Amazon Deal: The Original Christmas Classics

Amazon has a great deal today! You can currently get The Original Christmas Classics for only $12.99 (down from $29.93)! Plus, this item ships FREE with Amazon Prime or on $25 or more with Super Saver Shipping.  These were my favorites as a child and now our daughter loves them too!

The box set includes:
* Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
* Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
* Frosty the Snowman
* Frosty Returns
* Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
* Little Drummer Boy
* Cricket on the Hearth

2010 Gratitude Challenge - November 21

For the month of November Our Homeschool Reviews will be participating in a Gratitude Challenge hosted by Brenda at Garden of Learning.  For each day, I'll post about something I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for...Church!!  We spent over a year visiting new churches and trying to decide which one would be a good fit for our family.  We finally found one back in the spring and have enjoyed attending service.  Although we don't make it there every week, we go when we can.  The pastors are great and have a wonderful message that, not only teaches the scripture, but relates it to us today, which I think is very important!  

Fit Mommy Friday - Challenge Week 4

As I am writing this, I have completed 28 days of the challenge (I'm a little late in getting it out).

Highlights:

Not sure there are any highlights for the week...lol!  Other than cleaning the floors on my hands and knees (which does work up a sweat and is a good arm workout), walking around the zoo for a day, and playing a game of tennis (I did run after the ball a lot), I did not get to my workouts this week. 

What I Could Have Done Better:

Let's just say I could have done a lot better and keep it at that!  ;o)

My Progress:

As of today, I am actually down 2 lbs again, which is good.  Friday I wasn't feeling too well and yesterday I ate pretty good.  Those two things may account for the 2 lbs right there, but it will give me a good start to the week!

Looking Forward:

Um...it's Thanksgiving week!  That will be my day off of course!  Leading up to Thursday I should be fine.  We have both of our families at our house for Thanksgiving and we usually have just enough food for everyone, so except for Turkey, there aren't many leftovers.

Oh, and as an incentive, I found out earlier in the week what the winner of the Challenge will get...a Jillian Michaels DVD and book package!  Check it out HERE!  Pretty cool, huh?!  I'm hoping that alone will get my rear in gear!

Thanks for joining Our Homeschool Reviews.  I hope everyone else participating in this challenge had a good week as well.  If you want to check the status of all the participants I am linked up with Denise at Got Chai?

Ziplock Deal

Just found this great deal!  Amazon currently has a Ziploc Container 12 ct (Pack of 2) for $6.12 after applying coupon code ZIPLOCIO at checkout. Shipping is free.  I think that is a pretty good deal but it may not last long!

2010 Gratitude Challenge - November 20

For the month of November Our Homeschool Reviews will be participating in a Gratitude Challenge hosted by Brenda at Garden of Learning.  For each day, I'll post about something I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for...The Old Schoolhouse (TOS) Homeschool Crew!!  

When I found out back in May that I had be accepted into the Homeschool Crew, I was ecstatic!!  I remembered thinking when I applied, that they certainly wouldn't want someone with just one child.  But to my surprise, I found out that there were actually several others on the crew with the same family size as ours!

Since being on the crew I have "met" some wonderful women!  They were all very welcoming to the new members and have had great ideas and suggestions on homeschooling.  They have been a great support group as well.  

I am very thankful to have met them and am looking forward to our friendships growing over the course of the year!

Weekly Wrap-Up #6

This week we finished up Unit 21 in Preparing for His Glory (which is where we will stop until January) and started on Apologia Astronomy for science.  We read the first chapter and completed a few of the assignments and so far we both like it.  The book is interesting and the assignments are fun.  Once we complete the first project I'll be posting pictures.  

Wednesday we went to the zoo again for our monthly zoo classes.  This week they covered the food chain, adaptations, and the Timuca Indians.   So I think with the zoo classes and the new astronomy curriculum, we had science well covered this week.  ;o)

The rest of the week was filled with the same old stuff, so I thought I would showcase some of our daughter's artwork.  If left alone, you will find her either reading or drawing.  Here are some of my favorites.

How was your week?  Thanks for Joining Our Homeschool Reviews and for more Weekly Wrap-Up, this week I am linked up with Kris over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. 

And the What's In The Bible? Winner Is...

Comment #17:  Sarah G said... I would like to win this for my husband. He studying to be a pastor, and I know this would be a nice resource for him.

I used Random.org to pick the winner and I have already notified her via email.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the What's In The Bible?, Battle For The Promised Land DVD Giveaway via Our Homeschool Reviews and thanks again to Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to offer this great DVD! 

