Pages

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Another summer pick

Sadly, I have never heard of Esther, but decided when I learned of her, that I wanted to know her story and how she has a whole book in the bible herself.
Esther is the second volume of Charles Swindoll's The Great Lives Series. The author does an excellent job of tying together the ancient, real life story of Esther to today.
In this book, you fall in love with Esther and admire her characteristics. I'd be bold enough to say, you will pray to become a today's Esther.
Excellent book that you can't put down!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

My Summer picks


While I was walking through the bookstore, my eye caught this book. I could just tell by the cover that it was about homeschool and when I flipped it over and read the back cover my suspicions were right :)!
I find it interesting to see what the real world thinks of homeschoolers so I had to have it!
Capricorn Anderson had never watched a television show before. He'd never tasted a pizza. He had never even heard of a wedgie. Since he was little, his only experience has been living on a farm and being homeschooled by his hippie Grandmother, Rain. In the first part of the book, Cap is arrested for driving his Grandmother to the hospital after she fell out of a tree. He of course, can't really understand the problem, he's 13 and has been driving on the farm since he was 8! Yep, just another normal homeschooler!
So while Rain goes into the hospital to recover Cap is sent off to public school.
But, here is the fun part of the book for me. Instead of Cap failing in "society", he thrives! Even being homeschooled in a remote and unusual way he does fine in the long run. Having had the time and freedom to explore life in his early years really pays off. Even when the powers that be in the school are trying to sabotage him he is able to rise above their games. Love it!! A must read for homeschoolers (and their moms :))!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

DRESS LIK ME~EAT FOR FREE

Here they are... the day they waited for... Cow Appreciation Day at Chick fil a!! On this Annual day, if you go into Chick-fil-A dressed like a cow, you get a FREE meal- now that is a DEAL!!

First, I was thinking 'nah, we don't do it because the shirts/time will cost more than the FREE meals', but Maximus was bummed and said "it won't cost much, we can use shirts we already have, paint cow spots on them and you can make us a tail" (I just love a 6 year old confidence). But more importantly, I thought I better take this opportunity while he still has the confidence to go dressed like a cow for FREE food. So we got out the t-shirts and paint and started spotting away. It was so cute watching them make their shirts and get so excited about FREE food- you would've thought they had to pay for their own meals when we go out!

On the morning of, River woke up saying "Chickalay...Chickalay"!







We had lots of fun!! Next year, I am planning on our whole family dressing up for FREE dinner!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

HONEY FOR A child's heart by Gladys Hunt


Reading this book was one of the top to-do's on my summer list. I was mainly interested in her book lists for each of my boys as I sometimes wonder if I am reading the right age-appropriate books to my 6 year old. But my eyes were opened to a harsh truth on what Americans have been allowed to do to our culture, to our children, including in my time. In the late 1960's, writers became convinced that children needed relevant books or realism in which violence, sex, alcohol, drugs, death, divorce and disease were used to urge a nonjudgmental culture and to become understanding and noncondemning. And contradictory to that, animal rights activists would change such a classic as, The Three Little Pigs, in which the pigs got away from the wolf for fearing it would provoke animal cruelty, and health nuts replaced Cookie Monster's cookie with carrots and veggies for fear or blame on America's children becoming obese???
Who are these people that have been allowed to make such calls?
Hunt is a Christian author, but I enjoyed the fact that she was not so narrow minded to exclude good literature such as Fantasy, as she very well states Fantasy makes "tumbling down stairs" harmless. And goes on to say 'No child confuses dragons or unicorns with cattle in a meadow'.
My favorite chapter, however, was Honey from the Rock. She says to see for yourself the difference, beyond her insights, of those who have gathered around and read from the bible together as a family and those who have not. Some Christians do not believe in contemporary teachings, but Hunt says of those, if they want to learn from the original doctrine, they need to learn Greek and Hebrew. Otherwise, the versions today, whether contemporary or traditional, are both translations.
And to think~ I was only going for the book list.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Ahoy Matey!

My boys love these workshops... even the big boy that you see in the orange shirt, who is just a big kid himself!! I have to admit though, it is the cutest thing ever! It's so cool to watch them build and learn. The kids have to wear safety glasses and apron while building.

Maximus is working hard on his Pirate Ship...


and is so proud!!


In the past, we've only taken Maximus to the workshops, but River wanted to make a Pirate Ship too- thankfully they let him!! I got him geared up and gave him the hammer and what was I thinking?? A 2 year old and a hammer...BANG, BANG, BANG!

River was so cute- he was so serious.


3 proud boys!

Thank you Lowe's- you are awesome!!