Sharing their love

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Want to know why these two are so  happy?    It’s because they just delivered birthday presents to their friend, A, who lives across the street.

On Friday while the girls were supposed to be doing their school work, I found them making birthday cards. They knew it was payday and they decided that they were going to purchase presents for their friend using their monthly commission. I was very pleased to hear of the plans to bless and surprise their friend. Usually we purchase birthday gifts out of the family account, but they insisted about using their own money they earned. So, last night we counted up the money and split into our 10-20-70% categories respectively.

This morning they were eager to head out to the local store to make the purchases. Little Montana didn’t get to accompany us because she has the croup cough and she lost her voice, poor girl! But we know our Montana and picked something special out for her gift.

When we returned from shopping the girls quickly wrapped the gifts and then headed on their way across the street. That’s the birthday girl in the pink shirt, doesn’t she look surprised!

It blesses my heart that my girls think of others before themselves and that they are learning to give unselfishly. Way to go girls, I am so proud of you and your kindness!!!

A new fiscal year

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  Image credit: thinkbudget.com 

October 1st already?!? Where did the time go? With the arrival of the new fiscal year I am starting a new budget. With anything new, it’s going to take time to get it right. I have already been doing a version of the 10-20-70 % budget, where you tithe 10%, save 20%, and spend 70%. I fell off the budget wagon and from this day forward am picking myself up and starting anew. I am going  to really buckle down and make our dollars stretch and work better for our family.

                                                image credit: blog ebates

I have been using coupons at my local Farm Fresh and have been saving a great deal. I budget $400.00 every two weeks for groceries and household supplies. This amount doesn’t include diapers, as I have a separate diaper fund. For the last two weeks of shopping I have saved $73.39 (31%) off my bill! I was blown away at the check out line as the number owed kept dropping as my cashier, Charlene, swiped my coupons. Charlene is a great lady, we got off to a rocky start but now I look forward to chatting with her each week. Now, I just need to decide if I should go on Mondays where I can double my coupons up to 99 cents and get a 5% military discount or go on Wednesdays and double my coupons up to $1.00. I am thinking of sticking to Mondays but my Mondays are crazy days with the amount of running around we do. Hmmm…

     When we made the move East last year my girls had to give up their Rainbow swing set. We loved that swing set and have many fond memories playing on it. So, I plan on using my grocery savings, our upcoming garage sale earnings, and any other extra money to put towards replacing their swing set. 

                                                      Madison & Mikayla

Of course they have spied a bigger model, but as long as it has swings and a clubhouse I know they will be pleased as punch. My goal is to have $1500.00 funded by Spring and then use some of our income tax for the rest. It’s a hefty goal, but I know it is attainable with a little leg work and hard work. You know, I guesstimate I was spending around $30.00 a month on soda, another reason to give it up.

On another note can you believe there is only 84 days until Christmas!  84 DAYS!!!

TOS Review ~ Vocabulary Cartoons

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We were sent Vocabulary Cartoons-Word Power Made Easy from New Monic Books a few weeks ago and I admittedly had no idea what to expect from the book.  We have already been doing vocabulary the old fashion way, you know, looking up words in the dictionary and writing definitions.  Well, let me tell you we were blown away by this book!

   

A mnemonic is a tool that helps you easily remember something by associating it with something you already know. One mnemonic rhyme we all know is that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 when he discovered America. The back cover states that "Vocabulary Cartoons are mnemonics designed for learning new words. Memory experts say that memory aids are the best way to remember just about anything"

 

Vocabulary Cartoons  is filled with  210 words that every grammar school child in grades 3-6 should know.  Each page presents a new word with a funny black and white illustration that includes a pronunciation guide,a rhyming word, and a short little story to explain the definition. A review lesson with matching and fill-in-the-blank questions to test what students have learned is given after every 10 words, with an answer key in the back. You can get a copy of Vocabulary Cartoons on there website for just $12.95. While your there take a look at the other books they have to offer including  SAT Word Power and Vocabulary Cartoons – SAT Word Power II. These books will definitely be used in our homeschool for years to come.

Check out what my crewmates had to say about Vocabulary Cartoons.

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I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and as such received Vocabulary Cartoons in exchange for a thorough and honest review.  Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews.  The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but are not influenced by the company or the free product provided .

40 days

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As soon as I heard the plan in church two Sunday’s ago God had laid my task upon my heart. I tried to make excuses and think of other things to do away with; TV, internet/blogging, a full or partial food fast.

I could easily drink 1 1/2 of these bottles a day, at the equivalent of 5 cans of soda, that’s a lot of soda! Each time I reasoned I came back to the silver bottles.  As I sat in church yesterday morning, I was at peace with my task. I don’t need caffeine, I need Him.

