Thankful For Family

This year, as we all went around the table to say what we were grateful for before our Thanksgiving feast, we all focused on various aspects of family.  This was different than years past.

I think that the loss of Grandpa in September has made us realize how very precious we are to each other.

And for that, I am grateful.

BJU Homeschool Curriculum: Free Shipping

Looking for BJU homeschool curriculum? Go to the  Bob Jones Homeschool Store for free shipping on BJU Homeschool Curriculum packages.  See the examples below for K4 and K5.

K4 Foundations Home School Kit

K5 Beginnings Home School Kit (3rd Edition)

2008 Black Friday Vision Forum Sale

Vision Forum is having a "Buy 2 Get One Free" Sale starting on Friday, November 28. Alyssa and Chase have already decided what they want- Alyssa wants two of the dolls and the baby doll carriage and Chase wants the entire Jonathan Park series on the iPod Nano.

Get your gifts soon- the sale does not last long. Happy shopping! Just click on the banner below.

2008 Black Friday Ads

Black Friday Online.  I have had so many Black Friday specials and deals come in my e-mail from my merchant partners that I can not offer them all. I have tried to choose the best sales and deals to highlight. I hope you find something nice at a good price! Happy Shopping!

Babystyle is a source of wonderful toys and clothes for kids.
Give giggles with a 20% off discount on babystyle's high quality toys - Use promo code "FUN20"



Fitz and Floyd offers a variety of home furnishings and collectibles.
Official Fitz & Floyd Site
Limited Time Event - Save 15% OFF Site Wide Plus Free Shipping! Event Ends Midnight December 1st.



Even jewelry is on sale this Christmas season!
Christmas Jewelry Sale - Save an Extra 20% + Free Shipping



Illy Cafe has terrific coffees and teas and related accessories.
Fabulous selection of gifts under $50 from illy for the coffee and espresso lover on your list!

Create your own illy coffee 2 pack plus receive a free logo spoon and free shipping all for just $28.

Celebrate the art of tea with unique, handpicked premium French teas from Dammann Frères.

Abbey Press is a long-time provider of religious gifts and books.
Black Friday Bargains: Free Shipping on Any Abbey Press Order Nov 28-Dec4

2008 Black Friday Sale At Old Schoolhouse Store

Homeschool curriculum and more on sale at The Old Schoolhouse Store online the day after Thanksgiving! This is the first ever so-called "Black Friday" sale that I have ever heard of just for homeschoolers! Get up to $450 in free gifts.

Stroll over to your computer in your comfy robe with a cup of coffee or tea on Friday morning and shop, shop, shop! Have fun!



Black Friday Sale

Win Prizes At Old Schoolhouse Store!

The Old Schoolhouse Store is having another fun contest in which they are offering lots of great prizes to one lucky store visitor. Click on the banner for more details.



Win Big

An early Christmas for customer #67,000 in Schoolhouse Store

Switched On Schoolhouse Reviews

Homeschool curriculum reviews can help you make decisions about curriculum choices. I have had a lot of reader interest about the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum by Alpha Omega so I received permission from CBD to reprint reviews here on my blog. I hope you find these helpful:

Switched-On Schoolhouse Third Grade

Average Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dustin Millican (New Castle, CO), October 29, 2008

I have been impressed so far, with the level of detail and the depth of resource provided. Dustin
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deana Lyon (Poulsbo, WA), October 02, 2008

We just started to use this curriculum last week, so far we are very happy with it. The shipping was very quick, I asked for priority and got it in 2 days.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rosaida Thomas (Port Saint Lucie, FL), September 15, 2008

This program is working for us, the kids are enjoying the curriculum. It is a bit needy in the beginning but once you get used to making some daily reviews and adjustments "way less than a textbook curriculum" you'll find that the convenience of having things kept in order and in one place for every subject is nice. I also like that it encourages them to be detail oriented.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Fourth Grade

4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Theresa Blankenship (Highlands, NJ), September 01, 2008

They changed the OS this year, frustrating for those of us w/more that one child using the software (4 laptop upgrades on top of the software cost, 3 grades purchased). The tech support could be better, I still can't get it to burn to cd to save, so I have to leave everything on the computer and hope it doesn't get lost. Tech says to talk to "my tech dept." - that would be me! Would I recommend it - yes, if you are computer savvy and have a newer computer to use.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Sixth Grade

