25 Truths makes for a interesting dialogue @25truths

Having an open dialogue about simple truths can become an interesting dialogue when you bring the kids into the talk.
Thanks to a recent Schoolhouse Review Crew opportunity, we did just that; in reading and reviewing 25 Truths by Ed Douglas.
Over the years I've read my share of inspirational books that talk about how to be successful and happy,  but they all seemed to missing something key, the scripture to back in up.
I love the 26 chapters, yes I said 26. Each chapter focuses on a new truth with a bonus "plus one" truth.
Some of the highlights to this little treasure:
Truth  #7: Don't hate -instead forgive; sounds simple enough right? How much energy we waste hating things, events, even people in our lives. The obvious scripture quoted at the beginning of this chapter Matthew 18:21-22, think about 70 times 7. Even the discussion questions for this chapter get to the heart of the matter, "What can you do to stop hating and start forgiving?"(pg 40).
Thoughts that came to us while discussing this truth centered around loving each other especially our neighbors and remembering that God loves us all no matter what.

Truth #12: Learn What Brings True Happiness; the summary message from the chapter really nails a lot of what is wrong with society now. "Combining your talents with hard work over  an extended time to accomplish something of significance can help you find happiness"(pg 68)
My boys loved thinking about things they love doing and how that might become their career someday. Nathan  loves fixing things and is already thinking about working in his Daddy's shop; while Cameron wants to design new cars inspired by the old cars. Either way, they are being inspired by things that make them  happy.
The book has a wonderful discussion section at the end of each chapter to ask yourself, your children, your spouse, even a youth group or Bible study. This 150 page paperback book retails for $12.50 on the website
You can also find the book on Twitter.
Here is a wonderful promo video by the author,


I have enjoyed reading these truths to my boys and then having them discuss the questions as well as their own thoughts. They might be a little young for this book as a whole at 7 and 10, but I want them to start seriously thinking about their reputation, their ideals, and how important morality really is to the direction we are going.
I have also been reading this with my husband during a few quiet evenings and discussing with him, where we went wrong in our youth, and how we need to lean on the Scripture to make sure we guide our boys in the right direction.
Have you had an open discussion or dialogue with your family about morality, responsibility, or truths? If you are looking for a starting point to open dialogue this little treasure of book if your ticket. Even if you are having these open discussions with your kids, this book is full on so much love and inspiration that you are bound to find something new to add to your discussions.

I can't wait to read what the rest of the crew thought of this little treasure. You can see what they thought by clicking on the button below.

Lego time

Legos are everywhere, at least in our living room and dining room, so what better way to deal then to get on the floor and build with my boy.

We built custom trucks and trailers. Something simple but crazy fun.

Even Mommy can build a basic Lego truck. shhh don't tell the boys I use to play with Legos as much as they do now.

Nathan's truck rocked the lighting options though. He thinks of all the details and options.

A night on the river

We decided to keep to ourselves for 4th of July
We ventured down to a quiet spot along the Willamette River for a camp fire,some splashing and some family time.
We listened to CDs from the OCEANetwork homeschool conference keynote speaker, Norm Wakefield and continued  our journey growing as a family in Christ.

I am grateful for evenings like this with my family

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Monsters University preview night with my guys. #monstersu

Monday evening we took the boys to preview Monsters University at Regal Cinemas at
Bridgeport. While the boys were not excited about having to wear the 3D glasses to see the movie, they were pretty stocked about seeing the movie itself. I gave them coloring pages and the Monsters University ID cards to design on the drive to the movie. They wore their ID cards with pride.
I also splurged and gave them bottle return money so they could buy treats at the theater.
When we arrived at the theater the local Radio Disney station was all set up with a booth. It was pretty crowded, but the little Radio Disney Mobile was parked off to the side and perfect for a photo op. (note I was bent over leaning into the boys, I'm not that short honest)

We headed in to the theater and picked out some pretty good seats (ironically my husband let me know if was the same place we sat last time we previewed a movie and will likely be the same spot the next time.)
Once our seats were selected I took Nathan to pick up popcorn and snacks (junior mints for N and reeces pieces for C). I forgot how expensive candy and popcorn are, yikes!

We had to wait for almost 45 minutes for the movie to start since we had an early arrival time, thankfully Cameron has his coloring page to work on . We chatted with a couple fellow bloggers and waited for the show to start.


