What Do Ya Think??

Did you notice anything different around here today??

There I was, going about my normal day, still dealing with sick kids and of course now being sick myself, I had decided to sit down to work on a review.  I go to my little blogspot in wide world of bloggers to find that my background was GONE!  Yes, GONE!

Ok, don't panic I try to calmly tell myself.  I decided to go to Scrappin' Blogs to see what was up, and I found a message about  Photobucket removing their backgrounds because of costs.  They are trying to come up with a solution. 

I have to admit I was a bit devastated disappointed!  I know it's just a background, but I REALLY did like that background!  So, it was on!  I had to find a new background, I just couldn't bare to leave my little blog so plain and white.

I had 2 requirements for my new background, 1) it had to have brown in it , because brown is my favorite color!  and 2) it had to be cute!

Well, how did I do?  What do you think? 

Nature's Miracles Book Series Review & GIVEAWAY

We love to study God's beautiful handiwork, so we were very excited when Barron's Publishing gave us the opportunity to review the Nature's Miracles series.  The series was written by Judith Anderson and illustrated by Mike Gordon and is geared for children ages 4-7. 

There are four great books in this series, each one having awesome illustrations that are not only adorable but very informative!   We all enjoyed the books, and I was impressed at how they really kept the kids interest.  The books in the series are:

Once There Was a Tadpole gives a great description about how frog eggs turn to tadpoles and then to frogs.  Did you know that frog eggs are called frogspawn?  Gross, yet very interesting!

 

   

 
Once There Was a Seed showed us how seeds can turn into beautiful flowers or giant trees.  All from one tiny little seeds!  God really is awesome!  We also learned about pollination.

 

Once There Was a Caterpillar gave us the ins and outs of the life of a caterpillar, from egg to caterpillar to butterfly.  We really liked this one, it would go along great with a study on butterflies.

Once There Was a Raindrop detailed the process in which water evaporates into clouds and then becomes rain.  I think this book really surprised my kids, they had no idea that raindrops are recycled water!

Each book in this series has a few added features in the back, they give you book suggestions for further reading, websites to visit and actives to do.  he Nature's Miracles series would make great science reader or they would be great to just read a loud.  To purchase the Nature's Miracles books you can visit Barron's website.

  

Barron's Publishing has offered the same great book series to one of YOU!  The WINNER will get The Nature's Miracle books that we reviewed. The GIVEAWAY will run until July 14th.  Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each way that you enter and you 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 you follow.
• If you have just become a new Follower or Subscriber please tell me how you heard about this giveaway.
• If you blog about this contest please come back and leave me a link to you post.
• Please visit the Barron's website and let me know some other books that would interest you. 
• Facebook or Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know about it. 
• Become a Fan of Barron's Publishing on Facebook.

We received this product free of charge for review purposes. The opinions stated in this review are our own and we were not paid in any way.

LockRobots Review

We were recently given the opportunity to review LockRobots.  They are these adorable little plastic robot shaped men that you can stack, link and build with.  They are even great to use for math, they can be used for sorting, counting and even making patterns.  LockRobots are easy enough for the little ones yet they can also be challenging for the older kids.  Talk about a versatile toy!

The children have had a ball playing with these little guys!!  Alpha Boy has used them to build with, count with and even to sort into color groups.  There are lots of fun things that you can do with them.   LockRobots are for kids of all ages, and mom's too! I even enjoyed making towers and building with them.

     Alpha Boy pondering what to do next!

 Ta-Dah!  We really like making pyramids with them to see how tall we can stack them with out them falling over. Usually, Little Bits knocks them over before we finish!

The Lil' Chef was having a go at stacking the LockRobots.

I stacked these but...

Then came the wrecking crew.

We definitely recommend LockRobots, the only suggestion that I would make is to get 30 or more pieces.  You can get them in sets of 15, 30, 70 and 150. The price range is from $11.00 - $69.00.   The 15 piece set is fun but we would have been able to be more creative with a larger set.  Each set comes with building and linking ideas to get your imagination rolling and there are lots of great ideas on the LockRobots Website. You can see the all the ideas here, here, here and even here.

It is great that LockRobots come in their own storage containers and they are VERY durable.  I couldn't imagine even one of my kids breaking them, and that is saying alot!!  And they are MADE IN THE USA, which I totally love! 

Here are the Top Ten LockRobot Features (from their website)
1. Lockrobots are non-toxic, contain no lead, latex, or magnets. The use of quality (American made) materials make Lockrobots durable and safe.
2. Lockrobots require no batteries.

3. Lockrobots are a great educational manipulative that are fun for children to use in a homeschool or regular school curriculum.

4. Lockrobots exercise a child's mind through imagination and creativity, while meeting many state standards in early childhood education.

5. Lockrobots provide activities, which allow parents and children to interact and spend quality time with each other.

6. Lockrobots are a useful tool in Occupational therapy settings.

7. Lockrobots will grow with your child for many years of enjoyment.

8. Lockrobots are affordable.

9. Children, as well as adults, think Lockrobots are cool!

10. Lockrobots make a unique gift item for any boy or girl!

 

LockRobots will be a staple for us in Tot School next year, for sure!  They can be a great learning tool, the website has lots of great ideas on how to use them for Math, Science and even Language Arts!!  I am thrilled that they are larger than the standard math counters, which I am always afraid of Little Bits choking on. 

If you would like to get your own set you can order them right on the LockRobots website.

We received this product free of charge for review purposes.  The opinions stated in this review are our own and we were not paid in any way.

4th of July Menu: Chicken & Rice Soup

For the last week I have been planning a 4th of July party, a small birthday day party for Little Bits and a weekend visit from an old friend.  None of these plans actually happened.  All four of the little ones started getting sick on Wednesday. They have had the pukies, colds and fevers. 

Alpha Boy had a fever of 104.7 - yes, I was freaking out!!!  We had put some wet socks on his feet to draw the fever down, which usually works but they just weren't touching this fever.  Gave him a luke warm bath and Motrin, per the Dr's orders and the fever finally came down. 

Then, Computer Girl really had me worried this morning because she was starting to really look dehydrated from all the pukies she had, one bottle of coconut water later she was fine.  I try to always have coconut water on hand, I use this instead of pedialyte.  They come in several different flavors and the replace lost electrolytes.

Taking a sick day

I feel so bad for the kids, we had plans Friday - Sunday and we weren't able to do any of them.  I guess we are all pretty bummed!  We were going to cook out today but with Computer Girl being sick this morning, not sure that would be a great idea.  Although the steak marinating in the fridge is calling my name.  Have you ever marinated steak in the Newman's Own Parmesan & Roasted Garlic salad dressing??  Holy smokes, it is soo- good!

On a brighter note, I did make some souper yummy Chicken & Rice Soup.  Computer Girl, whom I could have called Soup Girl, gobbled up two bowls full yesterday!  Computer Girl and I share a love for soup!  She is the only one in the house that will eat Lentil Soup with me.  The soup was really easy to make...

Chicken & Rice Soup

8 cups of Chicken Broth
4 cups of diced chicken thighs
6 cups of cooked brown rice
2 cups of diced carrots
1 cup of chopped celery
1 onion, diced
1/2 bag of frozen peas
1/2 bag of frozen green beans
2 garlic cloves, pressed
Parsley, basil, garlic powder and salt to taste

I cooked the chicken in the broth for about 20 minutes.  I then added the rest of the ingredients and let them simmer until all the veggies were nice and tender.  As a matter of fact I think I am going to go have be a bowl for lunch!

Happy 4th of July!!

When I Survey the Wonderous Cross

by Issac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.