for children (lots of scary criminals), but I enjoy watching it.

5.  Hannah Montana, Forever - The final season of Hannah Montana.  We enjoy watching this as a family.  Sometimes Hannah annoys me, but overall, it's a great family-friendly show.

6.  Wizards of Waverly Place - Okay, I have to admit,  I love Alex Russo - she is the way I wish I had been in high school.  I just love everything about her, her attitude, her style, her joie de vivre.  She's great.  My kids really love her, too.  Great Disney show (available on Netflix instant queue).

7.  The Amazing Race - we haven't been watching this one as much this season, but overall, this would definitely rank as one of our top ten shows to enjoy.  I love that we can tie in some geography and culture with a television show, easily.  We have pulled out the globe on several occasions, while watching.  Fun and educational, sweet!

8.  Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman - This is a PBS show that we really love.  It has challenges, science, math, reading, learning, problem-solving.  Great show for kids, and I enjoy it, too.  Ruff is a big animated dog who's the host of a game show, with six contestants who compete for points.  It's cute and educational.

9.  Desperate Housewives - This one is just for me, it's my guilty pleasure.  I must say though, this season has not been as good as previous ones, IMHO.  I still watch it, but it's not as must-see as previous seasons.  It might be dropping off my top-ten soon.

10.   The Good Wife - This is another one of those shows that I enjoy.  My kids are always in bed by ten (not necessarily asleep), but in bed.  So, this one I watch alone - sometimes hubby watches it too, but he doesn't find it that exciting.  I love the storyline.  Alicia is great and what a strong woman.  I love Will, too.

Well that's it - my list of ten shows that grace our television on a weekly basis.  Have any favorites to share?  Feel free to post in my comments.  I'd love to hear from you!

Make sure to check out other top ten lists at Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.

Weekly Wrap Up - the crazy busy week

Certain weeks around here are busy -- very, very busy.  This was one of those weeks.  We had a great time with it though.


We started out on Monday with our Around the World Cooking Club.  This month our focus was France, we made strawberry crepes, chocolate cream puffs, chocolate mousse and ham and cheese en croute.  The food was yummy and the kids had a blast.

The rest of Monday was a blur, we had a couple kids stay after cooking club to play, and then we took them home, had dinner, and chilled out for the night.

On Tuesday, we had our first lessons from WinterPromise Sea & Sky.  The kids really enjoyed it - and I enjoyed it too.  Sometimes I like having a laid-out plan to follow (even loosely).  I think overall we'll be very pleased with it.  I have a tendency to revamp things after a bit, so I'm sure we'll add / change as time goes on.  Unfortunately this was the only day that we were able to fit in this study for this week.  Next week maybe.?

On Wednesday, my kids went to their classes at Leaves of Learning - they love that place and so do I.  It's a great environment, great teachers and great time to socialize with some other kids.

Yesterday, we had review club - it was fun, we usually meet at a park, so after the reviews are finished, everyone gets a chance to play and eat lunch.  Casual and fun, and I get to socialize, too.

Today we went to the Newport Aquarium (Newport, KY) for homeschool days.  It was fun, we had been before, but not for a while.  The kids mentioned maybe getting a pass here, I'm not sure if we'll do that - but it was definitely fun for the day.  We also had Biography Fair this afternoon.  A-Doll was the only one in our family who presented, she did her report on Albert Einstein.  Some of the other presentations were Dr. Seuss, Pee Wee Reese, Joe Montana, Walt Disney, the 33 miners, Hachico and Stan Lee.  I learned quite a bit, and I think the kids did too.  The other two decided that they would participate fully, next time.  I'm going to make sure they do. :)

I need to get a good camera, so I can start adding pictures here.   Stay tuned!


Be sure to check out  Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers for more Weekly WrapUps.

Five Question Friday

1. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

 

I have to go with candy corn, first - yummy.  My second choice would have to be Reese's Peanut Butter cups.  

2. Do you fold your socks?

 

Are you kidding?  No, I don't fold my socks.  I do fold my husband's socks, though.  His day can't start right if his socks aren't folded.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

Homeschooling is not as easy as it seems!  There are days when I want to sell my kids, or at least ship them back to school.  Ugh.

4. What is the most significant difference between you and your significant other?

He's outgoing, I'm super shy - but getting better.  I still feel awkward in some situations, though.

5. What are three words you would use to describe yourself? (And, just for fun...if your significant other is around, ask him/her what 3 words they would use to describe you!!)

 

Shy, happy, kind

Hubby is not home - and I'd be afraid to ask him anyway  LOL.

 

Want to join in?  I'd love to read your answers, too.  Join up at Five Question Friday at My Little Life.  It's pretty fun!

Giveaway at Flip Out Mama

Are you like me?  Do you love, drool over, adore art supplies?  And for free is always sooooo much better.  If so, then you must go check out the sweet giveaway that flip out mama is sponsoring over at her blog.

Flip Out Mama - Faber Castell giveaway

Or, on second thought - don't go LOL - I want to win it too. 

Just teasing, hope you win.  Maybe.  If it's not me.

Tuesday Train Blog Hop - Join in!

 

It's time for another Tuesday Train Blog hop - will you join in the fun?

We've been busy with school, cooking club, life.


We had a great weekend.  We had a mini-family reunion combined with a baby shower for my sister-in-law.  It was nice to catch up with everyone, and my sister-in-law was so cute with her pregnant belly.  We can't wait for the baby to arrive (sometime in late November/early December).

Tuesday Blog Hop

It's Tuesday Train blog hop time.  This is my first time participating, but it looks pretty fun.  Will you join me?

Field Trip Thursday - Renaissance Festival

We went on the best field trip this week.  We went to the Ohio Renaissance Festival for Student Day.  We've never been to a Renaissance festival before.  Wow, it was very fun!  It was a lot different that I expected.  It was sort of a craft show, carnival and amusement park rolled into one.

My kids really loved the shops (of course).  S-Doll wanted to "drench a wench", dunking tank Medieval-style.  You could throw vegetables at a Jester.  There was real-live jousting (mom's favorite activity from the day).  Shakespeare spoke to the attendees.  There were classes in sword-fighting.  Pirates and more. It was great.

There were lots of students from schools, home schools and more.   It was definitely a fun outing, we're already making plans to attend next year.

Not So Homemade Blog Design Giveaway

Courtney at Not So Homemade is having a giveaway - a blog design.  Stop on by and check it out.  I hope I win (or maybe you win).