Apologia Live Retreat Winner!

Congrats to Comment # 15....

Christine M
I "like" Apologia on Facebook! :)

 is the Apologia Live Retreat Ticket WINNER! 

Apologia LIVE Retreat Ticket GIVEAWAY!

I have some super exciting news to share!  Last summer I had an amazing opportunity to have lunch with several of the ladies from Apologia, including Rachael Carman, the author of How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids.

During this luncheon I learned alot about Apologia and how they are focusing more on resources that offer support for the homeschooling mom.  One fantastic way that they are doing this is by offering the Apologia Live Retreats for homeschool moms.  

I have not been to an Apologia Live Retreat but I have listened to the past two years of them on CD's. As I listened to Before the Throne 2011 and Standing Strong 2010, I got to hear homeschool mom's like Rachael Carman, Zan Tyler, Jeannie Fulbright and Debra Bell encourage me through scripture and offer me godly wisdom from their past experiences.

This year Apologia Live presents

Celebrate the Journey!

Celebrate the Journey of homeschooling, wifehood, and being a mom during the good times, the bad times and yes, even the ugly times.  Join us as we look at the scriptures and seek encouragement from veteran homeschool moms on how to Celebrate the Journey!

Apologia Live invites you to a retreat designed to encourage and support homeschool moms.

Featured Speakers:

Rachael Carman

Heidi St. John

Zan Tyler

Debra Bell

Elizabeth Smith

Jeannie Fulbright

Sherri Seligson

Anne MacCallum

You can read more about these fabulous speakers on the Apologia Live Retreat's blog.

Ok, now for the exciting news!!  Apologia Live Retreats is giving away ONE FREE TICKET to a LSG reader!!  

This giveaway will include ONE Regular Ticket to either the Baltimore, Maryland or Atlanta, Georgia Apologia Live Retreat. This includes one registration, a $115 value, that will include 6 General Sessions and 2 Prayer Sessions on Friday afternoon and evening, starting at 3:30 pm and running through Saturday at 4:15 pm. The Retreat ticket also includes lunch on Saturday. (Please note that this giveaway does not include hotel accommodations or the Nuts & Bolts Sessions, these would be the winner's responsibility if interested.) 

Baltimore, MD  - March 9-10, 2012

Atlanta, GA - March 23-24, 2012

This GIVEAWAY will run until January 30th, 2012.  Here's how YOU can ENTER TO WIN! 

• Visit the Apologia Live Blog, then leave a comment about what you are most interested in about the conference.
• Friend Apologia Live on Facebook and then let me know about it.
• Follow Apologia Live on Twitter and then leave me a comment.
• You can spread the word about this giveaway on your blog and leave me a link back.

 Please leave a comment with each entry as well as your email.
Thanks so much for entering!

Lord willing, I am going to be at the Baltimore, MD Apologia Live Retreat, I would love to meet up with any of you there : )

Please note that Apologia Live will be providing the ticket to the winner. I will also be attending the Apologia Live Retreat as a gift from them for promoting the retreat (Thanks Apologia, I can't wait!)

 

30 Meals in One Day Winner

We have a Winner...

AmandaSue said... 24

My family is very disorganized, we just plan earlier in the day what sounds good of whatever is in the pantry and then just make that.

_________________________________________________________________

Thanks to everyone that entered! 

MathTacular Winner!

Thanks to everyone that entered! 

The winner is..

Gretta said...                         17
I would like the MathTacular 4 DVD because word problems seem to often to be an issue for kids and this might help simplify them some.

MathTacular Review & Giveaway!

Have you ever heard of MathTacular?  I had not until I came across it at a homeschool convention.  Once I saw it I knew it would be absolutely perfect for Alpha Boy.  He loves hands on stuff, like most other little five year olds.

