Day in the Life {April 23, 2015}

Homeschool ABC Collab: Q is for Quitting

The Love Letters {Review}

Marlena needed this summer with with her Mammi following Dawdi Tim's death.  They planned to spend their time together, gardening, canning, and healing.  Marlena had no idea her world was about to be turned even further upside down.

Rocked by her sister's unexpected death, Marlena hesitantly takes on the care of her niece, Anglea Rose.  As time goes on, Marlena discovers she enjoys a connection with her sister and Angela Rose breathes new life into their home.  But what will become of the child when her MIA soldier father returns?

Meanwhile, neighbor Small Jay struggles to connect with his own father because of a unknown disability.  As his father continues to push him away, Small Jay befriends a mysterious stranger, Boston, who can't remember his past.   As Boston becomes more a part of the family, the boy finds not only a friend, but a mentor.  Will Boston ever find his way home?  And will Small Jay find a way to connect with his father before it's too late?

I have long since been a fan of Beverly Lewis' work.  Her Amish/Mennonite books have led the way in this genre.  However, while this book was ok, it certainly wasn't my favorite of Lewis' work.  It was hard to relate to the characters.  Marelena especially felt dry stiff and unrealistic.  Of the two story lines, the most enjoyable part of the book was between Small Jay and Boston.  The boy and the stranger build a beautiful relationship that is quite tender.

My other complaint is that the storylines had very little to do with each other.  Other than an occasional visit between neighbors, the characters rarely interact.  And even then it's detached.

All in all, this was not my favorite of Lewis' work.  Both stories could have been easily separated and further developed.  If you're looking for something from Lewis, I would recommend some of the Home to Hickory Hollow series or Heritage of Lancaster County series.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.  All opinions are my own.

Walmart Haul 4/12/15

Homeschool Tools #1

Maternity Clothes? When to let go?

Disneyland Tag

2015 April Bookmarks

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for April was Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist.

 These are the books I read this month:

When Mercy Rains by Karen Vogel Sawyer-- See my review here.

Books I read with the kids this month:

Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody--

Landmark Books: Meet Abraham Lincoln by Barbara Cary--

Our suggested reading for April was Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist--

So what are your bookmarks this month?

Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist.

And come back May 29th as we discuss God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg.

*Linked to these Parties

How to Throw a Pocahontas Party {on a budget)

My daughter challenged me with a Pocahontas Party this past December.  She's been studying Pocahontas in school and had just watched the movie at Grandma's.  But as I was looking online, the Pocahontas theme was retired in the ninety's.    So we went with aqua blue and yellow, and lots of sunflowers.  Here's some highlights from the day and a breakdown on our budget.

Party Budget Breakdown

* Party supplies--$10 (bough from Dollar Tree/ Party City)

* Making necklaces--Cording--$4
                                Beads--$2

* Pin the Feather on Pocahontas--Poster and construction paper feathers --$.50
                                                   Tape and blindfold--on hand

* Pass the Grizzly Bear--Stuffed Animal--on hand
                                        Colors of the Wind CD--from dance class

* Break the Acorn (piñata)--homemade piñata--$3
                                              candy--$2
                                              play necklaces-- $2

* Food--$30 (finger food, punch, chips/dip, etc)

* Party favors--Necklaces, jewelry, candy

* Gift-- Baby high chair (second hand), $15 American Girl clothes (bought with 50% coupons)

Homeschool ABC Collab: P is for ...

2015 Spring Goals

When Mercy Rains {Review}

The first book in the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, Sawyer writes the story of Susanne Zimmerman, a woman rejected by her mother who then sets out to build her own life for her and her daughter.  Becoming pregnant at the age of seventeen, Suzy's mother sends her away with the promise that Suzy can return after she delivers and gives the baby to her cousin.  But when Suzy doesn't return, her mother weaves a story of her "missionary daughter."  Meanwhile Susanne, as she prefers to be called, builds a new life as nurse and secretly raises her daughter.  Called home unexpectedly to care for her injured mother, Susanne walks a fine line between her family and  the shame of being an unwed mother.  Things intensify when her old beau is called upon to remodel the family home.  Can Susanne keep the situation from boiling over before she can leave?  Or will her family ties always be strained?

 This is the first Sawyer book I've ever read.  I was hesitant to try a new author, but the story quickly drew me in and I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book.  While this is an Amish/Mennonite book, the themes are very universal.  It wasn't long before I forgot about the religion of the characters and was heavily invested in their internal struggles.  Throughout this book, we're faced with questions of family, loyalty, forgiveness, and fear.  Most of all this is a book about relationships: who we will fight for, who we will fight with, and how hard will we work to save a relationship.  

This was one of the best Amish fiction books I've read in awhile.  The author weaves a story that takes more twists and turns than you would think imaginable.  Just when I thought I had this one figured out, the author would twist the story again.  This book is definitely worth a read and I'm anxious the read the next in the trilogy.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

Homeschool ABC Collab: B is for ...

