Twister and Twister Curves {Guidecraft Mom Review}

Our latest construction toy from Guidecraft ~ Twisters and Twister Curves have been a hit in our household.

About Twister and Twister Curves

Each set includes 66 colored building pieces (blue, yellow, green and blue), 24 connecting rods, and a pair of pliers.

              

The sets are recommended for ages 3 and up.

What We Thought

Emily (and I) have had so much fun creating with these sets.   She made a mask, although I’m not sure what creature she was suppose to be,

a lizard,

and a rocket.

Aiden loved the set however he got frustrated that the pieces came apart fairly easily.   He did make a few structures and was very proud of his caterpillar ~ even though you can’t tell it by the picture.

Find Out More

Twisters and Twister Curves can be purchased directly from the Guidecraft or from Amazon.

Win It!

Carisa from 1+1+1=1 is giving away a set of Twisters and Twister Curves! The giveaway ends Sunday, May 22nd.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Our Memory Garden

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.  

   ~From the television show The Wonder Years

The kids and I have talked about planting a memory garden for over a year and we finally finished it ~except for a couple more bags of mulch.  We planted flowers and plants that remind us of loved ones (and pets) we have lost.

Over the past two years we have lost two very dear people to us.  My dad died unexpected almost two years ago and then one year later my mother-in-law passed away.  I’m not sure why but, the kids have been talking about their granddad a lot lately.  Emily has a blanket and several toys that she recently put in a safe place because they remind her of granddad.  Aiden, who was only 2 1/2 when my dad passed away, still talks about him all the time.  I asked Aiden the other day if he had two wished, what he would wish for.  His first wish was to have granddad come down from  heaven.  Can you tell what a influence my dad was in our lives?

Since the kids seem to need to talk about granddad and I need to let them know that it is ok to ask questions and talk about him, I decided it was time to plant our memory garden.

My husband and I bought the house I grew up in so finding the perfect spot for the memory garden was easy.  I use to sit on this rock bench with my dad all the time. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalm 18:2

Some of the plants and flowers we planted include:

Elephant Ears ~ my husband remember his mom planting these all around their house. 

Dianthus ~ they just smell so good!

My dad loved orange, red and yellow so we planted some Marigolds.    

Hostas ~ I just think of my dad when I see them.  Probably because dad and mom planted so many of them in the yard.

Gerbera Daisies ~ these are one of my favorites.

The owls in my blog header represent my kids.  This sweet little owl in our garden is in remembrance of the baby we have in heaven.   

When I look at our memory garden I smile.  I think of my dad, mother-in-law, and baby.  I remember that God is with always with us and will bring us through all things. 

~Cindy

Circle C Beginnings {Review} ~ Andi’s Pony Trouble

When we received the package from Kregel Publications containing the Circle C Beginnings books Andi’s Pony Trouble by Susan Marlow, my daughter saw the horse on the cover of the book, immediately grabbed the book, and headed to her room to start reading it {insert gasp}.  My daughter can read on her own however, it is not often that she will do so without my encouragement. 

About Circle C Beginnings Series

The Circle C Beginnings Series published by Kregel Publications is written for children ages 6-8 and tells about Andi, a 6-year old girl who lives on her family’s ranch in 1874.  These easy reader chapter books contain beautiful pencil drawings.  Each story has free activity packs available on the author’s website.

In this particular story, Andi’s Pony Trouble,  Andi wants a horse of her own more than anything in the world.  Her mother thinks she is too young, so Andi is stuck riding Coco, a hand-me-down pony.  Andi is determined to prove to her family that she's ready for a horse of her own.

Our Thoughts

I knew that I would be purchasing the other books in the Circle C Beginnings series before I even had a chance to finish reading the book.  My daughter loved the story and I loved the attitudes of the children.  The illustrations are beautiful and the story was engaging!  The activity packs were a great way to expand the learning and I could make sure that my daughter understood what she was reading.

Find Out More

Andi’s Pony Trouble is available for $4.99 from Kregel, as well as the other books in the series.  The Circle C Beginnings website has free online puzzles and coloring pages available.  There are also free activity pages for each book to download.

You can read reviews by other TOS Crew Members here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Yesterday’s Classics ~ Review

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.     ~Charles W. Eliot

There is so much to be learned from classic books ~ you can travel the world, meeting presidents, missionaries, learn about nature, and go on exciting adventures.  I am a true believer that my children have learned and retained more information during our family reading times than from all of the worksheets we have completed!  My problem has been where do I find the classics without spending a fortune and just where do you put all those books?  I received the opportunity as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew to review a package of 225 ebook titles (Kindle or EPUB format) from Yesterday’s Classics ($99.95 from May 1st – 31st).

Yesterday’s Classics republishes classic books for children which were originally published from 1880 – 1920.  Many of the titles are hard to find or have been out of print for decades.  Titles are available in paperback, Kindle or EPUB format. 

