For a Good Laugh....

Head on over to Smockity Frocks!  This women is so funny! 

Flip Along Fun Book Giveaway

We have been enjoying a new book called Flip Along Fun.  It is an interactive mix and match book that is geared towards 2-6 years olds.  We have found many uses for our new book, it is great for workboxes, mommy & child snuggle time and quiet time.  Not only does this book cause lots of giggles it encourages counting, adding, matching and sequencing skills. 

Flip Along Fun is colorful, cute and very engaging. The first time Little Boy Blue and I played with it, I remember thinking how surprised I was that we had been playing with it for so long. 

You can check out the Flip Along Fun book in action! 

The author Michael J Dowling has graciously offered to give a signed copy of the Flip Along Fun book to one of you! 

To Enter the Giveaway, there are several ways to enter.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.  The drawing will end on 4/14/10.

• If you are a follower of my blog please leave a comment.
• You can check out the Flip Along Fun book and tell me what you think.
• Blog about the giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know.
• Become a new follower of Living Sola Gratia.

Now, if you just can't wait for the drawing and you must have your very own copy ASAP, no fear!  Mike has another blessing for you all, the book is normally $17.95 but if you order before April 30th he will discount it to $14.95 (plus $3.50 for shipping - per order, not per book).  He will even autograph the book for ya!  To take advantage of this kind offer please use coupon code X-02.

Giveaway over at Reluctant Entertainer

The Reluctant Entertainer always has something great going on! She mades you wish you were invited for dinner!  Anyhow she has a great giveaway going on right now.  She is giving away 2 BOOKS to ONE Winner! 
The books are Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy and Healthy Meals for Less: Great-Tasting Simple Recipes Under $1 a Serving! both by Joni McCoy.

If you'd like to enter please visit her at the Reluctant Entertainer!

When I Grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter!

We had the privilege of doing a product review from the WannaBe Series by This Old Schoolhouse called When I Grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter. Let me just first say, we had a great time!   Even my 3 year old was right up in the middle of everything.

The WannaBe Series is very simple to use... just download and print!  I liked how everything was laid out for the teacher/mom.  The study was a good fit for my kids (ages 3, 6 & 9).  It is extremely affordable at only $8.95 for the week long study.  It is very easy to adapt this study into your schedule.  We do not school on Friday and I will die the day I have too! and although this study was set for 5 days I chose to combine days 4 and 5, without any trouble.

We learned a great deal about firefighters. We learned how the first firefighters put out fires, vs. how it is done today.  Ever heard of a bucket brigade? I tell you what, Praise the Lord for fire trucks!  We learned about firefighting equipment and what it takes to be a firefighter.  We learned about fire trucks and how much water they hold.  We also studied the different ranks of a firefighter and what they do.  We praciticed stoping, dropping and rolling!  We practiced STOP, DROP and ROLL.  We also practiced dropping to the floor and crawling to the nearest safe exit.

Our favorite part of the study was when a firefighter was actually explaining what they do all day.  They aren't sitting around watching tv all day that is for sure!  They are constantly learning, training, diligently taking care of their equipment, and cleaning the fire house.

We enjoyed reading about firefighters so much that we got some wonderful books & videos at the library to go along with our theme.  Best of all we actually went to the fire house and got a grand tour!  The kids got to get in the trucks and see all the different equipment that the firefighters use.   One of the firefighters even got all of his gear on to show the kids that there was nothing to be afraid of if a firefighter was coming to help you during a fire.  They explained each part of their gear and even turned on the oxygen tank so the kids would get used to the funny little noises that they make. 

My son brought along his own firefighter uniform.  All the firefighters just loved this!

Cheezin' in the fire truck!

The Fire Chief explained to me that he'd rather not let the kids into the ambulance because of germs (didn't have to tell me twice, LOL!), so they brought the stretcher out for the kids to see.  They were SO good to us!

Getting all dressed up in his fire proof suit.

Explaining the suit to my son so he would not be afraid of a firefighter if he ever had to be rescued from a fire. 

These are some of the book we got from Library:

A Firefighter's Thanksgiving

I am Fire

Dot the Fire Dog

Firefighters to the Rescue

Fire Engine

It's Time to Call 911

Fire Fighters (In My Neighborhood Series)

The videos we watched:

Fire Safety Hits

Fire Station (My Community Series)

Safety Smart Science with Bill Nye the Science Guy: Fire Classroom Edition

As you can see we had a great time!  Needless to say, I highly recommend this study, and ending your week with a visit to your local firehouse is a must!  If you would like to do the When I Grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter unit study, or one of the 9 other interesteing studies to choose from, they are available thru The Old School House.  You can purcahse them individually for $8.95 or the whole series of 10 When I Grow Up I WannaBe a ..... for $89.50.

Saturday Morning Yardsales!

Packed up the 2 boys Saturday morning and headed out for my first yardsale of the season!  I am so excited that yard sale season is upon us yet again!  I love yard sales almost as much as I love crockpots ; ) 

I was headed to this BIG yard sale because they advertised kids clothes.  The man told me he had just GAVE AWAY a huge box of boys clothes.  At first I a little disapointed but then I realized they were just not meant for me. 

I did however get some great new books.  Is it just me or do you just love books!  I got some Magic School Bus books, Stelluna, Is Your Mama a Llama (very cute!), I know a Rhino (also very cute!), 2 Olivia books and several others.  Also, we got several books by Shirley Hughes, never heard of her before but the books looked wholesome and had really nice illustrations. I got them for $.25 to $.50 each, not bad.

I love to get book, househouse goodies and kids clothes!  The Lord has really blessed us with some really great kids clothes at yardsales.  When my oldest was our one and only I found some clothes at a yardsale that were super nice, mostly name brand and exactly 1 year ahead of her.  I talked to the mama and gave her my number and each season she would call me when she had clothes.  I'd go over to her house and buy the clothes that I wanted.  This worked out great for several years until my daughter got taller than the little girl -  that was a big bummer for me at the time. 

I think for 2 or 3 years now I have been pretty much clothing my oldest son from a family up the street.  Whenever I see their yardsale sign go up I try to be there bright and early!  I have gotten my son button up shirts for church, sweaters, unused dress shoes, jeans, pjs and some nice polo style shirts from them.  Most of these clothes are Childrens Place, Polo, Gap, etc.  Most of them look like they have never benn worn.  Yeah, can't wait for her yardsale.  The more I think about it I might just go knock on her door, LOL!

Like I said I just love yardsales!