Kari Jobe's New CD The Garden + Giveaway!

KARI JOBE, THE GARDEN

I have loved Kari Jobe's songs over the years, particularly "Forever" and "I Am Not Alone" so I was excited when I received her latest CD, The Garden, to preview.  It is a beautiful album, both inside and out.  Jobe's soothing voice brings me peace and reminds me that God is with me, especially during the hard times.   

It’s said for everything there is a season. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. One by one, we experience these seasons throughout our lives. Our souls grow dark and weary in the thick of winter, and just when we think we can’t endure another cold night, we recognize the first signs of spring. Slow and unexpected, welcome shades of green break through the frozen ground. Sometimes our Creator uses His own creation to remind us that even amidst winter’s chill He is always at work. For it’s in the unseen where life’s most beautiful moments take shape. Jobe knows this to be true in her own life, and on The Garden, she invites listeners to drink of the wellspring of hope she’s found in the midst of unimaginable tragedy.

Jobe’s timeless songs have carried countless listeners to the feet of Christ over and over again. Her voice has become a soundtrack to people’s lives, and The Garden is well-equipped to bring healing in the midst of pain.

“The garden is true intimacy with the Father, and it’s a place where He intended for us as humankind to be surrounded with His creation. There’s life in things that He’s created,” says Jobe. “I want to lead people into intimacy with the Father. It’s something that’s so important as we walk through stuff in our lives.”  Most of The Garden’s 14 tracks speak to hope in the midst of loss, peace in the midst of uncertainty and God’s presence in the midst of pain.

“Everyone who’s seen something grow out of the dust realizes God was up to something in the midst of pain and questions. He never promised that it would be easy or that it would be pain-free, but that He would never leave us or forsake us,” Jobe offers, adding, “I’m more aware of His presence than I think I’ve ever been. God has surrounded us with things that will be life-giving if we take a moment to realize it. God’s always at work in our lives. He truly does go before us and prepares the way for the journey ahead.”

You can listen to The Garden on Spotify at this link or purchase it for yourself at this link.  However, I'm excited to also be able to offer one CD for free in the giveaway below.  Please use the Rafflecopter feature to enter.  Giveaways are open to residents of continental U.S and Canada only.  A random winner will be generated at the end of the giveaway period, on February 10, 2017.

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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Birds of Paradise at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science {Giveaway}

Football-sized gems, show-stopping birds who strut their stuff, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, acorn dissecting, dancing corn and “blubber” gloves are among the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s festive lineup of holiday happenings. The museum invited us to a special presentation to learn about it  The Birds of Paradise exhibit was the highlight but we learned some other cool things that I can't wait to share!  Keep reading to learn how to enter to win a 4 pack of VIP tickets to the Perot!

We learned about the new Brainiacs that you will see throughout the museum.  Brainiacs can't wait for you to "talk nerdy" with them.  They will be located on each level and they are available to talk to you about the different exhibits or just answer your wild and crazy science-related questions.  We got to watch them do some cool science demonstrations for us.

Rachel loved the presentation and couldn't wait to get a picture with some of the Brainiacs that we met.  She said that would be an awesome job to have.

Afterwards we talked to some other Brainiacs.  Here we talked about differences between the red fox and the arctic fox such as different teeth structure, different coat colors, etc. 

Next we talked about birds, their different habitats, and even the differences in their eggs.  Rachel got to hold an ostrich egg!

At the pinnacle of the event was the groundbreaking Birds of Paradise exhibition, where the adventures and stories behind the first survey of all 39 birds-of-paradise are documented and brilliantly displayed.

BIRDS OF PARADISE (through Jan. 8, 2017) is a story of nature’s most fascinating feathered flirts.  A science exhibition, art show and natural history display in one, Birds of Paradise, co-produced by National Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology takes visitors on an expedition to a New Guinea rainforest to witness the spectacular plumage and dazzling dance moves of the family of birds known as birds-of-paradise.