MathTacluar is a multi-level math curriculum.  Although, I hesitate to use the word curriculum because that word sounds boring and MathTacular is so NOT boring.  MathTacular is a series of DVD lessons that are based on real life math that use lots of different manipulative's. The math lessons in the DVD's are lots of fun and easy to understand.  Justin, the math master mind of the DVD series, catches the children's attention and knows how to keep it. 

There are 4 DVD"s in the MathTacular Series, lots of math manipulative's as well as several packages that are available.  We reviewed the MathTacular Educational Kit which included the following:

• MathTacular Kit DVD (67 of the 88 activities in MathTacular)
• Bear Counters
• Color Tiles
• Red & White Counter
• Mini-Clock
• Die
• Base Ten Blocks
• Pattern Blocks
• 12" Wooden Ruler
• Number Flash Cards
• Number Chart
• Gram Centimeter Cubes
• Geo Board with Bands (my kids especially love this!)
• Popsicle Sticks & Pinto Beans (for place value practice)
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Math Manipulative's Guide

We have really enjoyed watching Justin and friends teach us about ordinal numbers while running laps around a track.  As well as learning the difference between odd and even numbers while watching Justin make peanut butter and cracker sandwiches.  There is alot to learn on the MathTacular DVD that is included in the Educational Kit, from number basics to comparison, to practical math.  There are 67 lessons in all. 

The MathTacular Educational Kit that we reviewed is geared toward children ages 4-7 and costs $49.99. 

The wonderful folks at MathTacular have offered to giveaway a DVD to one of my readers!  The winner will get to choose between 4 MathTacular DVD's. 

Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each entry and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! The giveaway is going to run until Friday, October 7, 2011. Here is how you can enter to win a MathTacular DVD of Your Choice:

• You must be a Follower of LSG to Win! Please leave me a comment and let me that you follow.
• If you have just become a new Follower, please tell me how you heard about this giveaway
• SPREAD THE WORD! If you blog about this contest please come back and leave me a link to you post.
• Please visit the MathTacular website, let me know which MathTacular product most appeals to you.
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know about it.
• Like MathTacular on Facebook. 

Thanks for Entering!

  

Gather the Family Giveaway Winner!

So sorry that I didn't do this Friday, but the kids and I had a chance to go away for the week and well, we took it : ) 

Without further ado (is that how you spell that??)  the WINNER of the Gather the Family video from Franklin Springs Family Media is....


danielle @ RLR said...                           9

I'm a follower!


She blogs over at Raising Little Rhodies and has quite a cute blog I might add.  Y'all should check her out!

The Night Night Book Review & Giveaway



I love books and reading them to my children.  I especially love to snuggle up and read naptime and bedtime stories to the little guys.  Over the years we have had a few favorites.  You know what I am talking about, that one book that kids bring to you every day or every night, that one book that your 2 year old can pretty much recite with out you. 



The Night Night Book by Marianne Richmond has become that book for us.  Little Bits is quite happy to have it read to him on a daily basis.  Once you start reading a page he will finish your sentence for you.  We have read this book so many times that he has most of it memorized. 



The Night Night Book is is a board book that is geared for the younger ones.  It starts off with a child that is in his "comfy bed, all tucked in.  Cozy blanket toes to chin."  Then he goes through saying night night to the trees, flowers and sun.  Night night to to his crayons, smock and glitter glue.  The story is very cute and has a little rhythm to it, which of course little kids love.

 

It is illustrated very nicely, with adorable cut out pictures that are bright and colorful.  Little Bits loves to point out certain things and count crayons, flowers, stars and as we read through The Night Night Book.

This little board book makes a great naptime, bedtime or anytime story book and would be a great addition to any toddlers story collection.  You can purchase your own copy for $7.95 on Amazon.