The movie started with a short that was really unique, it even caught the boys' attention. Check out the clip below for "The Blue Umbrella"

After the short, the movie started right in. I have to tell you it was some of the best animation and adaptation my husband has ever experienced. He talked about how real things appeared most of the night on the way home and even after we got the boys to bed. He was impressed.
The boys loved the story and even talked about the story line on the way home.
This mom loved the underlying morality of the story line.
The movie has a lot of action, awesome animation, fun music, adorable monsters, a even teaches some consequences for your actions in the end.  I love the idea that even the unnoticed, unloved, underdog  characters come out on top. (opps was the a spoiler???)
You can check out a clip or better yet , just go check it out in the theaters. It opened today (June 21st) in theaters just about everywhere. It is a great family friendly film.

Opening Date:                  Friday, June 21st

Rating:                                 G
Running Time:                  103 Minutes

Synopsis:        Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. “MonstersUniversity” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Screaming with laughter and fun, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”) and produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Sunday Scripture 6/2/13

This week there were so many verses from our Bible Lesson that stuck with me, but these two really stayed with me, knowing through Christ we walk as children of light rather than darkness and have the armor of God to get us through our trials and daily dealings is such a powerful thing.
Raising two boys with the armor of God is one of the hardest things , keeping them on the right path seems to be a never ending battle. 
At a recent graduation ceremony the speaker gave the graduates a piece of advicse to be cautions of what they listen to or watch as once you see it or hear it you will always have that with you. That bit of advise stuck with me and has been eating at me since. I am really feeling like I need to take away the TV except for school (we watch Artzooka and  Taste Buds on QUBO during lunch).The shows the boys have latched onto are really a struggle of morality and our values. During the summer it should be easier to remove the TV for most evenings. I pray I can stand strong in the decision. It also means I must be more involved in their afternoon and evening activities. 

Ephesians 5:8-11

King James Version (KJV)

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Ephesians 6:13-18

King James Version (KJV)

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Thankful Thursday Valentines blessings

Thankful for the blessings of my boys and their great big hearts today.

Yesterday afternoon on our way home from homeschool co-op we stopped at the Dollar Tree so the boys could do some shopping.  This morning they gave me my present; a chocolate bar with almonds, red roses , and a card.

Cameron made me breakfast in bed (MorningStar Farms sausage links, toast, and orange juice)

Here is the front of the card they gave me.

and the inside of the card.

I asked them if they read the card and they said yes, it was the only one they could find that wasn't funny or too lovey dovey.

I have such sweet boys some days.

Wordless Wednesday Bouncing back into Co-op

Back to Co-op 

Bouncing is always a fun activity to do

Looking ahead, at least to next week

Since we have been doing light school for the passed few weeks I decided we need to get back to business. The Schoolhouse Review Crew year is just starting and we will be receiving items soon. Last night I sat down with a planner page and wrote out our plans for next week.  The boys love having a say in their school day so I listed which subjects we would focus on each day and then listed their options

Monday is Math, Spelling, and Bible
Tuesday is Science and Grammar
Wednesday is Spelling, History, and Math
Thursday is Science and Story Games
Friday is fun day with learning games

There is a list of activities they can choose from with most subjects except Bible and grammar. Bible they will have their lesson to read and their verses to write. Grammar is split, Cameron will have a fun activity I found online working on editing sentences for grammar mistakes, while Nathan will help me create a Montessori themed farm game. I am going to pick up some farm animal toys at the local Dollar Tree or Grocery Outlet and then have Nathan figure out words to go with all the animals, that way it is his game. I will make the sentence strips and word cards for him.

Math options include the Stamp Game, Checkerboard, and Snake Game. All homemade versions of Montessori activities
Spelling options include Reading Roads word creation, Letter Tile activities  or Worksheets with Spelling lists. (Some days they prefer worksheets)
History activities include building a pyramid, drawing pictures, reading different stories, and if I can find the MP3 file listening to a story.
Science is a new unit we will be starting so they will have a couple of get to know the unit activities while we wait for the books to arrive. (I have samples that include the first chapter so we can get started early, but I'd rather wait for the books)

Story Games includes options like Playmobil, Legos, or story dice
Fun Day with Learning Games includes: BrainQuest game, a Melissa and Doug game they got for Christmas or Scrabble RSVP.

I'm looking forward to it and hope they enjoy it.

2012 a few of our favorite things

2012 has been a crazy year. I thought I would share a few of our favorite things. (in no particular order)

   In January Nathan learned to drive a car being towed. He has since been a huge help in the shop.