Kids (and adults!) can learn and test their bird moves at this interactive and competitive Bird of Paradise game.

We enjoyed learning about how the riflebird transforms or shape-shifts into unusual poses and stays that way for up to a minute as part of their mating dance.  That's nature's "mannequin challenge"!

Of course, as always with the Perot Museum, there are plenty of interactive displays to help kids learn more about Birds of Paradise, their behavior, habitats, etc.

It was interesting to learn that even though all of these birds are considered Birds of Paradise, each species has unique features including distinct bird calls.  Kids love pressing the buttons and hearing each of the calls.

Look at all the different species of Birds of Paradise!  Nicholas' favorite is the black sicklebill.

Through beautiful National Geographic photography, we followed the adventures of two determined researchers who made 18 trips to New Guinea over eight years to complete the first survey of all 39 known species of birds-of-paradise.

We watched a video about Tim Laman, field biologist, photographer, researcher, and explorer.  Nicholas was fascinated with the idea of combining nature exploration and photography as a career.

I'm so grateful that the Perot Museum included this back story to their exhibit because my son is excited to learn more about expedition photography.  I have to say that I would have loved to have done this for a career too!

Once you've seen the fabulous Birds of Paradise exhibit, be sure to check out all of the other amazing activities going on at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science over the holidays!

WINTER BREAK. The kids are out of school, and parents can keep young minds alert during the  winter holidays. At select times during winter break Dec. 24-Jan. 8 (except for Dec. 25), guests of all ages can enjoy daily brain-boosting experiences, from bookworm readings and science trivia to activities and demos such as acorn dissecting, pine cone science, blubber gloves, dancing corn, holiday table “magic” and more. Plus, little ones ages 5 and under can enjoy themed crafts such as turkey headbands and “polar opposites” animal art daily until 3 p.m. Activities are free with general admission. Visit perotmuseum.org/holiday for daily schedules. 

From Dec. 27-30, winter Discovery Camp will take pre-K through 4th graders into the “cool science” worlds of robotics, chemistry and the marine biology of Arctic creatures. Visit perotmuseum.org/camps for registration and additional details. 

2017 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE! SPEAKERS SERIES. Call it story time for adults. The 2017 National Geographic Live! Speaker Series kicks off Jan. 5 with Hilaree O’Neill, the first woman to climb the world’s first- and fourth-tallest mountains (Mount Everest and Lhotse, respectively) in under 24 hours. As a professional skier, mountaineer, writer and mother, O’Neill will discuss her many adventures in Hilaree O’Neill: Point of No Return. The series continues on March 2 with aquatic ecologist Zeb Hogan, host of Nat Geo’s Monster Fish TV show, plus NFL cheerleader-turnedprimatologist Mireya Mayor on May 4. All three talks will take place at 7 p.m. in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Season ticket packages are $75 for Museum members and $90 for non-members. Individual tickets are $30 for Museum members and $35 for non-members. National Geographic Live! is presented by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 

FAMILY-FUN EVENTS. There are plenty of reasons for a repeat visit this holiday season! Folks looking to visit after dark will enjoy First Thursday Late Nights on Jan. 5 (themed Robotics) when the Museum stays open until 9 p.m. with inventive and edgy experiences. Kids and their adult chaperones can snore and explore during the Museum’s “winter wonderland” sleepover on Jan. 7, complete with exciting animals, science experiments, a screening of the holiday film Elf, a Fire & Ice demo, a dance party plus a winter wonderland-themed photo to take home. Discovery Days and Late Nights are free to members and included with general admission for non-members. The Winter Wonderland Sleepover is $50 per youth and $40 per adult chaperone

HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. On the first Thursday of each month, the Museum will remain open until 9 p.m. for First Thursday Late Night.  