You can also WIN a copy of The Night Night Book!  The publisher of The Night Night Book, Sourcebooks, has offered to GIVEAWAY one to one of my readers.  The GIVEAWAY will run until June 17th 2011.  Here is how you can enter to win: 

• You must Follow LSG through Google Friend Connect, so please let me know that you follow. 
• If you are also an email subscriber that will get you an extra entry if you let me know. 
• Let your readers know about this giveaway by posting about it on your Blog, Facebook or Twitter page and let me know or leave me a link. 
• Check out some of the other books by Marianne Richmond and tell which others interest you. 

You can find other great Naptime and Bedtime Story ideas over at Smockity Frocks.

We received The Night Night Book free of charge from Sourcebooks for review purposes only.   The opinions expressed her are mine and I was not influence by the company or the free product.

Kids Love Spanish Winner

 

Congrats to.....

Kelly @ In Everything said12

  I'm a new follower!!  Thanks to those who entered!  

31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House in a Mary Way, Book Giveaway!

I heard about this giveaway that I had to share with you all!  If you are anything like me, you probably LOVE to have a clean house, yet struggle to do so (sigh).  When I heard about the Free eBook, 31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way, I was thinking, that sounds like a plan to me! 

I am excited to read this book, Sarah Mae, the books author, addresses the heart and helps with the why to keep our homes clean, verses the how.   Along with each days reading, she even gives a Martha and a Mary Challenge, which sounds very interesting!
 
The eBook is FREE ONLY for TODAY, so ya might wanna scoot on over and check it out.  After today the eBook will cost ya $4.95.

The Building on the Rock Series WINNER...

The Hubs picked #14.......


freddie said...                                                                                               14

I liked Christian Focus on Facebook
April 16, 2011 3:04 AM


Thanks to everyone that entered!!

The Building on the Rock Series Review and Giveaway

I found a new books series that I had to share with you all.  The series is called The Building on the Rock series, by Joel R Beeke and Diana Kleyn. 

This series consists of five books, each having 30 or so devotional stories in them.  The books in the series are called:

• How God Used a Thunderstorm
• How God Stopped the Pirates
• How God Used a Snowdrift
• How God Used a Drougnt and An Umbrella
• How God Sent a Dog to Save a Family

The kids and I are currently working through How God Used a Thunderstorm and the stories are FANTABULOUS!!  Some of the stories are short (only a page long) and others are several pages long (being 3-5 pages).  I like how the stories are catergoriezed as long or short, this way I know which stories to pick from depending on the time I have available to read. 

So far, we have been reading at about 2 stories at a time, inaddition to our read a loud book, they are quite addicting to be honest!  The stories have really been a blessing to us, real life stories of how the Lord is working. 

One of my favorites, which is actually the first story in the book, was about a Christian slave that was sold to a new master.  This man was very mean, especially to the slave.  One afternoon the master insisted that Cuff, the slave, stop praying.  When the master had found out that Cuff continued in prayer, he beat him.  Instead of cursing the master, you know what he did?  He got on his knees and prayed for him, I am not sure that I could have done this.  That very night the master couldn't sleep because of the awful thing that he had done. 
He asked if anyone on the plantation could pray for him,  Guess who was brought to the master's bedside?  You guessed it, Cuff, the slave that he had beaten just hours before.  Through all of this, the Lord saved the master.  The master and Cuff spent much time studying the Word together and then traveled through out the South preaching the gospel.

That story and all the others in the Building on the Rock Series are based on true stories.  This is a wonderful collection to add to your family library.

If you would like to own your own set of The Building on the Rock Series you can purchase them directly from STL Distribution for $8.99 each.

Chrstian Focus Publications & STL Distribution, the publishers for the Building on the Rock Series, have offered to giveaway a set to one of YOU!  The GIVEAWAY will run until April 20th.  Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each way that you enter and YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!  Here are the ways that you can enter:

  

• You must be a Follower or Subscriber of LSG to Win!  Please leave me a comment and let me know how you follow.
• If you have just become a new Follower or Subscriber please tell me how you heard about this giveaway.
• Spread the Word! If you have a blog and post about this contest please come back and leave me a link to your post.
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know about it.
• Like Christian Focus Publications on Facebook.