The boys participated in several Champion for Kids service projects while shopping at our local Walmart store. They learned about giving back and helping out.

We took a couple trips to the Oregon Zoo including a special Summer Concert trip. The boys loved watching the giraffes.

We attended the OCEANetwork Homeschool conference where Nathan and Daddy got to dissect a sea star.

The boys found out that our backyard pond is a great place to learn and play in the summer heat.

The boys participated in the summer reading program through the local library, each earned a t-shirt and trophy and Nathan won a huge box of fuzoodles.

The boys got a true living history unit study with Papa when he did a unit on the Korean War from the perspective of someone that served. I am proud to say my Dad is an Army veteran of the Korean War.

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We participated in the Homeschool Day at the Oregon Gardens with lots of other homeschoolers on a beautiful September afternoon.

Nathan and Daddy learned a lot about working trucks as they pulled the well pump out with a rope truck and put a new well pump in with the same truck as their tool

We spent several afternoons at the new local indoor play and party center Imagine: Play

Mostly we had fun learning together as a family.

IXL helping children excel in Math

With 2 little boys learning math at different levels within their own grade I was so excited to try IXL math. Each child has access to a variety of levels of math. For instance Cameron , my now 4th grader is working on brushing up on 3rd grade skills he struggled with and adding 4th grade skills to the mix. While Nathan my 2nd grader is working on some 2nd grade skills but also stretching and working on a few 3rd grade skills.

There is as ton of flexibility with this program and as the kids work through their various skills they earn virtual awards on their awards page for each of the grades we have worked on.  I really wasn't sure about another math website with "virtual awards" but something struck a cord with both boys and IXL awards are a hit with them. Neither of them mind the different pages for different grades. With the need for a variety of graded assignments IXL is a huge value for us  for a full year program. $79.00 a year for the first child and $20 for the second. I know most of the time it wouldn't seem like I would recommend this as a value, but when my boys are both excited about practicing their math skills even the ones they are struggling with it becomes a value, oh and as the parent I can even practice skills. The parent skills are recorded but still it is good practice especially when you are trying to explain a skill that a child is struggling with.

I am an an analytical person when it comes to figuring out what the boys need to work on so I love the reports the IXL provides the parents. I can see what the boys have been working on as well as where they need improvement and how much time they are spending on the various activities.
Check out IXL on Facebook

Disclaimer: we received a full year membership for both boys at no cost in exchange for our review of the program and as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

You are welcome to read the rest of the crew's review just click on the banner below.

Z is for Unconventinal Social Studies with Zhu Zhu Pets

The boys are involved in their community, but we haven't really studied community  structure until the other morning, when the pulled out 2 bins full of ZhuZhu Pets pieces.

They got lesson in city planning, traffic control issues, and angry community members as they laid out the city, built the city,

They had lessons in dealing with contactors and suppliers (ie Mommy was setting up the crock pot for dinner and couldn’t stop to find that one last piece). They had their lesson in politics when the 2 city planners didn’t agree on the location of the hospital. (ie the boys had to come to an agreement as to where the hospital would be located.) Generally they learned a lot more about community, local government, and the people involved then they could have learned from any book; and for almost an hour they played together without fighting and without tears.

M is for exercising with Math #atozchallenge

Recently the boys and I saw a fun activity on a TV show ;combining math and exercise, with a number board and jumping jacks.


We decided to give it a shot. Cameron got the sidewalk chalk out and drew the number box for us. Then the boys took turns jumping onto two numbers and adding them together, once they had the answer they did jumping jacks to that number.


Burns energy and makes math facts a lot more fun!
Since we live in Oregon and never know if the sunny spring days are going to last we have to figure a way to play the game inside as well.



No problem, Mommy just got 10 sided dice to add some fun to our stamp game and Montessori Checkerboard activities,why not use them to come up with the addends?
Perfect!




















This time Nathan decided to do push ups and  Cameron stuck with the jumping jacks.

Either way they are practicing their math  facts and adding healthy activities to their school day.

R is for River, an evening of fun and mud #atozchallenge

What boy doesn't love mud?
My  boys love  riding bikes through mud puddles.  We took the boys down to a Ediger Landing on the Willamette River.

something about riding their bikes through gravel, dirt, and even mud puddles makes everything in the world seem perfect, at least for my boys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depending on the river levels this spot can be a tiny little stream or a full fast moving tributary for the river. This particular night it was just a little stream.

 

Finally throwing rocks into the river, note to self teach them how to skip stones it will be a lot safer.