Holiday and other special hours. The Perot Museum will close Dec. 25 (Christmas). The Museum will offer extended hours until 7 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 1, except for Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when the Museum will close at 3 p.m. and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) when the Museum will close at 5 p.m. 

Member-only mornings. From 9-10 a.m. every Saturday and 11 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum, plus member-only access to the Moody Family Children’s Museum on Mondays from 10 a.m.-noon.  

TICKETS. Museum general admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17) and $13 for seniors (65+). Museum general admission is free for members. Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20-25 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes). For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). Films and general admission for children under 2 are free. For groups of 10 or more, call for special rates at 214-428-5555 ext. 8. All prices are subject to change. 

Birds of Paradise requires a surcharge for a total admission cost of $27 for adults (18-64), $19 for youth (2-17), $20 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $6 for adults (18-64) and $5 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+). 

The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.


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Gadgets, Gizmos, and Science Demos at the Perot Museum {+ Giveaway!}

GADGETS, GIZMOS, SCIENCE DEMOS, EXTENDED HOURS AND MORE AT PEROT MUSEUM THIS THREE-DAY WEEKEND, PLUS FINAL DAYS FOR CREATURES OF LIGHT TRAVELING EXHIBITION

Back-to-back holidays mean double the fun this Valentine’s Day/Presidents’ Day weekend with the family-fun Discovery Days, trivia, bookworm readings, boo bubbles, Valentine’s crafts, 3D films and more

Seeking a sweet spot to spend this Valentines/Presidents’ Day weekend? Head to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science for the family-fun Discovery Days, special activities and crafts, extended hours, 3D films and more! And don’t miss the magically mesmerizing Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence traveling exhibition before it “glows” away for good Feb. 21.

On Saturday, create your own circuits, program robots, build your own inventions, see how a 3D printer works and delight in tech-riffic fun for all ages at Discovery Days: Gadgets and Gizmos. Throughout the weekend, enjoy live “science on the spot” demos, bookworm readings, trivia and drop-in activities such as “boo bubbles” and robotics at select times on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (See below or check the website for a detailed schedule.) All activities are free to Perot Museum members and included with general admission for non-members.

Got a little one 5 and under? Head downstairs to the Moody Family Children’s Museum for robot-themed Valentine’s Day crafts on Saturday and Sunday, plus special science crafts on Monday.

Take a break in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience for a stunning 3D film experience including Tiny Giants 3D, Journey to Space 3D and Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure 3D.

The Perot Museum will stay open until 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Presidents’ Day. Special member-only hours will be offered Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.

We just love the Perot Museum!  You can check out our most recent visit here - 
http://www.savorthedays.com/2015/12/a-flurry-of-holiday-fun-at-perot-museum.html

For more info and to purchase your tickets in advance, go to perotmuseum.org.

PRICES:
General admission is $19 for adults (18-64), $13 for seniors (65+), $12 for youth (2-17), and free for children under 2. General admission is always free for members. Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence requires a surcharge for a total admission cost of $26 for adults (18-64), $18 for youth (2-17), $19 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $5 for adults (18-64) and $4 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+). Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes) for adults, seniors and youth. For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). All children under 2 are free.

For your information, below is the detailed weekend schedule.

Saturday, Feb. 13 (8:30-10 a.m. – members only)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Discovery Day: Gadgets & Gizmos – Discover amazing gizmos and gadgets throughout the Museum, as we explore the world of engineering, making and inventing. Create your own circuits, program robots, build your own inventions, and see how a 3D printer works.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Robot Valentine’s Day Crafts (Art Lab – Moody Family Children’s Museum on Lower Level - children 5 and under)

11 a.m. – Bookworm Reading (T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now – Level 4)

Sunday, Feb. 14 (10 a.m.-noon – members only) – Valentine’s Day

10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Robot Valentine’s Day Crafts (Art Lab – Moody Family Children’s Museum on Lower Level - children 5 and under)

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Drop-in Science Activities (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

11 a.m. – Bookworm Reading (T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now – Level 4)

