love to paint

My son turned 4 this past April and I wanted to throw him a pirate birthday party. I searched high and low for a pirate tale that I loved and never found one. I found one that was okay (Peg Leg Peke), but I wish I had found this one. It is a great story and I am glad to have found it now.  I read it as an e-book online with my kids, but it would be much more fun to read as a paperback book, which is what I'd recommend. After reading it, these were their comments: Oldest (girl): I loved that story! Middle (girl): I liked it--Molly likes it too! (our dog) Youngest (boy): So funny. I want another one. Oldest (girl): I loved that they got cake at the end. Youngest (boy): And a kiss! My kids are 8,6, and 4 years old.  I was surprised and pleased at how much they enjoyed the story.   They laughed throughout the story (just as I did the first time I read it). As a mom, I loved the story because of the affectionate tone about moms and what they told their sons. I also love i...

I am working on finding ways to find free homeschool resources on the web.  So, I thought I would put together a states and capitals unit from the web instead of buying a book.   Here is what I came up with: 1) Learn the States and Postal Abbreviations unit from Joy A. Miller at Five J's http://fivejs.com/free-ebook-learn-the-states-and-postal-abbreviations/ and tips for learning them http://fivejs.com/memory-tips-for-learning-the-us-postal-abbreviations/ 2) Numbered State worksheet and states and capitals worksheets.  Scroll through to find the free ones.  Many of them are for members only, but the essentials are free. http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/states.html 3) 3 Penelope Peabody lost in the United States.  I'm going to only use the 3 free ones for fun. http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/states-lost.html 4) State Capital Flash Cards.  After reading what one homeschool mother said, I'm going to add on a few of the major cities in...

Periodically, I am contacted by independent authors asking if I'll review their books.  I only say yes if I'm really think I'd be interested in the book.  I have to be honest.  I am very hesitant to read independently published books.  It has more to do with my opinions than the books themselves.  I have committed to myself to be honest in my reviews--sharing both positive comments and hopefully constructive criticism.  I know that for me it is often hard to hear constructive criticism and so I think about how it would feel if I was an author (who'd gone out on a limb) hearing a reviewer write anything negative about my work.  I know constructive criticism has to be carefully shared though.  Too much comes off as too harsh.  I sincerely understand this and I pray that my words won't sound too harsh. Last month, Vicki Watson contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing a fiction book she'd written for girls about Autumn's age (8...

A friend gave me some wise advice this morning.  I wanted to write it down lest I forget it.  I am afraid that though it was only given 2 hours ago, I already cannot articulate it as it was shared with me. I shared with my friend some trouble I have been pondering.  I realized yesterday that I cannot fix everything.  She gave me the advice that I need to walk alongside my husband and friends and family, but that it is not my job to fix everything or make decisions for people.  I am to look for the work God has for me to do and pray if I am concerned for decisions people are making or have made.  Within the realm of my own life, I have plenty to do.  My friend said this so kindly and gently and I received it.  She is right.   I do not, should not, and cannot live anyone's life for them.  It is not my place.  It is not my place either to judge their decisions.  But, I can pray, help others, and look for the work God has for...

I've been meaning to write this post for a few weeks now, but life has been pretty busy.  I've been taking a college course this summer on Chapter Book Reading.  Four or Five years ago, I took a continuing ed course on teaching PK-2 mathematics.  It w helped me understand what my children needed to grasp.  Then, last summer, I felt nudged to dig into writing and what my children needed to grasp.  I wrote several posts about it.  This summer, the subject has been reading.  I am hoping to write several posts over the next few weeks about what I learned from the course and what I learned about teaching reading to our children. But, there have been other things on my mind as well.  It all began with the link I posted to a review on BJU Press' site for the book, Dead End in Norvelt .  As we were driving away for a weekend trip, my husband and I discussed the book.  He was alarmed by my reaction to the book.  He was very concerned about...