Christmas Gifts that Get Kids Reading

Are you ready to get some Christmas shopping done? I know as December nears, we are all thinking about getting gifts bought and marked off the list early! Today I have a list of ideas for you to get kids reading this Christmas and beyond!
Activity Books 
Activity books are so much fun! They give children something fun to do while learning about a variety of topics. Here's a few of my favorites!

1. Aliens Sticker Book 
2. Fairies Activity Pack
3 Dinosaur Quiz Cards
4. 365 Science Activities
5. Baby's Very First Big Play Book
My toddler LOVES this book! We borrowed it from a friend for a few days and it had so many fun things to look under, feel and sounds to listen to. This is on her Christmas list!
6. Little Boys' Activity Book 
7. Learning Pallette
8. Baby's Very First Flash Cards: Animals







Shine a Light Books 
These are SO much fun! I used them with our homeschool co-op and the kids all loved it. They ranged from 3 to 10 years old! Here's a quick video to check them out.

Secrets of the Apple Tree
Secrets of the Seashore
Secrets of the Rainforest

Chapter Books 
Even if your kids aren't up to reading a chapter book on their own, it's a great time to read aloud to them! From "Hey Jack!" and "Billie B." for beginners to the "Pheonix Files" and "Conspiracy 365" for teens and even adults. These books are sure to get your kids reading!

Ages 4-7
Ages 7-9
Ages 9-11
Ages 12+




a Rafflecopter givea! way

Click here to find the other gift guides as part of the Christmas Blessings Giveaway! 

An InLinkz Link-up

6 Days of Creation + MORE!

This topic has been cropping up more and more and I feel like it's important to say it. The Bible tells the story of creation in Genesis 1. Many people have decided to twist the word "day" to fit popular science's view of the age of the Earth. They say,

 "The Bible doesn't mean a day, God's day may have been millions of years!"

That got me thinking, was Noah's flood really millions and millions of years then? The Bible says it rained for forty days and nights. Was Jesus in the wilderness for millions of years before Satan tempted Him?

The Bible is to be taken quite literally, not just in the creation but EVERY word in it! We cannot pick and choose what to believe from the Bible and try to twist the things we don't agree with to mean something else!

If we try and twist the days of creation into millions of years the entire Bible makes no sense at all!  I went looking for more information from Answers in Genesis and read this great article about the literal days of creation. Dr, Mortenson made some good points. Moses and the others who wrote the Bible were not scientists, they didn't have the technology we have today. They spoke, read and wrote Hebrew which had to be written in a very clear manner for them to understand. He also explains the Hebrew word for day used in the Bible.

"Everywhere else in the Old Testament, when the Hebrew word for “day” (םיוֹ, yom) appears with “evening” or “morning” or is modified by a number (e.g., “sixth day” or “five days”), it always means a 24-hour day."

If you have heard these statements about the creation not being literal days or the world being millions of years old I encourage you to do your own research! Read your Bible first and remember God doesn't lie, His word is truth and we can't pick parts to believe and leave the rest. Once you've done that head over to Answers in Genesis do get some of your specific questions answered!

Kids love dinosaurs, they love hearing Bible stories and learning about God's creation. If we don't equip them with the truth and teach them what the Bible says about the world we live in they will hear false things at school, on TV or in books that don't line up with the Bible. We have to teach them how it all fits together, how science does in fact align with the Bible and THEN our children can learn about dinosaurs, nature and our world with the same outlook God intended us to have.


Want more resources for learning to see the world God's way, grow in your faith and teach your children? Check out the Ultimate Christian Living Bundle. Today is the LAST day to get it! Take a look below and don't miss out.

Multi-Age Homeschooling Without Going Crazy

This year has been, well I guess every year of homeschooling is a learning experience. This year it has been figuring out how to deal with kindergarten, first grade and fifth plus a toddler in the mix who no longer takes a morning nap (isn't 14months too young for that?) Many days I felt like I was going crazy trying to get all of them done even though My Father's World kindergarten is fairly quick and easy. I asked around, saw the color coded charts people used to teach their families and tried making up my own schedule.

Even after all of that I still felt frazzled, unorganized and just frustrated! Finally I figured out what I needed to do and it worked! Instead of trying to do math with one then the next and the next then going onto another subject and switching between the three of them I thought I'd try and just sit down with one child and get through ALL of their work before moving onto the next. The first day it was SO nice! We were done fairly earl in the day and I didn't feel like I was losing m mind.

Here are my tips for schooling multiple levels.

1.Combine when possible
Many curriculum are made for just this! Using things for Bible, Science and History that can work for a variety of grade levels helps a LOT when trying to fit it all in. Think of the one room school house style. One classroom for all the grades and letting kiddos work together on crafts and projects makes it so much more fun!