For the next 40 days (and more) I will be caffeine free.  My love affair addiction to caffeine is coming to an end.

It’s time…

TOS Review ~ Schleich

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We love Schleich toys! The quality of these animals and figurines is outstanding.  You can find  anything from wildlife to farm animals, pre-historic animals, knights, soldiers, American Indians, Smurfs (you remember Smurfs don’t you?) and more.  When we found out that we were chosen to do a review for them, the girls were very excited. And you know what, so was I. I secretly was hoping that we would get a giraffe to add to our ever growing collection. Instead we were blown away by receiving 8 different animals, Wowzers!

We received the Prezwalskis horse, a Swabian Hall piglet, a donkey, a Dartmoor pony (which has mysteriously gone MIA), an Asian elephant calf, an  okapi, a gnu,and gnu calf. Check out the detail and that Okapi’s stare is intense!

Schleich is based in Germany and has been in business for 75 years.  You can find there toys at local stores such as Target, Toys R Us, and Barnes and Noble. They also offer a  store locator on the website or you can shop online at Amazon.  Prices generally range anywhere from $5-15. depending on the size and type of figurine.  On the Schleich website each animal is listed with its zoological name, conservation status, primary habitat and its global home.

Mikayla has been drooling over the catalog almost daily. She has quiet the long wish list and with Christmas coming up these make perfect stocking stuffers. The covered wagon has peaked her interest to study that time period, so I am over the moon about that. Who knows, maybe I will even get that giraffe I have been eyeing.

Check out what my other crew mates have said about Schleich.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and as such received 8 animal figures from Schleich in exchange for a thorough and honest review.  Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews.  The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but are not influenced by the company or the free product provided .

TOS Review ~ Salem Ridge Press

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If you know our family you know we rarely turn down the opportunity to read good books. When I found out that I was chosen to review a couple of  books from Salem Ridge Press, I honestly did a little happy dance.

Five years ago Daniel Mills—a Christian and a homeschool graduate started Salem Ridge Press. Daniel was inspired to do so after reading two old books that stirred up in him a desire to republish out-of-print books. However, not just any book will do—Salem Ridge has strong criteria for what they publish. The company’s underlying philosophy can be found  in                Philippians 4:8: 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things ."

Salem Ridge Press does not disappoint with there book selection. Each book is rooted with strong moral character and the values of yester year.  All book selections fall into four different categories;  Historical Fiction (broken down into American history, World history, and Church history), Adventure, Allegory,and Young Readers.

For this review our family was given Soldier Fritz and The Enemies He Fought, Mary Jane-Her visit (E-book), and The American Twins of the Revolution (E-book).

Soldier Fritz and The Enemies He Fought written by Emma Leslie, Illustrated by C. A. Ferrier
Softcover - $10.95, Hardcover - $20.95
Originally Published in 1871
Story Setting: Germany in 1525-1525
Notable People and Events: Martin Luther, The German Reformation.                                                                                               Ages 8 – Adult; 137 pages

Synopsis:

Young Fritz wants to follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther and be a soldier for the Lord. On his birthday he chooses a Bible from the peddler’s pack as his present. While his father, the Count, is gone away at war, Fritz and his mother and little sister are forced to flee into the forest to escape being thrown in prison for their new faith. Disguising themselves as commoners, they must trust the Lord as they wait and hope for the Count to rescue them.

 

Mary Jane - Her Visit
written by Clara Ingram Judson, Illustrated by Frances White       Softcover –$12.95, Hardcover - $22.95                                    Originally published in 1918                                                                Ages 6 – 10; 190 pages

Synopsis:
In this second book in the Mary Jane series, five-year-old Mary Jane has more happy, wholesome adventures in the country on her great-grandparents farm. My girls identified with this story the most and we had great discussions about life on a farm.

 

The American Twins of the Revolution
written and illustrated by Lucy Fitch Perkins                             Softcover –$12.95, Hardcover - $22.95                                         Originally published in 1926                                                               Story Setting:  The Revolutionary War in 1777                                                                                                                  Ages 8 – Adult; 204 pages

Synopsis:

This true story tells of the adventures of twins Sally and Roger as they help hide a shipment of gold which will be used to pay the American soldiers in General George Washington’s army.  This  is a thrilling adventure from our nation’s history that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more!

I love that Salem Ridge Press has chosen to republish these  and many more wholesome, quality books for the next generation to enjoy. I already have a wish list started for a few other books I would like to read aloud to the girls.

Be sure to visit The Review Crew blog to find links to more REVIEWS from my crewmates.

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I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and as such received 3 books (1 paperback & 2 E-books) from Salem Ridge Press in exchange for a thorough and honest review.  Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of cash for my reviews.  The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but are not influenced by the company or the free product provided .