Welcome to our Ohana! My blog will bring you an eclectic spread of interesting topics including homeschool curriculum reviews, daily tidbits and discoveries, recipes, devotions, info on Tourette Syndrome, and other random rants and raves. You never know what I might want to shoot out there! I look forward to reading your comments and I hope you enjoy your time visiting. God Bless!
My Home School Grades is a program designed to help you organize and store several aspects of homeschool life.
Manage students' grades
Organize curriculum
Create Lesson Plans
Track Extra-curricular activities
Export official college ready transcripts - check out this sample HERE
Calculate GPA's
I have tried a few different programs for similar purposes and I have never stuck with them because they were so complicated and time consuming to use. My Home School Grades is so easy to use. It is intuitive and the process "just makes sense". There are video tutorials to walk you through every aspect of the program, but I found that I didn't need them very much because of the user-friendly aspect of this product.
The web app lets you take your My Home School Grades with you everywhere. You don't have to worry about trying to remember to record a field trip or activity when you get home. Just do it while you are there! Are you traveling? No problem. Record grades and adventures right from your phone or tablet. There is no need to try to find a computer. The activity section of the program allows you to share as much detail as you want about the activity, including awards.
My Home School Grades offers aFREE 14 day trial. Wow! You can try it out before you buy it. You'll be amazed at how easy and thorough it is. Then, when you decide to make your purchase it is only $49.99 for a LIFETIME membership! That's right. A lifetime membership for as many children as you have. I'm thrilled and excited to have my membership now as my son is entering 8th grade. I've been wondering how I would effectively record and store a comprehensive transcript of his courses, grades, and activities for high school. Problem solved!
Learn more about My Home School Grades by getting in the loop....
visit their website at https://myhomeschoolgrades.com
visit their blog at https://myhomeschoolgrades.com/blog
visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MyHomeSchoolGrades
visit them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HomeSchoolGrade
I had never heard of such a thing and my curiosity went bonkers! I couldn't wait to get my hands on this Bible. My 13 year old son and I awaited anxiously for its arrival. One day he came running into the house with the package. He could barely wait to open it.
Ta-Da! I was thrilled with the color they sent me! PINK!
The teenaged boy. Not so much.
"What?", he exclaimed in his most dramatic teen voice, "It's pink!".
We had a brief stare down.
Stare at each other. Stare at the Bible. Stare at each other. Stare at the Bible.
LUNGE!
Rats! The kid won! He grabbed that Bible faster than me and tore off into his bedroom to check it out. I didn't see that thing for two days. He hid it in his room and only took it out to read in the secure cover of his bed and to take it in the shower with him.
So much for "It's pink!" blah blah blah.
I have barely had a chance to read it myself and, when I can, it is under the watchful eye of the new proud owner of a pink Waterproof Bible. My son. He leaves it on his bathroom counter and takes it in the shower with him. After his shower he likes to sit on the floor of his tub and read, enveloped in the steam and pool of water he has manage to collect. One night he left it there in that partially filled tub...for experiment's sake for this review.
He is good about drying it like the directions describe. He stands it up on its spine and fans out the pages. Usually by the next day it is pretty dry or may need a little bit of a wipe down with a hand towel. Good as new! Now, back in for another shower baptism!
I did manage to (oops!) spill my coffee on it one morning. It wiped right off even after I let it set on there for a while. The liquid sort off rolls of the synthetic pages. We also tried tearing the pages by flipping through it quickly or at odd angles much like a child would and....nope. No tears.
Let's get the run down of what this Bible has to offer and what makes it unique.
durable, synthetic pages
ultra clear text
no bleed through with highlighters and pens
tear resistant cover and pages
tightly stitched binding
variety of translations: NIV, NKJV, KJV, ESV, NLT
variety of colors: pink, blue, lily pad, camouflage
Waterproof
It FLOATS! That's right....drop it over a side of a boat and it will float.
This is the ideal Bible for any individual or family!
outdoor activities like hiking, boating, skiing, etc
missionaries
campers
boy scouts, girl scouts, and cub scouts
reading around young children with cheeto fingers and juice boxes
travel
beach or pool reading
every day use
Check out all the Bibles they have to offer at the website, www.waterproofbible.com Prices are $24.95 - $44.95. They also offer a variety of accessories to use with your unique Bible, like dry highlighters and space pens. Check them out HERE. I'm thinking I need to get a camouflage one for my son, so maybe I'll actually get the pink one for me! We'll see!
Ooka Island is a Learn-to-Read game for ages 3-7, or through grade 2. Its comprehensive approach includes the following fundamentals: phonemic awareness, phonetics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. From the very beginning, children are involved in their own unique Ooka Island adventure!
First, set up your password! Ooka uses pictures for passwords instead of words so even the pre-reader can be as independent as possible when logging in.
Second, create your avatar! Have fun making your avatar look just like you, or just like a cooky alien creature. There are so many colors and features to choose from, your child's avatar is sure to be as unique as he is.
