Tuesday, July 1, 2025

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll June 2025

 


Culture of Honor by Danny Silk

This was a reread for me.  I had previously read this book at least 10 years ago.  Silk sets out to realign the church with a kingdom mindset, reminding us that God's structure doesn't always look like ours.  It was really a mixed review for me.  Silk has some great takeaways.  He shares examples of restoration with the church that left the participants built up rather than shamed.  He reminds us that revival culture doesn't eliminate the consequences or temptations of sin.  There were really some great points here.  I think my biggest hesitation is Silk's belief that the gifts are hierarchical.  He lays out an argument that some gifts are more important than others.  I just don't see that in Scripture.  I found myself loving and hating this book.  I'm just not sure what to make of it.  Still mulling it over.


Speak Your Mind by Emerson Eggerichs



Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola

This fictionalized story by Karen Andreola follows Carol and her children as they embark on their homeschool journey.  It's a sweet story set in the early 1900's and really gets the mother's heart for her kids.  I love how sweet and gentle this story is.  Carol is honest about her struggles, but everything is covered by her love for her husband and family.  A lot of the book centers on their pursuit of nature study.  Andreola includes the scientific names of natural items and includes thoughtful questions at the end of each section.  I return to this one often when I need to be reminded of how simple and relational homeschool can be.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:


Half-Magic, The Knight's Castle, and Magic by the Lake
by Edward Eager

We are hooked on this series.  The first book follows four siblings as they discover a magic charm that works in unusual ways... it only grants half wishes.  Hilarity follows as the kids wish their way into some unusual adventures.  And end up reaping the consequences.  Book Two introduces a new set of four characters, while Book Three finds the two groups meeting.  Each book is funny, hilarious, and has a meaningful moral.  And my favorite part is that the siblings actually get along and are good role models for behavior.  That sort of dynamic is hard to find these days.

What are you reading?





Monday, June 30, 2025

Speak Your Mind {Review}

 


For many of us, speaking with clarity can be a challenge.  When conveying our ideas, it seems like something always comes out slightly off.  How often do we have a conversation with a spouse or a friend, and walk away feeling like something was lost in translation?

Author Emmerson Eggerichs sets out to help us all better communicate with those around us by focusing on four simple principles:  Is it true?  Is it kind?  Is it necessary? Is it clear?

Easy, right?  Not so fast.

This updated version starts with a self-assessment, designed to highlight trouble areas in our communication.  Then communication mistakes are organized into clusters and addressed individually using Biblical principles and real-life examples.  Eggerichs concludes each section with a checklist for better communication, listing several questions created for self-reflection.

Emmerson Eggerichs has long been a favorite author in this house.  His books on marriage and family have vastly improved our communication and helped us set healthy boundaries in our relationships.  This book is well in line with his other writing.  Speak Your Mind does an incredible job of humbly pointing out communication mishaps and gently correcting them.  It even addresses issues like being vague so as not to hurt someone's feelings.  Eggerichs shows how something seemingly innocent can go on to cause more misunderstandings and consequences, all of which could have been avoided with better communication skills.  This is an excellent book, and I look forward to getting a hard copy so as to make notes as I learn to improve in my own communication.

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

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Summer Reading List ll 2025

 Summer is here... and with it, long lazy hours at the pool and lake, camping weekends, and a chance for Mom to recharge.  So as I'm preparing my summer reading list, I'm stacking it with both books for learning and books for relaxation.  This is typically the time of year when I'm recasting vision for our homeschool.  So I like to read books like Homeschool Bravely or  Awaking Wonder.  On the other hand, my brain needs a break as well so I'm looking for some good fiction to lighten the mood.  I think I struck a good balance for this season, but I have to know... what would you add to this list?


Momentum by Bill and Eric Johnson


The Four Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson


Trial and Triumph by Richard Mannula


The House of My Mother by Shari Franke


Speak Your Mind by Emerson Eggerichs


Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado


Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery


Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

Our Read Alouds:


Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager


The Time Garden by Edward Eager


Coming up Cuban by Sonia Manzano


The Puffin Keeper by Michael Morpurgo

What are you reading?

Monday, June 9, 2025

10 Things We Don't Do In Our Homeschool

*This post was originally published on 3/6/19.  Enjoy!


(Click Post for Video)

Each homeschool is unique just as each family is unique.  Today I'm sharing ten good things that just don't fit into our homeschool.
Click for more!

The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ

The Waldock Way:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCX1WaxK7QNR2dDdklS-VQ?fbclid=IwAR1PcS8CY_l6one6PrPI2HHSh7f6Ye_BJLjCeU7Ck_LIOm7vRuMLvmNxbfE

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdamhRE3YEBZ6oNyXPeTsfx46zV912Ps

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱13 yrs, 👧11 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.

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
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Monday, June 2, 2025

Teaching Social Skills to Your Homeschooled Preschooler

*This post was originally published on 8/23/22.  Enjoy!

(Click on post for video)

How do you teach social skills when your preschooler is homeschooled? It's not as difficult as you think.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑21yrs led to 👱16 yrs, 👧14 yrs, and 👱 10 yrs. Homeschool Curriculum We Purchased and Didn't Use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfoltPo7eho What We're Reading and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll June '22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnNyieFmk1w Summer Reading List ll 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn-MkLOsVbY&t=3s DIY Charlotte Mason Book of Centuries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9mcel_Xwg Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac&t=2s 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.
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