Snow Day!

This was our view Tuesday, late afternoon . . . 

And by the time we woke up Wednesday morning . . .

My little Canadians could not wait to get out into the frigid, white elements!

Maya made a miniature snowman . . .

And Ben was so happy that there was enough snow to start a fort!

Tobogganing (or sledding, as it is called here) . . .

The boys ended the night in front of the fireplace . . .

We were all so thrilled with the snow storm and the 8 or 9 inches of snow that it brought us. We were also very happy that Bob was able to stay with us to work from home. It was a lovely, relaxing snow day!


And because Emma made us this delectable chocolate pecan pie with caramel topping, we still have a bowl of snow waiting in the freezer to be made into snow cream today!

xo

Lone Star Learning Vocabulary Science Cards {Review}

Lone Star Learning is a company in Texas which offers educational products for teachers. Their products include materials for math, reading and science, for Kindergarten through Grade 8. We were offered their Science Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1, which are vocabulary flashcards and the cost is $29.99.

There are 40 cards in this set. They are high-quality, sturdy, colourful cards. I wasn't doing a science curriculum that used any of these words, so during lunch a couple of times per week we played a "can you define this word?" game. I used this with all five of my children, even my high school age student, just for fun. I would start with the person on my left and go around the table until someone could give the correct definition. We had a good time. For some it was recalling information they had learned in the past, for others it was brand new information and for some it was more of "oh, I know what it is, but how do I give a proper definition?". It was a great exercise! 

I will note that the definitions are not on the back of the cards. I was a little disappointed in this, although I can see that it would be easy to use this as a concentration/memory type game, if you were to make your own definition cards to go along. There is a sheet of paper that accompanies the card set with a definition list. 

These are the words included in this set:

blizzard carnivore Celsius condensation conductor conglomerate conifer deciduous evaporation fall fern

fibrous root flood friction load – fulcrum gear gravity herbivore igneous inclined plane inherited lever

magnetic mammal metamorphic moss permeable precipitation pulley reptile sedimentary spring stretch

summer symmetry taproot turn wedge wheel winter

(Ava wasn't feeling well on this day and didn't join us for the game.)

I also wanted to give extra kudos to the Lone Star Learning Company. I was accidentally sent the wrong set of cards at first, but instead of requiring me to return the wrong set before getting the correct set, they also sent the right set and allowed me to keep both. The second set I received was Target Vocabulary Pictures, Set 1. I look forward to using these math vocabulary cards in the future. Thank you, Lone Star Learning!
To read other reviews, click the banner below. Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Weekly Menu Plan {4 March}

Last week our menu was changed around so much, I'm not sure any of meals and days matched the schedule. Oh well, nothing like flexibility, eh?

This week, I really don't know what I am going to make. I'm continuing to cook from the freezer and pantry and it is down to the bare basics. I may have some of the ingredients to make pumpkin soup, tomato soup, taco soup (sans ground beef) and fried rice. We'll see . . .

In the meantime, I came across these quotes and they made me laugh. Laughter is good medicine, so if you need a dose . . . 

Maybe the cat has fallen into the stew, or the lettuce has frozen, or the cake has collapsed. Eh bien, tant pis. Usually one's cooking is better than one thinks it is. And if the food is truly vile, then the cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile, and learn from her mistakes.

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude.

~Julie Child

Have a week full of blessings and laughter. xo

Abraham's Journey {Review}

Inspiring The American Dream is a website created with this purpose:

Our mission with this new venture is to inspire today’s youth, by instilling in them the values, principles and virtues necessary to achieve the American dream. We hope you enjoy the journey!

A part of this new venture includes a new book entitled, Abraham's Journey: A Celebration of the American Dream by Kathleen Basmadjian, PhD and Robert K. Basmadjian Jr. It is available for $14.99.
I was given a chance to review Abraham's Journey, which is intended for children, ages 7-12. The book is 32 pages in length. I read it aloud in its entirety to all my children during one of our daily lunchtime reading sessions. My 16 year old also read it aloud again to us a week or so later.
The story takes place during the "Great Recession." I was not familiar with the term Great Recession, so I had to look it up. I was originally expecting a story set long ago, so I was surprised to learn that it has a modern-day setting. 
Abraham and his little sister find out that they won't be receiving any Christmas presents due to both of their parents losing their jobs. Abraham texts his friends on his smart phone to see if they have any ideas for him to be able to make some money. Then, also via smart phone, Abraham is taken into cyberspace with his host, Abraham Lincoln. Throughout their journey, they meet several well known individuals, both from history and from present-day America. These characters include: Martin Luther King, Jr., Norman Rockwell, Amelia Earhart, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill and Melinda Gates. 
Through each of these contacts Abraham is encouraged to find his dream and talents and to pursue them. He discovers that he is a talented painter and is able to paint pictures, which then he is able to sell to make money for his family. He waits for everyone in his family to wake up on Christmas morning to show them the surprise presents he has under the tree and to tell them about his profitable journey. 
While my children and I love an imaginative story, this one left us quite disappointed. Several of my older children had problems with a child, whose parents are both without jobs, having a smart phone. They also complained that Amelia Earhart and Mark Zuckerberg were in the same scenario. She died 45-50 years before he was even born. It was just odd to them. Also, Amelia Earhart is a classic, historical, American icon, whereas Mark Zuckerberg is not, in my 16 year old's humble opinion. 
While I think the story has it's positive points, such as Abraham wanting to help his family, and in the end, the family giving gifts to the homeless shelter, it just left me scratching my head. I am a patriotic American and believe that we all have gifts and talents. I do, however, give the credit to God for those gifts and talents and not myself. I would not buy this book but would possibly check it out from the library to go along with a study on Presidents' Day or on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday or on characters in American history. Sadly, it is not enough to stand on its own. 


To find out what others from the TOS Review Crew have to say, click the banner below.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

I Breathe You in, God

Okay, I know I'm always sharing "one of my favourite songs." Apparently, I have a few dozen "favourites," eh? 

Go ahead and add this one to the list.



I'm worshipping and resting in His Presence today.

Blessings. xo