THANKS FOR ENTERING!! 

Please note that The Building on the Rock Series was given to us free of charge for review purposes, by Chrisitan Focus Publications.  The opinions expressed here are my own and I was not swayed by the free product.

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Sewing DVD WINNERS!!!

The winners are:

Amy said...

I would want The Art of Cooking


Missional Mama
_____________________________________

Mrs. White said...


I am already a follower of your blog on GFC.
Thanks for this chance to win.

blessings
Mrs. White
_____________________________________
homeschooling mom of 4 said...


I just started following through GFC and I seen your blog from your tag on MFW Families group. Would love to have the canning, or sewing, or gardening, or quilting video. I ust love to learn from them.

thanks,
Kim
____________________________________

Congrats guys!  Please email me your address so that I can have them shipped out to ya!
Thanks so much to everyone that entered.  I will be doing another Homestead Blessings DVD Review/Giveaway real soon.

Homestead Blessing: The Art of Sewing Review & GIVEAWAY

We have been given the opportunity to watch and review the Homestead Blessings Video Series, the most recent video that we watched was The Art of Sewing.

I was thrilled to be able to watch the Art of Sewing because my sewing skills are pretty minimal, at best.  The West Ladies really do have a gift of making you feel that you REALLY can do what they are doing, and do it well.  When I watch their videos I feel very encouraged and they don't make me feel like I have to be a perfectionist to make something beautiful.

The Art of Sewing Video had several sewing lessons that teach you basting, cutting, straight stitch.  The projects in the video included a doll quilt, pillow cases, layered skirt and a RAG QUILT!  I have been wanting to make a quilt but never felt qualified to be a quilt maker, you know what I'm sayin'!  BUT the west Ladies explained that a RAG Quilt is a little more forgiving, i.e. It doesn't have to be perfect!  That sounds right up my alley.

So, I have decided to make a rag quilt for Lil' Bits for his birthday (I have until July), but I am going to wait until we finish up school for the year to start my quilt project.  I have lots of fun kids flannel prints that would make a really cute quilt for a little boy.  Plus, I have made all the other kids a blanket, you know those no sew fleece blankets and I don't want him to feel left out : )



The Homestead Blessings Videos would make a wonderful Home Education Series to do at home with the kids.  The West Ladies have a wide variety of life skills that they teach, the videos in the series are:

• The Art of Quilting
• The Art of Sewing 
• The Art of Dairy Delights
• The Art of Canning
• The Art of Gardening
• The Art of Herbs
• The Art of Cooking 
• The Art of Soap Making
• The Art of Candle Making
• The Art of Bread Making
• The Art of Crafting

You can purchase your own copy of Homestead Blessings: The Art of Sewing or any of the other Homestead Blessings videos directly from Franklin Springs Media.  While your there be sure to check out all the other AWESOME Family Friendly videos that they offer.

If you would like to WIN your very own copy of The Art of Sewing, here is your chance!  I have 3, yes THREE to GIVEAWAY!  Here is how you can enter to win Homestead Blessings, The Art of Sewing:

Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each way that you enter and YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! Here are the ways that you can enter:

• You must be a Follower or Subscriber of LSG to Win! Please leave me a comment and let me know how you follow.
• If you have just become a new Follower or Subscriber please tell me how you heard about this giveaway.
• Spread the Word!  If you have a blog and post about this contest please come back and leave me a link to your post.  
• Please visit the Franklin Springs website, let me know which other Homestead Blessings videos you would be interested in.  
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know about it.
• Like Franklin Springs Family Media on Facebook.
• Like Homestead Blessings on Facebook.

PLEASE NOTE:  One of my wonderful ATTENTIVE readers reminded me to give an END DATE for the GIVEAWAY (thanks!).  Oops, sorry I have forgot, told ya'll I've been slackin' lately : ) 

The GIVEAWAY will END on March 23th.  Thanks for entering!


