We found a spider on our front porch yesterday. A huge spider. A hairy spider. I almost killed it. And then I remembered the Discovery Scope. I asked my 11 year-old if he would help me catch it and he refused. He kills them for me, but catching them alive for me is apparently where he draws the line. I had to figure out how to get it into the little plastic viewing box that came with my scope all Continue Reading >>
Adding a Simple Fringe and Beads to a Child’s T-Shirt
A couple years ago, I noticed two little girls on the last day of Vacation Bible School who had cut their VBS T-Shirts and added a very cute fringe to the bottom and sleeves. I kept that idea in the back of my mind, and this year when Anna attended VBS with her best friend, I asked them if they wanted to embellish their t-shirts for the last day. Both were excited about the project, so I started Continue Reading >>
Product Review: The Pilgrim Story Online Course from Dayspring Christian Academy
My children have never used an online course before, so we had absolutely no idea what to expect. I watched the preview video for The Pilgrim Story ($99 for six months of access) from Dayspring Christian Academy and I thought it sounded pretty cool. Certainly it would be a change of pace from our typical path of reading books and listening to audio books in the car. Plus, with Thanksgiving Continue Reading >>
Product Review: Zoo Whiz Premium Membership
Did you ever want to be a zookeeper? I think on the list of childhood answers to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" -- zookeeper probably ranks pretty high on the list. It seems like so much fun to have all of those cuddly, growly animals to play with all day! Of course, as adults we realize all of the drudgery that would accompany the fun. Mucking stalls is no fun at all. Very few of Continue Reading >>
Get Your Children Exploring the Great Outdoors
When you were growing up, did you have a great deal of freedom to explore? I listen to books like The Sugar Creek Gang with my children now, and I am astonished at how much freedom the children of by-gone eras had. Even I had much more freedom then I feel it is safe to give my own. I think this is has to do with increasing moral decline. Should my own thirteen-year old daughter go traipsing Continue Reading >>
Product Review: Reading Kingdom Subscription
This summer we have been spending some time using an on-line subscription program called Reading Kingdom. I am using the program with my daughter Anna. She is a struggling reader and is finally making progress after lots of tears and very difficult work. She still needs lots of work, and I think Reading Kingdom is going to help long term. Anna enjoys Reading Kingdom even though it sometimes Continue Reading >>
Book Review: Heroines of the Past Bible Study by Amy Puetz
Since Heroines of the Past Bible Study is only a 13 week study, I was expecting about 50 pages. I was quite shocked when the pdf arrived in my downloads file and I found no less then 200 pages! I love it when a product exceeds my expectations and this one did so right off the bat. Let's talk about why. Have you ever heard of Princess Edith? I had not. The very first story in Heroines of the Continue Reading >>
Using Produce: Fresh Crisp Veggies for Dipping
Last night we had wings. Yummy wings. My husband first applied a dry rub and the grill. Then we added our favorite barbecue sauces. Oh my. The thing is, every time we have wings I struggle with what to serve with the wings. Our standard is celery with homemade blue cheese dip, but we always need something more. And I didn't even have blue cheese last night, so I knew we were going to have to Continue Reading >>
Book Review: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Apologia Ministries
Every once in a while, a product crosses my desk which is an absolute privilege to review. I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist (paperback, $16) by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek and the spiral-bound accompanying workbook ($33) by Frank Turek and Chuck Winter are just such a product, times two. The book by itself is a gem. With the workbook, this is a full apologetics curriculum for teens Continue Reading >>
Book Review and Giveaway! Children in Church by Curt and Sandra Lovelace
I like to take my children to the church service with me. I get the feeling from looking around that I am a minority. Most of the people around me would prefer I conformed. Our church has a wonderful children's ministry with vibrant classrooms, talented musicians and teachers, carefully planned lessons and extensive safety precautions. You might say it is just about perfect. So what in the world Continue Reading >>