Average Rating:
5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Terwey (Juniata, NE), August 14, 2008

Excellent. My son likes it so much he started his school work early this year. So easy to use and very user friendly.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patrick Goodwin (Hiddenite, NC), July 07, 2008

This is very user friendly and does a fine job in teaching my child.The only reason it did not get five stars is because I always have to get a new science disk in order to get it to load. Other than that I really like this product.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patrick Goodwin (Hiddenite, NC), May 29, 2008

We've been using switched on schoolhouse for a couple of years and really like the program.very easy to use and install and my child gets good results when she has to do the end of year test.My child says it is easy for her to use and she is 11 years old.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Ninth Grade

Average Rating:
4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)

3 of 5 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lloyd Anderson (Big Sandy, TX), November 07, 2008

We have just begun the SOS curricula but so far we are very impressed. We have found the structure of the subject sets to be clear in content and systematic in approach which leads to better understanding by the student. As for now, we intend to continue using the SOS program.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Todd Gerig (Fort Wayne, IN), October 08, 2008

Our 9th grader is doing fabulously with this curriculum. It was a wonderful experience for us to overhear him explaining something detailed he had learned in science to one of his public school friends that had not yet learned that information. We would caution parents, however, to be careful to include a writing course in your students curriculum.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cathy Flight (IL), September 16, 2008

I have only been using this software for a couple of weeks now, but I do like it so far. My son has not complained about it either, so that is a good thing. I feel he will learn alot from it.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Tenth Grade

4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gene Fend (Concord CA), June 26, 2008

While not perfect, the SOS program is challenging and keeps the interest of the students. Two years with over 25 students has shown a more realistic development in their studies that other curriculum we have used in the past.

If you are interested in purchasing Switched-On Schoolhouse, do not forget that CBD is offering free shipping on SOS to US addresses. Click below to find out more:

Switched-On Schoolhouse FREE SHIPPING from CBD

National Geographic Store Gift Finder

The National Geographic Store features great gifts for kids.

Check out the Shop the National Geographic Gift Finder for Kids

Top Construction Toys 2008

My research this year of the toy retail and toy manufacturing sectors turned up some wonderful products n the bestselling categories. I will be sharing these lists to help my readers with their Christmas shopping. Today's post will focus on construction toys. Take a look and see if three is anything your children may enjoy. Happy Shopping!

LEGO Star Wars Motorized AT-AT

Melissa and Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks

ZOOB ZOOB Mobile Car Designer Set

WEDGiTS Junior Set - 15 Piece Set


Quadrilla Marble Railway, Twist and Rail


K'Nex Farm Activities Picture Bricks

Gears! Gears! Gears!® Coggy Doggy¿

C9R Sportscar

Homeschool Kids Rock!

We had our Deuteronomy 6 Homeschool Co-op Achievement Night was last night and the children showed the audience their many talents. I was so very proud of all the children and their parents.

Some of the highlights of the night included piano solo performances, an interpretive dance piece (my daughter especially loved that one), a robotics demonstration (my son especially liked that) and the singing of "Jesus Loves Me" in Chinese.

I could not help but think of criticisms of homeschoolers being "too sheltered" as I watched these incredibly talented and well-rounded young people show the audience the fruits of homeschooling.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Vision Forum Homeschool

Vision Forum features many interesting and unusual materials to help you supplement your homeschool curriculum.

One of the most interesting is the Christian movie-making course. Vision forum also offers the classics of the original homeschoolers in America such as the New England primer and fascinating historical accounts such as the League of Grateful sons about the veterans of Iwo Jima. Look below and see what might inspire you today!

From Script to Cinema, 10 DVD Set By Vision Forum

Jonathan Park Goes to the Zoo Audio CD Set (4 CDs) By Pat Roy / Vision Forum

Jonathan Park Volume 1: The Adventure Begins, Audio CD By The Vision Forum, Inc

Of Plymouth Plantation, Hardcover By William Bradford / The Vision Forum, Inc

Sergeant York and the Great War By The Vision Forum, Inc

The League of Grateful Sons, DVD By The Vision Forum, Inc

The New England Primer By The Vision Forum, Inc

The Original Blue Back Speller By Noah Webster / The Vision Forum, Inc

The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters By Logan Marshall / The Vision Forum, Inc

Answers In Genesis Homeschool Curriculum

Answers In Genesis publishes very informative materials for the homeschooler who is intent on teaching a biblical worldview. By presenting creation science as well as evolution, children are taught how to be discerning in their study of the sciences. This is so important in the educational environment in which we live today. Students are often taught not to question but to accept as truth the most popular viewpoint set of the day. I want to teach my children to think critically and to question assumptions. After all, isn't that what science is all about?

