As we get ready for a short trip to visit Amos' grandpa, I have begun packing. You know those free samples that you sign up for? They are coming in handy. I'm taking two sample packets of shampoo and conditioner with us. This way I don't have to lug big bottles are buy expensive travel bottles. I found sample samples for you to sign up for here and here. These are for Shampoo and conditioner. Remember the only info you have to give is the ones with an asterick beside it.
You can find a variety of free samples here.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
An Idea I Had
Last week we went to the Dayton Air Force Museum and Amos wanted to purchase John a model airplane. While they finished up in the museum I headed to the gift shop. I found the Skill 1 models after awhile, but had no idea what to purchase Gracie. Most of the stuff was geared for boys.
I continued to hunt and found a book for Gracie. She loves to read. Here is what I bought her. The Curious George book with the tape cost $9.95. I normally would not spend this much, but couldn't find anything else. I'm sure glad I got it though. She listened to it 3 times in a row the first night when we got home.
They both really loved it to be truthful so I put several books on hold at the library that I know they love that come with a cassette tape or CD. They just love it. Now I should say that I'm not using this as a substitute for reading out loud to them. We still read aloud for about one hour a day.
I got to thinking that maybe we need some more books on tape around here, but for $9.95 they weren't going to be getting many from daddy and momma. So here's my idea: I could make up some books on cassette. I'm going to take some of their favorite books and read the stories on cassette. I'm going to use a little bell or whistle when it's time to turn the page as neither one of the children read yet. Plus I think it's sweet that it's my voice and it's something that we can always save.
There's more though. They are listening to the tapes on this. Amos doesn't understand why I don't let them just use the stereo. The little cassette player uses batteries, but thanks to CVS we got a ton of free batteries and I'm not so worried about it. Plus I would have loved to have one of these when I was little. It just makes you feel so big and grown up.
I continued to hunt and found a book for Gracie. She loves to read. Here is what I bought her. The Curious George book with the tape cost $9.95. I normally would not spend this much, but couldn't find anything else. I'm sure glad I got it though. She listened to it 3 times in a row the first night when we got home.
They both really loved it to be truthful so I put several books on hold at the library that I know they love that come with a cassette tape or CD. They just love it. Now I should say that I'm not using this as a substitute for reading out loud to them. We still read aloud for about one hour a day.
I got to thinking that maybe we need some more books on tape around here, but for $9.95 they weren't going to be getting many from daddy and momma. So here's my idea: I could make up some books on cassette. I'm going to take some of their favorite books and read the stories on cassette. I'm going to use a little bell or whistle when it's time to turn the page as neither one of the children read yet. Plus I think it's sweet that it's my voice and it's something that we can always save.
There's more though. They are listening to the tapes on this. Amos doesn't understand why I don't let them just use the stereo. The little cassette player uses batteries, but thanks to CVS we got a ton of free batteries and I'm not so worried about it. Plus I would have loved to have one of these when I was little. It just makes you feel so big and grown up.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Pick a Drawer!
Today I'm joining Crystal over at Biblicalwomanhood and picking a drawer or dresser in the house to clean out and reorganize. I'm going to do the children's dresser today. Things aren't bad in there and when I learn how to posts pictures I will. My dear children put their own clothes away in their drawers. They are 5 and 3 so things aren't perfect and could use a little straightening. Plus I'll take out whatever we're not using much.
My tips for keeping children's clothes organized is this: I mainly hang my children's clothes that are nicer and that they wear regularly. When I hang them up I match them into outfits. Even if I didn't purchase them as an outfit, I match them up nicely. Before I was so overrun with clothes that weren't getting worn, just because we had them. Now if they don't serve a purpose or they don't have something to match they're gone to the Goodwill to hopefully help another family.
Pajamas, socks, undies, tights, and play clothes all go in a drawer. Again they are matched up when they're put in there. If we have a sock that comes out of the dryer without a match it just gets laid on top of the other socks (not buried), so when it comes through the next load it's easy to find. Hope some of those things help you with keeping your dear children's clothes organized.
My tips for keeping children's clothes organized is this: I mainly hang my children's clothes that are nicer and that they wear regularly. When I hang them up I match them into outfits. Even if I didn't purchase them as an outfit, I match them up nicely. Before I was so overrun with clothes that weren't getting worn, just because we had them. Now if they don't serve a purpose or they don't have something to match they're gone to the Goodwill to hopefully help another family.