11:30 a.m. – Science on the Spot (T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now – Level 4)

1:30 and 3:30 p.m. – Science on the Spot (The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall – Level 3)

2 p.m. – Science Trivia (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

3-6 p.m. - Drop-in Science Activities (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

Monday, Feb. 15 (8:30-10 a.m. – members only) – Presidents’ Day

10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Science Crafts (Art Lab – Moody Family Children’s Museum on Lower Level – children 5 and under)

9:30 a.m. - Science on the Spot (L4 – Life Then and Now)

10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Drop-in Science Activities (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

11 a.m. – Bookworm Reading Time (T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now – Level 4)

11:30 a.m. – Science on the Spot (T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now – Level 4)

1:30 and 3:30 p.m. – Science on the Spot (The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall – Level 3)

2 p.m. – Science Trivia (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

3-5 p.m. - Drop-in Science Activities (TECH Corner – Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall – Level 2)

Giveaway time!!!

The Perot Museum has given me 4 tickets to give away.  Yay!!  There are three ways to enter below and each entry increases your chances of winning.  I'm sorry but this is a fast giveaway as the tickets are only good through 2/21 and I want you to have them in your hands so you can enjoy all of the fun they have planned this weekend.  Entries will be accepted until Midnight on Wednesday evening (CST).  I can mail tickets to you or we might be able to meet in the area so I can get them to you in person.  Good luck!



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A Flurry of Holiday Fun at the Perot Museum {+ Giveaway!}

I'm so excited that the Perot Museum of Nature and Science has generously provided me with a family four-pack of tickets to the museum to giveaway here on Savor the Days!  These tickets are good through January 8, 2016 so you can have fun with your family over the holidays.  Even if you are already a member of the Perot, consider entering to win anyway and gifting another family with the tickets.

To enter to win the four-pack of tickets, just fill out one or more of the entry options at the bottom of this post.  The winner will be chosen by random drawing on December 9, 2016 at midnight CST.  

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science hosted a fun Family Blogger event so we could help them get the word out about the the exciting new exhibits and fun holiday plans at the museum.

My kids especially enjoyed the adorable Mammoth cookies in honor of Ellie May, the nearly intact and pristine Columbian Mammoth discovered near here in Ellis County last summer and just opened on display at the museum.  I can't wait to show you the pictures!

We are amateur fossil hunters so I was pretty excited to get the opportunity to see Ellie May.  And here she is!  This Columbian Mammoth skeleton is displayed on her side in the same position in which she was discovered as she laid in the sand and gravel pit on the McEwen family property.   

There are some great video clips about her recovery on the Perot Museum website.

We got an amazing opportunity to meet and ask questions of Dr. Ron Tykoski, a paleontologists who spent countless hours working on the the excavation and recovery of this amazing specimen.

At the signage about the discovery of Ellie May, there is an interactive camera that you can control to move around and zoom in on Ellie May's bones!  What an amazing feature to have on this exhibit.  

Next we visited the special exhibit, Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence.  It is a dark exhibit that taught us all about creatures that glow.  My kids love glow sticks and any kind of toy that lights up so this was their favorite exhibit at the Perot.....of all time!

We learned about fireflies and even got to play with an interactive exhibit that showed how they use different patterns of flashing light to communicate with each other.

We learned that Bioluminescense is light generated by a living organism through a chemical reaction and got to see pictures of some amazing creatures that have this cool feature.

We learned about Glow Worms which glow a greenish-yellow and Railroad Worms which have an additional red glow on their heads.

I was excited to see the exhibit taught the kids about dinoflagellates which are bioluminescent marine plankton.  Stuart and I have seen these little "balls of fire" in person many years ago on a trip to the beach.  At night, they glow and seem to ride the waves as they crashed ashore.  It was an unforgettable sight.

Rachel spent a lot of time learning at the interactive exhibit that taught her about fluorescence on a coral reef.