2010 Gratitude Challenge - November 19

For the month of November Our Homeschool Reviews will be participating in a Gratitude Challenge hosted by Brenda at Garden of Learning.  For each day, I'll post about something I am thankful for.

Today I am thankful for...My Daughter's Kindness!!  Last night I went to bed not feeling well and woke up the same way.  She made me cinnamon and sugar toast for breakfast (because that is what she usually gets when she is sick).  After breakfast I needed to lay down and was on the couch for about 3 hours.  She has a bell that she plays with and uses when she is sick to call for me, and she gave it to me to use to call on her.  Isn't that sweet?!  

So I used it....Ding, "Maisy needs to go outside, can you let her out?"  Ding, "Maisy is scraping at her water bowl, can you fill it up?"  Ding, "Can you make your bed and get dressed?"  Ding, "Can you fold your clothes?"  She also brought me the phone when I needed it and played quietly until I felt good enough to get up.  I got up around lunchtime and have been feeling better.  That medicated time on the couch really helped!  ;o)

Thanks for all the well wishes in my last gratitude post.  I rarely get sick, and my daughter reminded me today that I had told her back when she and daddy were sick, that I can't get sick because I don't have time for it.  Well, I guess it catches up to everyone sooner or later.  Here's to getting better!

KB Teachers Review

Do you like worksheets?  Do you like seasonal printables, arts, and crafts?  If you do, KB Teachers may be what you are looking for!  KB Teachers is a one-stop shop for teachers and parents of children all ages. 

Some great benefits of their premium membership include:

* One click worksheet generators and alphabet factory  
* Unlimited number of engaging printable activities
* No watermarks and unlimited access
* Exclusive graphics and clipart
* Diverse educational resources
* Intuitive activities online or off
* Free 24/7 Support
* Answer Keys
* Updates regularly
* Nothing to download, instant access

My Thoughts:  When our daughter was younger (she is 7 now), I used more worksheets and printables.  We don't really use too many worksheets now, so I wasn't sure how this would work for us.  

After looking through their site and checking out each category, I can see how some of their worksheets would be a good review and/or reinforcement for our main curriculum.  For instance, in their grammar section, there are worksheets on Nouns, Adverbs, Verbs, etc.  If I want to reinforce what we have been studying, these would be great.  I gave my daughter the worksheet on Nouns and she did a great job on it.  

There are also holiday printables, so if you are looking for something on Thanksgiving or Veteran's Day, you can easily find a good assortment of worksheets.  I know as our daughter gets older, I am bad at getting together holiday themed crafts and worksheets, so this would be an easy place to go to get everything I need.

Another thing I like about KB Teachers is that they have a clip art section with over 600 images in color and b&w, that are free to use for premium members.  

I also like that you get a weekly newsletter with good ideas and themes.  It's nice for those weeks that you have nothing planned or have just run out of ideas.  

One thing I think they could improve upon is to add a search feature.  Even though most things were easy to find, a search feature would be nice to have when I am short on time.  

Find Out More:  You can find out more about KB Teachers on their website.  Although all worksheets are free to view without a membership, you get a nice watermark across the page.  If you rather have your worksheets watermark free, you can sign up for a 10-day unlimited FREE trial HERE.  For those ready for their premium membership,the cost is only $29 for 12 months or $49 for two years.  They also give a 30-day money back guarantee. 

My Crewmates are also reviewing KB Teachers, so you can check out what they think HERE.

Disclosure: This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.

Operation Christmas

Our homeschool group hosts an annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Wrapping.  I've talked about this in a previous post but wanted to touch on it again today since tomorrow is the day we will be making our shoebox!

We have been participating in this for several years and enjoy it each time.  We meet together to wrap shoeboxes with goodies and essentials for children for Samaritan's Purse, watch a short video about Operation Christmas Child, and make cards to put in the shoeboxes.   

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

National Collection Week is November 15-22 (this week) and if you want to get involved you can get more information HERE.  If you can get to the store today you can still make it in time!

This year I remembered to shop for school supplies when they were on sale!  Our box will be filled with things like scissors, glue, pens, colored pencils, a ruler, crayons, markers, and a mini notebook.  We also included a storybook, flip flops, and a tee shirt.  Right now the only thing I am missing is the shoebox...lol!  I thought I had one and forgot to ask at the store today.  So, once I find one we can get to packing it tomorrow!

This post has been submitted to Helpful Homeschool Hints, where you can see helpful homeschool tips and ideas!