What We're Reading and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll July 2021

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 Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs.

Raising Resilient Kids Review: https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2021/07/raising-resilient-kids-review.html Willodeen Review: https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2021/07/willodeen-review.html A Christmas Engagement Review: https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-christmas-engagement-review.html Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

A Christmas Engagement {Review}

A Christmas Engagement is the story of a young woman named Liz who, after a broken engagement, decides that marriage isn't for her.  She finds a contented place in her home and work, and has come to terms with the fact that she'll be single for the rest of her life.  Along comes Matthew, her new boss, who wants to change up the business, so much so that Liz considers leaving her job.  So why does she find herself attracted to him?  And will her fears continue to hold her back?

This sweet Amish romance takes place during the holiday season, though not much focus is given to the setting.  While the first half of the book was engaging, the storyline seemed to slow considerably.  Liz and Matthew were well written, and I especially loved Liz's mother.  This is what I would characterize as "sweet" fiction: very quiet, low-key reading without a lot of rising action; in fact, it was even more "sweet" than most Amish fiction I read.  This might make a good read for teens moving into this genre, but for me, my attention fell off in the second half of the book.  

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

 

Willodeen {Review}

Orphaned Willodeen lost her family in a tragic fire, but so still carries their lessons with her.  Now living with Mae and Birdie, Willodeen would rather spend her time in nature like her father, then attend the local school.  It's this intense love for nature that leads her to study the native wildlife, particularly the Screechers.  In fact, she may be the only one alarmed when their numbers start to dwindle.  The rest of the town is more concerned with the sweet Hummingbears and why they aren't returning for the annual festival.  Could the two events be related?  And if so, will Willodeen be able to solve the mystery before it's too late?

 Katherine Applegate tells a sweet and timely tale of how nature works in relationships.  There is so much to unpack in this book: from Willodeen's family situation and healing from trauma, to the interdependency of nature, to developing relational skills, and so much more.  The themes in this book are all age appropriate for upper elementary to middle school, making it a wonderful tale to explore as a family or in the classroom.  The characters are vulnerable and real.  They each have unique strengths, and yet they also have weaknesses that can only be overcome in relation to each other.  No one person is pitted as "the bad guy," rather the characters are rich with both good and bad qualities making them very relatable.  The message was a little heavy handed at times, but all in all, Willodeen would make a lovely transitional novel for children who are ready for richer themes within a manageable length.  

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

Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool

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Wondering how to keep homeschool affordable? These are just a few of the tips and tricks we've learned over the years.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Raising Resilient Kids {Review}

 

In Raising Resilient Kids, Rhonda Spencer-Hwang sets out to discover how parents can raise kids for greater resilience in life,  As a professor, researcher, and epidemiologist, Spencer-Hwang decided to spend time in the Blue Zone, a community known for having a high concentration of centenarians, individuals around 100 years old.  What is their secret to longevity?  And how can that help future generations find resilience: physically, emotionally, and spiritually?  The result of that research is this 8 principle challenge for families to reduce stress, find healthy balance, instill values, and more.

This books wasn't quite what I expected.  I thought the author would go more into a growth mindset.  Instead she focused on a variety of topics to develop a resilient mind, body, AND spirit.  Most of the principles in this book are well known, such as the value of sleep or the need for children to contribute to the family good.  However, seeing the science behind the principles clearly laid out was a nice bonus.  I also especially enjoyed the application part of each chapter where Spencer-Hwang gave some practical application examples from her own parenting journey.  For the most part, this book was pretty common sense.  However, for a parent of elementary aged kid, this would make a good read.  For those of us who have been parenting for awhile, this one is a pass.

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

Weekend Links ll July 23, 2021

15 Min Freebie: Music of the Olympics

July Writing Prompts for Teens

100 Hands-On Activities for Older Students

Salted Watermelon with Honey Mint

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

I feel like we're a broken record lately... main dish salads, BBQ, and repeat.  It's hard to cook creatively when it's regularly over 100 degrees.  Luckily main dish salads are forgiving and so easy.  Just change the meats and toppings and you have a whole new dinner.  So refreshing!

What I'm Reading:

I'm using the summer to refocus and refresh... refocusing by reading lots of homeschool and education books, and refreshing by reading lots of fiction.

For my homeschooling, I'm rereading Homeschool Bravely.  As a type A Mama, I need that reminder that it's God's homeschool and I'm just the administrator.  He has the best in mind for my kids and I'm just an instrument.  He will lead the way.

For refreshing, I'm read a new Amish fiction book that's due out in the next couple of months.  I can't wait to share more about it.