Please note that the Art of Sewing was given to us free of charge for review purposes.   The opinions expressed here are my own and i was not swayed buy the free product. 

Large Family Logistics Giveaway!

One of my favorite Blogger Mommies, Raising Olives, is giving away 2 copies of Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. 

Not sure if you have heard of this book yet or not but I have and I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to read it!! 

Large Family Logisitcs is a book filled with practical tips about meal planning, quiet time, household and child training tips.  Sounds like a book for every mom's bookshelf!!

Feel free to hop on over to enter the giveaway.

Handmade Holidays Winners!

I planned on posting these yesterday but got caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday!  Sorry : )

Here are the final winners:

The Winner for the Portable Car Track is...


Peggy said... 4
My son would love the car track or the dinosaur tail(what fun!!)
________________________________________________________________________

The Handmade Applique Shirt Winner is

Karyn said... 2
I think the horse shirt is cute. My daughter loves horses.
_____________________________________________________________________________

The Winner of the Marshmallow Shooter is

Kayla said... 7
I love this from Little Expressions http://www.etsy.com/listing/33666524/crocheted-snowman


Thanks to everyone that entered!  I hope that I was able to share some great holiday gift ideas with you all.
 
Have a Happy Holiday!

Handmade Holidays #7 - Tailor Made Games WINNER!

Congrats to comment #17


Joyce said... 17

Email subscriber:)

Thanks to everyone that entered!

Handmade Holidays #6 - Super Hero Cape Winner!

Congrats to Comment #2

Jennifer said... 2 These are cute! I'd like to win one for my son. I follow your blog with GFC.


Thanks to everyone that entered!

Handmade Holidays #11 - Marshmallow Shooters! Review & Giveaway

I am really excited to tell you all about the Handmade Holiday Gift Idea #11!  Little Expressions sent us 2 Marshmallow Shooters to review and boy were we excited! 

In case you have never seen a Marshmallow Shooter, allow me to explain what they are.  They are made from a simple contruction of PVC piping and LOADS of FUN!!  I have seen Marshmallow Shooters before at craft fairs but had never bought one.  One of the things that I really liked about the ones from Little Expressions is that they are painted camouflage. 

Aren't they cool!!

The way that they work is you place a marshmallow in the top mouth piece and then blow!   We were amazed at how far the marshmallows flew across the room, they can shoot up to 75 feet!  I think my husband wants one of his very own, and truthfully so do I!!  I think I am going to have to order some extra ones so we can all join in the fun! 

They come in several different colors.

The marshmallow shooters are very well made and pretty indestructible in my opinion.  One of these and a extra large bag of marshmallows would make anyone happy!  They are made for ages 3-93, so even grandma or grandpa might like one : )

Little Expressions sells them for $5.00 each and they are sold in sets of 2, 4, 5 and 10.  Just a word of advice, when you order make sure you order enough for everyone, trust me you'll me glad  you did.

Little Expressions has offered to GIVEAWAY 2 Marshmallow Shooters to ONE of YOU (USA or Canadian Residents only).  The GIVEAWAY will run until December 23.  Here is how you can enter to win:

•  You must be a Follower of LSG on GFC.
• If you subscribe thru email let me know.
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and tell me about it.
• Spread the word, if you blog about this giveaway and then let me know that will get you another entry.
• Add Little Expressions to your Favorites on Etsy.com and let me know.
• Visit Little Expressions and tell me what else she makes that you like. 

  

This item was given to us for review purposes only. We were not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Handmade Holidays #9 - Handmade Applique Shirt Review & Giveaway

Handmade Gift Idea #8 is a very lovely Handmade Applique T Shirt by La La's.  The shirt that we received has a horse applique in a pink pattern, but La La's offers many different designs and patterns to choose from. 

Too Cute!!