In contrast to bioluminescense, fluorescence occurs when molecules become excited and glow under ultraviolet light.  There is no chemical reaction occurring to make the object glow.

Nicholas was the most engaged I have ever seen him at a museum.  He usually reads some of the informational plaques and does some of the activities then he's ready to move on.  But today he read everything he saw.  He was excited and engaged and kept asking me to come see what he had learned.  

The Ponyfish flashes to communicate with females but the source of its light is intriguing.  There is a donut-shaped structure around its neck that contains a colony of bioluminescent bacteria.  They share a symbiotic relationship which means they both benefit by working together.  

One of my kids' favorite creatures to learn about in the exhibit was the Loose Jaw fish.  He's just really creepy looking to me!  My son also liked the Vampire Squid.

We watched two 2D films while we were at the museum.  Nicholas wouldn't smile because he said that would ruin his "cool" look. (*smirk*)

Rachel chose for us to see Wonders of the Arctic 3D while Nicholas picked Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3D.  I was hoping we could also watch Jerusalem 3D but we just ran out of time.  

So much to see, so little time!

Speaking of so much to see, I can't describe all of the incredible exhibits at the Perot Museum in one post but here are some highlights of other exhibits you will find there:

• Moody Family Children's Museum
• Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall
• Discovering Life Hall
• Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall
• The Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth Hall
• Lyda Hill Gems and Mineral Hall
• Expanding Universe Hall
• Rose Hall of Birds

The Perot Museum has done a great job of putting together a collection of Educational Resources and Scavenger Hunts for teachers and students that correspond with the exhibits you'll find at the museum. 

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HOURS. General hours of operation for the Perot Museum and Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. On the first Thursday of the month, the Museum will stay open until 9 p.m. for its First Thursday Late Night public events. 

Holiday and other special hours. The Perot Museum will close Dec. 25 (Christmas). The Museum will offer extended hours until 7 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 2, except for Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) when the Museum will close at 3 p.m. and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve), when the Museum will close at 4 p.m.

Member mornings. From 8:30-10 a.m. every Saturday and 10 a.m.-noon every Sunday, members can enjoy exclusive access to the Perot Museum and Creatures of Light. Additionally, members will enjoy exclusive access from 8:30-10 a.m. Dec. 28-Jan. 1.

TICKETS. Museum general admission ticket prices are $19 for adults (18-64), $12 for youth (2-17), $13 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Museum general admission is always free for members. Admission to the theater is $6 for a short film (20 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes) for adults, seniors and youth. For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). All children under 2 are free.

Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence requires a surcharge along with purchase of Museum general admission for non-members for a total admission cost of $26 for adults (18-64), $18 for youth (2-17), $19 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 2. Member tickets are $5 for adults (18-64) and $4 for youth (2-17) and seniors (65+).

Skip the ticket sales line! During the holiday season, visitors, including members, are strongly encouraged to purchase/reserve tickets directly from their smart phones or computers in advance.

PARKING. General parking and handicap parking is available in the main Museum parking lot, a pay-to-exit lot located under Woodall Rodgers Freeway across from the Museum. Limited additional handicap and Hybrid/electric vehicle parking is available in the Special Permit lot, located directly west of the Museum. Pricing is $8 per car. Museum members pay $3 when purchased at the Box Office inside the museum. The Perot Museum is located at 2201 N. Field Street in Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit perotmuseum.org or call 214-428-5555.

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Wizzy Gizmo: Who Created Everything? {Review}

Who Created Everything?

This is an important question and one that my kids delighted in learning about as they listened to the Wizzy Gizmo CD, Who Created Everything?

This audio drama is a fun Bible study for kids on the Book of Genesis.  It is told in a story format with fun characters on an exciting learning adventure.  Wizzy Gizmo is a wacky professor and inventor who has created the amazing Gizmovision that can bring books to life to be experienced in person.  As the Gizmovision brought the Bible to life for the characters on the CD, my kids were engaged with the story while learning about scripture, the days of Creation, and Who created everything.