The 225 ebook package includes books from 22 different genres (a few titles are listed in more than one genre):

• World History
• Children of the World
• Nature
• Ancient Greece
• Fables
• Ancient Rome
• Kindergarten
• Fairy Tales
• Britain
• Shakespeare
• Faith
• Early Civilizations
• Poetry
• Middle Ages
• Legends
• Renaissance and Exploration
• Science
• Readers
• American History
• Christmas Stories
• Literature
• Biographies

You also receive a list of all the books arranged by level, genre, author and title and a list of books with descriptions and thumbnails so it’s easy to find what you are looking for.

Many of the books available from Yesterday's Classics fit in curriculum plans such as Ambleside Online, Living Books Curriculum, and Pageant of History.

To view a full list of all the books included in this package click  here. 

My Thoughts

I will admit before receiving this package of e-books I use to think that there was nothing like the feel of a book in your hand, but this package has changed my mind!  It amazes me that I can purchase 225 classic books for $99.95 and not have to worry about shelf space.  I have 225  books at my finger tips and don’t have to worry about putting them away!  The quality of the books and illustrations is fantastic (all in black and white).  We have enjoyed several of the titles during family reading time, including:

        

This collection has been a great addition to our Kindle homeschool library and contains books that we will use for many, many years. 

Find Out More

Yesterday’s Classics provides a very helpful explanation about e-reader software in their Guide to E-reader Devices and Software.

The 225 e-book (Kindle or EPUB) package is available for only $99.95 through May 31st, 2011. 

You can read reviews by other TOS Crew Members here.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Hideaway Country Kitchen {Guidecraft Mom Review}

One of my favorite toys when I was growing up was a kitchen set.  I remember playing with it everyday ~ daydreaming about growing up and having a family of my own to fix meals for someday.   My kids and I were beyond excited when we received Guidecraft’s Hideaway Country Kitchen!

Pretty isn’t it! 

About the Hideaway Country Kitchen

This beautiful wooden kitchen measures 30"W x 15.25"D x 38"H once it is assembled.  What makes this kitchen so amazing is the ability to fold it it up.Once folded it measures a depth of  just 6”, allowing you to store it easily.

The kitchen, which has white bead board on the back wall and doors, also has an adjustable clock, hooks to hang hot pads or cups,

a wooden shelf, and knobs that make a clicking noise when you turn them.  The kitchen is recommended for ages 3 and up.

My Thoughts

I placed the kitchen on a small wall right beside our kitchen so the kids could “cook” while I am working in the kitchen.  The colors of the kitchen are neutral and go with any decor. 

We have a small house and I rotate our toys so the kids don’t have too much out at one time.  This kitchen is easy to fold up, just lift the locking bars and remove one bolt, then fold it and hide it away in a closet.

Both of my kids (Emily who is almost 8 and Aiden who is 4) have played with the kitchen everyday since I put it together. 

I will say that it took me about 1 1/2 hours to put the kitchen together.  The instructions were easy to read and my only problem was attaching the 7 knobs on the front.

Find Out More

The Hideaway Country Kitchen is available from both Amazon and the Guidecraft website.  If you are looking for a kitchen set with pink, blue and yellow, check out the Hideaway Playtime Kitchen instead. It features a pink, blue and yellow color scheme and is also available from Guidecraft. 

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

 ~Cindy

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready Giveaway

I am joining the Curriculum Clean-OUT! hosted by Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations.   This is a great way for new or gently used products to find a new home!

The following giveaway is for the book Slow and Stead Get Me Ready by June R. Oberlander.

 

The book contains weekly activities to do with our child from birth to age 5.

To enter:

Leave me a comment and you will be entered to win!

For extra entries:

• Twitter or blog about this giveaway and then come back to let me know by leaving an additional comment.
• If you follow my blog, leave a comment and let me know.

Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry!

US Residents only, please!  This giveaway will be open until Sunday, May 1st until 8pm and I will announce the winner by Tuesday, May 3rd.  Please be sure there is a way for me to contact you.

Check out the other great giveaways during the Curriculum Clean-Out.

~Cindy

Managers of Their Homes Giveaway

I am joining the Curriculum Clean-OUT! hosted by Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations.   This is a great way for new or gently used products to find a new home!

The following giveaway is for the book Managers of Their Homes by Steve and Teri Maxwell (not sure how I ended up with two  copies of this). 

The book is filled with practical "how tos" for scheduling your family and making the most of your time.  The book is like new and includes the Schedule Design Checklist and all of the Worksheets you need to set-up your schedule.

To enter:

Leave me a comment and you will be entered to win!

For extra entries:

• Twitter or blog about this giveaway and then come back to let me know by leaving an additional comment.
• If you follow my blog, give yourself an extra entry.

Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry!

US Residents only, please!  This giveaway will be open until Sunday, May 1st until 8pm and I will announce the winner by Tuesday, May 3rd.  Please be sure there is a way for me to contact you.

Check out the other great giveaways at the Curriculum Clean-Out.

~Cindy