The Horse T Shirt for Girls is available for $20.00, for a long or short sleeve.

Some of La La's other designs include:

How wonderful it would be to give a child a shirt with their new age on it for their birthday!

The Number Applique Shirts are available for $20.

I love these shirts for little ones! 

Any mama would be happy to have one of these with their little ones initial one it.

A Crown T Shirt, Fit for a King or Queen, depending on the pattern you choose. 

This shirt is also available for $20.00

La La's also has some shirts and onesies that are premade and on sale.

Not only do I appreciate the awesome handmade quality and that all the appliques are sewn on, I also love the flexibility too!  It's like a Build a Shirt Workshop! Here is how it works:

• Pick out your applique
• Choose your pattern from the many options available.
• Select your size from the available sizes, which are 3-6 mo. onesie, 6-12 mo. onesie, 12-18 mo., 18-24 mo., 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12. 
• Decide if you would prefer long or short sleeve.

These would make a great gift for the holidays or any time!   Kids would even love getting to design their own shirt! 

La La's has offered to GIVEAWAY one of her adorable shirts to one of YOU!! You get to choose the size, style, pattern and applique!  The GIVEAWAY will run until December 21st. Here is how you can enter to WIN:

• You must be a Follower of LSG on GFC.
• If you subscribe thru email let me know.
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and tell me about it.
• Spread the word, if you blog about this giveaway and then let me know that will get you another entry.
• Add LaLas to your Favorites on Etsy.com and let me know.
• Visit LaLas and tell me what shirt you like best.

 This item was given to us for review purposes only.  We were not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Handmade Hoildays #8 - Portable Car Race Track Caddy Review & Giveaway

Handmade Holidays #9 is the one of the cutest and most creative things I have ever seen!! Have you ever seen a Portable Car Race Track Caddy?  I had not, until low and behold there it was right on Etsy! 

What is a Portable Car Track Caddy, you ask?  Well, it is a handmade, cloth car track that mom can fold up and put right in her purse to help keep your little ones entertained while your out and about.  Not only is this car track portable and compact but it holds 6 Hot wheels Cars too!! It is really AWESOME!! 

The one that Boats and Bananas sent us to review is sooo- adorable.....

Told you it was the CUTEST!  I

 just love the denim mixed with the patterned cotton fabric.

This is it all folded up.

You can purchase The Portable Car Race Track Caddy from right from Boats and Bananas for only $21.00, and that includes 6 hot wheels cars.

Boats and Bananas also offers several other creative toys to keep your child's imagination going:

Check out the Old McDonalds Song Gloves, they are only $10.00.

I love the girl's Holiday TuTu, it has little plastic bulbs inside.  This one is available for $17.00.

My boys would LOVE this!  What little boy wouldn't love to stomp and roar around the house with this Dinosaur Tail.  She also has them for girls too!

They have Play Capes, for girls and boys, which are available for only

$15.00.

Last but not least she offers Crayon Pad Rolls.  What a great idea for the kids on the go, think doctors office, restaurants and church.  At only $10.00 these would be great as a gift or as a stocking stuffer.

PLEASE BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR ORDERS SOON TO ENSURE THAT YOUR GOODIES ARRIVE BEFORE THE HOLIDAY!!

Boats and Bananas has kindly offered to GIVEAWAY one of her Portable Car Track Caddy's to ONE of YOU!  The giveaway will run until December 23st.  Here is how you can enter to WIN!

You must be a Follower of LSG on GFC.

• If you subscribe thru email let me know.
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and tell me about it.
• Spread the word, if you blog about this giveaway and then let me know that will get you another entry.
• Visit Boats and Bananas and Follow on GFC.
• Add Boats and Bananas to your Favorites on Etsy.com and let me know.
• Visit Boats and Bananas and tell me what your child would have the most fun with!

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE THE WINNER.

This product was given to us for review purposes. We were not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.