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did:

Parenting:

•  kid activities
• Purge kids' rooms
• Make a foster child folder

Blogging:

• Record 3-4 vlogs
• Write one review

Homemaking:

• Donate maternity clothes
• Get gun locks
• Go through foster care checklist

Personal:

• Workout 3 days
• Finish one book

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 2 games, 3 practices, 2 swim, 1 training
• Make foster child folder
• Go on field trip

Blogging:

• Record 3 vlogs
• Edit 2 reviews

Homemaking:

• Drop off donations
• Go through foster care checklist
• Fertilize

Personal:

• 3 workouts
• Finish one book

What are your goals this week?

What's in My Purse? (Spring 2015)

Super Mom Tag

Weekend Links

10 Cute DIY Teacher Gifts

Chinese 5 Spice Beef Lettuce Wraps

5 Easy Meal Prep Ideas

When fearful that you're not enough

You might be a homeschooling family if...

Embarking on nature journaling

This Week:

What I Made: I worked on some baseball flip-flops and will hopefully finish them this weekend.

What I'm Reading:  I'm reading two review books and this month's bookmark's book.

What I'm Doing: Hanging out with family, watching my daughter play baseball, ordering library books, getting the house reading for foster care licensing...

What I'm Watching:  Once Upon a Time.. some Little Couple... home movies... and a little baseball

What I'm Enjoying: Teaching... line drying our clothes... mangos...

What are you up to?

My Planner (Spring 2015)

5 Things Challenge

The Berenstain Bear's Country Cookbook {Review}

My kids love being in the kitchen.  They tend to be creative kids, and cooking plays a part in that as well.  Every time I'm planning meals or in the kitchen, they want to be involved.  So of course, this cookbook played right into what these kids enjoy.

We loved flipping throw this cookbook.  It's laid out in a logical manner, working through the day, and I love that each recipe includes a color photo.  With kids, it's so nice to visualize what you're working toward.  Also the recipes really are kid friendly.  Not only are they something that my kids would want to eat, but they also include simple ingredients for when you've got a lot going on.

My only negative about this cookbook is that I'd like to see a kid friendly book that is geared toward a healthier lifestyle.  A lot of these recipes included ingredients like tater tots or refrigerated biscuits.  And while those items occasionally make an appearance on our table, I'd like to find a kid's cookbook that is more about fresh items and less about packaged junk.

Is this a well made cookbook?  Yes.  It's it bright, fun, and engaging?  Yes.  Could it be geared toward a healthier lifestyle?  This one has some work to do.

All in all, a well made book with fun recipes, but needs to be balanced with a healthier lifestyle and view of food.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

Homeschool ABC Collab: O is for ...

A Peek Into Our Spring Break Week

Dying Easter Eggs

Painting is fun too

Brothers and Sister

Hunting eggs at the elementary school

Hunting at Grandma's

H9 anyone?

The view master found new life

Throwing cards... Good job!

Homeschool ABC Collab: A is for ...

Our Foster Parenting Journey: Visiting Diaper Bag

A Peek Into Our Homeschool Week: March 30-April 3, 2015

Monday night baseball

Learning about batteries

Closed circuit and open circuit

Long Division is killing me!  :-)

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did:

Parenting:

• 1 playdate, 1 sleepover, 1 respite, 1 practice
• Plan LP6 for Noah

Blogging:

• Finish 3-4 drafts
• Record 3-4 vlogs
• Write one review

Homemaking:

• Fertilize lemon tree
• Purge kids' rooms

Personal:

• Workout 3 days
• Get 8.5 hrs sleep/night
• Finish one book

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 1 gymnastics, 1 dance, 4 practices, 3 games, 2 swim
• Purge kids' rooms
• Make a foster child folder

Blogging:

• Record 3-4 vlogs
• Write one review

Homemaking:

• Donate maternity clothes
• Get gun locks
• Go through foster care checklist

Personal:

• Workout 3 days
• Finish one book

What are your goals this week?

Scrapbooking Retreat--March 2015

Spelling Strategy #2 --Red Vowels

Homeschool ABC Collab: N is for ...

Preschool Skill: Color Sorting

Transitioning from Crib to Big Boy Bed

10 Goals This Week

Here's how I did:

Parenting:

• 1 dance class, 1 gymnastics class, 2 baseball games, 2 practices, 2 swim lessons
• Celebrate Easter

Blogging:

• Record 3-4 vlogs
• Finish 3-4 drafts
• Write one review

Homemaking:

• Fertilize lemon tree
• Clean out breezeway
• Purge the kids' rooms

Personal:

• Workout 3 days
• Get 8.5 hrs of sleep/night

These are My 10 Goals for the Week:

Parenting:

• 1 playdate, 1 sleepover, 1 respite, 1 practice
• Plan LP6 for Noah

Blogging:

• Finish 3-4 drafts
• Record 3-4 vlogs
• Write one review

Homemaking:

• Fertilize lemon tree
• Purge kids' rooms

Personal:

• Workout 3 days
• Get 8.5 hrs sleep/night
• Finish one book

What are your goals this week?

Extended Family Weekend--March 13-15, 2015

What's In Your Easter Baskets? 2015

Butterfly Sensory Bin

Homeschool ABC Collab: M is for ...

VEDA 2015