The story lasts a little over 30 minutes but there is also about 24 minutes of bonus soundtrack material as well.

What my kids liked most
My daughter liked the catchy tunes and bopped her head along to the beat.  My son liked the cool names like "Gizmovision" and their ship, the "Gizmoblaster".  They both thought the story was a fun way for kids to listen to the Bible.

What my kids didn't like
My daughter wished there was a video instead of a CD so she could see the silly characters and the Gizmovision.  She thought some coloring pages of each of the days of Creation to work on while she listened to the CD would be great too.

My comments
As a homeschool mom, I'm always looking for products that support my children's Christian education.  As to my daughter's comments about wishing it was a DVD, I'm prefer audio CDs like this.  We usually listen to audio books in the car while driving around town running errands.   I find that we are more likely to discuss the stories together and make comments along the way than if they were watching it on a video.  Besides, I like audio books because it encourages the child to use their own imaginations to create what they think the characters and contraptions would look like.  I loved the fun story and songs.  I just wish that we could get more stories but so far this is the only audio CD available...but I hear they are working on more right now.

How to get the CD
You can order online at Wizzy Gizmo.  You can get the digital download for yourself for just $9.99 or get the CD and digital download for $14.99.  I like having both because I can play the digital version on the computer at home and keep the CD in the car for when we are driving around.

For more reviews, please take a look at the Home and School Mosaics: Wizzy Gizmo Review page.  For more information about Wizzy Gizmo, please visit their website at www.WizzyGizmo.com.  You can also follow Wizzy Gizmo on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Note: Wizzy Gizmo sent me the CD, Who Created Everything? for free in exchange for my honest review.  I was not told what to say about it and my opinions stated here are all my own.

Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft Classes {Review and Giveaway}

Do your kids love playing Minecraft as much as mine do?  Why not integrate a little Minecraft into your homeschool day to help make learning fun?  We had a great opportunity to review the Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft classes and I can't wait to tell you all about it!  And keep reading to find out how to enter some AMAZING giveaways for products to help with your homeschool year.

Welcome!

It's back to school time, and for homeschool families - that means gathering curriculum, planning and finding new ways to inspire kids in their studies. SKrafty Homeschool Minecraft is the perfect way to add the fun and inspiration you need.

This fall, the class line up is spectacular! If you need homeschool math, science, bible, history, language arts or more . . . you are in for a treat. Using some of your favorite homeschool curriculum companies (including Apologia Science, Mystery of History, and A+ Interactive Math) you'll learn to incorporate Minecraft projects into your family homeschool.

See all the new classes SKrafty has to offer HERE

Find out more about the fully monitored SKrafty Minecraft server where it is safe for your family and children - and get whitelisted for FREE right HERE.

SKrafty is specially designed and the rules are constructed to encourage good sportsmanship - with no griefing allowed, no bad language or ugly talk, and no sharing of outside links to protect your children. See a full list of rules HERE.

What other parents are saying about SKrafty Homeschool Minecraft:

"Since starting Skrafty my son has blossomed. His typing has gotten a lot better. School work is not a chore any more I just give him the list of what needs to be done and he does it. He finds the lessons entertaining and engaging and he loves the activities that go along with them. We are all very grateful for Skrafty." ~ Cheryl J.

"My son enjoys playing on Skrafty with other kids and I love that it is a safe, moderated Minecraft server! While playing on Skrafty he has learned creative building, developed critical thinking skills, made friends, and learned to be a team player. The classes have been fun and the reading program has encouraged him to read more than ever. Skrafty has been such a blessing to our family!" ~Julie B.

Special needs learning:

"Skrafty has been a huge blessing to our family! My son with dyslexia is not only learning but enjoying learning!!!! His reading and writing have developed more with Skrafty than any other program we have used. The classes are engaging because they are so hands on and truly turn learning into an adventure. I so highly recommend Skrafty!" ~ Caroline D.