Third, meet your guide, Zobot! Zobot will take you around the island and encourage you along the way.
As the parent, you can either choose to just get started or have your child take an assessment "test" called the Ooka Compass. Ooka is all about mastery, so your child will not be rushed along. He can work at his own pace and progress to each level as he masters each lesson. Ooka uses a system called the Learning Flow Cycle. Here is how it goes....
Because each child works at his own pace and has the opportunity for optional added activities and learning, it is a great fit for any level. Whether your child is an emerging or reluctant reader, or advanced and gifted, Ooka Island can help them grow into a more fluent and mastered reader. The instruction is adaptive and progresses at the learning pace of your child. The e-readers are narrated and the progress reports allow the parent to have a record of their child's learning adventure.
Have fun away from the computer with the Ooka Tunes app and Ooka Island Workbooks. Encourage your child to explore books that align with the level they are at in their program. Reading can be fun and easy and Ooka Island can be the tool to get your child excited about mastering his reading skills.
Ooka Island offers different membership options, from individual to family to full class size. Choose the Home Edition, School Edition, or Homeschool Edition. Since most of my readers are Homeschool families, I will share the pricing for that option. But you can visit the website by clicking HERE to see the pricing for all of the options.
For a family of up to four students: $19.95 per month OR $149.95 a year For one student: $12.95 per month OR $124.95 a year
For an additional 30% off your membership, just use the special link for my readers below! Woohoo! Big savings!
http://offers.ookaisland.com/inblog?purl=enGad
Take this quick 45 second tour of Ooka Island to catch a glimpse at the fun learning activities your child will be using. Buckle your seat belt!
Ooka Island is a downloadable program and is compatible with Mac or Windows. The file is pretty big, so be patient as it loads. I had a little difficulty getting it to load onto one of my computers, but the customer service at Ooka was right on top of things to help me out. I contacted them with a couple of other questions as I got started and they were very quick to respond and helpful.
You should also be aware that Ooka Island has aligned with Common Core Standards. Personally, I am not in agreement with CCS and its agenda, however, I will not boycott a product simple because they are in alignment with CCS. I would not exclude an outstanding reading program simply because they follow these standards. My priority is to provide the best educational option for my child and for the students I tutor. If Ooka Island is that product, then I will choose it regardless. I realize that there are others who feel more strongly about this topic though, so I thought I should mention it.
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the
products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would
mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services
I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16
CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising."
Who doesn't love a good magazine? These days there is a magazine for every interest! My personal favorites are food and homelife type magazines. When I was asked to provide my honest review of Magazines.com I jumped at the chance! Then, I had fun shopping at their website for my own magazine subscription choices. I picked Good Housekeeping (12 issues) and Women's Day (9 issues). The cost? $10!!!! I know, right? Seriously, only $10 for both subscriptions.
Have you decided what to get Mom for Mother's Day? Mom would love a magazine subscription. This is something she will enjoy all year and every time it arrives in the mail to brighten her day she will think of you. So, hop on over to Magazines.com and check out their selection. Here are just a few of their titles to choose from that she might enjoy:
Cooking with Paula Deen
Martha Stewart Living
Parenting Early Years
Parenting School Years
Prevention
Weight Watchers
Working Mother
Victoria
People
Southern Living
Food Network
Real Simple
Southern Lady
Crochet Today
Tea Time
Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting
Entertain Decorate Celebrate
Taste of South
Creative Machine Embroidery
Just Cross Stitch
Quilt
Quilter's Newsletter
Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly
Creative Knitting
Quilter's World
Sew News
Crochet World
Creating Keepsakes
Crochet
Card Maker
Oooo, my! That's a lot! There are many more at the website. To make this visit even sweeter, take advantage of this coupon code: momday13 This will get you $5 off your order and expires 5/13/13.
Get one for Mom, you, Auntie, Gramma, and another one for you (teehee). Pile them up because the price is right, the site is easy to explore, and checkout is a breeze.
To get in on the hoopla of Magazines.com, visit their website or follow them on Twitter and Facebook! Facebook: www.facebook.com/magazines.com Twitter: @magazines
OK, the moment you have been waiting for....
One lucky winner will receive a $10 gift code to Magazines.com to select their own subscription(s). All entries must be received by
midnight EST on Friday, May 17, 2013. Entrants must
be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this
giveaway is for US entries only. This giveaway is not connected to any
social media site. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have
48
hours to respond. If I don't hear back from you then I'll
pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye
out! Get started now on Rafflecopter...
I always raise my hand high to volunteer to review a Christian or Family Themed DVD. Good entertainment is hard to find! I was so excited to receive Ring The Bell, the latest Christian DVD to hit the movie world.
My son and I curled up in the living room to watch this movie together and time just flew by from there. I'm going to cut to the chase! The story line was interesting, the characters were believable, and the message was beautiful. I LOVED that the full gospel of Jesus Christ was shared in one scene (the Casting Crowns concert!). There was no fluff about it. It was bold, true, and heart felt.