2. Experiment with Your Schedule
It may take a while to figure out what works for you. Do you like having a set schedule? Try that and see how it works for you. If it's making your more stressed out than it is being helpful you may want to try  more relaxed schedule. For me, it was having a set start time then working with one child at a time while the others played. You may be able to work with more than one at a time without going crazy and if that works for you go for it! Experiment and find what works

3. Expect Interruptions

At least in my house, with a toddler, there's always something happening! Toys being dumped, her stepping on the kids workbooks as they are trying to write, the dog barking or a fussy toddler who wants attention! SO many things can get in the way when trying to get through the school day, learning to expect them and go with the flow really helps you keep your cool (even though picking up the pile of cards for the fifth time may not be fun lol).


Now, Mama, it's your turn to share! How do you teach several kiddos without going crazy?

Royal Berkey Water Purifier Giveaway!

My guess is that you are blessed with access to clean running water. We don't really worry about getting parasites or other waterborne diseases when we turn on our tap. But while we are blessed with clean water coming through indoor plumbing, are you aware of some of the environmental contaminants that are frequently found in that water? Traces of heavy metals like mercury and aluminum, pesticide residues, and volatile organic compounds can be found in our drinking water! This is why the bloggers of Positively Real Media are so excited to be teaming up to bring to you a Royal Berky 3.25 Gallon Stainless Steel Water Purifier giveaway sponsored by United Environmental Solutions!

About The Berkey

Berkey water purifiers are truly unique water purifying systems. According to UES, they are able to remove red food coloring from water while still allowing beneficial minerals to remain! As free-standing units that put the power of gravity to use, the Berkey systems don't use any electricity. This makes them excellent systems to have on hand while camping or during power outages. While whole house filtration systems can be fantastic solutions to the problem of residual water contamination, they are simply out of the budget for most families. However, a Berkey system is a fraction of the cost and can filter 4 gallons of water per hour, making it a great fit for families! If you want to ensure that your family's drinking and cooking water is as clean and pure as it can be, a Berkey may be just what you need!

Win A 3.25 Gallon Royal Berkey!

The bloggers of Positively Real Media, a network of naturally-minded Christian bloggers, are thrilled to be able to offer one of our readers a 3.25 Gallon Royal Berkey Stainless Steel Water Purifier, valued at $300! Many thanks to United Environmental Solutions for providing this fanatic prize to one blessed reader. Just use the Rafflecopter form below to get your entries in!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Son of Hamas Book Giveaway!

 

 

Today I am sharing with you the book and movie trailer for a great story of a man who was a Hamas insider. They have also made a movie based on this story called The Green Prince.

 

More about the book Son of Hamas

Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. In Son of Hamas, Mosab Yousef—now called “Joseph”—reveals new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about his own role, his agonizing separation from family and homeland, the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public, and his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East.

 

The Green Prince will be opening in theaters on December 5th, 2014. Watch this trailer to find out more then enter to win a copy of the book Son of Hamas.

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bless Foster Children with New Books!

 

Last week I shared that I've started up a business of my own with Usborne books and more. One of the reasons why I joined is because they are on a mission to spread literacy and ignite a love of reading in children. Children who come from troubled homes don't often get the chance to gain a love of reading because they are more worried about making it through each day. I want to bless these children who are cared for by Christian Children's Home of Ohio by donating NEW books to them!

 

Will you help me out by making a donation TODAY? We just need 20 people to donate $25 to raise $750 in FREE books to bless these children and those who care for them each day! This book drive will end on Saturday, October 4th, so be sure to send your donation today.

 

 

I will post updates on the You Caring site as well as here when the book drive is over.

 

 

Big News!

I wanted to share some exciting news with you today. This past week, after much prayer and thought I have decided to become a consultant for Usborne Books and More!

Why Usborne? 
There's SO many opportunities out there and I've tried a few others before. I have loved Usborne books since Chelsea was little. Every time we see the books the kids wanted to take them all home! They are just fun to look at and read. They get kids excited about reading!

That leads me to the 2nd reason why I chose Usborne. They aren't just about wanting to get people rich or sell more products. They have a bigger mission! Statistics show that almost 80% of kids from 4th grade and above are reading below grade level! Kids would rather play video games than pick up a good book. that makes me sad. I LOVE reading and want to share that with more families. I want to help them find books their kids will love and in turn, ignite a love of reading in them.

Ready for some fun? 

Join me Sunday night, September 28th at 9 PM EST on my Facebook page for My Blessings Homschool for an Usborne Books party! All you will need is your PJ's, computer and some snacks and get ready for some fun and a chance to WIN a FREE book! 

Will I "see" you Sunday night?