What we learned:

My 10 year old son Nicholas was delighted to help me review a Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft class.  He chose the class, Machines and Motion.  This class was based on the textbook, "God's Design for the Physical World: Machines and Motion".  

Each week, Nicholas reads the assigned lessons each week in the textbook then goes into the Skrafty class portal to read additional information about the lesson, and watch an online presentation or some supplemental videos.  Then he completes an assignment on the Skrafty Minecraft server that corresponds with the lessons.  Some of his assignments have included building an object that demonstrates centripetal force or creating a class 1, 2, or 3 lever.   

The lessons are easy to understand but let's be honest, it's really all about the Minecraft world.  Nicholas can hardly wait to run to the computer and create his assignment.  He is so proud to show off what he has made and all that he has learned about machines and motion.  He is looking forward to taking another Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft class in the fall. 

Mom's Perspective: I love how Nicholas gets to take the material he has studied and then apply his knowledge and recreate objects that demonstrate the laws and principles that he has studied.  I think it is a great way to review and solidify what he has learned but it also makes learning fun so there is no whining when it is time to work on school work!  I also love the fact that the Skrafty server is a safe place for my kids to learn and play.  There is a monitored chat room and the kids have to follow school-appropriate rules about their behavior and language.  I highly recommend Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft classes.  We plan to integrate at least one class into our curriculum each semester.

Affordable:

Extremely affordable classes (between $6.99 - $32.00) make it easy to add creativity and excitement into your education at home. Sign up HERE for live classes or self-paced classes and begin your journey into the world of homeschool Minecraft with SKrafty.

Giveaway Companies - Multiple Winners!

Check out all the wonderful companies and prizes you can win for your family homeschool:

3 SKrafty Fall Classes - Value up to $32 each

Mystery of History Volume 1,2, or 3 & Super Supplemental - Value $150

A+ Interactive Math - Family Package for 3 Students - Value $450

Adventures In ChildRearing - Wildlife Adventures bundle- Value $27.99

We Choose Virtues - Homeschool Kit - Value $98.99

Sidetracked Sarah - Crockpot Freezer Meals 3 pack - Value $8.97

Moore Family Films - ABC Say it With Me - Value $15.99

Not Consumed - Back to School 4 Pack - Value $12.50

Teach Them Diligently - Family Pass to 1 Convention - Value $65

Homeschool Adventure Co. - Philippians in 28 Weeks - Value $18.95

Media Angels - Homeschool Moms Rescue Set - Value $9.99

A Journey Through Learning - Math Lapbook - Value $15.00

Dave Ramsey - Financial Peace Jr. - Value $24.95

Enter with 1 entry or enter with them all:

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Mystery of History, Dave Ramsey, and Moore Family Films giveaways are only for the U.S. but all other giveaways are international.  Winners will be announced Tuesday, August 19th!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review.  We were given a free Skrafty Homeschool Minecraft class to try out in order to complete this review.  I was not told what to say about the class so my opinions stated here are entirely my own.

101 Kids Activities That Are The Bestest, Funnest Ever! {Book Review and Giveaway}

I was sent an amazing book recently and I'm so excited to share it with you here.  It's called 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!: The Entertainment Solution for Parents, Relatives & Babysitters!  It was written by my friends, the ultimate Super Moms, Holly Homer and Rachel Miller at Kids Activities Blog.  What a great resource for chasing away the summer boredoms!  



The grammar in the title makes my OCD tendencies go crazy but other than that I really like this book.  These kinds of fun activities are a great way to slow down, spend some time with your kids, and just savor the days with your little ones. There are tons of great activities for both indoors and outdoors, big and little, quiet and loud.  I especially love that each of the activities include modifications to make it easier for younger children or more challenging for older children.  There are lots of great colorful pictures to help you get a good sense of how the project will work.  My kids have already flipped through it and easily identified the next 20 projects they want to do.  Want to check it out for yourself?  Keep reading and be sure to enter the giveaway later in this post!

