Journey to Excellence

In today's volatile economy, I think there is a great many of us who would like to sell it all, downsize, and relocate to an area where we can practice more sustainable living. We long for the simpler life of Ma and Pa Ingalls where our greatest concerns involve our daily care and the care of our neighbors (who actually lived a couple miles down the dirt road). Many years ago Franklin Sanders and his family decided to do just that. In the wake of Y2K, and the fear associated with it, Sanders packed up his family and moved to Dogwood Mudhole to pursue their dream of owning their own farm, taking care of their own needs, and focusing on the family unit. He has written his journey in a 3-part series of books called At Home in Dogwood Mudhole . At the Crew, we were given the opportunity to review either the paperback or digital format of Volume 1 in the Series: Nothing That Eats . Mr. Sanders' book is written in a diary format, taken from letters to subscribers of his long-r...

We have been reviewing IXL for the past few weeks. IXL provides an online math program for Pre-K through 12th grade and an online language arts program for 2nd through 4th grade. It's funny to me how our homeschooling tastes have changed over the years. About a year and a half ago, the kids seemed to need a lot of variety in their learning. So, we turned to some computer-based programs to supplement our worksheets. Just a short time later, we seem to have changed our needs and wants when it comes to schooling. We reviewed IXL in June of 2012. For my two second graders, it was a fun way to reinforce concepts. We loved it! Although the features are basically the same, I found that our desire to use it this time around had waned. Was that the fault of IXL's program? Absolutely not. The program is still excellent and high-quality. Our tastes have just changed. I think that's the point I want to get across this time around in my review. If you have a child who needs s...

Geography is a BIG deal in our house! Eli and Brynne love anything having to do with Geography. Away We Go Media has a great product of books for young children celebrating the countries of Norway, South Korea, Mexico, and France. The books are written by Carole P. Roman and are titled: If You Were Me and Lived in Norway If You Were Me and Lived in South Korea If You Were Me and Lived in Mexico If You Were Me and Lived in France My plan was to take these books and focus on one each Friday during the review period. I asked Eli and Brynne to each choose one book to read. I wanted them to each read their book and then tell us five things they learned. I went into the kitchen to fix lunch, but before I got to the kitchen one of the kids said, "Hey mom, did you know …?" Then I was called back out of the kitchen seconds later by the other kid saying, "Hey mom, did you know …?" This went on a few more times before I finally just went and sat down in...

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Science and me do not get along very well. Since I am more language arts and history bent, math and science seem like such a chore. I can trudge through math with a good and consistent program. But, I have a really hard time sticking with any science program unless it has to do with birds or gardening, because those are things I enjoy. So I am always thankful for a science product review. This time it was Project Genius Light by EEME . Just because I don't enjoy science doesn't mean my kids don't. In fact, they love science and are always so excited when I haul out the materials for a science experiment. When I told them they were going to get to do an electrical project, they were very enthusiastic! And the real exciting part was that I told them that it was a project they would get to do with their daddy! It was a win-win for all of us because Rick LOVES science. So, I got to sit and watch and take pictures as t...

I had never heard of Barbour Publishing until recently. The company began as a bargain overstock seller and has grown into a major publisher and seller of Christian work, with it's first published work being Pilgrim's Progress in 1984. They now have thousands of titles from which to choose. We were given the opportunity to review a new book published by Barbour Publishing called Diary of a Real Payne Book 1: True Story  written by Annie Tipton. I decided to preview it before either of the kids started reading it and made it through two chapters before Brynne (age 8) swiped it away. She has read it every day since she started and finished it this week. The colorful and animated jacket cover drew her in. I read several chapters of the book, enough to get a good feel for the book. But Brynne was the real reviewer. As it's next-to-impossible for an 8 year old to write a proper review, I had her prepare a book report for me to use in this review. The  Diary of ...

My husband makes fun of me because I have NO CLUE what is going on in today's world. I don't read the newspaper. I don't watch the news. I don't watch talk shows. I don't read any news on the internet. I watch all shows after I have DVR'd them so that I don't have to watch commercials. So, unless a news story pops up on the Wii while my kids are playing a game or in the middle of a Criminal Minds or Chopped episode, I don't know about it. I'm clueless as to what a disaster our country is ... and so are my children. They have no idea what is going on in the world today, or any day. And, quite frankly, I don't really want them to know. But "God's World News" has provided us with a product to review that is allowing us to read up on current events with a biblical worldview. Now, that, I like! We have been receiving print copies of News Flash from "God's World News" for the past couple of months as part of t...