Pajamas, socks, undies, tights, and play clothes all go in a drawer. Again they are matched up when they're put in there. If we have a sock that comes out of the dryer without a match it just gets laid on top of the other socks (not buried), so when it comes through the next load it's easy to find. Hope some of those things help you with keeping your dear children's clothes organized.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Scripture Memory With Children
One of my goals as a mother is to hide God's Word in my children's hearts. There are two ways that we implement this in our house. The children receive memory verses from Sunday School. Each of them receives a different verse because they are different classes. It's amazing how they both pick up on the other's verses without much effort at all.
1) Right now we use this Scripture Memory System http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/ It is my goal that my children memorize verses and keep it with them, not just to get a sticker in Sunday School. This system has helped me keep up on that. I just repeat each new verse three times in the morning and each older verse one time each morning. I'm not talking about repeating every old verse every morning. Make sure you check out the link for more details.
2) We are also using the wonderful books from Thy Word Creations http://www.thywordcreations.com/Childrens.htm So far the children have memorized Psalm 23 and we are currently working on Isaiah 53. We have also purchased The Ten Commandments and The Lord's Prayer also.
John and Gracie love these books. When we're not memorizing they will ask to get them out. The music and spirit about the CD's is so sweet. John and Gracie have quoted their verses and sang the songs at our church as well as the nursing home ministry that we are part of. My praying that it is a blessing to others as well as an example of how it can be easy to memorize verses with a little effort.
Now for my part. My dear husband preached a sermon recently on the importance of memorizing God's Word, so now I have my own Memory Verse Box. There are some things that I struggle with and memorizing the Word and dwelling on those verses has been such a help to me. Let's remember what God says in, Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Lastly, I wanted to say, this is not a drudgery, but such a joy for my dear children. I know that there are differing opinons on this, but if it were a drudgery, I do believe I would implement some kind of an award system. If you try and do this keep it as a joy and something to look forward to. Don't forget to praise your dear ones when they try so hard.
1) Right now we use this Scripture Memory System http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/ It is my goal that my children memorize verses and keep it with them, not just to get a sticker in Sunday School. This system has helped me keep up on that. I just repeat each new verse three times in the morning and each older verse one time each morning. I'm not talking about repeating every old verse every morning. Make sure you check out the link for more details.
2) We are also using the wonderful books from Thy Word Creations http://www.thywordcreations.com/Childrens.htm So far the children have memorized Psalm 23 and we are currently working on Isaiah 53. We have also purchased The Ten Commandments and The Lord's Prayer also.
John and Gracie love these books. When we're not memorizing they will ask to get them out. The music and spirit about the CD's is so sweet. John and Gracie have quoted their verses and sang the songs at our church as well as the nursing home ministry that we are part of. My praying that it is a blessing to others as well as an example of how it can be easy to memorize verses with a little effort.
Now for my part. My dear husband preached a sermon recently on the importance of memorizing God's Word, so now I have my own Memory Verse Box. There are some things that I struggle with and memorizing the Word and dwelling on those verses has been such a help to me. Let's remember what God says in, Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Lastly, I wanted to say, this is not a drudgery, but such a joy for my dear children. I know that there are differing opinons on this, but if it were a drudgery, I do believe I would implement some kind of an award system. If you try and do this keep it as a joy and something to look forward to. Don't forget to praise your dear ones when they try so hard.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Don't forget Pizza Hut's Book It!
Who didn't love this when they were a kid? I know I did. Plus it saves some money. More than that it will reward your dear children for reading books. What a win-win situation. Here's the link to sign-up for the Book-It program if you're a homeschooler and atleast in kindergarten. http://qa.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp
My New Baby Blog!
This is a new adventure for me. The title of my blog is "Only One Life". I chose this as I want to remember that I only have one life to live for my Saviour. I only have one life to be a helpmeet to my dear husband. I only have one life to train my children in the way they should go. Once the day is gone, I can no longer get it back.
I'm hoping to use this blog as a way to talk about our homeschool experiences. I have been so encouraged by others blogs (especially the women from Five in a Row message board). I want to be able to encourage others. I want to be able to have a place where family can come and see some things that we are doing. Plus I want to be able to help others in their pursuit of a more frugal lifestyle.
So this is my first post to my new blog. I have a couple more ideas for my next posts.
I'm hoping to use this blog as a way to talk about our homeschool experiences. I have been so encouraged by others blogs (especially the women from Five in a Row message board). I want to be able to encourage others. I want to be able to have a place where family can come and see some things that we are doing. Plus I want to be able to help others in their pursuit of a more frugal lifestyle.
So this is my first post to my new blog. I have a couple more ideas for my next posts.
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