There were scenes that made us laugh, and scenes that made me cry. I won't spoil it for you, but there was one scene that touched my heart so deeply. I was reminded of how God's love can transform a life, even the life of the deeply broken hearted.
Here is a little ditty on the story:
Ring The Bell shares
the story of a slick, big city sports agent Rob Decker who seems to
have it all. But on his latest mission to sign a high school baseball
superstar, Rob becomes stranded in a small town where the simplicity of
life—and the faith of the people—stand in stark contrast to his own
fast-paced, win-at-all-costs mindset. Torn between these two worlds,
will Rob have the courage to let faith transform his life? This
heartwarming story of redemption is sure to entertain and inspire the
whole family. Ring The Bell features
a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along
with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West,
all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and
current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film:
ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award
winner), along with Ben Zobrist.This
family-friendly movie was produced by Mark Miller, Beach Street
Records' founder and Casting Crowns’ producer. Miller, who is also the
lead singer and founder of country music group Sawyer Brown, co-wrote
the script with Thomas Weber and Weber directed the production.
Here is a trailer to tempt your tummy:
To get your own copy, just click HERE. That link will give you access to 6 different places where you can buy the DVD. Prices vary greatly from $9.96 to $17.99 depending on where you get it. To read more about this movie, visit the website or Facebook page. Website: http://ringthebellthemovie.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RingTheBellTheMovie
Now, hold onto your popcorn! You know what it's time for.....
One lucky winner will receive their very own copy of Ring The Bell. All entries must be received by
midnight EST on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Entrants must
be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this
giveaway is for US entries only. This giveaway is not connected to any
social media site. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have
48
hours to respond. If I don't hear back from you then I'll
pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye
out! Get started now on Rafflecopter...
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the
products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would
mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services
I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16
CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising."
Just the name of this book makes me giggle and want to pick it up to read it.
Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! by Troy Schmidt
How cute is that? It's time for the whale to tell his side of the story. This book is for ages 4-8, but I have to tell you that my 13 year old son and I curled up on the couch with this book. He asked me to read it to him.
*heavenly*
It was like I was transported back 6 years to the time when bedtime stories and cuddles under the blanket were a nightly routine. We laughed at the turn of each page, loved the colorful illustration by Cory Jones, and had a great talk at the end with the "Parent Connection" feature that guides you through great conversation with your child about the biblical principle taught in the story line.
"If you love me, you will keep my commands." John 14:15
"I called to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me." Jonah 2:2
When we finished, my son got ready for bed and I went into his room to say good night. There he was getting one more read through before bed. Now, that's a good book.
You can order your own copy of Hey God, I've Got SomeGuy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! by clicking HERE.This hard covered, beautifully illustrated book is only $9.99. You can also following along and get in on the scoop by checking out these facebook pages:
As if this book wasn't cute enough, this is just the first in a series! Other titles include: Hey God, Can You Stop the Rain so I Can Get off Noah's Smelly Ark? and Hey God, I'm Having an Awful Vacation in Egypt Thanks to Moses!
OK! You know the drill and you know what it's time for.....
One lucky winner will receive their very own copy of Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up!. All entries must be received by
midnight EST on Friday, May 10, 2013. Entrants must
be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this
giveaway is for US entries only. This giveaway is not connected to any
social media site. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have
48
hours to respond. If I don't hear back from you then I'll
pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye
out! Get started now on Rafflecopter...
a Rafflecopter giveaway "Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the
products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would
mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services
I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16
CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising."
Saving Memories Forever is an app for iPhone and Android Smartphones. It is a system that allows you to record your family history, past and "in the making", for you to enjoy for years to come.
The smartphone app allows you to record stories, Gramma sharing her best recipe, your baby's first words, or your daughter's graduation speech. Capture life and make them into memories and preserve the stories of your Grandfather's youth in his own voice. The possibilities are endless. The website allows users to manage their files, add tag words, upload photos and create a living record to be shared forever.
Having this app on your phone means you can take it anywhere, so when the moment arrives you won't miss a thing. You'll always be ready to capture a memory. Imagine recording your Mom reading a bedtime story to your toddler while she coos and giggles. Now, imagine listening to that over and over and being able to share that with her for years to come. Priceless.
The Saving Memories App is easy to download. There are several tutorial videos found on the website to help you get started and take advantage of all the features this app has to offer. You can choose the free app or the premium paid app. You can compare the differences in these options by clicking HERE. The Premium Service is only $3.99 per month or $40 for the year.
You can learn more about Saving Memories Forever by checking out their website, visiting them on Facebook, or reading their blog.
Edited Note: I wasn't going to include this in my review, but after several days since the post went live it has just been bugging me that I didn't mention it. I have an Android phone and this app would not work properly for me. Each time I opened the app it would do a force close and it took several attempts to get it running. It froze up my phone a couple of times. I have been told by several other reviewers with Androids that they had the same problem. But, anyone with an iPhone has not had this problem. I would recommend trying the free app first to make sure it works properly on your phone before making your purchase.