What I'm Doing:

We're crafting and swimming... that's our summer routine.

All the crafting projects that we've had to put off and lots of swimming to keep from melting.

What I'm Enjoying:

Floating on the lake

Microwave popcorn

Slow mornings

Blackberry picking

What are you up to?

Homeschooling with Little Ones

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Wondering how to homeschool with little ones in your home? Here are just a few tips we've learned over the years.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Am I Crazy? {Review}

 

If you're not familiar with Chad Prather, consider this your warning.  You're either going to love him or hate him.  This is an unapologetic Patriot's take on the current state of the U.S.  Written in short commentaries, Prather particularly focuses on the insanity of American politics in both a funny and thought provoking manner.  He has a way of making you laugh at his whit while still giving you a lot to ponder.  Agree or disagree, Prather will definitely leave you entertained.  One part politics, one part battle of the sexes, and one part pop culture (anyone remember Tide Pods and teenagers?), Am I Crazy is completely irreverent, absolutely politically incorrect, and highly offensive.  But it's also a hilarious balance to the crazy world we live in.

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

Board Games Our Family Loves

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 Board and card games are one of our favorite activities as a family. Game night is a great way for us to spend time together and we've found quite a few that we really love!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Thinking Tree Adventure Handbook Walk Through ll Funschooling ll Look Inside

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A look inside The Thinking Tree Adventure Handbook and Survival Guide

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents

 

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 The Why's and How's of Continuing Education as a Homeschool Parent...

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

Weekend Links ll July 9, 2021

 

How to Plan a Relaxed Summer Unit Study

Easy Lemon Tarts with Strawberries

Get Your Patio Summer Ready

Teen Summer Bucket List

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

It's my husband's birthday this week and that means making a special meal.  I feel like food has such a way of making celebrations special.  So he picked a meal that I never would have imagined that he would pick: Falafel. Now we love our falafel and pita dinners, but I just wouldn't have thought of this one for a birthday dinner.  But it's what he requested so my daughter and I were in the kitchen being creative and channeling our inner chefs.  Rounded out with some fresh veggies and it was a delicious meal.

What I'm Reading:

Oh, I have too many books going right now.  Just too many.  :-)

But the one I think I'm enjoying the most is Karen Glass' Know and Tell.  We've never really used narration in our homeschool.  I've struggled with "Is it enough?"  But reading this book, I'm discovering so much more about the benefits and higher level thinking of narration.  I still don't know how much we'll use it in our homeschool in the fall, but I do see us using it more.

What I'm Doing:

We've been spending lots of time at the lake and hiding from the high temps.  It's been HOT!

It's hard to get much outdoor time in this heat wave, but we've been trying... getting out earlier in the morning, taking a mid-day trip to the lake, and spending a few minutes playing in the evenings.  

What I'm Enjoying:

Homemade pita,

Friends who visit and have fun with the kiddos,

Swimming,

Reading,

Teaching piano to Josiah!

What are you up to?

Family Subjects ll Homeschool Curriculum Picks ll 2021-22

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Today I'm sharing our curriculum picks for our family subjects. Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Organize your Homeschool with "Library Lists:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlLV3h4EzYY&t=30s 5th Grade Curriculum Picks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajuO9HkSNew 8th Grade Curriculum Picks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGU8LqCQ9o How We Teach: Artist Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVymu6AWLos&t=1s How We Teach: Music Appreciation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib4fsrUWm-Q&t=9s Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Homeschool Haul ll Rainbow Resource, Christianbook, and more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHPcEDTnp68 Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.

She Heard the Birds {Review}

She Heard the Birds introduces young readers to the life of Florence Merriam Bailey, a pioneering ornithologist.  Bailey loved and appreciated nature, specifically birds, and campaigned against the use of feathers in fashion.  Her other accomplishments included writing one of the first field guides to American birds.

This is a light preschool to early elementary biography about an inspiring woman in history.  Whimsical collage-style illustrations add to the charm of this book as well.  However, for me, the story just fell flat.  It wasn't very engaging and it was quite simplistic.  I wish the author would have chosen to focus more on biographical information and not such much on the bird song.  This was simply a case of too little substance.

*Disclaimer: I receive a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.  

 

2021-22 Homeschool Read Aloud Picks ll Collab

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Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com Collab Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdEwsx69jopu10F0MTAqAJXZeCRePq6P1 What We're Reading ll June 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtnd741aoF8&t=6s Best of the Homeschool Year ll 2020-21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s 4th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=4s Homeschool Read Alouds Picks ll 2020-21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jDCx2aU3g&t=2s C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored. Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod *This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.