Have You Ever Met The Little Man in the Map?

We just finished reading The Little Man in the Map, and one thing I can tell you for sure is that I really wish we had it when we were studying US History.  I know that there are songs, games and little rhythms to help remember the states but I have never seen anything like this book.  Did you know that there are 5 states on the map that really look like a little man with a hat and boots?!  MIM (The Little Man in the Map) as he is called, actually gives you clues, to help you not only remember the names of the all 50 states but their shape and location too!  The author, E. Andrew Martonyi, really had his creative juices flowing when he penned this book.

All the kids really enjoyed it, but the Lil' Chef (9yo) was glued to it.  She wanted to help me read so we ended up taking turns reading.  We read and giggled and read and giggled some more.  The clues for each state are really cute!  I think our favorite one shows one state honking MIM's nose! 

The Little Man in the Map is an excellent new way for kids (and adults) to learn US Geography.  Yes, I also learned a thing or two.  I was amazed how much the kids had remembered in just a short time.  This is a book that we will definitely keep going back to, it really makes learning fun!

Please check out the video and see how The Little Man in the Map makes the states come alive!


The Little Man in the Map can be purchased from Schoolside Press for $19.95, the author will even autograph it for you.

Menu Plan Monday

I guess since school is pretty much over for us I am getting back in the mood to cook.  Which is probably good, right?! 

Computer Girl has been having tummy trouble and I am really starting to wonder if she is becoming lactose intolerant.  I of course have this thought after I had planned my menu and wrote my grocery list.  So, for this week I am just going to leave the milk and cheese out of her food to see how she does. 

Here is what we are eating this week at the LSG house:

Monday
Lunch: Fruit, Cheese & Yogurt
Dinner: Baked Ziti w/ Salad

Tuesday
Lunch: Turkey & Cheese w/ Fruit
Dinner: Oven Fried Chicken Legs w/ Sweet Potato Wedges & Broccoli

Wednesday
Lunch: Mac & Dogs & Fruit
Dinner: Rosie's Hot Chicken Chowder (from Sue Gregg's Soups & Muffins CB)

Thursday
Lunch: Cheese Melts w/ sour cream & Fruit
Dinner: Breakfast Night - Eggs, Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, Bacon & Fruit

Friday
Lunch: PB & J's w/ Carrot Sticks & Fruit
Dinner:  Homemade Pizza

Saturday
Lunch: Fruit, Cheese & Yogurt
Dinner: Deep Dish Taco Squares (I am replacing the beef with ground turkey and using TJ's alternative to Bisquick)

Sunday
Lunch: Joe's Organic O's (TJ's version of Spaghetti O's)
Dinner: Feta & Bacon Stuffed Chicken w/ Onion Mashed Potatoes & Spinach

Jesus Messiah

by Chris Tomlin

He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
Love so amazing
Love so amazing, yeah

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer


Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world


Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

Random Dozen

Just for Fun!  I thought I'd do the Random Dozen.





1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?
It would have to be Chicken w/ Cream Cheese OR Feta and Bacon, which I serve over brown rice with a veggie.

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)
My Cell.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?
The Beach

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.
No one is getting wrote up in History books to my knowledge.  Can't really think of anything.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."
wanted to me a lawyer.

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?
Panda All Natural Soft Licorice Chews, Raspberry flavor only please!  I have convinced myself that because they are "all natural" they are good for me.

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."
This is a pet peeve of sorts.  You know those dust jackets on books to help them stay nice or look fancy or whatever.  Well, I can't stand them!  They drive me a little nuts to be honest.  I actually throw them away.  Weird, right?

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?
Can I hope I find a quarter and then buy some of those yummy Panda Licorice Chews? 

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."
My husband, even when he is getting on my last nerve, as husbands can do sometimes, he still makes me crack up. 

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?
One of my goals is that my children have a firm foundation of God's Word and that they have a personal relationship with Christ.  While I can't make the relationship happen I can be washing them in the Word each day.  Does that count?

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?
I could  take my neighbor a meal, she has been sick.


12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?
Summer Time!  Hangin' poolside, hopefully taking the RV and hitting the road.

Saturday Solutions: Non Toxic MultiPurpose Cleaner

Over here at the LSG house I try real hard to not bring in funkie chemicals.  I try to use all natural, non toxic cleaners whenever possible.  I like to lighten the chemical load for our family and keep our lungs nice and healthly, beings that the Lord only gave us two of them.

For several years now, I have been using white vinegar on my kitchen floors.  It does a fabulous job of getting up all the gook and grime that 4 kids and 3 dogs seem to leave behind.  Some people do not like the smell of vinegar, I persoanlly love it!  For me it brings back memories from when I was a kid at the beach eatting crabs, of course dipped in vinegar!   Anyway, for those of you that don't like the smell, it really doesn't linger that long. 

A few months back a friend of mine shared another vinegar tip with me.  Did you know that you can take an empty spray bottle and fill it 50/50 with white vinegar and water and use it on mirrors and glass!  Yes, on MIRRORS and GLASS!   With NO STREAKS!  I thought that was definitly a wonderful tip.  I now use my vinegar mix for my kitchen table, counters, stove, appliance fronts, bathrooms, mirrors and glass!