Here is one of the activities from the book that we've already tried (From 101 Kids Activities by Holly Homer and Rachel Miller, printed with permission of Page Street Publishing June 2014):

Fizzing Sidewalk Paint

This activity trumps ordinary sidewalk chalk with a little science magic by creating a chalk-based paint and then spritzing on a little fizz.  It all starts with pH.  When solutions that are pH base mix with an acid, action happens!

Materials
~ large mixing bowl
~ 1 small (1 lb) box of baking soda
~ 1/2 cup cornstarch
~ warm water
~ several containers to hold the paint
~ food coloring
~ paintbrushes
~ spray bottle filled with vinegar (one for each child)
~ buckets or pitchers for cleanup

In a large mixing bowl, mix the baking soda and the cornstarch together.  Add the warm (almost hot) water, stirring until it is the consistency of pancake batter.  Split the recipe into several containers, adding the food coloring of your choice to each.

Use the homemade paint to create a scene or flick it with a paintbrush into a modern masterpiece.  It is best to work fast because the paint dries quickly (but can always be diluted with the addition of more warm water).

Once the painting is in place, it is time for something a little extra.  Spray the artwork with the vinegar-filled bottle and watch what happens.  Your artwork will sizzle and pop!

About Cleanup
A bucketful of water splashed across the art can make it disappear.  Because that is fun too, you might not want to wait for rain!

Modifications for Younger Kids
If a paintbrush is hard to negotiate in the paint, give your children a spoon and let them drip or drop spoonfuls of paint onto the pavement.  For the little ones, be sure to fully supervise when they spray vinegar.  It can sting little eyes.

Modifications for Older Kids
This activity is an easy way to work in a lesson on reactions between acid and base chemicals.  Talk about why this works.  Maybe you can have your budding scientists adapt the recipe to see whether they can get bigger bubbles and more fizz in their next batch of paint.

So here we go:

Mixing the ingredients was super easy.   I talked with my kindergartener about math and measuring.  She loved mixing up the two powders with her bare hands.  What a silky texture it was!  Of course, anytime she gets to use food coloring is a highlight of her day.  But I have to watch closely or she will squirt the whole bottle in the bowl in less than a second!

We ended up with this enticingly colorful tray to bring outside.  It made me giddy just looking at it!

The kids were quick to start painting the driveway.  They experimented with different colors and different brushes.

After pushing their patience limit, the paint was FINALLY dry.  They just couldn't wait to use the squirt bottle and see what the vinegar would do! 

One squirt and the colorful paint got all fizzy.  Cool!

Squirting the whole stripe made it all bubble and sizzle.  There was lots of "ooohs and ahhhs" over this.

They tried a multi-color splatter paint with the same amazing effect.  Their art work was alive!

Of course how could they let the driveway have all the fun?  They painted their bare feet and then giggled as the vinegar made the fizzies tickle their feet!  What a wonderful sensory experience!  (No, the vinegar did not burn and the food coloring did not stain their skin.)

Finally, they decided to mix all the remaining paint together to make a colorful rainbow and then they squirted the whole container with vinegar.  Lots of fizzy excitement :)

What a fun activity!  This is just one of the cool projects your kids will love in the 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!: The Entertainment Solution for Parents, Relatives & Babysitters!

I know you can't wait to get your hands on this book so here is your chance to WIN a free copy!  (if you are reading this in an email or RSS feed, you will need to click over to the actual post to enter the giveaway!)

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Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review.  I was given a copy of this book for review purposes but my comments about it are entirely my own.  This post does include affiliate links so if you click over to Amazon through this post and buy the book then I will make a few cents which just helps me buy supplies for the next cool kids activity that we do.  Thank you!