Remember Who You Are

While in the middle of cleaning windows this morning, (one my least favorite things to do) I heard a moving song. An awesome reminder of who I am in Christ and how I should be worshipping God or even praying during these menial tasks, instead of despising the task at hand and having a "ho-hum" attitude. I need to be thankful for the blessing of this house and be thankful that I have dirty windows to clean.

I was reminded of just how special I am, a child of God and that I have eternal salvation! I was reminded of how we shouldn't let anything or anyone steal that joy and to always remember who we are in Christ, even while cleaning dirty windows! I am a child of God and dearly loved, is there anything else greater in this world?

Now, back to my cleaning and dancing! ;) Jesus is ALIVE and coming back!

Psalm 98:4-6

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn - shout for the joy before the Lord, the King."

Time4Learning - Special Ends This Month

I was introduced to Time4Learning by a fellow homeschooling Mom. (Thanks Kris!) Time4Learning is a wonderful website. http://www.time4learning.com/ The great thing is, you don't have to be a homeschooler to use this site. It's for any child from preschool through middleschool, who might need reinforcement in a particular subject or more focus on learning in general. 

Typically, it's $19.95 per month for the first child and then $14.95 for each additional child. However, they are running an AWESOME special for the month of July for new memberships; $4.99 per child for the first month! This offer ends July 31st. A great thing about your membership is, if you stop using it for whatever reason, you can make your account dormant and pay $4.00 per child, per month until you are ready to start again. You start where you left off, all records entact.

Now, why do we like Time4Learning so much? Well, to start with it's on the computer. Our son loves to use the computer. Also, the parent has options in setting up the account for each child based on their particular learning needs. They also allow the parent to set a specific time of learning. There is a timer on the top of the page while your child works. Once they complete the specific time alotted for learning, they can go to the "playground".  There on the playground are games to play and safe websites that the child can go to.
It's also wonderful for homeschoolers, because they have tool that allows you to print off progress reports of the child's work. This can easily be put into the homeschooling portfolio for reviews, as well as, to track strengths and weaknesses. They also have a forum for parents.

We use Time4Learning in addition to our regular curriculum. It's a wonderful reinforcement tool for what we are already learning and our son enjoys it. This is something he can work on in the kitchen while I prepare dinner or I can sit with him while he works. It's such a convenient way to help your child learn! We love it! Now go check out their special for July. Remember, it ends July 31st!




Practice Makes Perfect

Well, Anthony's writing skills have finally seemed to "come in". Practice makes perfect, right? Well, actually it doesn't. Did you know that some children, especially boys, don't start to develop writing skills until the age of 7 or 8? Yes, 7 or 8!



He got creative here and used 2 different colored markers.

 Today we worked on tracing shapes that I printed off of 1+1+1+=1 http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/index.html I printed them off, laminated and cut them out. We use dry erase markers on them. (I love laminating for this very reason!) I have noticed such a change in Anthony's writing skills. From the way he holds the pencil or pen, even crayons and markers, from his control of his lines. It's so cool to see it coming along. (Wonder if he'll enjoy writing one day as much as I do?) While tracing the shapes and talking about them and how many sides some of them have, he mentioned Doodleburg. It's a game he plays on his Leapster Explorer. The game is actually called, Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg. It's a GREAT learning tool for writing and I think that has also helped his writing skills. I highly recommend that game for Explorers and if you don't have an Explorer, I recommend saving some money and purchasing one. They are a wonderful learning tool. All the games, are learning games. Although, I'm not a big "electronic" person, Anthony does play with his Explorer each day for determined time. Personally, I think that is a big issue with lots of kids now a days. They are allowed to spend way too much time on the computer or playing wii, etc., verses interacting with real people. I try to keep in mind, that everything is permissible, but not always beneficial. :)

After he traced all the shapes, he got to hang them on our ribbon in the kitchen. Typically, this ribbon hanging on the wall is where we have been putting his crafts he did at bible study or worksheets we worked on together at home. It's also a great place to put up bible verses that you want to memorize. It's right in front of our table where we eat, so at meal time it's great to go over them together or talk about them.


This is what our "wall of accomplishments" looked like before I clean it all off.



TOS Magazine

This is my favorite magazine on homeschooling; The Old Schoolhouse. So many resources and helpful articles on homeschooling. They are currently running a warehouse wipeout. A value of $104.75 for only $25.00! This price already includes shipping too! Awesome deal! Click on the TOS warehouse wipeout button on my blog to check out the details!

Monster Truck Preschool Pack (1+1+1=1)

If your child loves Monster trucks, you gotta check this out from 1+1+1=1 site! It's free. Found this goodie this morning. Can't wait to print, laminate, cut and put together!

http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/2011/07/monster-trucks-preschool-pack.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FXQbU+%281%2B1%2B1%3D1%29

Days Of Summer

I know I haven't posted anything in several weeks. I have to admit, blogging is at the VERY bottom of my "to-do" list. I would love to have time to sit and blog every day, but it just doesn't happen. I've decided today to post a wonderful quote that came up on my revolving devotional calendar. I just love it and I think there are many who read my blog that will appreciate it. I know so many family members and friends that are going through some tough times, so this quote is just for you! Meanwhile, enjoy some of the pictures from our summer thus far.

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius." - Comte de Buffon

Hershey Park in May. We stayed until closing. It was Anthony's first visit and he had a blast!

The big rigs at Hershey

The day the world sprung a leak!

My Dad's birthday. This is a bird house.

Anthony working on Time For Learning site.

Anthony's birthday. He LOVES Donkey Kong!

Homemade garlic & turkey pepperoni Friday night pizzas. Yumm-o!

Is this Lewis or Clark, we aren't sure. They have since been released into the wild. We started with 7, but in the end only 4 survived and were released into our backyard.

Anthony's Barber Shop!

Anthony's 5th birthday. He turned 5 this year, but still loves Thomas.

Me & Anthony

Anthony sawing logs. He is completely like his Daddy!

Working on his Mater puzzle.

Catching bubbles with Daddy.

Anthony helping Daddy work on the base for our shed.

Our small garden. The pumpkins have actually taken over the garden!

Suns baseball game. We saw AWESOME fireworks that night! Great family night.

Mark and our shed we are building. Next will come a chicken coop! (More to come about that.) :)

Anthony practicing writing. He actually wanted to spell my name. I was excited that he WANTED to write. It's so neat to see him reach little milestones as he grows and wants to learn.