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Thaleia

Our Summer To-Do List

May 30, 2014 By Thaleia Leave a Comment

Okay, so April is gone and May is rapidly coming to and end! Soon Summer will be in full-force! This Summer my hubby’s job will take him away from us 5 days a week except some days which he can telecommute. This will be our first Summer with FOUR CHILDREN and daddy working full-time. Eek! I definitely need some cheap ways to have fun this Summer! Who better to ask then my children, right? If I do not ask them for input, then we might miss doing something that is on their Summer bucket list!

Simple Summer Fun- Bike riding, Camping, and water play

Things we always do in the Summer:

1. Summer Reading Clubs– usually we join 3-4 different library programs to fulfill all of our reading fun! We just happen to live within a 15 minute radius of four different libraries. Each one has it’s pros and cons as far as how active their program is and what their library has to offer.

 

2. Backyard Camping– this year might prove a little difficult with an active infant but mom wants to sleep in a tent with kids this Summer. Last Summer being pregnant prevented such fun times!

3. Bonfires– we usually forget to have them early on and then the heat of Summer takes over. We then feel it’s a bit ridiculous to have a hot fire on a hot day! With hubby’s new work schedule we should be able to have one each week if our heart desires. I want to practice cooking on a fire in case we ever go camping:)

pool_Collage 4. Grandma’s pool- I hope my parents get their above ground pool prepped early this year. As soon as the temps stay steady in the 80’s then we can drive to my parent’s to enjoy some cooling off.

Things my Kids Wanna do this Summer:

I enrolled both Eldest and Princess in a free class called “Be a Better Biker” day camp that a local police department puts on for 4th through 6th graders. It is a week long half-day camp all about street smarts and bike safety skills. We live in town so this information will prove valuable for their safety as well as other neighborhood kids.

Princess wants to take a gymnastics class. She took gymnastics at the YMCA when she was preschool age then switched to cheer then to ballet. Last Summer she took tennis so I was surprised when she opted for gymnastics class this year. She even opted to NOT take a jump rope class.

Eldest has been really wanting to do basketball AND Lego League/Robotics. This was a little tricky since most kids his age may have Open Gym times through their local Middle School. Since we homeschool sometimes you have to get creative. I found a local community center that offers a two day basic basketball skills camp and a seasonal leagues. His age is co-ed and starts shortly after the skills camp.

Big Red has no clue. He was offered to attend a nature camp but didn’t think it sounded good to him. GO figure he’s 4! I know he will enjoy swimming in grandma’s pool and taking some short staycation trips with the rest of us. He might even enjoy a backyard camping trip including a bonfire or catching lightning bugs.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: camping, reading, summer, Summer Bucket List, Summer Fun

Rainbow Bandz Rainbow Loom Refill Review

May 28, 2014 By Thaleia 1 Comment

rainbow_bandz_review

I’ve been a “member” of Tomoson’s review team for over a year and like getting free items to try. When I saw the opportunity to review some Rainbow loom bands I knew my daughter would be excited to try them! We already own the loom from Christmas but a new pack of bands is always a fun treat. Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

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Filed Under: Reviews

Free Summer Inspirational Reading

May 21, 2014 By Thaleia 1 Comment

Summer_reading_mom

I shared our excitement with Summer Reading Club, but cannot let our children have all the fun during Summer, right? I rounded up some free Inspirational Reading for your Kindle or Kindle App! Be sure to double check as prices can change by the hour on Amazon. The links below are my affiliate links and the descriptions were found on Amazon to help you find some good choices for your Summer Inspirational Reading!

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Filed Under: Freebies, Kindle Tagged With: kindle, reading, summer

It’s Almost Summer Reading Time

May 20, 2014 By Thaleia 10 Comments

Am I the only one that dreams of the glorious adventures to be had during Summer reading time? I consider myself a reader although not very avid anymore. I guess you could say that 4 children can take up a lot of the “spare reading” time. But this Summer I want to read each day just like I expect my children to do.

Tips to Make Summer reading great

[Tweet “Read 8 tips for making Summer Reading fun for the entire family! #bookyoursummer”]

I am a big time planner and get all giddy doing so, but sometimes fail to execute. This Summer I vow to follow through and shake things up a bit. For example my children have never participated in Storytime at the library. (Long detailed/complicated nasty story I will spare the details!) During the Summer I noticed more relaxed “rules” for Storytime which may just allow us to participate with all 4 children! Of course the older ones may be bored but the little guys will love it! (updated… my younger boys did enjoy a session of storytime at our local library when the librarians offered an older kids group!)

I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help us reach some Summer reading goals. I will share some ideas I plan to implement to make Summer Reading fun and worthwhile!

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Filed Under: Budget Friendly Summer, Homeschooling Tagged With: reading, summer

101 Color & Sing Bible Stories Review

May 19, 2014 By Thaleia Leave a Comment

I recently joined the Tyndale Blog Network in order to review and promote more quality Christian resources. I browsed their current review selections and choose 101 Color & Sing Bible Stories by Stephen Elkin. I loved the idea of songs and coloring pages to reinforce Bible Stories. I plan to use this as part of Big Red’s Preschool Curriculum. I also plan to share with other friends who have children ages 1-5.

101 Bible Stories

 

I have some other books created by Stephen Elkin so I have some definite expectations for 101 Color & Sing Bible Stories. The recommended age for this book is 2-4 years old. First off I’ve got to admit I am somewhat a sucker for cute Bible story books, since our youngest two are still young enough to use and appreciate fun Bible stories. I love how the cover is sturdy and the size isn’t too big for young ones to enjoy. The 101 Color & Sing Bible Stories book is extra special since it comes with two dvd’s filled with songs and coloring pages. I think that the coloring pages help to extend the use of this Bible storybook well into the preschool years.

Want a sneak peak inside? Look over the 1st Chapter!
101 Color & Sing Bible Stories, hardcover padded  -     By: Stephen Elkins<br /><br /><br /><br />
Product Description:

Preschoolers will get excited about this introductory Bible storybook (with 2 CD-ROMs) that encourages them to color and sing—two favorite pastimes of little children—as part of the Bible story-telling experience. Each of the 101 Bible stories includes a coloring page to print and color. The coloring sheets include a key Bible verse that can be colored along with the picture—a great way to help kids memorize Bible verses! In addition to coloring pages, the CDs include 101 memorable Scripture songs that relate to the stories. The Bible song track number is referenced on the story page for easy access.

Stephen ElkinsStephen Elkins is a Grammy Award–nominated record producer and a multimillion-selling children’s author and songwriter. He is owner and founder of Wonder Workshop, a multifaceted Christian media company specializing in the creation of juvenile books, audio products, and DVDs. Stephen has produced recordings featuring Christian personalities TobyMac, Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait of dcTalk, Steve Green, Max Lucado, Twila Paris, and many other notable musicians. He also wrote and produced the Joni Eareckson Tada song “The God I Love,” which is used in conjunction with her book of the same title and is now the theme song for her nationally syndicated television show. Stephen lives in Nashville with his wife, Cindy.

 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House. I was not compensated for my opinion and my views are all my own or my children’s.
Tyndale Blog Network

Use Promotion Code BB100 TODAY!

Filed Under: Homeschooling, Reviews

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