Mother’s Day Giveaway~Win Times Tales!

We’ve decided to use Mother’s Day as an excuse to make things a bit easier for at least one of you mothers! We’re going to give away a full set of Clean ‘n’ Flip Chore charts AND one of our new Times Tales DVD’s. What a deal!

So, how can you win this time and sanity saving set of goodies? Easy! You have several options and can enter several times. Just leave be sure and leave a comment each time you do one of the below. You can receive up to five comments.

First, so everyone can play . . . tell us which product you’d most like to win OR what you like most about one of the products. Easy, huh?
Here’s another easy one. Tell us what your biggest homeschooling hang-up is. What are you most confused about, unsure of, or struggling with? What would you like to read about in the blog or newsletter?
Next, follow us on Twitter or “Like” us on Facebook and share about the contest (linking here). We share tons of free and creative homeschooling ideas each week so you won’t be sorry you signed up! Leave your Facebook or Twitter name in the comments when you let us know.
If you’ve already used our products, we’d love if you’d leave a review on CBD (click the “Write a Review” link under the stock number of the product you’ve used.) Come back and let us know you left a review. THANKS!
If you don’t get our newsletter, subscribe (in the sidebar) and let us know in the comments. If you do get it, let us know which part of the newsletter you enjoy most.

There you have it! Each person can receive up to five entries. The drawing will take place at midnight May 8th, using the Random Number Generator.

April 28, 2011 | Filed Under Homemaking, Homeschooling | 279 Comments

Color Poems

I saw these color poems on the MakingBooks blog and can’t wait to give it a try ourselves.She also has a solid color version made with tissue paper, so go check it out. I’d kind of like the kids to write their own poetry, so am thinking about what style would be best. Maybe Haiku or Cinquain.

I found some wrapping paper sample books years ago, and they’ve just been sitting in my craft drawers awaiting the perfect project. I think this is is.

Fun & Easy poetry crafts work for me! To see more Works for Me Wednesday tips visit We Are That Family. (And don’t forget to enter our Mother’s Day Giveaway while you’re here!)

April 28, 2011 | Filed Under Homeschooling | Leave a Comment

Great Links!

I thought I’d share a few of the items I’ve shared on Facebook, over here as well.

LOVE these chocolate covered Peeps from Kristin Dudish!

Did you know this is free National Park Week? Many locations have free entrance from the 16th - 24th. You still have a few days left!

How about making your own Easter finery? These hats, made from paper plates and bowls, are adorable! Click the photo to visit AlmostUnschoolers for the how-to’s.

It’s not too late to make this free Easter lapbook from Scripture Adventures. Enjoy!

April 21, 2011 | Filed Under Homemaking, Homeschooling | Leave a Comment

Amazing Subscription Offer

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has a really impressive free gift offer with a subscription right now. Be sure and check it out if you haven’t already. Just look at all the freebies!

April 20, 2011 | Filed Under Homeschooling | Leave a Comment

Marble Math ~ Beginning Addition and Subtraction

capture

This fun, hands-on game is a great way to introduce children to the addition and subtraction symbols.

Materials: some bowls, paper, a deck of cards and marbles.

Preparation: Remove face cards from a deck of cards. Take 20 small pieces of paper and write a “+” symbol on half the cards and a ” - ” symbol on the other half. (The backs of old business cards work great).

How to Play: First, place a large bowl of marbles and both decks of cards face down in the center. Each player then gets to take 15 marbles and place it in their bowl. To start the game, a player picks a card from the number pile and one from the symbol pile. The cards will determine if he will get to add marbles to his bowl or give some away. For example: If he chooses the number 3 and a plus symbol, he will then add 3 marbles from the big bowl into his bowl. However, if he draws 3 and a minus symbol, he will need to give away three marbles from his bowl to the big bowl in the center. The game ends when all but one are out of marbles.

Check out more great learning ideas at the Carnival of Homeschooling!

Marble Math works for me. To see more Works for Me Wednesday tips visit We Are That Family.

April 18, 2011 | Filed Under Homeschooling | 1 Comment

Easter Celebration Ideas

Easter is a time to celebrate new life, specifically the life of our risen Lord. Below you’ll find some fun Easter activities as well as some resources to help you keep the focus on the real meaning of the season.

Here’s a decor project for Mom or older kids. I fell in love with these Jesus! eggs when I came across them last year. So pretty!
The Real Easter Story copywork from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Here is a fun egg object lesson to do with your kids.
Make some Easter Story Cookies.
Christianity Today has some great ideas for celebrating the week before Easter.
Have fun with these Easter word searches, puzzles and activities.
These handprint paper lilies are really neat and they’ll make the perfect Easter decor.
If you have a little one that enjoys online games, you’ll find lots of Easter themed games here.

Happy Easter!

April 14, 2011 | Filed Under Homemaking, Homeschooling | Leave a Comment

Make Your Own Carpet Deodorizer & Air Freshener

Did you know you can make your own carpet deodorizer and air freshener? You can, and it’s not only cheap but easy as well!

Non-toxic Air Freshener

2 cups hot water

1/8 cup baking soda

1/2 cup lemon juice

Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then add the lemon juice.

Another option is to pour a 50/50 mix of vinegar & water in a spray bottle, then add 10-15 drops of essential oil.

Homemade Carpet Deodorizer

2 cups baking soda

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup dried lavender petals (or dried lemon or orange peels, dried mint leaves or drops of essential oil)

Let mixture sit in a covered container for a few days, then sprinkle liberally over carpet before going to bed. First thing in the morning, vacuum it up.

Ahhh…springtime fresh!

For more great cleaning tips visit We Are That Family, Spring Cleaning Edition.

April 6, 2011 | Filed Under Homemaking | Leave a Comment

Worship Notes for Kids

I just came across these worship notes for kids over at mmmcrafts. They’re PERFECT for little ones to fill out during church services or even during school studies. She’s even been kind enough to make them available for free to everyone, so hop on over and download a copy.

April 5, 2011 | Filed Under Homemaking, Homeschooling | Leave a Comment

Eagle Cam ~ Eggs Hatching

Watch this neat Eagle Cam. Eggs are expected to hatch today. (No, not an April Fool’s joke)

Eggs about to hatch

These are eagles that have already hatched. We were a little bummed watching it. Molly Eagle happened to be feeding her babies and was not feeding the runt. We’ll have to check back and see what happens. I hope that doesn’t continue.

Newly hatched Eaglets

April 1, 2011 | Filed Under Homeschooling | Leave a Comment