Take a look at some of what Answers In Genesis has to offer below:

God's Design Complete Curriculum Pack By Answers In Genesis

Creation Mini-Series DVD Pack By Answers In Genesis

Noah's Ark Puzzle: Two by Two (500 pieces) By Answers In Genesis

Answers Academy: Biblical Apologetics for Real Life! By Answers In Genesis

Ancient Civilizations & the Bible: Full Family Curriculum Pack By Diane Waring / Answers In Genesis

Answers in Genesis All-in-One Pilgrim's Progress Combo Pack By Answers In Genesis

Museum Guide: A Bible-Based Handbook to Natural History Museums By Answers In Genesis

Zoo Guide: A Bible-Based Handbook to the Zoo By Answers In Genesis

Bob Jones: How We Homeschool

I started my homeschooling career as an "eclectic" homeschooler. For me, that just meant that I could not decide on a course and stick with it. I found that both my son and I prefer a more settled routine and my son's knowledge and performance have soared using a traditional curriculum. He knows what to expect, saving him a lot of energy instead of having to get used to something new all the time. He now puts that energy into learning large amounts of information, study skills, creative writing and more.

We have been using the Bob Jones homeschool curriculum and I am now using it for Alyssa as well.

We are very pleased with it. A common complaint about Bob Jones is that it is "too much". As homeschool parents, we must pick and choose from a myriad of options, like a buffet style meal. The Bob Jones curriculum is very much like that.

Two or three hands-on activities, one read-aloud and one field may be suggested for one lesson! Of course, you should not feel like you must do it all. I spoke with one of the Bob Jones consultants who used to be a Christian school teacher and she said that classroom teachers certainly do not use every single suggestion given in the teacher's manuals and it is unlikely that most homeschool moms will either.

The Bob Jones materials have high-quality graphics and color printing which my son appreciates. Themes are united across subjects into mini-unit studies and these early years, primary grades, have a strong emphasis on language arts and Bible basics.

If you or your child are struggling with an eclectic or more relaxed approach, try a more traditional textbook approach and see it the routine, familiarity and structure may benefit you or your child. It definitely worked for our family.

K4 Foundations Home School Kit

Reading Grade 1, Home School Kit (3rd Edition)

Spelling Grade 1, Home School Kit (Third Edition)

Grade 1 (Phonics & English)

Music Grade 1 Homeschool Kit Revised

Vacation Stations Book 1: Beyond The Back Door (between K5 & Grade 1)

The Blessings of a Gift

I was humbled and surprised when a friend of mine, Elizabeth over at HomeEdUnderGrace had a book that I really wanted to sent to me from Christian Book Distributors. It was a collection of C.S. Lewis classics that I had seen at her house. Elizabeth is a very busy homeschool mom yet she took the time to think of me and to very specifically act on my behalf.

What a lovely bright spot in what was an otherwise dreary day to receive an unexpected and dare I say, undeserved gift. As thankful as I am for that gift, I am reminded of how much more grateful I should constantly be for the grace and mercy that God so undeservedly showed to me.

Is that perhaps the hidden blessing in every gift, that it reminds us of and points to the greatest gift ever given to mankind, Jesus Christ himself?

Now I am challenged: when was the last time that I stepped out of my busy life to bless someone else with an unexpected gift?

I pray that God will open my eyes and my heart so that I can bless someone with an unexpected gift that may make a difference.

Switched-On Schoolhouse: Look Inside

Want to know more about exactly what subjects are covered in the comprehensive Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum? Featured below find a sampling of subjects for the SOS:

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Bible Grade 3 By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 History & Geography Grade 3 By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Language Arts Grade 3 By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Science Grade 3 By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Placement Tests By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Elementary (Grades 3-6) Spanish By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Health Quest By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Home Economics By Alpha Omega Publications

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Consumer Math By Alpha Omega Publications

Click on any of the links to find out more.